More Maps

Detroit’s Essential Mexican Restaurants

23 Essential Italian Restaurants in Metro Detroit

18 Perfect Places for Dessert in Metro Detroit

More in Detroit See more maps

Abick’s dressed up with Christmas lights and decor with tin ceilings.

17 Essential Detroit Dive Bars

Lovable bars with dim lighting and stiff drinks

by Mickey Lyons and Serena Maria Daniels Updated Feb 13, 2023, 10:45am EST

View as Map

by Mickey Lyons and Serena Maria Daniels Updated Feb 13, 2023, 10:45am EST

Michelle and Chris Gerard

What Detroiters need now is a good stiff drink in a dimly lit room, resting their elbows on a well-worn wooden bar top, and sharing some trivial gossip.

Detroit’s dive bars run the gamut from cozy, wood-paneled family gathering spots to more edgy punk joints. They’re a celebration of simple pleasures, laid-back vibes, and ice cold beer. Whiling away a Friday afternoon or Tuesday night in any one of these dives counts as time well spent. Relaxed, affordable, and filled with character, here are 17 of Detroit’s classic dive bars.

Did we miss your favorite watering hole? Hit us up at the tipline, Twitter, or Facebook and we’ll check it out.

Read More

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Abick's Bar

Abick’s has been owned and operated by the same family since 1907 and has the ancient cash register to prove it. The southwest Detroit neighborhood hangout is cash-only and doesn’t have an ATM on site, so stock up ahead of time. Summer nights at Abick’s mean backyard BBQ cookouts and firepits in the fenced back lot.

3500 Gilbert St, Detroit, MI 48210

Visit Website

A man sits inside the dark interior of Abick’s with a large brown bar dog next to a billiard table. A sign reading “Seasons Greetings” is lit up with Christmas lights behind him.

Also featured in:

Donovan's Pub

No windows, no frills, and away from the hustle and bustle of Michigan Avenue, Donovan’s is the perfect retreat for Detroiters looking to relax. It’s tucked into a corner of Vernor Avenue with stellar views of the Ambassador Bridge and Michigan Central Station. Most nights see a mellow crowd of regulars shooting pool, but DJ nights and live bands do pop up on occasion.

Open in Google Maps

3003 W Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48216

Visit Website

The exterior of Donovan’s features a brick building with the bar’s name written in white Olde English style lettering across a dark green awning on a sunny day with clear blue skies.

LJ's Lounge

While upscale cocktail bars and restaurants abound on Michigan Avenue, this Corktown hangout keeps the visitors to the neighborhood supplied with affordable drinks. Wood paneling and a red awning gives way to even more ‘70s paneling in the interior with a mirrored back bar. The drink selection here is relatively simple with shots (including Jello shots) and domestic beers — the perfect recipe for a boilermaker and a good time.

Open in Google Maps

2114 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

The red and white sign for LG’s sticks out over the sidewalk along Michigan Avenue as two women walk by on a sunny day.

Nancy Whiskey's Pub

Nancy’s has been holding down an otherwise quiet corner of Corktown since 1902, thanks in large part to its Irish hospitality and large selection of Irish whiskies. Even a devastating 2007 fire couldn’t stop the good times.

2644 Harrison St, Detroit, MI 48216

Visit Website

The green and white sign for Nancy Whiskey hangs on the side of the Victorian-style building with cedar shake and brick walls.

Also featured in:

The Last Chance Saloon

Shot-and-beer spots are becoming a scarcity in Corktown, but Last Chance Saloon on Michigan Avenue offers drinkers a low-key stop in the space that used to house Casey’s Pub. The interior retains classic mellow vibes and has mercifully kept pricing simple too, with $5 specials on can beer and shots.

Open in Google Maps

1830 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Bronx Bar

The Bronx Bar teeters on the brink of respectability these days, as the Midtown transformations creep into this traditional dive. Once the domain of longtime bartender Charleen, Queen of the Bronx, and her subjects, the Bronx now hosts an eclectic mix of college kids, aging hipsters and locals of all stripes. The burgers remain stellar.

4476 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

The Bronx shown at night with customers gathered on the smoking patio at the corner.

Also featured in:

Jumbo's Bar

Holding firm against waves of change in the Cass Corridor, the green brick cube in the Cass Corridor is an old-school dive. Expect cheap drinks, a solid jukebox and a unique, if not truly weird, cast of characters. Saturdays are typically more rowdy — but almost always a good time.

