The Old Miami

Stopped here after the Jolly Pumpkin with a group of friends. Didn't try any of the food but they made us some great drinks!! I would for sure go back. Also loved how they had the back patio area set up like a big backyard.

Visited from Milwaukee - thought mixed drinks were a bit pricey for the size, but maybe that's because Wisconsin just drinks so much more 🤣. Bouncers were super cool & everyone inside was nice as well. Pretty interesting interior with the couches and stuff but it just works!

I mean, a classic to say the least. Today was clearly a chill Sunday, but the small indoor space I can see getting easily crowded on a live band night. Outside, backyard area an entire different vibe. Spacious, well kept and also has a bar out there. The backyard area is a place you can escape the inside space and odor of possible mold for an outdoor, open experience. Drinks were great and an overall good experience. I appreciate places like this with history and it’s unique style.

If you want to know Detroit, The Old Miami is one of your stops. It still hosts Detroit's local music scene with a great atmosphere, including a backyard to give you a breather from great intense loa music. As good as it gets.

We stopped with a few friends for an afternoon libation. This was my first time visiting. They have a great outdoor space & a unique indoor ambience. We were welcomed with friendly service, local patrons & fair prices. 100% worth a stop!

Absolutely tremendous place. Nice selection of pints, and not afraid to have ferocious music. A quick tour of the exterior revealed loads of space if outdoor lounging is more your thing. If I lived there, I'd be there all the time. As it is, I'll watch for bands and consider a dedicated trip...

I love this place in the warm weather. The back yard is huge and feels like a hidden oasis in the middle of Detroit. The bartenders are no-nonsense and the patrons vary in age and look. I've never hung out inside but it's pretty big too. It looks like where you'd donate your old couch to, but in a good way. I never got a hook-up vibe here, just people chilling.

Shot and beer kind of place. There are always some characters on hand. From experience, it is not the best place to have to poop, just fyi. The backyard in the summer is a super cool space to chill w a group. Prime real estate is by the koi pond.

Great service. Ambience. First time there. They have mystery drink . That was fun. Bar tender and staff are nice. Even the annoying guy who doesn't let u go outside with drinks is cool.

A veteran themed dive bar with limited pay street parking and some nearby pay lots. Inside is dark wood, a large bar, a decent beer selection but limited draft, and a small liquor selection. Pool table, fireplace, easy chairs, small stage. Outback is a huge lawn, koi pond, deck, outdoor bar (summertime only). Lots of veterans patches, and items. Staff was great. Prices are good.

Nice establishment, they charge a cover fee which was a surprise I thought you could just walk in a bar for free. Staff was super friendly. Live entertainment, big enough bar to move around and the outside bar area was really laid back...the tiki bar outside the drinks are strong!!! I tried the jerk chicken from the catering company it was delicious!! I will go back

My favorite place to cap off a night in Detroit. Started off as a veterans bar, you'll find every inch of the walls decorated with old Vietnam memorabilia. The bartenders are great and helpful, the pool tables are good, the crowd is mostly chill--it's a Detroit classic and everything you want in a dive bar. A chalkboard stand out front lists what local food trucks and musicians will be hanging around for the week. (Fun fact: The White Stripes started off their career playing here.) It's more busy with a younger crowd during the college season, but overall great people to meet and play pool with. They offer liquor, wine, beer, and bar snacks like chips. Also good selection of Michigan brews and seltzers. There's a jukebox you can play songs on (it's cheaper to download the Ami app and buy songs from there.) They also have an ATM, darts, and an enormous backyard with an outdoor bar. We love to grab a drink out there by the space heaters in the fall. Thanks for all the great nights, Old Miami. Never change.

Got here on one of those last nice fall days. The backyard was open and had comfortable seating, a koi pond and friendly dogs to visit with you. The backyard bar didn't open early and it did open. It was quiet on a Sunday. When we went inside only an hour or so later it was filling up! Great place to check o

I came in here, a kindhearted person. Asked for the bartenders name and said "nice to meet you, Sydney." And after being there for five minutes a bar back walks up to me and tells us to buy something. I'm checking the bar out. Can I get acclimated to my surroundings? And he was passive aggressive, rude and condescending. I didnt know bars required buying a drink within five minutes of being there (I'm not an alcoholic) and when I asked him about this he told me "that's how a bar works." Does he think I'm stupid? Terrible experience and the most disgusting five minutes of my life. Gross. They literally have CURTAINS for bathrooms.

