Summer ain’t summer if you’re not basking in the sun on a restaurant patio or cheating death with one-too-many on a rooftop bar. While we know you’re excited to get back out there (no, but really, we’ve forgotten how to socialize, dress, or put food into our faces without wiping our hands on our pants) these metro Detroit spots are just as eager to have you get day — or night — drunk on their patio. Just be sure to wear a mask when asked and tip like your life depends on it.

Garden Bowl Lounge/Sgt. Pepperoni’s/Alley Deck 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com While the Majestic Complex remains somewhat closed thanks to you-know-who, the multi-plex is reopening bit by bit, including the Garden Bowl Lounge (though, no bowling yet), Sgt. Pepperoni’s pizza, and the alley deck, which means alley deck taco Tuesday is back, too. See? Shit’s not so bad after all. (Wait, yes it is, but tacos numb the pain.) Photo via Majestic/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 veterans bar along Cass Corridor might offer one of the biggest patio/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. Well, almost anything.
Portofino 3455 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-281-6700; portofinoontheriver.com If you’d rather eat on the water instead of next to it, Portofino has you covered with their U.S. Coast-Guard-approved vessels, the MV Portofino and the Friendship. But for those who are easily seasick, stick to the patio, where things aren’t so… sea sicky. Photo via Portofino on the River Restaurant, Banquet, & Cruise Center/Facebook
Bill’s Beer Garden 218 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor; 734-369-8001; thewaterfrontwyandotte.com.com We had no idea you could grow beer but we are starting our beer garden as soon as we finish this six-pack. Bill’s Beer Garden prides itself on being the community’s backyard and for good reason. Just look at all the little beer plants. Just kidding, we’re idiots. Bill is not an idiot. Listen to Bill. Photo via Bill’s Beer Garden/Facebook
Waterfront Wyandotte 507 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-286-9046;thewaterfrontwyandotte.com.com A martini on the water? Isn’t it supposed to be on the rocks? Admittedly, we’ve never actually had a martini because we’re not Carrie friggin’ Bradshaw, but The Waterfront Wyandotte has a massive martini menu to pair with its extensive food menu, all of which can be consumed while sitting on the water. Oh, and they have live music on Saturdays, as if the deal could get any sweeter. Photo via Waterfront Wyandotte /Facebook
Public House 241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-850-7420; publichouseferndale.com Keep it shady, baby. Sorry, was that weird? Well, it’s not weird when you’re eating a fried fish sandwich with a boozy milkshake (OK — now that’s a weird combo) on Public House’s patio, which is shaded for your pleasure. Photo via Public House/Facebook
Honest Johns 488 Selden St., Detroit; 313-832-5646; honestjohnsdetroit.com Give us chicken and waffles with a Bloody Mary, ASAP! We’re dyin’ here! One of Detroit’s favorite hangover spots, and, well, a place most likely to give you a hangover, has returned. And so has Honest Johns’ modest patio, destined for your future sloppy brunching. Photo via Honest Johns/Facebook
McShane’s Irish Pub 1460 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-1960;mcshanespub.com Irish we could drink whiskey and eat shepherd’s pie while also getting our daily required amount of vitamin D. If only there were a Corktown-located Irish pub that could accommodate these needs. Even we’re annoying ourselves at this point, but McShane’s Irish Pub is the hot spot for watching a Tiger’s game (when, you know, there were sports) or watching your blood alcohol levels soar to new heights. Photo via Bobcat Bonnie’s Ferndale/Facebook
Bobcat Bonnie’s Ferndale 240 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-677-0158; bobcatbonnies.com Fabulous Ferndale got a whole lot more fabulous when Bobcat Bonnie’s moved in the neighborhood with its cool and casual food and a patio that just screams “feed us tater tots now!” Stop yelling, geez. Take the tots and shut up. Photo via Bobcat Bonnie’s Ferndale/Facebook
