If you're looking for pure vibes in downtown Detroit, The Skip is the move…read more This spot is such a fun escape -- colorful, open-air, and full of energy. The music hits, the crowd is always lively, and it just feels like summer no matter what time of year it is. Whether you're stopping by before hitting another spot or making it your main destination for the night, The Skip always delivers. Now let's talk drinks -- because they do not play around. The Long Islands are ON POINT. Strong, smooth, and perfectly balanced. Not watered down, not overly sweet -- just right. You definitely feel like you're getting your money's worth, and they're dangerously easy to sip. I love the overall vibe here. It's social, upbeat, and perfect for hanging with friends. If you want good music, great drinks, and a guaranteed good time, The Skip should absolutely be on your list. This is one of those places you go once... and then it becomes part of your regular rotation.

I always stop by here when in downtown Detroit! They have the best frozen espresso martini!!read more

Had such an amazing experience at Standby!! The food and especially the drinks were outstanding…read more The cocktail menu was organized into three parts: Opening, Principals, and Finish. The theme was "Yes, Chef: An exploration of culinary icons through a cocktail lens." Each drink was inspired by or dedicated to a famous culinary icon, and you can read about each one in the index. We each ordered one drink from each section. From the Opening, I chose the Diaspora Club, which was so refreshing and delicious. Then from the Principals, I chose the Chingona, which was a little bit spicy and savory but still so refreshing. To Finish, I chose the Chocolatier Cosmo, which came with a tiny house-made salted dark chocolate. I loved all three cocktails I ordered, especially the chocolatier cosmo because it was perfectly sweet and went so well with the small piece of chocolate. For food, we started off with the crispy pork belly milk bread. For my entree, I ordered the miso butter gnocchi. It was kind of on the salty side but I still really liked it. The apple sofrito added a bit of sweetness to it. For dessert, we had to get the rhubarb coffee cake, which came with strawberry ice cream. Omg one of the best desserts I've ever had!! I never thought of combining cinnamon coffee cake with rhubarb or strawberry but it's perfect, and I might have to make something like that soon. Service was great and we were seated right away at 8pm on a Saturday despite not having a reservation. Food and drinks came out promptly and timed perfectly. We spent about 1.5 hours here and we never felt rushed.

If you're looking for a spot that truly elevates the downtown Detroit experience, Standby…read moreabsolutely lives up to the hype. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere pulls you in. It's sleek, intimate, and effortlessly cool without feeling pretentious. The lighting, the music, the overall aesthetic -- everything feels intentional. It's the kind of place that works just as well for date night as it does for a night out with friends. Now let's talk about the drinks -- because that's where Standby really shines. The cocktails are creative, beautifully presented, and perfectly balanced. You can tell there's serious thought behind every ingredient. Whether you're into something bold and spirit-forward or smooth and refreshing, they nail it. The food matches the energy of the bar. Every dish feels curated, flavorful, and plated with care. It's not just "bar food" -- it's thoughtfully crafted and pairs perfectly with whatever you're sipping. Service has always been attentive and knowledgeable. The staff knows the menu inside and out and makes great recommendations without making you feel rushed. Standby is one of those places that feels like a hidden gem even though everyone knows about it. If you want craft cocktails, elevated bites, and a true downtown Detroit vibe, this is your spot. I'll definitely be back.

Jennifer the new waitress Was a amazing!! food was spectacular the flatbread pizza so good we will…read morebe back and we are from Akron ohio. Love it

The food was great. I had breakfast and dinner there for the 3 days I was in the hotel. The servers…read morewere very accommodating and professional. The ambiance is very nice. Clean and well organized

The ambiance, service and vibe overall was top tier! I didn't order food but my friend and I…read moreenjoyed a delicious cocktail and conversation while planning our next side quest in the city. Please!! Try the adult content!!

Second time to Detroit, second time to this bar. My husband has deemed it his favorite cocktail…read morebar. There are some snack options, but no appetizers or meals. We had almonds and a small cheese plate. The stars or the show are the drinks. Tangie was the hostess and also our server, and she gave us some great recommendations. I ordered the Adult Content, and it was one of the best cocktails I've ever had. My husband tried Into the River with its complex layers of flavors. Who wouldn't love the atmosphere with the giant disco ball and beautiful chandelier? Candy Bar is a small, intimate place with charm. Next time we're in Detroit, we'll be back!

Bad Luck Bar is exactly the kind of place that makes you feel like you earned your cocktail before…read moreyou even order it. It is tucked away in an alley, and yes, the trash bins may briefly make you question your life choices. But once you spot the glass block window, you know you are in the right place. The second you walk in, the vibe completely changes. You are greeted by a friendly host, then brought into this tiny, dark, cozy little speakeasy that feels like it seats maybe 25 people total, including the bar. It is intimate in the best way, with a gorgeous liquor wall and a rolling ladder that makes the whole room feel dramatic without trying too hard. The drinks are the reason to come. They are creative, unusual, and genuinely unlike what you will find at a standard cocktail bar. Some of the spirit combinations sound like they should not work on paper, but somehow they absolutely do. The mixologists clearly know what they are doing, because every "wait, really?" ingredient pairing seems to turn into something balanced, interesting, and dangerously easy to appreciate. The only things to keep in mind are the size and the pricing. It can get busy quickly because it is so small, and cocktails can run anywhere from around $20 to over $100 depending on what you order. Not exactly a casual "oops, I had three" kind of place unless your wallet has been emotionally prepared. Bad Luck Bar is moody, memorable, and one of the more unique cocktail experiences in Detroit. It feels hidden, thoughtful, and just a little mischievous, which is exactly what a good speakeasy should be.

