26 hidden bars in the Detroit area and how to find them all

Cafe D’Mongo's Speakeasy

1439 Griswold St., Detroit
This classic Detroit speakeasy has drawn big names, including Ryan Gosling and Quentin Tarantino. The live music draws big crowds, as does the menu, which includes favorites such as Abe Bernstine’s Chunky Corned Beef and the grilled cheese, which combines white cheddar, fontina, and havarti. After over fifty years in business, Cafe D’Mongo’s is one of Detroit’s best off-the-beaten-path bars.

Photo via Google Maps

Bab’s Underground

213 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor; 734-997-0800; babsunderground.com
The hidden entrance to Bab’s leads to a roomy basement bar offering craft cocktails, craft beers, and rare bourbons. With a vintage photo booth, arcade games, pinball, and multiple televisions, Babs’ offers a relaxed atmosphere for watching games, socializing, and enjoying creative cocktails.

Photo via Google Maps

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Babs' Underground

213 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor; 734-997-0800; babsunderground.com
The hidden entrance to Babs' leads to a roomy basement bar offering craft cocktails, craft beers, and rare bourbons. With a vintage photo booth, arcade games, pinball, and multiple televisions, Babs’ offers a relaxed atmosphere for watching games, socializing, and enjoying creative cocktails.

Photo via Babs' Underground / Instagram

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Cafe D’Mongo's Speakeasy

1439 Griswold St., Detroit
This classic Detroit speakeasy has drawn big names, including Ryan Gosling and Quentin Tarantino. The live music draws big crowds, as does the menu, which includes favorites such as Abe Bernstine’s Chunky Corned Beef and the grilled cheese, which combines white cheddar, fontina, and havarti. After over fifty years in business, Cafe D’Mongo’s is one of Detroit’s best off-the-beaten-path bars.

Photos via Google Maps

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Ghostbar

4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit; 313-832-5700; thewhitney.com/ghostbar
Located on the third floor of The Whitney, Ghostbar offers delicious drinks in an ornate space. With live jazz on Saturdays and a menu of creative cocktails, local beers, wine, and appetizers, this bar offers a relaxed atmosphere in one of Detroit’s best-loved historic buildings.

Photo via Google Maps

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Ghostbar

4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit; 313-832-5700; thewhitney.com/ghostbar
Located on the third floor of The Whitney, Ghostbar offers delicious drinks in an ornate space. With live jazz on Saturdays and a menu of creative cocktails, local beers, wine, and appetizers, this bar offers a relaxed atmosphere in one of Detroit’s best-loved historic buildings.

Photo via Google Maps

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The Oakland

201 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-291-5295; theoaklandferndale.com
Though it’s located on a busy thoroughfare, The Oakland is easy to miss. The luxurious decor of this small bar recalls the decadence of a speakeasy from the 1920s, and the drink menu is not less elegant. From their diverse selection of cocktails to the blues, jazz, and psychedelic rock playing on the stereo, The Oakland hits the perfect balance between nostalgia and modernity.

Photo via Google Maps

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The Oakland

201 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-291-5295; theoaklandferndale.com
Though it’s located on a busy thoroughfare, The Oakland is easy to miss. The luxurious decor of this small bar recalls the decadence of a speakeasy from the 1920s, and the drink menu is not less elegant. From their diverse selection of cocktails to the blues, jazz, and psychedelic rock playing on the stereo, The Oakland hits the perfect balance between nostalgia and modernity.

Photo via The Oakland / Instagram

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The Keep

140 Cadillac Sq., Detroit; 313-638-2131
This speakeasy-style bar hidden in Cadillac Square transports guests back to the 1920s. With a menu of creative twists on classic cocktails, the bar offers delicious takes on old drinks in an atmosphere that recalls the Jazz Age. Try the Apple Cola, Modified Ramos Gin Fizz, or Mary’s Berries.

Photo via The Keep Detroit / Facebook

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The Keep

140 Cadillac Sq., Detroit; 313-638-2131
This speakeasy-style bar hidden in Cadillac Square transports guests back to the 1920s. With a menu of creative twists on classic cocktails, the bar offers delicious takes on old drinks in an atmosphere that recalls the Jazz Age. Try the Apple Cola, Modified Ramos Gin Fizz, or Mary’s Berries.

