This portion of our guide focuses on places to eat or drink in the City of Saint Clair Shores, Michigan.

Although they may be known by a variety of other names, the three main categories of places to eat or drink are restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Generally, restaurants serve at least 70% food and no more than 30% alcohol, although there are plenty of restaurants that don't serve alcohol at all. Bars, on the other hand, serve about 30% food and 70% alcohol, and nightclubs usually don't serve food. Nightclubs are more appropriately thought of as entertainment venues, although they are included here. Although not as numerous, coffee shops are another category, but they use the same formula as bars, although their drinks are non-alcoholic, consisting of coffee, tea, and similar beverages.

Generally, there are four different types of bars: gathering spots, entertainment venues, concept bars, and nightclubs.

Gathering spots are the most common because they appeal to a larger number of demographics, and are the easiest to pull off. They might be known as sports pubs, as a neighborhood bar and grill, or as corner taverns, and there is a tendency for them to be named after someone known to the area.

Entertainment venues focus on live music or other forms of live entertainment, which could be comedy or bowling. Customers come for the entertainment, but they buy drinks. Food may also be served, but it's not the focus.

Concept bars are generally found in large cities, although craft breweries and brew pubs may be found in smaller communities, as well. They tend to be small, as far as the number of customers likely to be found in one at a given time, and often the profits come from hosting private parties. Karaoke bars are another example of a concept bar.

Nightclubs are similar to entertainment venues, although they generally demand a cover charge, and are dependent upon large numbers of people. Nightclubs are also selective about their clientele. In a sense, a successful nightclub is actually a professional party.

As for restaurants, there are many styles, but they can be broken down into two larger categories: table service and counter service.

At a table service restaurant, customers are seated at a table, and a server takes your order, after which someone brings your food and drinks. Usually, the same person who took your order will be the one who brings your food, presents your check, and collects payment when you're ready to leave. In some restaurants, customers are expected to pay the cashier on the way out.

In a counter service restaurant, customers stand in line to place their orders, for which they pay in advance. In some counter-service restaurants, a staff member will bring your food to you at a table, but others expect you to pick your food and drinks up at the counter. Some counter-service restaurants only do take-out. A food truck is basically a counter-service restaurant on wheels.

Of course, there are several variations on these themes. Restaurants and bars serve prepared food and drinks. Retail businesses, such as grocery and liquor stores, would be listed in a Places to Shop category.

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