Don't miss your chance to visit this intimate cocktail bar by night perfumery by day. They've made the decision to close end of the month. Located in the basement level of an1880's Victorian mansion. Vibe is cozy, cool, eclectic. Drinks are crafted to complement the scent notes of their perfumes. Menu changes seasonally. Ellie was bartending this evening (and she's excellent). Two fav drinks were Land of Origin and Dust & Clay. Small bites like nuts (specially made for them by the Detroit Nut Co.) and charcuterie boards are available. Take home items like perfumes, candles, spirits, and apparel are available. Parking is easy and mostly free on the street. Special little place in a great neighborhood. Make reservations for the tastings or walk in. It's small, but they're super kind here and will make room for you if they can. read more

Castalia - Summer patio seating - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Castalia is a gem in the Wayne State area. Each cocktail includes a paired scent curated to elevate your drink experience. It's beautiful designed and a small craft space. They have scents for sale, one of the co-owners wrote a book that I highly recommend if you have an interest in science behind spirits. You can make a reservation online that includes your drinks and gratuity. Or take a chance to walk in for a seat at the bar. They've had curated educational experiences that dive tried including the science behind gin, sole gin, and even bartending. I've not tried the scent making but hope to before 2026 changes. I found Castalia during lockdown and bought cubes that helped me make cocktails at home. Been hooked ever since. Worth a visit nonetheless! read more

Castalia - 15 ready made drinks just add alcohol - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

If you are looking for a next level cocktail bar - this is the place! By day it's a perfume store and by night it turns into a bar that has cocktails paired with their in-house perfume. This was such an amazing concept. Each cocktail I had was good and then when I smelled the perfume it really changed the taste of the cocktail. read more

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Excellent cocktails and concept. Fragrance side of the business. Purchased a signature fragrance sample pack. Was not impressed by the top notes and the dry down. The longevity and spillage was very poor. I would definitely buy the cocktails, but avoid the fragrances. read more

A wonderful, intimate bar with cocktails and mocktails that take you on a multisensory experience! During the day Castalia is known as Sfumato, a locally based fragrance maker, after hours they become a craft cocktail bar where each beverage is meticulously developed to be presented with one of their scents. Take a good whiff/waft of the foundational scent, then take a sip of your beverage and prepare for a fantastic pairing. What I also love is that each spirited beverage also has a NA option, so you whether you're not a drinker at all, a designated driver, just abstaining for the evening, or you're on steroids because you have laryngitis (me my last visit!) you can still enjoy and share the experience with others. There isn't a ton of seating here so during more peak "going out" times I would recommend making a reservation, but if you're in the area go ahead and stop in and you may find yourself lucky enough to got a spot for an impromptu visit. read more

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Quirky fun place with artfully crafted cocktails. The bartender and wait staff understood their craft and it showed. The scents were a cute flourish. I'd definitely come back if I had guests visiting and wanted to show them a quintessential 313 hipster experience. Did you hear the one about the hipster who got burned by a slice of pizza? They ate it before it was cool. read more

Castalia - My soul - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

I've only been here twice, but each time was a highlight of the night! Their menu is very interesting, always something new to try - and of course the scent component really makes it a unique experience. The bartenders really know their stuff, so if there are seats at the bar available, those are the best in the house! Very cozy atmosphere and just a fun way to start or end a night out. read more

Castalia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

I absolutely love this place! Small, quaint, and intimate, it offers a truly unique experience. During my last visit, I tried the cocktail tasting, which was fantastic. The mixologist, who also happens to be the owner, shared fascinating stories about the building's history and introduced the innovative concept of pairing cocktails with fragrances. Did you know there's no other craft cocktail bar like this in the country? And it's right here in the Motor City! Detroit truly has its share of hidden gems--this is definitely one of them! read more

Castalia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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A very unique spot in mid-town Detroit. They pair cocktails with fragrances and it works. This is one of the most unique cocktail bars we've ever been to. You taste, you sniff and back and forth. Nice folks and cool basement vibes here! read more

