19. Drown the winter blues in boat drinks
Sadly, not all of us can afford a sun-splashed getaway to some place where you can drink while sketching in the sand with your toes. Luckily, there’s a whole class of local businesses that specialize in making you think you’re already there. From Bahama Breeze to Parrot Cove, which both happen to be in Troy, you can find the drinks, dishes, and decor that will transport you to a sunnier place and clime.
The Iron Gate
3019 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-407-7043; irongatebarwyandotte.com
Aside from festive holiday decorations, this downriver bar has a holiday-themed menu with items named after Christmas movie references, like the “Red Ryder BB Gun” and “Mele Kalikimaka.”
DOWNTOWN — Standby, 225 Gratiot Ave., 313-736-5533, standbydetroit.com. Depending on who you ask, Valentine’s Day can be either bitter or sweet. Why not have a little bit of both? A special V-day menu prepared by Chef Brendon Edwards will be followed by sweet treats by Bon Bon Bon chocolatier Alexandra Clark and Chef Matt Tulpa of Salt and Saffron. Plus, bring a love letter from an ex and you can have it frozen in liquid nitrogen, then smashed. Finish off with a Ferrari (bartenders, you know what we’re talking about).
Mutiny Bar
4654 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; mutinybar.com
This Southwest Detroit tiki bar is decked out in festive lights all year long, but in the dark Michigan winter it feels even more warm and inviting — like a tropical getaway.
Honest John’s
488 Selden St., Detroit; 313-832-5646; honestjohnsdetroit.com
This long-standing Cass Corridor favorite is all lit up for the holidays. Spread the cheer by gifting your favorite bartender or kitchen staff a drink by stuffing their stockings hung behind the bar.
Parc
800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-922-7272; parcdetroit.com
Enjoy a front-row view of the festivities in Detroit’s Campus Martius Park, which features an ice skating rink, a giant Christmas tree, a massive Menorah, and Kwanzaa kinara, which will be up from Dec. 26-Jan. 1.
Testa Barra
48824 Romeo Plank Rd., Macomb; 586-434-0100; testabarra.com
This Italian spot has a winter pop-up called the Dasher Room, a heated, enclosed side patio decorated with Christmas cheer and a holiday cocktail menu.
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Cadillac Lodge
60 Cadillac Square, Detroit; theiconiccollection.com
A family-friendly pop up that features a large, heated tent filled with games, leather couches, and blankets, as well as bites like Detroit-style chili, warm soft pretzels with beer cheese, and a cotton candy sleigh.
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Royal Park Hotel
600 E. University Dr., Rochester; 248-652-2600; royalparkhotelmi.com
This Rochester bar is decked out in boughs of holly, and features holiday-themed items like Santa’s boozy punch.
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Atwater Brewery
237 Jos Campau, Detroit; 313-877-9205; instagram.com/225speakeasy
This local brewery just opened up the 225 Sleigh Ride Speakeasy holiday pop-up, with a beautifully decorated interior and themed drinks.
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Legendary Lodge
37550 Cherry Hill Road, Westland; legendarypopup.com
The minds behind Michigan’s “Hush” haunted house have launched this new experience — a Christmas pop-up bar offering axe throwing, themed drinks, and artificial snowstorms.
