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    Anchor Bar

    3.7 (173 reviews)
    ModeratePubs, Sports Bars
    Sat 11:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)
    Sun 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Anchor Bar Photos

    Business Info

    ANCHOR BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Juke Box
    Divey
    Casual
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Anchor Bar

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    Great looking burger
    Richard B.

    My friend and I came back to the Anchor due to the great food experienced during our last visit. Once again the service by my new trusty subjects was outstanding and the bar was super clean. I laughed when upon check-in on Yelp I was made the Duke of the Anchor bar. Let me tell you this place is so good I will keep coming back here on each visit to Detroit. As the Duke of the Anchor Bar, I command (LOL, more like wish) the anchor bar to develop a dessert menu and open for breakfast at 6:30am so I can eat here more. It is that good! Keep up the great work.

    Bar
    Vincent L.

    Stop by for a quick lunch. Nice place to hangout in downtown. I would say 5 star for service but food is like 2 or 1 star for me. Bartenders were really nice and quick service. But I think food can be better. Fish and chips taste like they pull it out from the freezer at Meijer or Walmart. Maybe I am just picky but I think my picture justified my complaints. Drinks and vibes are very good here.

    Tim T.

    Truly great bar and restaurant serving some new takes on traditional bar food fare like chicken mittens instead of chicken fingers and nice soups (like their cheesy French onion one). Also they serve Detroit classics like coneys (Coney Island dogs) and they also have a wood fired pizza oven and have an assortment of high quality pies. Excellent service and met a badass bartender named Wolf who used to live in Detroit, moved to NY and was surprised by how much the city has changed in 11 years when he returned. Also a world traveler, I told him about reccs in Asia and the UK. The inside is also pretty cool and spacious, the bar has really cool designs, and there is a nice and swanky back room decorated in blue behind a rear door. Also very close to that $10 parking lot that takes cards. Definitely recommended as a must-see and just check out spot if you are ever in Downtown D-Town (not sure if that's an official nickname but whatevs)!

    Wood burning pizza oven
    Tammy L.

    We had a great time at the Anchor Bar. Great service. The pizza is homemade and cooked in a wood burning stove. The drinks are cold and refreshing. Definitely a great place to check out. Full bar, burgers, pizza, sandwiches and more.

    The Anchor Cuban Ruben. Awesome. But, get the tots or fries instead of the chips.
    Rob P.

    I've been to the Anchor Bar several times, but never in its current incarnation. It's in the same place, but it's been owned by the owner of Parc since 2018. This is a very good thing. But, bringing the Parc menu would have been jarring, because this is still a bar. It's laid out the same way as before, but it seems...cleaner. Maybe it's the lighting? This is the same place that cops and news people would frequent. I recall seeing staffers from the Free Press here many times. They used to have slot machines in the back room (before gambling was legalized...shhhh!) Now, that room can be booked for events. The beer selection seems better, with decent craft brews alongside the old standbys. The food used to be an afterthought, but now is what I'd describe as great bar food. My wife's chicken bacon wrap was excellent: generously stuffed with good quality chicken and bacon. Her fries were crispy and tasty. I ordered the Cuban Reuben. Not only is it fun to say, but it was really tasty. There is a lot of quality corned beef here. The Cuban part was the ham, pickles, and mustard. It works. I asked for the tots for another $3. Totally worth it for perfectly crispy tots, except they forgot the tots, and I got charged full price for it as a side. Service wasn't bad, even though the bartender had to run between us, 3 other tables, and the bar patrons. The prices are higher than they were before, of course, but it's worth it with the food. There are restaurants that that serve alcohol that have better food. But, this might be the best straight up bar food I've ever had.

    Brown Sugar Bourbon
    Linda N.

