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Second Best Detroit

4.1 (129 reviews)
Closed • 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

Second Best Detroit Photos

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SECOND BEST DETROIT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Divey
Casual
Trendy
Loud

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Recommended Reviews - Second Best Detroit

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Lindsay G.

This is one of the best kept secrets in Detroit! Second Best is a small laid-back cocktail bar, with a relaxed and quaint atmosphere. It also can be lively during a sport game or downtown event, but my favorite is on nights like my recent visit when there isn't much of a rush because the bartenders are so personable to chat with. They offer a great selection of local beers and ciders, and unique cocktails made with their house-made syrups. Their food menu sounds delicious and I would love to try their chicken sandwich next time. We actually stopped in before our reservation at Grey Ghost and found out that they are actually affiliated. (Fun fact, if you're a fan of the Grey Ghost burger they said that theirs is basically the same here!) If you are looking for an off - the - grid casual spot with top-notch service, this is the place to be!

Carolyn E.

Another late night dinner post; Second Best is just so good. This time I had the fried green BLT and it's now one of my favorite sandwiches in the city. Just top notch everything. Tons of bacon. Yum! We tried their wings this time too, and I really liked the seasoning - a little bit sweet and spicy, roasted perfectly, very tender with a light crisp on the outside. Our bartender was sweet and the music was super on point. Chill vibes on a late Wednesday ight after trivia died down; one of our favorite places to hang.

Skylar W.

Great neighborhood bar, great post-Lions game spot, and solid "elevated" bar food! I heard they're best known for their chicken sandwiches, but I don't really eat fried food so I got the smashburger. It came on sourdough, was cheesy, and massive. It was very messy, but it tasted great! There were two smashed patties, cheese, a sauce, some caramelized onions... very flavorful and I really enjoyed it despite the mess! It came out fairly quickly for how busy it was, too. My brother ordered the jerk wings and he really enjoyed them too, however it was not a meal for him as there were only 6.

Potato wedges
Nicole H.

very busy but perfect for a red wings pregame dinner!! Get there early if you want to find a seat. The fries & grilled cheese were great. The beer was cheap!

Steve W.

This is a nice little hole in the wall type of place with a slightly dive feeling to it. They have a nice beer and drink menu highlighted by a "BYOB" option that stands for build your own boilermaker. It's only $8 for a beer and a shot which is a real steal. We ordered the hot chicken sandwich and the green Belt which were both good. They don't come with any sides. Even though the place was packed to capacity, the food arrived promptly. BTW you order at the bar and they bring the food to your table. This worked out quite well rather than having to wait on a server. We'll definitely stop in again when we are in the area.

potato wedges
Danielle D.

Stumbled upon this bar accidentally. It's small but ambiance was great. They played good music for younger folks & the lighting was a vibe. The potato wedges are definitely shareable and each slice was large. The fried chicken sandwich was delicious!! The servers were very kind and friendly.

Scallion pancake
Stacia G.

I'm happy my friends and I decided to visit this at the end of the holiday weekend. Love the open area, random decorations (very Detroit worthy)- to include seats from the Joe and a pink Christmas tree on the ceiling. The hook rug of a lion in the bathroom was pretty amazing also! Small menu of food and very well done. Best steak fries I've had in a long while and the pancake so tasty. Drink selection great with interesting takes on margaritas! This is a great place to get together and grab a bite! Love the vibe and music.

Potato wedges
Marielle C.

Ambience: Came here on a rainy day with some friends so there was plenty of space for all of us. Loved the cool lighting in the space. Food and drinks: The food here was pretty tasty. I got the Nashville hot chicken sandwich and fries. The chicken was perfectly cooked and had a nice sauce. I got a banana colada and a cucumber gimlet and the latter was the tastiest gimlet I've ever had. Service: service was a little spotty. They forgot several people's orders but were quick to get them out when we reordered. Overall would definitely come back again for the gimlet alone!

Fun neighborhood hangout.

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1 month ago

The best bar in Detroit. Great Long Island and amazing food, especially the Mac and cheese. Service is very fast.

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Get the Rangoon. One of the best appetizers I've ever had. All other food was also very good.

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The Skip - Fun drink mugs and glasses

The Skip

4.2(240 reviews)
0.8 mi•Downtown Detroit
•$$

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 love the Skip for its extraordinary efforts in decorating for every season. From tiki to…read moreHalloween, they do it right. Currently, it's the Black Lagoon through Halloween. We made reservations in a weekend but it wasn't necessary at 5. What I didn't know what this theme is a pop up much like Miracle Bar around Christmas. The mugs are not really made for The Skip and can be found online for less. Most importantly is the drinks are not good. They're not spirit forward, they're full of mixers. Such a bummer because they do make good cocktails occasionally. We were one and done this evening due to the bad drinks and loads of people who brought their kids to this bar. The decor is great. Service is attentive and friendly. Not in a rush to return.

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The Skip - Black lagoon

Black lagoon

The Skip - Black lagoon

Black lagoon

The Skip - Atmosphere

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Atmosphere

Standby - Big Eye Tuna

Standby

4.4(712 reviews)
0.9 mi•Downtown Detroit
•$$

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.

