Discovering Detroit’s Cocktail Scene: A Bar Crawl Guide

Detroit has one of the best bar scenes in the country, whether you want to have a relaxing or a fun night out. This city frequently has new locations to try, popping up in all corners. Detroit is a sports-centered place, allowing you to find many bars showing the next big game on your crawl. Detroit even has jazz clubs that resemble something from the mid-twentieth century! 

Most bars in the city have delicious food options, ranging from pub-style delicacies to vegan-friendly options. The possibilities are endless for your night out in Detroit, Michigan. Learn about some of the best bar crawl stops in the list below.

1. Detroit St. Patrick’s Bar Crawl: A Toast to Tradition

No exploration of Detroit’s cocktail scene is complete without a nod to tradition at the Detroit bar crawl. The Detroit St. Patrick’s Bar Crawl is a celebration that merges the city’s love for cocktails with the festive spirit of St. Patrick’s Day. Bars like Delmar Rooftop, Delux Nightclub, or Exodos Rooftop have become the stage for this spirited journey, where great cocktails flow freely, and the Irish tunes add a lively note to your adventure. It’s a unique blend of Detroit’s cocktail culture and the global celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.

2. Ghost Bar

The Ghost Bar is a perfect stop for the autumn and Halloween seasons. This location is inside The Whitney, an infamous mansion built in the late nineteenth century. The Whitney is famous for its ghost stories and lore surrounding the people who lived in it. The Ghost Bar includes specialty drinks and cocktails that enhance the spooky vibes. Try the Witching Hour Martini to engross yourself in the hauntings of The Whitney. The Ghost Bar brings you a fun night out for your bar crawl with its puns, including “the best spirits in Detroit.”

3. Sugar House

Sugar House was Detroit’s first cocktail bar when it first opened in 2011. This location continues to influence the city, as dozens of others populated the downtown area in the past few years. Sugar House rests in the middle of Corktown, one of the most popular neighborhoods in the Detroit area. Order your cocktail to take with you on your bar crawl, or sit inside and have several drinks. Sugar House offers small plates of food to satisfy your hunger. The premium and upscale experience will have you feeling like you are in the middle of luxury.

4. Willow

Willow is a speakeasy in downtown Detroit with a unique experience. This bar is around the corner from SavannahBlue, giving you a place to live out the rest of your night. Willow is new to Detroit, first opened in 2022 by Ron Scott, J.D. Simpson, and Roger Yopp. The black-owned cocktail bar has unique drinks that tell the story of African Americans in the United States. A maitre d’ will meet you at the door to lead you to your seat. You will enjoy Willow’s upscale and memorable experience, leaving you wanting to return in the future.

5. UFO Factory

UFO Factory is the last of the stops you should make on your bar crawl in Detroit. This location has a calm and fun environment with a simplistic vibe. Grab a beer or simple cocktail from the bartender, and enjoy listening to the live music playing from the stage. The UFO Factory has unique food also, including a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with Thai peanut sauce. The UFO Factory has a fun rooftop bar, though it is not accessible in bad weather.

Enjoy Your Next Bar Crawl in Detroit

Detroit, Michigan, has a fun and lively bar scene encompassing the city’s heart. Visit somewhere like UFO Factory to have a fun and relaxing night out with your loved ones. A stop at Willow will transport you back to the early twentieth century and help you learn about the African-American culture in the city. 

Visit the Elwood Bar and Grill on your bar crawl to take in the beauty of the Art Deco details. Sugar House allows you to experience some of the most unique cocktails in the city. Finally, stop by Ghost Bar to take in the history of one of the most infamous houses in Detroit.

Tomas

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