Think you’re the hippest barfly in Detroit? How many of these hidden, low-key, blink-and-you-miss-them, and underground bars have you visited?

Evening Bar 1400 Woodward Ave, Detroit; eveningbar.com This speakeasy-style bar is accessible through a hidden entrance in Parker Alley behind the Shinola Hotel. The relaxed, subdued atmosphere is complemented by a delicious drink menu that recalls the classic elegance of the Roaring Twenties. Photo via @rod.arroyo / Instagram
Aladdin Sane 1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit; thealaddinsane.com This new cocktail bar is located in Detroit’s recently renovated Book Tower, offering an interesting blend of inspirations — Japan and David Bowie.. Credit: Matthew Williams
Candy Bar 1509 Broadway St., Detroit; candybardetroit.com Tucked behind a curtain in the back of the lobby of the Siren Hotel, this small, 30-seat spot, accessible on a first-come, first-served basis, boasts a pink interior and sweet drinks. Photo by Christian Harder courtesy of The Siren Hotel
Bad Luck Bar 1218 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-657-9177; badluckbar.com Tucked away down an alley near Capitol Park, Bad Luck Bar is an experimental craft cocktail bar with an inventive selection of mixed drinks. The menu includes fanciful, imaginatively-named concoctions such as Downward Facing Man (rum, cold brew coffee, Zucca rabarbaro liqueur) and The Seer (cognac, royal jelly honey, VEP Yellow Chartreuse, edible gold, lemon twist). Photo via @badluckbar / Instagram
Sid Gold’s Request Room 1515 Broadway St., Detroit; 313-444-4653; sidgolds.com/detroit Sid Gold’s, a New York piano karaoke bar, has a Detroit location in the Siren Hotel. This retro lounge offers live piano accompaniment for amateur singers, and the iPad songbook includes Broadway standards as well as recent hits. Head down the alley behind the Siren Hotel (look out for the neon sign) for a welcoming interior and delicious menu of cocktails, snacks, entrées, and desserts. Photo via @brettjoelaw / Instagram
Weiss Distilling Company 34 E. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson; thewdc.com To access this sleek, speakeasy-style bar, you go through a secret entrance in an elevator shaft. Photo via @weissdistillingco / Instagram
The Ebenezer 305 Fleet St., 734-404-5552; theebenezerplymouth.com This speakeasy-style bar opened in the basement of a 100-plus year-old bank building on the corner in downtown Plymouth in 2020. To get in, you have to go through an alley behind the building near the parking structure. Photo via @orinabanci / Instagram
Willow 1431 Times Square, Detroit; willowdetroit.com Reminiscent of early speakeasies, Willow is a stylish, spirit forward, cocktail lounge offering Southern influence in Detroit style. The spot is intimate, cozy, and dimly lit, embracing cocktail culture. Credit: Facebook, Willow Detroit
Ghostbar 4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit; 313-832-5700; thewhitney.com/ghostbar Located on the third floor of The Whitney, Ghostbar offers delicious drinks in an ornate space. With live jazz on Saturdays and a menu of creative cocktails, local beers, wine, and appetizers, this bar offers a relaxed atmosphere in one of Detroit’s best-loved historic buildings. Photo via @andrewmichaelschultz / Instagram
The Shelby 607 Shelby St., Detroit; shelbydetroit.com Located behind the blue metal door in the back of downtown’s Coffee Down Under, The Shelby opened in a former 100-year-old bank vault. Aside from classic cocktails, it also serves up a locally sourced menu. Photo via @_lovelychanel / Instagram
Monarch Club 33 John R St., Detroit; 313-306-2380; monarchclubdetroit.com This rooftop lounge offers breathtaking views of downtown Detroit from the top of the recently restored Metropolitan Building. be sure to make a reservation online, in the warmer months it’s a popular spot. Photo via @monarchclubdetroit / Instagram
Raven Lounge and Restaurant 5145 Chene St., Detroit; 313-924-7133; ravenloungeandrestaurant.com Located in an unassuming building on the corner of Chene and Farnsworth, Raven Lounge is one of Detroit’s oldest blues clubs. This social club, which dates back to the 1960s, offers live music, soul food, and a friendly atmosphere to dance and socialize. Photo via @wormwoodcallipygian__ / Instagram
