Willow Detroit

Cocktail bar · Downtown

Willow Detroit

Cocktail bar · Downtown

5

1431 Times Square, Detroit, MI 48226

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Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by Serena Maria Daniels
Willow Detroit by Serena Maria Daniels
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
Willow Detroit by null
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Willow Detroit by null
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Highlights

Craft cocktails & speakeasy vibes with a focus on Black history  

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1431 Times Square, Detroit, MI 48226 Get directions

willowdetroit.com
@willow_detroit

$20–30 · Menu

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1431 Times Square, Detroit, MI 48226 Get directions

+1 313 900 3474
willowdetroit.com
@willow_detroit

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Oct 16, 2025

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@eater

Detroit’s 22 Best Bars

"Downtown Black-owned cocktail bar, Willow pays homage to Southern hospitality. The speakeasy is located in the alley around the corner from SavannahBlue downtown. Restaurateurs Ron Scott, J.D. Simpson, and Roger Yopp debuted the spot in 2022. Guests are greeted at the entrance by a maître d’ who leads them to the luxurious interior. The menu is designed to tell the story of the Black experience through the lens of drinks." - Serena Maria Daniels

https://detroit.eater.com/maps/best-bars-detroit
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Where to Find Hidden Bars and Speakeasies in Detroit

"Downstairs from Times Square restaurant Savannah Bleu, Willow is the most recent Black-owned speakeasy in town. The cozy space is dominated by a massive faux willow tree, with enchanting fairy lights nestled in its branches. The bar is an ode to Black history and culture in Michigan and prominently features historic spirits and cocktails influenced by 19th-century bartender Tom Bullock." - Serena Maria Daniels

https://detroit.eater.com/maps/best-hidden-cocktail-bars-speakeasies-metro-detroit
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Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Bakeries, and Other Ways to Splurge in Detroit for a Special Occasion | Eater Detroit

"I descended downstairs from Times Square restaurant Savannah Bleu into Willow, a Black-owned speakeasy dominated by a massive faux willow tree festooned with fairy lights; the cozy space is an ode to Black history and culture in Michigan and prominently features historic spirits and cocktails influenced by 19th-century bartender Tom Bullock." - Serena Maria Daniels

https://detroit.eater.com/24105797/best-detroit-restaurant-bar-splurge-special-occasion-dining-casinos-hotels-clubs
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Where to Order Manhattans in Detroit This February | Eater

"Willow is one of Downtown Detroit’s only Black-owned craft cocktail bars, a stylish speakeasy from the owners of the contemporary soul food restaurant SavannahBlue. Willow’s cocktail menu pays homage to the often overlooked cocktail contributions from the African diaspora around the world, telling the story of the Black experience through its drinks. With just 50 seats, Willow is a cozy, intimate space, and the “willow” motif is repeated throughout, from the otherwise unmarked entrance in the alley behind SavannahBlue (look for the gold door with a silhouette of a willow painted on it) to the large willow tree that serves as the focal point of the bar. This month, Willow is serving a “Wet Manhattan,” featuring Angel’s Envy Rye Finished in Rum Casks, pinot noir, cranberry, simple syrup, and orange and chocolate bitters." - Vox Creative

https://www.eater.com/ad/maps/where-to-order-manhattans-in-detroit-this-february
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Willow is Detroit’s first Black-owned cocktail bar downtown - Eater Detroit

"Willow is a Black-owned craft cocktail bar located in Detroit, paying homage to Southern hospitality. It is situated in the alley around the corner from SavannahBlue downtown and opened last month. The bar features a luxurious interior and a menu designed to tell the story of the Black experience through drinks, with flavors inspired by Afro-West Indian heritage." - Serena Maria Daniels

https://detroit.eater.com/2022/6/28/23186453/black-owned-speakeasy-bar-willow
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Inger Margrete Hansen

Google
As a devoted cocktail enthusiast, Willow Detroit was high on my list—and it absolutely lived up to the hype. From the inventive drinks to the attentive service and chic interior, every moment spent here was a delight. The Goat and The Elephant Tree cocktails were standout favourites. I can’t wait to return!

