I recently sat with a group of very talented and very informed women in downtown Detroit and thoroughly enjoyed a beautiful afternoon basking in the sun that streamed in the floor to ceiling windows at Mo Better Blues in downtown Detroit. We drank shots and engaged in friendly banter with other patrons, and shared plates of waffle and chicken sliders alongside lobster bisque and catfish beignets. Finally, I’ve found that all important after work venue, my place for friendly banter with friendly bartender and a glass of wine.
So when veteran restaurateur, Gerald Watson gave me a personal guided tour past the sleek VIP section to a high top table, so of er, I took the opportunity to get behind the scenes at Mo’ Better Blues.
Watson on what it takes to make it in the restaurant/nightclub industry …
It takes perseverance. You have to really want this. A lot of times people are promoters and they mistakenly think that opening a restaurant or a night club is easy, because they reach that niche audience once a month. They have to learn that 365 days is different than once a month. We can all throw a party once a month and look like a hero, but when the next day comes they’re wondering ‘where is everybody?’
On what makes Mo Better Blues a standout …
What makes this place great is that we are probably one of the most diverse establishments in the city of Detroit. We [entertain] a lot of different audiences. The city is more than 80 percent African American, but where we are on the first floor of an 18-story apartment building, it’s about 90 percent non- African American. We have a great mix here, we’re almost next door to the ball park, and people around here are from all income levels and all walks of life. That’s what made this place attractive to me.
On the future of the Grand Circus Park district …
With the ball park and all of development that Dan Gilbert is doing, I see this area becoming an entertainment zone. There’s a real concerted effort to get young business people in this area, and you want to make everything within walking distance. We have a great synergy where I am now. We have Rub—a sports bar — and Cliff Bells jazz bar right around the corner. Our jazz is a little more contemporary and neo-soul, and [Cliff Bells] is more smooth jazz. But it’s a good eclectic mix with Centaur nearby, and so much in walking distance to fit whatever vibe you want.
On what to expect at the club …
We do a lot of parties here. We’ve had Coco host and next week on Monday, April 21, we’re having a big AKA party for the grad chapter. The Delta’s just had a party last week and Quicken loans had an event recently. We’re open six days a week, but on Sunday’s we have private affairs and, yes, more parties.
For more information click here or visit Mo Better Blues at 78 W. Adams. Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to midnight weekdays and 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturdays. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrate your birthday at Mo Better Blues free of charge. Call 313.468.2602.
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