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The Old Miami
Categories: Nightlife Bars Dive Bars Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Dive Bars, Music Venues [Edit]
3930 Cass AveDetroit, MI 48201
Neighbourhoods: Midtown, Cass Corridor
(313) 831-3830
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 1 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- DJ, Live, Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
49 reviews for The Old Miami
Review Highlights
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"My favorite spot is definitely the backyard." In 25 reviews -
"Mismatched furniture to hang out on, good shows and a sweet..." In 3 reviews -
"...all of the Vietnam War memorabilia and everything else on..." In 3 reviews
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49 reviews in English
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Review from George M.
East Lansing, MI
3/20/2012
I always make it to old Miami during demf and each time as soon as I walk in, I feel like I'm home. Oh how I love you old Miami. See you in a couple months, stay classy you sexy bitch.
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Review from Jennifer V.
Ann Arbor, MI
2/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
So, I'm a big fan of dive bars. I'm not sure why.... Maybe it's because my first experiences with bars (when I was underage in the Bay Area) were always dive bars, so they always make me happy.
I ended up at the Old Miami to meet up with some friends from grad school after work one Wednesday to have a few drinks. I LOVE the vibe of this place - love that it's a vet bar with lots of old military memorabilia everywhere. I also loved that the bartender seemed to know everyone's name but mine (and my friends'). I love the dusty old couches and the mismatched furniture.
This place just has a lot of soul. That's probably the best way to describe it.
(And I also like that my Jameson was cheap. YAY.) -
Review from Marco D.
1/25/2012
Uber-dive.
I went here for the first time last night. Tuesday evenings feature an open mic hip-hop night. There was the good the bad and the ugly all wrapped up in one.
$3 ghettoblasters served up in plastic cups.
Being that it is a Vet bar the decor is great...it's kind of like an army/navy surplus with alcohol. Old machine guns and grenade launchers hanging from the ceiling with tons of memorabilia decking out the walls.
There are plenty of old couches and chairs to sit on...if yer brave. Also the back area had a fire pit which was really nice.
I'll be back. -
Review from Kevin J.
Detroit, MI
5/21/2012
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. -
Review from Jeffrey C.
Detroit, MI
10/21/2011
Welcome to your grandpa's basement, get yourself a drink. This place is decked out for relaxing, couches and tv's, bonfire out back, cheap drinks. Really, it is what I want from a bar, and while sometimes I can't stand their live music you can always take a seat outside around the fire. On a really nice night you can even venture further into the back yard and you'll swear you have stepped into suburbia with missile casings.
This may not be for everyone but if what I said sounds appealing then this could be the place for you. -
Review from Sam G.
9/28/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Holy hell! What a night. Being kidnapped by locals for an adventure is about the best thing on earth.
Not much to add to the reviews although I will say that their well whiskey is brutal and one step below well. And really not that inexpensive ($4). And quite small. I dropped $6 on Jameson just so my insides wouldn't feel scrubbed raw by nail polish remover again. For $6, though, I expect Maker's. Am I getting old? Why I remember when a Manhattan was a dime!
Also fellow femmes, our bathroom is directly to the right of the stage - which you might not gather from the lack of door, no signage, and that from the outside it looks like a janitor's closet. But I think you can tell everything you need from a bar's bathroom. This one is the cat's pajamas.
Did someone mention the pool table and the tv with a hooked up video game console? Oh yes, you too can play tekken while getting smashed... Or when you want to dissociate from friends that might be making fools of themselves.
Open mic hip hop night is worth hitting up. There are some really talented emcees out there and the dj's beats are rump-shaking magic. If someone is a flop you can always go out back to the garden of Eden and fall from grace. If you have any skills, get up on stage! Or if you're like me, awkwardly stand by, holler, and show support. Or be a hype (wo)man.
Old Miami, pleased to meet your acquaintance. You'll be getting my digits in no time.
(and an edit: went on a Monday night and the Jameson shots were VOLUPTUOUS and a buck cheaper - these things vary with the bartender here, I'm told.)Listed in: Whiskey my love, my weakness, Loud Holes in the Wall
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Review from Joe W.
