Nancy Whiskey

This bar reminds me of Cheers, which is why I have come back so many times. Nancy Whiskeys is a bar in an older neighborhood of Detroit, and you can feel the history when you step in. If you’ve never been here before, they welcome you with a (free) shot of Tullamore Dew Whiskey, to celebrate the owner’s legacy. The bartenders are polite and remember your name, and something about you.
It’s fun to chill in the bar or on the back patio, where you can get a glimpse of the Motor City Casino and the train station just by looking left to right. There is a jukebox for the weekdays and usually a band on Friday/​Saturday.
This is where older Detroiters and newer Detroiters can hang out and have a great time. The bathrooms are nice, too, which I didn’t expect from an older location. Big plus in my opinion!
Visiting Nancy Whiskeys is almost a rite of passage for Detroit residents, and will surely continue to hold a great reputation through generations.

I love dives. There’s something so cozy and familiar about them. We’ve been here a couple times now, and it seems this place is no different. It’s a little secluded from the action of Detroit, which is kind of nice, but the area isn’t too sketchy so no worries.
The only thing on tap is Guinness, but they’ve got all the typical bottles plus a handful of nicer options. Prices aren’t dirt cheap, but very reasonable. The bartender was chatty and pleasant, and made us feel welcome. Not sure how strictly the $ 10 CC minimum is enforced, but it seems reasonable enough.
I’ll definitely be back. And judging by other reviews, it looks like I need to come for the fish dinner or live music next time!

Quintessential neighborhood bar! Perfect size. Live music at night and a jukebox during the day. A Corktown treasure!

Best dive bar in Detroit. Hands down. The Guinness and Tullamore Dew are especially tasty here. A Detroit institution.

I’ll keep this short and simple. The 2^nd best fish and chips I’ve ever had. S. S’s is the best but Nancy Whiskey is very very close

My first time was 01÷13÷16 this place was great I shall return soon if your going to use a taxi or über make your you have the address cause this gem is in a neighborhood not to far from where the old tiger stadium used to be. Stay tuned more to come

Definitely off the beaten path, but we had fun listening to a great blues band and hanging with friends. Gets pretty crowded so get there early if you want a seat. No complaints, would definitely go there again.

I understand I forgot my ID, but there’s no reason to be a dick over it. Very rude bartender.

I’ve only ever been here for the fish fry and it really is amazing. The batter and fish are absolutely perfect, the portions are large and the fries are good too. I can’t speak highly enough of their fish fry and I’d highly recommend that you try it out. It’s from 12−8pm on Fridays. I have no affiliation to this place. They just make really good fish and the staff are usually attentive and polite.

This is Detroit’s hidden gem. I look forward to getting their $ 2 Fish tacos on Fridays, it’s a serious highlight of my week! The staff are cool and down to earth. I’ve had some really great party times at this place but it’s also my chill spot when I’m feeling low-​key.

I got really drunk here one time about eight or nine years ago.
Then I went off to see a show across town at the Majestic.
Then I came back to Nancy and proceeded to get exceptionally drunk until way past the time that anyone has any business being out drinking.
It was a fun night. The multi-​day hangover that followed was not so fun, though.
Great little old-​school neighborhood dive bar in a cool little old-​school neighborhood. Definitely worth stopping in and becoming well acquainted with Tullamore Dew, if you are ever in the area.

It’s a dive bar in a sketchy part of Detroit with frequent live bands. You’re either going to love it or hate it. It’s not very large inside and can get pretty jammed on nights with good music — so get there early or be prepared to stand. My last visit there we sat with 2 random people who were interesting and fun to talk to, they left after the first set and 2 guys took their spot — and again — we all hit it off and had a great time bs’ing. That’s pretty much my experience every time I come here — friendly people out having fun. And did I mention a diverse crowd? Young /​old /​black /​white /​fancy /​not so fancy… This is a real slice of Detroit in here. The band is right in your face and the tiny dance floor means close contact to fellow dancers and the band. Drinks are reasonably priced — it has working bathrooms that aren’t too gross — what more could you ask for?

