Best Spots to Grab a Drink in Oakland County

Valentine Distilling Cocktail Lounge
Serving unique craft cocktails made from vodka, rye whiskey, bourbon, and classics such as the dirty martini or old fashioned, Valentine is a great spot for the spirit lover. Inside, the lounge feels refined and reminiscent of a speakeasy. I’m simple, but I recommend trying their black-label bourbon. It is incredible.

Dog and Pony Show Brewing
Located in a restored machining shop, Dog and Pony brings a fun aesthetic to their craft beer offerings. Their draft rotates often, but with plenty of brewing experience and a diverse lineup, there’s always something to try. Nearby Oak Park Social is more than happy to deliver a meal, and if you want to make a night of it, you can walk a block east to Unexpected Craft Brewing.

O'Connor's Public House
This Irish-themed pub serves a variety of Irish whiskey, American bourbon, and custom cocktails. Don’t sleep on their food menu either where you can find poutine, bangers & mash, and a variety of other Irish-themed foods. O’Connor’s also offers a weekend brunch, from 11 AM to 4 PM.

Gatekeeper Games
Hear me out before you laugh at my recommendation to get drinks at the board game store. If you’re a table-top gamer, or simply enjoy the occasional game of Catan or Monopoly, you need to know that Gatekeeper’s open-play room has a tap with local craft beer, wine, and liquor. They stock games for you to try for free, or you can bring your own. Gatekeeper is what every board game store wishes it was.

Griffin Claw Taproom
Griffin Claw is one of Michigan’s best breweries, and their taproom is the best place to grab a pint and some drinks to go. This location also has a great food menu and is a good time for the whole family, whether you’re drinking or not. If you’re here in the fall, their Screamin’ Pumpkin is one of the best pumpkin beers, and if they have anything that says “Flying Buffalo” available, definitely try it.

Gusoline Alley
Depending on who you ask, some may say Downtown Royal Oak is becoming too upscale, but Gusoline Alley is a mainstay that rejects this entirely with its old-timey automotive decor, saloon vibes, and inexpensive drinks. It’s a bar that would have fit in the 1990’s Royal Oak, but you can still visit it in the 2020s.

St Julian Winery and Distillery
St. Julian may be a name Michiganders better associate with summers Up North, but the brand was actually founded here in Detroit and initially named Motor City Wine Co. While the experience here is wine tasting, you’ll find many options and an ability to take home a bottle of the ones you liked most.

Draught Horse Brewery
Draught Horse is my favorite place to stop after a day of playing out at Kensington. It’s also a great spot for a weekday happy hour or destination for drinks with friends. The beer is great, but if beer isn’t your thing there is also a large variety of ciders and wine.

Loft Cigar Lounge
The Loft is unique as the focus here is cigars, but they will recommend a pairing of a spirit with your cigar. While the look here is upscale, the staff is far from pretentious. Staff is happy to discuss the very basics of cigars, wine, and spirits for the novice or first-timer.

Ferndale Project
Eastern Market Brewing Company’s extension up in Ferndale is known as Ferndale Project, and it’s great. Primarily known for their IPAs brewed on site, they also stock a variety of beers from Eastern Market that vary in style from lager to stout. Ferndale Project is large and good for large groups. The patio is cozy and has fire pits for cooler months. Finally, do not overlook their food menu!