Inside Queens Bar, Downtown Detroit's Low-Key Neighborhood Bar

Brenna Houck is a Cities Manager for the Eater network. She previously edited Eater Detroit and reported for Eater. You can follow her on the internet at @brennahouck.

Queens Bar quietly opened in May, but the under-the-radar launch hasn't hurt the neighborhood watering hole. Social media announcements, word of mouth, and a handful of positive reviews have attracted a steady stream of locals to the bar — well positioned between Farmers Street and Grand River in downtown Detroit.

The owners clearly know what they're doing. They operate another well-loved beer and a shot bar and grill, Bronx Bar, in Cass Corridor. Queens Bar has a similar unpretentious vibe but doesn't try to replicate its sister bar. It has its own identity that suits the neighborhood and the integrity of the building it inhabits with large windows wrapping around the exterior that let in plenty of light. A clean lined bar design mimics the curved corner of the building. Bar goers have also taken a liking to the streetside patio.

Queens Bar isn't a place for crafty cocktails, though you might find specials made with fresh juices. It's a spot to grab a pint, a shot, or a can of Stroh's and hangout with a board game. Like the Bronx, Queens Bar is outfitted with a kitchen and is expected to start serving a grill menu soon. Photographers Michelle and Chris Gerard got an inside look at the renovations on a recent visit. Tour the bar in the gallery below.