UCBC opened as one of Oak Park’s newest spots, after the city finally opened up liquor licenses to businesses. The brewery is helmed by Edward Stencel, who brings his expertise as co-owner of Royal Oak’s River Rouge Brewing Company. His signature Peanut Butter Chocolate Stencel Stout heads up the extensive draft menu of more than a dozen beers.

Royal Oak’s side bar slid under the radar when it opened in 2022, but it’s quickly developed a loyal following. The weekday happy hour from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. is a great spot to belly up and take a break from dashing around town. Expect board games, big screen TVs and an extensive menu of bar bites, sandwiches and pizza vegan and traditional.

The whiskey bar formerly known as Cornerstone Barrel House has moved on up to Ferndale, taking over the old Dino’s space on Woodward and rebranding as Barrel House. Whiskey-intensive drinks like the Old Fashioned and Manhattan are supplemented with a short list of seasonal cocktails, plus beer and wine. Sunday brunch brings tableside Mimosas, Aperol Spritzes, and boozy coffee drinks.

The Black Salt is a self-described “witchcraft cocktail bar” in Hamtramck. The building dates back more than a century, and among its many incarnations the space was formerly a goth and industrial hangout. Now, owner Zoey Ashwood has transformed the space into a serene, lush lounge evocative of European cafes where guests can order drinks that put the “craft” in cocktail as bartenders are trained to cast the optional spell on orders. Customers are invited to place their coaster logo-side up, indicating to the barkeep to make their drink “with ritual.”

Owners Kiersten Schilinski and Garrett Ragsdale have spent the past 18 months polishing up both the interior and exterior of this beloved Hamtramck dive, leveling floors, gutting and rebuilding the kitchen, and sprucing up the restrooms. The custom built bar rail and revamped back yard have earned the bar new fans, and taco nights, Kellyoke and (motor) bike nights keep the regular crowd shuffling in. Keep an eye out for rotating and random $2 canned beer or $3 draft or $4 liquor specials.

Amaro? Yes please! Apartment Disco on the east side not only features a wide selection of the bitter spirits, but its owners painted it a very intentional Aperol orange to match the spirit of aperitivo. Every weekend, guest DJs spin grooves from the 70s and 80s while bartenders mix up amaro- and vermouth-focused cocktails. Plenty of beer, cider and low-alcohol drinks are also on hand to keep the party rolling.

Italian seafood restaurant Oak and Reel added The Upright, an underground cocktail lounge, in October 2022. The cozy underground bar boasts a lengthy booth stretching the length of the room. Small plates and snack accompany classic and new cocktails and Oak and Reel’s impressive wine list. Monthly workshops from bar manager Jacob Feitler explore the origins and preparation of classics like the Margarita.

Detroit once held the moniker “Paris of the Midwest,” and this elegant Brush Park mansion turned restaurant and bar helps explain why. The wine selection is understandably heavy on the French side, from bold Bourdeaux to effervescent Champagnes, while the cocktail menu shows off the creativity and versatility of co-owners Travis Fourmont and Joseph Allerton. On Sunday nights the Wine Social Club meets: guests can bring a favorite French bottle to open and share, while sampling some new vintages with no corkage fee.

The Arena District’s Basan pairs complex, nuanced cocktails with a food menu that runs the gamut from small bites to full entrees. Guests can sip from one of the city’s widest selections of sakes, or from a carefully crafted drinks menu evocative of elegant Asian lounges. The specialty Old Fashioned highlights the flavors of chrysanthemum, yuzu and honey.

Wine and marketing genius Mikiah Westbrooks first opened Brix wine bar in West Village in 2017, but shuttered the spot in 2018 amid a landlord dispute. Westbrooks’s new spot opened in Rivertown in early May with an emphasis on education, tasting and retail. Westbrooks is happy to share recommendations and her extensive knowledge about Michigan-made Rieslings, old world Pinot Noir, or her very own label, Haus of Harriet, named for the undaunted Harriet Tubman. The shop and tasting room are open to the public and also host private tastings, public events and music nights.

Spkrbox opened in Capitol Park cafe and bar in 2022 inside the former Urban Bean coffee shop, keeping the coffee and the building’s connection to Detroit’s electronic dance music scene. It also remains one of the only Detroit bars open early in the morning, operating from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day. Expect classic cocktails, beers, and of course, boozy coffee creations alongside Village Hand Pies and thick breakfast burritos from Evie’s Tamales in Mexicantown. In the morning, grab an espresso drink and a breakfast burrito, prepared by the fine folks at the stalwart Evie’s Tamales in Hubbard Richard.

Thirst Parlor Saloon opened up in October 2022 following a lengthy renovation of the ancient building in Wyandotte. The space has previously hosted several storied bars, including Red’s Bar, Chas’s Bar, and a host of others over many decades. New owner Steve Mallie gussied up the old watering hole, meticulously restoring and refreshing the bar and adding an extensive happy hour (7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday) and a smash hit dill pickle pizza.

There can never be too many live music venues in Detroit Rock City, and downriver welcomed the newest addition to the scene with District 142 in Wyandotte in March of 2023. According to the Detroit Free Press, the venue encompasses 15,000 square feet of drinking and dancing space. And while sophisticated cocktails may not be the highest priority, there’s nothing wrong with grabbing a can of Dad beer and rocking out to the Red Not Chili Peppers or Yachtley Crew.