It’s Time to

When should I arrive? Where do I go?

If you’re GA, please arrive at your starting restaurant – it’s on your ticket – at 5:30 p.m. with your ticket printed or a digital copy ready for scanning on your phone.

If you’re VIP, please arrive at Mad Nice for the 5 p.m. reception with your ticket printed or a digital copy that can be viewed by our volunteer staff. After the VIP reception, you will walk or hop on a shuttle bus to the restaurant of your choice to begin the tour.

What if I arrive late?

If you’re GA, your wristband will be waiting for you at the starting restaurant you selected until 6:30 p.m. After 6:30, please check in at the Help Desk at 1001 Woodward Avenue.

If you’re VIP, your wristband will be waiting for you at the VIP reception at Mad Nice until 6:30 p.m. If you arrive after 6:30, please check in at the help desk at 1001 Woodward Avenue.

Where do I park?

We’ve outlined several options below for your convenience but are not guaranteed. We suggest parking near your starting restaurant or near the last restaurant you plan to visit — do plan carefully for what you’re most comfortable with. Please also plan a few options in case your first-choice lot or garage is full. Please contact garages directly to confirm availability and pricing (subject to change).

Flat-rate parking for $10 for the evening (beginning after 4 p.m.) is available at the following list of parking garages. Please note these garages are self-serve and accept debit/credit card payment only. Cash will not be accepted.

The Z

1234 Library St, 48226

(888) 300-9833

One Campus Martius Deck

1188 Farmer St, 48226

(313) 227-4866

Greektown Garage

1001 Brush St.

(313) 961-8322

1001 Woodward Garage

35 State St.

(313) 965-8059

Bricktown Garage

419 E. Fort St.

One Detroit Center Garage

200 Larned St.

(855) 487-6727

Two Detroit Garage

160 E. Congress St.

(313) 963-2599

Financial District Parking Garage

730 Shelby St.

Additional parking options include:

• Ford Employee Lot in Corktown – FREE – 1941 Fisher Fwy (entrance will be off of Michigan to Vermont)
• The Whitney: $5 parking in lot across the street (corner of Canfield and Woodward) (Walkable for VIP)
• Cork and Gabel: private lot free
• Opera House Parking Center, 1426 Broadway, (855) 487-6727
• Parking Lot 71 (Wayne State University), 410 W. Canfield: Open courtesy of a contract agreement with Midtown Detroit Inc. from 5pm until 1am. First come, first-served
• Parking Lot 72 (Wayne State University), 4510 Cass Avenue, $8.50 pay station, credit card only. Enter off of Cass
• Children’s Center Parking Lot 100, northside of W. Alexandrine, near intersection of Alexandrine and Cass is $5 (Walkable for VIP)
• Valet parking at Mad Nice is available for $15
• PAO Detroit (2055 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48226) has a private lot from 4:30 – 10:30 p.m. that has 18 spots. Must identify as EAT Detroit patrons.
• Lot next to Second Best at 42 Watson St (Patrons must identify themselves as EAT Detroit) – $8
• Beacon Park / Grand River Ave / Cass in downtown has a number of self-pay lots, availability subject to change
• There is a free lot on John R. Street across from Bar Pigalle
• There is a free lot next door to SheWolf (Detroit Public Schools)

Do I really have to dine at the “starting” restaurant I chose when buying my GA ticket?

PLEASE HELP US HELP YOU: To help the night run more smoothly, we ask that you honor your first restaurant assignment and meet up with other parties afterwards. Our distribution is intended to ensure that your first dining experience is not overcrowded, and help guide the rest of your traveling path accordingly.

It just makes sense to try the restaurant at which you’ll pick up your wristbands!

Can I order from the restaurant’s menu?

Not as part of EAT Detroit. Chefs are preparing a special menu that is a minimum of 3 specialty small plates and 1 signature craft cocktail.

Is it OK to go back to the same restaurant several times?

During the event? No. And with 20+ restaurants to choose from, why would you want to? Anytime after EAT Detroit? YES, please do!

EAT Detroit is a great opportunity to try many different hot spots and cuisines.Please help us make sure that your fellow attendees also have a good experience by not overstaying during your visit. Please listen to volunteers and restaurant staff when they recommend moving on to a new location or adhere to recommended capacity limits as instructed by our EAT Detroit volunteers.

We encourage you to visit these restaurants again for a full night of dining after your EAT Detroit experience, keeping in mind that they are adding this special dining service during our event to help support SAY Detroit’s mission.

Is there alcohol on this tour?

Yes, each restaurant is offering a minimum of 1 specialty craft cocktail to EAT Detroit attendees. Please make sure you have your proof of age with you.

What’s for dessert?

Diners can enjoy refreshing water ice at the Detroit Water Ice Factory any time during the night. After 9:00 p.m., VIP diners can enjoy a final course of flambéed dessert in the iconic Ghostbar at The Whitney. Relax in the hauntingly beautiful and classy space featuring an ornate wood bar and antique decor.

