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A view from above of the Motor City Brewing Works building on a sunny day. Michelle and Chris Gerard

10 Ideal Detroit Rooftop Restaurants and Bars

Soak up some sunshine on these outdoor dining decks

by Eater Staff Updated
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by Eater Staff Updated
Michelle and Chris Gerard

There’s no better way to mark the longer, warmer summer days in Detroit than with a cold drink on a patio — and all the better if it happens to be on a rooftop with views.

Where once Detroit rooftop bars and patios were few and far between, over the past several years local restaurants such as Johnny Noodle King and Atwater Brewery have upgraded to add rooftop patios. Others, such as the Monarch Club, have taken advantage of recently renovated skyscrapers, opening perched lounges with stellar views of the city. In the works, a new option atop the Cambria Hotel to be called Cielo Detroit. These options are worthy of a visit for various reasons: great views of the skyline or river, a cool breeze, a lively atmosphere, and good food and drinks.

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Good Times On The Ave

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This full-service bar and restaurant serves traditional American comfort food in a lively spot above Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion. Signature dishes include creole shrimp and cheese grits, shrimp cake Benedict, chicken and waffles, and a lobster roll, all of which can be paired with a cold beer, wine, or a cocktail.

19416 Livernois, Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 739-6601
(313) 739-6601

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Motor City Brewing Works

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One of Detroit’s original craft breweries, Motor City Brewing Works is a favorite for its creative brick-oven pizzas and beers. The bar also is a destination for summer rooftop patio seekers. The small deck overlooks the brewery’s Canfield Street entrance and features a handful of top tables shaded by umbrellas. There’s additional patio seating on the ground level.

470 W Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 832-2700
(313) 832-2700
A view from above of the Motor City Brewing Works building on a sunny day.
A view from above of the Motor City Brewing Works building on a sunny day.
Michelle and Chris Gerard

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Cøllect

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Cøllect has a laid-back rooftop patio above Bunny Bunny on Gratiot Avenue. The deck is filled with picnic tables, making it a nice, casual spot to watch the sunset while sipping one of the beer bar’s nine rotating drafts or enjoying a glass of wine.

1454 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207
(586) 850-0205
(586) 850-0205

Atwater Brewery and Taphouse

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Atwater Brewery has a rooftop biergarten, with seating for 65, that affords views of the Detroit River and the historic Rivertown district. The bar is perched above the company’s brewhouse (accessed via an outdoor stairway) and has a rotating taps, with a menu centered on the lighter summer beers like the signature Dirty Blonde Ale and Whango Mango Wheat.

237 Jos Campau, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 877-9205
(313) 877-9205
Several long wooden picnic tables accompanied by benches atop a rooftop that has a bar with chairs in the background. Two midrise buildings are in view.
Atwater Brewery’s rooftop affords views of Rivertown and the Detroit River.
Atwater

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Sloppy Crab Restaurant

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Located in Bricktown, Sloppy Crab attracts diners with lobster tacos and saucy seafood boils. The restaurant also sports a rooftop deck for laid-back outdoor drinking.

519 E Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 800-5114
(313) 800-5114

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The Monarch Club

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One of the highest rooftop patios in the city, The Monarch Club is perched atop the Metropolitan Building. It’s a chill and elegant place to cocktails and dine on herb-crusted lamb chops and tenderloin sliders while taking in sweeping views of downtown Detroit from three terraces. Make a reservation online.

33 John R St, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 306-2400
(313) 306-2400
A few chairs sit on a rooftop patio with a tall skyscraper in the near background
The Monarch Club sits atop the penthouse at the Metropolitan Building
Michelle Gerard

Tin Roof Detroit

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A relatively new addition to downtown’s entertainment district, national chain Tin Roof revived the former Cheli’s Chili building new Comerica Park, providing baseball fans with a spot to hang before and after games. Expect music and a menu with options like smoked cheddar cheeseburgers with bacon jam and hot chicken sandwiches.

47 E Adams Ave St, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 262-6114
(313) 262-6114

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Lumen

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With 360-degree rooftop views of downtown Detroit and Beacon Park, Lumen’s 45 rooftop seats are prime spots for kicking back with a Belgian beer. Take a peek over the park or the neighboring Grand Army of the Republic castle while sipping Delirium Tremens over a bowl of pei mussels or New American bites. Lumen also offers seating in its bright indoor dining room, and outdoor seating on street level.

1903 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 626-5005
(313) 626-5005
Tables and chairs on the rooftop of a building overlook a skyscraper
The rooftop deck at Lumen sits above Beacon Park.
Michelle and Chris Gerard

UFO Factory

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The rooftop patio at UFO Factory features a dreamy cloud motif that stretches up to the roof. Dubbed the Cloud Deck, customers can enjoy beers, hot dogs and tots from Laika Dog, and music on a cozy perch overlooking Trumbull.

