My BFF and I took our super sweet fellas to D'Mongo's after the tree lighting ceremony since they are Detroit newbies so to speak. We got there and it was packed! I cruised the place and found a table in the back corner next to the piano(my fav spot) but the snappy hostess told us it was NOT a table for 4 even though it was a small square table with FOUR chairs. She barked at us that it was in fact a table for SIX. So we can either wait or split. Well we just paid the shady fella across the way $10 to park and didn't want to just leave despite her bad attitude. Now let me add this I would have given 5 stars had it not been for Snappy McHostess at the door. She was just plain mean!! Anyway this cute couple walked in and was told there were no tables for 2 either so my BFF quick on her feet invited them to join us at this table for 6 and they were reluctant at first but they caved ahahaha! So 15 mins later we were chatting up our new additions at our small table for FOUR that had 2 extra chairs crammed in it to make it SIX. ahahaha! Anyway you get Chicken or Ribs no subs no just sides no anything. You get chicken or ribs and the 4 sides. Its cool though because it's EFFING AWESOME!!!! We all pigged out and had warm full bellies and clean happy plates!! Even our new pals were content on their first visit to Cafe and were in town from Ann Arbor. I have been to Cafe a bunch of times and I just love love love it!! I hope it's around forever and ever so I can keep going back and noticing new things on the walls and amongst the cluttered decor. I hope I can always go and meet new friends and make memories!! peace! read more

This is one of my favorite Detroit Bars. So many good things to say about D'Mongos. Aside from the atmosphere, I love how everytime you walk in the door, you're greeted by everyone inside. Everyone at the bar turns around and says hello, and welcomes you in. Pretty awesome. The people there are so friendly. The owner, Larry Mongo said hi to us and asked us our names and chatted with us for a while. Super nice guy. Along with George the piano player. Then as we left, the awesome lady bartender gave us a hug goodbye. So sweet. And totally genuine good people. Nothing is pretentious or fake about this place. Not to mention, the drinks are good and the atmosphere is both interesting and charming. I'd also like to note that this place is also open on Saturday nights. Since a lot of people have commented saying it's only open Friday. You must go to D'Mongos! read more

As you step in the door, you step into a 1920's speakeasy. The friendliness of the hostess waiting by the door and beautiful classic and eclectic decor put you in the frame of mind for enjoying this classy, classic, and convivial space. This bar eased my transition from the bus ride to Detroit to returning to real life. One thing I found very pleasant was the atmosphere. This bar seems to be setting the stage for a revitalization of the downtown. The patrons seemed to all know and like each other...felt a bit like Cheers. I especially liked the mixed ethnic and socioeconomic background of the crowd. And then some pleasant live Jazz started playing...sweet. For drinks we both had their signature cocktail, the Detroit Brown...as a Toronto resident finding that two cocktails were below the $15 credit card minimum is pretty exciting! The drink is a mixture of crown royal, bitters, and something else that I forget. It was generally pretty good. I get the sense they can mix some decent cocktails. They don't have beer on tap and they don't seem to have any food really, so it's pretty much a cocktail kind of place. i don't think their cocktails aren't quite as elevated as they could be, but they're pretty good and cheap. This is definitely a must-see on a Detroit tour...you can do it as I did between arrival in Detroit and hitting up Cliff Bell's for some tasty food and jazz. read more

D'Mongos is slowly but surely becoming my favorite bar in downtown Detroit. The fact that it's a self proclaimed 'speakeasy' should be enough to spark your curiousity. Larry Mongo is by far one of the most entertaining men i have ever met and is so incredibly lively he can make anyone smile! The drinks are so cheap and the atmosphere is totally low key and unpretentious and this hidden gem ALWAYS boasts an entertaining crowd. They do have a limited menu of soul food (either chicken or ribs with a handful of sides to accompany), I can see the place from my window and i know that Larry cooks the bbq fresh every Friday! the Mac n Cheese is also out of this world. The only downside to this place is that it's only open on Fridays :( Also, because it's small it tends to get a little smoky...if that sort of thing bothers you. Other than that, i try to make it a point to stop in at least for a short while every Friday night! read more

