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Old Miami

Heatmap: Drinking Outdoors in Detroit

by Nick Andersen
7 comments / new
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by Nick Andersen
7 comments / new
Old Miami

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It's a long and leisurely Fourth of July Weekend (thank you Thursday federal holidays), meaning that there are not two but four days for personal reflection and hearty imbibing. We here at Eater Detroit will be taking a breather ourselves until Monday.

And although a few of the upcoming holiday weekend days feature the possibility of rain, there's also a good deal of summer sun on the way, making this weekend the perfect one for a long afternoon on a public patio with a beer or cocktail in hand and sunglasses in tow.

Eater Detroit has compiled a list of the most outdoorsy and convenient Detroit bars, and that map and list is here for your holiday pleasure. Go, see, drink and enjoy. And get ready for that long-off Monday later.

Did we screw up? Did we miss out on the best Detroit patio bar? You know where to find us.

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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.

1917 American Bistro

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The rooftop patio at this Creole / Cajun eatery in the Palmer Woods neighborhood is a tiny bit of paradise. Surrounded by trees and with ready access to the restaurant's bar, 1917 is the year to visit for a lazy summer afternoon. [ Photo ]
19416 Livernois Ave, Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 863-1917
(313) 863-1917

3rd Street Bar

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The Third Street Bar's patio is popular enough to have it's own Google Map address. If that's not reason enough to trundle on over to Midtown, the arrival of Dangerously Delicious Pies Detroit in the back of the bar should be. Pies, beer and a sunny day. Go get it. [ Photo ]
4626 3rd St., Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 833-0603
(313) 833-0603

Also featured in:

Bronx Bar

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Sometimes the Bronx Bar is an open book, and sometimes they close up tight. But when the big front door wall opens up and the music and laughter pours out, there are few better places to relax with friends in the city than right here. Plus, the complete lack of specials or happy hour hijinks means every night at Bronx can be just like the night before. [Photo ]
4476 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 832-8464
(313) 832-8464

Also featured in:

Garden Bowl

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There may never be another Ryan Gosling sighting at the Garden Bowl. If the open-air Alley Deck seating on the second floor of this Midtown icon can attract actual celebrities like Gosling and his "How To Catch A Monster" gang, it should more than serve as a kick-off place for any Detroiter's midsummer adventure. [Photo]
4120 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 833-9850
(313) 833-9850

Old Miami

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The Old Miami is just that — an old Cass Corridor establishment that predates much of the current Illitch entertainment district hoopla on the way. But its gigantic back yard and open-door food policy make for one perfect afternoon or evening. Order a cold drink, bring a favorite meal from someplace else and start summer off right. [Photo]
3930 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 831-3830
(313) 831-3830

Also featured in:

Bookies Bar & Grille

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The rooftop patio at Bookies gives a expansive view of Olympia Entertainment's many downtown parking lots and the eastbound lane of I-75. Still, their regular drink specials and frequent rooftop comedy nights means this is one rooftop patio worth hanging around. [ Photo ]
2208 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 962-0319
(313) 962-0319

Mercury Burger & Bar

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A sometimes forgotten fact about Corktown's favorite burger bar — they have a rather charming back patio area with towering views of the abandoned Michigan Central Station. It might not be the most scenic of semi-views, but at least it provides a sense of history for your cocktail. [Photo ]
2163 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 924-5000
(313) 924-5000

Also featured in:

Nemo's Bar

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People know Nemo's for their distinctive roaming buses that truck patrons to and from downtown sporting events. They should also remember Nemo's as a prime spot for outdoor patio drinking and socializing. It might not be St. Patrick's Day again until March, but there's always time for outdoor drinking. [Photo]
1384 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 965-3180
(313) 965-3180

Also featured in:

Foran's Grand Trunk Pub

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There's but a tiny outdoor space that abuts this lower Woodward Ave. hangout. But it's still a winner in our book (and enough to make the front page of the Freep's weekend Life section). For a true downtown drinking experience, the Grand Trunk largely succeeds. [Photo]
612 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 961-3043
(313) 961-3043

Also featured in:

The Rattlesnake Club

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The Rattlesnake Club is a riverside charmer, and their expansive patio space even permits casual attire for any would-be afternoon drinker. With views of the Detroit River and the adjacent Detroit Riverwalk, the Rattlesnake Club could well make a fine night's end destination for cocktails or dessert. [ Photo ]
300 River Place Dr, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 567-4400
(313) 567-4400

