Step into Hamtramck's oldest tavern, where a revamped space buzzes with live tunes, irresistible smash burgers, and chilled drink specials in a welcoming backyard vibe.
"Kelly’s Bar in Hamtramck began serving shots and beers to wary auto factory workers more than a century ago. Current owners Kiersten Schilinski and Garrett Ragsdale have modernized the space with a new exterior, leveled floors, and a new kitchen — though they’ve maintained some of the spot’s grungy/vintage charm, such as keeping the doors to the large back yard covered in layers of stickers and signatures and maintaining tin ceiling tiles. Expect cans of Hamm’s and Modelo, a rotation of food pop-ups, and a rotation of some of your favorite Hamtramck bartenders." - Serena Maria Daniels
"Owners Kiersten Schilinski and Garrett Ragsdale have spent the past 18 months polishing up both the interior and exterior of this beloved Hamtramck dive, leveling floors, gutting and rebuilding the kitchen, and sprucing up the restrooms. The custom built bar rail and revamped back yard have earned the bar new fans, and taco nights, Kellyoke and (motor) bike nights keep the regular crowd shuffling in." - Serena Maria Daniels
"Chicago native Maryrose Moses, an accomplished pastry chef, is bringing her culinary magic to Fat Tuesday with her Side Eye Pie pop-up bake shop, now operating out of Kelly’s Bar. While the full lineup will be unveiled closer to the date, get ready for delectable paczki creations like the Fat Elvis — banana cream filled with chocolate glaze, salted peanuts, and a slice of candied bacon on top. The Dude is a paczek inspired by the White Russian from the 1998 cult classic, the Great Lebowski — made with Kaluhua, vanilla bean glaze, and shaved white chocolate curls. The Jezy Paczki features blackberry preserves, a blood orange glaze, and a lemon/Jezy swirl on top — a Hamtramck delicacy." - Courtney Burk
"Kelly’s Bar on Holbrook has retained its original name since 1917 and will continue to do so under new owners Kiersten Schilinski and Garrett Ragsdale. Just a few blocks away, the building at 2764 Florian has undergone several name changes over the course of a century, and will now emerge as The Black Salt under Zoey Ashwood. Schilinski and Ragsdale have honored that legacy while modernizing the century-old bar, bringing it back up to health code and adding ADA-compliant ramps. They have spent the past 18 months renovating Kelly’s, refacing the exterior, leveling floors, gutting and rebuilding the kitchen, and sprucing up the place with a new back bar built by local woodworker Daniel Ross. Kelly’s will have its re-opening party at noon on Saturday, February 18 until at least midnight. Following that, the bar will celebrate Paczki Day in Hamtramck beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21. The bar will be open every Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. For now, Kelly’s will host food pop-ups, but Schilinski hopes to have a regular lunch and dinner menu down the road." - Mickey Lyons
"Kelly's Bar was purchased by Brad Ruff in the mid-2000s. He transformed it by attracting a diverse crowd featuring fish fries and periodic barbecues. The venue became known for hosting bands from all over the world. Ruff described his time there as 'all been good memories, even the bad times.'" - Monica Williams
