Places: Belmont

Paramount doesn't always mean polished. And that's the case for The Belmont. It's the paramount place to play out in Hamtramck when you're a musician or just some guy messin' around on a six-string. And you better believe that the Belmont has gone through their fair share of shows that sounded like some guy messing around on a guitar. But, of course, the number of good musicians and good shows quadruple the number of bad ones. The Belmont is long. The bar and a pool table is up in the front, there's a shotgun hallway, and then the stage.

The Belmont also offers a few things other Hamtown watering holes do not. Like getting manicures one Mondays (five bucks, ten bucks with a martini), punk rock fitness classes on Tuesday, and a Sunday bloody Mary bar those recovering from a Saturday night of debauchery.

During the summer the bar opens the back patio. It's a good night in Hamtramck if you can grab a beer, a whiskey, or even a water, and sit back there in the warm summer air.