Hi I’m Spike, my grandparents came over from Ireland about 100 years ago and now I go to Ireland several times a year. I’m proud of my heritage and even prouder to say I know my way around a good Irish
pub. Pretty sure I’ve been to all of them. Guinness runs thick in my veins. And with great power comes great responsibility. I’m about to give you my 10 absolute favorite Irish
pubs in Detroit and the suburbs. By the way, I’ve planned an amazing tour of Ireland for September 2025, so if you would like to come with me, you can
get details HERE.
There’s more to being an “Irish Pub” than serving Guinness and slapping some shamrocks up on the wall. It’s about the taps, the menu, the music, the vibe and the people! A true authentic Irish pub is warm and welcoming, where locals and visitors alike gather to chat over a pint. These pubs serve as community hubs, with Guinness and Irish whiskey complementing the atmosphere that defines the Irish pub experience.
TOP TEN IRISH PUBS IN METRO DETROIT
O’Connor’s Public House324 Main St, Rochester
https://oconnorsrochester.com/A quintessential true Irish
pub, great food, great beer, live music sessions, the works. The
pub was actually built in Ireland, shipped to the states and reassembled in downtown Rochester Michigan. Take a look at the repurposed floors in the main bar area, they date back more than 140 years, twice as old as the Republic of Ireland herself.
Sullivan’s Public House23 N Washington St, Oxford
https://sullivanspublichouse.com/The owner Jerry was raised in his parents’ Irish
pubs in New York and when they moved back to Ireland, he opened his own and lemme tell you, they know how to pour the perfect pint.
Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub
318 S. Main St., Ann Arbor
https://www.conoroneills.com/
Traditional dishes like shepherd’s pie and fish & chips and a wide selection of beers as you’d expect serving so many Michigan college students.
Nancy Whiskey Pub
2644 Harrison St, Detroit
(no website)
This bar in Corktown, Detroit’s Irish and oldest neighborhood, claims to be Detroit’s Oldest Operating Bar since 1902… with an impressive selection of Irish whiskeys including being a top seller of Tullamore Dew in the U.S.
John Cowley & Son’s Irish Pub
33338 Grand River, Farmington
http://johncowleyandsons.com/
Family-owned for over 50 years with a cozy atmosphere and all kinds of live music.
Sean O’Callaghan’s Irish Pub821 Penniman Ave, Plymouth
https://www.seanocallaghanspub.com/25 years ago, I hosted the grand opening of this traditional Victorian-style
pub and it’s still great… with mahogany woodwork, cozy snugs and stained glass, serving a variety of Irish dishes alongside a wide selection of beers and whiskeys,
An Irish pub in Greektown? This old girl’s been around since the 70s and survived the worst times of Detroit. Several bars on several floors. And if you wanna celebrate Paddy’s Day here, you better arrive at 5am or you may not get in.
One of two locations, the other is in the fine Irish town of Ypsilanti. McShane’s has a great bar, great menu and it’s a perfect location for the annual Detroit St. Patrick’s Parade. Big TVs for game day, too.
Younger’s Irish Tavern120 S Main St, Romeo
https://www.youngerstavern.com/Tavern/A fixture in downtown Romeo forever, they updated and modernized the interior but you can still find a dark wooden interior and the tree made of Jameson whiskey bottles.
The Friday night fish fries are legendary and this neighborhood bar is deeply rooted in the local Irish community through the charitable efforts of its two owners Tom Dunleavy and his younger brother Brian Dunleavy who both sadly passed in the last few years.
Gaelic League Irish American Club
2068 Michigan Ave, Detroit
Bonus Mention: *technically a private club, not a bar… and “Ireland’s Detroit office” since 1920 …dedicated to preserving and promoting Irish culture for Detroit’s Irish community. You’ll always meet a colorful character with a story in here.
Take your bucket-list dream tour of Ireland with me!
Click Here for details.
Here’s a few more Spike-approved good pubs…
Thomas Magee’s Sporting House
1408 E Fisher Service Dr, Eastern Market
https://thomasmagees.com/This whiskey bar opened a few years ago and hosts great early-morning watch parties for international soccer matches.
Four generations of family have run this spot. You can always expect live music and a rowdy crowd.
Three Blind Mice Irish Pub101 N Main St, Mt Clemens
https://www.threeblindmiceirishpub.com/The building has been home to many bars in its 125 year history but it’s been an Irish
pub for over a decade and features a friendly staff and vast selection of over 290 beers and 160 whiskeys.
Longtime family spot in the downtown historic district.
This small neighborhood Irish pub has been a friendly neighborhood hang with a welcoming atmosphere since the 70’s although various Irish bars have been in this location for over 90 years.
Gus’s Snug Irish Pub
38 S Main St, Clawson, MI 48017
The newest pub in the list opened just over a year ago, inspired by Northern Ireland’s Belfast heritage.
Cleary’s Pub
117 E Grand River Ave, Howell
https://www.clearyspub.com/
This family-owned pub opened when I was in high school and it’s still going strong with a vast menu & beer list.
This cozy spot is a favorite for locals with live music – where everyone knows your name.
Corktown Tavern
1716 Michigan Ave, Detroit
(no website)
A staple on the St. Paddy’s Day parade route, this neighborhood bar is where the locals hang.
Danny’s Irish Pub
22824 Woodward Ave, Ferndale
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100047318696542
A great jukebox and pinball machines and honestly, I don’t think the prices have changed in this neighborhood pub three decades later.
A cozy pub with a solid bar and corned beef sliders.
120 choices on their craft beer menu at this downtown Holly spot.
Malone’s Tavern
32350 Van Dyke Ave, Warren, MI 48093
Pat O’Brien’s Irish Tavern22385 Ten Mile Rd, St. Clair Shores
http://www.pobtavern.com/A family-friendly East Side favorite since the 1950s, this bar features a patio and lots of seafood from the lakes.
The Weal Inn
2933 E Highland Rd, Highland Township, MI 48356
Mc Clenaghan’s Pub
52500 Van Dyke Ave, Shelby Twp
(no website)
Jake O’Malley’s Irish Pub
11417 26 Mile Rd, Washington, MI 48094
https://www.jakeomalleys.com/
The rest… (most of these places call themselves Irish Pubs but they’re really just neighborhood bars)
Irish Coffee Bar & Grill
18666 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
(no website)
Mangan’s Irish Hut
49 N Rose St, Mt Clemens
Decent fish n chips here.
Johnny Blacks Public House
(8 locations)
Lots of big TVs – I call this a green sports bar.
One of my favorites when I was in my young drinkin’ 20s but this place has sadly gone downhill and strayed from its Irish pub roots. I hope it will get rid of the bright lights, cheesy music and overpriced food to someday return to glory.
Mulligan’s Pub & Grub
27406 Eight Mile Rd, Farmington Hills
(no website)
Take your bucket-list dream tour of Ireland with me!
Click Here for details.
