40 Best Outdoor Bars In Detroit
Summer in Detroit is right around the corner and there are few things better than having a nice, cold adult beverage on a hot summer day, except maybe a nice, cold adult beverage while enjoying the beautiful weather. Here’s a list of places in the city to enjoy a glass of the good stuff while getting a tan and enjoying the breeze.
Northern Lights Lounge
660 W Baltimore Ave
This is a great place to grab a drink and enjoy the summer night weather by one of the Northern Lights Lounge’s fire pits. In our opinion, one of the coolest bars in Detroit.
Ottava Via
1400 Michigan Ave
Fans of great Italian food need to check this place out. Not only is the food amazing, but now you can enjoy it and a couple of glasses (bottles) of wine on Ottava Via’s gorgeous brick patio.
Slow’s Bar-B-Q
2138 Michigan Ave.
I’m pretty sure if you eat Bar-b-q this good in the summer, it has to be outside. It’s like a law or something.
St. CeCe’s Pub
1426 Bagley St
Enjoy a bottomless mimosa with brunch while working on your tan, or grab a beer from their extensive selection.
The Alley Deck
4120 Woodward Ave
Located in Midtown, The Alley Deck is a part of the Majestic Theater complex and connected to the new night club Populux. Grab a drink before a show or to cool off during a night of dancing to Populux’s live music.
The Rattlesnake Club
300 River Pl Dr
For those looking for a classier establishment, The Rattlesnake has one of the best views in the city. The restaurant sits on the Detroit River and has great views of the Detroit and Windsor skylines.
Z’s Villa
42 Piquette St
Get the feel of a trip up north with your friends without having to make the drive! Z’s Villa has everything you’d want for a summer party right in their backyard. Enjoy a drink from their tiki bar while watching or playing a beach volleyball game on their sand courts.
Honest John’s
488 Selden St
This place is not for anyone looking for a classy time, but it’s one of the must-stop bars in Detroit. The bathrooms are covered in graffiti, and there are quirky neon signs everywhere. But if you can get past that and learn to enjoy the dive-y atmosphere, Honest John’s is a great place to grab a drink and soak up some sun.
Green Dot Stables
2200 W Lafayette Blvd
Green Dot has everything you’d want from sliders to wings, to the outdoor picnic tables to eat them on. Be sure to grab a Moscow Mule.
UFO Factory
2110 Trumbull St
This down to earth bar puts on shows and has movie nights. It’s a bit small, but during the warm summer months, wouldn’t you rather enjoy your drinks outside on their patio?
PJ’S Lager House
1254 Michigan Ave
On Yelp! the user described the Mac N Cheese here as “slap your momma good”. Enjoy a cold beverage on their enclosed back patio before one of their live music shows.
TV Lounge
2548 Grand River Ave
Not only can you drink outside, TV Lounge has an outdoor stage for some awesome summer dance parties.
Bookie’s Bar & Grille
2208 Cass Ave
If you’ve ever been to a Tigers game and did some pre-gaming, chances are you’ve been to Bookies. It’s been voted the best bar before a Tigers game for 12 years in a row. Grab a beer before cheering on our team on Bookie’s rooftop patio and then take their shuttle to the game.
Campus Martius Park
800 Woodward Ave
Stick your toes in the sand and soak up some rays as you drink. If you time it right, you’ll be able to enjoy one of the many live bands scheduled to play there this summer.
Cheli’s Chili
47 E Adams Ave
Grab a bite and a beer on one of Cheli’s patios. There is one street level and one upstairs. There is always something going on here during a Tiger’s game.
The Old Shillelagh
349 Monroe St
Check out their deck parties this summer while enjoying a Guinness or a whiskey on the rocks. Once you’re good and buzzing, you can take their shuttle to the game.
Exodus Rooftop
529 Monroe St.
This place is a bit pricey and a bit hard to get to when you’re looking for it the first time, but once you figure it out, the atmosphere of the Exodus Rooftop is all party. DJs keep the dance music going all night in the open-air lounge.
Los Galanes
3362 Bagley st
Get a little loco with a tasty margarita on Los Galanes patio. Finish off your meal with some deep-fried ice cream to keep you cool in the summer heat!
Sindbad’s
100 Saint Clair St
Sindbad’s sits right on the water. Have a drink and one of their amazing burgers as you watch the boats make their way up and down the Detroit River.
Foran’s Grand Trunk Pub
612 Woodward Ave
Stop in for brunch or enjoy their delicious menu all day while letting the summer breeze wash over you in Grand Trunk’s outdoor patio area.
La Dolce Vita
17546 Woodward Ave
Their secluded outdoor patio transports you to a quaint Italian eatery. If that isn’t enough, their brunch is perfection. Not to mention $12 bottomless mimosas. La Dolce Vita really delivers on “The Sweet Life.”
McShane’s Irish Pub & Whiskey
1460 Michigan Ave
In addition to outdoor drinking, this place is also one of Detroit’s favorite sports bars. It also offers great food that won’t cost you too much. Head here on game day and McShane’s offers a free shuttle to the game.
