The best lounges, speakeasies, and hidden bars in metro Detroit and where to find them

By Metro Times editorial staff on Mon, Sep 9, 2024 at 9:59 am

Think you’re the hippest barfly in Detroit? How many of these hidden, low-key, blink-and-you-miss-them, and underground bars have you visited?

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Evening Bar

1400 Woodward Ave, Detroit; eveningbar.com

This speakeasy-style bar is accessible through a hidden entrance in Parker Alley behind the Shinola Hotel. The relaxed, subdued atmosphere is complemented by a delicious drink menu that recalls the classic elegance of the Roaring Twenties.

Photo via @rod.arroyo / Instagram

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Matthew Williams

Aladdin Sane

1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit; thealaddinsane.com

This new cocktail bar is located in Detroit’s recently renovated Book Tower, offering an interesting blend of inspirations — Japan and David Bowie..

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Candy Bar

1509 Broadway St., Detroit; candybardetroit.com

Tucked behind a curtain in the back of the lobby of the Siren Hotel, this small, 30-seat spot, accessible on a first-come, first-served basis, boasts a pink interior and sweet drinks.

Photo by Christian Harder courtesy of The Siren Hotel

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Bad Luck Bar

1218 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-657-9177; badluckbar.com

Tucked away down an alley near Capitol Park, Bad Luck Bar is an experimental craft cocktail bar with an inventive selection of mixed drinks. The menu includes fanciful, 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 @badluckbar / Instagram

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Sid Gold's Request Room

1515 Broadway St., Detroit; 313-444-4653; sidgolds.com/detroit

Sid Gold’s, a New York piano karaoke bar, has a Detroit location in the Siren Hotel. This retro lounge offers live piano accompaniment for amateur singers, and the iPad songbook includes Broadway standards as well as recent hits. Head down the alley behind the Siren Hotel (look out for the neon sign) for a welcoming interior and delicious menu of cocktails, snacks, entrées, and desserts.

Photo via @brettjoelaw / Instagram

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Weiss Distilling Company

34 E. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson; thewdc.com

To access this sleek, speakeasy-style bar, you go through a secret entrance in an elevator shaft.

Photo via @weissdistillingco / Instagram

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The Ebenezer

305 Fleet St., 734-404-5552; theebenezerplymouth.com

This speakeasy-style bar opened in the basement of a 100-plus year-old bank building on the corner in downtown Plymouth in 2020. To get in, you have to go through an alley behind the building near the parking structure.

Photo via @orinabanci / Instagram

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Facebook, Willow Detroit

Willow

1431 Times Square, Detroit; willowdetroit.com

Reminiscent of early speakeasies, Willow is a stylish, spirit forward, cocktail lounge offering Southern influence in Detroit style. The spot is intimate, cozy, and dimly lit, embracing cocktail culture.

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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 @andrewmichaelschultz / Instagram

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The Shelby

607 Shelby St., Detroit; shelbydetroit.com

Located behind the blue metal door in the back of downtown's Coffee Down Under, The Shelby opened in a former 100-year-old bank vault. Aside from classic cocktails, it also serves up a locally sourced menu.

Photo via @_lovelychanel / Instagram

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Monarch Club

33 John R St., Detroit; 313-306-2380; monarchclubdetroit.com

This rooftop lounge offers breathtaking views of downtown Detroit from the top of the recently restored Metropolitan Building. be sure to make a reservation online, in the warmer months it's a popular spot.

Photo via @monarchclubdetroit / Instagram

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Raven Lounge and Restaurant

5145 Chene St., Detroit; 313-924-7133; ravenloungeandrestaurant.com

Located in an unassuming building on the corner of Chene and Farnsworth, Raven Lounge is one of Detroit’s oldest blues clubs. This social club, which dates back to the 1960s, offers live music, soul food, and a friendly atmosphere to dance and socialize.

Photo via @wormwoodcallipygian__ / Instagram

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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 @two.in.a2 / Instagram

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Jolly Old Timers

641 W. Forest Ave, Detroit; 313-831-5342

Located in the lower level of a private residence, Jolly Old Timers Club is a secret bar that serves up a selection of beer and mixed drinks in a friendly atmosphere. A red light on the exterior of the building lets patrons know when the establishment is open, and the inside is a cozy, wood-paneled oasis of Detroit culture. The clubhouse has been open in various forms and locations since the 1950s, and rumor has it that former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young was a member.

Photo via @theworkinc / Instagram

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Two Way Inn

17897 Mt. Elliot St., Detroit; 313-891-4925; 2wayinn.com

Two Way Inn is one of Detroit’s oldest bars, dating back to 1876. After being buzzed into this hole-in-the-wall establishment, guests will enjoy the selection of domestic, imported, and local craft beers. The food is delicious as well, and during the winter, owner Mary Aganowski cooks up large batches of soup for patrons to enjoy with their drinks.

Photo via @twowayinn / Instagram

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The Last Word

301 W. Huron St., Ann Arbor; 734-585-5691; thelastwordbar.com

Tucked away behind a nearly unmarked door, this speakeasy-esque bar is a hidden gem on the edge of Ann Arbor’s Main Street area. Offering an inventive cocktail menu and small selection of bar snacks, The Last Word serves delicious food and drinks in an intimate, polished atmosphere.

Photo via @thelastwordbar / Instagram

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The Perfect Beat

1941 S. Fort St., Detroit; 313-388-6262

This neon-lit club in Southwest Detroit has an insane (in a good way) interior, with fake palm trees, statues, and mirrors on the ceiling. It will take a while to order a drink — there's only one bartender — but it's worth it for the 'gram.

Photo via @badgirlsclub.jpeg / Instagram

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Google Maps

Knock Twice Speakeasy

6430 Farmington Rd., West Bloomfield Township; knocktwicespeakeasy.com

This speakeasy-style bar is located in an unsuspecting building in West Bloomfield. The spot offers small plates, drinks, and live music, with an indoor lounge and outdoor patio.

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Cash Only

1145 Griswold St., Detroit; cashonlydetroit.com

This secret club, located underneath downtown's posh Prime + Proper restaurant, is so exclusive that it doesn't allow cell phones. (Despite the name, they actually accept credit cards.)

Photo via @beckyfisherr ?/ Instagram

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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 @castaliacocktails / Instagram

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