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Green Dot Stables
Green Dot Stables
Michelle and Chris Gerard

Eight Detroit Bars Serving Cocktails For $8 (or Less)

Where drink cheap cocktails beyond happy hour.

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Green Dot Stables
| Michelle and Chris Gerard

Jonesing for a cocktail but can't quite make the crucial happy hour window? It's a familiar situation. But before resorting to an evening of uninspired well drinks or a PBR and a shot, consider the following options. These Detroit bars and restaurants serve reasonably-priced ($8 and under) cocktails well beyond happy hour.

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Green Dot Stables

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At $3 a pop, one can easily indulge in several different cocktails at Green Dot and still come in under budget. Go for a horse racing classic — the mint julep — or try the mystery cocktail off the specials board.

Rock City Eatery

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Not only are RCE's cocktails plentiful and well-made, but they also ring-in at very reasonable prices (most falling between $8 and $4). Drop in for a bite and order a whiskey sour with tamarind, lime, apple cider, and bourbon.

Cafe 78

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Rum and bourbon fans can find something to sip on a budget at Cafe 78. Each drink is an ode to a different Pantone color card. Order the 5195, 1545, or 1205 for less than $8.

Dime Store

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If inexpensive brunch cocktails are your soul desire, look no further than this downtown diner. The restaurant offers a full bar. Pick your poison — bloody mary, mimosa, or irish coffee — and enjoy.

Mudgie's Deli

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Corktown's beloved deli recently expanded into the adjoining building opening two patios and a dimly lit bar. Not only are the cocktails here worth your precious pocket change but they all fall into the $7 and $8 range. Try the refreshing "Pookie's Iced Tea" with a choice of bourbon or vodka, peach, thyme, and lemon.

Bobcat Bonnie's

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Find an wide selection of $7 cocktails ($5 during happy hour) with easily intelligible ingredients at this Corktown gastropub.

Mercury Burger & Bar

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Order an afterwork burger and a Detroit classic "Hummer" milkshake (just $8) with Kahlua, rum, and vanilla ice cream.

The Keep

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While this bar offers excellent happy hour discounts, at The Keep one can still pick a stiff $7 classic cocktail from the "Standards" list outside of the 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Tuesday through Friday) window.

Green Dot Stables

At $3 a pop, one can easily indulge in several different cocktails at Green Dot and still come in under budget. Go for a horse racing classic — the mint julep — or try the mystery cocktail off the specials board.

Rock City Eatery

Not only are RCE's cocktails plentiful and well-made, but they also ring-in at very reasonable prices (most falling between $8 and $4). Drop in for a bite and order a whiskey sour with tamarind, lime, apple cider, and bourbon.

Cafe 78

Rum and bourbon fans can find something to sip on a budget at Cafe 78. Each drink is an ode to a different Pantone color card. Order the 5195, 1545, or 1205 for less than $8.

Dime Store

If inexpensive brunch cocktails are your soul desire, look no further than this downtown diner. The restaurant offers a full bar. Pick your poison — bloody mary, mimosa, or irish coffee — and enjoy.

Mudgie's Deli

Corktown's beloved deli recently expanded into the adjoining building opening two patios and a dimly lit bar. Not only are the cocktails here worth your precious pocket change but they all fall into the $7 and $8 range. Try the refreshing "Pookie's Iced Tea" with a choice of bourbon or vodka, peach, thyme, and lemon.

Bobcat Bonnie's

Find an wide selection of $7 cocktails ($5 during happy hour) with easily intelligible ingredients at this Corktown gastropub.

Mercury Burger & Bar

Order an afterwork burger and a Detroit classic "Hummer" milkshake (just $8) with Kahlua, rum, and vanilla ice cream.

The Keep

While this bar offers excellent happy hour discounts, at The Keep one can still pick a stiff $7 classic cocktail from the "Standards" list outside of the 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Tuesday through Friday) window.

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