Hey friends, Jer here.
With its Mediterranean coastal vibe, shareable small plates and wraparound views that put you right in the middle of Detroit’s skyline, Topa promises to be a good addition to the city’s growing rooftop bar scene.
That taste of 80‑degree weather this week had me thinking about how good spring and summer can be in Detroit, and my trip tonight to Topa — the city’s newest rooftop bar — was just the ticket.
Topa sits atop the newly constructed AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle, at Woodward and Eliot on the edge of Brush Park, just south of Mack.
The Roxbury Group–developed project also includes a restored Bonstelle Playhouse event space and The Conservatory bar, turning the corner into a full‑on hospitality campus. But tonight, we’re focusing on the trip up the elevator to the 11th floor.
It has a separate entrance from the hotel itself.
The spot leans into Mediterranean and coastal vibes, with a concept that fuses California and European influences, as I’m told.
"Topa" is cheers in Basque.
Wood on the walls, reclaimed from the old Cadillac Hotel in Lexington, Michigan, softens what could’ve been a stark modern room.
This is a rooftop bar, so let's talk about the views because they're the star.
Where the Monarch Club and Kamper's are tucked into the historic downtown core and The Godfrey’s rooftop looks back at the skyline from Corktown, Topa is literally in the middle of it all, hovering between New Center and downtown.
On one side you’re anchored by the Fisher Building and the new Henry Ford Health development; on the other, Hudson’s Tower and the classic downtown high-rises dominate the visuals.
Another thing I like about this location is if you’re like me — the kind of person who draws energy from being in the mix — you’ll enjoy it.
Out on the terrace, it has that city energy. Looking down at Brush Park rooftops and apartment balconies, you feel close enough to be in the mix instead of above it all.
The menu is focused on Mediterranean-inspired small plates built for sharing.
Looking it over, there was seared halloumi, bacalao croquettes, barramundi skewers over Persian rice, charred lamb chops and grilled chicken skewers with braised chickpea and smoked tomato.
The food is by Executive Chef Jorge Morales, who’s overseeing the AC campus and previously cooked with Iron Chef José Garcés before running the kitchen at Blue Llama Jazz Club in Ann Arbor.
Let's talk drinks.
We started with the Tarocco Fizz ($17), built on Tanqueray Sevilla with cucumber mint syrup, orange and an egg white cap. Light and smooth, it was citrusy and slightly sweet.
I wanted to contrast the light with something a bit darker, so I also went with the Monolith ($14). It’s a spirit‑forward mix of pineapple Scotch, rye, crème de banana, chocolate and orange cardamom that tasted like a banana who wrote a thoughtful book.
The drinks list generally leans playful coastal more than overly serious, which fits the room.
Topa will open to the public tomorrow — Wednesday, May 21 — with hours Wednesday and Thursday from 4p to 11p, Friday and Saturday from 4p to midnight, and Sunday from 11a to 9p.
For locals, it feels like it’ll slot in nicely as either a pre-dinner drinks-and-snacks place, an after-dinner nightcap option, or just a casual “we live in Brush Park and want a rooftop” hang.
This is a brand‑new spot, so don’t count this as a full review. But the staff was helpful and affable — and when you’re just getting started, that’s a great first sign.
You can follow what they're up to on Instagram @TopaDetroit.
Some quick notes before I go. I'll be at the Mackinac Policy Conference next week, so I'll have plenty to write about and I have more than a dozen conversations scheduled to record up there for our Daily Detroit podcast.
If you don't already, you should follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows. I have an important conversation dropping tomorrow.
And if you want to listen to something really special right now, my co-host Norris Howard had her mom in the studio to talk about growing up in Brightmoor, plus Detroit's past and future with generational perspective.
Norris Howard
Remember that you are somebody, and I'll see you around Detroit.
-Jer
