Father Forgive Me was high on my Detroit list after hearing so much hype about it, both online and…read morefrom friends. Nate and I stopped in on our most recent visit to Detroit and had a lovely experience. The space is tucked away but had a surprising amount of outdoor space--we were there in January but I'd love to come back in the summer. We were greeted right away and given a spot near the bar. The menu includes cocktails, lots of wine, and several tasty food options. It was quite busy inside, so it took a bit of time for our server to come over to us, but we weren't in a rush. They had ten cocktails on their list and I tried the bullet proof soul and Nate got the negroni alla perra. The ingredients list for some of the cocktails include things I've never heard of, but at a place like this, I just know it's going to be good. Our drinks were perfectly balanced and very tasty. We also ordered the mortadella sandwich to split--this was delicious. It was pretty messy, but worth it. It was perfectly toasted and full of mortadella. Everything on the menu sounded delicious and I would love to try more of the food options. Can't wait to visit again!

Another great new destination spot on Detroit's east side. It's more then a bar with outdoor…read moreseating. There's artwork, a skatepark, renovated houses, gardens and a church that is now an art gallery. We stopped in to check it out and sat at the bar for a cocktail and snack. The waitstaff were super helpful in explaining everything and we finally picked 2 apps and got drinks. Both were amazing. There were friendly patrons all around and we chatted with other bar admirers. We checked out the coffee shop, Warda, but didn't purchase anything then, but have had several of their desserts since then and they did not disappoint. The atmosphere is wonderful, indoor/outdoor bar, great outside seating - not sure how this will work in the winter? They also have very pretty stone paths with multicolor stones mixed in for a very peaceful beautiful look. It inspired me to add some multicolored stones to my garden! I can't wait to return.

Good vibes, Great drinks, service is quick. It's not super loud and is a classy bar. A great place…read moreto come for a nice vibe. Atmosphere is super nice The seasonal menu is the best ever. Try the conservatory.. it will be the best

Updating my review- came with some friends and I have to say it's still such a great cocktail bar…read moreto come to. Brought a friend from out of town and he was impressed. Staff brought the drinks out quickly and checked in to make sure new drinks were ordered. The decor feels cozy but upscale and cool. We've been here many times and it's always good plus there's no shortage of options to pick from. They had a seasonal menu which was fun- drink was the bah humbug - Mezcal, Averna, Aperol, maraschino, lemon juice, egg white- had little candy cane shapes on top and looked so cute. Delicious with a hint of smoke. Also had a Dequindre cut - so refreshing and delicious- gin, fernet, lemon, ginger, raspberry, bitters, cucumber, mint and topo chico- HIGHLY RECOMMEND

I absolutely love this place! The food was delicious across the board. The butter had a wonderful…read moresweet and spicy kick, and the salad was incredibly fresh and light. Both the steak and fries were cooked to absolute perfection, as was the gnocchi. To top it all off, our server was wonderful. Highly recommend They did provide a sweet birthday crème brûlée!

Had dinner at Bar Pigalle yesterday early evening…read more Highs Service was stellar. Our server was very welcoming and helped to set up our food order into courses that allowed us a very relaxing evening Cocktails were really good. I had a Last Word and it was very well done. The restaurant is decorated very nicely with warm wood trim. The bar area looked stellar and very French-bistro like. I will sit there next time No so Highs Food was good, but just OK. Between the two of us we had the beet salad, burger and steak tartare. Burger was good, but not the best smash burger that I've had. Beet salad was fine, however the cream cheese was a bit overpowering against the orange oil. It was dying for some citrus. Steak tartare was a bit dry, meaning that a small dab of olive oil would have added to the richness and overall mouth feel. I did not really taste the egg although I did see a dab of yolk on the tartare. Needed a bit of salt also to enhance the taste Menu was small, but it did cover a cross section of French bistro dishes. All in all, I thought it was a bit overpriced. So I will have to consider returning for a full meal. I would come back for a burger and beer at the bar.

What a gem! Close to the Fisher Theatre for drinks prior to a show. Lovely ambiance, nice staff, no…read morereal food but that's ok as long as you know prior to going. Bartender made us drinks on the spot as we didn't like any on the cocktail menu, they were delicious!

While downtown gets most of the love, out there in Milwaukee Junction theres a lot of lovely spots…read morethat also should be recognized the wonderful masterpieces they create for our pleasure. One of these spots is Time WIll Tell. A perfectly fashioned cocktail bar, it lean and light and full of delight. Championed by charming touches like the juke box, the continually adapting menu along with their classics makes this a great spot to grab a drink before dinner or even a nightcap. The staff is well knowledged, even better skilled and will adapt to your likes and dislikes. Can't ask much more than that.

Food - delish! Ambiance - grown and classic, but not stuffy!…read moreBartenders were great and fun to talk to. Drinks were amazing! Get the infused pineapple!!

This place is whack. We were totally excited to try this joint out. We found seating at the Bar…read more First initially encountered was great. The young girl behind the bar WAS attentive. But then as the night went on the girl became busy with tidying up the place. The guy bartender totally was dismissive. We had to uncomfortably wave at him because he was too busy entertaining everybody else aside from us. Not a, "are you guys ok? Can I get anything else for you?" Nope, we became an afterthought. He'd rather entertain people who can't order a proper dry martini correctly. I dunno, maybe he deemed We didnt belong there. I guess thats how they weed out people they dont want going in there. Im extremely disappointed. I had high hopes of this place being classy, but then ended up realizing they'd rather entertain pretentious patrons. Find me elsewhere. I'll just be one less patron they have to think about huh?

