Detroit Has More Bar History Per Block Than Almost Any City in America
Historic Detroit bars are some of the oldest and most storied drinking establishments in the entire United States. Here is a quick look at the most notable ones:
| Bar | Founded | Neighborhood | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hudson Inn | 1831 | New Hudson (Metro Detroit) | Oldest bar in Michigan |
| Two Way Inn | 1873/1876 | East Side Detroit | Detroit’s oldest bar; multiple past lives |
| Nancy Whiskey Pub | 1898/1902 | Corktown | Jimmy Hoffa’s phone booth; Irish heritage |
| Abick’s Bar | 1907 | West Side Detroit | Oldest family-owned bar in Detroit |
| Jacoby’s German Biergarten | 1904 | Downtown Detroit | German immigrant heritage |
| Gold Star Bar | 1923 | Detroit | Survived Prohibition as a blind pig |
Detroit’s drinking culture runs deep. Long before the city became famous for Motown and muscle cars, it was already earning a wilder reputation — as the self-proclaimed “boozing gateway of America.” During Prohibition, an estimated 75% of all illegal alcohol entering the United States crossed the Detroit River from Canada. By 1925, the city was home to roughly 15,000 speakeasies and blind pigs. That history didn’t disappear when Prohibition ended. It soaked into the floorboards, the tin ceilings, and the barstools of dozens of Detroit bars that are still standing today.
Some of these places were general stores before they were saloons. Some were jails, brothels, or dentist offices in between. One was even a stop on the Underground Railroad. Walking into them today feels less like grabbing a drink and more like stepping into a living museum.
I’m Sean Swain, founder of Detroit Furnished Rentals, and my years of exploring Detroit — from its neighborhoods to its nightlife — while building a furnished rental business here have given me a deep appreciation for the city’s layered history, including its historic Detroit bars that have outlasted wars, Prohibition, and urban renewal.
Historic Detroit bars further reading:
The Pioneers: Exploring the Oldest Historic Detroit Bars
To truly appreciate Detroit’s drinking heritage, we have to look back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Long before national Prohibition went into effect, Detroit was a booming industrial hub fueled by waves of European immigrants. These new Detroiters brought their own brewing traditions, social habits, and architectural styles, laying the groundwork for the neighborhood watering holes we still cherish today.
Many of these early establishments began as community hubs—part general store, part meeting hall, and part saloon. Over the decades, they survived economic depressions, city expansions, and the dark years of Prohibition by adapting to whatever the community needed. If you want a deeper dive into how these spots fit into the city’s broader historical tapestry, you can read our guide on Cheers to the Past: Exploring Detroit’s Historic Bar Scene.
Let’s take a closer look at the legendary spots that lay claim to being the oldest in the city and state.
Two Way Inn: A Cornerstone of Historic Detroit Bars
Tucked away on Mt. Elliott Street on Detroit’s east side, the Two Way Inn is widely recognized as Detroit’s oldest saloon. Founded in 1873 and officially opened as a saloon in 1876, this legendary dive has worn many hats over its 150-year history.
The building was originally constructed by Colonel Philetus Norris—a fascinating historical figure who served in the Civil War and later became the second superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. Under his ownership and the generations that followed, the building served as a stagecoach stop, a local jail, a general store, a brothel, and even a dentist’s office. During Prohibition, operating as a “dentist’s office” was a clever front, as doctors and dentists were legally allowed to prescribe medicinal alcohol to “patients” in need of a stiff drink.
As one of only two original Stroh’s Brewing Company bars still standing in Detroit, the Two Way Inn is a temple of preservation. When you walk in, you are greeted by original wooden floors, stunning stained glass, a vintage copper ceiling, and antique cash registers.