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Standby - Seating area

Seating area

Standby - Smashed Cucumber Salad

Smashed Cucumber Salad

Standby - Coconut Shrimp

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Coconut Shrimp

The Trolley Room

The Trolley Room

4.2(17 reviews)
1.0 mi•Downtown Detroit

Breakfasts with servers Eric and Danai were delightful. On early week days only one of them is…read morescheduled to do it all. Serve, bus, deliver food to the table, manage the cocktail bar. The management team needs to add an assistant to help them out on those days! The chef and cooks provided us with delicious meals each morning. Prices were reasonable for the times. $50 for two prior to gratuity. I would have given a 5 star rating if the number if the servers had a helper.

Dinner menu looked good, but the kitchen was long closed when we arrived after the Tigers game…read more(11:30). Came here for breakfast and there was only one person working the tables( serving/ cleaning, etc.). Subsequently, our breakfast took a lot longer than we had hoped for. My husband ordered the sourdough French toast which had fresh fruit and was delicious ($15). I ordered the Trolley Express: 2 eggs with home fries (yum), my choice of turkey sausage and delicious sourdough toast )$25). No regular milk was available and I didn't want soy, almond and whatever the third one was, so I got green tea. It was fabulous, a blend of jasmine and green tea leaves. We ordered it online after, can't wait. Several prints ( blown up postcards) of the trolleys of Detroit; very cool and hence the name. Our stay included 2 complimentary breakfasts ($15 pp) and two drinks; not sure if this is standard. Hoping whomever most likely called out comes in to help this overworked employee.

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The Trolley Room
The Trolley Room
The Trolley Room

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Bad Luck Bar - Back bar.

Bad Luck Bar

4.2(229 reviews)
0.9 mi•Downtown Detroit
•$$$

Hannah was such a sweet girl. So knowledgeable of the menu and also on bourbons in general. Let her…read moremake you a drink of her choice! We had 3 drinks from the menu. All were really good. It's a very small space. Back alley entrance! lol, you are going the right way down the freaky alley!

I have been here several times over the last, almost, decade since they opened and have always had…read morea good time. The cocktails can be quite pricey, but are always very good. Sometimes with unique ingredients. I always tend to gravitate to a more zippy fruit cocktail and those have often come with pop rocks, which is super fun. My significant other, during our last visit, got a smoked cocktail which was a fun experience and my sister received a miniature plate of cheese, pickles with hers. There was only a single pickle and a teeny bit of cheese, but it was kind of funny. (For the price, you would think you would get more or they would offer it as an option) The ambiance in there is always moody and romantic in a way. It can be a smidge hard to see the menus depending on where you sit. The place is quite small, we have sat along the back and at the bar, both are nice locations with different vibes. The service is always good, sometimes you have a very talkative bartender and other times they don't say a word, but I'm sure they are all very knowledgeable. It's a bit of a hidden gem, some people that I talk to still don't know it's secretly waiting for them in a mildly sketchy downtown city alley. Part of its appeal!

Photos
Bad Luck Bar
Bad Luck Bar - The Alchemist

The Alchemist

Bad Luck Bar

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The Motor Bar - Bar area

The Motor Bar

3.3(25 reviews)
0.9 mi•Downtown Detroit
•$$

I am staying at the Marriott Westin Book Cadillac for a volleyball tournament this weekend. No…read morecomplaints on the hotel. All was excellent! I just left the Motor Bar where I ordered an Old Fashion. Price on menu is $15.00. I had 2 cocktails 2x$15=&30. When I asked for the check I noticed I was charged $34.00 . I brought it to the bartenders attention who said the LARGE ice cube is extra. I told her a proper old-fashioned is served with a large ice cube. A woman who appeared to be a manager behind the bar piped in overhearing the conversation. She said when you get a large ice cube, we give you extra bourbon and that's why it's more money. I found this to be pure BS but did not want to challenge her as there were a lot of people waiting for drinks. When my bartender returned to me, she said the drinks went up to $17 but " they they did not want to spend money to change the price on the menu." This is just wrong!!!!

Probably the worst chicken sandwich I've ever had. It was battered with corn meal and fried to the…read morepoint that there was ZERO moisture remaining. There was no lettuce/tomato. I had two slices of pickle - about what you'd get at a fast food joint - which was ironic since I was given small packets of ketchup from a fast food joint to put on my sandwich/fries - several of them split open and leaking. It was served with a small side of fries. Get real. Put a real bottle of ketchup out. Hire a cook or get a thermometer so you can avoid overcooking. Salt and Pepper should be available. Stop with the COVID excuses. Service was lacking for any restaurant, it was pathetic for a Westin.

Photos
The Motor Bar - Chicken quesadilla

Chicken quesadilla

The Motor Bar - Westin Book Cadillac Detroit Motor Bar view toward bar

Westin Book Cadillac Detroit Motor Bar view toward bar

The Motor Bar

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Second Best Detroit - bars - Updated May 2026

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