The Whisky Parlor

Pretty exciting stuff happening here. The Whiskey Parlor is great little craft cocktail spot tucked above Grand Trunk. Innovative cocktails meet great bar tending service and good company, here. Can’t recommend it highly enough!

Really nice vibe and seating — both tables and couches. Live music (at least on Saturday) from 7 — 10. Really fantastic cocktails (I had an
old-​fashioned) and a superb bourbon menu as well, with the option to pick three half-​pours for a flight. Can’t wait to come back and highly recommend!

Great new spot for what was once vacant for sometime after Motor City Wine moved.
I think this would be a great spot for a date. You enter through a door next to Grand Truck and head up the stairs. The lighting is very dim and they provide various seating such as along the small bar rail, a table or leather furniture set up as if you were in someone’s «parlor». Obviously known for their whisky selection they have other items such as craft cocktails, beer and wine.
They also have a few food items on the menu if you are looking to nibble on something over a conversation.
The view is great if you sit by the window and inside décor is very classy/​hip. The ambiance is very chill inside.

I went to this place on the nye with a few friends. The places has a great dim atmosphere that only disturbed by the light of candles. It took them a while to prepare our food, but they were busy so I didn’t take that in consideration when evaluating the place. I ordered D.A. Makenzi which is potato pancakes with caviar. So I subtracted one star for the taste of the food. It was not impressive. So in conclusion, if you would like to go on a romantic date with someone, I guess this place is idle. Then u could have a good romantic walk in the heart of Detroit.

Amazing place to hang out and enjoy amazing drinks and selections
also you can get the edamame potstickers awesome.

The Whisky Parlor is a wonderful addition to the business district that previously emptied out after working hours. Head up a flight of stairs next to Grand Trunk and you’ve arrived in this wonderful speakeasy. The ambiance is on point. Dimly lit, with candles and colored lights illuminating throughout. Lots of seating choices and intimate spaces. There’s also a small, but comfortable bar.
Oh, and the drinks. Excuse me, this is a bar, and I got a little distracted. Their craft cocktails are delicious! More classic than progressive, and mixed very well. They focus on whisky (obviously, right?) but with the full bar, there are other offerings. However, if you enjoy whisky, then you’re really going to have a good time.
Tip: If you want really focused service and a more relaxing experience, visit earlier before the late-​night rush. It can get pretty busy.

First time in and I was asked to leave within 1 munute because they were «at capacity» but there were seats available. I was with one other person and the host refused to accommodate us. Don’t go here, the service is unconscionable.

Simply the best. Love the loft décor, especially the suspended globes. Drinks are yummy. Music is amazing. Bartenders are not the nicest, but there is so much more to this place that I think everyone can get over that fact.

Where do 3 girls with affinities for whiskey go on a Saturday night downtown? To the Whisky Parlor of course! This bar is right next door to Grand Trunk. You just have to walk up a flight of stairs to get to the bar.
They have a small bar, couches closer to the window, and several tables which some were reserved. The host said it would be a wait time of 15 – 20 mins for a table so we decided to run next door to Trunk for a few shots before our table was ready. We spent a bit longer at Trunk than anticipated, but when we went back up to Whisky Parlor we were able to get seated right away.
They had 3 specialty drinks that night and we got all three to try: Spicy watermelon, whiskey sour, and a red fruity one that I can’t remember (that’s what a flight of scotch will do to you). All the drinks were delicious! The atmosphere reminded me of Sugarhouse, but with more red lights. The music was way too loud. The place got crowded really quickly, so we were glad that we got in at the right time (10:45pm-ish on a Saturday). I definitely will be back to try their other cocktails!

This was our first time here and it’s a new favorite. Great atmosphere, great drinks and great music (on vinyl!). Joe was our bartender and he was a master of his craft and very personable. He makes a drink customized to your taste and never fails. He is on point every time. I was not a whiskey drinker until I came here.
Bottom line up front: one of the finest establishments Detroit has to offer. Cheers.
–john and Kristen

Amazing Whiskey Bar in Detroit. Who would have known or guessed!
Joe (the Bartender) is an expert. Amazing mixed drink in the old school style or just telling you which Whiskey you’re looking for~

Very chill new spot. I recommend The Detroit and Mexican Radio coctails! The space is beyond cool and very different than many other new spots. Congrats!

