Rattlesnake Club in Detroit closes abruptly after 36 years in business

DETROIT (WWJ) One of Detroit’s best known fine-dining restaurants underwent an abrupt shutdown after 36 years in business.

The Detroit Rattlesnake Club on the riverfront, on Jos Campau at Talon Centre Dr., has closed its doors forever. The last of dining was Friday (6/28).

In a news release obtained by WDIV-Channel 4, Rattlesnake Club Vice President and CEO Mark Tuttle wrote: “We are grateful for loyal service of our dedicated employees. These seasoned professionals’ focus on producing the finest food and outstanding customer service have been responsible for maintaining the restaurant’s reputation for many years….”

He added the “changing patterns in dining habits, office occupancy and traffic” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic hurt the business, and private events had never rebounded.

Employees learned about the permanent closure on Saturday (6/29) and received severance, according to the release.

According to the Detroit Free Press, renowned chef Jimmy Schmidt opened the Rattlesnake Club in 1988. It won the city’s first James Beard Award, one of the highest honors in the culinary community, five years later.

On Google Maps, the restaurant is described as: “inventive steaks and seafood served in a minimalist dining room with sweeping skyline and river views.” It had 4.5 stars across more than 500 reviews.