Robert Jones

Google
Love this hidden Gem in downtown Detroit. The servers were extremely fun / helpful and very professional. Although they all were amazing one bartender really stood out and went above and beyond for my wife and I, his name was Chris and he was amazing, you can tell he's very passionate about his job and did a great job walking us through the menu and recommending some amazing drinks which made our experience even more enjoyable. The drinks were very creative and extremely flavorful. Love the entire vibe of this establishment and will definitely be back and recommend to all my friends / family.

Danielle Lesperance

Google
Came here for a post dinner cocktail and had a great experience. We did come on the early side (8:30pm) but loved the vibe and the cocktails were unique and delicious. We also trialed the mocktails which was a pleasant surprise. Highly recommend and will be returning !

Laura Schickling

Google
It was quiet when we went on Friday evening, but everyone was nice. They were sadly out of the one food we really wanted to try, but The Goat cocktail made up for it. I'm always happy to try something a little more unique that ends up tasting just as good and better than widely-loved classics. I'd definitely go back to have it again.

Genel Fowler

Google
This cute little gem deserves its flowers. Willow is a vibe. From the beginning of my experience Willow exceeded my expectations. The security team, hostess and bartenders were friendly, personable and vibrant. This quaint, speakeasy is perfect for a solo date, sneaky link 🤭🫣 or a girls date. The drinks are careful crafted and delicious. The pricing is a bit higher than I anticipated.

Todays Present

Google
I loved the vibes here! Our waitress, Lindsey, provided excellent recommendations and great feedback on the history/development of the cocktails. I loved the experience. I would absolutely return again and try different drinks. I had the Willow Martini with Collard Green Au Jus. It was unlike any cocktail I've ever had before. I love how interesting it was. My husband had a lemon drop (not on the menu), and it too was delicious. It wasn't traditional, but nothing here is! Must try!

Rounak Nischal

Google
Very nice speakeasy for a date night. Hidden entrance but knock and someone will open. Beautiful candlelit seating, the bar has a tree, drinks are very balanced and made super well. Must go!

Jocelyn Lockwood

Google
First off all cocktails were 10/10! Food was very good as well when we got it. The decor was very cool and the vibe was very chic & lowkey. Loved the tree in the inside. I would say for a Saturday evening they were understaffed & not very attentive because of that. My friend & I had to wait a long time in between table check ins and it was to the point where I almost felt like I needed to walk out at the end because of such a long wait. Staff was very friendly though when we were finally taken care of, so this would be my only gripe.
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Victoria W.

Yelp
Ambiance is very chill and relaxing. It was a nice date night. Service was alright. Bar tender was served us, but also distant. A little weird. I didn't have any food and unfortunately I can't recall exactly what drink I had but the smoke effect was so cool
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Sheneka M.

Yelp
The ambiance, service and music! A1!!!! Went for an evening of Deno's with my girls. Such wonderful staff and the vibe is grown and sexy!

Renee W.

Yelp
The ambiance was amazing and we appreciated Cathy's kindness and patience in accommodating our party. Chris and Jackie were attentive and kind servers. The drinks were well made, high quality ingredients, and very nice flavor profiles.
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Malisa R.

Yelp
Sexy and intimate speakeasy right around the corner from Savannah Blue. My husband and I accidentally found it when we were trying to find the entrance to Savannah Blue. I tried pulling the door and got a sneak peak inside when the hostess came to the door. No signage, but beautiful gold door. She helped us find our way to Savannah Blue, but we came back post dinner. Reservations recommended since the space is small and intimate, but we were able to get a table. The bartenders, waiters, and staff here are so friendly! We started off with a complimentary drink from the bartender. My husband got the 'It's a Hot Drink' and I got 'Pursue Candy.' Both were so good, but I liked my husband's drink more. It was the perfect drink for a cold ish night. We stayed the night in the city, so we wanted to bar hop. I would 100% come back here with girlfriends for a night out.
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Jenna C.

