Standby Happy Hour — Downtown Detroit, Detroit

The happy hour

Wed–Fri, Sun	5–6:30 PM

Drinks

Old Fashioned or Daiquiri — $8
Rotating cocktail — $8

Food

Single Smash Burger — $8
Hand Cut Fries — $5

James Beard semifinalist. Located in The Belt alley. Happy hour Wed, Thu, Fri & Sun 5–6:30 PM, bar seating only (closed Mon–Tue; no happy hour Sat).

Deal last verified 2026-09-11. Confirmed on the venue’s own website.

The space

Photos: Google Maps

The vibe

A James Beard semifinalist cocktail bar tucked into The Belt alley in Downtown Detroit, Standby organizes its innovative drinks menu by base spirit, flavor profile, and serving method. The moody, intimate setting and sophisticated cocktail program have made it one of Detroit's most critically acclaimed bars since its opening.

Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Cozy
Romantic
Hip
Upscale
Good for groups
Known for cocktails
Known for wine
Google: happy hour drinks
Google: happy hour food
Takes reservations

Is that score good?

Almost everywhere scores 4–5 stars, so each site's score is shown against every venue in the Atlas rated on that site — here in Detroit, and across the US. The gold bar is this spot.

GOOGLE ★ 4.6 1,287 ratings ↗

In Detroit 50 rated venues Above median

4.2 4.5THIS SPOT 4.6 4.9

Rated higher than 51% · tied with 31% · lower than 18% of the others · median ★ 4.5

Across the US 2,042 rated venues Above median

3.1 3.5 4.0 THIS SPOT 4.6 5.0

Rated higher than 56% · tied with 21% · lower than 23% of the others · median ★ 4.5

YELP ★ 4.4 727 reviews ↗

In Detroit 49 rated venues Top quarter

3.2 3.5 4.0 THIS SPOT 4.4 5.0

Rated higher than 75% · tied with 13% · lower than 13% of the others · median ★ 4.2

Across the US 1,993 rated venues Top quarter

2.0 3.0 3.5 4.0 THIS SPOT 4.4 5.0

Rated higher than 76% · tied with 11% · lower than 13% of the others · median ★ 4.1

TRIPADVISOR ★ 4.5 127 reviews ↗

In Detroit 42 rated venues Top quarter

3.0 4.0 THIS SPOT 4.5 5.0

Rated higher than 71% · tied with 10% · lower than 20% of the others · median ★ 4.3

Across the US 1,653 rated venues Top quarter

1.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 THIS SPOT 4.5 5.0

Rated higher than 71% · tied with 11% · lower than 18% of the others · median ★ 4.3

OPENTABLE ★ 4.8 76 diners ↗

Food 4.7Service 4.6Value 4.6Ambience 4.7Noise Moderate

In Detroit 13 rated venues Top quarter

4.4 4.5 THIS SPOT 4.8 4.9

Rated higher than 75% · tied with 17% · lower than 8% of the others · median ★ 4.7

Across the US 537 rated venues Top quarter

3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 THIS SPOT 4.8 5.0

Rated higher than 77% · tied with 17% · lower than 6% of the others · median ★ 4.6

Each bar counts venues at that rating (0.1-star steps), lowest on the left; the curve starts at the lowest score anyone has. Ratings captured October 7, 2026.

Getting there

225 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48226 · (313) 241-5719

More in Downtown Detroit

Besa Downtown Detroit · Mediterranean / New American Google ★ 4.6 (990) Mon–Fri 4–6:30 PM Four seasonal cocktails — $7 each

The Brakeman Downtown Detroit · Bar / Craft Beer Google ★ 4.2 (755) Wed–Fri 4–6 PM Beer — $6 drink token (one token = one beer)

The London Chop House Downtown Detroit · American Steakhouse Google ★ 4.6 (1,727) Mon–Thu 4–5:30 PM Select Cocktails — $7

Sakazuki Downtown Detroit · Japanese Pub (Izakaya) Google ★ 4.7 (49) Tue–Fri 4–6 PM Canned Beer (various) — $4

Candy Bar Detroit Downtown Detroit · Cocktail Lounge / Small Plates Google ★ 4.3 (619) Sun–Thu 4–6 PM Freezer Batched Martinis (Happy Hour special) — $14

The Apparatus Room Downtown Detroit · New American / Contemporary Google ★ 4.4 (3,163) Mon–Fri 3–6 PM Rotating Beer Features — $5