Cocktail barBrewery and seafood bar$$$ferndaleMon-Fri 11:30-21:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-21:00
Lily's Seafood Grill & Brewery on South Washington in Royal Oak has brewed and poured in metro Detroit since 1999. House-brewed beers alongside fresh seafood.
Signature drink: House brewed ale
Food: Seafood and pub fare
Tip: Patio in summer is the prime seat; book ahead for weekend evenings.
Cocktail barGreek taverna bar$$$greektownMon-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.
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.
Cocktail barTiki and beach bar$$$ferndaleMon-Tue 16:00-23:00, Wed 16:00-00:30, Thu 16:00-24:00, Fri 16:00-01:00, Sat 15:00-01:00, Sun 15:00-23:00
Eastern Palace Club on John R Road in Hazel Park serves a community Key West beach bar in metro Detroit. Order the rum buckets and classic tiki cocktails.
Signature drink: Rum buckets and classic tiki cocktails
Food: Calico Jack's Kitchen elevated bar food
Tip: Voted Best Tiki Bar by Detroit Metro Times in 2023 and 2024; karaoke and dance nights run multiple evenings.
Cocktail barModern cocktail bar$$$downtownWed-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. Order the house cocktail, often barrel-aged. At 225 Gratiot Ave.
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.
Cocktail barCraft cocktail speakeasy$$$corktownMon-Sun 17:00-02:00
The Sugar House on Michigan Avenue in Corktown serves Prohibition-era craft cocktails in Detroit since 2011. Order the prohibition-era classics.
Signature drink: Prohibition-era classics
Food: Small bites and bar snacks
Tip: Walk-ins Monday through Thursday; Friday and Saturday need reservations. Tin ceiling, old bar.
Cocktail barJazz club and supper room$$$downtownWed-Sat 17:00-24:00, Sun 16:00-22:00
Cliff Bell's on Park Avenue has poured cocktails in Detroit's downtown since 1935. Reopened 2006 by Paul Howard, it is the city's premier live jazz room.
Signature drink: Classic Manhattan
Food: Steak frites and chophouse classics
Tip: Tickets for the band run separately. The dining room is half the room; cocktails at the bar.