The Skip Embraces Tropical Vibes With Latest Makeover

The Skip has evolved quite a bit in the nearly three years since it opened in downtown Detroit. The casual bar situated in the pedestrian Belt Alley between Grand River and Gratiot Avenue, debuted as a laid back, outdoor sibling to Standby with a Shepard Fairey mural backdrop and a rotating selection of frozen drinks and boilermakers. It was a summer hotspot. But as Michigan winter hit, the bar shut down and underwent another transformation, reemerging in 2017 with garage doors for year-round drinking. This spring, the cocktail hotspot is once again embracing change — this time with a tropical theme.

The Skip recently underwent an interior makeover with help from Mother of Pearl Flower & Design. Designers infused the space with tiki flair that’s meant to feel like a “bohemian grandma’s Miami beach house,” per a release. The interior now sports bold floral patterned wallpaper, trendy wicker lamp shades, a banquette with a thatched roof, and lots of plants.

The Skip has always had a bit of a tropical bent on its beverage menu and dabbled with a tiki-theme over the winter during its Sippin’ Santa pop-up. However, the bar is now fully embracing that concept with an updated food and drink menu with graphic design by Art Problems Studio. Alongside the ever-popular frozen drink recipes, customers can look out for options like the Brazil vs. Mexico cocktail with grilled peach Campari, Plantation OFTD, Cruzan Black Strap rum, pineapple syrup, and fresh lime or the Persimian with Monkey Shoulder scotch, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, lime, banana-nut orgeat, and persimmon bitters.

Jesse Knott has also updated the food cart menu with Mexican dishes such and chipotle smoked pork tacos and empanadas with roasted chicken, chili, coconut, and cilantro. The cart is open during the Skip’s regular hours. It will begin serving lunch Friday through Sunday from May 31 through September.

Take a peek at the updates to the Skip and the new menu below.

Michelle Gerard

GB in Detroit

The Skip is located in the Belt Alley in downtown Detroit near 225 Gratiot Ave.; open 4 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday; and 4 p.m. to midnight on Sunday; Food cart shares the same hours (lunch starts May 31).

Correction: A previous version of this story identified the interior design as a collaboration Mother of Pearl and Art Problems Studio. Only Mother of Pearl did the interior design.

• All The Skip Coverage [ED]
• All Eater Inside Coverage [ED]