Abick’s has been owned and operated by the same family since 1907 and has the ancient cash register to prove it. The southwest Detroit neighborhood hangout is cash-only and doesn’t have an ATM on site, so stock up ahead of time. Summer nights at Abick’s mean backyard BBQ cookouts and firepits in the fenced back lot.

No windows, no frills, and away from the hustle and bustle of Michigan Avenue, Donovan’s is the perfect retreat for Detroiters looking to relax. It’s tucked into a corner of Vernor Avenue with stellar views of the Ambassador Bridge and Michigan Central Station. Most nights see a mellow crowd of regulars shooting pool, but DJ nights and live bands do pop up on occasion.

While upscale cocktail bars and restaurants abound on Michigan Avenue, this Corktown hangout keeps the visitors to the neighborhood supplied with affordable drinks. Wood paneling and a red awning gives way to even more ‘70s paneling in the interior with a mirrored back bar. The drink selection here is relatively simple with shots (including Jello shots) and domestic beers — the perfect recipe for a boilermaker and a good time.

Shot-and-beer spots are becoming a scarcity in Corktown, but Last Chance Saloon on Michigan Avenue offers drinkers a low-key stop in the space that used to house Casey’s Pub. The interior retains classic mellow vibes and has mercifully kept pricing simple too, with $5 specials on can beer and shots.

The Bronx Bar teeters on the brink of respectability these days, as the Midtown transformations creep into this traditional dive. Once the domain of longtime bartender Charleen, Queen of the Bronx, and her subjects, the Bronx now hosts an eclectic mix of college kids, aging hipsters and locals of all stripes. The burgers remain stellar.

This concrete bunker of a bar is the perfect platonic ideal of a dive: nondescript, perennially unfussy and full of friendly regulars. Situated on the Detroit-Warren border along a busy strip of 8 Mile Road, Kwicky Bar serves up cheap shots, cheaper bottled beer, and a karaoke night packed with talent.

The Old Miami touts a rich history. Founded as a haven for Vietnam veterans in the 1970s, the spot has become legendary as a music venue, hosting live DJs and bands, and record swap nights. The homey interior and relaxed backyard dotted with seating arrangements are perfect for meeting up with old friends.

Whiskey in the Jar may have craft beers and a Detroit City FC banner, but it maintains a quintessential Hamtramck dive bar feel with a pool table, plenty of mirrored beer signs, and old-school movies playing on the television. Drink a shot of Jezy (Polish blackberry brandy) to become an instant regular.

A word of warning: if Savvas Kazelas, the owner of this old-school spot, is there and in a good mood, he will regale guests with fabulous stories and might even offer a tot of his homemade ouzo. If he’s not, well, at least there’s the ambiance of this magical time capsule from the 60s. Its white pleather banquettes and wood paneling will transport drinkers to the three-martini lunch days of old downtown.

Outer Limits slunk into the Hamtramck music scene in 2017 with little fanfare and a sufficiency of low-key cool. The bar on the border of Hamtramck and Detroit features record nights and bands from honky tonk to punk.

Detroit’s oldest saloon has a “family dive” vibe. Home-cooked meals on Wednesdays and Thursdays regularly sell out, and the 90s-vibing playlists add a nostalgic air to the gleaming wood-paneled saloon. Whenever a guest rings the bell above the bar, it means they’ve just bought a round for everyone there and secured their name on the bar’s VIP chalkboard.

The fancy script on the front wall is a bit of a misnomer because this Jefferson-Chalmers hangout is indeed a classic dive. Drop ceiling tiles? Check. Jukebox full of classic tunes? Check. Bathroom that looks like it might sink into the floor at any moment? Absolutely. The backyard is a hidden gem, featuring a fire pit and a front row seat to the Fox Creek canal.