Even More Pizza Headed to Little Caesars Arena

The Ilitch family’s palatial chain pizza advertisement, the Little Caesars Arena, is about to get even more pizza-fied. The Ilitch Holdings development known as The District Detroit will include a restaurant called Mike’s Pizza Bar and a bar called Sports & Social Detroit. Both are expected to open on the southeast corner of the stadium when its unveiled on September 12, according to a realease.

Mike’s Pizza Bar, named after Little Caesars founder Mike Ilitch who died earlier this year, is described as a “artisanal-style pizza kitchen” where pies are prepared in an open kitchen. It’s expected to have both indoor and outdoor seating and a bar serving craft beer, cocktails, and wine. The spot will also have a walk-up counter inside the Little Caesars Arena’s Via concourse.

Flanking Mike’s Pizza Bar, Sports & Social Detroit will offer “gastro pub-style” food and lots of TVs. The sports bar will have a mixture of indoor and outdoor seating, a private dining room, and access from the Via concourse.

The District Detroit

Both pizzeria and the bar will be accessible to customers inside and outside the stadium.

The District Detroit

In addition to the restaurant and bar, the pizzarena will also house a Goose Island Pub and a Budweiser Biergarten. Some have also speculated that a certain rap-rock-country performer and possible candidate for the senate may also be opening a restaurant in The District Detroit. Several other restaurants including Smoke’s Poutinerie and Lockhart’s BBQ are also in talks to open locations in the development.

Nevertheless, the arena construction has drawn the ire of some community members and longtime business owners in the area. In June, the owner of Cass Corridor sports bar Harry’s Detroit turned to the city council to express his frustration with the proposed traffic plan for the Red Wings arena, which he believes could hurt his business by driving away customers. The development has also attracted national criticism for its reliance on public funds.

• Two Dynamic Dining Opportunities Energize Little Caesars Arena Experience in The District Detroit [Official]
• All Little Caesars Coverage [ED]
• All Coverage of The District Detroit [ED]