Explore & Enjoy // Music & Nightlife
House Music
Peter Croce
I’m not sure I’ve put in my 10,000 hours to call myself an expert, but I certainly have great reverence and have paid some dues for this music! Between starting and running the vinyl-centric label & party Rocksteady Disco (on our 13th release at the time of writing), deejaying at least eight hours a week, producing my own music and releasing on various labels, digging for new music, traveling to deejay, throwing parties, and managing MotorCity Wine Recordings, there’s a pretty solid CV of work there.
Detroit simultaneously has a giant musical history while also having low barriers to entry for those who want to jump right in. There are a lot of venues that have deejays, so you can cut your teeth and gain experience fairly quickly. But then when you show up to the venue, Juan Atkins, Terrence Parker, or Derrick May might be there kicking it. And they might even come up and “trainspot” your record (aka look at and ask what song you’re playing.) It has happened to me!
1
MotorCity Wine
MotorCity Wine - Michigan Avenue, Detroit MI
It’s intimate with a great soundsystem and quality soulful deejays and jazz musicians (depending on which night you go). It brings out some serious dancers, and it’s also where the heads hang out, so you never know whom you can hand a promo vinyl or CD to. They rarely charge cover, but if they do you better believe it’s well worth it.
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Temple Bar
Temple Bar - Cass Avenue, Detroit MI
Temple Bar is a no frills dancehall with a great roster of deejays, cheap cover, and stiff drinks. People go there to dance, which really creates a great vibe that a lot of places don’t often achieve. It’s historically one of the oldest gay safe havens in the city, and continues to be LGBTQ+ affirming.
3
Marble Bar
Marble Bar - Holden Street, Detroit MI
Detroit might be lacking full blown “clubs,” but the bookings at Marble Bar are relentlessly on point. They bring in some of the best touring acts and usually tack on a local to open up the party. They also host some of the most impressive after parties during Movement.
