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    Checker Bar

    3.5 (219 reviews)
    ModerateBars, American, Burgers
    Closed 11:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Checker Bar Photos

    CHECKER BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Loud
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Checker Bar

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    Reviews With Photos

    Lexi M.

    This spot is at a great location and the smell will bring you in. The pizza - WOW the pizza. We come here to play pinball and the pizza always looks and smells amazing. The restaurant part is downstairs and the arcade is on the second level. You can still order food in the arcade though so that's a plus. Great spot for drinks, family fun or just an out spot for lunch or dinner.

    Bar
    Gary C.

    This place is hidden in middle of city. My wife went with the egg burger that comes with Checker fries. While I went with the home checker burger (tastes like bowling alley burger) that comes with fries (not like checkers or rally's fries). But this place has different drinks for days if that what you're into. This is not a Military friendly location.

    Fries
    Katy C.

    We came to Checker Bar on a recommendation from the bartender at Jacoby's. Nate and I snagged the last two seats at the bar and ordered a couple N/A drinks from their decent list. I was happy to see that they were priced very reasonably, at $5-$6. We also split a basket of fries, which were hot and fresh and very similar to McDonald's. It was nice to take a bit of a break from bar hopping with a snack. We didn't check out the arcade but I'd like to come back. The bartenders were on top of things but it started to get super slammed as the Red Wings game was finishing up as everyone has to order at the bar so there was a line forming for drink and food orders. We waited a bit to close out our tab but it seems like a really fun spot that I'd visit again in the future!

    Greg B.

    Granted we went on NFL draft Friday, but we had burgers. They were really good but I can't say that they were the best that I've had I've had much better in Detroit. The buns are soft which is a bonus but that's about all that stands out about them. The atmosphere in that bar is awesome, you can't beat the location and the ambiance. The young lady that waited on us was sufficient I wouldn't say that she was totally outstanding but then again like I said we went on a very busy day. I would go back I would probably go during the week. But I'll let you make your own choice.

    Nachos and drink
    Donna O.

    Honestly I'd tried to go to another bar I'd only seen that turned out to be closed on Sundays. When we got there though, everything else was closing up, so checkers was recommended to to us. I texted the rest of the group to meet us there. They serve food till they close, which is normally 2, but Sunday it was midnight. We still had plenty of time to unwind and relax wth good food. My nachos were delicious and the screwdriver and cranberry vodka were also great!

    Pulled pork sandwich with fries
    De Saltino D.

    Food was mediocre. Wife had potatoes skins and they were burnt. I had pulled pork sandwich with fries which were decent. Daughter had side salad which was ok with nachos covered with beef, it was ok. Other daughter had cheeseburger with fries which was ok. Had to seat ourselves and pick up a menu and wait for someone to come and take our order. We saw quite a few flies which was also a turnoff. Don't recommend this place

    Pinball
    Kitty K.

    Cool little dive bar with an arcade attached! The Checker Bar is known for it's tasty burgers! It's super close to all the sports and downtown happenings. Very close to Greektown, Campus Martius, Ford Field, Comerica. Parents bring their kids here. There is an outside patio. Vintage games upstairs. Great date night or family outing.

    Menu
    Eric G.

    Fun dive bar with surprisingly good food! I got the burger and cheese sticks, but the pizza looked incredible (as the waitress kept serving them to other patrons). At night, the upstairs appears to be for a younger crowd and louder and the downstairs was more for a family crowd.

    I literally live across the street. And I used to go there once per week until they allowed customers and staff to use the N-word.

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Checker Bar

    Do they have their own parking lot? What are the parking options for this bar?

    Checker Bar does not have its own parking lot, although they are located next to a paid parking lot. There's a garage across the street that costs a flat $10, or you can look for street parking and pay by the hour. Parking on the street is free on… Read more

    When is happy hour I saw 4-7, 5-7 and 2-4 which is right?

    Monday-Friday 4P-7P Saturday and Sunday 12P-3P… Read more

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    Mercury Burger Bar - Bacon Hamburger

    Mercury Burger Bar

    3.8(896 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    So this is kind of like an upscale dive bar if you thought about a '60s type of style to it. If…read morethat makes any sense. We have a lot of retro vibe going on, but it has a little hint of modernness though with the history. You'll come in and and you'll hear music playing in the background and it's a little bit aged, but it's a really chill vibe and it's not going to be the party kind of music you're looking for. Which is okay if that's not what you want! I have no issue with the service and everybody was pretty cool. The waitress was super friendly, especially when I couldn't make up my mind because there are so many options lol. It's tree pockets so you have to park on Michigan Ave but there is plenty of it. Depending on what kind of day or night it is though. But just be aware you have to pay for parking. Seasoned fries - the fries come very seasoned and super crispy. You get a ton of them as well. You may not even need ketchup actually. French onion - this burger was good. Came with some onion rings kinda on the side. It was cooked medium and they got it pretty right with the temp. The cheese was melted well and it was seasoned pretty good also. Blt - this was a good BLT and it was very stacked. I'm not sure if you can make it out from the picture but it had plenty of everything on here. The bacon tasted great. Tots - they came out really hot and super crispy and actually gave you a heck of a lot of them too so that definitely helped but these are really good and you didn't even need ketchup.