Drinking in dive bars seems to be the thing to do. We tried to find something closer to downtown but there was a Tigers game and there was zero parking. So we landed here at The Old Miami for a couple of beers before the rest of the evening started. It's a dive bar. It has a pretty cool vibe, even in daylight. Neat stop on my tour of Detroit. [Review 17963 overall - 359 in Michigan - 1484 of 2022.]

Excellent, relaxing pub with lots of space to enjoy a nightcap, food, and entertainment. Honors vets and active service members. Two salutes! Food. Service. Ambiance.

Door staff sucks. Bar tenders are ok but overall would prefer never to come here again

A good place to have some drinks and watch bands play. Decent sized stage and good sound. The outside area of the venue is huge and there is another bar with a more limited menu outside as well. I believe the outside bar may only be open when they have a packed house. We have been here 2 - 3 times over the years and it's always good time. Would return, would recommend.

Loved coming here on Tuesday for open deck night. Such a cool place with a great vibe.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS. We booked the Old Miami for a family get together to celebrate the life and legacy of my father. After weeks of preparation and coordination the day arrived and the bouncer was an absolute menace. Every time anyone from our party came he hassled them and would give me a hard time for coming to greet them. All of this came to a head when he wouldn't let my sister's 18 year old kid in during the time to celebrate the life of their grandfather who had passed away earlier thst year. Eventually i came and pleaded with him given the circumstances and our advanced reservation. Eventuslly he told me to go clear it sith the bartender which i did and put two big Xs on their hands. But 5 minutes later he comes storming over and starts yelling at my sister's kid. He had texted the owners after the bartender gave us the ok and the owner freaked out. A total jerk move. an absolutely unnecesary move and traumatizing for my 18 year old family member. Absolutely unnacceptable. Avoid at all costs.

What is not to love about old Miami? We end up there every year after our family Christmas party. As well as through the summer months for drinks in the backyard. It's a midtown icon!

This is one of my favorite bars in America. Dive bar with an American Legion feel. Felt a little cleaner from when I was last here six years ago. Back outdoor area seemed larger as well. If you like a bar's bar, go to the old Miami. Alone or with friends. Day or night. Maybe I'll see you there.

As always, Old Miami will always be one of my most favorite Dive Bars in the city. We were so excited to bring our friends here. The best part of Old Miami besides the bar itself, is exploring the backyard. They have the coolest layout in the area. If you're looking for a fun time, Old Miami is most certainly the spot. As for us, on to the next one......

All time dive bar. Place is just crawling of low cost drinks and high quality people. Always stop when in Detroit

Refused to serve me even though I am 21 because I am from out of state. I felt discrimitated against because bar tender asked fellow customers if they thought my ID was real. Even though they agreed it was real, bar tender refused to serve me and kicked me out.

Great prices, the backyard makes this a unique and fun place for a drink in the Summer. Staff are always great!

Such a cool place!! Every age group represented! Pool tables , music, and a very cool bar to a sit at. Hole in the wall, you say? I say eclectic cool! Check it out! Then feel free to mOve on your your fancy bar

I have been coming here off and on for 20 years. Solid Detroit institution. The back yard, the music, the bartenders.

Weeeee!! I've always wanted to try this spot out. So when the the bar we were at was closing out for the night. We relocated to this spot. From the pictures, I was expecting something that's really really dingy and probably something I wouldn't come back to. BUT!!! Everything was super awesome. We came in, sat on comfy couches and shot the breeze over 2 pitches of Ghetto Blaster for $14. We got to see the back patio area as well. That was hella dope. I can't wait to come back in the summer time to fully enjoy this amazing dive of a bar. Thank you so much for reading my review. I hope this helps with your decision making experience. Enjoy your awesome yelptastic day!

I love this bar. No stupid high prices, great outdoor area and its easy to find a parking spot somewhat nearby.

I used to dislike this place but I never really knew why. I just did. But I've gone back several times over the past year and I do dig this bar. The bartenders tend to be okay. Prices aren't too bad. There is an internet jukebox you can control from your phone, as well as a pool table. The music tends to be really loud, so it's not the best place for a date. I think Old Miami would benefit from more seating inside or at least more tables. They've got two comfy couches, but you'll be holding your drinks, as there are no tables nearby. Overall, a good lil' dive bar to get a basic drink. Great patio in the summertime. Bartenders aren't the most friendly, but are proficient with cracking beers.

