27 replies to this topic

[Gordie Howe hat trick]

Hey guys, I'm going to my first game at the Joe ever and my first trip to Detroit on the 13th. What would you guys suggest hitting up, and not missing while I'm there? Thanks in advance for the help.

[clearlybetter11]

I suggest Nemos sports bar on Michigan avenue. It's a good pre game atmosphere and it has shuttles that take take you to the game so you don't have to worry about parking in a parking garage.

[acidroach420]

Ride the people mover. even if you dont get off, you get to see a lot of cool things.

A lot of people are going to say nemos, i've never been there. The hockeytown cafe is pretty alright. decent priced draft beers and they have a shuttle as well.

[achildr1]

Me and Wife will be there too, part of my Christmas present from her parents. Pretty stoked.

I have a Bruins hat though. I wonder if I should rock it?

[BigWillieStyle]

Me and Wife will be there too, part of my Christmas present from her parents. Pretty stoked.

I have a Bruins hat though. I wonder if I should rock it?

Only respectable if you wear it with a #4 sweater.

[stevkrause]

The single best advice ANYONE can get if they've never been to the Joe before -

EMPTY YOUR BLADDER BEFORE THE GAME AND LIMIT YOUR FLUID INTAKE DURING THE GAME

If you have to take a bathroom break while there, plan on missing at LEAST 3-5 minutes of actual gametime... trust me.

[King Crane]

I've always loved to grab a coney from Lafayette Coney Island (best coney dogs in Michigan). I'm not old enough to go to the bars so my tradition is to grab a dog on the way back down the lodge. I think most people here will agree that this is one of the essential dining experiences in Detroit. You can go there before or after the game, either way you are bound to find Wings fans not only enjoying 2 with everything and a Verners, but also ready to talk about the game. The place is pretty small, but I wouldn't change it, the beauty of the small venue is that everyone eating together is like one big family.

[achildr1]

The single best advice ANYONE can get if they've never been to the Joe before -

EMPTY YOUR BLADDER BEFORE THE GAME AND LIMIT YOUR FLUID INTAKE DURING THE GAME

If you have to take a bathroom break while there, plan on missing at LEAST 3-5 minutes of actual gametime... trust me.

Pretty good advice bud. Oh, and the bathrooms smell and look almost exactly like a bathroom in a hockey lockerroom.

[The Secret]

I've always loved to grab a coney from Lafayette Coney Island (best coney dogs in Michigan). I'm not old enough to go to the bars so my tradition is to grab a dog on the way back down the lodge. I think most people here will agree that this is one of the essential dining experiences in Detroit. You can go there before or after the game, either way you are bound to find Wings fans not only enjoying 2 with everything and a Verners, but also ready to talk about the game. The place is pretty small, but I wouldn't change it, the beauty of the small venue is that everyone eating together is like one big family.

I'm with this guy....Lafayette Coney Island is a must! 2 dogs loaded with Vernors!

[kylee]

some quick advice and general thoughts on going to the game/Detroit

1. park in greektown. you can actually find free parking if you go into the parking structure just across the street from a Greek Orthodox church at the end of greektown, park there. It's free and much safer i think than any other place in the city. do not park anywhere on Cass so many people get their cars broken into on Cass and surrounding areas. Another advantage with parking in Greektown is that there are free shuttles to and from the game.

2. i know this sounds obvious but i really find everytime i go to a game and get there early to beat the crowd, watch the warm ups & shoot-around i really enjoy it so-- be early!

3. as others have mentioned try to avoid using the bathrooms the lines are gross but the bathrooms are even grosser.

4. if possible, avoid concessions. ridiculous prices, maybe bring water to drink if you can?

[Finnish Wing]

I'm travelling to AMERICAA! (well Canada actually) in February with my GODFATHER. First flying to Toronto, watching Ottawa-Toronto there and then travelling to Detroit to see Stars-Wings. After that from the otherside off the pond (Erie) back to Toronto doing some sightseeing along the way. Few days at Niagara Falls also.

Maybe I'll see some of you guys as well.

Edited by Finnish Wing, 01 February 2011 - 09:22 AM.

