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A row of oysters on the half shell on ice topped with green garnish and flanked by a half slice of lemon.
Oysters at Parc.
Michelle and Chris Gerard

11 Metro Detroit Oyster Happy Hours to Try

Where to find the freshest bivalves

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Oysters at Parc.
| Michelle and Chris Gerard

Shimmery, briny, and plump, oysters pack a flavor punch that belies their small size. People tend to love or hate them, but for those that enjoy devouring bivalves there can never be too many glistening shells on a platter. A quest for the perfect raw oyster might seem out of place here in the Midwest, but dedicated oyster lovers will ferret out the best spots anywhere.

Metro Detroit has — at long, long last — enough restaurant serving oysters to warrant a guide to the best spots. Here find spots focused on freshness and variety, as well as affordability.

Did we overlook a truly top notch oyster happy hour? Drop a note on Twitter, Facebook, or at the tipline.

Next Read: Solid Happy Hour Deals in Detroit

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Craft Work

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Craft Work’s low-key vibe and talented kitchen staff make it a neighborhood staple in West Village. The long communal tables and cozy bar encourage conversation, and there’s always someone with an interesting story to tell nearby. Chef’s choice oysters are $10 for a half dozen, alongside the daily beer, wine, and happy hour food selections.

When to Order: Monday through Friday 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; reverse happy hour Monday through Thursday 10 p.m. to midnight

The Rattlesnake Club

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The Rattlesnake Club boasts gorgeous views of the Detroit riverfront. Every Tuesday through Friday during happy hour, patrons can sample a large array of appetizers at reduced prices in the bar and lounge. It’s a great way to check out one of Detroit’s most venerated restaurants without committing to a full dinner. While there’s not technically a raw oyster special, the $16 baked Virginia oysters with wilted kale, chanterelle and gruyere is savory enough to make up for it.

When to Order: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday

Located smack dab in the middle of Campus Martius, Parc is perfectly situated for hungry and thirsty downtowners to meet up. Chef Matthew Shipman doesn’t skimp on the happy hour offerings where drinks specials on cocktails are paired with $7 deals on short rib tacos, sliders, and, of course, oysters.

When to Order: Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Downtown Louie's Lounge

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Downtown Louie’s doesn’t get the kind of attention that swanky new spots might, but for those in the know its a classy-yet-comfortable spot for a meal and a drink. The Clifford Street restaurant delivers a solid menu and a great happy hour, with $2 off appetizers and $2 beers. Tuesdays are all-day happy hour days, and there’s also a late-night happy hour some nights. Oh, and did we mention the only dollar oyster happy hour in Detroit? Yep, there it is.

When to Order: Monday through Friday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday through Thursday 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Tuesday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Lady of the House

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While they’re not always on the menu, oysters do make an occasional appearance at Lady of the House, and when they do, they’re not to be missed. During happy hour expect options like $6 wines, discounted cocktails, and a rotating selection of snacks including oysters, grilled cheeses, and fancy toast. The oysters here come with two house sauces that add a tangy punch to the briney bivalves.

When to Order: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday (bar only)

Voyager

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Those who frequent this Ferndale spot’s popular happy hour know to get there promptly when they open at 4 p.m. — especially on warm summer afternoons. It’s worth the wait and the noise for a well chosen selection of fresh oysters, flown in daily. The happy hour special usually includes one East Coast and one West Coast oyster. Diners can add $3 Tecate, $4 cocktails or $5 wine and a. variety of seafood specials.

When to Order: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; $2 oysters (chef’s choice)

Otus Supply

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This eclectic restaurant and music venue in Ferndale serves reliable happy hour deals on weekdays with $3 craft beers, $4 cocktails, and an assortment of appetizers for $5 including a plate of five oysters on the half-shell. The oysters come with fermented hot sauce and additional shells can be added on for a $1 each.

When to Order: 3:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday

Tom's Oyster Bar

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A Royal Oak staple, Tom’s Oyster Bar has served seafood since 1994. Through a few chef changes, one thing has remained the same: the commitment to quality seafood in a town in a casual atmosphere. This spots serves for Chesapeake Bay oysters raw for $1.50 each or $2.50 in Rockefeller form.

When to Order: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; $1.50 raw oysters and $2.50 Rockefeller oysters

Bistro Joe’s

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Overlooking popular gourmet market Papa Joe’s in Birmingham, the bistro features $6 wine, $4 beers and, dollar oysters. Most often they’re an East Coast variety. Also on special: a variety of food, including shrimp and grits, roasted bone marrow, and flatbread pizza. As an added bonus, Papa Joe’s keeps several varieties of oysters in stock, for customers who’d rather shuck their own.

When to Order: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday

Hazel, Ravines and Downtown

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Wine bars have sommeliers, beer bars have cicerones, and Hazel, Ravines, Downtown has Richard Washington, the oysterman’s oysterman. Before the Birmingham restaurant opened, owner/chef Emmele Herrold traveled with Washington all over the east coast, establishing relationships with small oyster farms and suppliers. The love of bivalves shows in the extensive selection, with a rotating of about a dozen each East and West Coast oysters.