7/12/2011 ROTD 2/25/2012
I swear whenever I walk into The Old Miami, I hear "Fortunate Son" by CCR playing in my head with the sound of choppers in the background, and I half-expect Lieutenant Dan to give me a speech about keeping my socks dry. This is a veteran's bar, for sure, with all kinds of guns and Vietnam memorabilia all over the walls, and a freaking bomb casing(??) in the backyard. Super divey. Super dirty. Super cheap. Super awesome. When I wanna get scummy, this is where I go. Some of you won't take those descriptions as compliments, but for those of you who do (and I know you're out there), you, like me, are going to love The Old Miami.
The backyard/patio is like your friend's house, but WAY better. Some winter nights, they'll get a fire going outside to keep you warm and smoky as you drink yourself a sweater and blacken your lungs. In the summer, there is no better place to sit outside and enjoy a High Life. Bring a babe here for people watching, or go out to the pond in the back corner and tell each other jokes. -
Review from DJ M.
Detroit, MI
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
The Old Miami has a special place in my heart. I think that any person who strolls through this city needs to come here and experience it for yourself. They host a lot of local bands and hip hop shows. I recommend trying our locally brewed Ghetto Blaster beer. It's cheap, but better than cheap name brand beer. I always try to make it here Memorial Weekend during DEMF for their backyard barbecue. I found out recently that Miami means Missing in Action Michigan. It's a salute to veteran's, but with a Detroit twist.
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Review from Caroline L.
Philadelphia, PA
6/1/2011
DEMF techno tourist weighing in so take this with a grain of salt. I love Old Miami and wish there was a place like this in Philly. It's a bar with a massive lounge area. Don't see that very often. In Philly, they'd pack the lounge with tables and serve overpriced and underwhelming food.
And the backyard was such a welcome sight. Spacious, green, and can somehow pack 200 people without seeming like a total clusterfuck.
I was amused by the missing door on one of the ladies bathroom stalls. The women ahead of me in line eschewed that stall, which gave me quicker access. -
Review from Denise C.
Ferndale, MI
5/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
O.k. I only go when my friend Maggie books parties there, but she always books the most amazing electronic artists and the parties are always successful.
I'm always up for a bar like The Old Miami, casual, dive bar, good people. Definite Detroit staple. -
Review from Steve H.
Walled Lake, MI
5/26/2011
Sitting in the basement of your Vietnam vet uncle's place, where he houses the furniture your grandma didn't want anymore. The only differences between that and the Old Miami are the occasional metal band and 100% biodegradable cups.
I cannot stress how positively I mean what I just said. I could go here alone on a night where there were six people and still spend four or five hours having the best time. I don't quite understand what this place does to me, but it's a truly transformative experience.
As people have mentioned, the backyard is probably the universal highlight for everyone once they realize it's there. It's just a simple fenced in yard, with a modest stage and old lawn furniture (more of Grandma's hand-me-downs!). But what would be run-of-the-mill in the suburbs is just the coolest freakin' thing in the middle of Detroit.
If heaven were a dive bar, her name be the Old Miami. -
Review from Chris M.
12/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
A solid, extremely unique venue that really defines the Detroit style. A backyard that makes suburban dwellers jealous, the aforementioned mismatched furniture, drinks that are stiffer than a corpse with rigor mortis, and a very interesting blend of shows.
I've been to the Old Miami on about four separate occasions. I have seen both live bands and electronic music acts here, hell, one time I saw Will Sessions play while there was a DJ out in the yard. This is what makes the Old Miami such a great place. It just HAS events. While its not the easiest to keep up on what is happening when, you will know when you want to go.
The staff is friendly and knows what they are doing. Pouring stiff drinks, slingin' beers at good pace, generally being pleasant... the stuff a good staff is made out of. Drink prices are reasonable, nothing special. Mind you, if you're a liquor drinker, you'll be happy.
Probably the one thing that some people might find charming, but sometimes gets on my nerve, is the atmosphere. Usually, it doesn't bother me. But on nights when there are lots of people milling about, it feels... skeezy. I don't know why. Was probably just the crowd, and its not something that is going to stop me from going.
If you get the chance, head down on a Sunday for some food and good beats. Otherwise, keep your ears open for events and head down if you ever get the chance! -
Review from Maureen M.
Royal Oak, MI
1/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Old Miami is one of the places I've been wanting to check out. I've heard about it for years, and never seemed to get there.
Finally, last Thursday, we stopped in late at night. It was pretty dead, maybe 10 people there.