Como’s 22812 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-677-4439; comosrestaurant.com Como’s has been a staple of Ferndale for decades. Like most classics, there comes a time to freshen shit up! In 2018, it underwent a major makeover, overhaul, and now it’s the beautiful little pizza party patio princess it was always meant to be. Photo is courtesy of Como’s
Level Two Bar & Rooftop 535 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-420-1990; leveltwodetroit.com Time to level up! No, not like that, nerd. Level Two Bar and Rooftop in Greektown is a party place for people that like to be seen, well, on a rooftop. Though it offers food like blackened steak bites, Greek nachos, and other things that can be eaten with one hand while the other flails around during “Shots” by LMFAO, the heart of the club is the rooftop, where party rock is in the house tonight, or whatever. Photo via Level Two Bar & Rooftop/Facebook
Joe Muer Seafood 400 Renaissance Center, Suite 404, Detroit; 313-567-6837; joemuer.com If you’re over the age of 10, you have likely celebrated a birthday, anniversary, graduation, promotion, divorce, removal of weird moles, or the addition of babies, puppies, or discovery of new weird moles. This generational favorite not only serves up seafood classics but its Detroit location offers a view that would make Ariel jealous, that is, if Ariel the mermaid were a real person, er, mermaid. Merperson? Photo via Joe Muer Seafood/Facebook
Pinky’s Rooftop 100 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-291-6506; pinkysroyaloak.com Pinky’s may sound like something you might search on WebMD, but for metro Detroiters, it means good food and a good view. Oh, did we mention the decor? Yeah. So, it looks like Instagram ads had sex with a Pinterest board and then baptized its spawn in rose gold. What we’re saying is, come for the food, stay for the Instagram opportunity, and then keep staying for the food, which you can eat on a rooftop. Photo via Pinky’s Rooftop/Facebook
Rattlesnake Club 300 Joseph Campau St., Detroit; 313-567-4400; rattlesnakedetroit.com For 31 years, the Rattlesnake Club has been serving up locally-grown, seasonally-sourced food with an atmosphere that just screams exclusive. But the secret is out. Anyone can eat on the Garden Terrace, despite it sounding like a place a princess gets married. If you’re looking for a side of Detroit Riverwalk or international skyline with your scallops, you’re in luck! Photo via Rattlesnake Club/Facebook
Mudgie’s 1300 Porter St., Detroit; 313-961-2000; mudgiesdeli.com We want sandwiches. What was that? The sandwich gods are speaking to us from layers of meat, cheese, and condiment and they’re telling us that Mudgie’s Deli and Wine Shop will open its glorious patio on June 16 because every beautiful sandwich deserves to spread its bread and fly… into our faces. Photo via Mudgie’s/Facebook
Madison’s Pub 15 N. Walnut St., Mount Clemens; 586-468-7777; madisonspub.com What rhymes with party? Easy. Patio. Well, not quite, but it’s close enough because Madison’s in Mt. Clemens has a patio and it is made for partying and, also, eating classic pub food. Photo via Madison’s Pub/Facebook
Sedona Taphouse 198 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy and Twelve Oaks Mall, Novi; sedonataphouse.com With locations throughout eight states, Sedona Taphouse brings Southwest-inspired cuisine and lots and lots of beer to two metro Detroit locations, both of which have scenic patios setups. You know what that means? You could eat desert fire jalapeños or a big ol’ helping of “Devil’s Pass’ ‘ pasta next to an actual fire pit while also enduring the rays of the big ol’ fireball in the sky. Photo via Sedona Taphouse (Troy)/Facebook
MotorCity Wine 1949 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-483-7283; motorcitywine.com Perhaps one of the most beloved patios in the biz is that of MotorCity Wine in Corktown, and it’s coming back, baby! On June 15, MCW will open its patio to allow the wine-guzzling to commence because it’s not summer unless you’re texting your ex and smoking someone else’s vape over a frosty glass of vino on the patio of MCW. Photo via MotorCity Wine/Facebook