Photo via The Keep Detroit / Facebook

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Bad Luck Bar

1218 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-657-9177; badluckbar.com
Tucked away down an alley, Bad Luck Bar is an experimental craft cocktail bar with an inventive selection of mixed drinks. The menu includes imaginatively-named concoctions such as Downward Facing Man (rum, cold brew coffee, Zucca rabarbaro liqueur) and The Seer (cognac, royal jelly honey, VEP Yellow Chartreuse, edible gold, lemon twist).

Photo via Bad Luck Bar / Facebook

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Bad Luck Bar

1218 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-657-9177; badluckbar.com
Tucked away down an alley, Bad Luck Bar is an experimental craft cocktail bar with an inventive selection of mixed drinks. The menu includes imaginatively-named concoctions such as Downward Facing Man (rum, cold brew coffee, Zucca rabarbaro liqueur) and The Seer (cognac, royal jelly honey, VEP Yellow Chartreuse, edible gold, lemon twist).

Photo via Bad Luck Bar / Facebook

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Abick’s

3500 Gilbert St., Detroit; 313-894-9329
This family-run Polish bar has been operating continuously since 1907. In that time, Abick’s has remained a friendly neighborhood gathering spot offering cold beer and companionship. The interior features the original tin ceiling, leather couches, and a cigar den with memorabilia from the Detroit Police Department, including a riot shield, gas masks, and an antique phone box.

Photo via Google Maps

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Abick’s

3500 Gilbert St., Detroit; 313-894-9329
This family-run Polish bar has been operating continuously since 1907. In that time, Abick’s has remained a friendly neighborhood gathering spot offering cold beer and companionship. The interior features the original tin ceiling, leather couches, and a cigar den with memorabilia from the Detroit Police Department, including a riot shield, gas masks, and an antique phone box.

Photo via Abick’s / Facebook

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8Ball Saloon

201 S. First St., Ann Arbor; 734-996-8555; blindpig.com/8-ball
A walk down the alley next to the Blind Pig will lead you to 8Ball, a dive bar and pool hall that offers cheap beer, good music, and a convivial atmosphere. Despite its basement location, 8Ball’s decor, which includes Christmas lights strung up around the ceiling, posters on the walls, and vintage arcade games, underscores the bar’s cheerful, timeless spirit.

Photo via 8 Ball Saloon

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8Ball Saloon

201 S. First St., Ann Arbor; 734-996-8555; blindpig.com/8-ball
A walk down the alley next to the Blind Pig will lead you to 8Ball, a dive bar and pool hall that offers cheap beer, good music, and a convivial atmosphere. Despite its basement location, 8Ball’s decor, which includes Christmas lights strung up around the ceiling, posters on the walls, and vintage arcade games, underscores the bar’s cheerful, timeless spirit.

Photo via 8 Ball Saloon

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Evening Bar

1400 Woodward Ave, Detroit; eveningbar.com
This speakeasy-style bar in Shinola Hotel is accessible through a hidden entrance on Parker Alley. The relaxed, subdued atmosphere is complemented by a delicious drink menu that recalls the classic elegance of the Roaring Twenties.

Photo via Google Maps

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Evening Bar

1400 Woodward Ave, Detroit; eveningbar.com
This speakeasy-style bar in Shinola Hotel is accessible through a hidden entrance on Parker Alley. The relaxed, subdued atmosphere is complemented by a delicious drink menu that recalls the classic elegance of the Roaring Twenties.

Photo via Evening Bar Detroit / Facebook

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Castalia at Sfumato

3980 E. 2nd Ave, Detroit; 313-305-1442; castaliacocktails.com
Located in the same Midtown mansion as its sister company, Sfumato Fragrances, this innovative bar offers cocktails that pair with Sfumato scents. Try the Tiger’s Eye (Thai iced tea-infused gin, nutmeg, coconut milk, cayenne, and turbinado), which goes with the Siren’s Song scent.

Photo via Google Maps

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Castalia at Sfumato

3980 E. 2nd Ave, Detroit; 313-305-1442; castaliacocktails.com
Located in the same Midtown mansion as its sister company, Sfumato Fragrances, this innovative bar offers cocktails that pair with Sfumato scents. Try the Tiger’s Eye (Thai iced tea-infused gin, nutmeg, coconut milk, cayenne, and turbinado), which goes with the Siren’s Song scent.

Photo via Castalia / Facebook

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