It's the first day of spring, and we're already craving that first patio beer.

Why it matters: It's been a long winter. We deserve a local drink out in the sunshine without wind or snow pummeling us.

• This applies to nonalcoholic indulgences, too — coffee, mocktails, iced matcha …

Our picks for spring outdoor dining season, which we hope comes soon:

🦁 Roar Brewing: 2026 will be the first full patio season for this Black-owned brewery that opened in July. Its flagship offering is a honey oat stout, but it also has a pilsner, IPA and amber.

• There's also food — tater tots, burgers and more.
• Roar's roll-up garage door transitions into a big patio that joins with nearby restaurants, per Eater.
• 666 Selden St. in the Cass Corridor

🐦 Two Birds: With stiff cocktails, guest chef pop-ups and ice cream next door, Two Birds' wraparound patio is a hotspot for both weekend and weeknight revelry during the fair-weather months.

• 8130 Kercheval Ave. in West Village

👁️ Kamper's Rooftop Lounge: We had to include a high-rise downtown option, because sometimes you just need the feeling of looking out across an entire city.

• Expect immaculate views 14 floors up in a Barcelona-inspired bar setting with snacks, small plates and a notable cocktail menu.
• 1265 Washington Blvd., downtown

🍕 Tenacity Craft: Come for the beer and seltzer, stay for the Detroit-style pizza with hot honey drizzle.

• Tenacity is a chill spot with a small interior and large, grass patio with picnic tables. Plus, pizza is half off Wednesdays, per Tenacity's instagram.
• 8517 2nd Ave. around the Piety Hill neighborhood, north of New Center

For more of a morning vibe, try:

☕ Saturn Coffee: This new, independent cafe opened in August in the Albert Kahn-designed Abington building, along a tree-lined residential street. Outdoor seating comes out starting Friday for the first day of spring.

• 700 Seward Ave., Suite 2 in New Center

🚲 Red Hook Greenway: This location of the local Red Hook coffee shop chain is near the riverfront, along its highly connected walking and cycling route. It's an ideal spot to sit outside and sip coffee along a morning journey.

• 2761 E. Jefferson Ave., near Rivertown

U-M and Michigan State cruised yesterday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Why it matters: March Madness is one-and-done, so any loss from here on out ends the season.

Driving the news: The third-seeded Spartans beat No. 14 seed North Dakota State, 92-67.

• After a surprisingly close first half, No. 1 seed U-M dispatched No. 16 seed Howard, 101-80.

What's next: Both schools play tomorrow with a chance to make the Sweet 16.

Zoom out: The women's teams for U-M and Michigan State play today in their NCAA Tournament.

• Second-seeded U-M plays No. 15 seed Holy Cross at 5:30pm on ESPN2.
• No. 5 seed Michigan State plays No. 12 Colorado State at 7:30pm on ESPNews.

👀 A coalition of businesses, utilities and trade unions has organized to combat what it calls misinformation about data centers, as some communities rally to oppose these projects. (Crain's 🔒)

🏭 Michigan cities have given more than $1 billion in tax breaks over the last decade to incentivize businesses to reduce their pollution. However, the companies continue to be cited for environmental offenses, and oversight is limited. (BridgeDetroit)

💼 The CEO of Freedom House, which serves refugees and asylum seekers, is joining Mayor Mary Sheffield's administration to lead the Office of Immigrant Affairs and Economic Inclusion. (Free Press)

Detroit's drinking water continues to test safely below state limits for lead.

Why it matters: The tests are required under Michigan's Lead and Copper Rule, revised in 2018 to use sampling methods designed to better capture lead from service lines.

Driving the news: The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department's results announced yesterday show lead levels at 8 parts per billion, well under Michigan's 12 ppb action level.

• Samples were collected in summer 2025.

By the numbers: DWSD's previous results in 2024 showed levels of 13 ppb, within compliance but above 2025's updated 12ppb threshold, Planet Detroit reported.

• Results showed 12 ppb in 2021-23 and 9 ppb in 2020, per DWSD.
• The city has replaced more than 15,800 lead service lines since 2018.

What they're saying: Water leaving treatment plants is lead-free, and there are no confirmed cases of drinking water being the main source of elevated blood lead levels in Detroit children, officials say.

Take action: Run your tap before using water that's been sitting — 30 seconds to 2 minutes (or 5 minutes if you have a lead service line), the city recommends.

• Use cold water for drinking and cooking, and consider a certified filter, especially in older homes.

Pistons fans got tough news yesterday: Cade Cunningham is out for an unknown amount of time with a collapsed lung.

Why it matters: Cunningham is the team's best player and the playoffs are less than a month away.

State of play: Cunningham left in the first quarter of Detroit's win on Tuesday over the Wizards.

• The team later announced an official diagnosis: a left lung pneumothorax that will be reevaluated in two weeks, the Free Press reports.

What's next: Detroit, in first place in the Eastern Conference, has 13 regular season games left.

• The NBA playoffs start April 18.