Yelp
On a Saturday night, Willow was giving us all the vibes and all the swank. We did have a little trouble finding the entrance since it's all the way in the back alley behind Savannah Blue but luckily someone pointed us in the right direction. Even though we were a little early for our reservation, the hostess was able to seat us right away and we opted to sit up at the bar under the giant willow tree. Music was playing in the background, not too loud, so we were still able to easily chat over drinks. The bartender was awesome and able to make a spin on an espresso martini for my sister, which tasted fabulous. I went with The Oaxacan Club first, which was very nice if you like mezcal. I then moved to "The Goat", which was my favorite of the two - refreshing and not too sweet. My sister's second drink was Purse Candy, but we both thought it was too sweet - definitely a miss for our palates. But overall, the craft cocktail menu is innovative and fun. The only drawback is the price - they don't note them anywhere but ours were in the $16-18 range plus they added a 20% tip automatically to the bill which we would have paid anyway but was a little presumptuous in my opinion. Not a big enough deal to take away from an enjoyable evening and drinks at Willow, and I'd still recommend as one of the best speakeasies in Detroit.
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Shelley B.

Yelp
Very positive experience at Willow. Hidden entrance, only marked with a willow tree painted on the door. Small but intimate, moody, low lit space. Manager very personable and highly knowledgeable historian. Even though our table was not ready upon arrival, -despite having reservations, they accommodated us and moved us quickly when the table became available. Cocktails were good and unique. Ambiance warm and earthy.
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Jasleen S.

Yelp
Love the dark speakeasy vibe! The staff is super friendly and will help you choose a drink! Even the charcuterie boards are delicious and paired well with all the drinks
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Blessing O.

Yelp
We came to town to visit some friends and they took us to this spot. When we arrived, we were greeted by a very friendly host who gave us some history about the speakeasy, which was very nice. We enjoyed the ambience of this spot. It was very dim and had music playing in the background and several available tables to sit at. The bartender gave us a few drink recommendations. We tried the coastline charm, oaxacan club, and the willow old fashioned. Overall, we liked most of the drinks. However, the coastline charm we really were not a fan of, and they kindly accepted the drink back and allowed us to replace it with another. I don't think the drinks that we tried were necessarily the best I've had or in the top few, but overall we had a good time. The server did inform us that some of the drinks are more of an acquired taste due to the uniqueness of the ingredients they used. As the night went on, and it got busier, it took a little longer to receive service. I wouldn't mind going back again, but probably would prefer trying other options first.
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Marissa C.

Yelp
I love this place! It is incredibly adorable from the music to the decorations to the drinks! The menu is incredibly unique and they make almost all of their syrups and specialty alcohol in house! I had the drink purse candy and it is probably the most delicious drink I've ever had. It had great balance and was very sweet (which is what I like). Service was quick and well paced given the atmosphere. Overall, I would come again!
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Carolina C.

Yelp
Tucked away behind SavannahBlue, willow is a super cool cocktail bar with great vibes. It's super hard to get a reservation but would highly recommend trying to go there. The staff was extremely attentive and even brought out a welcome drink. I got the red rosed, which tasted like a rose latter with gin. Rose usually threads on the side of soap, but Willow knew where to draw the line. The GOAT is even more amazing with goat cheese as crazy as that sounds but brought a nice creaminess to the cocktail. The bar is very dark and there is ambient lighting, and the music wasn't too loud but great songs so conversation was easy to hear. No wonder they make it onto Detroit lists for drinks!!!
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Tonee S.

Yelp
Ambiance: amazing. Location can be hard to find as it doesn't have a sign out front. Found on the back side of savannah blue. Awesome door with an intricate willow tree. Walk inside and you are transported. Loved the music choices. It's dark and cozy. Like an eclectic upscale tree house. Customer service: 8/10. Not over the top but bartender was knowledgeable and made our drinks well. Drinks: presentation was good. Each drink was closer to $18-20 at base price which can be considered more pricy if you aren't prepared. Solid drinks. 8/10 Overall dope experience but nothing blew my socks off. Would return.
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Rodrigo T.

