Considering the amount of time I ended up spending when it did reopen after the pandemic, I am shocked that I didn't have an annual review for the Kiesling. Be still my (former) neighborhood heart. Catching up - cocktails here are still top notch: top as in they taste great, notch as in they could take you down one with their strength. I rolled back in here right after Christmas and started tasting my way through the menu with the Squash mezcal boi. Normally I would never try a drink with boi in its name, but this name is a part of Kiesling's history, and squash? Come on. I had to try it, and it put me right back in the neighborhood as if I had just walked down across the bridge on Brush for a couple of drinks. (And someone please tell me, am I dreaming, didn't we used to cross on Beaubien, too?) I followed that up with the Kie Rye Pie because I cannot resist rhyming, and I am fascinated with drambuie. I thought the drink might be too sweet and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't. I had to close the night out with the Pear Pressure because, alas, there is still no food at the Kiesling, and there was no pop up, and I didn't want eat carryout at the bar. The drink was great, but after three I was feeling the booze and headed across the street for something to eat. This bar is cozy with its wooden interior. It still serves a beer and a shot. And folks are friendly, but not going to get in your business unless you invite them. read more

Stopped in here a couple times now when having dinner nearby. Great ambiance in the main bar area, but there are a few other spaces as well as a very cute patio to enjoy at this gem. Drinks are thoughtfully crafted (including mocktails, which I appreciate), and service is friendly as heck. If I lived nearby, Kiesling would be my spot. read more

Kiesling - High Vibrations Mocktail, Ordinary Pleasures - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

A hidden gem. We were out on a date and rode past this place and decided to stop. Pleasantly surprised by how good the craft drinks were. We've been back a few different times. read more

Kiesling - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Located in Milwaukee Junction. Great neighborhood bar. Usually busy. Has several rooms with quirky couches and chairs for a quiet chat. Main bar can be a bit loud. Generation X crowd. read more

Kiesling is such a gem in Detroit! A few friends and I stopped by here one night and had a wonderful time. The interior is such a vibe, there is ample seating and great music. They have awesome mocktails in addition to the regular bar menu which is awesome. The bartenders and staff are all very friendly. One of the highlights of our evening was the amazing grilled cheese pop up in one of the rooms! These were fresh and so satisfying. read more

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This place was so nice. Very cool, speakeasy vibe with a couple different rooms you can hang out in. The bartenders were very nice, not uppity at all. Made a fantastic vodka gimlet. Perfectly balanced. Drink prices were on the higher side. Love the old doors, wood benches and the light fixtures. They could probably use a little more light. My old eyes could not read the menu for anything. I can't wait to go back and take out of town friends. read more

Kiesling - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

This place is absolutely adorable! The decor is warm and inviting. They did a great job of keeping the old, but sprucing it up a bit. Additionally, the drinks are spectacular. The parking is street, and because it's not in a super busy area, quite easy to get close. The only issue is that the couch area light was out, making it very very dark... and the step up/down quite dangerous. Even sober I was struggling to see where the step was (the rug and the floors both brown, so hard to see with no light.) And really, the light overall in this place was just a little too low - couldn't see the menus at all w/o my phone (which I hate pulling out when I'm in dining establishments.) Overall wonderful place, and I would definitely return! read more

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Speakeasy vibe but kind of dark so it was hard to read the menu. The bar was very spacious with couches for a relax vibe. There were some tables for a more formal atmosphere in the other room. The bartenders were nice and really perfected some of the delicious drinks. read more

This is definitely one of my new favorite spots. I loved the vibe; Young college students sitting on cozy couches sipping their cocktails. We both elected for a whiskey sour. They made them so pretty. The bartender told my date to pick the prettiest one and make sure I got that one. Well he picked a very beautiful one and I totally enjoyed it. They really paid attention to all the small details. They had a couple of interesting back rooms for private parties that would be absolutely amazing with the right guest list! I love beautiful cocktails and will most certainly be back to enjoy more! Check it out! read more

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One of my absolute favorite delights on the planet when I'm traveling around is finding the locals bar, the one that you go to after work and have a couple of beers and a shot and wind down from the day before heading home. Kiesling is interesting because it's that, but yet it also has a pretty decent cocktail menu for people who are looking for something a little more high end. Personally I loved their $5 shot and beer special. I mean, Carling and McKenna's for five buckeroos really is pretty solid deal. The funny thing, is while it's located in a pretty blue collar area in Milwuakee Junction, the clientele tends to run more college student/hipster. Not there is anything wrong with that, just amused me as the old man in there with a bunch younglings. Coming at happy hour is a different vibe than an evening jaunt i'm sure, but it's a nice spot for a drink or three if you're in the area. The first time i was here the bartender just would not take my order, hopefully he is gone now, but it still left a pretty bad taste in my mouth, so that's why I gave it 3 stars. read more