    Stopped in here on a Friday evening around 7pm and was quite surprised that the crowd was so light but I assume they get more of a crowd on game days. The inside is a nice set-up with a few tables and you can even play games like jumbo Jenga. If I had one complaint it would be that they can do with adding some more liquor brands such as Jack Daniels Honey and more than one Anejo Tequila brand that cost $20 a shot. I ordered their philly cheesesteak sandwich which was really good with truffle fries..I wish they were regular sized and not steak fries but they were still good. My husband had a turkey burger and it was very good. He had beer and I tried Brown Sugar Bourbon which was good. The service was great and staff was very friendly and helpful.

    Carolyn E.

    We returned for food late one night, and I'm glad they were open. There aren't very many options after 10 in the area, and this was solid bar food for a very decent price. We ordered beer and burgers with fries and were happy. We also ordered wings, which are frozen wing dings fried, but are the best version of that with hot sauce and ranch. You 6 wings and a side of chips was only $5. It might be weird if you come in late... You might be the only ones there for awhile at a time... Service may be reluctant... But you'll eventually get what you ask for. And it will be quite decent. Returned to the newly renovated so space on a Friday night; new paint, new furniture, renovated bathrooms, an overhauled menu. The prices increased dramatically, but so did the quality of the food by the looks of things. Michigan beef, Impossible burgers, that kind of thing. And totchos, apparently. We had the wings, which are $7 now instead of $5, but are not frozen wing dings any longer. They're actually pretty great; perfectly cooked with yummy sauce. I'll keep coming back for snacks. The burgers and sandwiches are $10-$13 now though, not my kind of thing. But everything sounded yummy. We'll most likely keep returning.

    Amy W.

    This is one of his favorite dive bars. But it's not a dive bar anymore. We didn't really plan the day out until the evening time so a few places we tried were still not open. So when he suggested it I was happy to oblige. I have been here a few times with him, including opening day. Today however was very quiet. Very few people in the bar. We were just stopping in for a beer so can't speak on the food because I can't remember if I have ever eaten here. Any way, this place is quite large and even has a private back room. They get super busy during games etc. It's just a fun spot. We will be back for sure!

    Giant jenga game
    Jess L.

    Came in here with a decent sized group. I had the roasted cauliflower. It was pretty good, great sauce. However, the waitress did say it would be off the menu soon. The service was a little spotty and slow. Took over twenty minutes to get a drink after ordering. Another large group came in after us, ordered after us (same waitress) and got their drinks way before us. The giant Jenga was fun. I'd probably come again, but wouldn't be the first place I'd think of going downtown.

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    3 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    28 days ago

    Place is great inside until they don't have nothing. Wait staff is shit and understaffed.

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    The service is amazing and our waiter Jordan was so cool and very attentive to our needs. big shout out to him!!!

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Excellent service! Good variety food. Perfect happy hour but the wheel is a cruel mistress!!

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Anchor Bar

    What is the parking situation like? How much does it cost to park in the private parking lot?

    Hi April! There is an adjacent lot that is usually $10 unless there is an event. After 5pm, if there are not any events the lot is complimentary. There are quite a few reasonable parking options across the street as well. We do not have a private… Read more

    Is the Anchor Bar a good space for a gathering from an office...about 15 people? Thank you

    Yes! We have a beautiful private dining space that was newly renovated. Please email marketing@theiconiccollection.com with the details of what you are looking to hold, and we will have our Director of Events reach out to you!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Anchor Bar

    Make sure to try their tatchos (tater tot nachos) They are to die for!

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Gilly's Clubhouse - Super Greens Salad with Salmon

    Gilly's Clubhouse

    3.2(130 reviews)
    0.5 miDowntown Detroit

    We returned to try the buffalo wings - they're decent. Breaded and fried well, lots of sauce,…read morehomemade dips. We also tried the fried chicken muffaletta sandwich and burger with tots and crinkle fries. The chicken sandwich is really tasty if you like olives, which I do. It came out on a nice seeded bun freshly fried and hot. Yum. Hubby enjoyed the burger and added bacon - they have really nice thick sliced bacon. It was cooked perfectly with a nice soft bun. I'm pretty sure the fries and tots are just frozen and presented well - at $11 and $12 for those, you might just skip those and get the meatball parm sliders because they're seriously delicious. I plan to return just for those - they're the best thing on the menu. Homemade patties and sauce; top notch. But, the crinkle fries do come with this yummy homemade malted mayo as well as ketchup, and I really enjoyed that. The tots are dusted with a spicy salty seasoning which made them maybe a touch too salty. Both of those came out super hot and crispy though, which I definitely appreciate. Overall, a very tasty meal that had care put into it. The host and server were both very friendly and our service was perfect. It's a little pricey for bar food, but at least it's good bar food, and you can't beat the ambiance for sports. Solid.

