DETROIT (WWJ) – Two bars in the city of Detroit announced they will be closing at the end of the month.
Spot Lite on Detroit’s east side, 2905 Beaufait, will close Sunday, June 28. UFO Bar in Corktown, 2110 Trumbull, will close Tuesday, June 30.
“We are incredibly grateful to all of our patrons, artists, dancers, and most of all, our team that made the party happen each night. Their dedication to customer service, safety, and sound created the energy that Spot Lite became so famous for. Honestly, there are too many people to thank and we hope to see each one of you so that we can thank you individually,” according to the closure announcement posted to Instagram.
Spot Lite was established by Roula David and Jesse Cory five years ago. The pair said they decided to close this chapter in their lives and move away from nightlife.
“Spot Lite has been the most meaningful project of my life for the past 5 years. As an Arab-American woman, I have always seen joy as a form of resistance. From the pandemic to troubling times locally and globally, we have all been able to reconnect on this dance floor to find joy and community.”
The popular bar is a 7,900-square-foot venue, housed in a repurposed warehouse that was formerly Beyster Lumber.
According to Spot Lite’s website, the building underwent a significant transformation, retaining its industrial charm while incorporating elements like a bar crafted from repurposed materials and a DJ booth made from an old foreman's desk.
Spot Lite was also home to Cairo Coffee. The coffee company will move out of the building after its last day on June 28 and reopen inside 27th Letter Books on Michigan Avenue on Wednesday, July 8.
The owners of Cairo also posted to social media, saying “we want to reiterate that Cairo Coffee has never been a pop-up shop. We are a long-standing business that practices a shared space business model and will continue to do so.”
While UFO Bar will close as it is now, it is expected to be taken over by new owners and reopen as Detroit Vinyl Bar – a new record store and cocktail bar. More details on that opening will be released in the coming months.
Many people on social media are reacting to the announcement – calling Spot Lite and UFO their favorite venues. Others say Spot Lite has provided a space for the neighborhood and community to get together and also helped younger DJs start their careers.
