Saksey’s lounge opens in downtown Detroit mixing fashionable consolation with throwback enjoyable

Mixing fashionable craft cocktail tradition and smooth design-forward environment with enjoyable, wink-wink throwback nods to Sixties and ’70s bar tradition, Saksey’s makes its debut this week at 1550 Woodward in downtown Detroit.

Guests can sip root beer negronis, soiled snow cones and mini martinis surrounded by cherry wooden paneling and darkish velvet banquettes within the new bar, which is a collaboration between the Gilbert Family and NoHo Hospitality (San Morello, Evening Bar, and many others.).

Accessible off Parker’s Alley, the bar opens Friday and shares an deal with with Gilly’s Clubhouse. Saksey’s is known as after a bar Dan Gilbert’s father, Sam Gilbert, owned in Detroit within the Seventies on Woodward close to the Palmer Park space.

Luke Ostrom of NoHo Hospitality Group says it is not about re-creating the previous, however taking the sense of belonging felt within the outdated bar and carrying that power ahead. 

“When we started shaping this new bar, we wanted to honor that spirit while making it entirely our own,” he mentioned in a press launch. 

The meals menu will match the whimsical nature of the drinks, with a mixture of high- and low-brow choices equivalent to caviar and Bugles, Cornflake-encrusted hen, a bar burger and a Cap’n Crunch Berry sundae. 

The bar is led by NoHo bar director Darryl Chan and head bartender, Detroit hospitality veteran Tara Wong. 

“Detroit has this special mix of grit and grace that immediately resonated with me,” mentioned Chan in a press launch. “At Saksey’s, we’re channeling that spirit through cocktails that nod to classic recipes but bend the rules. We’re exploring nostalgic flavors and unique presentations throughout this menu concept, with each drink requiring serious technique, yet paired with a sense of play.”

Starting Friday, Saksey’s, 1550 Woodward in Detroit, is open 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat. and 5 p.m.-midnight Tues.-Thurs. Reservations may be made by way of the Resy app or the web site, sakseysdetroit.com, however walk-ins are welcome, too. 

mbaetens@detroitnews.com