The bartender was great and we all enjoyed chatting with her. Our drinks were strong, and I think it's funny that they don't have straws. Everything I've heard about The Old Miami was accurate. It was fun checking out all of the Vietnam War memorabilia and everything else on the walls. My cousin loved the real fireplace. Nice touch, for sure. I'm curious how this place is when it's busy. I'm not sure I'd enjoy it as much, especially with those bathrooms. They were definitely gross. On a slow night, I'm not sure why there wasn't any hand soap in either dispenser. Ick.
I'll definitely come back to check out bands and even come on a slow night if we're in the area. -
Review from Nikki C.
2/18/2011
EDIT -- Okay, so I was asked why I gave such a low rating. I didn't think 3 stars was low and there's no offense to the place at all. I re-read my review and realize that I do have more positives than negatives, so since there's no 3.5 option, I'll give it one more star. But that's it :-)
I still remember the first time I'd been to the Old Miami. It was after our work's holiday party several years ago -- it was the after-after party. A co-worker suggested we go there, so we got in our cars and followed him there.
At first, we clutched our pearls because I, for one, had never just hung out in the Cass Corridor for fun. I'd always heard such "lock your car door" tales about the CC. Anyway, after the initial shock, and after a couple drinks, we loosened up a bit and managed to make the most of the experience. Had some fun. The Old Miami is the true dive bar. It's the dive bar's dive bar. It's small, cluttered with old war memorabilia, a barber chair and old couches that makes the place seem comfy, cozy -- but who knows what's been done or spewed onto those couches, now that I think about it.
Oh, and the women's bathroom served as the store room... and the stalls had curtains for doors. Excuse me -- sheets for doors. That was interesting. There was no door on the women's restroom, so stranger danger.
SO, last night, another friend & I made a really random stop at the Old Miami. I was telling her about my experience and I probably made it sound like we should never step foot in there again in life, but I told her "Ooh, we should TOTALLY go there". So, we did! There were only a few people there and they seemed to be the typical "Cheers" crowd... it's a total "where everybody knows your name" type of spot.
The bartender was super cool. My friend asked about wine and he honestly said she'd be better off with their beer or liquor because they only charge $3 for wine that should be $5. Gotta love the truth! Oh, and they had Ghettoblaster on tap. Nice.
I'd love to go back in the summertime to see this backyard I keep hearing about. It sounds awesome. -
Review from Peter R.
Detroit, MI
10/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Such a cool place! Detroit's art is all over the place; from the restrooms to the HUGE outdoor patio, the grunge dive you see when you walk in...suddenly becomes a display of Detroit's art culture!
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Review from Per S.
East Lansing, MI
5/12/2011
I love a good dive bar... Old Miami fits the bill perfectly.
Cheap-ass beer on tap (Ghettoblaster!) and a cool, laid-back vibe.
The bar has a gritty feel but that makes it all better for the experience. One of the stalls in the ladies' room doesn't have a door... oh well, get drunk enough and you won't care.
Hit up the dance floor if you wanna show people your alcohol-induced moves.
Question: some people are made to pay a cover and others can just saunter on in. I was asked to pay the cover (a measly $3) but seriously, am I just not hipster enough??
I would go back here for sure for some cheap drinks with friends. -
Review from Jeff L.
9/6/2010 3 photos
Went here on a suggestion from a friend, even though I realized everything thing bar offered, I was still pleasantly surprised just how cool this place is. I couldn't believe how large the outdoor part was. I was ever more happy to learn the band was playing outside. There's plenty of lawn chairs in the back if you want to get away from the music for a while.
Inside there was a dj playing some pretty sweet tunes at the same time, and way on into the night. The inside is comfortably too, plenty of couches and good people watching. Others have said, I agree this place is simple awesome!
The only downside, is the men's bathroom, it smells like a piss factory, that's hands down the worst bathroom stench I've ever smelled. This is one of those bathrooms where i feel that not washing your hands is the more sanitary option. But over all I'm not going to let a bathroom spoil my review, this place rocks! -
Review from Barbie M.
5/24/2010
Did I hear you say you wanted a great icey cold brew or a very well made cocktail and you didn't feel like sitting home?
This is your place. All the comforts of hanging in your own backyard but with a bunch of people you don't know. ahaha! Wait that happens in my backyard too ugh!!
Anyway The Old Miami is a Detroit staple. If you are making your rounds of the awesome bar circuit this should be you big stop! I mean really why go anywhere else.
So much to soak in here and the patrons are always interesting. Someone always has a story.