    We were in town for the weekend and trying to check out some iconic Detroit items. Per my research…read morethis was a good place to try a Boston Cooler (vanilla ice cream and vernor's ginger ale). We were nearby after brunch and walked the few minutes down to Mercury Bar's corner. Given the weather outside, we would have taken any place that had four walls and basic heating but the aesthetic of MB was fun, kinda like a retro diner. We took a seat at the bar. Since the Boston cooler was already decided, we just needed to pick out a beverage. I briefly considered trying one of their draught beers but then remembered that would not be good for the bladder and we were a ways from the hotel. They have creative cocktails so that made it easy. We ordered both the (and this is from memory because they savagely don't have a cocktail menu online) cherry poppins (cherry whiskey, neither of us remember what else was in it other than the chardonnay float which was very interesting) and a basil ?italian margarita with blackberry. Both were very strongly flavored, not for child-like palates. The Boston cooler, btw, was BETTER THAN SEX. Good thing that shit isn't anywhere near where I live that could be dangerous. We didn't try any of the food but it looked delicious especially the pile of fries I saw on some plates as they were coming out for other patrons. Good spot I'm glad we parked here for some of our afternoon.

    Photos
    Mercury Burger Bar - Cool basement

    Cool basement

    Mercury Burger Bar - Chili Cheese Fries

    Chili Cheese Fries

    Mercury Burger Bar - Gin Fizz and Beer

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    Frita Batidos - Frita & Batidos

    Frita Batidos

    4.4(220 reviews)
    0.6 miDowntown Detroit
    $$

    This place is amazing! There's a ton of food options nearby but FB stands out. We stopped in after…read morevisiting another restaurant unsatisfied. The burgers and atmosphere drew us in. We went with a basic (honestly anything but) burger with bacon, sweet chili mayo and shoestring fries on top. It was one of the best things I ate all weekend. With a limited time in Detroit I even considered going back for a second time. We also tried their mini churros which may be the cities best cheap it. $1 per mini churro which honestly aren't even that mini is a screaming deal that everyone should know about. They were hot, flavorful and the hint of orange was a lovely addition. Had we not been stuffed I would've ordered more, do not skip on this. If you haven't been to Frita Batidos yet and you're wondering if it's worth it I highly recommend checking it out. Food was amazing, restaurant was clean, staff was friendly, there honestly wasn't a single miss here!

    I returned feeling hopeful pre Tiger game…read more.. I ordered seasonal sangria and garlic fries. And was informed it would be about 10-15 minutes. I got my sangria. It wasn't too bad... it had been about 25 minutes and I inquired about the fries. Well, I was informed that the large party that took my order of fries. It didn't help that whoever brought the food out just brought it to the large group/table and did call out the order. The young man that was at the counter, was able to get me some fries however they were old and really greasy. As I waited for the fries they offered plantains, I said why not.... Well I will just make them at home-- they didn't drain the grease. They were just four big plantains that I dabbed with paper towel. Ultimately, I just left after taking a few bites from each dish and having about 1/2 of my sangria.

    Photos
    Frita Batidos
    Frita Batidos - Aromatic Pulled Pork Bowl over simple salad with Tropical Slaw

    Aromatic Pulled Pork Bowl over simple salad with Tropical Slaw

    Frita Batidos - Cajeta Batido

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    Chaos Burger - Bacon Cheese Smash Burger

    Chaos Burger

    4.4(34 reviews)
    0.4 miDowntown Detroit

    Really great burgers. You order using a touch screen kiosk, so there isn't any interaction with…read moreemployees when ordering, and you pay with card or tap. It makes the process quick and easy. The food was very good, and the fries were thin and pretty tasty. Their Chaos Burger sauce is delicious and definitely worth trying. The place was very clean inside, and the bathroom was also clean, though it's very narrow and tucked away in the back.

