Dive Bars of Detroit as Listed by the Detroit Free Press

**Lowell** · July-07-23, 08:54 AM

Fun article in today's Free Press by Nour Rahal and Marina Johnson. What is your answer to the question at the end, about what did they miss?

I would cite Jumbo's on Third, the quintessential dive bar that has been there since the 1940's under the same family.

I have a slight issue with some the the more recently open bars being listed. I've always considered longevity as being necessary for a dive bar qualification but an enjoyable read nonetheless that took a lot of work.

The following was considerably thinned out from the article but is still lengthy. Enjoy.

Wayne County
Nancy Whiskey in Corktown, since 1902
With one of the oldest liquor licenses in the city, Nancy Whiskey in Detroit has a history that predates the Prohibition era; it is currently owned by Gerald Stevens. Open since 1902, the establishment is known as one of America's most authentic dive bars and allegedly survived Prohibition as a speakeasy
Location: 2644 Harrison St., Detroit

Temple Bar in Midtown, since 1927
As one of the oldest continually operating gay bars near Little Caesars Arena, you never know who might show up at Temple Bar — it can pull quite a cross section, especially on summer nights. It’s the definition of a dive bar, with one of the weirdest restrooms, too.
Location: 2906 Cass Ave., Detroit

Tommy's Detroit Bar & Grill in Detroit, since 2010
A hot spot near the Detroit River with affordable drinks and food, Tommy's Detroit Bar & Grill is known for its fresh ground burgers, homemade corned beef, hand-dipped chicken wings and more.
The building is believed to have been constructed in 1840. Current owner Tommy Burelle has shared stories about its past connections to The Purple Gang and the alleged presence of spiritual inhabitants. With a tunnel right underneath the bar, bootleggers coming across the river smuggled alcohol when the building operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition, according to Tommy's Detroit website.
Location: 624 3rd St, Detroit

Abick's Bar in southwest Detroit, since 1907
A family-owned and operated business since its start, Abick's Bar has been serving patrons for more than a century and is one of two remaining original Stroh's Brewing Co. bars in Detroit. The current owner, Eric Lakeman, is the grandson of longtime owner Manya Abick, who ran the bar for most of her life until her death in 2014. Manya's parents were gifted the bar by her uncle upon their marriage in 1919, which is when the establishment officially became known as Abick's Bar.
3500 Gilbert St., Detroit

2-Way Inn in northeast Detroit, since 1876
While there are multiple historic Detroit bars operating to this day, 2-Way Inn claims to be the oldest. Serving patrons since 1876, the building has also operated as a hotel, general store, dance hall, brothel, speakeasy, dentist office and even a village jail over the years. It's currently owned by Mary Aganowski; her father bought the bar in 1973. The 2-Way Inn is celebrating 50 years of family ownership. You must ring a bell to enter, but once you do, you'll be taken back in time.
Location: 17897 Mount Elliott St., Detroit

Kelly's Bar in Hamtramck, since 1917
Kelly's Bar is the oldest operating bar in Hamtramck, said Kiersten Schilinski, who bought the bar alongside her husband, Garrett Ragsdale, in August 2021. Located across the street from the Kowalski Sausage Co., you'll find karaoke on Wednesdays, punk and metal music spinning on the weekends, outdoor live shows on the bar's large patio, a pool table and a pinball machine at Kelly's Bar.
Location: 2403 Holbrook St., Hamtramck

Trixie's Bar in Hamtramck, since 2016
A small place with a much bigger patio, outdoor pool tables and fun events is Trixie's Bar in Hamtramck. Owned by brothers Andrew and Ian Perrotta, the bar does everything from community meals, to hosting multiple rock bands in one day, to karaoke. The diverse programming brings them a fairly diverse crowd of regulars that shifts from night to night and even throughout the same night. Everyone is treated like family, and you'll also find bar cats here, named Pepa and Squirwel.
Location: 2656 Carpenter Ave., Hamtramck

Falls Sports Lounge in Dearborn, since 1995
Well-loved by patrons and frequented by local law enforcement, Falls Sports Lounge is known for its fresh Great Lakes perch baskets on Fridays and its thick, hand-crafted burgers drenched in melted Velveeta. It's also a place where sports fan favorites, like former Red Wing Darren McCarty, have been known to make an appearance. Location: 19335 Carlysle, Dearborn

Parts & Labor Bar in Melvindale, since 2020
Formerly known as the Mel Bar & Grill from 1954-2019, the current owner, Justin Pullum, bought and opened Parts & Labor in 2020 and quickly turned it into a bohemian gathering spot appealing to patrons ranging from Gen Z to boomers. Location: 17993 Allen Road, Melvindale

342 Bar & Grill in Dearborn Heights, since 2018
This neighborhood watering hole with a welcoming patio, owned by Jim Nikou, is a place for serious pool players — the two tables there are routinely occupied. There's live entertainment on the weekend, open mic night every Monday, karaoke every Wednesday and Friday, and cornhole tournaments every Wednesday.
Location: 3932 Pelham, Dearborn Heights

