I’m going to see a metal show at Harpo’s, a weeknight show. I’ve never been. Where is it safe to park? Where should I avoid?
I’ve had job sites right by there and I didn’t even like it during daylight at 10 in the morning.
Yeah, I was going to say that it's not a neighborhood of Detroit that I'd want to be around late at night. And I spend quite a bit of time in the city. Hopefully it's a good concert for the OP's sake.
Walked about a mile from before Harpo's to Gratiot last summer in the daytime. I'd rank it at Van Dyke & Jefferson area at 3 am level.
John R and McNichols is terrible too. I watched two people share a needle behind that Citgo gas station, another person take a dump, and then prostitutes walking all around. And this was all in 15 minutes!
That Citgo is fucked up. I once saw two guys beating the shit out of a third guy with a 2x4, then when it was settling down, all three of them walked away down the alley together. I was very confused by the whole situation.
Definitely a sketchy part of town. Dakota Inn is cool though.
I can concur. That neighborhood has seen better days.
Went to a concert there in 1984 with friends and fake IDs. Got robbed in the parking lot money and our tickets. Harpos let us in anyway. Love Harpos!
Park in the lot, don’t stray too far. Harpos isn’t in the best area. A metal show you should be fine but do not have anything in your car at all
Why would it being a metal show make things fine?
Because certain elements don't hang around the block when the metal crowds come around, they don't want to get in conflicts and old school metal heads (think Gen X and older) can be a bit wild. Source: Me. I'm an old school metal head who used to play shows at Harpo's back in the day. Opening for MachineHead and Sevendust were my favorite shows.
right, "certain elements"
If you have a problem with what I said, just come out and say it. Don't be a wimp.
Every level headed human knows that "certain elements" obviously means degenerates who are looking to rob or fuck with people or both, but this moron questioning you is trying to imply something else. Fuck him.
And you're right on all counts.
Appreciate you.
Also, I mean, harpos isn’t known for hosting metal shows so I don’t think there will be as many people there as when say- ICP is there.
When did that happen? I grew up downriver in the 90s and Harpo's was THE metal venue at the time.
Yea I’d say it changed around 2010 or so. BIL said the same thing - he’s an old school metal head from the east side.
Early 2000’s we used to pay random dudes to not break into our cars and “watch them” glad to hear it’s not changed lol
Last few times we played there they had at least one very conspicuously armed guard in the back parking lot the whole time.
It was like 2003, I was there super drunk when I was 17 lol
Good times! Saw Type O at St Andrews maybe 1998 or1997?
Do not go to the gas station on Harper and Outer Drive.
Popular venue for armed robbery.
Is it safe if I don’t have any arms?
There's never been anything safe around Harpos
I bet in the 40s it wasn't bad.
I only go there if I really, really, REALLY love the band. It’s a shithole
Much liked guy who sang for a local punk band was carjacked and was killed leaving Harpos. This was long ago but I’m sure it’s still bad.
Steve Krass from the Fiesty Cadavers, 1996.
Yup. Motörhead at Harpos
Sadly, wasn’t feisty enough.
I went a few months back for a wrestling show. They have a guy who works security out in their lot and I think as long as you're parking in what passes for their official lot you should be good. If you have to park in the street or otherwise get creative... Don't have anything important in your car.
I'm thinking of going to GCW next Saturday at Harpos but now thinking I shouldn't go
Shit I was about to take my 11 year old daughter to that one.
Sucks because I've been waiting for GCW to come back. I haven't found anyone to go with me so definitely not going alone
If you're on the east side, start going up to Club FT in Roseville to watch wrestling on Mondays (and Tuesdays if there's something on), befriend those guys, they'll let you roll with.
I live in the thumb but used to go to alot of local shows (xicw, etc) what shows are put on at Club FT
Well the bartender that works Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays is big into wrestling so on his nights he always has whatever shows come on, AEW and WWE and other random stuff. They usually watch the payperviews up there too unless they do it at his house.
I used to go to ICW shows way back when but I've kind of cooled down on wrestling. Planning on doing that show coming up though.
