Lower-level bar Saksey’s announced for Gilly’s Clubhouse, all set to open this spring

In a few weeks, a new downtown destination is set to open called Gilly’s Clubhouse & Rooftop, a posh, polished place for food, drink and sports watching.

Gilly's is the brainchild of Dan Gilbert’s son Nick Gilbert, who passed away from neurofibromatosis in May. While plans for Gilly’s were announced last year, Wednesday 70H2 Hospitality group announced details of a lower-level lounge within the same space called Saksey’s.

The 55-seat, intimate lounge features design from Jennifer Gilbert’s Detroit-based Pophouse and is the vision of 70H2 Hospitality’s Josh Lang. Saksey’s is also the name of a bar Dan Gilbert’s father co-owned in Detroit in the 1970s.

The 21st century Saksey's at Gilly's, which is on Woodward near Grand Circus Park just steps away from Comerica Park, the Fox Theatre and other attractions.

"Saksey’s is designed to provide an experience that connects people,” Lang said in a media alert about the forthcoming bar. “I want guests to come in, try a little of everything on the menu, sit back and spend time with the people they love. Intimacy is a product of those you share it with. This room is built for intimate moments.”

Other details touted include refined lighting, a bit of nostalgia and a “bespoke alleyway entrance.” The cocktail menu will be created by award-winning mixologist Eric Hobbie with a menu of light bites by 70H2 executive chef Adrian Estrada. Saksey's will have public hours and will also be available for rentals.

According to Detroit News archives, the old Saksey's was a small, sedate piano bar on Woodward near the Palmer Park area that advertised lunch, dinner and late night "gourmet food." A 1975 Detroit News article reports that more than 200 prostitution arrests were made there in a four-year time span, something the owners Irving Sacks and Samuel Gilbert tried to combat, according to the article.

Gilly’s Clubhouse and Rooftop and Saksey’s are all set to open this spring at 1550 Woodward in Detroit. Visit gillysdetroit.com or sakseysdetroit.com for more details.

mbaetens@detroitnews.com