Pie-Sci Pizza 5163 Trumbull St., Detroit; 313-818-0290; piescipizza.com We’re not particularly religious or anything, but a bite of Pie-Sci Pizza is like a deep-throat kiss with god. OK — so we have no idea what that is supposed to mean but honestly, this experimental pizza joint in Woodbridge is so good that we feel dizzy just talking about it. Though mostly a take-out spot, they also have a patio, which they are opening for reservations while they slowly reopen to the public. All you gotta do is call and they’ll work their magic. Also, Pie-Sci wizards, please make the Salami Kilpatrick and Hanni Depp permanent menu items before we dance with the devil, whatever that means. Photo via Pie-Sci Pizza/Facebook
Detroit Beer Co. 1529 Broadway St., Detroit; 313-962-1529; detroitbeerco.com Located smack dab in the middle of downtown Detroit, Detroit Beer Co. is a prime spot for those who like to multitask: People watching, beer-drinking, and burger-smashing. Photo via Detroit Beer Co./Facebook
Social Kitchen and Bar 225 E. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-594-4200; socialkitchenandbar.com Socializing makes us hungry. And being hungry makes us want to socialize. If only there were a solution. Oh, duh. Social Kitchen and Bar in Birmingham has upscale fare and a Instagramable rooftop so, even if you don’t have real folks to socialize with, you can fake it on the ‘gram. Photo via Social Kitchen and Bar/Facebook
Republica 1999 Coolidge Hwy., Berkeley; 248-268-3175; republicaberkley.com Republica in Berkley puts the emphasis on “pub” and, well, maybe “lic” because you’ll want to lick your plate when you’re done chowing down on their elevated pub fare, including The Revolution, a $17 Michigan grass-fed Piedmontese beef burger, with smoked gouda, bacon, tomato, fried egg, arugula, spicy mayo, and a friggin’ onion ring. If you’re going to actually lick your plate, best to do it outside on the patio, you animal. Photo via Facebook/Republica
Atwater Brewery 1175 Lakepointe St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-344-5104 and 237 Joseph Campau St., Detroit; 313-877-9205; atwaterbeer.com Atwater Brewery has been getting us tipsy since 1997 and for that we are eternally grateful and a bit forgetful. The intoxication is made sweeter when you drink on Atwater’s Detroit rooftop or the spacious patio of it’s church-turned-taphouse Grosse Point Park location. Pro tip: order food before beer, you know, to give yourself a fighting chance. Photo via Atwater in the Park/Facebook
Compari’s On The Park 350 S. Main St., Plymouth; 734-416-0100; comparisdining.com When you’re here, your family. Oh, sorry, wrong motto, but Italian eatery, Compari’s in Plymouth offers a friendly atmosphere that, you guessed it, feels as if you were family. Anyway, the family-owned and operated spot uses recipes passed down from generations and has a sidewalk patio so you can maybe swap out some less than savory family members. Photo via Compari’s On The Park/Facebook
Motor City Brewing Works 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-832-2700; motorcitybeer.com Motor City Brewing Works has been producing hand-crafted beer since 1994. Not only do they specialize in beer, but they also offer brick oven pizzas that will put your Hot-N-Ready to shame. No, really. Just look at the Spola Fuego, a pizza pie that features Habanero sauce, anejo queso, chorizo, red onion, and jalapeno pepper. You’ll probably want to air your tongue out on their spacious patio, because manners. Photo via Motor City Brewing Works/Facebook
Sindbad’s Restaurant and Marina 100 St. Clair St., Detroit; 313-822-8000; sindbads.com Since 1949, Sindbad’s has been serving up fresh seafood with a view of the Detroit riverfront that just makes you want to hop on your jet ski and drive into the sunset like a goddamn Disney movie. OK — and the drinks are pretty strong because, well, we don’t exactly have a jet ski. Do you have a jet ski? Photo via Sindbad’s/Facebook
La Dolce Vita 17546 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-865-0331; ldvrestaurant.net Italian food basically demands ambiance, especially if you’re trying to impress your clearly very disinterested date who, for some reason, decided to wear a ‘Big Bang Theory’ T-shirt to your date. Sigh. Well, at least this hidden Detroit gem is serving up good food and face. Their patio and dining-area will reopen on June 16 just in time to find a new date. Photo via La Dolce Vita/Facebook

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