The Detroit News: Michigan's Best

entertainment: bartime

Best happy hour:

Chesley’s Bar

3717 Fort St., Lincoln Park (313) 388-8500

Second place:

Village Idiot

15421 Mack Ave., Detroit (313) 884-1111

Third place:

Bookies Downtown Tavern

1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit (313) 963-2589

Best sports bar boasting flat screens:

24 Seconds Bar & Grill

3071 12 Mile Road, Berkely (248) 336-0024

Second place:

Cheli’s Chili

Dearborn and Detroit locations

Third place:

Library Sports Pub & Grill

42100 Grand River Ave., Novi (248) 349-9110

Bridget A. Barrett / The Detroit News

Tony Piraino, co-owner of Pulse in Detroit, pours a Cosmopolitan which is one of the reasons Pulse was named best martini bar.

Best martini bar:

Pulse

156 Monroe, Detroit (313) 420-0313

Second place:

Silky’s Martini & Music Café

21931 Michigan Ave., Dearborn (313) 565-4260

Third place:

Blue Martini Birmingham

201 Hamilton Ave., Birmingham (248) 258-3005

Best jukebox:

Chesley’s Bar

3717 Fort St., Lincoln Park (313) 388-8500

Second place:

Attic Bar

67 Joseph Campau St., Hamtramck (313) 365-4194

Third place:

Woodward Avenue Brewery

22646 Woodward Ave., Ferndale (248) 546-3696

Best bartender:

Chesley Odom - Chesley’s Bar

3717 Fort St., Lincoln Park (313) 388-8500

Second place:

Elise - Nancy Whiskey’s

2644 Harrison, Detroit (313) 962-4247

Third place:

Amy Garcia - Horn’s Gaslight Bar

Main St., Mackinac Island (906) 847-6154

Best bar to be a college fan:

Tiki Bob’s Cantina

25 S. Saginaw, Pontiac (248) 335-6100

Second place:

7 Brothers

11821 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck (313) 365-6576

Third place:

Circa 1890 Saloon

5474 Cass Ave., Detroit (313) 831-1122

Best bar where old-schoolers still kick it:

Nancy Whiskey’s

2644 Harrison, Detroit (313) 962-4247

Second place:

Jack’s Waterfront Restaurant

24200 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores

(586) 445-8080

Third place:

Sportsmen’s Den

15001 Sibley Road, Wyandotte (734) 479-4800

Best alternative to yet another night of karaoke:

Comet Bar

128 Henry, Detroit (313) 964-1508

Second place:

Buddha Lounge

21633 W. Eight Mile, Detroit (313) 535-GONG

Third place:

Chaplin’s Comedy Club

34244 Groesbeck Hwy., Clinton Twp.

(586) 792-1902

Detroit Derby Girls

detroitrollerderby.com

Best smoky bar where it lingers in your clothing for days:

8 Ball Saloon

206 S. First St., Ann Arbor (734) 996-8555

Second place:

Whiskey in the Jar

2741 Yemans, Hamtramck (313) 873-4154

Third place:

Gusoline Alley

309 S. Center St., Royal Oak (248) 545-2235

Best bar to play unimpeded pool:

Breaktime Billiards

30850 Beck Road, Novi (248) 926-2530

Second place:

Orleans Billiard Café

100 Macomb St., Mt. Clemens (586) 465-2201

Third place:

Fifth Avenue Billiards

Detroit, Royal Oak and Novi locations

Best cocktail in town:

Blue Mountain

Second place:

Stoli Doli

Third place:

Apple Margarita

Best friendly neighborhood bar:

Jumbo’s Bar

3736 3rd St., Detroit (313) 831-8949

Second place:

Small’s

10339 Conant, Hamtramck (313) 873-1117

Third place:

Johnny G’s Sports Bar

27 N. Walnut St., Mt. Clemens (586) 469-8388

Best place to drink with only $10 to your name:

The Painted Lady

2930 Jacob St., Hamtramck (313) 874-2991

Second place:

Zamboni Room

13620 Michigan Ave., Dearborn (313) 584-0357

Third place:

Bronx Bar

4476 2nd Ave., Detroit (313) 832-8464

Best bathroom wall wisdom:

