BEST COCKTAIL BARS DETROIT
Not the standard listing of every Downtown Detroit cocktail bar - instead these are the bars locals actually go to when they want a well-made drink, whether that’s a low-key night or somewhere that feels a little more elevated. These best spots are tucked into older buildings with great character - or hidden behind unmarked "speakeasy" doors. You’re not just getting a drink—you’re getting a setting that feels like Detroit. These are the cocktail bars in Downtown Detroit we’d recommend without hesitation.
Detroit City only, no suburban bars. Updated May 2026
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The Best Detroit Cocktail Bars Sections Below:
- Downtown
- Corktown
- New Center - Milwaukee Junction
DOWNTOWN
⭐ Editor’s Pick
The Library at the Detroit Club is a premier Downtown Detroit cocktail bar blending tradition and innovation. Set within the historic 1891 Detroit Club, the library provides timeless seating and is one of the city’s most beautiful destinations for drinks. This is our favorite!
✨ The Vibe: Timeless elegance and library-inspired sophistication.
📖 Standout Feature: Housed in a stunning 1891 Romanesque Revival building.
📍 Prime Spot: Intimate seating with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Walk to Capitol Park.
🍸 The Drinks: Craft cocktails that balance classic with modern innovation.
⭐ Suggested dinner pairing: Bohemia
Candy Bar is the Downtown Detroit cocktail bar built to impress. Located in the Siren Hotel, this unique spot captures a modern speakeasy vibe with retro glamour, signature pink décor, and a stunning chandelier centerpiece.
✨ The Vibe: Speakeasy vibe balancing retro charm and glamour.
📖 Standout Feature: Unique pink décor with a dramatic chandelier centerpiece.
📍 Prime Spot: Upscale lounge inside the Siren Hotel.
🍸 The Drinks: A downtown favorite for expertly mixed craft cocktails.
⭐ Suggested dinner pairing: nearby Olin Bar & Kitchen
Bad Luck Bar is one of Downtown Detroit’s most unique cocktail bars. Tucked away off a city alley, this hard-to-find gem feels like a true 1920s speakeasy with a small, dimly lit, cozy atmosphere. It’s an ideal date-night spot.
✨ The Vibe: Cozy, dimly lit, and elegant atmosphere with a true 1920s speakeasy feel.
📖 Standout Feature: Alley entrance marked by a snake door.
📍 Prime Spot: Intimate seating tucked away in Capitol Park.
🍸 The Drinks: Craft cocktails made using rare, collectible spirits.
⭐ Suggested dinner pairing: Selden Standard
The Buhl Bar is a classic, upscale cocktail destination nestled inside one of Downtown Detroit's most iconic historic Buhl Building.
✨ The Vibe: Relaxed 1950s professionals-after-work atmosphere.
📖 Standout Feature: Ground floor location inside a breathtaking 1925 neo-Gothic skyscraper.
📍 Prime Spot: Intimate taproom setting right in the heart of downtown Detroit.
🍸 The Drinks: Classic choice for well-crafted cocktails in Downtown.
⭐ Dinner Pairing: Pair your drinks with a meal nearby at Selden Standard.
The Shelby offers a unique Downtown Detroit speakeasy cocktail bar experience.
✨ The Vibe: Cozy atmosphere filled with plush furniture and 1920s-inspired charm.
📖 Standout Feature: A 100-year-old bank vault serving as a unique drinking space.
📍 Prime Spot: Intimate underground spot accessed via a "secret" entrance.
🍸 The Drinks: Highly detailed craft cocktails and inventive shared plates.
⭐ Dinner Pairing: Pair your drinks with a meal nearby at Caucus Club Detroit.
CORKTOWN
Sugar House helped set the standard for best craft cocktails in Detroit and still remains one of the city’s most reliable spots. Set within a beautifully renovated historic building, the lounge provides vintage charm and is one of Corktown’s most iconic destinations for nightlife.
✨ The Vibe: Roaring Twenties charm and a sophisticated energy.
📖 Standout Feature: Detroit’s original modern craft cocktail bar.
📍 Prime Spot: Intimate seating inside a beautifully renovated historic Corktown building.
🍸 The Drinks: Cocktail menu featuring highly skilled bartenders.
⭐ Suggested dinner pairing: nearby Takoi
NEW CENTER - MILWAUKEE JUNCTION CLUSTER
(Be careful - you can easily walk between all three!)
Dragonfly: A bright and fun cocktail bar in offering a chill neighborhood alternative to the usual high-energy cocktail scenes.
✨ The Vibe: Laid-back, inclusive, and artsy vibe with low-key seating.
📖 Standout Feature: Boasts Detroit's most innovative non-alcoholic drink program.
📍 Prime Spot: Colorful venue right in New Center-Milwaukee Junction Neighborhood with plates available directly from Freya next door.
🍸 The Drinks: Menus created by award winning Tara Jagodzinski, matching high-end mixology with approachable craft choices.
⭐ Dinner Pairing: Drinks before or after a reservation next door at Freya or just around the corner at Oak & Reel.
Time Will Tell: A cozy neighborhood cocktail bar capturing a vintage ’50s vibe in a beautifully restored space.
✨ The Vibe: Warm and inviting ’50s vibe with floral wallpaper and exposed brick.
📖 Standout Feature: A retro-style jukebox curated with an eclectic mix of classic hip hop and 80s/90s throwback albums.
📍 Prime Spot: An intimate corner of the New Center-Milwaukee Junction featuring a stunning refurbished old wood bar.
🍸 The Drinks: Highly regarded creative twists on classic cocktails.
⭐ Dinner Pairing: Complete your evening with a reservation at nearby Freya or Oak and Reel
Kiesling is a beautifully revived 1900s New Center-Milwaukee Junction neighborhood bar that once served local auto workers.
✨ The Vibe: Blend of rugged early-20th-century roots with modern neighborhood energy.
📖 Standout Feature: The stunningly preserved interior, featuring original wood wainscoting and polished terrazzo floors.
📍 Prime Spot: An intimate corner destination that feels like a true "frequent favorite" for locals.
🍸 The Drinks: Ranging from precision-made classics to inventive house originals.
⭐ Dinner Pairing: Perfectly situated for a drink before or after dining at nearby favorites Freya or Oak and Reel
