Whether for business or pleasure the holidays provide a cheerful atmosphere for cocktails during the happiest of hours.

 

FOUNTAIN BISTRO | DETROIT

Foutnain Bistro

With quite possibly the finest view of the city during the holiday season, the Fountain Bistro offers a food and drink Happy Hour Menu, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 4-7pm. House wines $4, seasonal Beer $3-$4, House Martinis $7 and, one of our favorites, the French 75, also at $7, with small plates that include Cheese & Charcuterie, Lamb Sliders, Herb Roasted Olives and Duck Wings. Located in Campus Martius Park, the Bistro invites you to take advantage of winter ice-skating and Christmas tree gazing before entering its welcoming doors.

800 Woodward Ave | Detroit | 313.237.7778 | fountainbistro.com

 

 

MICHAEL SYMON’S ROAST | DETROIT

Roast  .  It’s 4pm, somewhere between Monday and Friday, and I am sitting at the bar at ROAST. Select Beer & Wine is $4, selected Pours are $5, and at 4:30pm Select Bites range between $3-$5. The crowd is professional, well dressed, interesting and on time. Space fills quickly. The Happy Hour menu changes, but look for Mac-n-Cheese, Roast Coney Dogs and the Roast Burger (bacon, cheddar, fried egg, pickled onion, English muffin). I also like to add a side of Rosemary Fries. And, while it’s not technically on the Happy Hour menu I prefer to order Roast’s Metropolitan Cocktail whenever I am at the bar.

1128 Washington Blvd. Detroit | 313. 961.2500 | OpenTable | roastdetroit.com

 

CENTAUR BAR | DETROIT

IMG_1917Located in the Theatre District, directly behind the Fox, Centaur Bar is designed in a New York Deco Style, providing plenty of atmosphere for after work cocktailing. Between the hours of 4-7pm daily, Centaur features an assortment of Martinis, including the Detroiter (Motor City Vernors, vanilla vodka, spiced rum), .007 (vodka, gin, strawberry & basil), the Centaur (premium gin & Canadian whiskey) and the Dirty Girl Scout (the classic thin mint in a glass). Sevruga Caviar, Bacon wrapped dates, Mahi Mahi soft tacos, Housemade Beef Wellington and a host of other tiered small plates make Centaur a local meeting place.

2233 Park Ave. Detroit | 313. 963. 4040 | centaurbar.com

 

 

PUBLIC HOUSE | FERNDALE

Public House-croppedTechnically, speaking, I am not sure if Public House offers Happy Hour? But, I do know that I enjoy both drinking and eating in this pure American heritage bar. Besides, the round the clock prices on all gastro pub food items are quite reasonable and in keeping with rates of Detroit area Happy Hours. Strong bartending staff makes for interesting house cocktails and there is always an interesting mix of tattooed men and women with whom to strike up conversation. Vinyl lovers will appreciate tunes being spun on the record player, and the house policy of playing full sides of each artist.

 

241 West Nine Mile Ferndale | 248. 850. 7420 | PublicHouse

 

TWO JAMES TASTING ROOM CORKTOWN

Two James-cropped

Distilled and bottled locally, the spirits in this hip, urban distillery and tasting room are a must for travelers – and cocktailing metropolitans – who seek good conversation and drinks in a setting that offers a true Detroit fingerprint. Though I am usually enjoying Gin during the holidays (as it tastes like evergreens) I often stick with Two James Bourbon or Rye based cocktails – think Sidecars and Old Fashioneds (with Black Walnut Bitters). Why? It just tastes and feels right (the image of the drink is gin based, however). Open at 1pm Monday through Sunday, I am sure Two James has a Happy Hour somewhere in there, but I can’t for the life of me remember what it is?

2445 Michigan Avenue Detroit | 313. 964. 4800 | twojames.com