Plan your night · Crossing the border
Detroit to Windsor: the crossing guide
Everything a Michigan group needs to cross for the night — the 19+ rule, which documents you need, tunnel vs bridge, currency, parking, and how to get from the border to a VIP booth.
The five-minute version
Windsor is 19+ and one minute from the Detroit-Windsor tunnel. Here's what actually matters before you cross.
19+ is the law
Ontario entry and drinking age is 19 — bring valid government photo ID for every guest.
Bring the right ID
Passport, enhanced licence or NEXUS to re-enter the U.S. A plain licence won't do it.
Tunnel is fastest
The tunnel drops you downtown — about a one-minute walk to Cheetah's.
Free parking after 6
Downtown parking is free after 6 PM — or leave the car and ride the shuttle.
Documents to cross
To re-enter the United States, U.S. citizens need one of these — a standard driver's licence on its own is not enough:
- Passport or U.S. passport card
- Enhanced driver's licence (EDL) — available in Michigan
- NEXUS card — fastest lane both ways
At the club door, any valid government photo ID showing you're 19+ is checked for every guest. Bring both: your crossing document and your ID.
Tunnel vs bridge
| Detroit-Windsor Tunnel | Ambassador Bridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Getting downtown to the clubs | Driving through to the west end |
| Drops you | Downtown Windsor — ~1 min walk to Cheetah's | West of downtown; short drive in |
| No-car option | Tunnel Bus runs downtown to downtown | Best by vehicle |
| Note | Height limit for tall vehicles | Handles coaches and tall vehicles |
Currency. Most clubs take USD cash, but card in CAD or exchanging first gets a better rate. Packages are billed in CAD with HST included.
Parking. Downtown Windsor is free after 6 PM, with lots near the tunnel exit — or leave the car at the hotel and ride the shuttle.
To the clubs. Tunnel bus or a short walk downtown, then the free crawl shuttle moves your group between all three venues.
Crossing FAQ
Do I need a passport to cross into Windsor?
To re-enter the United States you need a passport, U.S. passport card, enhanced driver's licence (EDL) or NEXUS card. A standard driver's licence alone is not enough to get back across. Canada will admit U.S. citizens on those same documents.
Can a 19- or 20-year-old get into the clubs?
Yes. Ontario's legal drinking and entry age is 19 — two years earlier than Michigan's 21. Every guest 19 or older is welcome with valid government photo ID, which is why so many Detroit-side groups cross the river.
Tunnel or bridge — which should we take?
For the clubs, the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel drops you right downtown; Cheetah's is about a one-minute walk from the Windsor tunnel exit. The Ambassador Bridge is better if you're driving through to the west end or want to avoid the tunnel's height limit. Both cross in a few minutes when traffic is light.
Is there a bus through the tunnel?
Yes — the Tunnel Bus runs between downtown Detroit and downtown Windsor, so you can cross without a car. You still need your crossing documents. For big groups we can arrange a private coach instead.
Do the clubs take U.S. dollars?
Most accept USD cash, but you'll get a better rate paying by card in Canadian dollars or exchanging first. Windsor VIP Nights packages are billed in CAD, HST included.
Where do we park?
Downtown Windsor street and lot parking is free after 6 PM, and there are lots near the tunnel exit. On a booked night the free shuttle means you can leave the car at your hotel entirely.
How far is it from the tunnel to the clubs?
Cheetah's is about a one-minute walk from the tunnel exit. Alley Katz is a short walk further downtown, and Leopards is a short drive or a stop on the crawl shuttle.
Cross once, we handle the rest
Pre-book all three clubs from $25/person — free VIP booth, free shuttle, one host.
See packages 20+? Get a quote