THE MOVE
Standby
A Detroit 2.0 cocktail original with a memorable drink program—even if the room itself isn’t the main attraction.
BUILD A NIGHT AROUND THISStandby introduced me to a bacon-fat-washed Old Fashioned, and I’ve respected the cocktail program ever since. The atmosphere is just okay to me, but entering through The Belt gives the whole stop more character.
Check whether the bacon-fat-washed Old Fashioned is available, order a few small plates, and spend time with the street art in The Belt before or after.
You want cocktails and dinner tucked into one of downtown’s coolest alleys.
Atmosphere matters more to you than the drinks.
GOOD TO KNOW
AREADowntown
ADDRESS225 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
PAIRS WELL WITH
BeforeThe SkipOne drink in The Belt before dinner.AfterThe SkipIf dinner at Standby is over but The Belt still has you, The Skip is the easy second stop.Same nightCafé D’Mongo’s SpeakeasyTwo blocks, later.AfterQueensAfter dinner at Standby, Queens is the move when you want a change of room without ending the night.