 I have food allergies / special diets — will I be accommodated?

All diet/allergy considerations are addressed individually by each restaurant in accordance with their policies and regular menu considerations. While we encourage restaurants to consider variety and inclusion for all patrons when creating their EAT Detroit tasting menu and signature cocktail (and non-alcoholic beverages), we cannot guarantee accommodation and substitutions cannot be requested on the day-of. You can view the menu for all restaurants here.

How do I get around?

Restaurants are primarily located in “clusters” that are walkable – enjoy the summer stroll! Special shuttles will help get you between the clusters. Please familiarize yourself with the shuttle lines and stops before you arrive by reviewing the information here.

Shuttles run nonstop starting at 5:30 p.m. and make all stops on assigned routes until 10 p.m. Walk to restaurants within the Downtown, Midtown and Corktown clusters, or hop on at the nearest shuttle stop to travel between clusters.

You’ll receive a printed map with all restaurant addresses and shuttle stops, but you can star and save a digital version to Google My Maps on your smartphone (you must have Google Maps installed or log-in to your Google account in your browser). The map can also be found in the official EAT Detroit App.

Where do the shuttles run?

The Green Line loops counterclockwise (running west to east) on Michigan Ave between the Corktown shuttle stops and the “Downtown – Woodward” stop, where you can find our Help Desk (1001 Woodward Ave) and transfer to the Red Line to visit restaurants in the Downtown and Midtown clusters.

The Red Line loops clockwise (running north to south) from Downtown up to Midtown and back down.

Shuttle stops can be found at:

 Downtown – Woodward

Corner of Michigan Ave at 1001 Woodward Ave
Transfer between Red and Green Lines

 Downtown – Beacon Park

Cass Ave between Bagley St and Middle St

 Midtown – Cass Ave

Cass Ave between Selden St and W Alexandrine

 Midtown – Canfield St

W Canfield St between Cass Ave and Woodward Ave

 Midtown – Brush Park

John R St between Watson St And Erskine St

 Downtown – Library St

Library St between Gratiot Ave and Grand River Ave

 Corktown – Michigan Ave

Michigan Ave at 15th St.

 Corktown – 16th St

16th St at Michigan Ave

Are your shuttles ADA-accessible? Are the restaurants?

The event requires walking from restaurant to restaurant within “clusters”, with shuttles providing cluster-to-cluster transportation only. Due to a high volume of rentals for various events, we have found a limited availability of private shuttles overall.

If you or anyone in your party requires an ADA-accessible van with adjustable seating for a mobility device (wheelchair or scooter), please indicate “YES” at the time of purchase. A representative from EAT Detroit will follow up directly for details and determine accommodation options.

Currently, all but one restaurant has a  wheelchair-accessible entrance, and vary in providing seating or standing-room only for event attendees. The following locations have wheelchair-accessible bathrooms: Bar Pigalle, Cork & Gabel, Ima Izakaya, Jolly Pumpkin, La Lanterna, Leila, Lumen, Mad Nice, Mercury Burger Bar, Mootz Pizzeria + Bar, PAO Detroit, Parc, San Morello (inside Shinola Hotel Birdy Room), Second Best, SheWolf Pastificio & Bar, Slows Bar BQ, The Statler, Supergeil, Takoi, Vicente’s, and The Whitney.

If you require ADA-accessible shuttle transportation and did not indicate at the time of purchase, please contact us immediately at eat@saydetroit.org with your reservation number.

What if I need help during the event?

Greeting you at each restaurant – and on the shuttles and route stops – will be our EAT Detroit volunteers, who’ll be eager to answer your questions. You’ll recognize them because they’ll all be wearing our official 2023 EAT Detroit apron. Volunteers hail from our A Time to Help group, generous fellow citizens, and our local charity partners with whom SAY Detroit works to provide services and support to Detroiters in need throughout the year. Ask them about their work. You can also stop by the Help Desk at 1001 Woodward Ave.

I need help with my Freshtix.com account and my emailed tickets.

For all ticket-related issues, please contact Freshtix:

• Email: greenlight@freshtix.com
• Phone: 678-701-6114
• Text message: 678-737-4093
• Support web site: https://www.freshtix.com/help

How can I volunteer?

Sign up to volunteer here, or email susan@saydetroit.org with interest.

Is there a group sale price?

We do not have a group rate.

What’s the refund policy?

There are no refunds. This is a rain or shine event. (We’re using concert rules.)

Is my ticket tax-deductible?

SAY Detroit is a fully-formed 501(c)(3) charity (EIN 20-4786626). Your ticket purchase is tax-deductible, and your confirmation email is your donation receipt. Your federal income tax deduction for your contribution through the purchase of a ticket is the amount of your contribution minus the value of the premiums you receive. We estimate the deduction value for each General Admission ticket is $115 and for each VIP ticket it is $225. Please contact us at eat@saydetroit.org if you have any questions or concerns.

I’ve got questions, who has answers?

Please email us at eat@saydetroit.org with comments, questions, and tips.