Here is the start of a list, with brief backgrounds, of the Detroit Metro Airport area hipster, dive bars. The criteria are local neighborhood, family owned, and establishment age. These fall into the category of Mid-Century pedigree; shot-and-a-beer, and no fancy drinks. Bar stools abound. In fact sitting at these bars IS the destination. The bar isn’t treated as a holding location before a table is available.
Best ways to approach this are alphabetical, geographic, and best-to-worst. Ironically being the worst in this roster may still convey a level of panache, moxie, and attractiveness. If you live in Bloomfield Hills,Franklin Village, or Grosse Pointe Shores you may be suppressing a desire to frequent a corner bar. Does the Mid-Century era excite you? These establishments contain much of the original design that was installed from 1940 through 1969.
What happened in the 1970’s? Starting in 1970 there was an expansion of national food and beverage franchises. Most of us grew up with fast food franchises and mall based trendy restaurant chains. They began to eliminate the local ‘mom and pop’ corner bars.
By 1980 the popular places to go to were the larger, nationally adverstised establishments. They diminished the attractiveness of all things “old-school.” In a modern restaurant chain you will likely be greeted by a young, twenty-something who is overly bright and perky saying: “Hi! I’m Suzy and I’ll be your server tonight. Can I interest you in our jalapeno poppers?”
The Anchor Bar – 450 W Fort St, Detroit
The iconic Anchor Bar in Downton Detroit is a drinking spot near Joe Louis Arena that’s long served local journalists and Red Wings fans.
The 59-year-old Anchor has operated at its current location for 24 years. The original bar business and name was bought by Vaughn Dederian and moved from Howard Street to Fourth and Fort. It became the downtown bar, as we know it, in the late 1950s. It left again and settled on Lafayette Boulevard in between The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press buildings in the early 1970’s.
The Anchor is a watering hole that attracts journalists, cops, and workers in nearby federal buildings. Since the Red Wings relocated to the LIttle Caesar’s Arena last year, fewer fans have visited the bar according to the Derderians.
In July of this year the bar owner Vaughn Derderian announced the building’s sale to Said Elia. Elia owns both Park in Campus Martius and 220 Merrill in Birmingham. Elia said that he’ll “keep some of the menu’s popular items, but will add some culinary twists.
The Taylor AC Bar & Grille – 25955 Ecorse Rd, Taylor
The 56 year-old Taylor AC Bar & Grille in Taylor is the closest ‘shot-and-a-beer’ bar to Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). It was constructed by James Armelagos and his brothers in 1962 and opened in 1963. It still has the orignal, operating signage out front and is surrounded by four acres of land with plentiful parking.
Beat the prices of the high prices at the nearby airport bars and relax before or after your next flight at the Taylor AC. It’s as old-school as you can get. It’s warm, inviting and an homage to the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. The bar regulars may give you a quick ‘once over’ when you first walk through the door but they will warmly make room for you at the bar. What you will see when you walk through the door are dark wood walls covered in sports memorabilia dating back to the early 1960’s The sports appreciation encompasses baseball and hockey.
It’s considered the norm to order a Pabst Blue Ribbon at the Taylor AC. They also have Blue Moon on tap & trendy IPA’s. But, after a long hard day, wouldn’t you appreciate a Stroh’s or Pabst and not feel judged for it? You won’t be judged for ordering an inexpensive beer here. The local customers at this bar won’t insult you for being, or pretending, to be blue-collar.
How to arrive at the Taylor A.C? From the Airport head east from Merriman Rd or Middlebelt Rd and the first exit you come to is Ecorse Rd. Exit I-94 at Ecorse Rd and the bar will be on our right. From Detroit to the airport on I-94: Exit at Telegraph Rd and drive south 1 mile to Ecorse Rd. Drive west to Beech Daly Rd. The bar is just past the light at Beech Daly.
Looking to visit, work at, drink at? phone (313) 292-5870
The Old Miami – 3930 Cass Avenue, Detroit
As midtown rises around it, it’s almost like the magical backyard is a protected haven from the forces of foie gras infused whiskey or whatever the hell is the new thing happening right now. It has a long history as a Veteran’s bar before the hip happenings started popping up around it. It’s on the edge, though. Frankly, it could un-dive at any time so enjoy it now.
Daniel Overstreet, a Vietnam veteran, bought the burned out building in 1979 and opened the The Old Miami in 1980. Due to Mr. Overstreet’s service to the country, it is a veteran’s bar, first, and any veteran is granted free entry for all the events. It has morphed into one of the gems of The Corridor and has a huge backyard & patio, including a koi pond and bonfire area.
It is a place where locals, artists, musicians and punks get along over whiskey and a game of pool. This place garnered credibility by supporting the great local bands and traveling musicians that come to our city. Since the bar started booking shows, it has gained notoriety as the “CBGB’s of the Midwest,” playing host to national/international artists like The Allman Brothers, The Vibrators, Butthole Surfers, D.O.A., Booker T and the MG’s, Richie Hawtin, Dead Milkmen, Country Joe and the Fish, Red Elvises, and PF Sloan.
The music venue has also been home to some of Detroit’s biggest talent including Iggy Pop, The White Stripes, Mitch Ryder, Patti Smith, MC5 members Rob Tyner & Wayne Kramer, Sonic’s Rendezvous, Carl Craig, Jay Dilla, Rodriguez, Amboy Dukes, Eminem, Royce da 5′ 9″, Big Sean, Visionquest crew, Detroit Cobras, The Dirtbombs, The Gories, Destroy All Monsters, Mary Wells and many Motown performers.
In our next post we’ll discuss more local popular bars between Detroit and Metro Airport.
Best Dive Bars of Detroit 