Hotly anticipated Belt Alley bar and restaurant Standby made its official entrance in downtown Detroit last night. The men behind it are chef Brendon Edwards and bartender Joe Robinson, who previously helped open and then quickly exited Antietam last year. Since then, the pair have been cooking up this new concept with partners David Goldman and gallery owner/developer Anthony Curis.
Like the installations in the alley, Standby's interior is filled with big, eye-catching art pieces including a 6-by-20 foot black and white painting by LA-based artist Cleon Peterson. Diners enter the lounge through the alley entrance dressed up with a single lamp and tin, bi-fold doors salvaged from the Cary Building. It's then a choice of whether to get a front-row seat for the cocktail action at the long bar or grab a spot at the blue upholstered banquettes. Photographers Michelle and Chris Gerard took a tour of the space this week. Explore the venue in the gallery above.
Standby opens from 5 p.m. to midnight on Sunday and Monday and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The kitchen will serve its full menu seven days a week until midnight. The restaurant validates up to 2 hours of parking in the Z Garage. Standby's outdoor counterpart The Skip is slated to debut next spring.
