Paul Kushner
Dive bars have a good vibe, especially if you want to meet some great people or enjoy a beer with friends. Detroit has a lot of great dive bars hidden throughout the city and this list compiles the best.
Some of these bars have with the necessities, like a pool table, while others have live music and drink specials if you’re looking for something unique, but they all have a great atmosphere and crowd.
Check out my list of the best Detroit dive bars below!
Nancy Whiskey Pub
2644 Harrison St, Detroit, MI 48216
Phone: (313) 962-4247
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First up is Nancy Whiskey Pub, a little pub just northwest of downtown Detroit. It is one of the oldest bars in Detroit, and it opened in 1902, so you know it’s a good place.
In addition to its bottled beer, draft beer, and spirits, the pub has a food menu with typical pub fare.
L J’s Lounge
2114 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
Phone: (313) 962-0013
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Another one of the fun places to go out in Detroit is the dive bar L J’s Lounge. It is right by Roosevelt Park, northwest of downtown.
Besides the location, my favorite thing about L J’s is how easy it is to meet people here. And the bartenders are friendly, so you will feel welcome as soon as you step in the door.
The Old Miami
3930 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: (313) 831-3830
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The Old Miami is a fun bar with live music in midtown just north of downtown Detroit. The dive bar is cool since it has a lot of regulars that come here to enjoy the basic beers, which is exactly what I love about a dive bar.
There are also bar games like pool and darts, and surprisingly it also has nightclub vibes.
Temple Bar
2906 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: (313) 832-2822
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Temple Bar is another one of my favorite bars in Detroit, right across the street from the Little Caesars Arena on Temple and Cass.
I like Temple Bar because they have cocktails in addition to beer. It is an older and low-key place but still a lot of fun. And they have a pool table, which is a staple for any good dive bar to have.
Marshall’s Bar
14716 E Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48215
Phone: (313) 821-0610
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Another great dive bar for where to get a drink in Detroit is Marshall’s Bar in Grosse Pointe Park. The people and bartenders at Marshall’s Bar are friendly and fun, and everyone is welcome here.
They don’t have food, but they are open every day from noon to two in the morning, so you can grab some drinks here before or after food or whenever else you want!
Two Way Inn
17897 Mt Elliott St, Detroit, MI 48212
Phone: (313) 891-4925
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Two Way Inn is a fun dive bar in Davison where you can get a wide variety of drinks, including beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
But they also have some of the best food out of all the dive bars in Detroit. There is also a lot of history at the bar, and it’s worth going here just to learn about it.
Abick’s Bar
3500 Gilbert St, Detroit, MI 48210
Phone: (313) 894-9329
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Another interesting Detroit dive bar to grab drinks is Abick’s Bar in west Detroit. Abick’s is in an old building dating back to the early 20th century.
I love their happy hour, which includes discounted beers and some fun shots, like pudding shots and jello shots.
Whiskey In the Jar
2741 Yemans St, Hamtramck, MI 48212
Phone: (313) 873-4154
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Whiskey In the Jar is a really cool bar in Hamtramck that you might not even think is a bar from the outside. But step inside, and you will immediately feel the cool vibe at this dive bar.
The prices here are great, and the staff is super friendly. And there is a patio behind the bar where you can meet people or hang out with friends.
Jumbo’s Bar
3736 3rd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: (313) 831-8949
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I love Jumbo’s Bar between downtown and midtown, not too far from Little Caesars Arena.
They have great drinks, and the bartenders are happy to help you find something to drink if you aren’t sure what you want. They have a pool table here and are open late with a fun vibe.
The Painted Lady Lounge
2930 Jacob St, Hamtramck, MI 48212
Phone: (313) 874-2991
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Another great dive bar in Detroit is The Painted Lady Lounge in Hamtramck, where you will find a wide variety of spirits for cocktails, as well as beer.
They also have some unique forms of entertainment, including some books you can read when the place is quieter and some fun pinball machines.
Donovan’s Pub
3003 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48216
Phone: (313) 964-7418
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Another one of my favorite bars is Donovan’s Pub in west Detroit by Hubbard Richard and Farms. Not only are the bartenders at Donovan’s super fun, but they also make some of the best drinks in the city.
Even if you go when it is quieter, you can hang with the bartenders and get to know them.
Tommy’s Detroit Bar & Grill
624 3rd Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 965-2269
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Tommy’s Detroit Bar & Grill on the western side of downtown is a Detroit dive bar with a rich history, as it used to be a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Today, they have some of my favorite bar food in the city, especially their appetizers; I highly recommend the mac and cheese bites or adding a chili topping to your tater tots.
Giovanna’s Lounge
3537 W, 3537 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48216
Phone: (313) 554-9391
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Giovanna’s Lounge is right by the interstate 96 and 75 interchanges, and it is one of the staples of the neighborhood.
They have all the classic bar drinks, including beer and cocktails, and the food here is so good, especially the burgers. There is also a cute patio where you can sit in the summer.
Lost River
15421 Mack Ave, Detroit, MI 48224
Phone: (313) 720-0673
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Lost River is a fun mix of a dive and cocktail bar in the most northern part of Grosse Pointe Park. I enjoy the specialty cocktails here; my friends and I frequently choose to share the Bali Bali Bathtub.
Lost River frequently hosts events, including live music and food trucks.
Ye Olde Tap Room
14915 Charlevoix St, Detroit, MI 48215
Phone: (313) 824-1030
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Ye Olde Tap Room is in Grosse Pointe Park, and it is a cool bar that dates back to the Prohibition era. It has various beers and scotch that fit the olden-times vibe.
If you need help deciding what to drink, the staff is knowledgeable and happy to help you.
Suzy’s Bar
2942 Evaline St, Hamtramck, MI 48212
Phone: (313) 872-9016
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Suzy’s Bar is another great bar in Hamtramck that is exactly what you picture a good dive bar to be. You can get draft beer, bottled beer, mixed drinks, and shots.
And they have a great patio that is perfect for when the weather is nice.
The High Dive
11474 Joseph Campau Ave, Hamtramck, MI 48212
Phone: (313) 334-5517
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Last on the list is The High Dive in Hamtramck, a Detroit dive bar with a dance floor where you can enjoy the DJ or live music.
The bar has some great, unique drinks and shots, like the ones that use Faygo in them, and my favorite is the Donk with Faygo Red Pop and Strawberry Vodka.
Final Thoughts
Detroit is a fun city for entertainment, and whether you’re looking for a classic dive bar, fun drinks, live music, or a location with a deep history, there’s a spot for you.
If you have a favorite dive bar in Detroit, or you check out one of the ones above, leave a comment!
Best Dive Bars in Detroit, Michigan
- Nancy Whiskey Pub
- L J’s Lounge
- The Old Miami
- Temple Bar
- Marshall’s Bar
- Two Way Inn
- Abick’s Bar
- Whiskey In the Jar
- Jumbo’s Bar
- The Painted Lady Lounge
- Donovan’s Pub
- Tommy’s Detroit Bar & Grill
- Giovanna’s Lounge
- Lost River
- Ye Olde Tap Room
- Suzy’s Bar
- The High Dive
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