Midtown's Hammer & Nail to reopen, add popular Detroit Sushi feature to its space

Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·3 min read

Midtown's mid-century-inspired Hammer & Nail cocktail bar is reopening under a new management group with the addition of a sushi menu.  After a pandemic-fueled closure, Hammer & Nail reopens on Sept. 21.

At the bar, Detroit Sushi will operate daily. On the menu at Detroit Sushi is a wide and extensive array of sushi that you can pair with the Hammer & Nail's signature cocktail offerings. On the menu expect signature rolls, nigiri and sashimi, all using quality fish and traditional techniques.

Leading Detroit Sushi is renowned chef Shinya Hirakawa bringing his nearly 20 years in the art of sushi experience to Hammer & Nail. In metro Detroit Hirakawa is known for his work at Clawson's Noble Fish and Framebar in Hazel Park. Hirakawa also owned Obi Sushi, a popular pop-up around several Detroit venues.

Detroit Sushi will launch at the reopening of Hammer & Nail in Midtown offering an array of sushi options.
Detroit Sushi will launch at the reopening of Hammer & Nail in Midtown offering an array of sushi options.

“As we were looking to relaunch the Hammer & Nail, we wanted to offer patrons a destination-level experience that is unique in the market,” said David Di Rita of the Roxbury Group, owners of the Plaza in a news release. "We are excited to introduce this experience to our loyal and new customers, not only at the Hammer & Nail, but on a to-go basis at our hotels in downtown and Midtown.”

Roxbury's food and beverage arm is Treefort Hospitality, which also operates the Buhl Bar and the Monarch Club in downtown Detroit. Guests at those venues can expect Detroit Sushi to be available.

The craft cocktail bar will continue its throwback to the 60s vibe and style with cocktails of that era to match. Hammer & Nail made its debut in 2019 on the ground floor of the historic Plaza Building on Woodward at Selden.

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An array of sushi from Detroit Sushi will launch at the reopening of Hammer & Nail in Midtown.
An array of sushi from Detroit Sushi will launch at the reopening of Hammer & Nail in Midtown.

Hammer & Nail is known for its vibe and signature cocktails as well as its large neon sign depicting a hammer striking a nail inside the bar.  For decades the hammer and nail sign was at the top Plaza building. When the bar opened in 2019, one of the large signs was restored to be a part of Hammer and Nail's bar.

Gabriel Vera, Director of Food and Beverage for Azul, will oversee Hammer & Nail's relaunch and the launch of Detroit Sushi.

“We think the melding of these two operations within the Hammer & Nail is a perfect fit for this incredible venue, as well as a great addition to the lower Midtown neighborhood,” said Vera in a news release.

Azul Hospitality Group is known as the management company for AC Hotels by Marriott and has assumed management of Hammer & Nail, according to a news release.

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Detroit Sushi will launch at the reopening of Hammer & Nail in Midtown.
Detroit Sushi will launch at the reopening of Hammer & Nail in Midtown.

Hammer & Nail will be open 4-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 4-11 p.m.  Friday-Saturday.  Also offered is complimentary parking for bar patrons nearby by the parking structure on Woodward just North of Mack Avenue.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Hammer & Nail in Midtown to reopen, offer Detroit Sushi menu