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Marshall's Bar.
Marshall's Bar.
Photo: Facebook

Detroit's 10 Most Underrated Bars

by Victoria Trudeau
View as Map
Marshall's Bar.
| Photo: Facebook
by Victoria Trudeau

Detroit (with some help from Metro Detroit) is this year's Bar City according to Esquire, and while there are plenty of places getting attention, there are plenty more that continue serving beer, food, and welcoming customers with a smile every day with no press. Which of these under-the-radar places are deserving of some extra praise? We asked, and you answered. These are the 10 Most Underrated Bars in Detroit and Metro Detroit according to you, our readers. Comments came in on the site, on Facebook, via email, and anonymously.

Many of these blurbs were written by the readers who suggested them. Have another place in mind that deserves a little love too? Share it in the comments.


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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

The Inn Place

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"Great Karaoke, cheap drinks, and the place is decorated to literally insane levels for holidays, with Christmas being particularly over-the-top."-Pete H.[Photo]
917 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 547-6051
(248) 547-6051

Stables Bar & Grill

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This is that place where locals go, where the beer and the burgers are solid, the regulars make up a majority of the clientele, and the games are great. Just don't call it a "dive", it's a neighborhood bar okay? [Photo]
14950 Middlebelt Rd, Livonia, MI 48154
(734) 427-1646
(734) 427-1646

Ye Olde Tap Room

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Don't come expecting lots of food and fancy drinks, this is the place locals love for the extensive international beer selection. They have some light fare to soak up the booze, the occasional band, and free peanuts, but really, the beer list is where it's at. [Photo]
14915 Charlevoix St, Detroit, MI 48215
(313) 824-1030
(313) 824-1030

Also featured in:

Rustic Cabins Bar

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They might not have the best craft beer selection, but the prices are good, the crowd is a mix of old, young, and in between, and they have pool tables and a relaxed atmosphere that keeps people coming back again and again. [Photo]
15209 Kercheval Ave, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230
(313) 821-6480
(313) 821-6480

Marshall's Bar

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Don't go ordering something fancy, but do go looking for a friendly place to grab a no-frills drink (and maybe a jello shot if there's a special event). Come here to make new friends and leave pretension at the door. [Photo]
14716 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48215
(313) 821-0610
(313) 821-0610

Bert's Market Place

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"Not unknown, and perhaps not underrated, they make a respectable bloody mary, there's great live music, and there's no better place to be in Detroit on a Saturday morning."-Pete H. [Photo]
2727 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 567-2030
(313) 567-2030

Steve's Place Bar And Restaurant

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"Mr Steve's next to St Andrews - a must if you hang out in Detroit. Go to support Steve, stay for a shot of Schnapps."-Anonymous [Photo]
410 E Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226

Urban Cellars (Jefferson House)

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"Another plug for the new Pontch, their liquor selection is really good, and their craft cocktails are surprisingly good."-Pete H. [Photo]
2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 965-0200
(313) 965-0200

PJ's Lager House

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"I know PJ's gets some hype, but not nearly as much as it deserves, I love that place."-DetroitGreaser "PJ's Lager House is a great little find, PJ gives new up and coming musicians a chance that they would not get otherwise and he sure is not in it for the money."-Ren C. [Photo]
1254 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 961-4668
(313) 961-4668

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Long Tom Lounge

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It's a family-owned joint that has good food and a comfortable atmosphere. It's simple, and it's great. [Photo]
6815 Roosevelt Ave, Allen Park, MI 48101
(313) 381-7365
(313) 381-7365

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The Inn Place

917 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067
"Great Karaoke, cheap drinks, and the place is decorated to literally insane levels for holidays, with Christmas being particularly over-the-top."-Pete H.[Photo]
917 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 547-6051
(248) 547-6051

Stables Bar & Grill

14950 Middlebelt Rd, Livonia, MI 48154
This is that place where locals go, where the beer and the burgers are solid, the regulars make up a majority of the clientele, and the games are great. Just don't call it a "dive", it's a neighborhood bar okay? [Photo]
14950 Middlebelt Rd, Livonia, MI 48154
(734) 427-1646
(734) 427-1646

Ye Olde Tap Room

14915 Charlevoix St, Detroit, MI 48215
Don't come expecting lots of food and fancy drinks, this is the place locals love for the extensive international beer selection. They have some light fare to soak up the booze, the occasional band, and free peanuts, but really, the beer list is where it's at. [Photo]
14915 Charlevoix St, Detroit, MI 48215
(313) 824-1030
(313) 824-1030

Rustic Cabins Bar

15209 Kercheval Ave, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230
They might not have the best craft beer selection, but the prices are good, the crowd is a mix of old, young, and in between, and they have pool tables and a relaxed atmosphere that keeps people coming back again and again. [Photo]
15209 Kercheval Ave, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230
(313) 821-6480
(313) 821-6480

Marshall's Bar

14716 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48215
Don't go ordering something fancy, but do go looking for a friendly place to grab a no-frills drink (and maybe a jello shot if there's a special event). Come here to make new friends and leave pretension at the door. [Photo]
14716 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48215
(313) 821-0610
(313) 821-0610

Bert's Market Place

2727 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207
"Not unknown, and perhaps not underrated, they make a respectable bloody mary, there's great live music, and there's no better place to be in Detroit on a Saturday morning."-Pete H. [Photo]
2727 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 567-2030
(313) 567-2030

Steve's Place Bar And Restaurant

410 E Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226
"Mr Steve's next to St Andrews - a must if you hang out in Detroit. Go to support Steve, stay for a shot of Schnapps."-Anonymous [Photo]
410 E Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226

Urban Cellars (Jefferson House)

2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
"Another plug for the new Pontch, their liquor selection is really good, and their craft cocktails are surprisingly good."-Pete H. [Photo]
2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 965-0200
(313) 965-0200

PJ's Lager House

1254 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
"I know PJ's gets some hype, but not nearly as much as it deserves, I love that place."-DetroitGreaser "PJ's Lager House is a great little find, PJ gives new up and coming musicians a chance that they would not get otherwise and he sure is not in it for the money."-Ren C. [Photo]
1254 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 961-4668
(313) 961-4668

Long Tom Lounge

6815 Roosevelt Ave, Allen Park, MI 48101
It's a family-owned joint that has good food and a comfortable atmosphere. It's simple, and it's great. [Photo]
6815 Roosevelt Ave, Allen Park, MI 48101
(313) 381-7365
(313) 381-7365

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