Mr. B’s Is Bringing an Underground Speakeasy to Royal Oak

Royal Oak is getting a underground speakeasy

After receiving approval for its hidden speakeasy late last month, Mr. B’s in Royal Oak is revealing new details about the project. The bar, called Johnny’s, will be located underground with an entrance “disguised as a cooler door,” per a release. The 1,500-square-foot space will feature 54 seats, televisions, and audio visual equipment for private parties.

Diners can expect “prohibition era style food” such as procini mushroom and gorgonzola souffle, rosemary demi and lamb chop lollipops, lump crab napoleon, and more. Mr. B’s is also bringing back its arcade bar with the city’s blessing after it was briefly closed down by police for violating an arcade ban earlier this year. Meanwhile, Mr. B’s is getting spiffed up with the addition of a 96-square-foot pop art mural by artist Lisa Littell. The speakeasy is expected to debut in June.

New distillery heads to Clawson

Distillery and tasting room Weiss Distilling Co. is setting up shop in a span of buildings at 24-34 E. 14 Mile Rd. in Clawson, according to the Royal Oak Review. The distillery will make vodka, gin, bourbon, and whiskey primarily for the 35-seat tasting room, but owner Dennis Weiss hopes to eventually expand into distribution. The distillery plans to start production by the end of the year.

Iconic Mt. Clemens creamery up for grabs

Irene Szlachtowicz, the owner of Miller Bros. Creamery on Dickinson Street in Mt. Clemens, has placed the ice cream stand and grocery store known for its blue moon ice cream up for sale, per the Detroit Free Press. The listing price is $179,900. The creamery originally opened in 1923. Szlachtowictz began working in the shop in 1962 and eventually purchased the business in 1982. At 93 years old, she’s decided to retire.

New casual restaurant heads to Ann Arbor

A fast-casual, farm-to-table restaurant called Fresh Forage is heading to 5060 Jackson Road in Scio Township, according to MLive. The restaurant will have touchscreen kiosk ordering with customizable grain bowls and brunch bowls on the weekends featuring hash browns as a base.

West Village biergarten returns

The Villages wine and beer garden is returning for another season with the space set to reopen over Memorial Day weekend. The weekend events series features live music, art, beer, wine, and food from food truck Yum Village.

Cadillac Place receives exemption for liquor licenses

State legislators have approved bills that would provide an exemption for the state-owned Cadillac Place building in New Center to hold a liquor license. The building had apparently struggled to fill retail spaces with restaurants, Crain’s reports.

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