VENUES

Westland 

The Token Lounge

Live music

The Token Lounge in Westland, Michigan, is a legendary live music venue and a cornerstone of Detroit’s rock scene. Established in the early 1970s, it’s known for its gritty, classic rock club vibe and deep roots in the local music community. Over the years, it has hosted thousands of national and local acts—from big-name rock legends to up‑and‑coming artists—making it a rite of passage for many performers in the region.

The venue features a well-equipped stage, excellent acoustics, and walls lined with framed and photos of the countless bands that have played there. Its atmosphere captures old‑school Detroit rock energy, and events often include tribute shows, showcases for local talent, and celebrations. tokenlounge.com wrif.com.

Today, The Token Lounge remains a vital hub for live music lovers—where history, community, and rock ’n’ roll continue to thrive.

Token Lounge

Detroit

LARGER HOUSE

Lager House

May 2026

Written by: Cheri Clair

Located at 1254 Michigan Avenue in Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood, the building that

would become Lager House was constructed in 1914, and it housed a bakery and a restaurant at that time. When prohibition hit Detroit in 1920, the construct operated 

as a furniture store,

albeit with a speakeasy in the basement. 

Rumor has it that you can still see the secret password

slot in the basement door today.

After prohibition, the building emerged as a legitimate beer garden known by several names

until 1965, when it was officially named The Lager House. During that era, the venue was

popular amongst politicians, Teamsters, and sports fans who came over from the old Tiger

Stadium down the street. In the 1990s, the bar shifted its focus to hosting bands of the punk

rock genre. Featured players there included The White Stripes and The Von Bondies before

fame, amongst many others.

In 2007, the much-loved former owner of a record store in Ann Arbor, named PJ Ryder, bought

the venue, which he developed into a thriving business that included a full kitchen serving up

New Orleans-style fare and many popular vegetarian and vegan options. He opened a record

store in the basement and Airbnb units upstairs. The musical aspect of the bar, which was

called PJ’s Lager House at this time, was booming, featuring local and touring acts of the rock,

rockabilly, garage, and punk persuasion.

In 2022, PJ sold the venue to Alex Riley, the owner of the adjacent James Oliver Coffee Co.,

who christened the venue as today’s Lager House. The business has been further renovated

under Riley’s ownership to include a bar in the basement called Prohibition and a large

courtyard between the bar and the coffee company. The Lager “compound” is thriving.

Music is still the main focus of Lager House