Macomb County
Jamboozies Sports Bar & Grill in Sterling Heights, since 1999
Jamboozies Sports Bar & Grill has it all from weekly trivia and karaoke to a mean smoked barbecue brisket. Located in Sterling Heights, the business has been open for about 20 years, said longtime employee, Amber.
Location: 42066 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights

Pete's Cutting Board & Reuben Tavern in Chesterfield Township, since 2015
Trivia night on Thursdays, karaoke with DJ TJ on Fridays and Saturdays, live music, drink and food specials, a pool table and TVs make Pete's Cutting Board the perfect little dive bar. Owned by Pete Daka, the bar is known for its Reuben sandwiches and coney hot dogs, although its loaded tater tots and wings are popular, too.
Location: 50225 Gratiot Ave, Chesterfield

Sentimental Lady Saloon in Harrison Township, since 1980
Sentimental Lady Saloon, or "The Lady" for short, was established in 1980 by Joe and Carol Berardo. However, its history dates to the late 1800s; it is believed that the building once operated as The St. Clair Hotel's dance hall. Joe has died but Carol, in her 70s, continues to run the business.
Location: 36509 Jefferson Ave, Harrison Township

Winner's Bar and Grill in Clinton Township, since 1997
Winner's Bar and Grill has plenty to offer from a good burger to live entertainment. Winner's, established in 1997, was purchased by current owner Lisa Perri about a year and a half ago. Perri said the bar is known for the best draft beer in the area as well as a kitchen that stays open late.
Location: 34540 Harper Ave., Clinton Township

Rudy's Kit Kat Klub in Macomb, since 1968
Rudy's Kit Kat Klub, a well-decorated older bar, serves up a positive, friendly atmosphere, as well as delicious prime rib. The bar is currently owned by MaryAnn Strizic and was previously owned by her brother, Rudy, from 1968 to 2001. MaryAnn's daughter, MaryJo Strizic, also helps with the business.
Location: 55140 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb

Goldie's Saloon in Macomb Township, since the 1940s
Goldie's Saloon isn't too shabby, especially for a building that has been standing since 1874. Formerly a toll house, the building was transformed into a bar in the 1940s and is currently owned by brothers Matt and Mike Giroux. The bar was purchased by Claude and Josephine Giroux in 1977 and it has been in the family ever since. Goldie's Saloon serves up a mean meal on an open broiler and fryer.
Location: 45330 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb

Oakland County
Danny's Irish Pub in Ferndale, since 1985
Danny's Irish Pub, owned by Daniel Reed, has been serving affordable classic drinks, shots, delicious burgers and wings for more than 38 years. You'll often find old horror movies playing on the bar's TVs, and while there's not enough space for a pool table, there is a dart board and a jukebox for entertainment.
Location: 22824 Woodward Ave, Ferndale

Kozy Lounge in Hazel Park, since 1962
Kozy Lounge is well known for its bar burgers, late-night food service and daily specials. The Kat Burger won the Detroit Burger Battle in 2019, and its Shawarma Burger won People's Choice in 2023. In addition to the classic beers, cocktails and shots, the Kozy Lounge just got a new slushie machine.
Location: 150 E 10 Mile Road, Hazel Park

RJ's Pub in Rochester Hills, since 1989
While it gives off more of a sports bar vibe, another family owned and operated business since opening is RJ's Pub, currently owned by Russell Luxton. Famous for its pizza, burgers and wings, RJ's is the place to be during a major sporting event. During basketball season, Oakland University coach Greg Kampe hosts his radio show from the bar.
Location: 288 W Tienken Road, Rochester Hills

Sprader's on the Lake in White Lake, since 2007
Sprader's on the Lake has been a family business, owned and operated by Sue and Matt Sprader, since 2007. The building has been a bar since the 1930s or 1940s, said Sue Sprader. With pool, a juke box, live music at least three days a week and karaoke on Fridays and Saturdays, Sprader's is a popular dive bar on the water.
Location: 10070 Elizabeth Lake Road, White Lake

Who are we missing?
Tell us which is your favorite metro Detroit dive bar and why. We'll include them in a follow-up as the Free Press gives the lowdown on these popular watering holes. Send nominations to city@freepress.com and/or nrahal@freepress.com
Contact Nour Rahal: nrahal@freepress.com
Arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield contributed to this report.

**Jimaz** · July-07-23, 09:13 AM

The Duchess. LOL!

Abandoned?

**ct_alum** · July-07-23, 11:08 AM

Marge's Bar on Mack at Beaconsfield in G.P.P. Best perch in town on Friday's.

**401don** · July-07-23, 11:59 AM

Not being a local, I don't really frequent any of the dive bars. My two favorite Detroit bars though are Nemo's and Checker. I think Checker might qualify. I always thought Harry's had a reputation as a top dive bar but maybe getting extra business from the arena and ballpark crowds as well as Wayne State Business School, etc. is taking away its lustre as a dive.