A HIDDEN gem! It's nestled in an alley, so yes you will question if you are going the right way!…read moreLol Greeted by a host as soon as you enter and fair warning - - it's small and popular. Please make a reservation! Our wait was about 30-40 mins so we walked to another spot to have a drink and wait. It's a cozy lux vibe with an upscale cocktail menu. This is not your normal tequila and soda okay! Know before you go! Visit their website and preview the drink options if you don't have experience with this style of bar. I ordered the Forgotten Blossom because all things lychee has been my thing lately. The drink looks like water but it is not! lol It's strong drink + having aperitif in it. The waiter was attentive and checked in on us consistently. We even received a complimentary shot after being seated and complimentary birthday shots for the birthday folks! I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and I will be back real soon!

I went to Sprkbox Wednesday night after 10 and it was House music night. I went with a few other…read moregals and we had a really good time. The bartender was super sweet and make some really potent drinks, they weren't expensive. There was a rotation of 3 DJs for the night and I partied from 10:30 til they closed around 2am. The dance floor is in the basement. There are a ton of little nooks and booths to sit in and take a break. I danced all night. I have t had that much fun dancing in a long time. And I danced for hours! Sweat glistening on my brow. My body moving and grooving to the funky soulful house beats. It felt so freeing to be in a space where everyone was having a good a time and doing their own thing. I had my hands in the air. It was sensual. It was sexy. It was a vibe. Now the bathroom situation is interesting. So, the bathroom situation is 2 urinals and the sink in the open space as well as an enclosed single stall. The only thing with that is it's all-gender, which is not the issue. But the layout of the restroom is you could potentially come out of the single stall and be in the same space with someone actively using the open urinals which is a bit awkward. Washing your hands and checking yourself in the mirror while some random person is pee'ing 2 feet away. As a woman I think about safety with a shared space like that so do what you will with that info. Outside of that I had a really fun time. Everyone was super nice and the cover was $10pp. If you decide you don't wanna dance they have an enclosed bar on the street level of the establishment as well as outdoor seating if that's you're thing. If I was in Detroit again, I'd go shake my booty there again! I had fun!

definitely a hidden gem, me + my partner stopped here to…read morecheck things out and it's definitely a spot i'd love to revisit this summer! beautiful ambiance, the drinks are great + the music is even better. cute little hangout spot :-)

I have had the pleasure of going to Kamper's a few times now, for cocktail hours for two weddings…read moreas well as just for fun! Definitely recommend getting a reservation. The bartenders are helpful with picking out drinks you may enjoy, and their drinks are fabulous! There is really something for everyone's palate on their menu. Kamper's is really all about the vibes. The views are incredible and the Book Tower is an iconic staple of Detroit architecture. Great views of the new Hudson building / GM HQ as well! On a sunny summer day, you really can't beat this rooftop.

Leave or to my daughter to find the most off the beaten path restaurant to celebrate her birthday…read more She is obsessed with rooftop views hence how we ended up here. I took one look at the menu and cocktail list, and determed that we would be going somewhere else to eat afterwards, thinking, "this won't be a long visit at all." But oh was I pleasantly surprised. First round of cocktails set the tone and gave us the courage to go ahead and try some of the plates. We decided on the shrimp, pork belly and gorgonzola cheese ones. Absolutely delicious. So then we decided on round two of cocktails the plate of chips, avocado toast and another round of pork belly! Again, divine. Although I will admit, everything got dipped into the pork belly sauce. Was tempted to do a round three to try the highly recommended lobster rolls but decided to save something for the next visit because there will be one. They executed all the small plates exceptionally well. And the cocktails were top quality! Only complaint was the seats are very low to the ground. I'm short and my legs were aching. I can only imagine how uncomfortable those with normal legs feel after dining. BTW my daughter and her friends had a wonderful birthday celebration but ended up leaving us adults there because we were having such a good time!

A small, dimly lit cocktail bar in Parker's alley! I have walked by here many times and it is…read moreusually full/busy. This past Sunday, we walked in and were able to get a seat around 530 pm. Staff were friendly and drinks were good. A nice place for a date or small group, since space is limited.

Lisa was our server and she made the experience great! We were celebrating our annual holiday…read moregathering, so she brought us a complimentary champ toast--nice touch! This was only my second time here, and I need to return sooner. We shared the sampler platter, which is nice for 1-4 people max--battered shrimp, juicy chicken skewers and egg rolls. The ambiance is a vibe--dimly lit, cozy Tiki Bar decor and someone's bomb playlist! Cute for a meetup or even date. Highly recommend.