Perfect place to see a local band rock out and a great place to relax in the sun without all the snobby lake front people!
I've been going here since I was a teen seeing 18 and over shows.
Just go already! Come back here give them 5 stars and pass on the awesomeness to your friends!! -
Review from Kristin G.
Royal Oak, MI
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. -
Review from Phoebe J.
New York, NY
8/16/2009 4 photos
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. -
Review from Dil F.
5/23/2010
BACKYARD WONDERLAND! Cheap beers, wild Vietnam memorabilia collection.
This place could only exist in Detroit. It gets all its four stars just for the backyard set-up. I've mentioned before how far and few between are the Detroit outdoor drinking venues... but the Old Miami might be king of that hill. Once late spring/summer rolls around, you owe it to yourself to check the backyard out. There's all sorts of lawn furniture sprawling across a very seriously sized backyard, all of which face more or less towards a giant projectile monument that looks like a missile (maybe it is).
The insides I'm not a huge fan of. It's got to have probably the worst couch ever up near the entrance. The walls are covered floor to ceiling with Vietnam memorabilia which DOES make spending a small mount of time well worth the visit, but once I've got my beer, I prefer to be outside. That's what I came for. There's a small "dance floor" in the back, which does get much use, but it's too small for my liking and it's in the way of people walking between the bar and the exit to the backyard.
If you've never been, then you gotta get down here and check it out. My best recommendation is to take in a movie at the Burton Theater just down the street, then chat about what you just saw over some brews under the stars in a giant swing chair!Listed in: A Few Choice Detroit Bars
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Review from Toni C.
6/3/2009
This place is just cool. Mismatched furniture to hang out on, good shows and a sweet backyard. It's like going to a friends house when their parents are out of town and you hang out in the basement while raiding the liquor cabinet - except you're friends parents haven't cleaned or updated the house in since the 60's.
One star off for being cash only. -
Review from Athena K.
9/23/2009
My friend Scott used to play here back in the day. Since he introduced me to the funky/crazy/surprisingness that is the Old Maimi I've been a huge fan. This is truely a neighborhood bar. It's a place to play pool, have a drink and chat with friends. The bands range from awful to fabulous, but what bar doesn't have that variety. Danny and friends are quite active in the community so it's not unheard of to come in and find they are hosting a benefit for some worthy cause.
If you want food you'll have to order out (which they don't mind) or buy a bag of chips/peanuts from behind the bar. The women's restroom is a bit of an adventure. Come prepared to squat in an akward position.
I thought I'd seen the whole place until one day a few years ago when I wandered out onto the backyard patio. Wow, what an treat. Add the wireless internet, friendly bartender, and interesting locals and the Old Miami is definitely worth a visit!Listed in: Comfy places to study in Ann…
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Review from Joshua B.
Skandia, MI
7/22/2010
Prolly the best hangout during summertime in ole Detroit.
The backyard is a delightful urban oasis of awesomeness.
Beer selection is good, and well priced.
i love going to pee here because I get to read the walls. Good times. -
Review from kristen f.
Detroit, MI
7/26/2009 2 Check-ins Here
This place is the jam. Divey on the inside, easy breezy on the outside.
There is no shortage of garage sale taxidermy or grandma's basement couches on the inside. It's a lot kitchy, but has a pretty spacious dance floor and a great beer selection. Drinks used to be cheap, but prices have inclined in the past year or two.
But the patio, that's the real gem. The OM has a giant backyard (maybe half an acre or so?), lots of furniture, fire pit, stage etc... my favorite part is the mutant koi pond though.Listed in: DE-TROIT... PATTY-YOS!
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Review from Danielle H.
Lansing, MI
9/13/2011
I went here for the first time Sunday and I was shocked. We walked in and I was immediately thinking WTH. There was all this war stuff on the walls and some guys sitting at the bar. I've been to dive bars before but this place was something else. Couches and recliners give it a basement feel.
My date and I had a quick conversation with a man at the bar about the local brewery. I was kind of impressed as I've never heard of Detroit being a "friendly" city.
My guy asked if I wanted to stay in or go outside. It was a sunny day out so I chose outside and I am SO glad I did. What a wonderful suprise the backyard is! My only disappointment was that there was already a group of people near the fountain and being on a date we didn't really want to join them. (Although they were friendly too- I thought this was supposed to be a bad part of town)
Needless to say, I loved it. If I lived closer I would make this bar my go to hangout place. -
Review from Lindsay F.