The bar tender here was extremely rude! We walked in and she immediately started yelling at us for not showing IDs when we were not asked to show them and obviously showed them when asked. It was a group of 20+ 25-30 year olds going to happy hour after a half day Friday. One of the most bizarre experiences I've had. Definitely don't recommend coming here if you like good customer service

Inside there is practically no seating, but you walk outside and there is a huge beer garden with a bar, BBQ and stage area. Beer garden has outside seating and a coy pond. It has a great ambiance and an eclectic mix of patrons. Great divey gem in midtown.

I've been to Old Miami quite a few times and I always have a great time. It's my favorite dancing destination in Detroit. It's not clubby or posh in anyway or form and has more of the charms of an unpretentious dive bar. When you first walk in, there is a long bar decorated with random nick-nacks and assorted Veteran memorabilia. To the right there are pool tables and some couches where people lounge. There's a decent sized dance floor with a stage where there's live music or a dj spinning records. In the summer, when you step outside, they have an outdoor tiki bar and large yard with patio furniture and chairs where people hang out while enjoying a beer. You can order pretty standard classic cocktails, like gin and tonic or jack and ginger, and they serve mostly bottled beer, and some shots. They vary between being extremely busy to very dead. They're located in Midtown near Wayne State's campus and are fairly crowded in the winter during the time class is in session but can be kind of empty towards beginning of summer and pick up again as summer ensues. I came here in the winter and there was a dj playing great music and the dance floor was packed. Planned my whole June birthday midtown pub crawl around ending the night dancing here and it was pretty dead but we were a pretty large group and we ended up bringing the party and had a great time dancing all night. They're pretty close, within walking distance, to some of my other fave Midtown bars, Bronx and Motor City Brewing Works so they make a great addition to any midtown pub crawl. They also have special events. We came to an event after Dally in the Alley. Cover charge was kind of high for the event, around $10-$15, but it was fun. They had art in the backyard area, aerial acrobatics performers and a live band. I always have a great time here and I'm sure I'll be back soon. Definitely looking forward to patio season.

My wife hates Old Miami, but I love this place. The backyard is one of the best "patios" I've come across, especially in Detroit. It's wide open and grassy and has all kinds of lawn chairs and tables. It's the perfect place for a beer outdoors in the summer. This is what I come here for. Inside, there's a short bar and a couple couches, as well as a pool table. Honestly, I don't spend much time inside when I'm here. Drinks are reasonable enough. Bartenders are reasonable enough.

I guess since I have so many check ins here, I might as well write a review. Where to start about my favorite watering hole? I've been coming here about 15 years, usually during the day so I can sit in the backyard and have a cigar. We sometimes grab food before coming and park it here for most of a Saturday. They do have live music inside the bar and in the backyard but I'm usually not here late enough to check out any bands. When people come here for the first time they are overwhelmed by what this bar offers. Beers and booze are pretty cheap and later in the summer evenings there is a hot dog vendor in the back yard. I really like this bar. I can come here solo, or with my lady, or with friends and have the same fun time. It's one of the few places in Detroit that does it own thing and refuses to conform.

Dive Bar. $2 Hamms. Back yard. Thought the place was nice, except there's not much seating indoors (and most is on old couches - eww). The backyard is great but could also use a couple more tables/chairs. Great place to meet up with friends and throw back a few though!

Great place to party. I've been here a couple of times I really enjoyed myself on both occasions

Hidden Gem First time here and only the outdoor patio area was open. The outdoor area was very cool and fenced in to feel like you're kinda outside the city and secluded. Drinks were pretty reasonably priced. Didn't get any food

Best. "Dive". Bar. EVER. What a wonderful place. It has a special type of vibe and energy. Great service from Daniel. If you're around stop by, it's worth it!

Just basically was run out of Old Miami . Myself and a friend stopped in as I just recently moved two blocks from this establishment. Not more than 1 minute after walking in, a person somehow affiliated with Old Miami (as confirmed by bartender) blocked our way into the bar area. He asked us for ID even before we tried to order a drink. He then went on to rant about white privilege and how we don't belong etc. I didn't see any African Americans which made it even more weird. He became more belligerent so we walked out I have lived in midtown for a couple of months and have never experienced this at any other establishment. I will never step foot in there again with friends family or business associates.

