Entrepreneur and Detroit native Sean Harrington has been around the bar and nightclub biz since birth. In the mid-1960s, his parents bought the building that now houses the Town Pump Tavern on Park Avenue in the Foxtown district of Detroit.
Eventually, Harrington came to own and operate that establishment himself, but not before experiencing extensive global travel and subsequent adventures as a yachting crewman.
After sailing around the world for over six years, he found himself back home in the Motor City, running a youth hostel, opening a deli and attaining major success with the Town Pump Tavern.
A 1920s art deco-styled building across the street from the tavern and directly behind the Fox Theater came on the market, and Harrington was looking to expand in another direction.
"I basically sat on this building for two years paying off the debt with the cash flow from the Town Pump," said Harrington. "I tried to formulate a plan to find out what would work around here, and I decided we needed another bar, but something different from the Town Pump. At first it was about microbrews, but now I think the trend is toward martinis."
With that thought in mind, the tall and personable proprietor debuted one of the first exclusive downtown upscale martini lounges with the Centaur Bar.
The place is designed in a multitiered fashion with three floors of fun and, with a capacity for over 400, ample space for large parties, private functions or snuggling close with that favorite someone on one of their corner couches or oversized chairs.
What is immediately eye-catching is the cool and sophisticated decor, which is swathed in dark brown and black with beveled silver accents, calming grays and vibrant reds. Also, the centerpiece of the establishment is an enormous white glass chandelier, modeled after those in the Fisher Building, which hangs from the third story, through the mezzanine down to the main floor bar.
What cannot be overstated is the predominance of custom artwork by local artist Jason Carter. From the full-length mural of the mythological half-man-half-beast centaur creature that greets you on the main floor to various other paintings, abstracts and additional upper-level mural work, Carter has uncanny chameleonic skills that make each level of the club come alive.
"If it's late and you're getting out of a show or a business meeting, you don't necessarily have to go to Lafayette Coney Island or Taco Bell," Harrington said. "You can come here for a nice drink or a bite to eat, plus we've got two tournament-size pool tables upstairs."
They have over 18 micro-brews and specialty beers, along with an impressive list of quality wines and champagnes. However, vodka martinis are their strong suit, and they serve them in a variety of delectable blends. Everything from the chocolaty Ultimate Godiva and Mango Martini to the more olive-centered traditional are fair game when Centaur's mixologists work their magic.
The food menu is tapas-oriented, presenting caviar, stuffed mushroom caps, lollipop lamb chops and beef tenderloin — heartier fare a bit more substantial than an appetizer but not quite a meal.
Centaur's entertainment roster is quite unique as well, with live flamenco dancing and music on Wednesdays, smooth jazz every so often and DJ Topcat spinning classic jazz with a hint of techno every Thursday evening.
Although they've only been open since August, the word is starting to get out about the place. Centaur recently was voted one of the top 25 new bars in the world — and the only one listed from the Midwest — by Conde Nast's Travel magazine.
Also, many local anchorpeople and sports figures, as well as members of Kid Rock's entourage and R&B sensations Black Eyed Peas have made an appearance.
The Centaur Bar is at 2233 Park Avenue (behind the Fox Theater) in Detroit. The phone is 313.963.4040; the Web site is www.centaurbar.com. Hours are 4 p.m.-2 a.m. seven days a week; the kitchen is open right up to 2 a.m. for you late-nighters.
Contact Eric Harabadian at Harab1@comcast.net
GO
GOprint
