One of the bars that’s a mainstay if you’re coming down for a Tigers, Lions or Red Wings game is going to pour their final shot. According to a social media post, Cheli’s Chili Bar is closing.
Recently, Detroit Red Wings alum Chris Chelios (who the bar was named after) took a job with the Chicago Blackhawks organization. He’s also opening a new eatery there, Cheli’s Cantina. Why the switch up? “I love Mexican Food now,” he told the Chicago Tribune.
The post (embedded below) says that there will be a closing party this Saturday and there will be “memorabilia specials,” so I wonder if that means memorabilia will be sold.
Daily Detroit reached out for comment and background for either a post or our podcast and hasn’t gotten anything back at the time of this writing.
The Women’s Exchange Building that the bar is housed in is one of Detroit’s few remaining buildings from the 1880s. The location is sure to draw interest and is privately owned. In 2005 it was purchased for $1.25 million.
The building alone should fetch much more than that in today’s much hotter market> Liquor licenses are also in high demand and running at a premium right now.
Cheli’s Chili Bar opened in 2006. The Detroit eats and drinks scene has changed a ton in the intervening 12 years. From personal experience, Cheli’s was often not open on non-game days.