The bar gets its name from having two separate entrances—a highly practical architectural feature during its seedier days when patrons might need a quick exit to evade local authorities. Today, visitors can participate in long-standing traditions like the “quarter toss” behind the bar to make a wish, or ring the bell above the bar (though beware: ringing it means you owe the entire room a round of drinks!). If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the resident ghost—rumored to be Colonel Norris himself, still watching over his saloon in his signature cowboy hat. For a look at what to expect, check out this Two Way Inn Review.
Nancy Whiskey Pub: Irish Roots and Historic Detroit Bars
Located in the heart of Corktown—Detroit’s oldest surviving neighborhood—Nancy Whiskey Pub has been a beacon of Irish hospitality since the building first opened in 1898. Originally operating as a neighborhood general store, the establishment officially transitioned into a licensed saloon in 1902.
Nancy Whiskey is famous for its lively St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, a tradition it has proudly maintained for over 120 years. But its history is also deeply tied to Detroit’s labor movement and political underworld. During the mid-20th century, the bar was a favorite hangout for Teamsters Local 299. It is famously documented that legendary Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa used the private wooden phone booth inside Nancy Whiskey to make confidential calls when he suspected his own office phones were being tapped by the federal government.
In 2009, disaster struck when an electrical fire sparked by an old reach-in cooler threatened to erase this historic landmark forever. However, owner Gerald Stevens saw the survival of the building’s structural bones as a sign from his late father to rebuild. The pub was meticulously restored, preserving its original tin ceilings and historic charm, and continues to serve its famous corned beef and Irish whiskey to locals and travelers alike. To read more about how this resilient pub bounced back, check out this feature in Hour Detroit Magazine.
Abick’s Bar and the New Hudson Inn
No discussion of the region’s oldest watering holes is complete without mentioning Abick’s Bar and the New Hudson Inn.
Abick’s Bar, located on Detroit’s west side, was founded in 1907. It holds the proud title of the oldest continuously operating, family-owned bar in Detroit, now welcoming its sixth generation of patrons. Originally built with financial assistance from the Stroh’s Brewing Company—a common practice at the time where major breweries funded saloons in exchange for exclusive pouring rights—Abick’s has remained a cozy neighborhood living room for over a century. During Prohibition, the family kept the lights on by selling a patent medicine called “Pond’s Kil-A-Kol,” which was highly popular for its suspiciously high alcohol content.
Meanwhile, if we venture just outside the city limits into Metro Detroit, we find the New Hudson Inn. Established in 1831 as a stagecoach stop, the New Hudson Inn has been in continuous operation for nearly two centuries, making it the oldest continuously operating bar in the entire state of Michigan. It stands as a remarkable monument to the early pioneer days of the Michigan territory. You can read more about the search for the region’s oldest drinking spots at Prohibition Detroit.
Rumrunning and Speakeasies: Detroit’s Prohibition Era
When Michigan voters approved statewide prohibition in 1916—which went into effect on May 1, 1918—they gave the state a nearly two-year head start on the rest of the nation before the 18th Amendment took effect in 1920. Far from drying up the city, this early ban simply forced Detroit’s thriving alcohol industry underground, turning the city into a masterclass in bootlegging.
Detroit’s geography made it the perfect capital for the illegal liquor trade. The narrow Detroit River, which separates Detroit from Windsor, Ontario, became a watery highway for rumrunners. Because Canada never banned the manufacturing or export of alcohol, smugglers used everything from high-speed rowboats and ferries in the summer to old cars driving across the thick river ice in the winter. At its peak, an astonishing 75% of all smuggled alcohol entering the United States came through the Detroit-Windsor funnel.
This massive influx of booze fueled an estimated 15,000 “blind pigs” (the local term for speakeasies) across the city. The trade was heavily controlled by notorious organized crime syndicates, most famously the Purple Gang—a ruthless, predominantly Jewish street gang that ruled Detroit’s underworld with an iron fist. To explore more of this gritty history and the dive bars that survived it, check out The Scoundrel’s Guide to Gritty Detroit Dive Bars.
