La Dolce Vita

If you're in Michigan in the Metro Detroit area, La Dolce Vita may be a great Tuesday spot for you. I went for the first time yesterday and I must admit, it was a lot better than expected.
Located at 6 Mile and Woodward, you pull up to valet on the side of the building. I was greeted by very nice workers and was taken care of quickly for only a $5 charge. La Dolce Vita is an outdoor lounge and indoor Italian restaurant decorated with interesting art. As you walk in the doors, well gates (no cover), to the outer area, the only lighting you'll have will be strategically placed lights around trees, the bar and the occasional security light on the neighboring grass-covered building. Oh, and I can't forget the bright ass green light post in the middle of the floor. I saw a band there and they had a mix of House, Pop and Salsa music throughout the night. I ordered one drink, which was a little pricey at $9, but definitely worth it alcohol content-wise. Our waitress was really nice and chatty and I saw an ample amount of staff working.
There was an extremely mixed crowd. From old to young..er, casual to classy, groups to date to the occasional perv...I mean what bar doesn't? It seems as if no one could go there and feel like they don't belong.
From a frequent attendee, I heard, "Italian food is all the same, you know, chicken parmesan. And how many ways can you make pasta?? But the food here is really good." I don't know about you but I'd take his drunken word for it. Not sure how this place is any other day of the week, but if you've got nothing better to do on a Tuesday I'd make plans to grab a few friends and head down there.

Grasshopper Mondays

Even though I've only had the ability to indulge in the experience for a short while, I'm not too much into bars anymore. There's usully weird people, pricey drinks and an even weirder selection of music. But there are a couple I like because it's a fun atmosphere...good music, mixed group of chill people, good drink specials, and it should go without saying but adults actually acting their age. That's a good time out to the bar for me.
Well the latest bar I've been to that has drawn me back 3 Mondays in a row is The Grasshopper in Ferndale, MI. Each time that I've been it's been very relaxed. Everyone dresses pretty nicely, but not "nightclub fresh". Dressy casual with a bit more casual (You will find this helpful if you're like me..who dressed totally wrong my first time). It's not a huge crowd, so far at least. And each time there's been great music to vibe to, which is a huge factor into if I can stand a bar or not.
On my first night there I was told there would be Hip-Hop music and Top 40s alternating Mondays. But the past 2 times I've went its been this crazy DJ, who I hope to see every week I go from now on. With enough dancing room, the DJ gets people in the mood to hustle to some classic oldies (usually how he ends the night) to those fast-paced beats that has allowed me to witness some jittin' battles.
All under black lights, a decent amount of sitting room and well-priced drinks (that actually have alcohol in them =D), I say this is the place to be on Monday nights if chilling hard to great music in your room is just not enough.