The Phelps Lounge (also known as the Phelps Cocktail Lounge) was a legendary R&B and soul music venue in Detroit’s North End. It was demolished in late May or early June 2024. Located at 9000 Oakland Avenue, it served as a critical stop for national touring acts during the 1960s and 1970s. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Bought by music promoter Eddie Phelps in 1960 (formerly the Bizerte Jazz Bar), the lounge became a “mandatory stop” for soul performers. It was known for its “chic” interior, featuring a horseshoe-shaped bar and long leather couches. [3, 5, 6, 7]

• Legendary Acts: The venue hosted icons like James Brown, The Temptations, Etta James, Little Richard, Aretha Franklin, and B.B. King.
• George Clinton’s Transformation: In 1968, during a 10-show run, George Clinton famously transformed his group, The Parliaments, into the psychedelic-funk outfit Funkadelic at the lounge.
• Final Performances: The club closed its doors in 1981, with a set by B.B. King often cited as its final major show. [4, 8, 9, 10, 11]

After closing in the early 1980s, the building sat vacant for over 40 years, falling into severe disrepair. Despite its historical importance and the addition of a prominent mural by artist Kobie Solomon in 2021, the structure was eventually deemed unsalvageable and leveled in mid-2024. [1, 12, 13]