[Vladifan]

Never been to Lafayette Coney Island or Nemo's but they both sound like fun. We fly in from Texas, and last time we took a cab instead of renting a car and we stay at the Greektown Hotel - and Casino, of course! Best place to lose your pennies/nickels. We also highly recommend the People Mover. We take that everywhere. It's especially fun on game days. We've eaten at Hockeytown Cafe every time but the last time. We walked four blocks in 20 degree temps only to find it closed for a gathering. But the food's still good there.

As for the bathrooms at JLA - we've been to about six games there over about four years and I don't recall them being gross, ever. And I'm kind of a neat freak. Go figure!

HAVE FUN! GO, WINGS!!

Edited by Vladifan, 01 February 2011 - 10:16 AM.

[vladdy16]

The single best advice ANYONE can get if they've never been to the Joe before -

EMPTY YOUR BLADDER BEFORE THE GAME AND LIMIT YOUR FLUID INTAKE DURING THE GAME

If you have to take a bathroom break while there, plan on missing at LEAST 3-5 minutes of actual gametime... trust me.

No, what you do is go out in the smoking area at the Gordie Howe entrance. There are port-a-potties out there. I've never had to wait longer than 3 minutes. In this weather, probably a lot less. Ssshhhhhh, don't tell anyone or the lines will get longer.

[stevkrause]

No, what you do is go out in the smoking area at the Gordie Howe entrance. There are port-a-potties out there. I've never had to wait longer than 3 minutes. In this weather, probably a lot less. Ssshhhhhh, don't tell anyone or the lines will get longer.

You still have to navigate your way through the crowd to get there, then get outside and back in and back to your seat... even with this method, you should plan on missing game time... this option is still better than the bathrooms of course, but the best method is to avoid having to go if possible...

[Gordie Howe hat trick]

Thanks a million guys, though I thought someone would suggest Cheli's Chili. Not worth it?

[stevkrause]

Thanks a million guys, though I thought someone would suggest Cheli's Chili. Not worth it?

It's actually not that close to the Joe and the food is good, but not great... it's worth stopping at if you're going to a Tiger's game, but ironically, not really good for a Wings game - I've never gone to Chelli's for a Wings game, because I'm not a fan of taking shuttles into the game, but they probably do have one I'd imagine...

Edited by stevkrause, 01 February 2011 - 12:02 PM.

[Vladiator]

No, what you do is go out in the smoking area at the Gordie Howe entrance. There are port-a-potties out there. I've never had to wait longer than 3 minutes. In this weather, probably a lot less. Ssshhhhhh, don't tell anyone or the lines will get longer.

Yep that's what I do. Have always been able to grab a smoke, take a piss, go back in and grab a beer and be in my seat with minutes to spare before the start of the next period.

I would suggest parking in the Greektown casino parking garage. Lots of good restaurants within quick walking distance. If your in the mood for Greek food the Pegasus is a great place although PizzaPapalis has the best deep dish pizza east of Chicago. There's an Irish bar right across from Greektown called the Old Shillelagh that has a shuttle to the Joe in which you bring your beer with you and drink on the ride to the Joe. It's a fun ride to the Joe.

If you want to get in and out of the Joe quickly though the best place to park is the Cobo Hall roof parking lot. I've never spent more than 5 minutes getting out of there after the game. Easily worth the $10 charge.

[Gordie Howe hat trick]

And what about things to do in Detroit besides the game? I'm going to be up there for a couple of days.

[vladdy16]

You still have to navigate your way through the crowd to get there, then get outside and back in and back to your seat... even with this method, you should plan on missing game time... this option is still better than the bathrooms of course, but the best method is to avoid having to go if possible...

I guess it's possible, but the only way I've ever missed any game time is when I try to use the bathroom, smoke AND wait in line for a drink. I have found it impossible to do all three. Too bad I don't drink Miller - they sell them outside, no wait.

Cheli's Chili is pretty good. My personal opinion is that they are overpriced. My family has a tradition of parking at the Greektown Casino, going to Pegasus for dinner before the game and then riding the People Mover over to the Joe. We seldom waiver from that plan, and then only in the most dire of circumstances.

[CaliWingsNut]

Hey guys, I'm going to my first game at the Joe ever and my first trip to Detroit on the 13th. What would you guys suggest hitting up, and not missing while I'm there? Thanks in advance for the help.

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