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Standby, Detroit, MI

Standby

4.7
4.7
671 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Top Tags:
A modern cocktail bar and restaurant in the heart of Detroit. Standby's beverage program uses innovative techniques to bring new flavors and experiences to the glass while honoring and paying homage to the classics. Standby’s equally dynamic food menu features reimagined bar food from scratch with dishes such as; Coconut Calamari with fermented chili and pineapple marmalade and Thai Pork Skewers with peanut sauce, fried shallot, and pok-pok pickles. Come for the drinks, stay for the food.

James Beard Semifinalist - Outstanding Bar Program - 2017 & 2018. Tales of the Cocktail Regional Top Ten Best American Cocktail Bar - 2020.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 14 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Global, International, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–2:00 am Sun 5:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Phone number
    (313) 241-5719
  • Website
    http://www.standbydetroit.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Sarah Hansen
  • Catering
    Cocktail Catering services available for parties of any size. Email events@standbydetroit.com
  • Private party facilities
    Please email events@standbydetroit.com for private events and cocktail catering.
  • Location
    225 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
  • Neighborhood
    Detroit
  • Cross street
    Broadway & Gratiot - Located in The Belt Alley
  • Parking details
    We validate parking for up to 2 hours in "The Z" parking garage on Gratiot Avenue, right next to Standby, on non-event days.
  • Public transit
    Cadillac Center People Mover Station
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 671 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Detroit / Eastern Michigan

    Lively

  • Detroit / Eastern Michigan

    Contemporary American

  • Detroit

    Lively

  • Detroit

    Contemporary American

671 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely beautiful ! Great good and awesome ambiance

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Columbus

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The vibe and atmosphere were welcoming, chill and cozy! It was a relaxing experience. Kyle was our waiter - he was attentive and helpful in recommending drinks according to our taste. The bar staff was also very generous and accommodating in making a laborious drink that was off menu! We ordered hand cut french fries, the focaccia bread, olives, and a burger. They were all reasonably priced— especially for the generous portions they gave! All were even better than we’d expected. The food was absolutely delicious! My boyfriend doesn’t care for cocktails so he got a Miller High Life. It was just $3, which again, was super reasonable! We agreed they could’ve had a wider beer selection, however, to their defense, they are a cocktail lounge. It was decently busy when we left around 6:45-7pm. We’d recommend making a reservation. Overall, an exceptional experience at Standby!! We will definitely come back when we’re in Detroit next time.

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  3. TanyaP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was my first visit along with 11 other friends and we all had an amazing time. The food was excellent, particularly the short rib, and the drinks were awesome. The customer service was very attentive and friendly.

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  4. Sandy

    Detroit

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great vibe. Really nice happy hour menu. Drinks are creative and well made. First time eating at Standby. Burger was really good. Love this place.

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    Columbus

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always love going to Standby! Great service, food and drink.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    Two out of three choices were barely warm. Food was okay. Too many other restaurants to try before giving this another try.

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  7. EricW

    Detroit

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food! Excellent Cocktails! Excellent service! A little loud for how small it is but it was more than acceptable and my wife and I had a great date night at Standby! Would definitely recommend for a great date night out and the parking is right next to Standby literally in the Z parking structure, so easy access is a plus!

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Louisville

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The drinks and food were delicious. It's very nice and swanky there, great atmosphere. The food was small plates style so order accordingly.

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  9. AlexanderaU

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was phenomenal. The drinks and the food were very aesthetic, the food was delicious. Very chill vibes

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  10. Lala

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 16, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Great food… we got several appetizers as a small plates meal. The peach salad was really really good. Drinks were creative and the drinks menu was great at explaining things. Several drinks are available as mock tails which wasn’t explained on the menu but the server helped us. It was super busy right when it opened (concert in town). Server was great but clearly very very busy. The table was ready on time. The AC was broken so it was very very warm (cooler outside)

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 10, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience3
    Food was terrible! The drinks were amazing though thats about it

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  12. SamanthaM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All of the food and drinks that we ordered were amazing!

