Mid-December Bar Additions

Continuing along our path from Detroit to Metro Airport we find Southwest Detroit and near west suburban bar locations. Let’s dig deeper into the Part of Detroit around the old Tiger Stadium called Corktown.

Abick’s Bar – 3500 Gilbert St, Detroit

A neighborhood bars with a story. You’ll walk up to the door and realize that it’s locked. Then you’ll hear the sound of being “buzzed” in. The place is sometimes nearly empty and the bartender isn’t always in. Perhaps a friend of the bar may be manning it. If so, don’t order anything exotic. Order a dependable mainstay beer from the U.S. of A. On occasion you will encounter the largest dog you’ll see in a while. Try to escape to the back room and see it lined with leather couches, wreaking of cigar and a plethora of police and fire paraphernalia and history.

Occasionally large bus tours will drop a load of customers in a throng to engulf the bar interior. Either wait or return after they’ve gone. Perhaps nurse your beer while waiting for the inebriated mass to leave on their party bus.

LJ’s Lounge – 2114 Michigan Ave, Detroit

While upscale cocktail bars and restaurants abound on Michigan Avenue, this watering hole keeps the visitors to the neighborhood supplied with affordable drinks and no-frills charm. Wood paneling and a red awning gives way to even ‘70s more paneling in the interior with a mirrored back bar. The drink selection here is relatively simple with shots and domestic beers — the perfect recipe for a boiler maker and a good time.

Though it’s a quiet old-man bar on most days, the spill-over crowd from Slows Bar BBQ and the pre-party crowd from nearby dance bars makes it a memorable stop for bar-crawlers in the know.

Mel Bar – 17993 Allen Rd, Melvindale

The food is very good. It’s a nice older neighborhood type bar. Not at all fancy, but friendly staff and regulars. Great specials every day of the week. It’s a cool, old place to hang out. Fixing it up would make it a less cool place to hang out.
Go there on a Friday night and you’ll get some great fish.