    Chaos Burger arrives on the streets of Detroit with a BURGER BANG!!!…read more Being a new fast food restaurant in a world full of grab & go stops can be super challenging even for the well known and franchised establishments. What makes Chaos Burger stand out from the rest? I would have to say it's the simplicity of the menu from Burgers, Fries and Hotdogs! Yep, that's it...keep it simple and SMASH that Burger!!!! We decided to give this place a try because it's birthday month and why not make it a burger birthday week! How fun is that...hopping around the city trying a new burger each day for a week! Chaos Burger is centrally located, offers a quick order and go kiosk, or dine in option. We decided to try the Deluxe Burger because jalapeños can pack a little too much heat for my palate! The burger sauces were very tasty and the overall quality and taste of the burger was delicious! If you're hungry, I would recommend a double patty because the single is rather small due to the smash. We also really enjoyed the French fries! They were thin cut and perfectly fried! I hope to come back and try the hotdog, too! If you're in the area, this is a great spot to grab a bite!

    Photos
    Chaos Burger - Menu

    Menu

    Chaos Burger - Chicken Bacon Smash Burger

    Chicken Bacon Smash Burger

    Chaos Burger - Restaurant

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    Restaurant

    Mister Dips - Crispy Waffles, Fries

    Mister Dips

    3.9(131 reviews)
    0.3 miDowntown Detroit
    $$

    We got the hot honey chicken tenders which had a lot of honey on it but not quite spicy! They're a…read morecute casual neon cafe located down a quaint little alley. There's indoor and outdoor seating as well. I appreciated the fun menu with unique dessert shakes and burgers and tenders, and I wish I was on an empty stomach so I could have tried the other items. The servers were quick and kind.

    I walked past "Mister Dips" earlier in the day and thought, that looks like a good place for…read moredinner. Boy was I right, located in an alleyway the sign drops down on the side of the building. Something I've never seen before. The restaurant was a bit busy and seating was limited so we had to wait for a seat. It was worth it, trust me. After a little wait, they called my name and my food was ready. I started with the waffle fries. They were delicious. I really enjoyed them. The buffalo chicken however, stole the show. It was crunchy, hot and juicy at the same time. I am glad I grab them! I watched the supervisor walking around whipping down tables. I thought, she definitely takes pride in her business. It made me appreciate the business more seeing that. Last I had a little room so I tried the burger. Again, Mister Dips don't miss! The burger was juicy and cooked perfectly. They have alcohol if you're interested. I myself enjoyed their selection of Boylan soda drinks. This place has it all. I have to come back. Just enjoying the customer service was enough to get me in. I wonder if they can get American cheese for my next visit.

    Photos
    Mister Dips - BBQ Bacon Dip, Griddle Burger

    BBQ Bacon Dip, Griddle Burger

    Mister Dips - "Choco-pudding pop" Shake

    "Choco-pudding pop" Shake

    Mister Dips

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    Honest John's Bar & Grill - Impossible Burger

    Honest John's Bar & Grill

    3.8(665 reviews)
    1.5 miCass Corridor, Midtown
    $$

    We went to Honest John's before a performance at the Detroit Public School's Ford theater down the…read morestreet. I've wanted to come here because it was a place my late mom liked. I thought the saloon-type entry doors were a fun touch. I liked the atmosphere, too. The menu is wide-ranging, from breakfast any time to burgers, salads and sandwiches. I don't drink alcohol often, but I noticed they had a good selection of hard cider. I decided to get the one that was on the top of the menu -- something with pineapple. It was sweet but very good. My sister had the Honest John's hard cider that was on draft. It wasn't as sweet, but it was good as well. I had the grilled johnny john sandwich -- chicken, swiss cheese, tomatoes, lettuce on grilled pita. It was very filling; I only ate half! My sister had the chicken Caesar wrap, with the same result. We ordered some plain fries to share. Those weren't anything special. All in all, I liked the restaurant and would go back.

    If you're looking for a fun, high-energy spot with great food and drinks, Honest John's Bar & Grill…read moreabsolutely delivers. From the moment you walk in, the vibe just hits. It's lively, welcoming, and has that perfect mix of neighborhood bar and downtown cool. The kind of place where you can show up for brunch, dinner, or just drinks and know you're going to have a good time. I ordered the pattie melt, and let me tell you -- it did not disappoint. Perfectly cooked, juicy, and loaded with flavor, with that golden grilled bread and melty goodness that makes every bite better than the last. It's comfort food done right. And the frozen mimosa? So good. Refreshing, smooth, and dangerously easy to sip. It's the kind of drink that makes you want to stay for "just one more." Between the food, the drinks, and the fun atmosphere, Honest John's is a whole vibe. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to -- and bringing friends with me next time.

    Photos
    Honest John's Bar & Grill
    Honest John's Bar & Grill - Chicken Salad

    Chicken Salad

    Honest John's Bar & Grill - Spanish Coffee ~$12 Tia Maria, Orange liqueur, Brandy, Coffee, Whipped Cream, Cinnamon sugar rim

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    Spanish Coffee ~$12 Tia Maria, Orange liqueur, Brandy, Coffee, Whipped Cream, Cinnamon sugar rim

    Checker Bar - bars - Updated May 2026

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