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Heatmap: Drinking Outdoors in Detroit

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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 ]

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 ]

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 ]

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]

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]

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 ]

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 ]

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]

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]

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 ]

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]

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1917 American Bistro

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 ]

3rd Street Bar

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 ]

Bronx Bar

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 ]

Garden Bowl

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]

Old Miami

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]

Bookies Bar & Grille

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 ]

Mercury Burger & Bar

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 ]

Nemo's Bar

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]

Foran's Grand Trunk Pub

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]

The Rattlesnake Club

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 ]

Tom's Oyster Bar

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]

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