Bab’s Underground 213 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor; 734-997-0800; babsunderground.com The hidden entrance to Bab’s leads to a roomy basement bar offering craft cocktails, craft beers, and rare bourbons. With a vintage photo booth, arcade games, pinball, and multiple televisions, Babs’ offers a relaxed atmosphere for watching games, socializing, and enjoying creative cocktails. Photo via @two.in.a2 / Instagram
Jolly Old Timers 641 W. Forest Ave, Detroit; 313-831-5342 Located in the lower level of a private residence, Jolly Old Timers Club is a secret bar that serves up a selection of beer and mixed drinks in a friendly atmosphere. A red light on the exterior of the building lets patrons know when the establishment is open, and the inside is a cozy, wood-paneled oasis of Detroit culture. The clubhouse has been open in various forms and locations since the 1950s, and rumor has it that former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young was a member. Photo via @theworkinc / Instagram
Two Way Inn 17897 Mt. Elliot St., Detroit; 313-891-4925; 2wayinn.com Two Way Inn is one of Detroit’s oldest bars, dating back to 1876. After being buzzed into this hole-in-the-wall establishment, guests will enjoy the selection of domestic, imported, and local craft beers. The food is delicious as well, and during the winter, owner Mary Aganowski cooks up large batches of soup for patrons to enjoy with their drinks. Photo via @twowayinn / Instagram
The Last Word 301 W. Huron St., Ann Arbor; 734-585-5691; thelastwordbar.com Tucked away behind a nearly unmarked door, this speakeasy-esque bar is a hidden gem on the edge of Ann Arbor’s Main Street area. Offering an inventive cocktail menu and small selection of bar snacks, The Last Word serves delicious food and drinks in an intimate, polished atmosphere. Photo via @thelastwordbar / Instagram
The Perfect Beat 1941 S. Fort St., Detroit; 313-388-6262 This neon-lit club in Southwest Detroit has an insane (in a good way) interior, with fake palm trees, statues, and mirrors on the ceiling. It will take a while to order a drink — there’s only one bartender — but it’s worth it for the ‘gram. Photo via @badgirlsclub.jpeg / Instagram
Knock Twice Speakeasy 6430 Farmington Rd., West Bloomfield Township; knocktwicespeakeasy.com This speakeasy-style bar is located in an unsuspecting building in West Bloomfield. The spot offers small plates, drinks, and live music, with an indoor lounge and outdoor patio. Credit: Google Maps
Cash Only 1145 Griswold St., Detroit; cashonlydetroit.com This secret club, located underneath downtown’s posh Prime + Proper restaurant, is so exclusive that it doesn’t allow cell phones. (Despite the name, they actually accept credit cards.) Photo via @beckyfisherr ?/ Instagram
Castalia at Sfumato 3980 E. 2nd Ave, Detroit; 313-305-1442; castaliacocktails.com Located in the same Midtown mansion as its sister company, Sfumato Fragrances, this innovative bar offers cocktails that pair with Sfumato scents. Try the Tiger’s Eye (Thai iced tea-infused gin, nutmeg, coconut milk, cayenne, and turbinado), which goes with the Siren’s Song scent. Photo via @castaliacocktails / Instagram
Johnny’s Speakeasy 215 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-794-1261; johnnysroyaloak.com This speakeasy is accessible through a door disguised as a walk-in freezer, and you’ll need a special code (which can be found on the website) to gain entrance. The food menu is straight out of the 1920s, and it includes sumptuous options such as salmon fillet stuffed with shrimp mousseline and Luxardo cherry creme Brûlée. Photo via @johnnysroyaloak / Instagram
Room 1904 624 Brush St., Detroit; 313-962-7067; jacobysbar.com Established in 1904, Jacoby’s is a piece of history in the city that everyone should visit at least once. Last year, a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge called Room 1904 opened in its upstairs space. This gives visitors two different experiences in one. Credit: Shutterstock
Abick’s 3500 Gilbert St., Detroit; 313-894-9329 This family-run Polish bar has been operating continuously since 1907. In that time, Abick’s has remained a friendly neighborhood gathering spot offering cold beer and companionship. The interior features the original tin ceiling, leather couches, and a cigar den with memorabilia from the Detroit Police Department, including a riot shield, gas masks, and an antique phone box. Photo via @abicksbar / Instagram

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