9 bars in Detroit, editor-picked for bars open late. Bars serving past 23:00. All bars in Detroit.
Standby ★ 4.8
downtown · 225 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Hours: Wed-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.
Tip: Entry is from The Belt alley; reservations through OpenTable. World's 50 Best Discovery list.
Cliff Bell's ★ 4.7
downtown · 2030 Park Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Hours: Wed-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.
Tip: Tickets for the band run separately. The dining room is half the room; cocktails at the bar.
Baker's Keyboard Lounge ★ 4.7
new-center · 20510 Livernois Ave, Detroit, MI 48221
Hours: Mon 19:00-23:00, Tue-Fri 16:00-24:00, Sat 18:00-02:00
Baker's Keyboard Lounge on Livernois has poured drinks in Detroit since May 1933 and started booking jazz pianists in 1934, the oldest continuously operating jazz club in the country. Steinway piano picked out by Art Tatum in the 1950s.
Tip: Only 99 seats; tilted mirrors let the audience watch the pianist's hands.
The Sugar House ★ 4.6
corktown · 2130 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
Hours: Mon-Sun 17:00-02:00
The Sugar House on Michigan Avenue in Corktown serves Prohibition-era craft cocktails in Detroit since 2011. The room that brought serious cocktail bartending back to Detroit.
Tip: Walk-ins Monday through Thursday; Friday and Saturday need reservations. Tin ceiling, old bar.
Two James Spirits Tasting Room ★ 4.5
corktown · 2445 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
Hours: Mon-Thu 12:00-24:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-01:00, Sun 12:00-20:00
Two James Spirits on Michigan Avenue in Corktown is Detroit's first licensed distillery since Prohibition. Tasting flights, house cocktails and bottle sales since 2013.
Tip: Backyard patio looks at Roosevelt Park and Michigan Central Station. Patio in summer.
Joebar ★ 4.4
ferndale · 23839 John R Rd, Hazel Park, MI 48030
Hours: Tue-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.
Tip: Walk-in bar; the back patio opens in summer. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Detroit Beer Company ★ 4.0
downtown · 1529 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226
Hours: Tue-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.
Tip: Game-day crowds spill from Comerica Park; weekday lunch books up faster than dinner.
PJ's Lager House ★ 4.0
corktown · 1254 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Hours: Wed-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.
Tip: Cover charge varies by act; Pabst is the canonical pour. Cajun po-boy is the deep cut.
Pegasus Taverna (late-night) ★ 4.0
greektown · 558 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226
Hours: Mon-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.
Tip: Open through 02:00 weekends; the bar takes walk-ins later than the dining room.