The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is the biggest trade show to happen in Metro Detroit and is a great showcase for our city. While most years it is bitter cold, the warm interior of the Cobo Center shows off the craftsmanship of the Motor City. Hundreds of new and concept cars grace brilliantly lit stages and lush carpeted floors. This annual celebration of automotive achievement lets customers search for a new model and industry professionals get the scoop on the latest trends.

After all that walking, Instagraming and dreaming, it’s time for a cocktail. NickDrinks.com is here to help with 17 bars, in walking distance, from Cobo Center.

Map Legend = Green Zone is under 1,000 ft and Yellow Zone is under half a mile. Red is one mile.

1. Apparatus Room
   • Cross the street and you are at the Apparatus Room. You can get a World-Class meal and cocktails to match. Grab a table or sit in the luxurious bar with decorative touches of a ski chalet. Check out their special Auto Show food menu too.
   • Hours: SSMTWTF – 6:30am – 2am, After 1/21 – 6:30am – 12am
   • Closures: 1/15 (closed for private party), 1/19 (dining room closed, but bar open to public)
2. Cobo Joe’s BBQ Smokehouse
   • I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t been to this bar. Yet, it is so close to Cobo Center, I couldn’t leave it off the list. It’s worth a visit for proximity alone.
   • Hours: S-MTWTF – 11a – 10p (closed Sundays)
3. Anchor Bar
   • A no-frills neighborhood bar with the self-proclaimed coldest beer in Detroit. This hangout for local professionals offers comfy furniture, plenty of TVs and even a few pool tables. You can eat and drink for a few bucks and won’t be disappointed.
   • Hours: SSMTWTF – 10a – 2a (except Sundays 12p – 2a)
4. London Chophouse
   • For years I heard stories from my Dad of the classic Detroit venue where he would drink martinis after his shifts at Hudson’s Department Store. The 2.0 version of the bar still exists downstairs and is just as classy, often has live music and just makes you feel cool just sitting inside it. Bring your car club friends, grab a Sidecar and soak up the history.
   • Hours: Sat – 5p-11p, Sun – Closed, MTWT – 11a-10p, Fri – 11a-11p
5. Caucus Club
   • Plush tables in the front and swanky bar in the back. I was pleasantly surprised by the staff, food and cocktail offering at the space. Well worth a visit but call ahead before you do. Friday, January 19th is booked solid and other days are filling-up fast.
   • Hours: Sat – 5p-11p, Sun – 4p-9p, MTWT – 11a-10p, Fri – 11a-11p
6. Buhl Bar
   • All folks are welcome at this local bar both blue, white or no collars alike. Dark woods, fancy tile and well-made drinks total up to a perfect stop on your night.
   • Hours: Sat – 4p-12a, Sun – Closed, MTWT – 4p-10p, Fri – 4p-12a
7. Dime Store
   • One of my favorite spots for brunch is made only better with booze. Looking for something different? Try a Beermosa which takes a craft beer and pours a shot of OJ in for a breakfast treat.
   • Hours: SS – 8a-3p, MTWTF – 8a – 4p
8. Grand Trunk Pub
   • One of the originals and still one of the best places to find a diverse selection of Michigan craft beers. The building was once the ticket counter for the Grand Trunk train line and now serves an extensive food and full bar menu. Check out their Happy Hour (4p-7p) featuring $2 Well Drinks and $1 off Regular Michigan Draft Beers.
   • Hours: SS – 10a-2a, MTWTF – 8a – 2a
9. Whisky Parlor
   • Located right above Grand Trunk Pub, the whisky parlor is a boozy oasis in the city. The comfortable lounge offers a wide range of whiskys and other craft spirits (wine and beer too).
   • Hours: SS – 5p-2a, MTWTF – 5p – 12a
10. Parc
    • If you are a wine fan, check out Parc in Campus Martius. Their deep list includes some select pours by the glass and fits all price points. Don’t forget to grab a snack at the bar or a top notch meal in the dining room.
    • Hours: Sat – 10:30a-2a, Sun – 10:30a-9p, MTW – 11a-11p, TF – 11a-2a
11. Central Kitchen
    • Early 2017, I was underwhelmed with the cocktail and food offering at Central Kitchen. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t memorable. However, there are big changes happening thanks to new beverage manager Lance Sigler. Not only did he manage the hugely successful Cadillac Square Pop-Up Village but he is revising the offering at the brick-and-mortar too. Certainly worth a second chance.
    • Hours: Sat – 10a-1a, Sun – 10a-3p, MTWT – 11a-11p, Fri – 11a-1a
12. Townhouse
    • Nothing makes me happier than a giant menu of spirits by the pour and Townhouse has one of the best whiskey lists in the area. In addition to that, check out their selection of creative cocktails, extensive food menu and gorgeous seating areas. While I wouldn’t recommend opening it during the winter, the retractable glass roof reminds me of a major league baseball stadium.
    • Hours: Sat – 10a-2a, Sun – 10a-11p, MT – 11a-11p, WT – 11a-12a, Fri – 11a-2a
13. Checker Bar & Offworld Arcade
    • Nothing beats a simple burger and a cold beer. Checker has this concept on lock and excels at this order. The food is simple, fast and inexpensive. Partner that with an extensive selection of arcade games and you might have found your new favorite hangout.
    • Hours: SSMTWTF: 11a-2a (both floors)
14. The Keep
    • Descend into one of the coolest (both figuratively and literally) underground bars in Detroit. The full bar gives the aura of drinking in a secret 1920s speakeasy. I recommend one of their draft cocktails.
    • Hours: SSMTWTF: 5p-2a
15. Prime & Proper
    • There was some serious coin dropped on this restaurant and the decor does not disappoint. A full meal will happily part you with a few of your American dollars but I recommend a trip to the bar. The team puts on an impressive show utilizing some tricky ingredients in well balanced drinks.
    • Hours: Sat 5p – 11p, SMT – 5p-10p, WTF – 5p – 11p
16. Eatori
    • I love this concept and want to see more of them in the city. Part market and part restaurant, Eatori allows you to shop for Italian groceries, grab prepared food to go or sit-down for a full-service meal. The cocktails are solid and the food is tasty.
    • Hours: Sat 8a-2a, SMTW 8a-12a, TF 8a-2a
17. Bad Luck Bar
    • Bad Luck is the bar that everyone in the industry watches. They pull no punches and push all the limits when it comes to cocktails. You’ll dish out a bit more cash but you’ll get a superior product. The menu often changes but the constant is a tiny welcome cocktail you get on the house to center your body and mind for a proper night of drinking.
    • Hours: Sat 5p – 2a, Sun-Mon Closed, TWTF 5p-2a
    • Closures: 1/16 (closed for private party)