The Old Miami is my go-to bar in Detroit. I started hanging out there when I lived in Cass Corridor, and I return whenever I get the chance. It's small, perhaps some would describe it as a "dive" but the staff are stellar, the drink prices are reasonable, and it's a veteran bar. There's lot of memorabilia on the walls. Best time to visit is in the summertime; as other reviewers have noted the Miami has a great patio. Sometimes they have bon fires, which I really enjoy as well. However, the BEST thing about this place is the party they throw during Dally In The Ally, aka "The Dirtiest Most Bizarre Art Show That Is Not In An Alley Ever!" It's a one day festival featuring tons of Detroit's best outsider artists, live performances from local bands, aerialists, pole dancers, freakshow performers and DJ's. The last few years they have also held a drag karaoke contest, so really, what's not to love?

The old Miami was , is and always will be a friendly bar. I'm guilty of being an employee some 25 years ago but after reading some of the , in my opinion, ignorant one night stand reviews, you honestly have no clue what, how and why it started. I was going to get into more but, ya know? Get a T-shirt elsewhere. That $ goes to greater causes than you can imagine. Oh, and the little military trinkets... each and every one of them served. The only travesty is they gave all so you can express your intellectual comments. It really sucks that the proprietor and his friends worked their asses off so you self righteous , yet deserving,could have a safe, fun , inviting joint to blow off steam. I've said enough, maybe too much. Blessings. PS the owner is in my eyes, a saint, who served in hell and luckily makes it back and scraped up every dime to open a bar in hell, so you can piss on it.

When an out of town guest says "I want to go hit downtown dives", this absolutely has to be on the list. Solid selection of drinks and beers, and it looks like they emptied your grandparents' basement to furnish the place. Oh, and Sopranos pinball...and the ever-awesome internet controlled jukebox.

Love, love, love this place! I am a huge supporter of all things military and the vintage military gear at the front of the bar is definitely something to take in. If you are hesitant at first, venture out back where there is a huge grassy backyard, complete with fire-pits and a second bar area. There are also lots of lawn chairs and trees in addition to covered tables to sit at should the sun get too much during the day!

Dive bar for sure, but a pretty cool place. Pool table, free book exchange, nice gentleman behind the bar. Worth a visit. Follow me on IG for pics to accompany all these great reviews. @unchain3d_dream

Very divey bar. I had just got lunch from Gus' Fries Chicken and they let me bring it in. I was able to order the old Detroit Altes Original and relax in their "living room". Don't miss the stuffed beaver! It cold out so we stayed inside and enjoyed yakking football and hunting with the friendly patrons and barkeep. Being that I just landed firm Miami it was fitting to stop in and I had to represent.

Dive bar with lots of games and occasional dancing. When you walk in Old Miami has lots of army/veteran trinkets which give it a bit of a kitschy vibe. But it's fun for what it is. They have pool, darts, arcade games, a TV with sports and a dancing area. There isn't always dancing when there was I think it was fun but I don't remember too clearly (lol). But the dance floor is small so it's not my fave dance spot in Detroit. I got a Moscow mule which was good, but not very strong. It wasn't super cheap like some dive bars are but of course it isn't too pricy. The crowd at old Miami is pretty hit or miss. Sometimes it's quiet on the weekends but sometimes it's packed. I've been there when there are a lot of greek life-esque college kids but also when there's more of an older crowd.

One of my most favorite bars. It's a Disneyland for drunks! The drinks are cheap, the kitsch is priceless and the backyard is out of this world. And why does it always lead to nothing good!? My true vice. My one love. My fave Detroit bar.. The Old Miami.

Good place to go dancing, but it's changed in the last few years for sure. I'd disagree with people saying it isn't catering to the new & younger clientele - definitely is. Still a good time, but doesn't feel like it did when I first started going. The backyard area is a really huge and wonderful place to hang out - there's a koi pond! And a stage! Excellent.

Detroit dive at its best! The drinks are cheap, it's gritty and full of unique characters. The best way I can think to describe it would be: they stuck a full bar in a friend's war veteran dad's basement. Yep, that random. And yep that divey. At times, you'd swear you were at a house party, not a bar...or maybe that was the cheap beer talking. As for the decor, there's a whole slew of strange items, including a giant stuffed beaver...(priceless!) various war vet memorabilia, numerous beer ad mirrors...pure dive awesome-ness in all it's kitch glory.There are random couches around, a pool table. I went once near Christmas and they had a crockpot with meatballs on a folding table. They bring in some great DJ's and so if you have an itch to get those dancing feet moving, you can give it a scratch here. They have a small but decent sized dance floor. Just enough room for getting down. In my book, Old Miami is underrated and I have friends that are afraid to go here...!?!? Which is strange, because the nights I have made it out here, are some of the best times I've had in Detroit in a long while.