Castalia - Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

NEW FAVORITE SPOT ALERT!!! A cocktail and fragrance establishment, mixed into one??? Where they base the cocktails off of their signature scents?? It's a WHOLE experience. Let me start by saying the service, IMMACULATE. Literally from the second you walk in the door to the minute you leave, you are taken care of professionally and kindly. Hidden away in the basement of an older home, possibly a wine cellar, is this place!! Very small and intimate, probably only seats maybe 10 people? Come early on a weekday/weekend and you'll be great! You first pick a drink, you are served, you will smell the drink and what your take on it will be, then you taste and comment on the notes of the drink...to see if what you smelled and tasted were comparable or different. So neat, really changes your perspective of a craft cocktail and what goes into making it. You learn to appreciate a drink while spending time here, also you will hopefully leave more knowledgeable if your experience was anything like mine! Can't wait to come back and visit! read more

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Love the Ambiance of this amazing cocktail lounge. It's beautiful and impeccable. Sfummato and Castalia have an incredible atmosphere and a great combination of perfumery and cocktail. An interesting and amazing idea. Sad to hear they are closing their doors this December. I hope they come back somewhere else. read more

Castalia left me wowed after my recent visit. We were celebrating a special night out in Detroit and wanted to cap off the night at a new cocktail bar. My husband searched and found Castalia a short drive from our restaurant and we headed over. Located in the basement of a restored Victorian mansion, it's a cozy space with phenomenal service that offers botanical perfumes and scents by day and botanical-inspired cocktails by night. We felt like we were invited into a friend's home to hang out and have a drink as we entered the intimate space that evening. We were early enough to be able to be seated immediately, and we chose the bar when given the option of bar vs table. I love chatting with knowledgeable bartenders, and wanted to be able to talk to Kyle, the great bartender mixing up our drinks that night. You like cocktails? They have you covered. More of a mocktail person? This is the place. Looking for a new sensory experience when you order your drink? You'll find it here. Cocktails with a side of science? The menu offered that with drinks inspired by Alan Turing, Marie Curie, and Rosalind Franklin, just to name a few. My first drink was the Imitation Game mocktail (the "leaded" version of that is the Enigma machine), and it was reminiscent of a tangy margarita at the first sip. But as I sniffed the accompanying botanical scent sample, the drink became sweeter. Very cool! We couldn't resist a second drink so we could linger a little longer and this time I sprung for Crystal Method. It was fruity, sweet, and totally different from the first, but both drinks were full of flavor and beautifully served. Everything has been so thoughtfully planned at this place, from the flavors to the scents to even the logo (check out the back of the menu to learn more). I looked down at the bar and saw the logo on the beautiful metal grate on the rinsing spot of the bar top. If you're looking for a unique and inspiring place to grab a drink with the cozy atmosphere of a speakeasy, Castalia is it. Highly recommend this for your next night out in Detroit! read more

Super cool concept! Came here with a couple of friends and was shocked by how small it is, which does make it a bit tough to have a conversation without everyone hearing. That said, I still enjoyed my experience and would happily come back. I shared some cocktails with people and all of them ranged from good to very good. My favorite was probably the Waxing & Waning -- the flavor was delicious (I'm a big fan of both mezcal and chamomile) and the paired scent was sooo satisfying. Great place for a date night, but maybe keep the naughty talk super quiet ;) read more

Have been to Castalia many times but have neglected to write a review, so sorry! Castalia is a intimate space that is absolutely worth the wait if you have to. The employees are always cheerful and willing to help you choose a drink if you're new. The fragrances paired with the drinks make for an extremely unique experience that I throughly enjoy. They also have NA drinks that are similar to their alcoholic menu so nobody feels left out. I got the Waxing and Waning which was great but the highest praise goes to the Wizards & Roses that my friend ordered, I will be getting that next time. 5 star experience truly. read more

