Inside The Royce, Grand Circus Park's New Wine Bar

Brenna Houck is a Cities Manager for the Eater network. She previously edited Eater Detroit and reported for Eater. You can follow her on the internet at @brennahouck.

Spanning the first and second floors of the Grand Circus Park-adjacent Kales Building, The Royce wine bar and bottle shop made its public debut on Monday afternoon. One of several new wine-friendly establishments in downtown Detroit, partners Ping Ho and Angela Rutherford first announced their concept a year ago during the 2015 Hatch Detroit competition. While they were narrowly nudged out by fellow finalist Live Cycle Delight, their plan for a casual bar and retail store offering "everyday essentials" earned them a following.

Rutherford grew up in Michigan and The Royce's name is a reference to her grandfather, a respected Flint-based detective sergeant. Working with BWArchitects, Rutherford and Ho attempted to develop a space that reflect both industrial and deco aspects of Detroit's design past. The storefront features custom shelving made from walnut wood and piping, globe light fixtures, and library ladders to reach all the 300+ bottles in stock. A small 12-seat bar fills out the center of the first floor where customers can belly up for a wine pour and a meat and cheese tasting (check out the bar's free wine tastings on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. starting August 31). On the second floor find a cozy lounge space with additional seating and plush carpets and an birds eye view of the bar.

Photographers Michelle and Chris Gerard took a tour of downtown's new favorite wine hangout during one of the bar's friends and family previews. Take a peek inside in the gallery below.

A large, high-ceilinged wine bar with people gathering around the bar

Wines arranged on a shelf inside the Royce. There’s a wooden library ladder attached to reach the top shelves.

Customers gather around the bar inside the Royce waiting to order.

The Royce is open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays and Mondays ; noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; and noon to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 212-851-6733.

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