By far, my favorite club in Detroit and just about anywhere I've ever been in my whole life is Baker's Keyboard Lounge. It's the longest-running jazz venue in the world and will celebrate its first 75 years in 2009 (beating out the Village Vanguard in NYC by a thin reed). It's small (seats 99) but full of warmth and simple beauty.
You enter right into the front area, a mirrored bar, then walk into a separate dining and performance area where there is a small elevated stage and tables intimately small and regular; seating depends on your party's size. The mostly Southern-style food is affordable to most wallets, and the vodka martinis are knockouts for those who like such things. Bring a designated driver if you do drink or stay a while, believe me. Entirely unpretentious, Baker's Keyboard Lounge must be near the height of contemporary civilization as far as I'm concerned. Of course, it certainly enhances the experience if you like jazz and the blues.
[Photo credits: Boston Globe above, 2007; Detroit News below, 2008].
Today's Rune: Initiation.
5 comments:
I have to get back there! It has been years and years. Why haven't I been there since???? I don't know? Thanks for reminding me of such a gem here in the D. I am making it a point to get over there in the next month.
And PS thank you for leaving the comment on "Letting." I commented back - such a sad story about such a beautiful girl.
Looks like a place well worth visiting. If I ever get up that way I want to go.
Sounds real classy. Much better than all those punk bars I frequented. (Including one on the east side where the Ramones played.) For some reason I can't remember its name. That should tell you something.
Baker's looks like a dream club. We are down to one really authentic jazz club here in the South End of Boston where jazz used to be big until the likes of me moved in.
I hope Baker's goes on forever.
I love that bar...What a great design!
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