Castalia - Waxing & Waning(pink flower), Wizards & Roses(red bow) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Such a cool experience. Definitely a must on your stop midtown Detroit! I haven't had an experience quite like this. read more

Castalia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Such a small intimate experience. We did a bar seating of the eight drink cocktail tasting. Absolutely amazing. The detail and ingredients put into each cocktail was so impressive and pairing it with a fragrance was a new way to test my senses. Can't wait for the next menu to go back again. read more

Castalia - Gingerbread cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

This place is a perfumery during the day! Kind of unassuming as you walk down some stairs into the tiny bar that it turns into at night. Outside, it looks like a house with a patio. Felt kinda like a cave in there. A handful of tables inside, and a bathroom just up the stairs to the left. We had booked a reservation...but for the wrong day by accident. It happens! And thankfully, the staff was able to accommodate us. They were nice and super friendly! Amazing customer service! We sat inside before any folks who booked reservations came in. But a table opened up outside, so we sat out there and enjoyed the fantastic weather. They pair the drinks with perfume! We all tried different ones of the menu, and it all tasted amazing! Most drinks came with a paper strip to smell before tasting. Some came with a piece of fruit, flower, etc to pair. Really unique concept! read more

Castalia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Truly a one of kind experience! By day, fragrance shop. By night, cocktail experience bar. Reservation needed! The cocktail experience is a 2 hour reservation. Cocktails are paired with fragrances, smell and taste are identical! The presentation is rewarding and fun! You'll never really find anything else like this, so if you are on the fence, take a chance! Are you ready for a spirited evening? read more

Castalia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Day time perfume shop turning into speakeasy at night. Small intimate venue. The drinks with matching perfume stick is nice touch.

Came here for our anniversary date night and it was amazing. We got tried each cocktail and they were all wonderful, I'm kind of a picky drinker but I' enjoyed every single drink. Ellie and Greg served us and were very pleasant and personable. Great evening! Definitely try it. read more

My husband and I had the opportunity to try the solstice moon drink along side a sfumato fragrance to enhance different flavors. The paired aroma is intended to create a harmony between the flavor and fragrance. This location is currently closed and will be reopening next week. However, they are doing cocktails to go in these cute little bottles. They also have cocktail cubes which my husband is excited to try soon. They do offer classes about mixing cocktails and spirits. On their website, they offer mocktails as well for people like me who do not drink. I think this is super awesome because I would love to stop in with my husband and drink along side him without having alcohol. It allows you to have that opprtunity to experience these beautiful drinks and aromas together. If you would like to try the to go bottles before they reopen, you can order on their website for pickup. read more

Castalia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

This was a very interesting place. What an amazing concept! He has been here before and knew the owner which made the experience more fulfilling. This was my first time and the owner was very quick to explain the concept. I will first say that this is a small space. It is located in an old mansion in Detroit. Only a few blocks from Woodward. They have a small bar that seats about 4 people and then outdoor seating. We were here fairly early on a weeknight so we were able to get in and sit at the bar. This is a perfume shop by day and a signature cocktail shop by evening. They pair each cocktail with a fragrance. It's a great concept. I ordered "Dawn Of the New Age", which was a fruity drink. They also have a non alcoholic selection of everything. He ordered, "To be Loved by Aphrodite" which was more of a smokey warm rum flavor. They offer cocktail tastings which I said I definitely want to come back and enjoy! I love these unique concepts! The personal touches and great friendly service. We will definitely be back to do a tasting! It was a great way to start off an amazing day!! read more

