The Magic Stick

The Majestic Theatre Complex on Woodward Avenue is a four-venue music and entertainment compound in Midtown Detroit, immediately south of Wayne State University. The complex includes the Majestic Theatre (the upstairs 1,000-capacity main room), the Magic Stick (a 400-capacity bar venue on the second floor with pool tables and a bowling alley), the Magic Stick Lounge (smaller acoustic and DJ programming), and the Garden Bowl (the oldest active bowling alley in the United States, dating to 1913). The complex has been continuously operated as a music venue since the 1980s and is one of the cultural anchors of the Cass Corridor.

Programming across the rooms covers indie rock, hip-hop, hardcore, electronic, jazz, and singer-songwriter shows, plus weekly trivia, DJ nights, and bowling tournaments. The Majestic Theatre books the bigger touring acts; the Magic Stick hosts the local-scene shows and emerging touring acts that haven't graduated to the larger room yet. The Garden Bowl operates as a working bowling alley independent of the venue schedule.

Practical notes: parking is in the lot directly behind the complex on Selden ($5-15 on event nights) and street parking on the surrounding Woodward and Cass Corridor blocks. The Magic Stick is on the QLINE's Canfield stop. The Sliders Joint inside the complex serves food before and during shows; the Garden Bowl bar runs full menu late. Cover charges vary by show; the Garden Bowl can be entered without a venue-side cover.