    First off, rude hostess. But it looks nice inside... weak…read moremenu choices, tasteless, high prices and little selection. The liquor choice is minimal and neither varied nor inspired. Save your money. Go somewhere else.

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    Gilly's Clubhouse
    Gilly's Clubhouse - Smoky Cobra

    Smoky Cobra

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    The Brakeman

    The Brakeman

    3.6(119 reviews)
    0.4 miDowntown Detroit

    I really enjoyed this place. There was a live DJ that played some good music. The drinks were…read morepretty pricey and not worth it in my opinion. The vibes of the location is what kept me there most of the night. Because it is downtown Detroit street parking on the weekends is always hard to find. So paying to park in the garage I would recommend. There were plenty of tables and seating. We did have to share and wait for some of the games to be available but everybody was friendly and generous with sharing the games. You do have to purchase tokens from the booth located inside to purchase drinks at the bar. The lady in the booth was very friendly and answered all my questions with that being my first time there.

    We came here to watch the Super Bowl. The token thing is interesting. I can see it coming in handy…read morethough, you pay once and then you don't have to deal with getting your wallet out or having a tab only. It can be more challenging for those of us who can't predict the future and won't know how much we will want. We felt like getting 2 beers each felt like a fair assessment of our projected time spent at this place and it turned out to be decently accurate. The beer list online (which I reviewed to prepare myself) was not entirely accurate. Their beer list on the wall didn't really explain what anything was so for people, such as myself, from outside the area and unfamiliar with the local breweries it was a challenge. I can see how it would be fun to come here with a group.

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    The Brakeman
    The Brakeman - Cocktail area

    Cocktail area

    The Brakeman - Bar area

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    Bar area

    TAP Sports Bar

    TAP Sports Bar

    2.7(270 reviews)
    0.5 miDowntown Detroit
    $$

    Stopped into TAP at the MGM Grand for a late, light lunch. I wanted to take it easy and "pregame"…read morefor a big dinner later this evening, so a salad felt like the right move. Fair to say the Asian Chicken Salad is good, but not great. It's a massive portion with plenty of Napa cabbage and spinach, providing that much-needed crunch. However, the grilled chicken was a bit of a letdown--it really needed more flavor and seasoning to hold its own. The saving grace and clear highlight were the spiced cashews. They actually had some personality and stood out as the best part of the dish. It's a solid enough choice if you're looking to stay on the healthy side while hanging out in a sports bar, but it's not a "must-order. Plenty of screens for sports viewing, and lots of beers on tap (obviously), staff service was good.

    I stayed at the MGM Grand Detroit last night after being displaced by a multi‑day power outage, and…read moreI had my 16‑year‑old dog with me. She's in poor health, and in the chaos of leaving home I forgot to bring something to wrap her nighttime medication in. Since TAP has turkey sandwiches on their menu, I explained that I was a hotel guest and asked if they could spare a small piece of turkey - just enough to wrap a pill in for an elderly dog upstairs. A kitchen worker (who was very nice, by the way) offered to check, but the chef refused outright. Not "this is against XYZ policy," not "we're too busy," just a flat no. I was standing right there for the entire exchange. Anyone genuinely suited to a hospitality role would have recognized this as an easy moment to generate some goodwill, but instead, the chef shut it down without a second thought. I spent a lot to stay at the MGM Grand Detroit Hotel, and this interaction left a genuinely negative impression of MGM overall. It made an already difficult day worse. I truly hope the individual who refused this request can one day recognize that hospitality is built on moments exactly like this.