Royal Oak, MI
5/29/2008
GROSS! I don't even want to know what this place looks like in the light of day. I went to see a friend's band play a show here. The band was great - the bar made me want to see my doctor for a tetanus booster.
Yes, it's a dive bar, but does that mean it has to be disgusting? -
Review from Sara A.
Detroit, MI
9/27/2008 1 photo
Finding it's home on Cass Avenue in Midtown, this dive bar is a must for those wanting to truly have a "Detroit" experience.
Located just a few blocks east of the Wayne State campus, the Old Miami is a dive bar as a dive bar can get. Frequented by college kids, indie rockers, and war vets alike the Old Miami serves up booze at a reasonable price. In addition to a full bar, the Old Miami offers entertainment form d.j.'s to local bands rockin it out on the stage.
Oh, and be sure to check out the nifty deck.backyard area. This is a great place to hang, have a smoke and a great conversation with some of the regulars. So, if you're looking or a seedy, but fun time, check out the Old Miami. -
Review from Lauren L.
Detroit, MI
5/31/2010
I didn't explore this place too much on my first visit but I did get to enjoy the backyard! And the backyard of this place is pretty awesome in a "wait . . . that looks like my grandma's outdoor furniture when I visit for family reunions" kind of way. The backyard felt like you were hanging out in a place similar to your own back yard . . .mismatched furniture set up in groups: ceiling fans, bird feeders, big outdoorsy tables, and cheesy 90's music. But seriously I had a great time . . . didn't even notice when a few hours had passed. So what does that tell you?
Yeah, the inside of the place is a little cluttered . . . but in this instance it reminds me a dark cluttered basement . . . maybe it's all the sofas and the memorabilia?
I definitely recommend this as a place to sit back and enjoy some brews. -
Review from Duke A.
Detroit, MI
3/26/2007
Old and ragged, but this place has its own charms.
Originally a veteran's bar (MIAMI stands for Missing In Action Michigan), this bar attracts a variety of interesting people, and also serves as a fun rock/punk music venue.
My favorite spot is definitely the backyard. It is surprisingly peaceful and green. Swinging chairs, a fish pond, and many artifacts make the space very relaxing. -
Review from David S.
Detroit, MI
10/21/2010
My friends and I have been trying out new spots for happy hour, and it was The Old Miami's turn. It's in a great location in Midtown, but the facade isn't much to look at. Neither is the interior for that matter. On the inside it looks like a junk collector's living room. Not a matching piece of furniture in the place besides the bar stools. However, I like that because it gives the place character, but I didn't like the less than pleasing bathrooms. HOWEVER, the backyard makes up for everything the building lacks. This is a true hidden gem in midtown. When next summer comes around, I'm sure I'll find myself taking in some beautiful afternoons back there.
The drinks were well priced. I was drinking vodka & redbull, and the bartender made them right, but I didn't like that they were using flat redbull. -
Review from Lisa W.
Flint, MI
5/14/2008
A date took me to this bar and I love him forever for it. Come on now, a dive bar with a backyard? With a swing and pond? Not only that but it hosts local music shows? I'm pretty much over the big concert scene and love the Detroit bands that perform here. In addition to that, there is a lot of Vietnam War memorabilia on the walls. I learned that much of it was donated to the bar by patrons who were veterans.
The other great event that this place hosted was a Dirty Show after party complete with chocolate cake and porn. Cake, some Jamison, and Jenna Jamieson -- what more could you possibly ask for? It can get pretty crowded, but I don't mind it so much because the crowd is great. You meet a broad range of people who keep it real. The atmosphere is very cozy and there is even a fireplace.
I'll definitely be back with some shades on to hang out in the backyard. The lawn decor is not to be missed. This is damn close to what I'd call the perfect bar. -
Review from Louis A.
Manhattan, NY
11/29/2007
How much do I love the fact that I saw M.I.A. at Old Miami....and we had a "high five" moment.
Strange-o bar that is a little hardcore but kitchy-cool. Very Detroit; very Vietnam-ish.
Duck and cover, mofos --- I'll be back, especially in the summertime to explore the outsideListed in: D-Town Fun
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Review from Tiffany D.
Detroit, MI
10/12/2008
You're friendly neighborhood bar with a "Secret Garden" in the back. My first night there, I felt like I had been friends with everyone for years. Very relaxed atmosphere, fun crowds, great bartenders, cheeeeeap drinks.
