Tavern Fare in Detroit: Staff Pick

The Front is a mainstay in downtown Berkley, doubling as an American biergarten as well as a martini lounge. Patrons can choose to enjoy the Old World charm and laid-back style of the downstairs or to chill out in the '50s-style lounge upstairs, where live music plays every weekend.

Classic, moderately priced Detroit bar & grill fare served in a modern upbeat and casual environment. Lunch and dinner are served daily Monday thru Saturday. Also open on Sundays during football season. Large HD plasma TVs and a huge 142" HD projection screen put everyone close to the action of the big game. The entertainment stage hosts the best in local, regional and national entertainers on the weekends!

Fans would probably rank this a three-and-a-half star experience, but there's no reason for hockey agnostics like myself to visit Cheli’s. It’s a barnlike, underheated space with 14 TVs in one room (and one in each restroom) and a familiar menu whose execution ranges from poor to average. For red-and-white-jerseyed boosters, though, it's a place to exult in pure hockey-ness. The place assumes women aren’t die-hard fans; the TV in the women’s bathroom plays non-hockey fare.

Cork Wine Pub offers an energetic bar atmosphere with exceptionally affordable wines and a variety of dishes to pair with, including cheese plates, classic pub fare (with a twist), heartier dinners, and creative desserts.

We don't have a TV. We never will have a TV. We have more than 1200 cassettes on the wall. No, you can't make a request. Go sit down. No, we don't make strawberry margaritas; go sit down. Thank you for choosing Del Rio. Go sit down.

Yes, it's a bar, but it's also a grill worthy of this meat-and-potatoes town. The downtown spot packs 'em in for lunch. Expect solid bar fare, including big salads and a tasty chicken breast sandwich. The staff seems especially proud of their half-pound burger, the "house special," draped with enough meat and cheese to bring tears to a vegan's eyes, including ham, bacon, American and Swiss, served with fries and a mug of beer or a pop. Open 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily, except Sundays, which vary.

Serving up breakfast till noon on weekdays and till 3 on weekends, Honest John's is sure to keep you going, with Bloody Marys and Ghetto Blaster Ale and a full bar at any time of day. As many as 30 to 40 people can sit outside, complete with Waspinators to keep your eating adventure clean and fun. Note: The badass jukebox plays funk and Motown, and can be heard out on the patio.

A Detroit classic - non-stop sports, burgers and brewskis. One block east of the old Tiger Stadium. Nemo's will provide shuttle service to all Red Wings and Tigers scheduled home games. Full lunch every day until 2:30 p.m.

Erin go drink up, Johnny!
Dead nuts in the middle of Corktown, the Lager House has perfected the marriage of old meets new. Even through its exodus from local lunchtime watering hole to rock 'n' roller's safe haven, the Lager has maintained its homespun charm. Cozy and inviting, it is still one of the best joints to guzzle Guinness on a crowded St. Patrick's parade day and is one of the few independent music venues not in the clutches of the Clear Channel PR machine. This little-bar-that-could proudly plays host to the ever-popular Monday dollar drink night and a never-ending turnstile of burgeoning rock acts. —Eve Doster