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Interior - Standby, Detroit, MI
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Standby

$30 and under
Contemporary American
225 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Make a booking

A photo of Standby restaurant

Standby

4.8
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Detroit

Make a booking

2 people
22:00
Booked 18 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Lively
  • Innovative
A contemporary cocktail bar and restaurant in the heart of Detroit. Standby’s beverage program uses innovative techniques to bring new flavors and experiences to the glass while paying homage to the classics. The kitchen focuses on small plates designed for sharing, with a concise selection of mains, and a smash burger to round things out.

The Pinnacle Guide - Awarded 2 Pins “Outstanding” - 2025
Tales of the Cocktail - Regional Top Ten US Bar Team – 2023
James Beard Semifinalist - Outstanding Bar Program - 2017 & 2018
Tales of the Cocktail - Regional Top Ten Best American Cocktail Bar – 2020 & 2024


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2026

From the OpenTable editors: With a whole host of awards including two James Beard nominations for Outstanding Bar Program, Eater Detroit’s Bar of the Year, and multiple Tales of the Cocktail and World's 50 Best recognitions, it's safe to say that Standby is an industry and critical darling for its bold, boundary-pushing cocktail program. Tucked just off a narrow alley downtown, the dimly lit drinking den whips up next-level drinks like a gin sour riff with nitro-mustard greens and celery bitters. Pair them with upscale pub dishes like a brown butter crab waffle and the city’s best Caesar salad.

Executive chef: Kyle Skotak

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Global, International, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Hours of Operation
    Wed, Thu, Sun 17:00–01:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–02:00
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Cocktail Catering services available for parties of any size. Email events@standbydetroit.com
  • Private party facilities
    Please email events@standbydetroit.com for private events and cocktail catering.
  • Award-winning
    1. OpenTable Icons 2026
  • Area
    Detroit
  • Cross Street
    Broadway & Gratiot - Located in The Belt Alley
  • Parking Details
    We validate parking for up to 2 hours in "The Z" parking garage on Gratiot Avenue, right next to Standby, on non-event days.
  • Public transport
    Cadillac Center People Mover Station
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Standby.

4.8

4.8
(804)
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Detroit / Eastern Michigan

    Lively

  • Detroit / Eastern Michigan

    Contemporary American

  • Detroit

    Lively

  • Detroit

    Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Standby offers "amazing cocktails" and inventive, well-executed food with "great service." Its lively atmosphere, eclectic menu, and standout dishes like the brown butter crab waffles and pork belly make it a "can't miss spot" in Detroit. The service is often praised as "top notch," ensuring a memorable dining experience.
804 Reviews
  1. Ralph

    Detroit / Eastern Michigan12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 26 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing cocktails. And to our delight the food was also very inventive and well executed. We will be back soon.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Tommy

    Nebraska5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 22 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent drinks and small plates with great service. Top notch.

    Is this helpful?

  3. nicole

    Edinburgh/Midlothian1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 18 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place! We will most definitely be returning!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Rachel

    Detroit / Eastern Michigan1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 3 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great little hole in the wall cocktail bar. We had drinks & apps, the milk bread is SO GOOD as was the crab waffle.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Scotia

    Toronto / Ontario2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 2 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We celebrated our anniversary at Standby and had an exceptional experience! The food was incredible and all of the staff and servers were warm and welcoming, we had great service. They even gave us a glass each of bubbly on the house, a sweet touch. Can’t wait to go back!

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  6. Nadia

    New York City2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 30 September 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This place is perfect! The service was amazing, the food was insanely delicious and we left there still talking about our favorites! You must go with a big group or a big appetite so you can try everything. You don’t want to miss out on anything on the menu ❤️❤️❤️

    Is this helpful?

  7. Hannah

    Chicago / Illinois1 review

    4.0

    Dined on 26 September 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Fun bar to show newcomers to but the music got so loud we ended up leaving because we couldn’t hear each other. Cool vibe and fun cocktails.

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  8. Matthew

    Detroit / Eastern Michigan2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 26 September 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A great atmosphere with excellent drinks and service. The food was tasty and everything was reasonably priced, especially for downtown in a major city. I’ll be back soon!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Anderson

    Dallas - Fort Worth1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 24 September 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food, staff, and cocktails were amazing. Let’s not forget the music!!! 🔥

    Is this helpful?

  10. Tyrone

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 14 September 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience overall. And great customer service from the hostess and the bartenders as well as the waiters. And the music was incredible.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Global, International, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Hours of Operation
    Wed, Thu, Sun 17:00–01:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–02:00
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Cocktail Catering services available for parties of any size. Email events@standbydetroit.com
  • Private party facilities
    Please email events@standbydetroit.com for private events and cocktail catering.
  • Award-winning
    1. OpenTable Icons 2026
  • Area
    Detroit
  • Cross Street
    Broadway & Gratiot - Located in The Belt Alley
  • Parking Details
    We validate parking for up to 2 hours in "The Z" parking garage on Gratiot Avenue, right next to Standby, on non-event days.
  • Public transport
    Cadillac Center People Mover Station
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options

FAQs

Yes, Standby is frequently recommended for date nights, with intimate, low‑lighting vibes, a standout cocktail program, and multiple guests praising it as an excellent spot for couples and anniversaries.

For late-night energy pick Friday or Saturday (Standby stays open until 2:00 am those nights); Sundays are also popular, with guests calling out lively Sunday visits and Sunday happy-hour outings.

Standby is a fantastic pre-show stop and early-evening choice, many guests note it’s a perfect spot before the Opera House, and 5:00 pm reservations often fill up; expect the liveliest atmosphere on Friday–Saturday nights.

Casual dress is the guide, neat, relaxed clothing is perfectly appropriate (guests say jeans and even game jerseys felt fine).

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Detroit / Eastern Michigan
  4. Detroit
  5. Detroit

Make a booking

A photo of Standby restaurant

Standby

4.8
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Detroit

Make a booking

2 people
22:00
Booked 18 times today
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