Motor City Brewing Works
Home to the Corktown Stout, the Honey Porter, and the Ghettoblaster, Motor City Brewing Works’ Midtown location also houses a beautiful rooftop patio. Located in Detroit’s Cass Corridor, across the street from Shinola and Third Man Records, the microbrewery serves its products on tap, in a bottle, or in a can. Pair a beer from the city’s oldest microbrewery with an artisan pizza or sandwich and enjoy the atmosphere of Detroit’s Cultural Center on the rooftop patio overlooking Canfield Street. 470 W. Canfield St.; motorcitybeer.com
Bookies Bar & Grille
Just on the edge of downtown Detroit, you’ll find Bookies Bar & Grille. Located on Cass Avenue, the bar and restaurant has been serving patrons for over 11 years. Enjoy traditional bar fare on one of three indoor floors or indulge in a round of cold beverages on the rooftop patio. Bookies is open all year round and offers game day and happy hour food and drink specials in addition to its regular daily menu items.
2208 Cass Ave.; bookiesbar.com
The Monarch Club
Take an elevator to the penthouse of the Element hotel and take in the breathtaking heights. The Monarch Club opened in the historic Metropolitan Building in 2019. Featuring modern, sleek decor and four indoor and outdoor seating areas — The Tower, The Keep, East Court, and West Court — the elegant drinking spot offers picturesque views of downtown Detroit. Adding to the ambiance, The Monarch Club’s menu features exclusive cocktails, including the TMC Old Fashioned, with Elijah Craig bourbon, cola syrup, cardamom, and burnt orange, and The Marilyn, a tequila-based cocktail with coconut, strawberry, and lemon. Visitors who prefer their refreshments sans alcohol can indulge in a specialty mocktail. For light nourishment, small plates and shareables are available.
33 John R Road; monarchclubdetroit.com
Tin Roof Detroit
The three-story bar offers bird’s-eye views of Comerica Park, making it a hot spot for pre- or post-Tigers game refreshments. The menu features “better than bar food” and house specialties that include Nashville hot chicken (cayenne-rubbed buttermilk fried chicken on Texas toast), world-famous wings and tenders, and street corn quesadillas. As for libations, Tin Roof’s drink list includes house cocktails like the whiskey-based Tin & Juice and a vodka, lemonade, and fruit creation aptly named Kentucky Kool-Aid, as well as draft beers and “Skull Heads” (60-ounce shareable punch-bowl concoctions). Visit any day of the week to catch daily food and drink specials, happy hour deals, and maybe even a concert or DJ on Tin Roof’s rooftop stage. 47 E. Adams Ave.; tinroofdetroit.com
Kamper’s
This sprawling rooftop lounge sits atop the newly renovated historic Book Tower building. The 14th floor hideaway is named for Louis Kamper, the tower’s original architect. Sip a negroni, sangria, or gin and tonic, and nibble on Barcelona-style tapas. The outdoor area has cozy fireplaces, plenty of greenery, and one of the finest views in the city. There’s also an indoor bar and seating, with mosaic floors, wood-beamed ceilings, hand-clipped marble surfaces, and limestone stairs.
1265 Washington Blvd.; kampersrooftop.com
Hockeytown Cafe
Right between Little Caesars Arena and the Fox Theatre, Hockeytown Cafe is a must-visit in the city proper. Created by the late Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch in 1999, the local pub is an homage to the city’s 11-time Stanley Cup champs. Opt to dine inside, surrounded by jerseys and other memorabilia, or take libations to the sports bar’s rooftop patio for views of Comerica Park and Woodward Avenue. Hockeytown’s food menu consists of a variety of pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches. As for drinks, beat the summer heat with one of the bar’s Game Time frozen cocktails, and be sure to visit on a game day to enjoy game day drink specials. 2301 Woodward Ave.; hockeytowncafe.com
Written by Luanne Lim
