Detroit’s Best Hidden Bars and Speakeasies #DetroitFood

The Smoked S'more Old Fashioned at Side Hustle Lounge.

There’s something sexy about having to chase down a bar’s address, look for hidden clues and exchange secret passwords. It’s the allure of the forbidden and dangerous. That’s why the speakeasy bar has remained a draw for decades now. Dim lighting, swanky clothes, and extravagant cocktails make an evening at a speakeasy memorable.

A “speakeasy bar” is more a vibe than it is a category. What qualifies as a true speakeasy is very much a matter of interpretation. By definition, if they’re operating legally, as these bars are, they’re not technically a speakeasy at all. Some bars definitely lean into the mood of a speakeasy more than others, though, so we’ve rounded up some that fit the bill in Detroit. Think: underground cocktail den Aladdin Sane and bank vault hideaway Shelby. 

New to the Map: It’s a big all around refresh. Cadieux Cafe, Two Way Inn, Bad Luck Bar, Cafe D’Mongos, the Library, Cliff Bell’s, Castalia, the Upright, and Abick’s are leaving the list. In the place, we’re ushering in the Knock Twice, Syndicate, Side Hustle Lounge, London Chop House Bar, and Standby.  

— Additional reporting by Serena Maria Daniels

from Eater Detroit