Top 10 Cocktail Bars in Ann Arbor
The best top 10 cocktail bars in Ann Arbor, Michigan — reviewed and rated by locals.
Top 10 Cocktail Bars
The Last Word
301 W Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Ann Arbor's premier craft cocktail destination since 2012, The Last Word announced a new era for the city's bar scene with its unmarked door and an expertly curated menu that separates drinks by weight — lighter for aperitif, medium for dining, heavy for nightcaps. The cocktail program pushes the boundaries of classics with unexpected ingredients: Islay Scotch in an amaretto sour, allspice liqueur, lavender honey, and a whiskey selection to rival any bar in Michigan. Reviewers use superlatives uniformly — 'the best cocktail bar in the Midwest.'
Nightcap
220 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Nightcap has established itself since 2017 as one of Ann Arbor's most celebrated modern cocktail bars, offering a seasonally rotating menu of meticulously crafted drinks built with house-made syrups, fresh ingredients, and imaginative techniques alongside thoughtful zero-proof options. The room is intimate and candlelit, with staff that possess genuine expertise delivered without pretension. Guests call the cocktails 'unlike anything else in Ann Arbor,' praising the flavor precision and willingness to steer recommendations based on your palate.
Peridot
118 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
One of Ann Arbor's most exciting newer openings, Peridot is a Vietnamese-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant where the drink program is considered by local critics to be among the best in the city, earning national coverage alongside The Last Word. The 15-cocktail menu is inventive and deeply considered, drawing on Southeast Asian flavor profiles alongside classic technique, while the shareable small plates provide exceptional food to match. American Weekender called it 'one of the best cocktail bars in the Midwest.'
Rabbit Hole
210 S 1st St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
An underground speakeasy in the most literal sense, Rabbit Hole occupies a brick-vaulted cellar space with arched ceilings reminiscent of a European wine cave — a genuinely stunning room unlike any other bar in Ann Arbor. The cocktail menu rotates regularly, anchored by seven house signatures and a changing roster of seasonal creations described as 'science-based mixology' that produces beautiful, complex, and precisely balanced results. Reviewers consistently note the experience justifies the price: 'excellent service, stunning architecture, and drinks you won't find anywhere else.'
The Ravens Club
207 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
At its core one of Ann Arbor's finest cocktail bars, The Ravens Club is built around more than 130 American whiskeys, 10 rotating draft lines, and a classic cocktail menu executed with real skill. The warm, dark-paneled space on Main Street feels like an updated supper club, drawing a crowd that ranges from University of Michigan professors to serious whiskey enthusiasts. Reviews consistently highlight the knowledgeable bartenders and a cocktail quality that stands up to bars in much larger cities.
Babs' Underground Lounge
213 S Ashley St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Described as 'Ann Arbor's best-kept secret' since opening in 2004, Babs' Underground is a beloved below-street-level lounge housed in the historic Schwaben Building, specializing in rare bourbons, single malts, and a genuinely diverse craft cocktail menu. The plush interior — leather booths, high-back chairs, two regulation pool tables — creates a warm, lived-in atmosphere that rewards lingering. Regulars call it 'a haven for serious spirits lovers' and praise the bartenders for navigating a vast back bar with genuine expertise.
Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery
311 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Jolly Pumpkin occupies a prime Main Street location and has built a devoted following for its nationally renowned artisan sour ales — farmhouse-style beers aged in oak with complex, funky, fruit-forward character. Beer Advocate ranks the Jolly Pumpkin brand among the finest craft breweries in the country, and the Ann Arbor pub backs its exceptional beer with a chef-driven menu of truffle fries, artisan pizzas, and rotating seasonal dishes. Staff are praised as deeply knowledgeable, making this as much an education as an evening out.
Ashley's
338 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
A State Street institution since the 1980s and one of the most respected beer bars in Michigan, Ashley's rotates more than 1,000 different beers through its taps and bottle list annually — spanning British bitters, Bohemian pilsners, sour ales, and Pacific Northwest IPAs with the depth of a world-class beer destination. Beyond its legendary beer program, Ashley's has a devoted following for its small-batch bourbon and Scotch selection and its smash burgers. The atmosphere is that of a deeply knowledgeable neighborhood bar — unpretentious, comfortable, and always packed.
The Grotto
303 S Ashley St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
The Grotto offers 36 constantly rotating craft beer taps sourced from across the United States and around the world, complemented by a carefully curated bourbon and Scotch back bar and a creative craft cocktail menu — all in a relaxed, brick-walled space with genuine neighborhood watering-hole energy. The QR code ordering system keeps service smooth even on busy nights, and the policy of welcoming outside food makes it an easy choice for a longer evening. Reviewers consistently praise the 'fantastic beer selection' and 'very friendly service.'
The Habitat at Weber's
3050 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Tucked inside the historic Weber's Inn complex, The Habitat is Ann Arbor's most elegant cocktail lounge — an intimate, warmly lit room anchored by a 16-bottle wine tap system, a focused cocktail menu, and the city's most reliably excellent live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights. The adjacent Weber's kitchen supplies oysters and shareable small plates, creating a complete evening in a single destination that has anchored Ann Arbor's upscale nightlife since 1937. Happy hour from 4–6 p.m. weekdays with discounted cocktails and oysters is considered one of the best deals in town.