Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Detroit

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Detroit? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Central Kitchen + Bar

4.9

4.9 (665)

$30 and under

American

Detroit

About the restaurant

Central Kitchen + Bar features contemporary American cuisine in a casual and welcoming environment. With recognizable bar food serving as the foundation for our menu, our executive chef has given a new spin to the classics, upgrading them with inventive taste combinations using local and seasonal ingredients. Guests will be pleased to see that we have something that appeals to everyone. From the selection of our purveyors of produce and meats, to creating our own infusions for our hand crafted cocktails, we are committed to offering our guests the highest quality products from start to finish.

Top review

Deonna

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Continued phenomenal dining service and entrees. Central is my go-to whenever I travel back home to visit. I’m always greeted with a warm welcome from the bartenders and management.

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4.9

4.9 (17)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Oak Park

About the restaurant

Mother Handsome: A Versatile Café, Private Event Space, Cocktail Bar, and Pizzeria By morning, Mother Handsome is a charming café, serving freshly roasted, in-house coffee that makes for a delicious brew to start your day. As the sun sets, our space transforms into a vibrant Pizzeria & Bar, where you can enjoy the freshest espresso martinis and hand-tossed pizzas made with the finest ingredients. Our welcoming and cozy atmosphere is perfect for any occasion. We also offer a private room, ideal for hosting events ranging from intimate gatherings to larger celebrations. Whether you're stopping by for a morning pick-me-up or looking to unwind in the evening with friends, Mother Handsome provides an unforgettable experience from dawn to dusk.

Top review

Deoundrea

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Great place, my daughter and I was most impressed with the non-alcoholic menu, most restaurants do not have that option a plus in our book. We will be returning. I live in Oak Park so this is a nice place to go to that's close. Not to mention free parking.

Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe

4.7

4.7 (243)

$31 to $50

American

Grosse Pointe

About the restaurant

Located on 'The Hill' in Grosse Pointe Farms, the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe presents live jazz and comfort dinning in an intimate, Ole English pub atmosphere.

The venue offers a great all-day menu Tuesday through Thursday, and great live music and pre-fixe menu combination on Friday and Saturday. Chef Andre Neimanis serves up bistro favorites, world cuisine influences, comfort food with a twist and exciting daily specials. The wine list offers about 60 selections, 20 by the glass.

Top review

Daunn

Dined 6 days ago

I really enjoy coming to Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe I love the small classy crowd older crowd the ambiance it's very close personal and intimate I visit at least twice a month it's my go-to relaxation place I even have my friends coming

Mezcal Mexican Bar & Kitchen - Detroit

4.7

4.7 (85)

$30 and under

Mexican

Detroit

About the restaurant

Authentic Mexican cuisine & cocktails with a contemporary twist.

Top review

Ayana

Dined on Jun 22, 2025

Excellent service outstanding food . Amazing overall

Tap & Barrel Grill

4.6

4.6 (25)

$30 and under

American

Shelby Township

About the restaurant

For inquiries of parties of 9 or more, please send us an email to tapbarrelhost@gmail.com, and we will get back to you promptly!!!
Tap & Barrel Grill features a scratch kitchen in an upscale, casual, family friendly sports bar atmosphere, featuring 40 Craft Brews on tap, as well as a diverse and exciting food menu prepared fresh daily, and Chef created monthly features and homemade soups!!!
***DAILY SUPER SPECIALS***
$9.95 BURGER & BREW MONDAY'S
$10.95 TACO TUESDAY'S
$10.95 SLIDER WEDNESDAY'S

Top review

FrederickVIP

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Food and service was very good. We all had the Friday Perch dinner, excellent. But it was advertised as a "Friday Night Special" for $15.99 on Open table website, but we were told that Special was discontinued months ago ?? New Price was $19.99

Rusty Bucket - Bingham Farms

4.5

4.5 (268)

$30 and under

American

Bingham Farms

About the restaurant

Rusty Bucket is a casual neighborhood tavern serving the highest quality food and beverage in a “come as you are” setting. Scratch kitchens, fresh cocktails, and the perfect pour are our craft. Our associates are welcoming, and our hospitality naturally makes us the local hub where friends and family frequently gather to share in a good time.

Top review

Kenneth

Dined 3 days ago

Greeted warmly by the host, server very pleasant and professional, order placed and received as requested, food very tasty, bill payment was completed without error, take out boxes were provided

Nine Kitchen + Bar

4.5

4.5 (21)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Ferndale

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown Ferndale, Nine Kitchen + Bar is an upscale cocktail lounge and New American bistro offering a refined yet approachable dining experience. Our menu features elevated small plates and creative entrees crafted with seasonal ingredients, prefect for sharing or savoring solo. Sip your way through our expertly curated cocktails list in a stylish, intimate setting designed for both lively nights out and laid-back evenings. whether you're joining us for a date night, celebration, or spontaneous nightcap, Nine is where good taste meets great vibes.

Top review

Clarence

Dined 3 days ago

Really great service and food was delicious. Went to take my little brother out for a good way to catch up on his birthday and everything was very good . I had the chicken and he had the pasta.

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Mesa Tacos and Tequila

4.4

4.4 (564)

$30 and under

Mexican

Royal Oak

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Molly

Dined 3 days ago

Great experience loved the food and fun to celebrate your bday there!

HopCat - Royal Oak

4.4

4.4 (56)

$30 and under

American

Royal Oak

About the restaurant

HopCat returned to Royal Oak in 2023 at the corner of Main and 4th Street. The expansive space features multiple sidewalk patios and a massive wrap-around bar. We’re just down the street from the Royal Oak Theatre, Oakland Community College, Stagecrafters Baldwin Theatre, and the Royal Oak train station.

HopCat was founded on the principles of bringing local craft beer a bit closer to the communities we love. We’re known for our award-wining Cosmik fries, which are beer battered, sprinkled with our signature cracked black pepper seasoning, and served with a side of warm cheese sauce. From burgers to tacos, our menu offers a range of delicious options.

We live the craft lifestyle - beer, cocktails and even craft food made from scratch. With a dedication to local breweries, sustainability and community engagement, HopCat offers craft beer and great food in a vibrant atmosphere for an inclusive, unforgettable experience.

Top review

MitchVIP

Dined on May 18, 2025

Service was efficient and friendly and the food was hot and fresh

HopCat - Livonia

4.4

4.4 (121)

$30 and under

American

Livonia

About the restaurant

With soaring ceilings and décor dedicated to classic music and craft beer, HopCat Livonia features two patios, a small arcade, and HopCat’s largest bar, with seating for 48 guests. We’re just down the street from Schoolcraft College, St. Joe’s Sports Dome, Trinity House Theatre, and Northville Village Center Shopping Center.

HopCat was founded on the principles of bringing local craft beer a bit closer to the communities we love. We’re known for our award-wining Cosmik fries, which are beer battered, sprinkled with our signature cracked black pepper seasoning, and served with a side of warm cheese sauce. From burgers to tacos, our menu offers a range of delicious options.

We live the craft lifestyle - beer, cocktails and even craft food made from scratch. With a dedication to local breweries, sustainability and community engagement, HopCat offers craft beer and great food in a vibrant atmosphere for an inclusive, unforgettable experience.

Top review

Connie

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Wanted to dine somewhere with good food and a good selection of craft beers. This place hit the mark for us!

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