The 2026 annual Hospitality Included Festival is set to take place at the Detroit Food Commons on Sunday, Aug. 16, bringing some of the area's best restaurants and bars to one place.

The festival, which is in its fifth year, is a family-friendly event that is also put on in partnership with the North End Main Street District, Vanguard Community Development, the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network and the Detroit Poeple's Food Co-Op.

"For one day, Detroit becomes the table where culture, food, hospitality, and community come together," a post on Instagram reads.

The festival is once again using community tickets. It's a pay-it-forward model that keeps the festival affordable and welcoming for everyone, and people can purchase tickets for the community rather than themselves.

Each ticket is $5 each and covers the entry for one person. If enough tickets are sold, everyone gets in for free. Otherwise, after all prepaid community tickets have been used, guests pay $5 at the door. You can purchase community tickets on the organization's website.

"Weve always believed this festival should feel like it belongs to everyone. Community Ticketing turns that belief into action and lets each of us help open the door for someone else," the organizers said in the FAQs on community tickets.

Last year, organizers said 4,000 people attended the festival and nobody paid admission.

This year's confirmed restaurants and bars include:

Bar Gabi Bev's Bagels Bryce Detroit Chenin Collect Beer Bar Dakota Inn Dutch Girl Echelon Kitchen & Bar Freya Lea Marrow Michigan & Trumbull Pizza No Sauce BBQ Takoi Waka Yum Village

According to its website, Hospitality Included was founded by Thor Jones in 2020.

"We operate at the intersection of hospitality, culture, and systems change creating spaces, staffing experiences, and building infrastructure rooted in connection, safety, celebration, freedom, and belonging. Our work exists to challenge the assumption that excellence must be exclusive, and to prove that access to exceptional food, drink, service, and education should not require wealth, insider knowledge, or permission," the website reads.

Founders Brewing Co. is making its first venture into the spirit business, releasing a limited-edition KBS Bourbon.

According to Founders, the bourbon is the latest chapter for KBS, the popular barrel-aged stout from the brewery.

Founders said KBS Bourbon was aged in American oak and finished in barrels that once held KBS, bringing a smooth, rich bourbon with notes of vanilla, oak, chocolate and roasted coffee. It comes in at 97 proof.

The bourbon will be available in limited quantities at the store in Grand Rapids, with select availability across the state.

Founders previously collaborated with Bardstown Bourbon Company, taking the Bardstown bourbon and finishing it in KBS barrels.

Some of the biggest comedians and actors from Detroit and around the country are coming together for a show in Detroit this fall, raising money for a great cause.

"The Coney" will take place Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Detroit Opera House, raising money to support youth arts in Detroit.

The event will raise funds for the Children's Foundation of Michigan and the Detroit Creativity Project. The Detroit Creativity Project was founded by actor and comedian Marc Evan Jackson, known for his roles in "Parks and Recreation," "Brooklyn 99," "The Good Place" and many more.

"The simple (but huge!) goal? To support youth arts programs in Detroit. Together, our motivation is grounded in the belief that youth arts education thrives when funding is thoughtful, informed, steady, and permanent," The Coney website reads.

The lineup for the event includes Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Tim Meadows, J.K. Simmons, Sam Richardson, Jackson, Diona Reasonover and more.

It's open to the public, and limited tickets are available. They go on sale later this month.

A highly-anticipated bar coming to the former Warrilow's in Ferndale will open later this month.

Two Star Bar, located at 2140 Hilton Rd. in Ferndale, will open its doors on June 22 with plans to bring a fresh take on the classic neighborhood bar.

Two Star will occupy the former Warrilow's location, which served the Ferndale area for more than 50 years. It opened in 1955.

According to the owners, Two Star Bar has a simple vision: "preserve the welcoming spirit that made the location a local favorite while building a gathering place for the next generation of patrons."

