An employee in a plaid shirt and jeans walks past customers seated in wooden high backed stools at the Honest John’s bar. — Honest John’s.

These 12 Detroit Bars Were Made For Day Drinking

Bars slinging drinks before noon

by Brenna Houck Updated Nov 26, 2019, 4:02pm EST

View as Map

Honest John’s.

| Michelle and Chris Gerard

by Brenna Houck Updated Nov 26, 2019, 4:02pm EST

Day drinking: Sure it’s somewhat frowned upon by society but sometimes, dear readers, the moment warrants an a.m. libation. Perhaps a celebration is in order or someone is serious need of a drink and a comforting chat with a local bartender. And who says coffee shops are the only acceptable work place outside of the office? Some of us just prefer to study or perform daily work duties while sipping a really great craft beer and snacking on a burger.

To this end, we’ve assembled a guide to bars that open before noon. Some come with a Wi-Fi connection for drinkers toting a laptop. Others are simply there to with a cold beer and shot. Quite a few offer food.

Where do you like to day drink? Drop us a note at the tipline or in the comments. Map points are organized geographically, never ranked.

2 Way Inn

Copy Link

A historic (possibly haunted) dive bar, Two Way has been trading in booze since the late 1800s. The drinks are simple and cheap and bartenders start filling glasses around 11 a.m. on most days.

Opening Hours: 11 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday; noon on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

17897 Mt Elliott St, Detroit, MI 48212

(313) 891-4925

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Northern Lights Lounge

Copy Link

A popular spot in New Center’s for a drink, Northern Lights Lounge opens before noon in concert with the kitchen for those patrons that want to do some occasional morning imbibing.

Opening Hours: 11 a.m. daily

660 W Baltimore St, Detroit, MI 48202

(313) 873-1739

Visit Website

The orange exterior and light up arrow sign at Northern Lights on a sunny day.

Also featured in:

Woodbridge Pub

Copy Link

Woodbridge Pub swings open for lunch and drinks before noon most weekdays. The bar offers a variety of burgers, salads, and sandwiches alongside affordable beer, wine, and cocktails.

Opening Hours: 11 a.m. daily

5169 Trumbull St, Detroit, MI 48208

(313) 833-2701

Visit Website

A woman walks through the door at Woodbridge Pub on a sunny summer evening.

Also featured in:

Bronx Bar

Copy Link

This beer and a shot bar in Cass Corridor favorite serves up tasty burger. The doors open early and stay open until 2 a.m. nightly.

Opening Hours: 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday; noon on Saturdays and Sundays

4476 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

(313) 832-8464

The Bronx shown at night with customers gathered on the smoking patio at the corner.

Also featured in:

Great Lakes Coffee

Copy Link

At Great Lakes Coffee on Woodward Avenue offers a blend of coffee, beer and wine. Try a 50/50 (half coffee, half beer) or go all out with a pour from the bar’s wine list. Food options are robust with salads, sandwiches, pastries, and select small plates available. The cafe also offers a reliable internet connection.

Opening Hours: 7 a.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. Sunday

3965 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

(313) 831-9627

Visit Website

Honest John's

Copy Link

It’s easy to spend an entire day at Honest John’s and some probably have. This relaxed Cass Corridor spot is popular among day drinkers and workers who aren’t bound to the office because it offers the trifecta of booze, food, and Wi-Fi. Grab a glass of wine in the morning, read the paper, and relax.

Opening Hours: 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 9 a.m. on Sunday

488 Selden St, Detroit, MI 48201

(313) 832-5646

Visit Website

An employee at Honest John’s walks behind the bar.

Also featured in:

Karl's

Copy Link

Tucked away on the second floor of the Siren Hotel, this recreation of an old-fashioned luncheonette features a full bar that’s open all day. That means diners can drink boilermakers with their pancakes or sip Irish coffee with a plate of spaghetti and meatballs at virtually any hour. There’s also Wi-Fi, for folks who want to get some work done.

Opening Hours: 10 a.m. daily

1509 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226

(313) 855-2757

Visit Website

A white plate with spaghetti is topped with three large meatballs, red sauce, a dusting of parmesan, and chopped basil.

Also featured in:

Firebird Tavern

Copy Link

Greektown’s casual pub swings open early for downtown lunch crowds and offers a solid selection of whiskey for connoisseurs in need of a daytime shot. Sip while snacking on soft pretzels or a turkey-bacon panini.

Opening Hours: 11 a.m. Monday through Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday

419 Monroe Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

(313) 782-4189

Visit Website

A man walks through the Firebird Tavern’s red and black on a winter day with snow still patchy on the ground.

Also featured in:

Anchor Bar

Copy Link

This old-school Detroit bar recently came under new management and received a trendy makeover, but it still opens early for lunch crowds. Drinks start pouring at 11 a.m. and the restaurant offers items like Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, and chili to soak up the suds.

Opening Hours: 11 a.m. daily

450 W Fort St, Detroit, MI 48226

(313) 964-9127

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Mudgie's

Copy Link

Mudgie’s bar hours are in line with the restaurant so it’s easy to have a mid-day glass of beer or wine with lunch. Hungry? The deli offers an excellent selection of sandwiches and — for those in need — Wi-Fi.

Opening Hours: Opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

1300 Porter St, Detroit, MI 48226

(313) 961-2000

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Batch Brewing Company

Copy Link

Porter Street favorite Batch Brewing Company’s house brews start flowing around lunchtime, for a mid-morning beer fix. Chase the drinks with arancini, gumbo, or a heaping plate of nachos. The brewery also features free Wi-Fi.

Opening Hours: 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday

1400 Porter St, Detroit, MI 48216

(313) 338-8008

Visit Website

Chairs lined up along the bar at Batch Brewing Company.

Abick's Bar

Copy Link

A beloved Prohibition era neighborhood bar in Southwest Detroit, Abick’s opens early every day of the week pouring beer and shots. Soak up some history while chatting with the bartenders and regulars and don’t forget to bring cash.

Opening Hours: 9 a.m. Monday through Friday and noon on Sunday

3500 Gilbert St, Detroit, MI 48210

(313) 894-9329

Visit Website

An old man with a large bar dog sits next to the Abick’s pool table and a sign reading “Seasons Greetings.”

Also featured in:

Share this story

Share this story

These 12 Detroit Bars Were Made For Day Drinking

Share this story

Share All sharing options for: These 12 Detroit Bars Were Made For Day Drinking

Share this story

Share All sharing options for: These 12 Detroit Bars Were Made For Day Drinking

2 Way Inn

Northern Lights Lounge

Woodbridge Pub

Bronx Bar

Great Lakes Coffee

Honest John's

Sign up for the newsletter Eater Detroit

Thanks for signing up!

Karl's

Firebird Tavern

Anchor Bar

Mudgie's

Batch Brewing Company

Abick's Bar

More in Maps

2 Way Inn

Northern Lights Lounge

Woodbridge Pub

Bronx Bar

Great Lakes Coffee

Honest John's

Karl's

Firebird Tavern

Anchor Bar

Mudgie's

Batch Brewing Company

Abick's Bar

Related Maps

All sharing options for: These 12 Detroit Bars Were Made For Day Drinking

All sharing options for: These 12 Detroit Bars Were Made For Day Drinking