Fountain Bistro
800 Woodward Ave.
Located at Campus Martius, Fountain Bistro has a great location right in the middle of everything. The enclosed patio offers great views of everything happening at Campus Martius and even live music. Come here for brunch or as a pit stop while enjoying the city.
Mercury Burger Bar
2163 Michigan Ave.
Located in Corktown, Mercury Burger Bar has a great ‘50s diner vibe going on inside. Outside, the fenced-in patio is lit with strings of lights and definitely gives off a community party vibe. With the heat, what is better than a boozy milkshake and an order of their poutine fries?
El Barzon Restaurante
3710 Junction St.
Enjoy a few margaritas while eating great Mexican food in El Barzon’s sheltered hideaway. The open-air dining area will offer a nice breeze while the roof overhead gives plenty of shade to protect your frozen margarita from melting in the harsh rays of the Sun.
Nancy Whiskey
2644 Harrison St.
Nancy Whiskey is a Corktown favorite. This great dive bar has cheap drinks and a massive backyard area where they hold several parties each summer. One of the favorite places to throwback drinks in the city.
1917 American Bistro
19416 Livernois Ave.
The rooftop dining at 1917 American Bistro offers a great view of everything happening on their slice of Livernois. With great food and the sun on your face, there’s nothing better.
Seva
66 E Forest Ave.
This place makes vegetarian food look so amazing, even a hardcore carnivore can get on board. Enjoy a plate of their General Tso’s Cauliflower or a side of the yam fries under a green umbrella on their spacious patio.
Joe Muer Seafood
400 Renaissance Ctr.
Located inside the RenCen, Joe Muer Seafood offers diners breathtaking views of the Detroit Riverfront all while enjoying some first-class seafood.
HopCat
4265 Woodward Ave.
What more is there to say besides 130 craft beers, a beer garden, and CRACK FRIES? The beer garden opens up off of the Huma Room which is always rocking and with so many beer options, you are pretty much guaranteed to want to stay forever.
The Whitney
4421 Woodward Ave.
Head down to the historic Whitney in Midtown and enjoy a drink from their GhostBar while listening to some live music. One of the classier establishments on this list boasts a garden party every Thursday. If tasty drinks aren’t enough to tempt the taste buds, the award-winning desserts definitely will.
Motor City Brewing Works
470 W Canfield St.
Known for their Ghettoblaster red ale, Motor City Brewing has a great rooftop dining area. Order a pint and a slice and kick back and enjoy the sun.
Bert’s Marketplace
2727 Russell St.
Follow your nose and the sounds of a great party to Bert’s Marketplace in Eastern Market. The outdoor area always has a grill going and live music to entertain you while you wait for your mouth-watering ribs. Knocking back ribs and drinks, while singing Karaoke at Bert’s on Saturday is a Detroit bucket list item for sure.
Traffic Jam & Snug 511 W
Canfield St.
Located right across a parking lot from the Motor City Brewing, Traffic Jam & Snug as great outdoor patio space for drinks. Outdoor dining surrounded by flowers, makes you feel like you’re having a fancy picnic at a friend’s house rather than a brewery in Detroit. If you’d rather eat inside, the interior decorating in this place is zany and eclectic.
Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria and Brewery
441 W Canfield St.
Newly opened in Detroit, Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria and Brewery delivers on both the pizza and the beer. On a nice summer day, what will be better than enjoying a slice on their patio?
3rd Street Bar
4626 3rd St.
While it may not look like much from the outside, 3rd Street Bar is a great place for outdoor drinking. Their patio is a massive space. Another re4ally great draw is the pies. Dangerously Delicious Pies also calls 4626 3rd Street in Detroit home.
Great Lakes Coffee
3965 Woodward Ave.
Of course, a hipster-chic coffee house (with a full bar, don’t worry) would have the best Instagram level pictures on Yelp!. If you’d rather have a caffeine buzz than a booze buzz (or combination of the two), Great Lakes Coffee is the place to go. A covered patio outside allows patrons to enjoy their drinks and the summer weather without the summer sunburn.
The Old Miami
3930 Cass Ave.
This place is should be a national landmark. With reasonably priced drinks all year round and a gigantic backyard for summer drinking, The Old Miami is a huge draw. Space out back is ideal to relax in the grass or drink beers by the fire pit. There is always something going on behind the Old Miami in the nicer months.
The Bronx
4476 2nd Ave.
Mix yourself up a Bloody Mary at their DIY bar and head out to the patio that wraps itself around the building. While you’re there, order one of their insanely good burgers and enjoy a night with friends. The Jukebox is worth a visit alone.
Detroit Beer Company
1529 Broadway
This place is great for a small gathering for lunch or before a night on the town. The fenced-off eating area outside gives you a place to relax while watching the hustle and bustle of downtown Detroit.
Spring is heating up nicely here in Detroit and we all know that summer is going to get hot. Cool down in the D with a burger, a brew, and a breeze and enjoy.
Now grab your sunscreen and go outside and get your drink on, Detroit!