48 Best Cocktail Bars in Detroit

“My lady and I celebrated our anniversary at Bar Pigalle last night, and it was just as incredible as we remembered. We had been once before and absolutely loved it, so returning was an easy choice.

The ambiance is elegant yet inviting. It has that hidden-gem quality that makes you feel special the moment you walk in. Our server, Adam, was warm, welcoming, and attentive, making the entire experience even more enjoyable.

And the food? Phenomenal. We started with two expertly crafted cocktails, the Turn on Red and the French Caffee, both delightful in their own way. For appetizers, we shared the beet salad and mushroom gratin, which were flavorful and perfectly prepared. But the real reason we came back...The burger.

I know it’s “just” a burger, but this is the burger I judge all others by. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s the best I’ve ever had—juicy, flavorful, and just downright delicious. If you're a burger lover, this is the one you need to try.

Bar Pigalle continues to impress, and we’ll absolutely be back again!“

“Went for my fiancée’s birthday. First time ever going. Brandon was our server, only way I knew is the hostess told us—he was awful. Kept snorting up snot or something every time he came to the table. Never introduced himself, never told us about the menu, nothing. Waited 25 minutes for water. The cocktails we had were nice. Well balanced. We ordered steak tartare and deviled eggs for appetizers-the steak was very salty. Wasn’t expecting such a large amount of food, with such small amount of accompaniments (four VERY hard pieces of baguette…). Fiancee said the eggs were good, but also salty. Ordered steaks for dinner. The steaks were masterfully cooked, and the sauces were wonderful. And the side of mushrooms were great too. Our server was very ‘rushed’ to get us out of there. Didn’t even ask about dessert or after dinner drinks…

Would we come back, probably. Wouldn’t let that Brandon guy wait on us again. He was awful.“

“Ate in the lounge and had fantastic service. Lovely wood smoke smell in the place. Tried 4 different red wine between my wife and I, all terrific. The small plates we tried were all excellent. My favorite was the whipped salted cod and my wife loved the maitake mushrooms. The mains were also great, the halibut was our favorite. The sherry for dessert was great.

Overall, a surprisingly good meal with fun and knowledgeable wait staff. Best meal I e had had in a good while.“

“everything was very good, we sat at the bar and McKenzie took really good care of us, a must try spot!“

“Quintessential Detroit, I had such an amazing time having a few espresso martinis and a micro of super high in bourbon the bartender josh is Super professional enjoyed the cocktails thank you so much. I suggest everybody checking this place out when they visit Detroit.“

“If you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Detroit, Lumen is the place to be. Located in the heart of Beacon Park, this modern yet inviting restaurant offers a perfect blend of great food, craft cocktails, and stunning ambiance—all with a front-row seat to one of Detroit’s most vibrant public spaces.

One of the biggest reasons Lumen stands out is Chef Aramis Torres, whose creativity and passion shine through in every dish. With a deep appreciation for fresh, high-quality ingredients, Chef Torres crafts a menu that blends elevated comfort food with inventive, seasonal flavors. His expertise is evident in everything from the perfectly cooked steaks and fresh seafood to unique dishes that surprise and delight the palate. And let’s not forget the truffle fries—a fan favorite that pairs perfectly with one of Lumen’s handcrafted cocktails!

The atmosphere is another standout feature. With floor-to-ceiling windows, an open and airy design, and one of the best rooftop patios in the city, Lumen provides an unforgettable setting for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying a cozy dinner inside or sipping cocktails outside while watching the city lights, the ambiance is simply top-notch.

Service at Lumen is warm and attentive, making every visit feel special. Whether you’re stopping in for brunch, dinner, or happy hour, you’ll experience top-tier hospitality and expertly crafted cuisine.

To top it off, Lumen’s location in Beacon Park makes it the perfect spot to enjoy live music, outdoor events, or simply take in the energy of downtown Detroit. Thanks to Chef Aramis Torres’ culinary mastery, Lumen is not just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Whether you’re a local or visiting the city, Lumen is a must-visit destination for an unforgettable meal. Highly recommended!“

“I love Willis show Bar. The atmosphere and ambiance is amazing. It's my sister and I go to spot when we go out for some live entertainment and good libations.“

“Best BBQ chicken ever! I would literally go here just for that. They also have great tacos! I highly recommend the pastor, carnitas and barbacoa tacos. It’s super small inside and not many seats so there can be a wait time. But it’s well worth it! This place is a little gem in Detroit. Oh and like others have said- the green sauce is delicious!“

“If you love history, this place will not disappoint. Awesome views from the rooftop and the fireplace on a cold evening was the perfect place to have a cocktail. Make a reservation! Must visit if out with friends and you want a cool location to hang!!!“

“Great foodie experience! Jake our waiter was amazing! Excellent food and service!!! Desserts delicious! Go now!“

“I just spent a week drinking through some of the best cocktail bars in Tel Aviv and was reminded how none of them come even close to the amazing cocktails that the Kevin, Kyle, and the rest of the Castalia team come up with! Each visit to Castalia, be it your first or one thousandth, is magical and wonderful!“

“Went with Family for a B-Day dinner, Had A Berry, 2 of those Your Good. Had the Wings tried other dishes on the table with family remember Great Food. Will stop by before a Piston Game. P.S. Nice Staff and Clean Invironment“

“We walked in to the Buhl Bar and where greeted by George and Aish they where both so friendly and so full of information. We provided our preferences in taste and allowed George to select and make our cocktails. He nailed our tastes and delivered the best cocktails we have had. This place has such a great art deco vide the service was second to none and the drinks amazing. Thank you George and Aish it was a pleasure to have meet you both.“

“Came here for a post dinner cocktail and had a great experience.
We did come on the early side (8:30pm) but loved the vibe and the cocktails were unique and delicious.
We also trialed the mocktails which was a pleasant surprise. Highly recommend and will be returning !“

“Awesome spot! Food is great, service is superb, and cozy atmosphere (nice and tucked away). It’s a must come back kinda place TD approved! Travelin D’Vas“

“If you want an amazing Detroit style pizza, look no further than this place. We tried a couple of different pizzas and also an order of the Teader Chips. Everything was perfection. The service was great. They just need a liquor license.