I am not a whiskey person at all but when an old college classmate says «hey let’s get together, I know this great bar downtown,» who am I to argue? So he takes me to The Whiskey Parlor and of course there is whiskey up the wazoo but they do have their fair share of wines, vodkas, gins and tequila. What fun is that to order vodka and/​or gin at a whiskey bar?
…Ok, i admit, I chose a nice vodka and cranberry to sip on but I did try one of their house specialties. It is a nice small intimate place where you get to know the employees by name. I even got invited to join their whiskey club that is just now starting. Meetings every Monday.
If you get a little hungry they have a full menu of appetizers, entrees and desserts. They share the kitchen with the tavern below so it might take some time for the food to come out… which it did but the owner took good care of us while we were waiting.
You would never notice this place as the only signage is a chalkboard outside but it is worth getting to know.

I think this is a fair and unbiased review mainly because I am not a whiskey drinker usually. This place tempts to change that. Let me start with the ambiance which is awesome in every way. It is upstairs the Grand Trunk Club so it feels a little hidden, almost like a prohibition bar.
The menu is just big enough to offer good drink options without being overwhelming. You can be simple and order a whiskey flight, or get a tasty mixed drink that utilizes some of their whiskey.
There are fish bowls hanging from the ceiling with real fish inside, and many tables have sand hourglasses on them that let you know you need another drink (when the sand runs out its time).
I had a great bananas foster cocktail and the flavor was spot on.
Will definitely be back!

Girlfriend and I found this place when looking for bars that play funky disco music online (w/​DJ of course) …chose this place from a list of options on
and we were more than pleased as soon as we walked in!
You’ll fall in love instantly with the unique decoration and atmosphere of this place… crowd is young and cool… drinks are amazing, $ 11 for a glass of The Detroit (very similar to Manhattan if not the same)
Music alongside atmosphere are the 2 best features of this place. If you love funky disco, this is the place to go.
Lack of 1 star is due to the service… Bartenders and waiters serve with a bit of attitude. It’s about time hipsters realize that they are just people like the rest of us! It’s nice that you dress well, got a cool cut and listen to funky music but that does not make you better than the rest of us and definitely shouldn’t make you condescending… LoL
Anyways, lets not get carried away too much :)
Check this place put next night your in downtown Detroit!

Cozy spot above Grand Trunk Pub. Steve Reaume is the best manager! Excellent drinks, courteous and attentive wait staff. Extra bonus: If you love House/​Techno music, then it’s the place to be 10p-​2a Saturday nights. You won’t be sorry! –ATM

This place is great! What a chill vibe, makes you feel welcome as soon as you walk in. Keep on doing it right guys!

My boyfriend and I were here on a Friday night during Jazz Fest. We each had a cocktail that was Jim Beam based with egg whites and several other ingredients. It was absolutely fabulous. They offered complimentary appetizers and music. I believe it is a happy hour special on Fridays. I definitely recommend.

Watch out D’Mongo’s. Whiskey Parlor is an amazing space ready to compete among speakeasys. You must check this place out. Unique in an area with no shortage of uniqueness. Awesome atmosphere and good drinks with an amazing, and slightly trippy, ceiling. Grab a quick dinner at Grand Trunk (not endorsing or making a statement regarding the food– didn’t have it) before or after and make this your place to stay. Exciting addition to the D.

Downtown?
Like whiskey and old time cocktails?
Enjoy good food?
Then this place is now on your to-​do list, and you’re welcome.
With drinks comprised every every major spirit group to an extensive and exhaustive list of whiskeys that its going to take me (hopefully) a long, long time to get through, this place is definitely on my list of faves. Located right above Grand Trunk, you have big comfy leather couches and chairs to hang out in, an attentive and helpful waitstaff, and a great vibe to the place that too many others try… and fail… to achieve.