Ray’s, a relaxed hometown bar known for its cozy vibe, classic food and drinks, opens today in downtown Detroit. Located at 19 E. Grand River Ave., the new spot brings the brand’s neighborhood-focused hospitality to the city’s center.
This is the fourth Ray’s in the country and marks the brand’s growth beyond New York. Each Ray’s is made to fit its neighborhood, and the Detroit location takes inspiration from the city’s long history of local bars and gathering spots.
Designer Taavo Somer, who grew up in Detroit and has worked on Ray’s since it started, used his own memories of the city as inspiration. The bar features warm materials, nostalgic details, and nods to Detroit and Michigan, plus a lively bar, booths, cozy seating, a private dining room, and a classic photo booth.
Artwork and memorabilia around the bar celebrate Detroit’s cultural history, giving the space a sense of place that feels genuine but not too polished.
Ray’s was started by Authentic Hospitality partners Carlos Quirarte, Matt Kliegman, and Matthew Charles. The Detroit opening is also the first time Authentic Hospitality has teamed up with NoHo Hospitality Group.
“The best hometown bars make you feel like you belong,” Quirarte said. “It’s about familiarity, genuine hospitality and creating a place people can rely on, whether it’s their first visit or their hundredth.”
The menu is straightforward, offering upgraded versions of classic bar food like burgers, hot dogs, fries, and snacks to share. The goal is to do the classics well, not to reinvent them.
Drinks follow the same idea, with martinis, classic cocktails, frozen drinks, easy-to-enjoy wines, local beers, and Guinness on tap.
Ray’s has also had support from longtime collaborators, including actors Justin Theroux and Nicholas Braun, as the brand has expanded beyond New York.
In Detroit, the aim is to make Ray’s feel less like a newcomer and more like a bar that has always been part of the city.
“We wanted Ray’s to feel like it’s always been part of Detroit,” Quirarte said, “somewhere people return to because they’re always welcomed like a regular.”
Ray’s is at 19 E. Grand River Ave. in downtown Detroit. For more details, visit raysbarnyc.com or check out @raysbardetroit on Instagram.
