Julie HindsDetroit Free Press
The Detroit Lions belong to the nation now. Everyone who lives in or near Detroit, has relatives in Detroit, loves music made in Detroit, has spent a layover at Detroit Metropolitan Airport or watched a few episodes of “Detroiters” is a Lions fan now.
The Motor City’s long-suffering NFL team will live out one of the great Cinderella stories of recent sports history when it faces off Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game. To celebrate the moment, there will be Lions watch parties across America, from Foundation Brewing Co. in Portland, Maine (which serves Detroit-style pizza) to Bobby G's Pizzeria in Berkeley, California (a self-described "Michigan-friendly bar").
More: Lions Diary: Never mind that '57 championship, this is the Lions' biggest game ever
Closer to home in the D, it will be impossible to ignore the roar — or the pride — of public and private gatherings that are multiplying across the city and suburbs. Although the watch party at Ford Field sold out within hours earlier this week, there are watch parties planned across southeast Michigan, which should now be represented on all maps with Honolulu blue. Here is a sampling:
Detroit
The Old Shillelagh, 349 Monroe, Detroit, the city’s longtime Irish pub with two floors, a big food and drinks menu and a slogan that it’s “the bar for true Lions fans,” will open at 11 a.m. before the championship game that starts at 6:30 p.m.. DJ Kenny Washington will be there beginning at 9 p.m.
Detroit Shipping Company, 474 Peterboro, Detroit, will have two heated tents, six food vendors, drink specials and David Vintage brand Lions apparel. The restaurant collective and beer garden will be opening at noon.
Brass Rail Detroit, 18 West Adams, Detroit, is touting an “epic watch party” for both the AFC championship between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs at 3:30 p.m. and the Lions game. The fare will include the bar’s signature pizza and wings, 52 beers on tap and craft co*cktails. Doors open at 11 a.m. and DJ Evan George will be spinning the beats.
Batch Brewing Company, 1400 Porter, Detroit, will be selling wristbands for $35 for all-you-can eat pizza, wings, pretzels, salad and carrot dip. The taproom and restaurant is ready to bring the luck to the Lions, proclaiming, “Let’s go, Detroit! It’s worked for us the last two weeks. Let’s keep the streak going.”
Ford Rd. Patio Bar & Grill, 18490 Ford Road, Detroit, will open its doors at 1 p.m. and offer happy hour drink and beer bucket specials starting at 3 p.m., plus a free raffle for a 65-inch TV (but you must be present at the start of the game to qualify).
Love and Tequila, 20 W. Adams Ave., Detroit will have DJ Godfather and Dj Modz in the mix in a watch party that starts at 2 p.m.
Firebird Tavern, 419 Monroe St., Detroit, has been partying so hard on Lions game Sundays, it's been shutting down on Mondays to recover. This Sunday's watch party starts at 3 p.m.
The Mixing Board, 2645 Woodward Ave. inside Little Caesars Arena, is offering food and drink specials in a 5 p.m. watch party that begins right after the Pistons game.
The Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, 1211 Trumbull Ave., Detroit, is selling tickets that range from $10-$55 for a watch party that will include a silent auction, specialty Lions co*cktails and food from the Mexico Way pop-up eatery. 5-11 p.m.
The Shadow Gallery, 1533 Winder St., Detroit, will offer food, drinks and a DJ in an Eastern Market environment. 5 p.m.
Oakland County
Pronto!, 608 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, will be a Lions fan hub with its 10 large screens and state-of-the-art sound system. There will be drink and shot specials, with the party starting at 6 p.m.
G’s Pizzeria, 925 N. Lapeer Rd., Oxford, will offer $1 bone-in wings (in increments of five), $3 tall domestic beers and $15 pizzas for game day, It promises to bring the "Sunday Funday vibes” to the watch party starting at 6 p.m.
Lockhart's BBQ, E. 3rd St., Royal Oak, is selling watch party tickets at $50-$100 for a buffet and open bar in an 18-and-up affair. 5:30-10:30 p.m.
More: A critic's bar crawl: The Lions-Buccaneers game from Detroit's Black-owned bars
Wayne County
Woodward Bistro, 12891 Woodward Ave., Highland Park, boasts 10 big screens and an all-day brunch menu, 4-10 p.m., $10 cover.
Diamondback Music Hall, 49345 I-94 Service Drive, Van Buren Township, says it has "one of Michigan's largest TVs" and is offering a $25 buffet dinner for this 5 p.m. watch party.
