BrewpubdowntownTue-Thu 11:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-24:00, Sun 12:00-22:00
Detroit Beer Company on Broadway has brewed in downtown Detroit since September 2003. Two floors of the historic Hartz Building, steps from Comerica Park and Ford Field.
Signature drink: Local Pony Express IPA
Food: Pizza and bar food
Tip: Game-day crowds spill from Comerica Park; weekday lunch books up faster than dinner.
Music dive barcorktownWed-Sun 18:00-02:00
PJ's Lager House on Michigan Avenue in Corktown serves Cajun food and live music in Detroit since 1991. The room that runs garage rock seven nights when the calendar is full.
Signature drink: Pabst tallboys
Food: Cajun po-boys and gumbo
Tip: Cover charge varies by act; Pabst is the canonical pour. Cajun po-boy is the deep cut.
Brewery and seafood barferndaleMon-Fri 11:30-21:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-21:00
Lily's Seafood Grill & Brewery on South Washington in Royal Oak has brewed and poured in metro Detroit since 1999. House-brewed beers alongside fresh seafood.
Signature drink: House brewed ale
Food: Seafood and pub fare
Tip: Patio in summer is the prime seat; book ahead for weekend evenings.
Greek taverna bargreektownMon-Thu 11:30-23:00, Fri-Sat 11:30-02:00, Sun 11:30-23:00
Pegasus Taverna on Monroe Street has been a Greektown anchor in Detroit since 1981. The flaming saganaki and the after-casino crowd are the constants; bar runs late.
Signature drink: Ouzo and Mythos lager
Food: Mediterranean small plates
Tip: Open through 02:00 weekends; the bar takes walk-ins later than the dining room.
Neighborhood cocktail barferndaleTue-Sat 17:00-24:00
Joebar on John R Road in Hazel Park serves a cocktail bar in metro Detroit. Joe and Cari Vaughn's spot connects to Frame next door, a low-fi neighborhood room.
Signature drink: Martini-leaning house list
Food: Sandwiches and bar snacks
Tip: Walk-in bar; the back patio opens in summer. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Modern cocktail bardowntownWed-Sun 17:00-24:00 (Fri-Sat to 02:00)
Standby in The Belt alley off Gratiot serves modern cocktails in downtown Detroit since 2015. James Beard Outstanding Bar Program semifinalist in 2017 and 2018; the city's top room.
Signature drink: House cocktail, often barrel-aged
Food: Composed small plates
Tip: Entry is from The Belt alley; reservations through OpenTable. World's 50 Best Discovery list.