Castalia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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By day, this space is Sfumato, a fragrance shop, and by night it turns into Castalia, a cocktail bar. A short 3 minute walk from Cass Corridor, Castalia is this quaint little below-ground space that speaks to my soul. They are located in this little Victorian-era house & also have a patio area filled with seating as well during the nice weather months. The inside space is tiny, just enough room for the bar, a few cocktail standing tables, with a selection of books & fragrances lining the walls. I went on my birthday & the bartender was so friendly & created a little cocktail beverage based on my preferences, which was so unnecessary, but very delightful & much appreciated. Perhaps my favorite thing about Castalia is their to-go menu. They have many DIY kits available for purchase where they pre-mix signature drinks for you. My personal favorite are their cocktail cubes, where they put all the mixings for a cocktail and freeze it into a cube - all you need to do is melt the ice cube in your favorite alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, which allows everyone to customize it to their liking. If you ever find yourself in Midtown on an evening where you're looking for a moody vibe, Castalia is the place to be! read more

Castalia - Inside Castalia & view of the cocktail bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Yes, yes. yes!!! Get a crafted cocktail at this cute spot!! It's small inside so keep that in mind but this is for sure a cocktail experience! read more

Easily one of the best sensory experiences I never thought I needed. Castilian is a bar that pairs their in-house fragrances with a drink, either cocktail or mocktail. I just walked in and had to wait 30 min to get seated, but they do offer reservations for their flights (taste all 8 pairings) online for a set price. I felt really great after 1 drink, and smelling and drinking or drinking and smelling in all orders was really interesting and exciting to feel my senses blend together. Some of the drinks weren't my favorite with very creative combinations, so just a slight caution. The staff is very friendly and know their pairings really well so they gave me the best recommendation for my taste. It can be a little overwhelming to go through all the drinks but definitely a different outing, great for a date night or celebration. read more

Castalia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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This was one of the most unique bar experience that I have ever had. The vibes are enchanting and the staff equally so. The drinks were on another level, combining the smell and taste of the drinks by pairing them with fragrances and oils. You are asked to first sip the drink and then smell the fragrance that is on a card and then experiment with smelling and tasting simultaneously. This gives you a chance to pull different flavors and notes from the drink as well as the fragrance. What an elegant evening! My drink was called Wizards and Roses. Definitely tasted like magic. read more

Castalia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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What a fantastic intimate cocktail/mocktail bar! Cocktails come with paired fragrances which really makes Castalia stand out from all the other great craft cocktail options in Detroit. If you're a craft cocktail fan and haven't been yet put it on your list! read more

One of the coolest concepts and Top 3 bar in Detroit. Castalia is a fragrance shop that transforms into a bar after-hours. It a small place seating fewer than 18 people. The service was excellent and the drink sneaky strong. I forgot the exact amount, but they include more ABV in each cocktail than normal. Each drink is paired with a fragrance tester strip to amplify the flavor notes. They have a full bar too, so don't be afraid to order off menu. Perfect spot for a date. I wouldn't necessarily recommend for a guys night out. Worth a special trip if you're in the Detroit area. Don't let my mediocre review fool you. .. this place is awesome. read more

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Great precautions here and curbside service is available . On a recent visit I tried several cocktails to go! Great service also with someone bringing them curbside. Favorites of this batch were their twist on the Manhattan and the Mrs. Claus. It's so simple! Buy, refrigerate, pour, drink! Totally enhanced with custom oil scents to keep :) Definitely going to pick up more and can't wait to sit and be served! read more

Castalia - Empty to go cocktails! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

I've been wanting to try Castalia for awhile, great concept of pairing signature fragrances with custom Craft cocktails. Tried their tasting menu and was so impressed with all of it. The bartenders Erika and Kyle were very friendly, informative and great to chat with. Highly recommend for foodies/fragrance lovers and anyone looking for a great experience! read more

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5 stars because this is just a pretty unique experience. As you'll see from the site and other reviews they pair you with a fragrance stick and your cocktail. Very intimate which is ideal for a date and the location is the garden unit of a Detroit Victorian mansion. I ordered the old fashioned and it came with a tobacco fragrance. You sniff, drink, sniff I think? It was a great pairing. My friend got a mezcal but I don't recall the fragrance. She loved hers too. read more

