20 Detroit area dive bars that have been around for more than 30 years

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Jul 23, 2021 at 5:33 pm

Sometimes you want to go where everyone knows your name, or at least go to a place where it feels like they do. These neighborhood dive bars have been staples in their respective communities for decades.

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The Old Miami

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

This Cass Corridor bar first opened in 1980. Not only is it a popular neighborhood spot for a drink, it’s also a destination for local music performances.

Photo via Google Maps

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Two Way Inn

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

Believed to be the oldest bar in Detroit, the Two Way Inn has been serving Detroiters drinks since 1876. The bar also served as a speakeasy during the Prohibition era.

Photo via Google Maps

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Donovan’s Pub

3003 Vernor Hwy, Detroit; 313-964-7418

This Irish Pub is located in Southwest Detroit, within stumbling distance of some of our favorite Mexicantown restaurants. This neighborhood spot is good for your simple drink needs, fancy expectations need not apply.

Photo via Google Maps

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Jumbo’s Bar

3736 3rd Ave, Detroit; 313-831-8949

Since 1940, this dive bar has served Detroiters a shot with a sense of community. Jumbo’s is sure to give you the vibe of your own personal Cheers bar, with a Cass Corridor twist.

Photo via Google Maps

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Sneakers Pub

22628 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-545-8243

Sneakers Pub has been a popular neighborhood watering hole since 1988. It might be a sports bar, but it also offers karaoke, which means you can get drunk and sing “Don’t Stop Believin” to your heart’s content.

Photo via Google Maps

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Temple Bar

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

A Detroit staple since the 1970s, Temple Bar has been a place of inclusivity for years. In the early ’90s, it was a popular hangout for Detroit’s LGBT+ community serving shots and a safe space in the Cass Corridor.

Photo via Google Maps

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Nancy Whiskey Pub

2644 Harrison St., Detroit; 313-962-4247

Since 1902, Nancy Whiskey Pub has been serving shots to you. Rumor has it this Corktown bar survived Prohibition as a speakeasy and was frequented by Jimmy Hoffa.

Photo via Google Maps

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Abick’s Bar

3500 Gilbert St., Detroit; 313-894-9329

The building was built in 1907, but the bar’s name didn’t become Abick’s until 1919. During World War II, Marie “Manya” Abick took over as bartender and served drinks until her death in 2014.

Photo via Google Maps

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Marshall’s Bar

14716 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-821-0610

Marshall’s is small — like very small, like fire capacity of 49 small — but everything about the vibe of this place is big. Serving drinks since the prohibition, Marshall’s has been a community staple for years.

Photo via Google Maps

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LJ’s Lounge

2114 Michigan Ave, Detroit; 313-962-0013

Though it's a quiet old-man bar on most days, the spill-over crowd from Slows Bar BQ and the pre-party crowd from nearby dance shindigs makes it a memorable stop for bar-crawlers in the know.

Photo via Google Maps

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Jacoby’s Bar

624 Brush St., Detroit; 313-962-7067

Jacoby's has been a favorite downtown Detroit eatery and hangout since 1904. Right on Brush and Congress, it neighbors other Detroit classics like St. Andrew’s Hall and Sweetwater Tavern.

Photo via Google Maps

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Ye Olde Tap Room

14915 Charlevoix St., Detroit; 313-824-1030

Ye Old Tap Room has been serving drinks on the border of Grosse Pointe and Detroit since the Prohibition. This watering hole serves a wide variety of beer and offers a good time.

Photo via Google Maps

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Greenwich Time Pub

130 Cadillac Square, Detroit; 313-961-7885

Greenwich Time Pub was once known as Borg’s Lounge. Harry Hans bought the bar in 1966 and changed the name to Greenwich Time Pub per his wife’s request.

Photo via Google Maps

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Andrews on the Corner

201 Joseph Campau Ave., Detroit; 313-259-8325

Another bar that has survived Prohibition and much more, Andrews on the Corner continues to be a neighborhood staple for many.

Photo via Google Maps

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Giovanna’s Lounge

3537 Vernor Hwy., Detroit

Giovanna’s Lounge has been in Mexicantown since the 1970s. With a great patio and central Southwest location, it’s the perfect stop if you’re in the area.

Photo via Google Maps

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Goldie’s Saloon

45330 Romeo Plank Rd., Macomb; 586-286-6991

Goldie’s Saloon building has been quite a few things but in 1977 it became the Macomb pub many have come to love. For many locals it’s the go-to for a burger and beer.

Photo via Google Maps

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Nick’s Gaslight

441 W. Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-963-9191

Nick’s Gaslight is about as Detroit as they come and as local as they get. So much so, the owner stood his ground with the city a few years ago over the Pistons banner he let hang outside the building, when the team had moved back downtown.

Photo via Google Maps

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Danny’s Irish Pub

22824 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-546-8331

With reasonably priced food and a jukebox, Danny’s Irish Pub has been a Ferndale staple for over 30 years.

Photo via Google Maps

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Bronx Bar

4476 2nd Ave., Detroit; 313-832-8464

The Bronx Bar’s Detroit roots go back as far as 1938. The Cass Corridor bar has been a staple for many, especially Wayne State University students.

Photo via Google Maps

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Gusoline Alley

309 S. Center St., Royal Oak; 248-545-2235

If reasonably priced beer and good music are your thing, this dive bar is your spot. Come visit one of the last vestiges of old, weird Royal Oak.

Photo via Google Maps

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