Oh I thought you meant live shows. Still debating going but going alone doesn't seem smart
Oh well the little squad of guys that hang out up there, there's one or two of them that try to make it to every one they can. I just go on a whim once in a great while.
But one option for you would be to park up at FT then take an Uber or something down to Harpo's. Those guys usually pre-game up there before they go out to the shows. Same for the punk/metal/hardcore shows they go to.
I don't know if you went to that GCW show but it was fucking awesome. Probably not the spot for buddy's 11 year old though.
I really wanted to go to a wrestling show there but I won’t go to Harpos anymore. It’s not worth it for me.
The Last Disco Floor: http://katherinemontalto.com/the-last-disco-floor/
What! Has the floor been getting used at shows in the last few years?!
March 2019, Laser LLC "Harpo's Disco Dance Floor Is Fixed!"
Harpo's just went up for sale: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate-insider/east-side-detroit-concert-venue-harpos-sale
The owner is looking to stay and continue running it," Margolis said. "He’s looking for some money to inject into renovations and upgrades to do more shows, looking for Harpo’s to continue the legacy it has, remain a concert hall and kind of revitalize it. If someone came in and wanted to change the use, he’s not interested in that."
Metrotimes: The story of Harpos, Detroit’s most notorious metal club
total toilet burn it 🔥 down.
Park in the lot west of Harpos. They usually have their security teams patrolling them.. You're and idiot if you think your ride will be safe "parking in the adjacent neighborhoods"
Make sure your car has gas and you have everything you need, before you head there. Don't stop for anything in that area.
After the show. Walk to your car and find the fastest route back to the freeway.
So to be clear, at #1? Or #2?
Please do a follow-up on your experience there. Stay safe
I’ve always parked in #1. Many shows in the 90s and 00s. It can be a little weird if you get there early and have to stand in line outside the building. Lots of locals slowly driving by amused by the weird crowd. id recommend going well after doors have opened, Harpos was notorious for having like 5 local openers before the touring bands even start. If you stay with the crowds you should be fine.
And by weird crowd he means white people who look the like they haven’t bathed in a while. No offense. 😁
Closer to 1 but between the lot 1, the lot 1 building, Harpo's building and the highway in those narrow strips. Get off & on right there to the right, just out of the frame. Off highway, immediately left, stay to the left, and make a left right away at the street by the front doors, top right of Harpo's as seen here if you can or stay left and go behind it near lot 1. I stay on Harpo's side of the street if you can.
Nobody is usually going to mess with you or ask for a dime along there that isn't somebody worthy of some respect there. If you take a beer for the walk in, offer a beer if they look they are eyeballing the lot. Some of those guys have definitely watched our shit all night. Have gas, drink and snack ready for after, get in on time, get out with the crowd and back on the highway after.
The #1 lot has always been the Harpos lot. The #2 lot used to be a grocery store that recently burned down..
Rusvelt purchased the grocery store lot for additional secure parking..
Back in the olden days. We used to have to park further west. down by that car wash and. Chinese restaurant. Man those were some hair raising walks...
Geezus. This has the makings of a “no-go zone” documentary.
Rusvelt has sunk a lot of money into the building and surround lots. Those are remotely safe.
I'm just not going to put myself in any possible chance to be a victim of theft or other crimes down there. Cuz I doubt the police are coming...
Harris is sketch as fuck. Amazing venue.
If you park anywhere without security you will probably get your car broken into. The security lot was full so my friend decided to park in a neighborhood. There were street lights and many other people did it, so we followed suit. A whole line of cars got broken into. Doesn't matter if you have valuables in there or not, they will break into it.
Your best bet, spend the money for an uber or get there early to park in the harpos lot.
I've had my stereo stolen and I've had a couple friends held up at gun point.
I've been to harpos many many times. Since I was a teenager. Best place to see anything because only the real fans go there, despite the dangerous neighborhood.
I used to go there a lot when I was in my late teens-early 20s because I had lots of friends in local bands. One of the door guys used to walk me to and from my car because I usually went alone (didn't have friends who were into the local music scene). Glad to know it's still just as sketch. Lol
Is this for the voivod show? I’ve been there a million times over the last 40 years but it’s been a long time since I’ve been there. I was thinking about taking an Uber I’m sure the neighborhoods gotten much worse since the last time I’ve been there
I'm going for Prong, but Voivod will be a nice plus.