Also featured in:

Tom's Oyster Bar

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Yes Virginia, there is a rooftop garden at Tom's Oyster Bar. The Jefferson Ave. landmark runs one mean fish menu, but some delicious oysters and cool wine on a hot July afternoon might just hit the spot. [Photo]
519 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 964-4010
(313) 964-4010

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1917 American Bistro

19416 Livernois Ave, Detroit, MI 48221
The rooftop patio at this Creole / Cajun eatery in the Palmer Woods neighborhood is a tiny bit of paradise. Surrounded by trees and with ready access to the restaurant's bar, 1917 is the year to visit for a lazy summer afternoon. [ Photo ]
19416 Livernois Ave, Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 863-1917
(313) 863-1917

3rd Street Bar

4626 3rd St., Detroit, MI 48201
The Third Street Bar's patio is popular enough to have it's own Google Map address. If that's not reason enough to trundle on over to Midtown, the arrival of Dangerously Delicious Pies Detroit in the back of the bar should be. Pies, beer and a sunny day. Go get it. [ Photo ]
4626 3rd St., Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 833-0603
(313) 833-0603

Bronx Bar

4476 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Sometimes the Bronx Bar is an open book, and sometimes they close up tight. But when the big front door wall opens up and the music and laughter pours out, there are few better places to relax with friends in the city than right here. Plus, the complete lack of specials or happy hour hijinks means every night at Bronx can be just like the night before. [Photo ]
4476 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 832-8464
(313) 832-8464

Garden Bowl

4120 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
There may never be another Ryan Gosling sighting at the Garden Bowl. If the open-air Alley Deck seating on the second floor of this Midtown icon can attract actual celebrities like Gosling and his "How To Catch A Monster" gang, it should more than serve as a kick-off place for any Detroiter's midsummer adventure. [Photo]
4120 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 833-9850
(313) 833-9850

Old Miami

3930 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
The Old Miami is just that — an old Cass Corridor establishment that predates much of the current Illitch entertainment district hoopla on the way. But its gigantic back yard and open-door food policy make for one perfect afternoon or evening. Order a cold drink, bring a favorite meal from someplace else and start summer off right. [Photo]
3930 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 831-3830
(313) 831-3830

Bookies Bar & Grille

2208 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
The rooftop patio at Bookies gives a expansive view of Olympia Entertainment's many downtown parking lots and the eastbound lane of I-75. Still, their regular drink specials and frequent rooftop comedy nights means this is one rooftop patio worth hanging around. [ Photo ]
2208 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 962-0319
(313) 962-0319

Mercury Burger & Bar

2163 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
A sometimes forgotten fact about Corktown's favorite burger bar — they have a rather charming back patio area with towering views of the abandoned Michigan Central Station. It might not be the most scenic of semi-views, but at least it provides a sense of history for your cocktail. [Photo ]
2163 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 924-5000
(313) 924-5000

Nemo's Bar

1384 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
People know Nemo's for their distinctive roaming buses that truck patrons to and from downtown sporting events. They should also remember Nemo's as a prime spot for outdoor patio drinking and socializing. It might not be St. Patrick's Day again until March, but there's always time for outdoor drinking. [Photo]
1384 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 965-3180
(313) 965-3180

Foran's Grand Trunk Pub

612 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
There's but a tiny outdoor space that abuts this lower Woodward Ave. hangout. But it's still a winner in our book (and enough to make the front page of the Freep's weekend Life section). For a true downtown drinking experience, the Grand Trunk largely succeeds. [Photo]
612 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 961-3043
(313) 961-3043

The Rattlesnake Club

300 River Place Dr, Detroit, MI 48207
The Rattlesnake Club is a riverside charmer, and their expansive patio space even permits casual attire for any would-be afternoon drinker. With views of the Detroit River and the adjacent Detroit Riverwalk, the Rattlesnake Club could well make a fine night's end destination for cocktails or dessert. [ Photo ]
300 River Place Dr, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 567-4400
(313) 567-4400

Tom's Oyster Bar

519 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Yes Virginia, there is a rooftop garden at Tom's Oyster Bar. The Jefferson Ave. landmark runs one mean fish menu, but some delicious oysters and cool wine on a hot July afternoon might just hit the spot. [Photo]
519 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 964-4010
(313) 964-4010

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