Monster Bloody Marys; Restaurant Space in the Metropolitan; Oktoberfest at Batch Brewing

UP FOR GRABS — The Metropolitan Building will be converted into an extended stay hotel and retail property, but that's not all. Metropolitan Development Group hopes to land a restaurant to anchor the first floor retail space, which was previously occupied by an eatery. [Detroit News]

POP-UPS — Yum Village hosts chef Elihu Muhammad of Cilantro on August 27. [Instagram]

BEER HERE — Tickets are on sale for Batch Brewing's inaugural Oktoberfest hosted September 19 through September 20. The brewpub will be pouring German-style beers with food straight outta' Deutschland. Early bird tickets are $30, which gets you a ½ liter stein, a meal, and a guaranteed seat. [EaterWire]

BOOZE NEWS — The owners of Greektown's Firebird Tavern are bourbon fanatics and in honor of the bar's second anniversary have nabbed a full barrel of Woodford Reserve. The event kicks off August 29. [DBiz]

HIGHER EDUCATION — Schoolcraft College is launching a brewing and distilling certificate program for craft booze fanatics. [Hometown Life]

DEVELOPMENTS — An Ann Arbor-based developer is attempting to buy up a whole block between Milwaukee and Baltimore Avenues in New Center for a mixture of apartments, retail, and office space. The company aims to "excite the sidewalk" with a mixture of bars, cafes, and restaurants. [Crain's]

BRUNCHWIRE — Mallie's Sports Grill and Bar in Southgate is serving up a one-gallon Monster Bloody Mary to celebrate the restaurant's 10th year in business. It comes with massive amounts of garnish like mini tacos, chicken wings, and cheese sticks. [Detroit News]

DRINKS — Alcoholic root beer is flying off the shelves in Metro Detroit, but rumor has it Sugar House is still serving the popular brew. [Freep].