Vegetarian options: Vegetarian pizza options and they offer Beyond Beef as a topping.“

“Last night after jelly roll concert me and couple Freinds went here to eat. Was great food will definitely go back. The service was great. The waitress we had she was amazing she took care of us very well. I love the atmosphere and the vibes this restaurant/bar gives“

“Best restaurant in Detroit Metro airport sit at the bar for first class service!“

“Great vibes, great coffee and tasty food. What a great place!!!“

“Our family had the best experience at Grandma Bob’s last night! The staff was gracious and the food was delicious!“

“Such a great Birthday experience! From the delicious whipped feta, filet mignon, and date cake to our AmaZing server Rasool who was efficient, engaging and entertaining and the atmosphere is simply beautiful.“

“Everything and everyone was amazing, can’t wait to go back again“

“Really nice dining experience“

“I haven't been here yet, but form what I see it seems like it is a pretty nice lil cocktail bar.“

“We celebrated our August wedding anniversary at Coriander, and were delighted! We sat in the Greenhouse, the view was great, loved the decor. Our server was friendly and helpful, everyone was so kind. Loved the drinks Thad made, our meals, Rainbow Trout and Shrimp Boil were excellent. My guy enjoyed the peach cobbler for dessert, the cookies were delicious as well. As native Detroiters, we are thrilled with this venue, and will be back!“

“Great bar and very friendly people here. The neighborhood is such a great place!“

“Beautiful place for a special occasion.“

“Corporate event here and they were very accommodating . The manager did an excellent job and was very respectful. Overall great job. Food was good, we had a classic menu and some of the dishes were done really well. The beef in particular was excellent, not over seasoned just simple and cooked correctly. Only future request is for the scallops to have one side seared to create multiple textures. The scallops lacked that good sear which holds on to some of the delicious flavors of the butter and salt without that it really became a bland scallop. Regardless we would still eat here again. Good service, nice people and a good enough variety on the menu.“

“The food and service was excellent!!! The stuffed salmon is a must!! The bartender customer service was impeccable.“

“If you’re looking for a culinary experience in Detroit, Midnight Temple is the place to be! From the moment you walk in, the vibrant ambiance sets the tone for a magical evening. Loved the traditional Indian elements, creating an atmosphere that’s both warm and lively.

The food? Absolutely divine! The tikka masala, dhal makhani and biryani are a must try. Don’t skip the garlic naan, it’s the perfect complement to every bite.

Looking forward to coming back and trying more things from the menu :)“

“stopped by for a quick lunch. Sandwich was great service. amazing“

“The bartender Jon was amazing. The food is so good and the restaurant is absolutely beautiful. I will say that the hostess, Ms. P was extremely rude, and I almost left. I wanted to dine in, but Ms. P said reservations were required. I told her if we can't eat in, then we can order to go. She interrupted me while I was speaking and asked, "You wanted to eat in, don't you?" I almost left because as her being the face of the restaurant, it was not a welcoming experience.
I'm glad I walked away from her and ordered at the bar. She definitely needs a class in customer service.“

“10/10 would recommend this place to anyone“

“Great service ………………..“

“always quick, great authentic tacos, love the quesadillas🤌🏽 friendly people! worht it every time“

“stopped by for a quick lunch. Sandwich was great service. amazing“

“Discovered this place while going to the symphony. What a nice start of a great evening!“

“Super cool bar in the Book Tower lobby! The open seating fits so well in the space and is a beautiful setting to enjoy a drink. To my pleasant surprise, they had a non-alcoholic espresso martini and it was AMAZING! We will definitely be making this one of our go-to spots for a casual drink downtown.“

“The cocktails were very good and unique. Not the basic old fashioned with a fancy name slapped on it. These cocktails seemed much more creative. Speakeasy, cozy vibes.

Parking: Free parking on site with mobile security in the gated lot.“

“My friend took me to evening bar for the first time last night and it was a beautiful bar. Modern art deco decor and wonderful cocktails. Shiva was amazing. I had to decide between two cocktails and she described them both in detail that helped me make my decision. I decided on one and it was perfectly up my alley and just as she described. She was so friendly, quick, and attentive even with quite a few guests she was helping. 10/10 will definitely be back. Cocktails were perfectly balanced and had distinct flavors and profiles“

“Live the atmosphere good friends good time“

“The pizza was good. The wine was great. The special was sold out. I didn't know it was karaoke night though. Music from karaoke was playing as well as like a spotify playlist so the noise was a bit distracting. Otherwise I had no problem getting seated. The food came really quickly. The servers were generally helpful. I would come here again.“

“Excelente !!!!! Para una buena estadía y tomarte algo refrescante“

“The food and drink is creative and delicious, and the staff is friendly and patient. This is a great place to share small plates (or big plates!) with friends.“

“Great service and selection! I recommend Sugar House to any bourbon lover!“

“This place was amazing! The cocktails and ambiance was so cool!“

“It was our first time in this place and Ibrahim made our experience so great!! He guided us on the menu and had amazing mixology skills. Will be coming back!“