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Find this business under: Magicians

The Magic Stick -- part of the Majestic Theatre Complex which also includes the historic Majestic Theatre, the Garden Bowl bowling alley, the tres- chic Majestic Cafe and the convenient Sgt. Pepperoni's Pizza -- is the heart of Detroit's rock 'n' roll renaissance. A bold statement, sure. But consider that the Magic Stick is the de rigeur tour stop for any self-respecting mid-level national indie-rock and punk act and add in the number of local openers that are needed to support such traffic. Its location is also central to Detroit's arts community based in the nearby Cass Corridor and many of the musicians in town see the downstairs Garden Bowl bar as a sort of clubhouse. The claim's not such a stretch after all.

It began in the early 1990s as a scrappy, funky renovation of an unused space in the Majestic Theatre building with a crude stage set-up, a rudimentary bar and a couple bowling alleys for diversion if the band stunk. The Magic Stick has evolved, however, into Detroit's premier mid-sized venue -- there's cabaret-style seating along the sides of the house, a terrific sound system, a gaggle of pool tables and, most importantly, a bar that slings up everything from the cheapo Stroh's and Pabst to high-brow hooch. With the bar and lounge area at one end of the venue and the stage at the other end, the high- ceilinged Magic Stick allows the shmoozers and socializers to do just that without bothering the folks who are there to see and hear the band. Considering the scenester factor at the Stick, this is no small blessing.