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    TAP Sports Bar - Dinning room

    Dinning room

    TAP Sports Bar - Sampler

    Sampler

    TAP Sports Bar

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    The Monarch Club - Truffle fries in the back and taleggio arancini in front

    The Monarch Club

    3.6(286 reviews)
    0.5 miDowntown Detroit

    A lovely spot for a drink and a view! I came by in early March knowing it would be a little chilly…read moreon the roof, but the view and vibe was worth it! Really friendly service from start to finish, starting with the doormen all the way to the hostess and then the bartender. Everyone seemed like they were in a great mood, and this was a great spot to kick off my trip to Detroit. I went with the Cigar City Brewing Co IPA and it was crisp and delicious! The inside of the club was nice, but only complaint was they could do with more ambiance/dimmed lighting. It was a little too bright for a club. The rooftop has great views, a small fire pit, and several chairs around it. Probably 180 degrees unobstructed view, so could be great for a nice (panoramic) photo of the city or a selfie. I'll definitely be back on my next trip!

    Monarch Club is really an experience everyone should try at least once. It's elegant, it's…read morebeautiful, the views from the porch are nothing short of spectacular. While the food and drinks are not especially unique or special on its own, they are all good and the service 99% of the time is excellent. Sitting on top of the Element hotel right smack in downtown, this is great spot before and after any of the games or concerts as they are stones throw from the Fox, Comerica, Ford Field and a few minutes from LCA.

    Photos
    The Monarch Club - Seating area near bar inside

    Seating area near bar inside

    The Monarch Club - Burrata and prosciutto

    Burrata and prosciutto

    The Monarch Club - Rooftop bar

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    Rooftop bar

    Buddy's Pizza - Downtown

    Buddy's Pizza - Downtown

    4.1(368 reviews)
    0.5 miDowntown Detroit
    $$

    I've been to Buddy's Pizza Downtown Detroit about three times now, and each visit has been a great…read moreexperience. This location has a really cool, modern feel to it -- clean design, updated décor, and a lively downtown vibe that makes it a fun spot to grab a bite. It's a great place to meet up with friends or coworkers, especially if you're already in the area. The service is cool. The atmosphere definitely feels more contemporary compared to the original, and I appreciate how they've given it its own personality while still keeping that classic Buddy's quality. The food has been consistently good every time I've gone -- you really can't go wrong here. That said, I still prefer the original location. There's just something special about Buddy's Rendezvous -- the history, the character, the authentic feel. There's nothing like the original. Overall, the downtown location is pretty cool and absolutely worth visiting, especially if you like a more modern setting. But for me, the original will always have that extra charm.

    So I'm not gonna lie. I was a little bit disappointed in this round of Buddy's Pizza. Typically I…read morehave no problem with them but maybe this wasn't a good day. It wasn't even the food because the pizza was okay. The service really didn't hit it off for me at all though. It was a late night and it was about to be closing time in the next hour from when I was sitting down but I only sat at the bar just to grab a bite. I didn't even want any drinks. We sat down and we waited for water for a while and then it took a while to get our order taken, which was already inconvenient. I could see that we were the inconvenience because the bartender was already cleaning up so we weren't getting as much attention as we could have gotten. Even though we didn't really want anything except to put in an order for food. The bartender acted like we were stopping him from working to close the bar, which I can understand. At the same time you're not supposed to let your customers know that you feel a way about them sitting down. The food came super late as well so that also was not really a good experience. It shouldn't take 30 minutes to get one pizza pie out of the oven especially when it's an empty restaurant, just about because everybody's about to leave so there wasn't a crowd. The only thing that I give 3 stars as a par for is just because the pizza was pretty good but for everything else I wasn't super pleased last time I was at home. It was opening day weekend the last time I was there and I am sure that everybody was taking a beating because downtown was so lively but at the same time you never let your customers know.

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    Buddy's Pizza - Downtown
    Buddy's Pizza - Downtown
    Buddy's Pizza - Downtown

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    Anchor Bar - pubs - Updated May 2026

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