10] GIRLS' NIGHT OUT

CASINO

MGM Grand Detroit
Can you say: Girls’ Weekend Out? What more do you need than a full-service spa, two gourmet restaurants and plenty more places to eat, as well as five lounges at this 100,000-square-foot casino? Oh yeah, plenty of fun and games, too.
1777 Third St., Detroit, 877.888.2121, www.mgmgranddetroit.com

CRAFTS

Alada Beads, Sterling Heights
Bring the girls, and bead the night away. Owner Debbie Huntoon estimates her bead selections are in the tens of thousands. Beginner classes teach you to create earrings and a bracelet. Among the most popular baubles? Swarovski crystals.
44797 Schoenherr Rd., Sterling Heights, 586.803.1318, www.aladabeads.com

COMMUNITY-BUILDING EVENTS

City Knits, Detroit, Mount Clemens
Owner Karen Kendrick-Hands wants to create a knitting community – and her store, City Knits, offers about 55,000 reasons (from yarn to buttons and books) for knit-minded women to get together. Imagine “Stitch ’N Bitch” sessions on the People Mover and a special section of seats reserved just for knitters during Detroit Symphony Orchestra concerts. Look for Sox in the City, a sock-knitting group that meets from 5:30-8 p.m. every Thursday night at its Fisher Building location, ($10), and stop in to Knitty Cits, a lounge at the Fisher Building available free to those who want to knit and unwind at a a Detroit landmark.
3011 W. Grand Blvd. (Fisher Building, Ste. 105), Detroit, 313.872.9665; 500 Griswold St. (Guardian Building, Ste. 150), Detroit, 313.965.9665; 64 Cherry St., Mount Clemens, 586.469.9665, www.cityknits.com

PARTIES

Creative Arts Studio, Royal Oak
From bachelorette parties to gatherings before a night on the town, get your art on with your friends. Make mosaics, try your hand at glass fusing and slumping, paint pottery, do beading, or try your luck at the potter’s wheel. Bring your own food and beverages.
114 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 248.544.2234, www.creativeartsstudios.com

CLASS SELECTION

Eclectic Elegance, Farmington
This 1,400-square-foot women-run gift shop makes good use of its space by offering diverse classes, from a popular girls’ night out container-gardening class taught by a master gardener to beading and knitting. A daytime watercolor class is new.
33245 Grand River Ave., Farmington, 248.478.7220, www.eclecticelegance.blogspot.com

CUSTOM-DESIGNED JEWELRY

The Belmont, Hamtramck
Did we just die and go to heaven? Mademoiselle Mondays go straight to a girl’s heart, with a martini and manicure for $10. Pick from a dozen martini creations, including Key Lime and Chocolate, and add a hand massage for an extra treat.
10215 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck (between Holbrook and Caniff streets), 313.871.1966, www.thebelmontbar.com

MARTINI BAR

Goodnite Gracie, Royal Oak
With 22 martinis on the menu in Royal Oak, women love the Bellini (vodka and peach nectar topped with champagne), the Mon a Vie (a not-too-sweet libation that includes vodka and Chambord) and the Vixen (with a vodka infused on-site with raspberry, and mixed with Midori and Chambord).
224 S. Sherman Ave., Royal Oak, 248.544.7490, www.goodnitegracie.com

ATMOSPHERE

Crave Lounge, Dearborn and Birmingham (coming soon)
Crave is an oasis of South Beach-meetship- serenity. Dig the mosaic tile bar, billowy white curtains that fall from the ceilings over full-length windows, rich wood floors, ethereal up-lighting and copper penny-toned walls that took seven coats to get just right.
22075 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, 313.277.7283, www.cravelounge.com

LOUNGE

Centaur, Detroit
Imagine a drink with friends – and being able to hear what they are saying. Centaur is the perfect place to “hang” with style. This two-level lounge, dripping in 1920s Art Deco style, makes its home in a former toothpaste factory. The tapas-style appetizers and exotic drinks are served until 2 a.m. daily.
2233 Park Ave., Detroit, 313.963.4040, www.centaurbar.com

DANCING

Boogie Fever, Ferndale
Sometimes you just want to have fun with your girlfriends. This club sidesteps the velvet rope stuffiness of some clubs and lets you just get down. Crowds at this accessible night spot groove to everything from disco to ’80s tunes. Some nights, the peoplewatching is better than anything on cable – check out the fros and polyester pants. And you can understand the lyrics.
22901 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 248.541.1600, www.boogiefevercafe.com

WINE BAR

Vinotecca, Royal Oak
Owned by Kristin Jonna, this bar is a woman’s favorite for its nonsmoking policy and its commitment to culinary exploration. Not only are there 300 wines on hand, but 40 are available by the glass if you’re the type of gal who likes to keep her options open. Vinotecca’s atmosphere is perfect for catching up with a friend or a date, but there’s still a chance to get your groove on. Don those back-in-style leggings for “Eighties Night Happy Hour” every Thursday at 9 p.m.
417 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 248.544.6256, www.vinotecca.com

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

Honest? John’s Bar & No Grill, Detroit
Don’t believe the “?” after “Honest.” The hubby-and-wife owners (John and Irene Thompson), along with loyal customers, have been raising money for charities for years, doing things such as jumping into the Detroit River in January. Brrrrr. Most expensive beer: a pint of Guinness for $4.50.
488 Selden St., Detroit, 313.832.5646

DJS

Voodoo Lounge, Mount Clemens
Friday night in this cozy club is Ladies Night, with $3 drink specials, but the price isn’t the only draw. Guests come to get down and watch the crowd while DJs and live bands rev things up. You also can try your skills at the pool table. 101 N. Main St., Mount Clemens, 586.466.4411, myspace.com/voodoomtclemens