Yelp
Speakeasy joints are something I always gravitate to. It's one of those places where whoever I brung with and I can have a nice chat and be in a relaxing atmosphere. Drinks are pretty good. I had the Breakers at Eventide which was pretty good. I actually enjoyed it. The hubby ordered a Bees Knees which was also very good as well. My only critique is that the cocktails are a little too sugar forward. We asked for a sugar free type mocktail for my mother and it was still very sugary. And the liqour selection is a bit lacking. Also the server didn't quite know what a bees knees was. A bit of knowledge about classic cocktails please. Other than that, the service was top knotch. Even though they command a high price for their cocktails. I don't mind it because it definitely weeds out the rambunctious high fiving too much testosterone boys. None of the, I just turned 21 crowds or the Bachelorette parties that are out of control. Just a great time with grown up people having grown up talks. Thank you so much for reading my review. I hope this helps with your decision making experience. Enjoy your awesome yelptastic day!!!

David C.

Yelp
Absolutely one of best experiences in Detroit. We will return to Willow. Creative cocktails along with your traditional drinks. Super cool vibe and great service.
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Arturo F.

Yelp
Not gonna lie -- we almost didn't find Willow since the entrance is in an unmarked door by a parking lot. It was a busy Saturday night but they were able to seat our group of 4 without a reservation. The ambience is super cool and dark -- definitely a great spot for a date. Music volume was perfect... loud enough that other tables couldn't easily hear you, but not so loud that you couldn't have a conversation with your table. The drinks were good, but probably $2-3 too expensive for what they were. Service was on the slow side, even for a craft cocktail place. This was a few months ago when they were still relatively new, so I'm definitely hoping to go back soon and see if this part has improved.
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Jonathan D.

Yelp
Very quaint place. Good for romantic evening out. Service is very top notch. Especially for that speak easy vibe.
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Asha P.

Yelp
I love, love, love this beautiful and warm speakeasy... I've been wanting to go here for so long! And finally made it with my girls. We had dinner at Savannah Blue upstairs, and came down with the owner (my friend knows him well) for a few drinks. As soon as I walked in, I completely understood what Willow meant. The deigns, the artwork, the chairs, the willow tree, just all of it was so good. The music was on point, serves were so nice, and the drinks were delicious and strong! It felt so exclusive! Make sure you make a reservation--otherwise you might not get in. The bar was packed ALL night, as well as the rest of the restaurant.
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Aliya S.

Yelp
A really chill speakeasy to hangout with friends. The drinks were pretty good, but I should have listened to our bar tender's recommendation because the Deep North one he created was so good! I got the Love Me drink and it wasn't as sweet as I thought it would be. The service was excellent and very attentive.
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Kelly B.

Yelp
It overall is a cool place- the vibes are cool, drinks were good. But I just can't get past the price. You scan a QR code to the menu which has a select few cool specialty drinks. The waiter said they could also make any of your typical cocktails. But menu didn't have prices on it. Figured they'd be expensive but two of the drinks were $33 each. ‍ and it was $20 per person deposit just for the reservation which we got back but made me reallllly nervous about being late bc we would have been out $80 for the 4 of us. Overall it was like $160 for 6 drinks. Cool idea but $33 for one drink is just too crazy for me
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Shelbi M.

Yelp
My friends and I had a fabulous time, the music gave a 90s Detroit feel. It is hard to find the door is in the parking lot on the side of the building luckily someone pointed us to the right direction. The service was great, they answered all of our questions, our water was always filled, everyone was very friendly and polite. It really has a speakeasy feel, the decor is a moody, eclectic vibe. I have nothing but good things to say!
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D H.

