It’s party all day and night on Paczki Day in Hamtramck

It’s music, food and drinks all day long at several local bars on Paczki Day. Come out and enjoy Hamtramck’s version of Mardi Gras.

By Charles Sercombe
There is no shortage of things to do on Paczki Day.
And keeping in the Mardi Gras spirit of the day, it mostly involves drinks, food and music. Here’s the rundown:

New Dodge Lounge, 8850 Jos. Campau
We can’t think of a better way to start the day than an early morning wake-up at New Dodge. The Polish Muslims hit the stage at 7 a.m. to usher in the bar’s “Paczki Paloosa” festival.
The place gets packed quick, but there is plenty of room both upstairs and down. New Dodge has it all: drink specials, home-cooked Polish food, Miller Girls, Jager Girls, DJ’s (Jo-Town, Mike Bush and Reverend Tire Iron), mini-beer specials, booze, and more booze and live music winding up with the St. Thomas Boys Academy.
Bar owner Cathy Gordon will be serving, and pouring, and if you’re lucky, she’ll do her standing-on-the-bar-pouring-a-drink-down-your-throat thing.
PLAV Post 10 Hall, 11824 Jos. Campau
The party starts at 10 a.m., and for those who can stomach it, there is a Paczki Eating Contest at noon upstairs.
For 15 agonizing minutes contestants stuff as many paczki they can in their mouth, chew and swallow them. Trust us, this is not for the squeamish.
For those who want a regular meal, the kitchen kicks out some tasty Polish meals, thanks to Srodek’s, at a super low price.
Live music starts right after the contest with Polka Floyd at 12:30 p.m. At 2:30 p.m. it’s the Kielbasa Kings; 4 p.m. it’s Hamtramck’s own Danny D and the evening caps out with the Polish Muslims at 6:30 p.m.
Downstairs DJ Chuck E will be spinning. Proceeds from the day go toward helping hospitalized veterans.
Smalls, 10339 Conant
This is where the famous “Paczki Bomb” was invented, and yes it is just what you think: A paczki filled with booze. These go fast, so first-come, first-serve.
There are also plenty of beer specials.
The bar opens at 10 a.m. and goes all night to 2 a.m.
Live music starts at 4 p.m. with Polka Floyd, and then Eastside Elvis & the Motor City Mafia and Captains of the Head. For the latest info, go to: smallsbar.com.

Trixie’s Bar, 2656 Carpenter
This little gem has expanded the Hamtramck bar scene to the northern border of Detroit.
This will be the bar’s first Paczki Day offering, and it’s a good one. Trixie’s opens at 3 p.m. and will offer free Srodek’s sausage and sauerkraut to customers at 4:30 p.m. Around 6 p.m., Nicollett Warczak will be selling “Wilk Homemade Pierogi” made fresh the morning of Paczki Day. These huge pierogies will be three for $5 or you can take home a dozen for $7 and fry them up yourself.

Whiskey in the Jar, 2741 Yemans
There’s big fun in the bar’s backyard heated tent.
Polish food and drink specials abound. Come with some friends, or make some new ones, and share a “Poleski.” When you see it, you’ll get the joke.
Music starts at 11 a.m. with the Kielbasa Kings and at 2:30 p.m. with the Polish Muslims.
Here’s what the bar has to say about itself: “Paczki Day, The Whiskey Way ain’t for the noobs, rookies or amateurs. … We weren’t voted One Of America’s Best Bad Decision Bars for nothing!!
“Just know that, as always, it’ll be a spectacle.”