Kiesling - Solid deal if you don't want one of the fancier drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Such a hidden gem! We went here for drinks before an event and it is so quaint and charming, there's plenty of (free) street parking and the staff is amazing. I mean, it didn't hurt that they complimented everything from my outfit to my clutch purse, either Definitely will be back. read more

So this joint is great. It has a good vibe, awesome bartenders, great ambience, plenty fun seating, is just good all the way around. It's really a spot that you would not know was there if u weren't looking for it. The bar staff was great. Everyone was mad nice and gave some good suggestions. Got a few shots from the bartender just because we had some great conversation. They have a good set up, seats at the bar and couches for larger groups. They also have an outside situation, if you wanted some air. They don't serve food.. well kinda, they have a gourmet grill cheese menu. I tried the pimento one and it was super good. They back there cooking cooking. So they will make sure to not have you drinking on an empty stomach. Overall, if I still lived in Michigan I would definitely go and try it a lot more and maybe even make it a spot to frequent consistently. I enjoy my experience that much. read more

Romantic atmosphere and really nice vibe. There is a very long bar with nice lighting. Service is excellent! The drinks are good, fun place to go prior to an evening event. Love having so many cocktail bar choices in Detroit! read more

Kiesling - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Great bar, great service, great atmosphere, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Perfect for a night out in the city. It was one of the only places that are open late in the city. Which is why we ended up having drinks at this place. It does get packed, so do your best to grab yourself a spot. There's also a open air patio in the back with a outdoor furnace style fire pit. We definitely had a great time here. Will be looking forward to coming back here. I definitely recommend. Thank you so much for reading my review. I hope this helps with your decision making experience. Enjoy your awesome yelptastic day!! read more

Kiesling - We approve of this bar (",) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Cool spot to go for drinks. We started off getting a drink at the bar which was a dark room and had a cool vibe and then walked out back to a cool little patio with a fire. read more

My friend and I stopped in to Kiesling on our way to an event at the Russell Industrial Center on Friday night. We were greeted by the doorman and immediately drawn in by the rich history and architecture. The crowd had a subtle hipster vibe but also included families. I sipped on the Joint Pet Custody cocktail - tequila, basil eau de vie, pineapple, ancho reyes, ginger, and salted lime. I neglected to snap a picture, but it had great presentation! Each drink on the menu had a fun caption, and as a fan of Bravo tv, I loved the nod to Andy with the Watch What Happens Five. read more

Kiesling - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Stopped in here randomly while in the area and loved it! Tucked away in an unassuming area of New Center. Almost has a speakeasy vibe, intimate and moody. Friendly staff and yummy drinks. read more

One of the best bar experiences I've been to all year. Wonderful history, since the building has been made in the 1800s. The outdoor seating was perfect, the cocktails were experimental and the food was exquisite. A must visit if you're in Detroit! read more

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This place is easy to drive by, as there are not any major signs dictating is location, but it's definitely worth the stop. The ambiance tries to embrace that early 1900s vibe in which some of it works, but something about it felt a little disjointed once inside and the music was louder than I had expected. They do have a cute outside patio as well, but it's pretty small and we found no room out there to sit. The cocktails were definitely the best part though. I got the Windsor Energy cocktail that was a refreshing and light whiskey cocktail while the Hubs got the Margarita Coded. That drink was so good! I would not have ever guessed that that drink was made with tequila it was that good. Definitely a great place to go for pre-dinner drinks or a night cap! read more

Kiesling - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Super cute but a little too dark. They could use a little more lighting. Drinks were amazing and the acoustics were good too. read more

Cozy neighborhood bar. Complex cocktails. Knowledgeable bar staff with comfortable couches, stained glass windows, and a courtyard. Be prepared to feel a bit like an outsider. But definitely worth a visit. read more

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Please make sure to add this to your list if you're in Detroit next time. This is such a great place for some handcrafted cocktails. Love the ambience in here. Service is so quick and the drinks are pretty reasonable. read more

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Definitely a hidden gem, right around the corner from my house. I never even knew it was here. I believe it was an old house that was refurbished into a bar with multiple rooms and a patio. Great drinks, friendly bartenders. Definitely a hipster vibe but still nice and lowkey. read more

Loved this place and will definitely be back!!! Great dark little cocktail bar to go with a friend or two or on a date. Bar was pretty busy at 11pm on a Friday so it took a while to get a drink but other than that it was a super great place to be!! Will definitely definitely be back often read more

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My bf and I had date night here a few months ago. Our bartender was Amazing! Idk if they serve food but we ordered a few of the cocktails and we were impressed! They are a bit expensive but they make the syrups in house and this bar is reopened from a long time go so its got alot of history if you are into Detroits history! Its a bit hipsterish but I am glad to see any type of business or bar thrive in the area! I think community is so important and each local place matters! Im glad this place opened back up- we will definitely be coming here again! read more

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This was my first time going here and it was a great vibe. The crowd is mature and laid back. There was a great music mix and the drinks are unmatched. All drinks are handcrafted with great ingredients. The atmosphere reminds me of a speak easy, with the exposed brick and mood lighting. read more

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We loved this place so much that we went twice within a twelve hour window. Chanel the bartender is so friendly and makes a killer cocktail. The Sunday brunch pop-up was great also! read more

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It was GNO & we made an impromptu stop here for "a drink" after an awesome dinner at Oak & Reel which is just a block away. We had a blast & didn't stop after one drink! The cocktails were awesome & we had fun chatting with other patrons & employees. That is one of the things that makes the ambiance here so great - there is a fun variety of "everyone" in the bar that makes you want to stay all night. In fact, these "old ladies" closed down the bar! It was a great end to the night!! #over50 read more

A cool lounge with inexpensive drinks. Bartenders were very kind as well. Has outdoor seating as well.