Yelp
The point and novelty of going to a speakeasy is the fact that you won't be arrested for violating the prohibition laws of the 1920s. The negative is that in reality, you have to be prepared to get what's on the menu. They use to make alcohol in bathtubs, then use fruit and juice to cover up the horrible taste of the bathtub hooch. Mixed drinks were created out of necessity. You won't get shots like Superman or other well-known shots. A lot of the drinks are basic whiskey, vodka, and gin based, no liqueurs, that's what I was advised. The servers are friendly but found lacking on their own special drink menu. You use a QR code to get the menu on your cell phone. The atmosphere is top notch, the music is chilling motown master mix. This is a place to go to get to know someone, not to get your party on. The parking couldn't get you any closer to the business. You are going to pay for the mixologist. Six drinks, $160 dollars. Plus, the 41 dollars to hold your reservation. That will be returned in three business days.
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Larissa A.

Yelp
Was in town for a work trip and looking for somewhere nearby the Roost Hotel (fantastic by the way) to snag some drinks. Found Willow on Yelp and wandered our way to the alley entrance. Walk indoors and your transported into a velvet draped speakeasy vibe with rich colors and decor. We were asked if we had a reservation which we definitely did not but they were accommodating to let us snag seats at the bar. I wish I could remember the names of the two gentlemen serving us drinks! They are both friendly, knowledgeable, and made killer drinks. I'm pretty open to trying anything new so we let the bartenders make us their own concoctions and they didn't disappoint. Drinks are a little on the pricey side but that's common with this type of bar so we expected it. Great place, fantastic service, tasty drinks in downtown Detroit.
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Morgan C.

Yelp
Willow was a great spot for birthday drinks with friends! The cocktails are creative and the servers are great at helping pick out what's right for you. It's an intimate space that would also be perfect for a date night out
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Chris K.

Yelp
This spot is excellent - though some wierdness in service prevents me giving it a 5 star. We arrived from dinner at Savanah Blue and they spotted our bag of leftovers. They quickly took it from us and told us that they'd hold it for us while we were there. This seems nice, but was not thought out. On departure, we asked our server for our bag as we had no idea who to talk to. Our server had multiple bags and no idea which was which. She ultimately started opening boxes and asking us what we had taken home to figure out which bag to give us. Super weird and awkward. That aside, this spot is super cute. Love the hunt for the speakeasy door, the reception area, and the atmosphere inside. The cocktails were delish and the service was good - if a little slow. Will certainly come back here to try them again - definitely worth checking out!
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Dimitrius P.

Yelp
Good music, good ambiance, drinks were great. The only thing is parking which they can't control, and they need to mention that the tip is included in the bill.
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Patrick V.

Yelp
What to say about this place? I had made a reservation for 3 online because it was advised to do that. However, when we got there, there were so many tables that were empty. We had gotten there and were welcome by the hostess. She was very friendly and escorted us to our table. The place looked cool and had a cool willow tree at the bar. This is when the service turned for us. The guy welcomed us at our table and proceeded to give us waters. When he came back, he took our orders. I am a basic guy sometimes, and all I wanted was a bees knees. However, the guy asked me what it was. I had to explain what was in one. For claiming to be a speak easy, you would think they would know what that is. I will admit that was a good bees knees the bartender made. Then my mother asked if they could make a drink that was non alcoholic and no sugar, as she is a diabetic. If they could not she was ok with water. But the guy said he had got it and would find something for her. When he came back he came with a drink that was sugary and she was not able to drink it. Also, they charged us for it. I jdo not understand why he would bring something that she could not drink and even charge us for it. That is just bad business. That is why i gave them 2 stars. I think that is being nice. They are trying to be a speakeasy bar that is in an alley but was a real let down.
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Ashlee H.

Yelp
Black owned bar, with small bites. It's very intimate and sexy. Great for date night but also great for hanging out with friends. It is very small and holds around 50 people. You enter in the ally way of the parking lot for Savannah Blue. You can't miss it it has a big Willow tree on the door, ring the ring bell and it will grant you access. It's encouraged to make a reservation, and their menu has pictures of the drinks. Great staff and ambience. Go check it out.
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Taylor O.