The bar will offer affordable food and drinks, featuring fresh pizza, sliders, rotating specials and the famous Warrilow's nachos.

"Yes, the Nacho is staying," co-owner Toly Ashkenazi said in a statement. "We heard that loud and clear."

While the bar officially opens on June 22, a grand opening celebration will take place on Saturday, June 27.

"We wanted to create a true neighborhood bara place where everyone feels comfortable walking in, where the bartender remembers your drink, and where people can gather after work, watch a game, hangout, or simply unwind," Ashkenazi said in a statement. "Ferndale has always embraced independent businesses, and we're excited to be part of that tradition."

Pine Hall, the rooftop bar and restaurant coming to the 12th floor of the Hudson's Detroit building, will officially open to the public on Thursday.

The restaurant and bar is from from Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), which is founded by award-winning New York City restaurateur Danny Meyer.

Pine Hall pays honor to The Pine Room, which was the iconic wood-paneled restaurant that was once housed inside the historic J.L. Hudson Department store.

The massive space has a wrap-around outdoor terrace that's 3,300 square feet, offering sweeping views of Downtown Detroit to the west, including Comerica Park to the North and Belle Isle and the Detroit River to the east.

See inside and outside Pine Hall in the video below Pine Hall video for web

Pine Hall is the kind of place we hope people return to again and again, Meyer said in a statement. Its meant to feel familiar from the moment you walk in a welcoming spot for drinks and dinner that belongs to Detroit and reflects the pride of the city.

Inside, the restaurant pays homage to The Pine Room with wood-paneled walls and a huge bar, stocked with spirits from several Michigan distilleries.

The drink program is overseen by GM Kris Peterson and features a variety of fun and easy-drinking cocktails, including the Detroit Vice, which features Weiss Arcane Aquavit, lime, pineapple, coconut, lingonberry and dill, plus a daiquiri sidecar. There's also the Cherry Picked, featuring Michigan-based Journeyman Rye Whiskey, cherry and lemon with a Better Made potato chip rim.

There is also an extensive wine list, plus beer from the Midwest and non-alcoholic drinks.

For years, Hudsons was a gathering place for Detroiters and visitors, a destination to enjoy a meal, and spend time with friends and family to make lasting memories, says Andrew Leber, senior vice president of hospitality at Bedrock, said in a statement. Pine Hall preserves that legacy, where great food and a historic downtown location come together to create an unforgettable experience for a new generation.

For food, there will be a mix of elevated bar snacks, like deviled eggs and crab fritters, plus a sausage roll featuring a buttery, flaky pastry and spicy dijon mustard.

The Pine Hall Burger features a dry-aged patty with aged New York cheddar and onions along with fries, and of course it features a Hudson's-inspired Maurice Salad with roast turkey, smoked ham and gruyere.

Detroit has an incredible hospitality community and a strong sense of place, USHG CEO Chip Wade said in a statement. As we open our first space in the city, our focus is on creating something additive a place shaped by the people, culture, and energy already here.

Pine Hall officially opens Thursday, June 11 at 4 p.m. You can enter the bar inside Nick Gilbert Way, and reservations are available now on OpenTable or by calling 313-545-8770. Walk-ins are also welcome.

It will be open from Monday-Thursday from 4 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The 2026 U.S. Women's Open presented by Ally wrapped up with an incredible finish on Sunday from Riviera Country Club, with Nelly Korda winning her first championship.

The leaderboard was stacked, with some of the best golfers in the game near the top, including Charley Hull, Sei Young Kim, Nasa Hataoa and more competing for the win.

Now, all eyes turn to the 2027 U.S. Women's Open, which is set for Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio. The tournament is likely to draw golf fans across metro Detroit. Inverness Club is only about an hour from Detroit, and even closer from the southern parts of the area.

The club last hosted a major event with the 2021 Solheim Cup, where Team Europe beat Team USA. The event drew more than 130,000 spectators to Toledo to watch the best golfers in the world.