Open in Google Maps

3736 3rd St, Detroit, MI 48201

The exterior of Jumbo’s Bar on a sunny day. Jumbo’s is painted bright green with a mural featuring roses being tied together by a hand with red manicured nails

Kwicky Bar

This concrete bunker of a bar is the perfect platonic ideal of a dive: nondescript, perennially unfussy and full of friendly regulars. Situated on the Detroit-Warren border along a busy strip of 8 Mile Road, Kwicky Bar serves up cheap shots, cheaper bottled beer, and a karaoke night packed with talent.

4130 E 8 Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48234

Visit Website

Old Miami

The Old Miami touts a rich history. Founded as a haven for Vietnam veterans in the 1970s, the spot has become legendary as a music venue, hosting live DJs and bands, and record swap nights. The homey interior and relaxed backyard dotted with seating arrangements are perfect for meeting up with old friends.

3930 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Visit Website

The green awning for Old Miami is lit up at night with a motorcycle parked out front.

Also featured in:

Detroit’s Essential Restaurant and Bar Patios

Whiskey In The Jar

Whiskey in the Jar may have craft beers and a Detroit City FC banner, but it maintains a quintessential Hamtramck dive bar feel with a pool table, plenty of mirrored beer signs, and old-school movies playing on the television. Drink a shot of Jezy (Polish blackberry brandy) to become an instant regular.

2741 Yemans St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

Visit Website

a pool table with a green lamp over the top and a dark room with christmas lights strung around the edge

Also featured in:

Temple Bar

As one of the city’s longest-serving bartenders, owner George Boukas has seen his fair share of raucousness. He’s been pouring drinks in Cass Corridor for decades at his LGBTQ-friendly bar, and has become a genial mentor to generations of Detroiters — including the cast of Detroiters, where several episodes were filmed.

Open in Google Maps

2906 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Temple Bar (@templebardetroit)

The Painted Lady

The Painted Lady is in an ancient Victorian building, and oozes character from its pink trim and floor to the gorgeous wooden backbar. It’s pretty full of characters, too, with Hamtramck regulars rubbing elbows with suburbanites on a pilgrimage to one of southeast Michigan’ best whiskey selections.

2930 Jacob St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

Visit Website

The Painted Lady is located inside a Victorian-style building with green siding, pink trim, and pink neon signs reading “cocktail” and “lounge” in the windows on either side of the door.

Also featured in:

Nick's Gaslight

A word of warning: if Savvas Kazelas, the owner of this old-school spot, is there and in a good mood, he will regale guests with fabulous stories and might even offer a tot of his homemade ouzo. If he’s not, well, at least there’s the ambiance of this magical time capsule from the 60s. Its white pleather banquettes and wood paneling will transport drinkers to the three-martini lunch days of old downtown.

Open in Google Maps

441 W Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Outer Limits Lounge

Outer Limits slunk into the Hamtramck music scene in 2017 with little fanfare and a sufficiency of low-key cool. The bar on the border of Hamtramck and Detroit features record nights and bands from honky tonk to punk.

5507 Caniff St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by outer limits lounge (@theouterlimitslounge)

Also featured in:

Paczki Day Heatmap: A Guide to Fat Tuesday Parties in Hamtramck

Two Way Inn

Detroit’s oldest saloon has a “family dive” vibe. Home-cooked meals on Wednesdays and Thursdays regularly sell out, and the 90s-vibing playlists add a nostalgic air to the gleaming wood-paneled saloon. Whenever a guest rings the bell above the bar, it means they’ve just bought a round for everyone there and secured their name on the bar’s VIP chalkboard.

17897 Mount Elliott St, Detroit, MI 48212

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Two Way Inn (@twowayinn)

Also featured in:

Cutter’s Bar & Grill

Go for the burgers, stay for the Bloody Mary and cheap beer. Eastern Market pros know that Cutter’s has some of the best burgers in town. The spot is popular for post-shopping gatherings and happy hour specials.

