Delux Lounge was a cozy, nice little hidden gem of Detroit. The crowd is all pretty much well to do 20-somethings. I didn't see a single menacing individual staring me down as I would risk seeing in some other Detroit venues. I won't say all yuppies because there were some undergrads and artist type hipsters as well - but it was a welcoming and eclectic mix that a metro Detroit suburbanite could feel comfortable in. It seemed like a lot of Grosse Pointers and other poshier suburbanites were there. The bar was a good size with attentive bartenders that were not arrogant but actually pretty kind and laid back. Drink prices were very fair. On a Friday night I was still able to get some $3 microbrew beer draft and some specialty shots for $5, which is not bad for downtown pricing. The crowd was mellow and mature but still active and energetic - I didn't see too many drunks complaining and having bromance in the bathroom, lol. Nor did I see any drunken girls stumbling around making fools of themselves as predator greaseballs guys hovered like vultures to go for easy pickings. So, the creep/sleaze/drunk-idiot effect was minimal here, which was a plus! Also, the guy-girl ratio was pretty good. This place actually has some seating near the bar, a few arcade machines, and a nice little dance floor that was not so big that it's too clubby or so small that it's too intimate to dance in.
The DJ had the new school Apple Macbook style of disc jockeying - which was still good. He had some really top 40 stuff and some better, more "real" stuff. The top 40 stuff, I realize that some of it's needed, but too much of it just sounds like commercial free radio - like that crap station we have, Channel 955. The flat panel TV was playing some random videos - pretty cool to glance at but nothing special - just added to the "happening" ambiance of today's technological age, I suppose. They had the suburban, white and/or upper middle class friendly vibe going with the hip-hop, house and techno early in the night and the classic all American rock/pop jams at the end of the night when all were in buzzed euphoria.
All in all, this was a diverse, cozy, medium-small size venue that you could definitely make a night out of. Especially since it's practically in Greektown - you could have plenty of dinner before or late night eats options afterwards and walk out into a safe and lively part of Detroit at the end of the night - which is a good perk as well! read more