The backyard is my favorite part because it's unexpected and so expansive. It feels like hanging out at your cool uncle's house, complete with the party cups.
The bands that come here are diverse, and so are the people. It's a bar that was meant for a college atmosphere like Midtown. -
Review from Michael C.
Detroit, MI
5/24/2008
Paycheck's big brother!
Seriously, this place is the dive to end all dives. (Except for maybe the Gold Dollar and the Detroit Art Space... R.I.P.) Tis a silly place!
Well, not so much silly as the grit that I've come to love about Cass bars. If you're worried about getting your $400 jeans soiled on the seats... then you're in the wrong place for sure.
Especially because the pricing scale is tailored to poor bastards like me that can't afford prices uptown. Plastic cups or not, I'll take a drink in whatever they serve it in - just keep those prices the same! I mean, it could come in a jelly jar and I wouldn't care. Actually that'd be even better than Dixie cups.
My most favorite thing about this place is that there's a level of humor to everything that happens there, the carnivalesque if you will, so no one takes anything (let alone themselves) seriously. The backyard is evidence of this. This includes the bands as well. I mean, even the Stick these days has its share of snobbery. I've not been to the Old Miami and felt a nanosecond of condescension or, well, uber-hipness.
Cheap cover, cheap drinks, cheap bands... who can let all this magic go unnoticed? -
Review from Dann A.
Detroit, MI
8/5/2009 4 Check-ins Here
You either love it or hate it. I'm in the latter category. The backyard area is nice during the spring and summer, I'm not going to lie. And I was disappointed to hear that the Old Miami could lose it over some stupid fence line and zoning or something. To lose it would be a shame, for it truly is an oasis in the Cass Corridor. And without that backyard, the Old Miami doesn't have much to offer.
True, it is an institution. True, it is another stage on which local bands can strut their stuff. True, the velvet Coleman Young painting is AMAZING. True, it's cool that it's a 'Nam tribute.
But it's dirty, dank, smoky, loud and a less than great place to see a band. I'm sorry, it's just not among my favorite places to go. I love it for what it is and what it means to the Cass Corridor, but that doesn't mean I have to love being there. -
Review from dorothy h.
Chicago, IL
10/9/2009
I've driven by this place many times and was wary since there always seemed to be crazy drunks milling outside. But after we stopped in last month I was a believer, even despite the blistering, pounding, god-awful punk music that was assaulting my ears. Thankfully there was that gorgeous backyard oasis to take refuge in. Really the words "backyard," "patio," etc. really do not do this justice. I've been to many bar backyards and patios before and this is by far the best. It's like being in someone's really awesome backyard, complete with swing and fish pond.
But of course that's irrelevant now since it's shitty outside. Whereas the outside is like your classy friend's outdoor haven, the inside is like your high school pal's basement where all the parties were. And I mean that in the nicest way. -
Review from Nick G.
San Francisco, CA
2/2/2008
This is a great spot for catching the kind of local talent that most venues probably won't have anything to do with....case in point: the red, white and booze.....but the sound system and lights were great and the band's cover of Van Halen's "Jump" was amazing!
I dig the couches around the pool table and the crowds were both diverse and friendly.
My only complaint is that when my buddy ordered up some shots they came in little plastic souffle cups. I mean, come on! No self-respecting Detroiter should ever have to take a shot of whiskey from a plastic cup! -
Review from Justin E.
Long Beach, CA
6/2/2010
I am a former Detroiter who fled the state for employment, but the Old Miami is place I make a pilgrimage to at least once per year when home!
My favorite time to go to the Old Miami is on Memorial Day, early. It's during the Detroit's Electronic Music Festival and the Old Miami is the fabled meeting grounds to sum up the weekend, and rock out early on the final day. They always offer up a backyard style breakfast/lunch and serve mimosas and bloody mary's to get the day kicked off right. Local legends have marched through their at this time and their always seems to be great music playing. 5 stars for a great bar; 5 stars for the best party on Memorial Day! -
Review from Airika A.
Los Angeles, CA
6/3/2010
This place is awesome! I visited this past week while in town for DEMF. On a sunny day you'll want to grab a drink and enjoy the sun in their backyard. Yes, the bar has a huge backyard with grass and tunes to enjoy.
The bar can get a little packed and it can be hard to get a drink but, it was definitely worth the wait. We had a great time at this little hot spot in Detroit!