K C’s Dive

4822 Greenfield Rd., Dearborn (313) 846-5322

Second place:

Post Bar – Detroit

408 W. Congress St., Detroit (313) 962-1293

Third place:

The Painted Lady

2930 Jacob St., Hamtramck (313) 874-2991

Best outdoor deck:

5th Avenue Downtown

2100 Woodward Ave., Detroit (313) 471-2555

Second place:

Sindbads at the River

100 St. Clair Ave., Detroit (313) 822-8000

Third place:

Jack’s Waterfront Restaurant

24200 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores

(586) 445-8080

Best bar snack to munch on:

mini tacos

Second place:

buffalo wings

Third place:

jalapeno poppers

Best dark and dank bar:

The Labyrinth

400 Bagley, Detroit (313) 962-2300

Second place:

Gusoline Alley

309 S. Center St., Royal Oak (248) 545-2235

Third place:

Belmont Bar

10215 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck (313) 871-1966

Best place for last call:

Howell’s Bar

1035 Mason St., Dearborn (313) 565-6322

Second place:

Ramey’s

6278 Middle Belt Road, Garden City (734) 422-1620

Third place:

Harry’s Detroit Bar & Grill

2482 Clifford St., Detroit (313) 964-1575

Best post 2 a.m. bar to get your groove on:

The Works Detroit

1846 Michigan Ave., Detroit (313) 961-1742

Second place:

Clutch Cargo’s

65 E. Huron, Pontiac (248) 333-2362

Third place:

Platinum

477 Pelissier, Windsor (519) 253-3148

Best place to pick up forty-somethings:

Sports Brew Pub

166 Maple, Wyandotte (734) 285-5060

Second place:

The Bat Lounge

1326 Brush, Detroit (313) 964-4733

Third place:

Floods Bar & Grill

731 Saint Antoine St., Detroit (313) 963-1090

Best Old-Detroit saloon:

Stonehouse Bar & Grill

19803 Ralston, Detroit (313) 892-0125

Second place:

Steve’s Place

439 E. Congress, Detroit (313) 961-5559

Third place:

Vivio’s Food & Spirits

2460 Market St., Detroit (313) 393-1711

Best bar for non-smokers:

Arbor Brewing Co.

116 E Washington St., Ann Arbor

(734) 213-1393

Second place:

Gameworks

4362 Baldwin Road, Auburn Hills (248) 745-9675

Third place:

Murphy’s Law Sports Bar & Grille

37030 Jefferson Ave., Harrison Twp.

(586) 463-6616

Best cabaret show:

Café Gigi

16920 W. Warren Ave., Detroit (313) 584-6525

Second place:

Peacock Cabaret

1703 Cass, Detroit (313) 525-8741

Best pick-up scene:

5th Avenue Downtown

2100 Woodward Ave., Detroit (313) 471-2555

Second place:

Slip Mahoney’s

18480 Fort St., Riverview (734) 285-5066

Third place:

Wild Woody’s

32500 Gratiot Ave., Roseville (586) 294-5331

Best place to nurse a hangover:

Beach Grill

24420 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores (586) 771-4455

Second place:

MGM Grand Detroit Casino

1300 John C. Lodge, Detroit (877) 888-2121

Third place:

Mulligan’s Pub

419 Norwood Ave. S., Grand Rapids

(616) 451-0775

Best cocktail spot before a show:

Oslo

1456 Woodward Ave., Detroit

(313) 963-0300

Second place:

336 Main

336 S. Main, Plymouth (734) 454-6500

Third place:

Atlas Global Bistro

3111 Woodward Ave., Detroit (313) 831-22410

Ankur Dholakia / The Detroit News

Chef Kaku Usui serves up one of Olso's sushi plates with a unique combination of spirits to compliment. This place is perfect to visit before attending a show or sports venue.