When to Order: Daily 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. half off oysters (minimum one dozen)

Eddie V's Prime Seafood

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Eddie V’s in Troy, a relative newcomer to metro Detroit, is part of a chain known for its seafood and hearty steaks. Its happy hour is substantial and impressive, with east coast oysters for $2 each and two Rockefeller oysters for $8 (broiled with spinach, artichoke, fondue cheese, and bread crumbs). Guests can also sample two Asian fusion oysters for $7 or two oysters with wild Alaskan salmon roe and lemon for $8. And that’s just the oyster happy hour specials; the rest of the menu is equally extensive.

When to Order: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday

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Craft Work

Craft Work’s low-key vibe and talented kitchen staff make it a neighborhood staple in West Village. The long communal tables and cozy bar encourage conversation, and there’s always someone with an interesting story to tell nearby. Chef’s choice oysters are $10 for a half dozen, alongside the daily beer, wine, and happy hour food selections.

When to Order: Monday through Friday 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; reverse happy hour Monday through Thursday 10 p.m. to midnight

The Rattlesnake Club

The Rattlesnake Club boasts gorgeous views of the Detroit riverfront. Every Tuesday through Friday during happy hour, patrons can sample a large array of appetizers at reduced prices in the bar and lounge. It’s a great way to check out one of Detroit’s most venerated restaurants without committing to a full dinner. While there’s not technically a raw oyster special, the $16 baked Virginia oysters with wilted kale, chanterelle and gruyere is savory enough to make up for it.

When to Order: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday

Parc

Located smack dab in the middle of Campus Martius, Parc is perfectly situated for hungry and thirsty downtowners to meet up. Chef Matthew Shipman doesn’t skimp on the happy hour offerings where drinks specials on cocktails are paired with $7 deals on short rib tacos, sliders, and, of course, oysters.

When to Order: Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Downtown Louie's Lounge

Downtown Louie’s doesn’t get the kind of attention that swanky new spots might, but for those in the know its a classy-yet-comfortable spot for a meal and a drink. The Clifford Street restaurant delivers a solid menu and a great happy hour, with $2 off appetizers and $2 beers. Tuesdays are all-day happy hour days, and there’s also a late-night happy hour some nights. Oh, and did we mention the only dollar oyster happy hour in Detroit? Yep, there it is.

When to Order: Monday through Friday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday through Thursday 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Tuesday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Lady of the House

While they’re not always on the menu, oysters do make an occasional appearance at Lady of the House, and when they do, they’re not to be missed. During happy hour expect options like $6 wines, discounted cocktails, and a rotating selection of snacks including oysters, grilled cheeses, and fancy toast. The oysters here come with two house sauces that add a tangy punch to the briney bivalves.

When to Order: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday (bar only)

Voyager

Those who frequent this Ferndale spot’s popular happy hour know to get there promptly when they open at 4 p.m. — especially on warm summer afternoons. It’s worth the wait and the noise for a well chosen selection of fresh oysters, flown in daily. The happy hour special usually includes one East Coast and one West Coast oyster. Diners can add $3 Tecate, $4 cocktails or $5 wine and a. variety of seafood specials.

When to Order: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; $2 oysters (chef’s choice)

Otus Supply

This eclectic restaurant and music venue in Ferndale serves reliable happy hour deals on weekdays with $3 craft beers, $4 cocktails, and an assortment of appetizers for $5 including a plate of five oysters on the half-shell. The oysters come with fermented hot sauce and additional shells can be added on for a $1 each.

When to Order: 3:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday

Tom's Oyster Bar

A Royal Oak staple, Tom’s Oyster Bar has served seafood since 1994. Through a few chef changes, one thing has remained the same: the commitment to quality seafood in a town in a casual atmosphere. This spots serves for Chesapeake Bay oysters raw for $1.50 each or $2.50 in Rockefeller form.

When to Order: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; $1.50 raw oysters and $2.50 Rockefeller oysters

Bistro Joe’s

Overlooking popular gourmet market Papa Joe’s in Birmingham, the bistro features $6 wine, $4 beers and, dollar oysters. Most often they’re an East Coast variety. Also on special: a variety of food, including shrimp and grits, roasted bone marrow, and flatbread pizza. As an added bonus, Papa Joe’s keeps several varieties of oysters in stock, for customers who’d rather shuck their own.

When to Order: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday

Hazel, Ravines and Downtown

Wine bars have sommeliers, beer bars have cicerones, and Hazel, Ravines, Downtown has Richard Washington, the oysterman’s oysterman. Before the Birmingham restaurant opened, owner/chef Emmele Herrold traveled with Washington all over the east coast, establishing relationships with small oyster farms and suppliers. The love of bivalves shows in the extensive selection, with a rotating of about a dozen each East and West Coast oysters.

When to Order: Daily 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. half off oysters (minimum one dozen)

Eddie V's Prime Seafood

Eddie V’s in Troy, a relative newcomer to metro Detroit, is part of a chain known for its seafood and hearty steaks. Its happy hour is substantial and impressive, with east coast oysters for $2 each and two Rockefeller oysters for $8 (broiled with spinach, artichoke, fondue cheese, and bread crumbs). Guests can also sample two Asian fusion oysters for $7 or two oysters with wild Alaskan salmon roe and lemon for $8. And that’s just the oyster happy hour specials; the rest of the menu is equally extensive.

When to Order: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday

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