Yelp
A new speakeasy near grand circus park in downtown! This place has been getting increasingly busy due to popularity so make sure to make a reservation ahead of time. It is a little difficult to find (which is part of the fun!)- you may need to circle a building to get to it, but look for the willow tree door and you're in the right place. The door will be locked, so ring the doorbell! This is a great place to go for a nice night-cap cocktail. Their menu is not extensive, but the bartenders seem like they can make anything. I wish we could have sat at the bar: 1. Because I love sitting at the bar, and 2. Because it took 10-15 minutes to be greeted by our waiter with waters. I was a little shocked to see that my cocktail, Smoke + Fire was $18 because prices are not listed on the menu (and it's always a little awkward to ask what the price of every cocktail is on the menu). It was very tart and not liquor-forward but it was refreshing and I enjoyed the added garnishes. I might wait a bit to go back to this spot, but everyone should try it out for themselves!
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Mj J.

Yelp
Wow! What an experience time traveling through "golden"doors of this swanky speakeasy. Transported to a decade of the "Gataby~ish" vibe, I was mesmerized by the dimly lit, chic decor of the Willow and it's twinkling lights. I loved everything about this place. We decided to sit at the bar, which I highly recommend. The Willow is brand new to the speakeasy scene. I couldn't believe it when I ran into Andre the head bartender here. Andre is a staple in the city. We both ordered a specialty drink. I had the Nana Rose, which was delish. My friend asked Andre to mix him up something different and unique. We both enjoyed our experience and will most certainly be back. They do offer a small meat & cheese board, but plan to expand the food options eventually. Trust me, this is a spot to impress, bring your A game ladies & gentlemen.
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Brian W.

Yelp
Looking for a small, unique speakeasy in the heart of Detroit? Willow. Like other reviews, not easy to find but, worth it! Head down the alley, look for the door with the tree in it.
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Alissa R.

Yelp
Atmosphere is cool--definitely not "$40 to hold a table and $18 a cocktail" cool, though. My first glass of water had lipstick on it (gross) and our server disappeared after an hour which resulted in us being confused and cashing out at the bar after waiting far too long. Even if we wanted another round, nobody was there to ask. Also there's an automatic 20% tip. Skip.
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Mina M.

Yelp
Amazing and attentive service! Our server was extremely kind. Willow definitely gives real speak easy vibes. With the hidden locked door and very dark inside, once your eyes adjust from being outside you can actually see! A lot of seating space. Not necessarily a place to go with friends, much more date vibes. I got the Michigan Blossom cocktail. Cocktails are definitely on the pricier side but made with very fresh ingredients, so worth the price!
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Wayne G.

Yelp
This for me is a difficult review to leave (bare with me). My wife and I wanted to go out for drinks. I found out about willow through TikTok from one of those " discover Detroit " type of pages. I made reservations as suggested. Upon arrival we were greeted by the hostess who was courteous and gracious. Honestly if she had been our waitress this review would've been completely different. The waiter we did have lacked much to be desired. Several drinks on the menu were unavailable due to lack of ingredients. Which happens I get it. His attitude though was dismissive and unacceptable. Especially for there to be an automatic 18% gratuity added to the bill. I ordered a "Her Majesty " the drink did not look majestic at all to say the least. I returned it without even tasting it that's how bad the presentation was. That out of the way. The ambiance of the place was amazing. The music was definitely on point. The cozy, intimate atmosphere was phenomenal. Maybe it was just and off night for the waiter. I would definitely like to give this place another shot. My wife enjoyed her margarita mixed drink though. I would hope she did for $30 (gratuity included).

Sandy B.

