Clinton Township sits in the heart of Macomb County, about 20 miles northeast of downtown Detroit. It's mostly suburban, so musicians here tend to think regionally: a cigar-lounge band night in the township, a songwriter round on Lake St. Clair, a Wednesday open mic in Sterling Heights, and the deep well of Detroit and Hamtramck stages just down the road. This guide covers the township's history, the local music scene and venues, and where players can find open mics and open jams within an easy drive.
A Brief History of Clinton Township
The Clinton River valley was home to the Anishinaabe peoples, and in the 1780s Moravian missionaries briefly established a settlement here with Lenape (Delaware) converts, clearing farmland and building one of the earliest roads in the region. After the United States took control of the area, settlers arrived from New England and New York, and Clinton Township was organized in the early 1800s. It was named for DeWitt Clinton, the New York governor behind the Erie Canal.
Fittingly, the township became the starting point of Michigan's own canal dream. Construction began on the Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal in the late 1830s, meant to link Lake St. Clair to Lake Michigan, but the project ran out of money after only a few miles were dug. For the rest of the 19th century, Clinton Township was farm country surrounding Mount Clemens, the county seat, which drew visitors from across the country to its famous mineral baths.
After World War II, the auto industry's growth and new freeways turned Macomb County's fields into subdivisions almost overnight. Today Clinton Township is one of the most populous townships in Michigan, home to Macomb Community College's Center Campus and the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, and a short drive from Lake St. Clair.
The Music Scene in and Around Clinton Township
Clinton Township lives in the long shadow of one of the world's great music cities. Detroit gave the world Motown, the MC5 and the Stooges, a world-class jazz lineage, and techno. Many Macomb County musicians grew up playing in garage bands and cover bands, and the area still has a strong scene of classic rock, blues and party bands working the bar circuit.
Locally, live music clusters in a few places. Downtown Mount Clemens, right next door, has a walkable strip of bars and the historic Emerald Theatre, plus free summer concerts on the riverfront. St. Clair Shores along the lake has its own nightlife district with a growing original-music scene. Sterling Heights is home to the county's big outdoor amphitheater. And the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts brings touring artists, symphony concerts and theater into the township itself.
Popular Live Music Venues Near Clinton Township
- Macomb Center for the Performing Arts (Clinton Township, on the Macomb Community College campus) – The county's main performing arts hall for touring concerts, tribute shows and the Macomb Symphony Orchestra.
- Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill (Sterling Heights) – Macomb County's premier outdoor amphitheater, booking national rock, country and pop acts each summer.
- Emerald Theatre (Downtown Mount Clemens) – A restored historic theater hosting rock, metal and tribute concerts.
- Stray Cat Lounge (Clinton Township) – A cigar lounge and restaurant known for live bands and a small dance floor.
- Three Blind Mice Irish Pub, Eastside Tavern and Dick Weeds (Mount Clemens) – Downtown bars with regular live music; Eastside Tavern squeezes bands into a tiny basement.
- Copper Hop Brewing Company (St. Clair Shores) – A brewery with an event room that hosts a monthly original-songwriter night.
- Chaplin's Comedy Club (Clinton Township) – For comics, the area's main comedy stage.
Open Mics and Open Jams Near Clinton Township
Clinton Township itself has few standing music open mics, so local players typically drive 10 to 25 minutes to nearby Macomb County cities or down into Detroit and Hamtramck. Below are the best options within reach.
Before you go: Suburban open mics come and go quickly, and holiday months often shift dates. Always check the venue's or host's website or social media before heading out with your gear.
Macomb County
- Songwriter Night in "The Burrow" at Copper Hop Brewing Company (23401 Greater Mack Ave., St. Clair Shores) – Last Thursday of the month. The list goes out at 6:00 p.m., with performances 7:00–10:00 p.m. Original material only: two original songs or 10 minutes of original spoken word per performer. Hosted by Vinnie Dombroski and Brion Riborn. Each month features a spotlight act in a true listening-room setting. No cover. (In November and December 2026 it moves to the third Thursday because of the holidays: November 19 and December 17.)
- Open Mic at Jamboozies (42066 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights) – Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m., hosted by Jonny Quest.
A Short Drive South: Detroit-Area Favorites
- Songwriter Open Mic at Ghost Light (2314 Caniff St., Hamtramck) – Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m., hosted by Dave Toennies. One of the area's most popular weekly songwriter nights.
- Hazel Perk Café Open Mic (21403 John R Rd., Hazel Park) – Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., hosted by Kaj Althaus. Music and poetry.
- Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Open Mic (1220 Griswold St., Detroit) – Mondays at 6:30 p.m., hosted by Samuel of Dirt Room. Check @dirtroommusic on Instagram for updates.
- Detroit's jazz and blues jams – For the deepest pool of jam sessions in Michigan, see our Detroit city guide.
Open Mic Schedule at a Glance (Clinton Township Area)
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open Mic (6:30 p.m.) | Dessert Oasis, Detroit | Music / Poetry |
| Tuesday | Songwriter Open Mic (8 p.m.) | Ghost Light, Hamtramck | Singer-Songwriter |
| Wednesday | Open Mic (8 p.m.) | Jamboozies, Sterling Heights | All Styles |
| Thursday | Open Mic (7 p.m.) | Hazel Perk Café, Hazel Park | Music / Poetry |
| Thursday | Songwriter Night (last Thursday; 3rd Thursday in Nov/Dec) | Copper Hop Brewing, St. Clair Shores | Original Songs Only |
Tips for Musicians in Clinton Township
- Think regionally. M-59 (Hall Road), I-94 and Gratiot put most of Macomb County within 20 minutes, and Detroit's best rooms within 30.
- Bring originals to Copper Hop. The songwriter night is strictly original material, and it's a great way to earn a featured slot.
- Network at band nights. Cover and party bands at local bars are often looking for subs; open mics are the best place to meet them.
- Watch for summer series. Mount Clemens hosts free downtown and riverfront concerts each summer, which are great for meeting local players.
Helpful Local Resources
- openmikes.org – Musician-maintained open mic listings for Macomb County and Metro Detroit.
- Detroit Metro Times (metrotimes.com) – Regional music calendar and venue coverage.
- Macomb Center for the Performing Arts (macombcenter.com) – Concert and event calendar.