2638 Orleans St, Detroit, MI 48207

Visit Website

A burger with two thick patties and three buns, is held together with a steak knife and surrounded by french fries on a plate. — Cutter’s

Also featured in:

Marshall's Bar

The fancy script on the front wall is a bit of a misnomer because this Jefferson-Chalmers hangout is indeed a classic dive. Drop ceiling tiles? Check. Jukebox full of classic tunes? Check. Bathroom that looks like it might sink into the floor at any moment? Absolutely. The backyard is a hidden gem, featuring a fire pit and a front row seat to the Fox Creek canal.

14716 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48215

The front of Marshall’s Bar at night features signs for Miller Lite and the Detroit Tigers as well as a neon open sign and the sign for the bar written in cursive script.

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Link copied to the clipboard.

Abick's Bar

3500 Gilbert St, Detroit, MI 48210

Abick’s has been owned and operated by the same family since 1907 and has the ancient cash register to prove it. The southwest Detroit neighborhood hangout is cash-only and doesn’t have an ATM on site, so stock up ahead of time. Summer nights at Abick’s mean backyard BBQ cookouts and firepits in the fenced back lot.

3500 Gilbert St, Detroit, MI 48210

Visit Website

A man sits inside the dark interior of Abick’s with a large brown bar dog next to a billiard table. A sign reading “Seasons Greetings” is lit up with Christmas lights behind him.

Donovan's Pub

3003 W Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48216

No windows, no frills, and away from the hustle and bustle of Michigan Avenue, Donovan’s is the perfect retreat for Detroiters looking to relax. It’s tucked into a corner of Vernor Avenue with stellar views of the Ambassador Bridge and Michigan Central Station. Most nights see a mellow crowd of regulars shooting pool, but DJ nights and live bands do pop up on occasion.

Open in Google Maps

3003 W Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48216

Visit Website

The exterior of Donovan’s features a brick building with the bar’s name written in white Olde English style lettering across a dark green awning on a sunny day with clear blue skies.

LJ's Lounge

2114 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

While upscale cocktail bars and restaurants abound on Michigan Avenue, this Corktown hangout keeps the visitors to the neighborhood supplied with affordable drinks. Wood paneling and a red awning gives way to even more ‘70s paneling in the interior with a mirrored back bar. The drink selection here is relatively simple with shots (including Jello shots) and domestic beers — the perfect recipe for a boilermaker and a good time.

Open in Google Maps

2114 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

The red and white sign for LG’s sticks out over the sidewalk along Michigan Avenue as two women walk by on a sunny day.

Nancy Whiskey's Pub

2644 Harrison St, Detroit, MI 48216

Nancy’s has been holding down an otherwise quiet corner of Corktown since 1902, thanks in large part to its Irish hospitality and large selection of Irish whiskies. Even a devastating 2007 fire couldn’t stop the good times.

2644 Harrison St, Detroit, MI 48216

Visit Website

The green and white sign for Nancy Whiskey hangs on the side of the Victorian-style building with cedar shake and brick walls.

The Last Chance Saloon

1830 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

Shot-and-beer spots are becoming a scarcity in Corktown, but Last Chance Saloon on Michigan Avenue offers drinkers a low-key stop in the space that used to house Casey’s Pub. The interior retains classic mellow vibes and has mercifully kept pricing simple too, with $5 specials on can beer and shots.

Open in Google Maps

1830 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

Visit Website

Bronx Bar

4476 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

The Bronx Bar teeters on the brink of respectability these days, as the Midtown transformations creep into this traditional dive. Once the domain of longtime bartender Charleen, Queen of the Bronx, and her subjects, the Bronx now hosts an eclectic mix of college kids, aging hipsters and locals of all stripes. The burgers remain stellar.

4476 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

The Bronx shown at night with customers gathered on the smoking patio at the corner.

Jumbo's Bar

3736 3rd St, Detroit, MI 48201

Holding firm against waves of change in the Cass Corridor, the green brick cube in the Cass Corridor is an old-school dive. Expect cheap drinks, a solid jukebox and a unique, if not truly weird, cast of characters. Saturdays are typically more rowdy — but almost always a good time.

Open in Google Maps

3736 3rd St, Detroit, MI 48201

The exterior of Jumbo’s Bar on a sunny day. Jumbo’s is painted bright green with a mural featuring roses being tied together by a hand with red manicured nails

Kwicky Bar

4130 E 8 Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48234

This concrete bunker of a bar is the perfect platonic ideal of a dive: nondescript, perennially unfussy and full of friendly regulars. Situated on the Detroit-Warren border along a busy strip of 8 Mile Road, Kwicky Bar serves up cheap shots, cheaper bottled beer, and a karaoke night packed with talent.

