Corktown

 

 

Adjacent from downtown Detroit, Corktown is an industrial and trendy revitalized district brimming with live music venues, craft beer breweries, and bars mixing unique cocktails. The streets are lined with quirky thrift stores and authentic, foreign eateries. Corktown is the oldest neighborhood in Detroit and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

 

Ireland's Great Potato Famine caused mass migration to Canada and the United States. By the middle of the 19th century, the Irish were the largest immigrant group within Detroit. Many of them hailed from County Cork, thus giving Corktown its name. Since the turn of the century, Corktown has seen a large number of revitalization projects take place within the community, including Michigan Central Station. Once abandoned, the building has since been purchased by Ford Motor Company and will be restored to serve as the center of their new Mobility Innovation District. Here, innovators and rule-breakers will develop, test, and launch urban transportation solutions. This 30-acre walkable hub will include new buildings, outdoor plazas, and over a million square feet of public commercial space. The new jobs and entrepreneurial spirit of this center will transform and bring new value not previously seen to Detroit’s oldest community.

 

To put it simply, life in Corktown is fun! One does not need to look far to find food, wine, live music, or a festival. Corktown pays tribute to its rich Irish past with parades every year on St. Patrick’s Day, with local pubs joining in on the celebration. Residents working downtown don’t have far to commute and can be found celebrating the end of a long work week at one of the down-to-earth restaurants or lively wine bars.

 

One of Detroit’s major cultural hubs, Corktown has excelled in the culinary arts. Many restaurants in Corktown have been open for several years and have established loyal followings. One prime example of this can be found at Slows BBQ. It all started with a spin on the classic barbecue sandwich in 2005, and this locale has since grown into one of Detroit’s most famous restaurants, taking over the space next door to add more tables, a bar, and 36 more beer taps.

 

Despite Corktown’s industrial past, many restaurants specialize in high-end, fine dining. One local favorite is Ottava Via, a rustic Italian restaurant with private dining space available for events. Their truffle butter pasta is famous, and the drink menu is impressive. 

 

Drinks in a historic, Irish subdivision are meant to be enjoyed in a traditional pub, and Nemo’s Bar is just the place. The inside is warm and features a welcoming, mahogany bar. The burgers are famous, affordable, and made to order, and they pair perfectly with one of the beers from their extensive list. Named one of Sports Illustrated’s best sports bars in America, Nemo’s is a popular game day spot, with shuttle busses running fans to Ford Field, just two miles away. 

 

Quieter nights eating in require a stop at FOLK Market + Cafe. Having appeared in Bon Appétit and The Wall Street Journal, this award-winning establishment offers takeout, an impressive selection of wine to grow your collection at home, gifts for your next dinner party, and an array of unique household provisions.

 

Corktown residents are proud of their history and celebrate the bright presence of the neighborhood. The Detroit St. Patrick’s Parade is held every March and attracts close to 100,000 attendees, making this one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the nation. Quieter days can be spent getting fresh air at Roosevelt Park. Located directly across from Ford’s Michigan Central Station project and future campus, Roosevelt Park holds seasonal events across their greenspaces.

 

Corktown residents have access to a few different educational opportunities. In addition to Detroit Public Schools, some private options are located close by. One of these is: