Sunset Grille is the place to go this summer for live music, good food, and a fantastic view of Lake Michigan.
The Sunset Grille Rooftop Cantina was the site for the Patrick’s Grille Fireworks Party that included a summertime buffet with fried chicken and potato salad; live entertainment; red, white, and blue party favors; and a small fundraiser for the Washington Park Zoo. It was one of many events happening this summer at Sunset Grille.
Several families and friends attended the event, including some that had never been to the rooftop. Bianca Salgado, a first-time patron of Sunset Grille, was invited to the Fireworks Party by her mom.
“I like the view. It’s pretty cool rooftop seating, and the food was good,” Salgado said.
Salgado has been slow to attend events because of the pandemic, and the Fireworks Party was one of the larger parties she has attended in a while.
Reva McCoy, Elizabeth Lloyd, and Portia Firnhaber said the party was the first time they had visited Sunset Grille as well. Lloyd saw the event online and asked the others to attend with her. The three anticipated the spectacular sunset and the fireworks from an angle they hadn’t seen before - a rooftop.
“This is going to be a whole new experience,” Firnhaber said. “This is literally a front-row seat.”
They also appreciated that the event was a fundraiser. McCoy said she is a Michigan City native, and the zoo was a big part of growing up.
“Michigan City is a great little spot. It’s a hidden gem,” McCoy said.
The duo, Steve and Mary E., were the featured musicians for the party. The two, Steve Champagne and Mary E. Rapier, are local favorites and have performed several times at the Sunset Grille in the past.
“This summer, they are mixing it up a lot, and this is our third time being here this summer,” Rapier said. “It’s been amazing, and I don’t think I’ve seen this many people here at one time.”
Rapier said they also sang on Memorial Day weekend and had a great time. Champagne and Rapier base what they will sing on the music they listened to growing up. Champagne is a Beatles enthusiast, so they try not to sing too many Beatles’ songs.
“It was like we were back singing, and it almost made the entire last year disappear,” Rapier said.
Rapier appreciates the professionalism of the Patrick’s Grille staff.
Sunset Grille offers concessions, a shaded place to sit, and a rooftop cantina. The city owns the building, but Patrick’s Grille caters the food and beverages. Patrick’s Grille General Manager Julie Krause said Sunset Grille has been busy because of the holidays, but those are not the only special events held at the rooftop this summer. Live music will be performed on Tuesdays and Sundays and includes acts like Mary Elizabeth Champagne, Nicholas Kazonis, The Jim St. James Band, Shane Lindeman, and Soul Shine.
“We are also doing a VIP party for the annual Great Lakes Grand Prix,” Krause said.
For those who love a bite to eat while at the beach, the Sunset Grille menu offers a variety of boardwalk-style treats, including nachos, hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, Bosco pizza, and grilled chicken sandwiches. The rooftop menu includes salads, shrimp cocktails, subs, and a meat, cheese, and olives platter.
For more information about Sunset Grille visit www.sunsetgrilleatthebeach.com.