Yelp
Crazy prices even for standard drinks. $20 all in for a gin and tonic?? Could be so much more if you felt like ever getting real. They add $2 to the gin cost for a gin and tonic. So stupid. $90 for 4 drinks - will NOT be back here. Those that rate this five stars really must enjoy paying these exorbitant prices. And I don't think I'd have even bothered to write this review if the drinks were amazing which they were not. Nothing special.
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Tom R.

Yelp
Food was fine. Drinks where okay. Biggest issue was the automatic 20% gratuity added by the bartender. I am used to large parties having auto gratuity and it is generally stated on the menu. This was my wife and I sitting at the bar having a couple drinks and a charcuterie plate. Had I not asked I probably wouldn't have noticed on bill (shame on me). Buyer beware.
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Kelly C.

Yelp
I would consider Willow more of a bar that has a couple of cocktails, than a cocktail bar. They don't open until 6 (didn't let us in until past 6 either) so it's a little awkward timing if you are trying to do dinner as well. They have a very limited menu, so we got 1 drink off the menu and a simple old fashion. It took ~20 minutes to get out drinks even though it wasn't busy. Drinks were decent, but pricey relative to other cocktail bars in Detroit. Unfortunately, there are many other true cocktail bars in the area I would return to before Willow, but it's in a good location close to other things downtown if you're in the area.
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Grace C.

Yelp
The ambiance at Willow is great. That being said, I will not be coming back here. My friend made a reservation and when we arrived, it was pretty empty. We sat at the bar which has a really cool willow tree in the middle. While we were there, I ordered one drink and my friend ordered two. One drink was $33 and the other two were $20. They were honestly not very good and definitely not worth the price. The bartender refilled my water glass once at the beginning of the night and then seemed to forget about us even though we were sitting right in front of him the entire time. For the three drinks, the bill was nearly $100. I was very confused and then I realized that there was a large party gratuity added to our bill of 20%. I'm not sure how two people sitting at the bar warrants a "Large Party" charge of 20%. What upset me even more is that no one mentioned that there was already gratuity included. I am extremely disappointed.
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Darryll H.

Yelp
Ok, so wow. This place is the business. We came here after stumbling across it on Yelp. The images do it justice, but not quite enough. The vibe here is electric. The folks are friendly, the ambiance is inviting, and the drinks are delicious af. And the speakeasy vibes are in full effect. We showed up all lost until a friendly patron of Willow just happened to walk out and helped guide us to the destination. (Hint: Behind Savannah Blue, gold door with a Willow tree). We enjoyed this place so much, I'm actually writing this review while waiting for our next round of drinks! Support local business and come to Willow (unless we are trying to get a reservation )
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Taryn B.

Yelp
What a gem! Came across this place after a downtown event. I wanted a no fuss place for drinks and this did the trick. The entry is in the back facing the parking lot so could be easy to overlook. You'll arrive to lovely greeters at the door and behind the curtain is a cute, dark set up that feels a bit like an indoors tropical getaway. Most of the drinks are creative concoctions, the bartenders seem to know what they're doing. Great date night option for sure! Will be back.

Dr. R.

Yelp
I really wanted to like this place. First black-owned cocktail bar in Detroit, yay! Amazing ambiance, hooray! But at the end of the day, it all comes down to the cocktails, and the cocktails were pretty disappointing. Mine clearly hadn't been mixed properly and was not the type of cocktail where they should have been going for layering. Even once I had stirred it, it was only barely passable. My companion's drink was somewhat better but unremarkable. We also didn't love that a 20% gratuity was added to the check for our party of 2. We always tip a minimum of 20%, but having it included in the price just feels kinda icky.
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Admon S.

Yelp
Customer service was terrible, 7 employees on duty not helping, they was talking and laughing with each other. My wife and I was at the establishment for an hour and a half and was only offered 1 round. We waited almost 25 mins for that 1st round. Prices are ridiculous, our two cocktails was over $50, then they had a nerve to add their own gratuity onto my bill. But the actual place was nice, they need to fire the current staff and hire employees that want to work!
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Diamond C.

