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Two James Photography by Chris and Michelle Gerard

Cocktail Heatmap October 2013

by Victoria Trudeau
2 comments / new
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by Victoria Trudeau
2 comments / new
Two James Photography by Chris and Michelle Gerard

What better way to kick of Cocktail Week than with a Heatmap of the hottest cocktail spots in Detroit/Metro Detroit? This list includes purists who pretty much only do cocktails, restaurants with food focus but a worthwhile cocktail list, and a few places in between. Some feature impossibly difficult master bartender creations that could never be reproduced at home, others are no frills, but all are delicious. Go ahead, let us know how we did in the comments.
· All Eater Detroit Heatmaps [-ED-]

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Craft

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The basement of Bastone Brewery in Royal Oak features Craft, a cocktail bar that was recently revamped along with the rest of the space, and it's getting positive reviews for its inventive cocktails, stages for live entertainment, and weekend DJ. [Photo]
419 S Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 544-6250
(248) 544-6250

Torino

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Torino gets rave reviews for food all the time, but their cocktail menu is work a look too, as diners say time and time again to arrive early for dinner just to enjoy some of the bar's concoctions. The list changes seasonally, but always features a "punch of the day" which is the perfect happy hour option. [Photo]
201 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 247-1370
(248) 247-1370

The Oakland

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The Oakland may have turned two this year, but it's just as popular as ever, with its speakeasy vibe and much adored cocktails. The true focus of this place is the cocktail, where complicated beverages are mixed with close attention and unique ingredients, many made on site. [Photo]
201 W 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 291-5295
(248) 291-5295

Public House

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Public House is a rock and roll kind of place with a laid back vibe and great cocktail menu. One of the things that sets them apart? Two words: boozy milkshakes.[Photo]
241 W 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

Rock City Eatery

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While Rock City Eatery has a strong food focus, it's laid back rock vibe and decor make it an awesome place for a late night drink. Fruit-infused vodka is a diner favorite, and of course it's necessary to have at least one piece of pie to soak up all the liquor. [Photo]
11411 Joseph Campau St, Hamtramck, MI 48212
(248) 633-3072
(248) 633-3072

Great Lakes Coffee

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The name may say "coffee" but Great Lakes Coffee's regulars know that the cocktails are where it's at-and if the menu doesn't suit your fancy, the bartenders are usually happy to create an unusual concoction, as long as they aren't too busy. [Photo]
3965 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 831-9627
(313) 831-9627

Cafe d'Mongo's Speakeasy

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Cafe d'Mongo's is a Detroit legend, and it's not just because Ryan Gosling likes to drink there. They serve classic prohibition era cocktails like the bees knees, which despite it's sweet honey flavor packs quite a punch. Come for the cocktails and live music, stay for the amazing atmosphere and guaranteed interesting evening.[Photo]
1439 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226

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Sugar House Craft & Cocktails

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Go ahead, say that Sugar House is overrated or too crowded, but they're still deserving of a spot on the map, especially with their newly revamped menu that has tons of new seasonal drinks, inventive punches, and even a different group of classic cocktails to keep things interesting. Sugar House is still going very strong. [Photo]
2130 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 962-0123
(313) 962-0123

Two James Distillery

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Two James, the new distillery in town, makes great spirits and their tasting room knows how to serve them up right in a beautiful space. The only distillery in Detroit (for now) definitely takes advantage of the honor, but patrons can't get enough, and for good reason. [Photo]
2445 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

Green Dot Stables

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Green Dot Stables isn't a cocktail bar, but they are worthy of this list for at least one reason: $3 cocktails. They have a small list of creative classics plus a mystery cocktail every week, and as the often repeated story goes, there is no happy hour because "have you seen our prices?" [Photo]
2200 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 965-1523
(313) 965-1523

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Craft

419 S Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067
The basement of Bastone Brewery in Royal Oak features Craft, a cocktail bar that was recently revamped along with the rest of the space, and it's getting positive reviews for its inventive cocktails, stages for live entertainment, and weekend DJ. [Photo]
419 S Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 544-6250
(248) 544-6250

Torino

201 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220
Torino gets rave reviews for food all the time, but their cocktail menu is work a look too, as diners say time and time again to arrive early for dinner just to enjoy some of the bar's concoctions. The list changes seasonally, but always features a "punch of the day" which is the perfect happy hour option. [Photo]
201 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 247-1370
(248) 247-1370

The Oakland

201 W 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220
The Oakland may have turned two this year, but it's just as popular as ever, with its speakeasy vibe and much adored cocktails. The true focus of this place is the cocktail, where complicated beverages are mixed with close attention and unique ingredients, many made on site. [Photo]
201 W 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 291-5295
(248) 291-5295

Public House

241 W 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220
Public House is a rock and roll kind of place with a laid back vibe and great cocktail menu. One of the things that sets them apart? Two words: boozy milkshakes.[Photo]
241 W 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

Rock City Eatery

11411 Joseph Campau St, Hamtramck, MI 48212
While Rock City Eatery has a strong food focus, it's laid back rock vibe and decor make it an awesome place for a late night drink. Fruit-infused vodka is a diner favorite, and of course it's necessary to have at least one piece of pie to soak up all the liquor. [Photo]
11411 Joseph Campau St, Hamtramck, MI 48212
(248) 633-3072
(248) 633-3072

Great Lakes Coffee

3965 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
The name may say "coffee" but Great Lakes Coffee's regulars know that the cocktails are where it's at-and if the menu doesn't suit your fancy, the bartenders are usually happy to create an unusual concoction, as long as they aren't too busy. [Photo]
3965 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 831-9627
(313) 831-9627

Cafe d'Mongo's Speakeasy

1439 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226
Cafe d'Mongo's is a Detroit legend, and it's not just because Ryan Gosling likes to drink there. They serve classic prohibition era cocktails like the bees knees, which despite it's sweet honey flavor packs quite a punch. Come for the cocktails and live music, stay for the amazing atmosphere and guaranteed interesting evening.[Photo]
1439 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226

Sugar House Craft & Cocktails

2130 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
Go ahead, say that Sugar House is overrated or too crowded, but they're still deserving of a spot on the map, especially with their newly revamped menu that has tons of new seasonal drinks, inventive punches, and even a different group of classic cocktails to keep things interesting. Sugar House is still going very strong. [Photo]
2130 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 962-0123
(313) 962-0123

Two James Distillery

2445 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
Two James, the new distillery in town, makes great spirits and their tasting room knows how to serve them up right in a beautiful space. The only distillery in Detroit (for now) definitely takes advantage of the honor, but patrons can't get enough, and for good reason. [Photo]
2445 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

Green Dot Stables

2200 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48216
Green Dot Stables isn't a cocktail bar, but they are worthy of this list for at least one reason: $3 cocktails. They have a small list of creative classics plus a mystery cocktail every week, and as the often repeated story goes, there is no happy hour because "have you seen our prices?" [Photo]
2200 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 965-1523
(313) 965-1523

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