Castalia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

This place is so cool! The service was excellent! My partner and I chose drinks for each other. I picked the To be loved by Aphrodite for him and he picked the Third times a charm for me. Both were great! They also have non alcoholic drinks so I will be bringing my granny here! read more

Castalia - To be loved by Aphrodite and Third times a charm. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

I have literally passed Castalia 100's of times and never know of the diamond in the rough hiding in plain sight! I'm so thankful that I know about it now. Who would've known that smelling a scent could change the entire taste of a cocktail???? They did! I absolutely loved it. Solstice Moon was delightful and pleasantly potent! Perfect for enjoying at home or at the venue when outside opens back up! I'm returning, you stop by and/or return as well! read more

Castalia - Yelp Elite Cocktail Solstice Moon with scent Mocha Valentino - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

I've been hearing about Castalia for awhile. My husband and I finally got to go. We did the tasting menu- 1/2 sized cocktail of the all the ones on the menu. I did make reservations in advance. This is such a cool concept. The fragrances truly change the complexities of the drinks. Our bar tender (McAfee?) explained each cocktail and it's nuances. He was such a wealth of knowledge and made the venting even more special. I highly recommend read more

I am so happy we got carryout cocktails from Castalia! I enjoyed visiting the store and doing a little shopping for Christmas. The fragrances are amazing! We got the New Years cocktail (The bartender made it special for me since they were not available yet, which was super sweet of him!). It was delicious - we dropped some off for all our friends to taste and had a zoom cocktail tasting - which was super fun. I also highly recommend their frozen cocktail cubes. You get 5 in each set and then just shake them up with the liquor of your choice. I plan on stocking up on these as they make a very easy craft cocktail right in your home. Highly recommend visiting for cocktails and shopping for gifts. Great place to visit! read more

Castalia - The bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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I had the pleasure of purchasing the Yelp drink cubes. 7 for $15 was a great deal. I initially thought I would need more than one per drink & boy was I wrong. The measurement of the mixed ingredients to liquor ratio was perfect! I'm looking forward to seeing what other options they have. Check out my photo for the ingredients. read more

Castalia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Enjoyed a couple of mocktails! Loved the sweet little cozy environment a couple of times! Service was very attentive. Highly recommend this great little Detroit spot! read more

My new favorite in Detroit, by a far margin. The complexity and aromas and balancing of flavors is incredible. We ended up going g back within 24 hours. Wish they could squeeze in a few more seats - getting seating is a challenge, and will get worse once people find out how great this place is. If you can, go when a guy by the name of James is at the bar. He is super passionate and knowledgeable about out what they do on the perfume/aromas and very welcoming. We felt a distinct difference in the vibe when he was telling us about the drinks. read more

We called ahead and they were gracious enough to hold a table for us. The staff is warm, friendly, and helpful in this tiny, welcoming retail fragrance store by day/cocktail lounge by night. They're trying to carve out their own niche in the cocktail lounge Detroit night life realm by pairing a fragrance to all of their specialty cocktails. I was not a fan of the scent accompanying my first drink, but rather thought it detracted from the cocktail. The second drink had a wonderful scent, like something straight from deep pine woods. I enjoyed the scent more than the drink itself. My husband and our friends thoroughly enjoyed their drinks while I soaked in the atmosphere. It was an enjoyable hour and a half of good conversation, with good vibes all around--from other patrons to the staff and perhaps the walls themselves. read more

Castalia - Quantum Leap - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

What a hidden gem! I really loved the concept and the fact that I found this place by accident made the experience even better. You'll find special cocktails on the menu made with scents and fragrances that will maximize your sense of smell. Service is great. The staff is very friendly and one of the owners came personally to give us some recommendations and explain the concept. I'd love to stay in Detroit longer just to try all the cocktails I couldn't taste that day XD but it's now on my to-do list for my next visit! read more

Castalia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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