Yelp
Everything about this place is great. It's craft cocktails , great music, and yummy charcuterie board makes this a go to spot if you're looking for a speakeasy type of experience. The service was also great.
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Amy M.

Yelp
Wanted to love this place. The ambiance is so nice, great music, low lighting, great date spot! But...$19 for a cocktail, no thanks. We ordered cocktails that weren't on the menu as the menu stated "no substitutions" up charge for additives that would generally be a part of the cocktail at any other bar. $90 for 4 mediocre cocktails. We won't be back.

Shatima C.

Yelp
Eh...the drinks were exorbitantly overpriced, especially for such a small amount that they put in your glass. The restaurant aesthetic is nice, but it does not make up for the cost of the drinks. For the price I would've expected a bit more razzle-dazzle and interaction from the bartender.

Robyn D.

Yelp
My husband and I went to Willow as a stop on our date night. The ambiance was really nice and cozy! Very sexy vibe! We originally were seated at a high top table but chose to sit at the bar! We tried to chat with the male bartender who was making our drinks, but he was not very friendly! It made for a weird interaction since he was making drinks directly in front of us! We ordered a charcuterie board which was ok but the plating left much to be desired! At the end of the evening, our bill came to the tune of $110. I had 2 drinks, my husband had 1 nonalcoholic drink and the board. The 20% tip was automatically added, which was a surprise! Overall, we probably won't go back. I think we'll try another bar that's a little more "friendly"!
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E B.

Yelp
Very relaxed but yet upscale speakeasy with exceptional craft cocktails! Not sure which I enjoyed more, the ambiance, the drinks, or the mixologist. You will be happy you have it a try!

Justin B.

Yelp
Great drinks, service was personable and friendly. Calm and intimate vibe. Was somewhat expensive. Overall would highly recommend.
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Shelby W.

Yelp
Let me start by saying I will be going back another time to give it another try- Pros: This is exactly how you want your speak easy to look. Thick velvet curtains, dimly lit, nice art work and furniture. Good music. The willow tree at the bar is a nice touch, brings it all together. Cons: It took a long time to be served. Literally 30 min to for us to get our drinks (there were 3 of us). It wasn't full inside. And the bartenders/servers were behind the bar singing dancing laughing- which isn't the usual vibe for a speakeasy but it was fun, I think I was just getting annoyed because I was waiting 30 min for my drink... I'm like hey dance some liquor into my cup, ya know? Drink prices were a little high (now I will happily pay $22 if it's a drink I just can't get enough of) but the 2 drinks I had were not that. The dusk Julip was good, I may get that again if I went there but I wouldn't go out of my way to get it at another bar. And the Willow martini- that drink def has potential. I love a savory salty unique cocktail but I think someone may have doubled the salt on accident because it was so salty neither me or my husband could finish it. (If you could get past the saltiness though it had a good miso like flavor) Like I said- I think it would be worth going back a second time, see if it's a better experience. I think getting a spot at the bar maybe give a better experience/ quicker service.
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Robbie B.

Yelp
Highly recommend this lovely little Speakeasy in Times Square, right behind Savannah Blue. We had to trade off our first born to get in; could not get a reservation until 10:30, then they called and asked could we come at 11PM; we complied. We loved, loved this spot. Sexy, intimate, great for a date night, we were 4 women and yes, it worked for us too; the ambiance is killer.The staff so friendly. Our bartender, Dante, was a hoot. Yes, handcrafted coctails take a minute, beautiful menu with great detail. Do not expect food, they offer two things: charcuterie with meat, charcuterie without meat (either one $25.00). What I really liked, the instruction on the website of what to expect. There are only 50 seats, don't think you are roaming around, there's no room; sit down and enjoy! I want a Willow Miami. Call me, come on down, I'll help you find a place AND be a patron. Thanks for a wonderful experience.

Pat R.

Yelp
The drinks are AMAZING, even the mock tails. The environment is very romantic and cozy. Great location for a date.