Peek Inside Arcenciel, a Love Letter to the Queer Community and a Source of Subtle Resistance in a Troubling Era
What to know about making a night of it at this one-stop entertainment venue
In the vibrant landscape of Detroit's nightlife, a new beacon of hope and inclusivity has emerged. Arcenciel isn't just another venue — it's a carefully crafted sanctuary designed to welcome, celebrate and protect the LGBTQ+ community during increasingly challenging times.
Joey Ewick, the venue's general manager, understands the power of creating spaces that feel like home. With a background in high-end hospitality, working previously at theme parks like SeaWorld, Ewick brings a sophisticated approach to community gathering.
“We want all letters of the alphabet to feel represented and wanted here,” Ewick explains to Pride Source. This commitment isn't just rhetoric — it's a mission woven into every aspect of the venue's design.
Owners David Grossman and Julie Adelson based Arcenciel on European nightclubs in their favorite cities, including Las Vegas, Miami and Paris. Located in a space with deep queer historical roots — the site was the former home of LGBTQ+ nightclub Backstreet at Large Multiplex — Arcenciel, which means “rainbow” in French (arc-en-ciel), deliberately honors its predecessors.
“I love that this was previously a queer-owned space,” Ewick notes. “It's really important to maintain these spaces so they don't get demolished or taken over by something less inclusive.”
The venue offers a multi-dimensional experience that goes far beyond a traditional bar. Imagine an evening where you can seamlessly transition from an intimate dinner in the Versailles Dining Lounge to craft cocktails in the Magenta Lounge, and then dance the night away in front of a floor-to-ceiling video wall dance floor — a space that will soon offer events like “Drag Race” viewing parties.
Because Arcenciel offers multi-faceted entertainment options, guests can make a whole night out of a single visit. “Our goal is always to keep you in the building,” Ewick explains. “Park once, check your coat, and enjoy multiple experiences without ever leaving.”
Each space inside Arcenciel offers a distinct atmosphere — from the quiet fine-dining dining environment to the energetic bar and dance areas. “Each area is going to have a different personality,” ensuring there's something for everyone, Ewick says.
Arcenciel’s mission goes beyond mere entertainment. Ewick says the venue stands as a deliberate statement of resistance and hope in a challenging political landscape, simply by existing as an expressly queer space. He is hopeful that Arcenciel will offer something important to a queer community that is, in large part, reeling from the reelection of Donald Trump. “I think a lot of people feel fatigue when it comes to the abilities we have to protest or resist or fight back,” he notes. “But sometimes, being a quiet, gentle, loving flame is more than enough to illuminate the darkness. We don’t have to be kicking and screaming. We can just exist. We can be ourselves. We can express love.”
Peaceful coexistence is key, Ewick says. “Life is just little kids on the playground,” he muses. “You may not understand me. You may not want to play games with me, but that’s OK. I’m going to go to the swing, and you’re going to go to the slide. And we can exist peacefully and we can exist comfortably. I’ll do me. But just our existence is protest enough.”
Central to Ewick’s many general manager duties is his commitment to safety. “Us opening a bar like this in this time and this era that we’re heading into means I’m doing everything I can to promise safety, welcoming and love inside these doors,” he stresses. “I want everyone to feel that this is a place they can go and breathe and relax and get away from negativity and political drama or the news. This should be a place to celebrate who we are and our community.”
The venue has ambitious plans to create even more inclusive experiences. Upcoming events include ladies' nights, drag brunches and Detroit Deaf Jam, a unique event for the deaf community featuring sign language interpreters and bass so powerful “you can feel it in your chest.” The venue is planning for a spectacular New Year’s Eve party featuring a champagne toast, special dining options, go-go dancers, drag performances and local DJ sets. Ewick recommends making dinner reservations soon at arcencieldetroit.com/reservations.
For Ewick, this isn't just a job — it's a calling. After growing up in Indiana, working in Florida, and returning to Michigan, he speaks passionately about Detroit's unique spirit. “Whether you're LGBTQ, whether you're straight, whether you're a Lions fan or a ‘Drag Race’ fan, we do come together in this city. It is a city of love.”
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