4130 E 8 Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48234

Visit Website

Old Miami

3930 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

The Old Miami touts a rich history. Founded as a haven for Vietnam veterans in the 1970s, the spot has become legendary as a music venue, hosting live DJs and bands, and record swap nights. The homey interior and relaxed backyard dotted with seating arrangements are perfect for meeting up with old friends.

3930 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Visit Website

The green awning for Old Miami is lit up at night with a motorcycle parked out front.

Whiskey In The Jar

2741 Yemans St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

Whiskey in the Jar may have craft beers and a Detroit City FC banner, but it maintains a quintessential Hamtramck dive bar feel with a pool table, plenty of mirrored beer signs, and old-school movies playing on the television. Drink a shot of Jezy (Polish blackberry brandy) to become an instant regular.

2741 Yemans St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

Visit Website

a pool table with a green lamp over the top and a dark room with christmas lights strung around the edge

Temple Bar

2906 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

As one of the city’s longest-serving bartenders, owner George Boukas has seen his fair share of raucousness. He’s been pouring drinks in Cass Corridor for decades at his LGBTQ-friendly bar, and has become a genial mentor to generations of Detroiters — including the cast of Detroiters, where several episodes were filmed.

Open in Google Maps

2906 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Temple Bar (@templebardetroit)

The Painted Lady

2930 Jacob St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

The Painted Lady is in an ancient Victorian building, and oozes character from its pink trim and floor to the gorgeous wooden backbar. It’s pretty full of characters, too, with Hamtramck regulars rubbing elbows with suburbanites on a pilgrimage to one of southeast Michigan’ best whiskey selections.

2930 Jacob St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

Visit Website

The Painted Lady is located inside a Victorian-style building with green siding, pink trim, and pink neon signs reading “cocktail” and “lounge” in the windows on either side of the door.

Nick's Gaslight

441 W Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

A word of warning: if Savvas Kazelas, the owner of this old-school spot, is there and in a good mood, he will regale guests with fabulous stories and might even offer a tot of his homemade ouzo. If he’s not, well, at least there’s the ambiance of this magical time capsule from the 60s. Its white pleather banquettes and wood paneling will transport drinkers to the three-martini lunch days of old downtown.

Open in Google Maps

441 W Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Outer Limits Lounge

5507 Caniff St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

Outer Limits slunk into the Hamtramck music scene in 2017 with little fanfare and a sufficiency of low-key cool. The bar on the border of Hamtramck and Detroit features record nights and bands from honky tonk to punk.

5507 Caniff St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by outer limits lounge (@theouterlimitslounge)

Two Way Inn

17897 Mount Elliott St, Detroit, MI 48212

Detroit’s oldest saloon has a “family dive” vibe. Home-cooked meals on Wednesdays and Thursdays regularly sell out, and the 90s-vibing playlists add a nostalgic air to the gleaming wood-paneled saloon. Whenever a guest rings the bell above the bar, it means they’ve just bought a round for everyone there and secured their name on the bar’s VIP chalkboard.

17897 Mount Elliott St, Detroit, MI 48212

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Two Way Inn (@twowayinn)

Related Maps

Cutter’s Bar & Grill

2638 Orleans St, Detroit, MI 48207

Go for the burgers, stay for the Bloody Mary and cheap beer. Eastern Market pros know that Cutter’s has some of the best burgers in town. The spot is popular for post-shopping gatherings and happy hour specials.

2638 Orleans St, Detroit, MI 48207

Visit Website

A burger with two thick patties and three buns, is held together with a steak knife and surrounded by french fries on a plate. — Cutter’s

Marshall's Bar

14716 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48215

The fancy script on the front wall is a bit of a misnomer because this Jefferson-Chalmers hangout is indeed a classic dive. Drop ceiling tiles? Check. Jukebox full of classic tunes? Check. Bathroom that looks like it might sink into the floor at any moment? Absolutely. The backyard is a hidden gem, featuring a fire pit and a front row seat to the Fox Creek canal.

14716 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48215

The front of Marshall’s Bar at night features signs for Miller Lite and the Detroit Tigers as well as a neon open sign and the sign for the bar written in cursive script.

Related Maps