Cozy with dim lighting, this is a great date spot. There's a lot of different types of seating from long sofas, booths, and high two tops but in a tasteful way. Kind of wish I remember what we ordered but four very well made cocktails for $50 something with tip. My friend loved her tequila cocktail and I ordered something with gin then an old fashioned with bourbon. Great to see this in New Center. read more

Kiesling - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Kiesling is a great spot to grab a drink in Detroit! I've lived in Michigan for 5+ years and hadn't been to Kiesling until earlier this summer -- I've definitely been missing out. Kiesling is located on a quieter corner so there's a good amount of street parking and it's not a hassle (but be prepared for parallel parking only, there aren't any lots or garages nearby as far as I could tell). Inside, Kiesling has a great vibe, and there's seating at the bar as well as at a few tables. The lights are kept rather low but it just adds to the overall ambiance inside -- the bar has a great selection as well and the staff is really helpful in identifying what might be a good drink option (for even the pickiest drinker!). For me one of the big highlights of Kiesling was the outdoor patio -- there's a nice spot out back with a good number of tables (as well as a wood burning furnace), and it's just a fantastic spot to spend with a date and a drink! It's not super quiet but having the sounds of the city play as background music to your evening is a great vibe altogether. Overall, I'd definitely recommend Kiesling if you're looking for a bar in Detroit! read more

I came here for a night cap after doing some bar hopping in Midtown. Great cocktails, friendly service, and a sexy vibe. Not much more left to say -- can't wait to go back and spend a bit longer there! read more

$12 drinks in something that's smaller than a low ball. The drink wasn't good for $12 either. The ultimate hipster hang out. I felt like I was in an episode of Portlandia - seriously. It was so strange to see the clientele, employees, and decor so hipster-y but we walked into Whitney Houston "I Wanna Dance w/ somebody" playing. I turned to hubby and asked him to pinch me. This place can't decide what it is - I kinda like that, but I don't like their prices. May or may not go there again. read more

Kiesling - River Styx Drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Neighborhood feel with great cocktails. Unpretentious spot with a good sound system and some great vibes . read more

Kiesling - Paper Plane!!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Good drinks and atmosphere. Speakeasy vibe. A few rooms to choose from. Nice outdoor space and friendly staff!

I rarely frequent this area but this bar is always my number 1 stop. Hasn't changed anything when I first found it 5 years ago besides it got better!! Love the relaxed atmosphere, it's authentic, and old. Drinks are top notch! Bar staff was friendly and talented especially Channel! and the $5 for a beer and shot is amazing and should be at every bar. But it's not!!! Love this place. read more

Kiesling - Inside of bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

I rather not leave stars & just tell my experience but wtvr. I think it's the lighting that dulls the senses and creates a dark energy in this place. I've been many times because I enjoy the layout, music & design but there's always something completely unwelcoming lurking. TBH, I've never felt a location so full of witchcraft in Detroit in all my days. Super weird to even feel this notion but it's been my third visit where the vibe is unrelenting. Or just bully energy. Dancing is frowned upon here. That said, they have a menu of grilled cheeses on sourdough. Sounds rough on the mouth. They also offer barley soup. Service is made up of you ordering from the bar. K. Also, you might see a crawling baby in there at 10p. Don't be alarmed? Overall, definitely bizarro land in my experiences. Had two of the non-alcoholic drinks one night and lost consciousness. Like.. ok. I get the message. #returntosender read more

Hand crafted drinks and great laid back atmosphere. They open at 5pm and have cocktails to go. I'm so happy I stopped in here after work. I will be back! read more

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Wow, 5 stars. Usually, again, I don't go to bars. But after this, I'll start going to more bars more often. Because all of these so far are very good, and this is the best one yet. Thanks for reading my review, have a great day! read more

Unassuming on the outside yet cooler than I'll ever be on the inside. Love the decor (so much that I asked one person working where they bought the lights). We settled into a corner with a table and two couches set on a lifted space that looks like they might use it for live performances. The drinks are in the $10-$13 range for most cocktails, and I have to say that while I didn't dislike them, I also didn't love either of the two I tried. I still really struggle to find places that make a classically good Old Fashioned. However, my partner loved her drink, and the vibe was too good to not go back. Give this place a try, you won't regret it. read more

Kiesling - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Detroit, Michigan