Detroit's 30 best bars that aren't located downtown

By on Thu, Aug 29, 2019 at 1:00 am

Downtown Detroit has been reinvigorated in recent years, but sometimes on a night out you don't want to mess with the downtown parking situation. We pulled together 30 spots with cool vibes and even cooler drinks — and won't leave you stressed out about navigating the concrete jungle.

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UFO Factory 2110 Trumbull St., Detroit; ufofactory.com Take us to your leader, and by leader we mean space captain, and by space captain we mean bartender. At Corktown's UFO Factory, the drinks are cold and the weird are welcome. Part music venue, part bar, and part hotdog joint (Laika Dog operates out of UFO's kitchen, slinging fancy dogs at not-so-fancy prices), UFO Factory has been a paradise for many since 2014. Haven't been in a while? Check out the Cloud Deck, a boozy rooftop patio oasis which overlooks the invasion of those hideous condos and luxury apartment buildings that look like an Ikea had sex with the Blockheads from Gumby. Photo courtesy of Instagram/@meredithsayum

UFO Factory

2110 Trumbull St., Detroit; ufofactory.com

Take us to your leader, and by leader we mean space captain, and by space captain we mean bartender. At Corktown's UFO Factory, the drinks are cold and the weird are welcome. Part music venue, part bar, and part hotdog joint (Laika Dog operates out of UFO's kitchen, slinging fancy dogs at not-so-fancy prices), UFO Factory has been a paradise for many since 2014. Haven't been in a while? Check out the Cloud Deck, a boozy rooftop patio oasis which overlooks the invasion of those hideous condos and luxury apartment buildings that look like an Ikea had sex with the Blockheads from Gumby.
Photo courtesy of Instagram/@meredithsayum
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PJ’s Lager House 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-4668; pjslagerhouse.com This Corktown dive is reportedly a perennial money loser, but remains a favorite thanks to its live music and brunch. Instagram/@pjslagerhouse

PJ’s Lager House

1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-4668; pjslagerhouse.com

This Corktown dive is reportedly a perennial money loser, but remains a favorite thanks to its live music and brunch.

Instagram/@pjslagerhouse
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Outer Limits Lounge 5507 Caniff St., Detroit; 313-826-0456; outerlimitslounge.com Since opening in 2017, husband and wife owners and local musicians John Szymanski (The Henchmen) and Kelly Jean Caldwell (The Kelly Jean Caldwell Band) have provided a space for many local bands to get their legs — and record their tunes, as Outer Limits Lounge is also an independent record label that has released a handful of LPs. But beyond Outer Limits Lounge's contribution to the arts and culture scene, it's a bar — and a bloody good one at that. Like the owners say: "We pack 'em in for shows and the Stroh's always flows!" Photo courtesy of Instagram/@theouterlimitslounge

Outer Limits Lounge

5507 Caniff St., Detroit; 313-826-0456; outerlimitslounge.com

Since opening in 2017, husband and wife owners and local musicians John Szymanski (The Henchmen) and Kelly Jean Caldwell (The Kelly Jean Caldwell Band) have provided a space for many local bands to get their legs — and record their tunes, as Outer Limits Lounge is also an independent record label that has released a handful of LPs. But beyond Outer Limits Lounge's contribution to the arts and culture scene, it's a bar — and a bloody good one at that. Like the owners say: "We pack 'em in for shows and the Stroh's always flows!"

Photo courtesy of Instagram/@theouterlimitslounge
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Jumbo's 3736 Third Ave., Detroit; 313-831-8949 This ain't a fancy Midtown bar — opened since 1940, Jumbo's remains a Cass Corridor dive. Photo by Kathy Drasky, Flickr Creative Commons

Jumbo's

3736 Third Ave., Detroit; 313-831-8949

This ain't a fancy Midtown bar — opened since 1940, Jumbo's remains a Cass Corridor dive.

Photo by Kathy Drasky, Flickr Creative Commons
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Temple Bar 2906 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-832-2822 A low-key place to grab a beer (as long as it's not a DJ night), Temple Bar is a longstanding LGBTQ-friendly Cass Corridor destination. Photo courtesy of Instagram/@jonbilous

Temple Bar

2906 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-832-2822

A low-key place to grab a beer (as long as it's not a DJ night), Temple Bar is a longstanding LGBTQ-friendly Cass Corridor destination.

Photo courtesy of Instagram/@jonbilous
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Two Way Inn 17897 Mt. Elliott St., Detroit; 313-891-4925 Located in north Detroit, the Two Way Inn remains one of Detroit's best and oldest dives, with a vibe that feels like it could be from a Western film. You won’t find any fancy cocktails here. Photo courtesy of Instagram/@twowayinn

Two Way Inn

17897 Mt. Elliott St., Detroit; 313-891-4925

Located in north Detroit, the Two Way Inn remains one of Detroit's best and oldest dives, with a vibe that feels like it could be from a Western film. You won’t find any fancy cocktails here.

Photo courtesy of Instagram/@twowayinn
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Marble Bar 1501 Holden St., Detroit; 313-338-3674 A former leather daddy bar, Marble Bar reopened in 2015 and has since become known for its DJ nights, in recent years adding a massive courtyard made out of shipping containers for more dancing. Photo courtesy of Instagram/@marbledetroit

Marble Bar

1501 Holden St., Detroit; 313-338-3674

A former leather daddy bar, Marble Bar reopened in 2015 and has since become known for its DJ nights, in recent years adding a massive courtyard made out of shipping containers for more dancing.

Photo courtesy of Instagram/@marbledetroit
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The Old Miami 3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-831-3830 Opened in 1980, The Old Miami is a favorite of both army veterans (it was founded by a Vietnam vet) and hipsters thanks to its penchant for booking bands. It also has a huge backyard and patio. Photo courtesy of Instagram/@theoldmiamidetroit

The Old Miami

3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-831-3830

Opened in 1980, The Old Miami is a favorite of both army veterans (it was founded by a Vietnam vet) and hipsters thanks to its penchant for booking bands. It also has a huge backyard and patio.

Photo courtesy of Instagram/@theoldmiamidetroit
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Motor City Brewing Works 19350 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-832-2700; motorcitybeer.com One of Detroit’s original microbreweries, Motor City Brewing Works expanded from its longtime Midtown location with a second location along the Avenue of Fashion. Come for the pizza, stay for the Ghettoblaster Ale. Photo courtesy of Instagram/@ motorcitybrewingworks

Motor City Brewing Works

19350 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-832-2700; motorcitybeer.com

One of Detroit’s original microbreweries, Motor City Brewing Works expanded from its longtime Midtown location with a second location along the Avenue of Fashion. Come for the pizza, stay for the Ghettoblaster Ale.

Photo courtesy of Instagram/@ motorcitybrewingworks
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Sindbad's Restaurant and Marina 100 St. Clair St., Detroit; 313-822-8000; sindbads.com Located right on the water, this longtime bar features seafood, steaks, and occasional live music. See why ex-Detroit Police Chief James Craig is a fan. Photo courtesy of Instagram/@ 7milebred

Sindbad's Restaurant and Marina

100 St. Clair St., Detroit; 313-822-8000; sindbads.com

Located right on the water, this longtime bar features seafood, steaks, and occasional live music. See why ex-Detroit Police Chief James Craig is a fan.

Photo courtesy of Instagram/@ 7milebred
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