Best spot for a $1 draft:

Wooly Bully’s

36434 Groesbeck, Clinton Twp.

(586) 792-3444

Second place:

Franco’s

945 36th St., Wyoming (616) 538-5280

Third place:

Two Feathers Road House

2040 N. Aurelius Road, Holt (517) 699-7710

Best version of a margarita:

Attic Bar

11667 Jos. Campau, Hamtramck

(313) 365-4194

Second place:

Waves

24223 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores

(586) 773-3279

Third place:

Agave

4265 Woodward Ave., Detroit (313) 833-1120

Best place to drink all day long:

Brady’s Bar

401 S. Union St., Traverse City

(231) 946-8153

Second place:

Jack’s Waterfront Restaurant

24200 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores

(586) 445-8080

Third place:

O’Halloran’s Tipperary Pub

8287 Southfield Fwy., Detroit (313) 271-5870

Best beer selection on tap and bottled:

Dragonmead

14600 E. 11 Mile Road, Warren

(586) 776-9428

Second place:

Berkley Front

3087 W. 12 Mile Road, Berkley (248) 547-3331

Third place:

CK Diggs

2010 Auburn Road, Rochester Hills (248) 853-6600

David Coates / The Detroit News

From Larry's Pale Ale to Under the Kilt Wee Heavy, Dragonmead offers over 30 unique beers on tap as well as a vast array of their own premium bottled microbrews.

Best micro brewery:

Copper Canyon

27522 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield (248) 223-1700

Second place:

Bo’s Brewery & Bistro

51 N. Saginaw St., Pontiac (248) 338-6200

Third place:

The Livery

190 5th St., Benton Harbor (269) 925-8760

Best teensy Irish bar:

Fenian’s Irish Pub

19683 Main St., Conklin (616) 899-2640

Second place:

Baile Corcaigh Irish Restaurant and Pub

1426 Bagley, Detroit (313) 963-4546

Third place:

Quinn and Tuites Irish Pub

1535 Plainfield, Grand Rapids (616) 363-8380

Best hidden hangout:

Stonehouse Bar & Grill

19803 Ralston, Detroit (313) 892-0125

Second place:

Yankee Rebel Tavern

101 Astor St., Mackinac Island (906) 847-6249

Third place:

Mill St. Grille

12 S. Mill, Pontiac (248) 454-8132

Wayne E. Smith / The Detroit News

Stonehouse Bar & Grill, billed as Detroit's oldest bar, combines the old and young creating a truly unique Detroit atmosphere.

Best photos on bar walls:

Hard Rock Café

45 Monroe St., Detroit (313) 964-7625

Second place:

Bath City Bistro

75 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens (586) 469-0917

Third place:

Horns Bar

Main St., Mackinac Island (906) 847-6154

Best bar for food & music all at once:

Seldom Blues

400 Renaissance Center, Detroit (313) 567-7356

Second place:

Blue Goose Inn

28911 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores

(586) 294-0690

Third place:

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café

Detroit and St. Clair Shores locations

Best dressed bar:

Floods Bar & Grill

731 Saint Antoine St., Detroit (313) 963-1090

Second place:

Elysium

625 Shelby St., Detroit (313) 962-2244

Third place:

Blue Martini

201 Hamilton Row, Birmingham (248) 258-3005

Best spot to grab a drink after work:

Big Rock Chop & Brew House

245 S. Eton St., Birmingham (248) 647-7774

Second place:

Shores Inn Food & Spirits

23410 Greater Mack Ave., St. Clair Shores (586) 773-8940

Third place:

Chaser’s Lounge

6211 Chase Road, Dearborn (313) 584-9110

Best place where upper crust meets lower crust:

Blue Goose Inn

28911 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores (586) 294-0690

Second place:

Post Bar – Novi

42875 Grand River, Novi (248) 465-9600

Third place:

Hockeytown Café

2301 Woodward Ave., Detroit (313) 965-9500

Best new club/bar:

Elysium

625 Shelby St., Detroit (313) 962-2244

Second place:

Centaur Bar

2233 Park Ave., Detroit (313) 963-4040

Third place:

Pulse

156 Monroe, Detroit (313) 420-0313

Best bar to play trivia:

Dooley’s Tavern

12414 Hall Road, Sterling Heights

(586) 323-3501

Second place:

Bookies Downtown Tavern

1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit (313) 963-2589

Third place:

Hooters

hooters.com

Best bar in metro Detroit:

Centaur Bar

2233 Park Ave., Detroit (313) 963-4040

Second place:

The Bosco

22930 Woodward Ave., Ferndale

(248) 541-8818

Third place:

Oslo

1456 Woodward Ave., Detroit (313) 963-0300