Please please please watch your drink and don’t take any drugs from strangers. Lost a grade school friend a few years back to a drugging there
I don't do drugs, period.
Nothing to add that others haven’t already. Park in the lot and stick close to the venue.
Just wanted to say congrats on your first Harpo’s show. It’s been a metal rite of passage for decades.
I spent a whole lot of time there in the 90s/early aughts.
And Prong’s great live, so good choice.
Park in the lot. You’ll be fine. Whats the show?
PRONG
Woah! They are still around? Every time a rock station would change format I would call the station to request “Snap Your Fingers Snap Your Neck” lol.
Oh yes, they are still active, and on tour with Voivod
That’s awesome!
Yeah it's a fucked up neighborhood, make sure you have plenty of gas, no valuables and don't venture beyond the parking lot. Also, it's best to go with a group.
Weren't one of the local MC's doing security and "management" there? My bro went a couple years ago and that's what he said. Also their heat was not working at the time, so a pipe burst and there was water everywhere.
I saw Buckcherry there before they hit it big- it was wild. We used to go a few times a year (early 2000's), till a friend of a friend got carjacked and shot execution style in the parking lot.
My vote is- if you have to ask "is it safe" it is probably a good idea to skip the show.
I didn't ask if it was safe -- it's in Detroit -- I asked where it was safe to park.
Not trying to be a jerk here, but what's the difference? You still have to get there and then leave after the show. At least two people in the comments have relayed instances of people being murdered in the parking lot- chances are you will be fine, but the risk is substantially higher than if the show was held anywhere else.
Thanks, but... 1987 was *37* years ago.
Your post or comment was removed for violation of Rule 1, which reads, "No racism, bigotry, threats of violence, baiting, or overt prejudice. No verbal attacks and no hate speech. Discussion and arguments are encouraged, but in true reddit fashion, always Remember the Human .
Violators will be warned or banned at moderator discretion."
Hey now, it’s entirely possible that he was never taught how to wash his hands, or perhaps has some condition where he needs to lick floors or something.
What are you like 12?
This was 20 years ago, but those bathrooms were a fucking nightmare full of puke and piss.
This. This right here is why I won’t go back. I worked down the street from Harpos so I was familiar with the area and I know how to act. I’ve had my car stolen 3 times from the east side too so that doesn’t phase me anymore either. But what I saw in that bathroom and the smell of the venue and clientele? No thanks.
You didn't trigger me, you just gave a stupid answer to an honest question.
You obviously have never been inside the bathrooms at Harpos.
Your post or comment was removed for violation of Rule 1, which reads, "No racism, bigotry, threats of violence, baiting, or overt prejudice. No verbal attacks and no hate speech. Discussion and arguments are encouraged, but in true reddit fashion, always Remember the Human .
Violators will be warned or banned at moderator discretion."
Your post or comment was removed for violation of Rule 1, which reads, "No racism, bigotry, threats of violence, baiting, or overt prejudice. No verbal attacks and no hate speech. Discussion and arguments are encouraged, but in true reddit fashion, always Remember the Human .
Violators will be warned or banned at moderator discretion."
Your post or comment was removed for violation of Rule 1, which reads, "No racism, bigotry, threats of violence, baiting, or overt prejudice. No verbal attacks and no hate speech. Discussion and arguments are encouraged, but in true reddit fashion, always Remember the Human .
Violators will be warned or banned at moderator discretion."
Just Uber
Yeah? So when the show is out at 10:30, how long will I have to wait for an Uber to accept my request?
Last time a friend had tix for a show there I told him not to go, he got held at gunpoint in his own car, he didn't get hurt just mugged. I grew up in Harrison Twp, and saw shows at Harpos in the 80s. That hood is just too sketch, skip it.
There's a lot behind the venue, park there.
I wouldn't say this about downtown but I'll say it about Harpo's, the neighborhood is sketch AF. Just go to the show, don't leave shit in your car, and you'll be ok. I'd probably avoid the liquor stores in the immediate vicinity late at night.