Essential Detroit-area patios perfect for warm weather [PHOTOS]

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, May 6, 2022 at 5:03 pm

Warmer weather is finally on its way to Michigan, and we’re ready to head outdoors to celebrate. What better way than lounging on a patio with a cold drink and delicious food? From old favorites to new additions to the Detroit dining scene, here are patios in and around Detroit that make us excited for sunny days ahead.

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

Page 2 of 2

Selden Standard/Facebook

Selden Standard

3921 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-438-5055; seldenstandard.com

Selden Standard is a stylish spot with seasonal tastes in its small plates, and a fine selection of wines and global brews. The outdoor seating area is artsy and cool, perfect for a night out with friends.

21 of 40

El Barzon Restaurante/Facebook

El Barzon Restaurante

3710 Junction Ave., Detroit; 313-894-2070; elbarzonrestaurant.com

Fusing traditional Mexican and Italian dishes, El Barzon established itself as a unique and high-end offering in Southwest Detroit in 2007. Here you can get Mexican and Italian specialties, with some crossover between dishes. Oh, and there’s a patio, where you can dine on such exciting food.

22 of 40

San Morello/Facebook

San Morello

1400 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-209-4700; sanmorello.com

One of the city’s hottest restaurants attached to one of the hottest hotels absolutely has a sidewalk patio for you to take in the hot sights of downtown Detroit while indulging on housemade pasta, wood-fired seafood dishes, and gelato along with a side of prime people-watching.

23 of 40

Old Miami/Facebook

Old Miami

3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-831-3830; oldmiami.com

There’s nothing quite like the patio of Detroit’s iconic Old Miami. The 40-year-old veteran’s bar along Cass Corridor might offer one of the biggest patio and backyard spaces of any of the entries on this list — and probably has the most affordable drinks, too. It has an outdoor bar, stage area, ample seating, and a big beautiful lawn to do whatever you damn well please.

24 of 40

Peterboro/Facebook

The Peterboro

420 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313-833-1111; thepeterboro.com

If you’re in the mood for something more than the the usual takeout, the Peterboro features a modern take on Chinese cuisine in chic surroundings, with craft beer and cocktails available.

25 of 40

Monarch Club/Facebook

Monarch Club

33 John R. St. Penthouse, Detroit; 313-306-2380; monarchclubdetroit.com

From one of the Monarch Club’s ultra chic three rooftop terraces you can see the Detroit Athletic Club, the Fox Theatre, Detroit’s 36th District Court, the Guardian Building, all three major sporting stadiums, and a host of other landmarks.

26 of 40

Detroit Shipping Company/Facebook

Detroit Shipping Company

474 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313-462-4973; detroitshippingcompany.com

If you’re like us and are an indecisive eater that cannot choose between tacos, fried chicken, or a Pad Thai sushi roll, there’s Detroit Shipping Company. The multi-tiered food hall and beer garden made out of shipping containers has a courtyard patio with a stage for open-air performances.

27 of 40

Slow’s BBQ/Facebook

Slows BarBq

2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-9828; slowsbarbq.com

When the sun comes out in Michigan, we collectively have one thing on the brain: barbequed meats. Detroit BBQ mainstay Slow’s has another trick up its sticky sweet sleeve with its enclosed patio and courtyard.

28 of 40

Garden Bowl Lounge/Sgt. Pepperon’s/Alley Deck/Facebook

Garden Bowl Lounge/Sgt. Pepperoni’s/Alley Deck

4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700 ext. 205; majesticdetroit.com

Take a slide of Sgt. Pepperoni’s up to the Majestic Theatre Complex’s Alley Deck to take in the sights of Midtown.

29 of 40

Watermark Bar and Grille/Facebook

Watermark Bar and Grille

24420 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-777-3677; watermarkbarandgrille.com

Seafood? Check. Actual sea? Yep! A place to eat seafood by the sea? Go to Watermark Bar and Grille in St. Clair Shores, where scenic patio dreams can become a reality. Pass the calamari!

30 of 40

Lumen Detroit/Facebook

Lumen Detroit

1903 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-626-5005; lumendetroit.com

Located along Grand River Avenue, this restaurant welcomes visitors into the center of downtown Detroit with views of Beacon Park.

31 of 40

Blake’s Tasting Room/Facebook

Blake’s Tasting Room

17985 Armada Center Rd., Armada; 586-784-9463; blakefarms.com

Craft beer, apple cider, and something called a “donut flight?” Where do we sign up? You can soak up the summer sun while enjoying the favorite autumn flavors at Blake’s.

32 of 40

The Skip/Facebook

The Skip

The Belt Alley, Detroit; theskipdetroit.com

Don’t walk, don’t run, but rather skip to The Belt where you can have fun in the sun, er, shade, at cocktail bar The Skip. Here you can treat yourself to tropical cocktails and fun frozen drinks on their Instagram-worthy patio.

33 of 40

Marrow/Facebook

Marrow

8044 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; 313-652-0200;https://www.marrowdetroit.com

When a butcher shop meets a restaurant the results are, well, meaty. When it comes to two-time James Beard Award-nominated restaurant and whole animal butcher shop, Marrow, it’s all about community, and, obviously, local and sustainably sourced meat. And there’s good news for carnivores who want to eat outside because Marrow has a patio.

34 of 40

Ottava Via/Facebook

Ottava Via

1400 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-5500; ottavaviadetroit.com

Fresh air, Italian food, and good vibes? Could you ask for anything better? Ottava Via in Corktown offers a brick patio where you can nom on some elevated Italian favorites like pasta, pizza, and panini, as well as charcuterie, and side dishes.

35 of 40

Outer Limits Lounge/Facebook

Outer Limits Lounge

5507 Caniff St., Detroit; 313-826-0456; outerlimitslounge.com

This dive bar and rock ’n’ roll venue has a patio with a backyard vibe, including picnic tables.

36 of 40

Lee DeVito

Jolly Pumpkin

441 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-262-6115; detroit.jollypumpkin.com

Jolly Pumpkin’s Midtown location has a pleasant patio not far from the Shinola dog park.

37 of 40

Courtesy photo

Kelly’s Bar

2403 Holbrook Ave., Hamtramck; 734-309-7011; smugglerswyandotte.com

This Hamtramck haunt reopened under new ownership in February with renovations made including cleaning up the backyard.

38 of 40

Fifth Avenue Royal Oak/Facebook

Fifth Avenue

215 W. 5th St., Royal Oak; 248-629-9423; fifthaveroyaloak.com

Fifth Ave’s patio is a popular one, packing in a young crowd in the warmer months.

39 of 40

Smugglers Wyandotte/Facebook

Smuggler’s Run

1 St John St., Wyandotte; 734-309-7011; smugglerswyandotte.com

Located right off the water, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation on the patio at this Wyandotte spot.

40 of 40