Ginopolis’ announces it will return this week in downtown Brighton

BRIGHTON — Just two months after closing Ginopolis’ Bar and Grill and replacing the restaurant with a new country bar, line dancing included, ownership is reverting back.

More:Ginopolis’ Smokehouse closes in downtown Brighton — but owners tease something new

The announcement came via social media Saturday, June 10, when Cowgirls County Bar & Grill posted, seemingly to tease itself:

“These past couple of months sure have been a whirlwind for us and the Brighton community. New roads, new (businesses) and questionable name changes…”

Later in the post, the business announced it will officially become Ginopolis’ again beginning Wednesday, June 14.

“Just walk on by our patio and you’ll smell that sweet (barbecue) we know you’ve been missing,” it read. “Look for our new posted hours as well, as we will be bringing back lunch and some new fun specials.”

Not everything from Cowgirls will disappear. Line dancing classes and open dance floor nights will continue.

“We love the late night fun we’ve been having and have no plans to stop,” the post read. “So keep your eye out for weekly posts about our evening Cowgirls events.”

Peter, Melissa and Nicholas Ginopolis opened Ginopolis’ in 2019. They did extensive renovations to 201 W. Main Street, the former site of Downtown Main Martini Bar and Grille, which had closed the year prior.

The eatery served up barbecue cooked in a large meat smoker and non-barbecue options. Customers came for ribs, burgers, pulled pork, chicken, brisket and other menu items.

“With (a) heavy heart … we have decided to close Ginopolis’ Brighton,” a post made in April to the restaurant’s social media page read.

Melissa Ginopolis and her general manager, Mona Johnson, told The Daily the move was in response to the community’s need for a country bar and more live entertainment.

“We’ll create a little Nashville for ourselves,” Johnson said. “We found three Nashville-type singers from the area we’re going to feature. The DJs will play country western for that fun, line dancing, kick-up-your-heels atmosphere.”

Cowgirls served food, but from a smaller menu.

The Ginopolis family ran Ginopolis’ Bar-B-Q Smokehouse in Farmington Hills for nearly four decades. Peter and his brother, Johnny Ginopolis, closed the location in August 2019 before making Brighton their sole restaurant endeavor.

The location in Farmington Hills was named one of the Top 10 Hottest Singles Bars in America by Playboy Magazine in 1983. It attracted celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Liz Taylor, Muhammad Ali, Chuck Daily, Sparky Anderson and many sports figures.