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The Brakeman

3.6 (119 reviews)
Fri 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
Sat 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
Updated 3 weeks ago

The Brakeman Photos

Business Info

THE BRAKEMAN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Hipster
Casual
Trendy
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - The Brakeman

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Reviews With Photos

Sarah W.

Stopped in here for the first time Sunday after visiting Parker's Alley and before going to the Tigers game. It's definitely a bit of a different set up than some might be used to. You buy tokens for beer/cocktails. And then the food is done separately. All the staff were very kind and helpful. There are games such as a shuffleboard table, foosball, etc. Very fun atmosphere with a nice beer selection and good food done by Penny Red's.

Jeremy N.

THE BEST chicken I've ever had. Not much else to say as my group and I stopped in here real quick before an event at LCA. But the chicken is to die for and the biscuits with some type of sweet glaze on them are amazing too!

Lavender Lemonade, Water-My-Melon & Brazilian Mango
Hanah L.

A great spot for Happy Hour with a lot of open space and games to play. Drinks are on a token based system - 1 token for beer and 2 tokens for cocktails. They are very generous with the drinks and will make them very strong! During my week in Detroit, we ended up coming here a few times and loved it. I will say it got very very warm in here because the heater was BLASTING, but other than that - I would recommend The Brakeman!!

Laven Love
Linda S.

Cute place for drinks. Cocktails are a little pricey but average for Detriot. Beer was $7 and cocktails were around $14. The place gets extremely crowded though during peak hours. But, it has a fun atmosphere with a modern interior. You can get speciality cocktails and beers! You buy tokens for the drinks. And, then head to the bar and they serve you really quickly.

Old Fashioned w/ Rye
Adam S.

This is a really great space, especially if you've got a larger party as most of the tables are pretty big and would easily hold 8-10 people. Very clean and inviting, lots of TVs to catch the game. They also have a variety of games (large version of Jenga and Connect 4, maybe a few others), but we usually just get a few drinks w/ dinner. The drinks are purchased with tokens, which are around $6.50-$7.50 each. It seems they may give a break on the price with the more you buy? I first bought 4 then bough 2 and they were around $25 for 4 and $14 for 2. Beers are 1 token, cocktails are 2. The beer selection is pretty decent; mostly local/Michigan brewed beer and few out of state guest taps. No macros. The cocktails were OK. Had an old fashioned and it was a little on the sweet side, but had a generous pour of Rye. The floor staff seems to rotate from the token booth and both bars, but it's not hard to get service. They'll come by to collect your empty bar ware, but give them a break and take care of your own food waste! Penny Red's is the chicken window attached to the Brakeman... you should probably get a beer and order a sandwich or a better yet, get yourself a bucket. The payment system is unique, but probably makes things go pretty quickly when it's busy. No tabs or fumbling around with a card/cash to pay the bar tender... Most places that change up traditional methods usually screw it up, but it's actually pretty well done here! A really fun overall experience and one of my new favorites spots in the city.

Gary B.

A large, bright, modern room with garage door style windows. As you come in there is a booth where you purchase poker chip style tokens. Those tokens are then used at the liquor and the beer bars (one token per beer, two for cocktails). Tipping is part of the tokens, so no other tips Different styles of tables, a side patio area leading to the alley behind the Shinola hotel packed with smaller businesses. Some pub games to share. The staff was friendly and fast, and the cocktails were good.

Carolina C.

The Brakeman is a super great spot to just hang and have some good drinks. Where Brakeman shines is it's giant open space and opportunity to play beer pong or connect 4 or jenga (and hop to Penny Reds next door for a great chicken sandwich). The bartender will hand you a pitcher to play pong, or if you want a drink not on the menu they will gladly make it for you. In the summer, they have amazing frozen cocktails that you can take onto Parker Alley and enjoy the game. One thing to note is the way Brakeman operates, which is you purchase tokens at the entrance (1 for beer, 2 for cocktails) and turn in those tokens for your drinks. The allure of the Brakeman is the vibes and drinks are good, but make sure you come with some great people to ensure a great time!

Cocktail area
Kayla S.

I've been here too many times to count. It's unique and that's what keeps driving me back. They have a token system - a beer is 1 token, a cocktail is 2. I believe a token is around $7. The atmosphere is loud and lively. Usually they have a DJ and a few games to play - 4 corners, giant jenga. They do not have food here although Penny Reds is attached which has amazing Brussel sprouts and chicken sandwhiches. My friends and I almost always grab a sandwhich while we are there and you can eat it inside the brakeman as well.

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5 months ago

The chip girl tonight was Gorgeous, thats all I can remember...atmosphere was fun , music good...again chip girl was fire!!

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1 year ago

Very fun place to get drinks and a quick bite. Lots of games such as shuffleboard activities. Great to go before a game.

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2 years ago

We had a great time downtown and stumbled across this place... Very dope place to go to play games and drink

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Ask the Community - The Brakeman

Review Highlights - The Brakeman

Attached is the fried chicken take-out restaurant called "Penny Reds" which has delicious food as well.

Mentioned in 16 reviews

Read more highlights

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The Brakeman - beerbar - Updated May 2026

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