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  13. KateD

    Chicago

    14 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall2food1service4ambience2
    Did not eat food so cannot rate that. Drinks were good and service was good as well. Overall it was not what we were expecting. I thought it was going to be a cozy speakeasy type of cocktail lounge instead we were met with obnoxiously loud rap music and extremely dim lighting. This was after being carded not only at the entrance to the alley but the bar as well.It was just not for us.

    StandbyResponded on August 31, 2023

    Hey KateD, We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed the service and cocktails. We hope you’ll consider joining us again during a more intimate service for cocktails and light fare. Might we suggest trying out our new happy hour, Weekdays and Sundays from 5pm-6pm. We keep the music low, and it sounds like that may be the kind of vibe you'd enjoy! For legal and safety reasons, we card everyone 🙂 We hope you decide to visit us again so we can show you a better time! Best, Standby Management

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  14. FadiE

    Detroit

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Standby's food and drinks were amazing! The flavors were outstanding, and the drinks were a perfect match. I'll definitely be visiting again soon!

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  15. Rebecca

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very cute hidden gem in the heart of the city. Loved the environment and atmosphere.

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  16. CourtneyW

    Atlanta Metro

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 26, 2023

    overall4food1service5ambience5
    The drinks here are AMAZING! Verry unique and different. The vibe is good. The food was subpar. Overall, a good place for cocktails.

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  17. TouringFoodGuy

    Exclusive

    18 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience3
    Dark and unwelcoming. They specialize in cocktails, not food. Very salty and overpriced.

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  18. MeghanD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 8, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The service and vibes were excellent. We were running 10 minutes late for our reservation time and we texted the phone # listed by open table and they replied kindly and promptly that it wouldn’t be an issue which was so kind! My cocktail was so refreshing and delicious (cucumber minty boi). My husbands beer wasnt very cold but for $3 downtown he didn’t complain! We got a few appetizers that were good as well. Chicken wings were so tasty and came with a slaw but if the slaw had some sort of dressing with it the dish would’ve been next level! Chicken Caesar arancini balls were tasty but could’ve used a little salt. Fries were outstanding and I would definitely order those again. We shared the order between the two of us and it was the perf amount. We will be adding standby to our list of go to places downtown when looking for drinks and apps!

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Celebrated my 53rd birthday. I enjoyed the food, the drinks and the vibe. Would definitely go back again

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  20. Tyra

    Toronto

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on June 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The drinks were outstanding! So unique and an amazing selection of handcrafted cocktails. We ordered a bunch of apps and loved them all. Amazing place overall!

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  21. Sameer

    Detroit

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Phenomenal as always. Drinks, music, people.

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  22. LillyP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is a great spot! Tucked away you wouldn’t know to look for it which I think adds to the charm. Elevated food, drinks, and atmosphere without feeling snooty. Definitely will go back!

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  23. AriaM

    Detroit

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 3, 2023

    overall3food4service4ambience2
    The music was was terribly loud, just impossible to talk with my friends.

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  24. BarryW

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent speakeasy vibe. My fave spot in Detroit. Never disappointed. Always make a reservation.

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  25. madkat

    Detroit

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall2food1service2ambience3
    Food is spicy and a glass of coke is $3 and have 4 people to have 2 glasses of coke that’s $24. Food serving is small for the price.

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  26. COOKINGWITHKIMBERLYANN

    Detroit

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a cool little lowkey spot and I love that they have reservations! The service and ambience was good no complaints (10/10) I honestly can’t remember what that orher drink was but the Green Hawaii was delicious (10/10) The Koren BBQ wings were ok (8/10) the show stealer was that Calamari the flavors are amazing(10/10) I can definitely see myself stopping by again one day! #DININGWITHKIM

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  27. Abby

    Detroit

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great customer service. Went for a date night. Food was very good and the drink options were delicious. Will definitely be back

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  28. Twinkletoes65

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    This place has an impressive cocktail menu. The food menu has an interesting mix, mostly appetizers/shared plates with a few main dishes. The arancini we had were very tasty. However, as an old fogey of 58 years, the music was too loud for me and I had a hard time hearing the servers and my husband seated across the table from me. If that doesn’t bother you, then this would be a fun place to get drinks and a snack.