Oh Old Miami.. How I love your diverse population, your trendy outlook and your spacious outdoor backyard. I would definitely call it a backyard before I call it a patio. Old Miami has a feel of a basement that has seen one too many parties. Everyone there is super chill and super diverse. I've been here a couple times and every time you get a different crowd which is pleasing. If you love people watching and drinking.. come here. Hamms and shots of Jameson are my poison, and if it's not too crowded, I enjoy sitting at the bar and talking to the bartenders. Sometimes the bartenders don't have the time or the patience for people like me who want to know their life story.. but don't give up. They are trying to keep everyone happy and I believe they do a good job.

Couldn't pass up going here. Love dive bars, this one definitely is. Can't believe I've never been here. Unique place. Something on every wall& in every corner. Laid back place. $6 for 2 draft beers. This place made me think of old Sheryl Crow song, all I wanna do is have some fun !

How do I review this place?... I feel like it's probably a completely different experience depending on the day and time you're there. For me, the few times we've been, it's been nice enough to have the outdoor area open, but not quite nice enough to stay out there for long. The large backyard patio and outdoor area is definitely a plus - including a fire pit and plenty of seating. It also looks like they have a bar set up to serve outdoors, but it wasn't open when we were there. Inside, well, all I can say is it feels a lot like I'm in someone's great grandmother's living room. Complete with the smell of grandpa's cigarettes and spilled beer on really old carpet. You definitely need the fresh air from the outdoors. That said, the drink prices are super affordable and if they have live music, it can be quite the scene! The war memorabilia all over the walls is also somewhat entertaining - at least they have a theme. It's not a bad hang out spot and makes a good stop on a mid-town pub crawl.

Not your father's Vietnam vet bar, that's for sure. Gritty, grimy and well-lived in, the Miami is a Detroiter's Detroit bar. I found an old Metro Times once and discovered that it was called the New Miami back in the day. Well, it's earned the "Old" modifier every bit as much as a certain Dirty Bastard who used to rap for the Wu Tang Clan. Check out the awesome metal door with a guitar and a gun that they used to protect the glass front door when they lock up at night. That ought to tell you everything you need to know about the place - that and the "Jane's Fonda Commies" toilet paper they have displayed amongst the menagerie behind the bar. So much cool junk in that place. It takes me back to my Grandpa and his flea market days. Pinball, beat-up old couches, TV's, billiards, internet jukeboxes and bands. No kitchen but I've brought in carryout from the Thai place and they've been cool about it. (Though that might vary from bartender to bartender.) If they had laundry machines drunks could spend all day there and still feel all productive and responsible. The owners are cool as hell, too. One time a friend and I found ourselves so drunk at the Miami we had to leave our bikes in their epic, sprawling backyard overnight. The next day when I went back they were still there. Good thing, too, as one of the bikes was from a third friend who wasn't too happy I wasn't too sure what happened to his bicycle I had borrowed the night before. I wouldn't recommend leaving your bicycle their overnight, but still, it was pretty cool they had our backs on that one. Also, once I was in there on the night of their Christmas party and Julie gave me some long johns. Told me she always saw me walking down Cass in the winter time and said I looked cold. Thanks, Julie! The men's room is pretty foul and the Red Bull is extra spendy - $5 a pop, but the Miami is right up there with Anchor Bar as my favorite Detroit bar. Can't choose between the two; it's like picking a favorite child. I can almost smell the bbq wafting from the backyard right now; it's in my future this summer, I can tell.

I told Juan this looks like a grandparent's basement. I see that is not an original thought after reading the reviews. There are cool war relics and couches. Old Miami is a great bar to visit.

Edit: Forgot to mention that I am a veteran as well and am ashamed at the level of disrespect leveled towards respectful, paying customers, from a facility that vocalizes being veteran friendly. You never know who the person in front of you really is. Hooah. I usually have a decent time there with friends and family (ex brother in law is good friends with owner) but Saturday I had a terrible experience. I waited patiently at the bar, only to be completely ignored for more than 15 minutes, while other customers to my immediate left and right were served before me (and who arrived after me). When I began to protest that I was waiting for quite some time (respectfully, tactfully, and with no attitude), a finger shot up to hush me or ask for a minute, but nobody came back to get my order. I had had one drink so far, tipped appropriately (I have family in the service industry so I tip well always), and still could not get any help. I walked out because there are too many places in midtown and downtown who would happily take my money. I'm gonna skip it at Santarchy and other future events.