Unique opportunity to lease an operating landmark restaurant, bar, and entertainment property in downtown Ann Arbor. The 9,672 SF establishment spans three distinctive levels, allowing a new operator to continue the property’s longstanding concept or introduce an entirely new restaurant, nightlife, or event-driven operation.

The lease includes the existing furniture, fixtures, restaurant equipment, and liquor license, offering a substantially equipped opportunity for an experienced operator. Each floor provides a different atmosphere: a lower-level bar and entertainment space, a main-floor restaurant and beer hall, and an upper-level nightclub and private-event venue.

Known for decades as The Heidelberg, the property has operated at its current location since 1964 and is one of downtown Ann Arbor’s longest-standing restaurant destinations. The building has evolved from a traditional German restaurant into a multifaceted hospitality and entertainment venue serving downtown residents, professionals, students, visitors, private groups, and University of Michigan organizations.

Located along Ann Arbor’s established Main Street restaurant and entertainment corridor, the property is surrounded by restaurants, bars, retail businesses, offices, residential developments, and public parking. Its central downtown location offers strong pedestrian activity and convenient access to the University of Michigan campus and the surrounding Ann Arbor market.

ONE ESTABLISHMENT, THREE DISTINCTIVE LEVELS
LOWER LEVEL – THE RATHSKELLER

The lower level offers the atmosphere of a classic neighborhood bar and entertainment space. The Rathskeller includes room for bar service, games, live entertainment, DJs, private parties, and large-group rentals. Its established character provides an opportunity to continue a casual bar concept or reposition the space for events, entertainment, or a complementary food-and-beverage operation.

MAIN FLOOR – THE ALPINE ROOM

The main level features a spacious restaurant and beer hall configuration with long communal tables, rustic wood finishes, and decorative German-inspired elements. The open layout is designed to accommodate dining, bar service, social gatherings, and large groups while maintaining the character of a traditional European beer hall.

Several original murals commissioned by the restaurant’s founder are incorporated into the walls of the Alpine Room. The artwork was concealed for decades, rediscovered during a 2005 renovation, and subsequently restored.

UPPER LEVEL – CLUB ABOVE

The upper level provides a sizable open nightclub, live-entertainment, and private-event space. Club Above includes stage amenities, performance infrastructure, and acoustics suited for DJs, live music, dancing, private functions, and University-affiliated events. The flexible layout can support recurring nightlife programming as well as group and event rentals.

HISTORY

The Heidelberg first opened in 1961 and moved to 215 N Main Street in 1964. Originally known for traditional German and Bavarian-inspired food, the restaurant evolved over time into a popular downtown pub, beer hall, entertainment venue, and private-event destination.

The property’s multilevel layout has allowed each floor to develop its own identity. The Rathskeller became a casual lower-level bar, the Alpine Room transitioned into a communal German-style beer hall, and Club Above developed into a nightclub, live-entertainment venue, and destination for private and University-affiliated events.

This longstanding history provides a new operator with an opportunity to build upon an established downtown destination or introduce a new concept within one of Ann Arbor’s recognizable hospitality properties.

• 9,672 SF restaurant, bar, and entertainment venue
• Three distinctive operating levels
• Landmark downtown Ann Arbor location
• Open and operating
• Existing restaurant equipment included
• Furniture and fixtures included
• Liquor license included with lease
• Lower-level bar and entertainment space
• Main-floor restaurant and beer hall
• Upper-level nightclub and event venue
• Stage and live-entertainment capabilities
• Established private-party and group-rental potential
• Historic restaurant operation dating to 1961
• Operating at its current location since 1964
• Original restored murals in the main dining area
• D1 – Downtown Core zoning
• Surrounded by downtown restaurants, retail, offices, and residences
• Convenient access to public parking
• Walkable to the University of Michigan campus
• Walking distance to public transit - TheRide bus service