2110 Trumbull, Detroit, MI 48216

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Johnny Noodle King

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Southwest Detroit ramen bar Johnny Noodle King took advantage of extended dining room closures during the pandemic by upgrading its building. The renovated restaurant now sports a double-decker layout with a rooftop dining area that offers views of the Ambassador Bridge alongside non-traditional riffs on Japanese noodle dishes and crispy gyoza.

2601 W Fort St, Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 309-7946
(313) 309-7946

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Good Times On The Ave

19416 Livernois, Detroit, MI 48221

This full-service bar and restaurant serves traditional American comfort food in a lively spot above Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion. Signature dishes include creole shrimp and cheese grits, shrimp cake Benedict, chicken and waffles, and a lobster roll, all of which can be paired with a cold beer, wine, or a cocktail.

19416 Livernois, Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 739-6601
(313) 739-6601

Motor City Brewing Works

470 W Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201

One of Detroit’s original craft breweries, Motor City Brewing Works is a favorite for its creative brick-oven pizzas and beers. The bar also is a destination for summer rooftop patio seekers. The small deck overlooks the brewery’s Canfield Street entrance and features a handful of top tables shaded by umbrellas. There’s additional patio seating on the ground level.

470 W Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 832-2700
(313) 832-2700
A view from above of the Motor City Brewing Works building on a sunny day.
A view from above of the Motor City Brewing Works building on a sunny day.
Michelle and Chris Gerard

Cøllect

1454 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207

Cøllect has a laid-back rooftop patio above Bunny Bunny on Gratiot Avenue. The deck is filled with picnic tables, making it a nice, casual spot to watch the sunset while sipping one of the beer bar’s nine rotating drafts or enjoying a glass of wine.

1454 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207
(586) 850-0205
(586) 850-0205

Atwater Brewery and Taphouse

237 Jos Campau, Detroit, MI 48207

Atwater Brewery has a rooftop biergarten, with seating for 65, that affords views of the Detroit River and the historic Rivertown district. The bar is perched above the company’s brewhouse (accessed via an outdoor stairway) and has a rotating taps, with a menu centered on the lighter summer beers like the signature Dirty Blonde Ale and Whango Mango Wheat.

237 Jos Campau, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 877-9205
(313) 877-9205
Several long wooden picnic tables accompanied by benches atop a rooftop that has a bar with chairs in the background. Two midrise buildings are in view.
Atwater Brewery’s rooftop affords views of Rivertown and the Detroit River.
Atwater

Sloppy Crab Restaurant

519 E Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48226

Located in Bricktown, Sloppy Crab attracts diners with lobster tacos and saucy seafood boils. The restaurant also sports a rooftop deck for laid-back outdoor drinking.

519 E Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 800-5114
(313) 800-5114

The Monarch Club

33 John R St, Detroit, MI 48226

One of the highest rooftop patios in the city, The Monarch Club is perched atop the Metropolitan Building. It’s a chill and elegant place to cocktails and dine on herb-crusted lamb chops and tenderloin sliders while taking in sweeping views of downtown Detroit from three terraces. Make a reservation online.

33 John R St, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 306-2400
(313) 306-2400
A few chairs sit on a rooftop patio with a tall skyscraper in the near background
The Monarch Club sits atop the penthouse at the Metropolitan Building
Michelle Gerard

Tin Roof Detroit

47 E Adams Ave St, Detroit, MI 48226

A relatively new addition to downtown’s entertainment district, national chain Tin Roof revived the former Cheli’s Chili building new Comerica Park, providing baseball fans with a spot to hang before and after games. Expect music and a menu with options like smoked cheddar cheeseburgers with bacon jam and hot chicken sandwiches.

47 E Adams Ave St, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 262-6114
(313) 262-6114

Lumen

1903 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

With 360-degree rooftop views of downtown Detroit and Beacon Park, Lumen’s 45 rooftop seats are prime spots for kicking back with a Belgian beer. Take a peek over the park or the neighboring Grand Army of the Republic castle while sipping Delirium Tremens over a bowl of pei mussels or New American bites. Lumen also offers seating in its bright indoor dining room, and outdoor seating on street level.

1903 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 626-5005
(313) 626-5005
Tables and chairs on the rooftop of a building overlook a skyscraper
The rooftop deck at Lumen sits above Beacon Park.
Michelle and Chris Gerard

UFO Factory

2110 Trumbull, Detroit, MI 48216

The rooftop patio at UFO Factory features a dreamy cloud motif that stretches up to the roof. Dubbed the Cloud Deck, customers can enjoy beers, hot dogs and tots from Laika Dog, and music on a cozy perch overlooking Trumbull.

2110 Trumbull, Detroit, MI 48216

Johnny Noodle King

2601 W Fort St, Detroit, MI 48216

Southwest Detroit ramen bar Johnny Noodle King took advantage of extended dining room closures during the pandemic by upgrading its building. The renovated restaurant now sports a double-decker layout with a rooftop dining area that offers views of the Ambassador Bridge alongside non-traditional riffs on Japanese noodle dishes and crispy gyoza.

2601 W Fort St, Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 309-7946
(313) 309-7946

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