Tommy’s Detroit Bar & Grill: From Underground Railroad to Blind Pig
Located in Downtown Detroit, Tommy’s Detroit Bar & Grill is a fascinating venue where multiple eras of American history collide. Long before it was a bar, the building played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad. Enslaved people seeking freedom found temporary safe passage in the building’s basement, which featured a hidden tunnel leading directly to the banks of the Detroit River, where they could be rowed across to safety in Canada.
Decades later, during the 1920s, that same basement tunnel was repurposed for a very different kind of smuggling. Tommy’s operated as a highly successful blind pig, receiving shipments of Canadian whiskey directly from the river. The basement also housed “Little Harry’s Speakeasy,” a high-class establishment that required exclusive business cards for entrance.
The venue was frequently visited by members of the Purple Gang, and legend has it that Al Capone himself was photographed outside the building. The historical significance of Tommy’s basement was officially confirmed when Wayne State University archaeologists excavated the site, uncovering Prohibition-era bottles, false walls, and physical evidence of its dual history as a freedom station and a bootlegger’s haven. You can read more about this incredible site at Detroit’s Historic Bars: Oldest Watering Holes.
Ye Olde Tap Room: Built for the Dry Era
Located right on the border of Detroit and Grosse Pointe, Ye Olde Tap Room is a bar that literally owes its existence to Prohibition. Built in 1915 with a $5,000 loan from the Kling Brewing Company, the tavern was strategically constructed in anticipation of the upcoming dry laws.
During the Prohibition era, Ye Olde Tap Room operated as a multi-level entertainment hub designed to keep local authorities guessing. The basement housed a secret blind pig where patrons could enjoy imported beers and spirits. The first floor served as a legitimate-looking gaming room and barber shop, while the third floor operated as a high-class brothel rumored to be frequented by prominent city officials.
The building also served as a convenient comfort station for the local trolley line, with extra trolleys parked behind the building to help patrons blend in with everyday commuters. Today, Ye Olde Tap Room has traded its illicit activities for a reputation as one of the finest beer bars in the city, boasting a selection of over 250 specialty imports and more than 32 single-malt whiskies. Learn more about their fascinating transition at Ye Olde Tap Room.
Architectural Marvels and Cultural Hubs
Beyond the thrill of Prohibition-era tunnels and gangster lore, Detroit’s historic bars serve as vital architectural and cultural landmarks. They are physical representations of the immigrant communities—particularly German, Polish, and Irish—that built the city, and they played a massive role in nurturing Detroit’s world-famous music scene. For a broader look at the city’s evening spots, explore our Detroit Nightlife Guide.
Kiesling Detroit: A Masterclass in Preservation
Located in the historic Milwaukee Junction neighborhood, Kiesling Detroit is a stunning example of how historical preservation can breathe new life into a neighborhood. The building was originally constructed in the 1890s by the Kiesling family as a neighborhood general store, with the family’s name still beautifully spelled out in the mosaic tile on the doorstep today.
In 1913, the building was transformed into a saloon, featuring beautiful hand-painted woodland murals depicting the four seasons. As the neighborhood changed over the late 20th century, the bar went through various iterations, including a stint as a local hangout called “Edith’s Hideaway” that served factory workers and police officers. During this time, the historic murals were covered up under several thick layers of paint and drywall.
During a meticulous renovation between 2015 and 2018, the developers carefully uncovered and restored the original 1913 murals. Today, Kiesling operates as an acclaimed neighborhood cocktail bar that seamlessly blends historic charm with a modern, world-class beverage program. Their dedication to the craft earned them nominations as one of the Top 30 Cocktail Bars in the USA by Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards in both 2023 and 2024, as well as a coveted listing in the Michelin Guide for Detroit. You can check out their current offerings and history at Kiesling Detroit.