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  29. LeanneS

    Detroit

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Had a great bday dinner with friends. Drinks are always awesome! First time eating there and loved all the food outside of the pork skewers. They were just too charred for our group. The shrimp tostada and burger were the favs. It was pretty cold for half the time there but finally started to warm up. Service was excellent. Thank you!

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  30. Kailey

    Grand Rapids

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing cocktails, small and hard to find so feels exclusive and cozy!

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  31. Blythe

    Detroit

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place is outstanding every single time I visit. Had a great dinner for 4. Recommend the Black Bereta drink and the short rib was divine.

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  32. DeanM

    Detroit

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience5
    Amazing cocktails. Lots of creative options for any palate.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience2
    Drinks took 25 minutes to get. Forgot one of the drinks and had to ask for it 2 more times before getting it another 15 minutes later

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  34. JoGi

    Detroit

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Dope ambiance, great drinks and awesome appetizers. Will DEFINITELY be back.

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Love the cocktails, the decor, the service! Great place

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  36. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Been here multiple times and never had a bad experience!! First of all, they are very accommodating and never tell me no! Last night I had reservations for 4. It’s a small bar but the hostess had no issue adding 2 more people to my table last minute. Whether it’s drinks or food, everything is delicious and they allow you to order however you like (while many places these days are tight when it comes to requests or substitutions). My favorite drink is their Polaris. It comes in a tall martini glass but I always order it on the rocks in a short glass. Their calamari is really good along with their shrimp tostadas and their Standby burger. They have an amazing jalapeño cheese sauce. The atmosphere is such a mellow fun ambiance with the dim lighting and comfy booth tables. The music selection is a top tier mix of older and newer pop, RnB, and hip hop; definitely one of the best spots to chill and vibe. All of the waitstaff and bartenders are fun and welcoming. I want to give a special shoutout to waitress Taylor. She went above and beyond to ensure my table was satisfied, checking on us multiple times. I told her we were celebrating my birthday and she brought out a round of shots for the table (on the house) with a candle. The gesture was extremely sweet and for sure made me feel special. By far my favorite bar in Detroit and any chance I get to go out I try to at least end my night having a few drinks here.

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  37. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Loved the vegetarian tostadas, the pretzel, and the cocktails.

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  38. Brit

    Detroit

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Standby has one of the best vibes in the city, IMO. On top of that the food was delicious. We ordered the Arancini, Grilled French Onion, Chile Roasted Mushroom Tostadas, and the Standby burger. The drink menu is vast and filled with unique cocktails. We chose the Cats of Amontillado and the Palm Trees in Paris. Definitely a must-visit!

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  39. JonC

    Detroit

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We found this place after a show at Fisher Theater. I think we hit it at just the right time because it was quiet, comfortable and COOOOOL! As the late afternoon progressed to evening, the pace picked up and you could tell it was a hot spot. I didn't love the featured cocktail I got, and I smirk at anyplace that charges double digits for Wild Turkey, but..... the food was amazing and I can settle into a traditional bourbon the next time.

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  40. HannahS

    Las Vegas

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place was amazing! Great drinks and even better food! I will definitely be coming back in the future!

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Standby is rated 4.7 stars by 671 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 14 times today
Google Map for Standby

225 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Broadway & Gratiot - Located in The Belt Alley
  • Neighborhood
    Detroit
  • Hours of operation
    Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–2:00 am Sun 5:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Global, International, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    We validate parking for up to 2 hours in "The Z" parking garage on Gratiot Avenue, right next to Standby, on non-event days.
  • Public transit
    Cadillac Center People Mover Station
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Sarah Hansen
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.standbydetroit.com/
  • Phone number
    (313) 241-5719
  • Catering
    Cocktail Catering services available for parties of any size. Email events@standbydetroit.com
  • Private party facilities
    Please email events@standbydetroit.com for private events and cocktail catering.
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