I really like visiting this place. It’s my hideaway actually because of the no windows and the patio has a security fence where you can’t see through. I’m big on draft beer but the only tap they have is giuness which is fine but they make up for it with a wide selection of other brands of bottled beer and they give you your first shot of Irish whiskey free. Yup, free so that’s a plus. They also have a fresh fish Friday.

Another dive bar that I feel a gravitational pull towards whenever I’m floating around downtown.
From the phone booth where Hoffa once conducted his business to stories about bullet holes, the place that holds the 2^nd oldest liquor license in the city is about all you’d expect it to be.
Remodeled after a fire, it’s well done inside while still staying true to the original concepts and feel. Hat tip to them for that.
A good burger, cheap beer, and whiskey available. What else do ya want?

I’m not sure why I’ve never been here before but it was on my list of one of the places I needed to visit while hanging out in Detroit. We ended up going with one of my friends, who is a regular, before attending a concert.
The place is really nice inside, very warm and comforting-​like a giant bear hug.
We had to place our order at the bar, there wasn’t a waitress but it wasn’t overly crowded so it wasn’t an issue.
Got me a fish and chips dinner while my friend got a corned beef sandwich. Mine was delicious! Not greasy whatsoever and the fries were outstanding. My friend said it was the best corned beef he has ever had. We are starting off really good here people!
It’s kind of off the beaten path but I would for sure come back again.

Nancy Whiskey is a dive bar with plenty of regulars. They have live bands play often and in those cases expect a 2 drink minimum. I have been twice. The first time I didn’t get service of a greeting from the bar for about 5 minutes, so I left. It is something about dive bars and Tiger games that leave me like an outcast. This night I came in and the bartender was attentive with getting me a drink. They took forever to cash me out and that was a turn off. I ordered the mini tacos, which were 7 mini tacos deep fried with sour cream and salsa for $ 3.50. They were the best part of my visit. I can tell that they have regulars because of the attention they give them. It is cool that they know their drinks and have a nice relationship. I didn’t get that there and the gentleman at the bar attempted to overcharge me for the mini tacos. I think that a bartender should know the pricing of the menu or at least read it first.

I like that they have live bands. I love music.
However, I also loathe crappy music played at absolutely obnoxious, clearly health risking levels. And that’s what I predominantly hear every time I even drive by the place – or when I am trying to sleep in my apartment 4 blocks away at 2am.
Nancy… I and my flat mates all wish you would show JUST A LITTLE respect to people who A) would like to have some hearing left after the age of 35, and B) don’t enjoy mind numbing, obnoxiously loud, bass heavy loops for several hours straight.
Please, Nancy… there isn’t enough whiskey in Detroit to drown out your levels. Have a heart. Or just an ear drum. If you have one left.
You are loud, loud, loud Nancy. Please be a bit more quiet?

Great dive bar and live music venue!
Definitely go to hear Big Ray and the Motor City Kings! AWESOME!

Based on all the reviews I was expecting a little more. When I go to a dive bar I’m looking for character and Nancy’s just seemed a little bland. The beer selection wasn“t very good either.

The Nancy Whiskey is clearly a neighborhood dive bar and is being reviewed as such. This is a pretty small place that culturally lends more towards sitting rather than standing around, though people do. The crowd is a good mix, but almost all older white folks or neighborhood regulars. I brought a party bus of Ann Arbor folks here with some fear they would not like it, but everyone had a great time dancing to the live music and drinking. Speaking of drinks… they aren’t dive bar cheap so don’t expect that. You are kind of paying for the entertainment and everything else I guess. The bathrooms are good too.
The food looks pretty good even though I have not tasted it yet. They do have a legit kitchen though and you can see the cook peeping out when he isn’t making your food. If you drink too much you can saunter on down the street to Hostel Detroit for a cheap bed.