DETROIT – A new cocktail bar has opened in Detroit’s Eastern Market.
Pocket Change opened at 1454 Gratiot Avenue and brings high-quality cocktails with a nightlife ambiance, according to a release.
The intimate, second-floor bar, opened in the 1,200-square-foot space where Collect Beer Bar used to be located, but will have a “dramatically different aesthetic,” the release said.
“Collect was beloved by the community, and I’m thrilled they moved to a larger space,” said Nelson Kazan, the seasoned Detroit bartender who opened Pocket Change. “It was so iconic that with Pocket Change, we wanted to create a completely different concept: dark, sexy, and built for a good time. It’s exactly the kind of bar I’ve always wanted to create.”
Guests can find dim lighting, deep red walls, and lush curtains at Pocket Change, which accommodates up to 49 guests. There’s also a third-floor rooftop available.
Kazan, who is known for his work at SheWolf, Flowers of Vietnam, Apparatus Room and the former Republic Tavern, also said he used New York City’s nightlife scene as inspiration for the bar.
The bar owner partnered with designer Colin Tury to combine elements of Japanese hi-fi bars with mid-century modern details.
“I wanted to create a fun, upbeat bar where you can mingle, go on a date, meet friends, or connect with new people, all while enjoying a quality drink without having to wait for a table,” Kazan said. “We’re all about a free-flowing, energetic environment driven by great music and great drinks.”
The bar will serve classic cocktails, signature creations, and a wine list with most bottles at $60 or less.
Kazan opened the bar with Kris and Fred Lelcaj, who are brothers, and his longtime friends. Kris, the owner of Babo Detroit, and Fred, who ran Fred’s, a health cafe in Ann Arbor, also plan to open a health cafe on the ground floor of the building.
“The timing just lined up perfectly,” Kazan explained. “Kris bought this beautiful building, and he and Fred approached me right when I was ready to do my own thing. It feels great to collaborate again, building something truly special.”
Kazan also plans to host pop-ups at the bar on Sundays, and recently hosted an oyster one with Sarah Welch and Cameron Polka of Mink.
The bar’s hours include the following:
- Thursdays: 7 p.m. to midnight
- Fridays and Saturdays: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Sundays: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
