To share local Detroit individuals & their businesses, we connect with the three 2024 Detroitisit Food Awards winners, in various categories, to learn more about them in terms of their business endeavors as well as hearing their feelings about the Detroit food scene.
So, what are the Detroitisit Food Awards? For the second year in a row, Detroitisit is promoting food and entertainment establishments in Detroit. This round, Willis Show Bar won the “Best Entertainment” category for 2024 Season One Food Awards.
Here, we kick off the food awards with Sean Patrick, the creative director of Willis Show Bar in Midtown Detroit (location: 4156 Third Street Detroit at the corner of Third & Willis), two more winners will follow.
Sean dives into Detroit’s food & entertainment scene and spreads the local love by sharing his best of Detroit’s food scene. Read through the moments Sean Patrick listed as some of his favorites direct from his unique entertainment club that hosts live gigs, music, cocktails, and more.
Have you made your own memories at Willis Show Bar yet? Grab your friends, and check out the arts & culture action at the Bar. Stay tuned for the next of the three Food Awards Winner interviews as an It List feature. Now, let’s dig in and see what each business has to say about the Detroit food and cocktail scene.
CROWD ENJOYING LIVE ENTERTAINMENT. PHOTO WILLIS SHOW BAR
Q: How would you describe Detroit’s food and entertainment scene and why should and enjoy themselves at Willis Show Bar?
A: Detroit’s food scene has a lot of great quality and adventurous options. I think this is because of a few things, but the one that stands out is the affordability for chefs & restaurateurs to operate here. People that live here are very up for trying different things, then you add the extra portion of tourists and business visitors.
As far as music goes, there seems to be a much higher density of highly talented musicians & singers here than you would find in most other cities. It helps a ton that Detroit has such a long-standing history in the World’s musical landscape. Add in the fact that there are such strong music programs at the various colleges in the area.
Q: To share the love even more, what are some of your favorite local bites/places to grab food and a drink?
A: Some of my main go-to’s are IMA, Barda, Selden Standard, and SheWolf.
Q: New & exciting upcoming plans for your business in the near future and into the new year?
A: We are always working to keep things interesting and fresh at WSB. It’s important to us to be keeping bands & deejays that we may not know about, but also changing things up with our seasonal menu updates.
STAGE PERFORMERS SINGING AT THE BAR. PHOTO WILLIS SHOW BAR
Q: What would you like to see more of in terms of food or entertainment actions arising in Detroit?
A: As a vegan of nearly 40 years, I’m always on the search for new options. Entertainment-wise, I look forward to a point where the population has grown enough to be able to support more weekday shows & events with local talent.
Q: What’s one quote or message you live by?
A: I try to be a cultural Swiss army knife; creativity, utility & versatility.
Q: What are your thoughts on the Detroitisit Food Awards and having Willis Show Bar become Detroit’s “Best Entertainment” spot as it remains a treasured part of this city’s nightlife along with its historic significance?
A: We are extremely grateful!! Detroit Is It has been so supportive over the past 6 1/2 years, as has been all of our staff & entertainers and the people of Detroit. From the very beginning, Willis Show Bar was meant to be a reflection on the past with an eye on the future of this great city.
ENTERTAINERS LIVE ON STAGE. PHOTO WILLIS SHOW BAR
Q: To put an extra spotlight on the scene, what’s one of your favorite things to witness at Willis Show Bar as the sole focus is to entertain us? What are some of your favorite highlights of being a part of showcasing such unique talent as well as providing fun memories at this vintage Detroit bar?
1: When we had our buddies Seth Troxler & Ryan Crosson, along with D’Julz & Daniel Bell spin a Monday morning party during Movement. We pulled half the furniture out and had an amazing eight hour dance party.
2. When Nick Waterhouse did two sets in one night. I had always envisioned him playing there since his music and style are a perfect fit for our classic mid-century design.
3. When we hosted an afterparty for Leon Bridges with DJ Sober & The Dapper DJ spinning tunes. Leon and a packed house all danced the night away.
4. When we hosted Dita Von Teese and her whole troupe for a party after her sold-out show at The Fox Theater. It was a very sexy and classy night with a great musical backdrop.
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