I've been here a few times now and it's always been a great time. Came with a friend during the…read moreweek and it was mellow and chill and came again on a Saturday night with a group and it was packed for karaoke. Dark woods, classic drinks, and a laid dive bar atmosphere mixed in with playboy/Playgirl magazines and a giant disco ball. Plus Dolly. Great time

Stopped in after hanging out at the newly opened Michigan Station. I'm a life long a Detroiter and…read moreI can't believe that I've never been here!! The drink are delicious and !STRONG! The prices for the drinks are reasonable if not a little low for the quality. There is a beer and burbon option for $5 that you'll want to try. The vibe is great and the vibe is awesome. Very eclectic crowd; real and new Detroiters. I'll be back.

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.

I hadn't been home in three years, and I probably hadn't been to The Standby in five or six years…read more. and let me tell you, it's still just as amazing as I remember. Downtown Detroit definitely feels different now, and the crowd has shifted a bit, but none of that took away from what The Standby is. That alleyway magic is still there. Walking in honestly felt like a little blast from the past, and it made me really happy. It ended up being a highlight of my trip home. The food was phenomenal. The crab was so buttery, the waffle situation was amazing, and the overall execution across the menu was impressive. We ordered a lot, basically half the menu and everything hit. * Short rib plate: delicious, rich, and comforting * Chicken schnitzel with curry mustard: WOW. Juicy, crunchy, fresh, perfectly seasoned. The curry mustard was everything, and that little pepper on top? 10/10. This was hands down my favorite dish. * Drinks: They had brand ambassadors for Wild Turkey, giving out free Old Fashioneds, which was honestly the perfect touch. We also had a small ounce pour of a mezcal that was beautifully smoked, super aromatic and smoky in the best way. Service was great too, we had two different servers, and both were attentive and kind. The only miss for me personally was the pastrami salmon toast. I wanted to love it so badly because I love salmon and I love smoked fish, but it just wasn't for me. I actually sent it back (which I felt bad about). I think the slight sweetness, (possibly from the tomato jam)threw it off for my palate. I was craving something fully savory with a bit of acidity. I think a thicker, crunchier toast and a more umami-forward, citrusy or pickled element might have taken it where it needed to go. That said, I know pastrami-style salmon is a thing right now, it just didn't work for me. Everything else? Truly amazing. The Standby will forever be a place I come back to when I'm home. I'm excited to return, see what's new on the menu, and relive that magic again. Highly recommend. 10 out of 10. Will absolutely be back.

Don't miss your chance to visit this intimate cocktail bar by night perfumery by day. They've made…read morethe 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.

Castalia is a gem in the Wayne State area. Each cocktail includes a paired scent curated to elevate…read moreyour 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!

The best sushi in Detroit, hands down! Although their menu is small, it is mighty! The sushi is…read morevery fresh and they have such delicious combinations. Their drinks are also wonderful. The Jade Velvet matcha drink is sooo good if you like matcha.

I think they change their menu a decent amount, so we went in for some menu items that weren't…read morethere anymore, but I think they still had good options in general. The menu is more limited, so not as much selection as other sushi restaurants, but I did think the sushi quality was great. It wasn't too busy and while I think we did have reservations, I'm not sure if you need them. I would recommend for the sushi quality, but would definitely say to check the current menu to see if anything interests you before booking since there aren't a ton of options.

I'm not usually a "hotel lobby bar" kinda person, but we were looking for a place to have drinks…read moreand some bites after a show at the DSO and decided to walk here. I was very pleasantly surprised! The space is beautiful, classy, and airy. We sat at the bar and had a nice chat -- the music was at a good volume. I only ordered wine -- their wine list is alright. Not bad for a bar that's clearly not wine-focused. My wife and a friend had cocktails and they both were good, particularly their espresso martini. For food, we shared patatas bravas, tortilla española, and croquetas de jamon, and they were all delicious. I'd legit come back for a full dinner. My only reason to not give this 5 stars is the drink service was very slow, even though the place wasn't busy. The two bartenders seemed friendly enough but weren't communicating very well, and kept forgetting to take and/or bring our orders. We also asked for the check and they kept forgetting to bring it until we asked again. Overall, it was a positive experience and a nice surprise, but I hope the odd bar service was just a one-off blip.

Unfortunately the staff was in a tough position when we came to try the Conservatory, as there was…read moreonly one person in the back and nearly half of their menu was unavailable. They could have been upfront about this, but our waiter didn't tell us until after bringing us drinks, letting us see the menus, and after he started to take our orders. We essentially had to ask---what *do* you have? One pet peeve of mine is that they give everyone low ball glasses for water with no ice and a single, narrow carafe of water for the entire table. We had to continuously ask for more water. I tried the espresso no-tini ($11), a mocktail. It was good, but came in cordial glass and was essentially just a shot of chilled espresso. The setas ($14) were listed as a local wild mushroom blend with garlic and lemon. It was probably about a half cup of mushrooms, grilled, and served in a saucer. Finally, the charcuterie y queso ($21) was meat, cheese, sourdough, mustard, pickles, and honey. Everything was very salty and with no variation. It needed balance with a soft cheese, spice, or more sweetness. My charcuterie plate didn't come out until about an hour plus after we ordered, after multiple asks. It's hard to justify the delay when it's just hard cheese and meat, they didn't have to cook, and there were few other customers. (Essentially, we forgot). I still had a wonderful time with my friends in a beautiful space, but I wouldn't come here to eat again. The menu is elaboratey described dishes that come in very small portions and with ingredients that don't live up to the names.