Caucus Club Aims to Reopen This Weekend With Revamped Bullshot Cocktail

At long last the revival of one of downtown Detroit’s old-school chop houses appears to be ready for its big debut. Nearly a year after its original anticipated launch date, the Caucus Club is poised to open its doors this weekend pending liquor licensing approval, the Detroit Free Press first-reports.

The revamped restaurant is expected to pay some homage to the original Penobscot Building eatery but with a modern, timeless appeal. Chef Rick Hussey’s menu will feature steaks dry aged in-house, prime rib, pork and lamb chops, and table side caesar salads. There will also be a raw bar overflowing with oysters, snow crab, and shrimp.

Another iconic invention of the original restaurant, The Bullshot cocktail, will be returning in a new form to the bar menu. Bar manager Mike Kreger has developed a riff on the original, which called for beef bouillon, vodka, and spice. The “New Bullshot” is prepared with house made beef stock and Italian gin. It will be offered chilled over ice or warm depending on the season. The bar will also offer an extensive wine list and classic cocktails.

At 6,000-square-foot restaurant, the Caucus Club seats 155 diners. The interior was designed by Wendy Silverman of Scott Shuptrine Interiors and architect Richard Burmann and features a classic chop house look with a muted color palette, navy carpets, white tablecloths. True to its roots, the dining room has a stage and piano for live music.

The original Caucus Club shut its doors in October 2012 after 60 years of business and at the cusp of a revival in Detroit dining. Similar relaunches of classic Detroit restaurants have found success in the past including The London Chop House and Cliff Bell’s, but as Eater recently reported it can be risky to update an old favorite.

Eater has reached out for more details regarding the opening. Stay tuned for updates.

Update, 5/11, 4:30 p.m.: The Caucus Club has confirmed that it will debut on May 12.

The Caucus Club is located at 150 W. Congress; the restaurant is expected to open at 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday for dinner; website.

• Detroit's Historic Caucus Club Could Re-open This Weekend [Freep]

• New Owners Reviving Downtown's Shuttered Caucus Club [ED]

• All Caucus Club Coverage [ED]