With a historic Donald Ross course, Inverness Club has hosted six major championships, as well as several NCAA Championships and other USGA championships. In 2017-2018, the course underwent a major restoration project by Andrew Green. Just last year, the Toledo Blade reported that Green was back at Inverness for a second restoration, where he touched all 18 holes of the course, adding bunkers, expanding greens and even more.

Presale tickets are open for some fans who are registered for the 2027 U.S. Women's Open presented by Ally. Fans can learn more about registering for tickets here, and more information about volunteer opportunities is available here.

Detroit-based Ally joined forces with the USGA in 2024 for a multi-year deal to be the presenting sponsor of the U.S. Women's Open, increasing the purse for the tournament. The company has a 50/50 pledge where it spends equal amounts of advertising on men's and women's sports.

Dutch Girl Donuts is offering a sneak peek at its second location to celebrate National Donut Day on Friday, June 5.

According to owners, Dutch Girl will open its location at 2820 E. Grand Blvd. from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. for a first look at the new space, along with complimentary donuts.

Each customer will get two free donuts, while supplies last, and pre-packaged assorted dozen boxes will also be available for purchase for $20 each.

Earlier this year, owner Paddy Lynch, who also owns The Schvitz and Dakota Inn Rathseller, said he purchased the building on E. Grand Blvd. between Oakland Ave. and I-75. It was widely known as the name of Howrani Studios.

This is a celebration of Detroit, tradition, and the incredible support our customers have shown us over the years, Lynch said in a statement. We couldnt imagine a better day to show off the new space than National Donut Day.

According to Lynch, the building will continue to house Ara Howrani and his family's photography business in the original space, but will also be the home of Dutch Girl Donuts' second location. Lynch said that Howrani was the person who introduced Lynch to The Schvitz.

A cooking battle between two of the best chefs in Detroit will take place later this month, all benefiting a good cause.

Iron Chef Detroit III features a battle between Selden Standard Chef Andy Hollyday and Grey Ghost Chef John Vermiglio, with funds raised going to Cass Community Social Services.

The event takes place on Thursday, June 11, at Eastern Market's Shed 5, and will be co-hosted by Carlos Parisi and Chef Jon Kung.

Hollyday and Vermiglio will face off in a live, three-round cooking competition that will be judged by a panel featuring Baobab Fare Chef Mamba Hamissi, SheWolf Chef Anthony Lombardo and Detroit Poet Laureate Jessica Care Moore.

During the event, guests will be able to enjoy food and beverages from over 20 tasting tables from across metro Detroit, including Selden Standard, Basan, Dutch Girl Donuts, Faygo, Grand Traverse Pie, Sprout House Natural Foods Market, Green Dot Stables, Cornbread and more.

At the end of each round, the chefs present their dishes to the judges, who will determine the winner, and they will also utilize a secret ingredient unveiled live at the event.

Tickets are $50 in advance at the Iron Chef Detroit website, and will be available for $60 at the door.

After more than a decade in Downtown Detroit, the restaurant Wright & Company announced it is closing this summer.

The spot was opened by Chef Marc Djozlija, who is also a partner in the restaurant, on the second floor at 1500 Woodward in the F.J. Schwankovsky Building, which was completed in 1891. From 1920 to 1978, it was occupied by the Wright-Kay jewelry firm.

Djozlija was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2015. The menu features a variety of small plates, plus cocktails and desserts.

In a post on Instagram on Monday, restaurant owners said that its final dinner service will be on Friday, July 3.

"For more than a decade, youve made us part of your first dates, anniversaries, celebrations, late-night cocktails, and countless unforgettable evenings. What started as a restaurant became a gathering place, and thats because of the people who walked through our doors," the post reads.

They said they will still continue hosting private events, celebrations and special gatherings in the second-floor space. According to Melody Baetens, the dining and entertainment reporter for The Detroit News, a new concept will take over the space.