German Heritage and the Sounds of the City
Detroit’s early German immigrant community left an indelible mark on the city’s drinking culture. Jacoby’s German Biergarten, founded in 1904, still stands downtown as a beloved destination for traditional German fare and imported biers.
Other historic German hubs, though no longer standing, shaped the city’s history in profound ways. The Edelweiss Cafe, built in 1913 by Charles Glaser at the corner of John R and Broadway, was a massive Dutch Colonial-style venue featuring a 500-seat dining room, a basement rathskeller called the “Old Hickory Beefsteak Dungeon,” and a ladies-only tearoom. It was here, in 1914, that the world-famous Kiwanis Club was officially founded. The cafe was also a favorite dining spot for Detroit Tigers legend Ty Cobb. Sadly, the building was demolished in 1950 to make way for a parking garage.
Similarly, the building at 1307 Broadway once housed the Alt Heidelberg Cafe, which opened in 1908 as a German hotel and cafe featuring a basement rathskeller. The cafe was forced to close in 1918 due to the onset of statewide prohibition and rising anti-German sentiment during World War I. The building later became famous as the long-time home of Henry the Hatter, which occupied the space for 65 years (1952-2017) and crafted custom hats for famous patrons, including President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
We also cannot talk about Detroit’s cultural identity without mentioning the venues that shaped its musical landscape. While places like the legendary Flame Show Bar—an integrated “black and tan” club on John R that hosted stars like Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, and Etta James—were lost to mid-century urban renewal, their legacy lived on. The Flame Show Bar’s house band leader, Maurice King, went on to become a key mentor and music director at Motown Records, helping Berry Gordy shape the iconic “Motown Sound.” Today, you can still experience that rich musical heritage at legendary spots like Bakers Keyboard Lounge: Detroit’s Historic Home of Jazz.
Frequently Asked Questions About Historic Detroit Bars
What is the oldest continuously operating bar in Michigan?
The oldest continuously operating bar in Michigan is the New Hudson Inn, located in Metro Detroit (New Hudson, MI). Established in 1831 as a tavern and stagecoach stop along the Grand River trail, it has been serving weary travelers and locals continuously for nearly two centuries.
How did the Detroit River influence Prohibition?
Because Canada did not ban the production or export of alcohol during the 1920s, the narrow Detroit River became the primary corridor for smuggling liquor into the United States. It is estimated that approximately 75% of all illegal alcohol smuggled into the country during Prohibition crossed the Detroit River, turning Detroit into a booming hub for rumrunners, blind pigs, and organized crime syndicates like the Purple Gang.
Can you take a guided tour of Detroit’s historic bars?
Yes! The Drunks of Antiquity tour, operated by the Detroit Bus Company, is Detroit’s longest-running and most popular historic bar tour. Rated 4.95 out of 5 by past guests, this highly entertaining three-hour school bus tour takes you to several of the city’s oldest and most notorious drinking establishments while sharing fascinating stories of the city’s wild past. You can book tickets for their public or private group tours directly at the Drunks of Antiquity Tour.
Grab a Drink and Stay Awhile
Exploring Detroit’s historic bars is one of the best ways to connect with the authentic soul of the Motor City. Whether you are sipping an Irish whiskey in Jimmy Hoffa’s old hangout at Nancy Whiskey, admiring the restored 1913 murals at Kiesling, or standing in the Underground Railroad basement at Tommy’s, you are participating in a rich, resilient drinking heritage that has defined Detroit for generations.
If you are planning an extended stay to experience all the history, culture, and incredible food the city has to offer, we would love to host you. At Detroit Furnished Rentals, we provide comfortable, centrally located short- and mid-term furnished apartments throughout Detroit. Our pet-friendly rentals feature fully equipped kitchens and dedicated workspaces, making them the perfect home base for traveling professionals, digital nomads, and urban explorers.
Ready to plan your Detroit adventure? Check out our curated Detroit Furnished Rentals Restaurant Guide to find the best dining spots to pair with your historic bar crawl!