What a great bar! You walk in, everyone turns around and looks at you, you're not sure if it's because you clearly look like you're not from Detroit, you quickly realize there's a good mix of people here and you relax, and then you mosey down to a cushy chair and sink into it. The ambience is great. The walls are peppered with cool pictures and mirrors. The food is simple but solid (with huge portions!) Order the 1492 drink you like sweet drinks that taste like sugary syrup and rum. George and Larry are great. Super friendly and classy people. This is a great place for a fun date, or a night out with your friends of good food and good music. I'm from Chicago and have been to plenty of cool bars and pubs, and this is definitely a great one. read more

There's some cool history behind this place - read up on it online. A weathered building that looks more old-world cafe than anything you'll find in Detroit, nestled up to the downtown synagogue... you're thinking, "Where am I?" Step inside for more surprises. Your grandma's old house - if it had a bar and a lively cast of characters serving drinks and playing music. Tons of ornamental items and Detroit kitsch all around; from mapping the Purple Gang, to Coleman Young in a phone booth, this place is wonderfully hometown. The crowd is eclectic and fun. You'll make some new friends! Yes, the space is kind of claustrophobic, it gets warm, and you might not want to pee here. But people are nice - just pass by, make it up to the oddly small bar service area, and get your (strong) drink. Rock N' Rye and Captain Morgan is a signature. Bring some friends (not too many), find a spot, relax, enjoy the tunes, the conversations, the people, and the uniquely Detroit experience that represents why so many of us love this city. read more

I felt like everyone already knew each other, from the patrons to the staff to the owner, Larry. It may have helped that I ran into some friends of mine and was introduced to everyone, plus we knew one of the musicians playing that evening, but that's the kind of thing that happens at a place like this! Such awesome energy and atmosphere! So much personality and flavor. What an awesome time! read more

The staff is horrible. I don't understand how there can be so many great reviews for this place!?!? They are so rude to their customers and treat us like children and yell at you if you have a large party. I have only been here twice but both times were completely horrible experiences. Go somewhere that will treat you with respect. The hostess was the worst person i have ever dealt with in my life and was more concerned about a reservation for their "regulars". That's fine and all but don't treat your customers that are there at the moment spending money like complete trash. I also told her that i won't be back and she was the worst hostess i have ever dealt with and she said she doesn't care. Don't waste your time or money. read more

I finally get this place. I'm writing this review after my third visit over the past year. D' Mongo's is one of the greatest examples of the "Detroit come-back", all thanks to a young and relatively affluent and educated crowd that has swarmed the Downtown radius of Detroit. I firmly believe that Detroit isn't "coming back", but rather, moving forward. D'Mongo's has a longstanding history in the city, but one that also includes shutting its doors when things got bad. Many praise this place, but there's room to critique any place that claims ownership to a "Best Bar in America" title. It's crowded and very hipstery. Drinks are strong and good, and the music can be bad - I was there one Friday night in February and this gentleman (plays regularly and is a close friend of the owner) was just not good. He's there because he's a super nice and passionate guy, which is great - but not my cup of musical tea. I was there once and a phenomenal band was playing. I'm bummed that they no longer regularly serve soul food. Anyway, the employees are super friendly and have a community here, one that just doesn't vibe with me as much. I prefer a dive over a speakeasy, I suppose. The old decorations and memorabilia are pretty rad, and any place is worth trying at least once, right? read more

This place might be a secret, but since the Metro Times wrote it up, I will take my chances...Cafe d'Mongo is run by Larry d'Mongo, who is also the chef. It is hard to describe the decor, but it is beautiful, with musical instruments and pictures of jazz legends on the walls, comfy chairs arranged as if you're in a huge living room. It is chill. Above our table on the ceiling was fixed the entire keyboard from a piano. There is soul food fare for pretty reasonable prices, all of which my group enjoyed. The drinks are really good (as is the service) and really cheap. What drew me, and probably most of the crowd, was the live music, especially the stylings Chuckie Patch. My only gripes are that there is a $10 minimum on credit cards, and that the crowd is mostly people who might refer to themselves as "hipsters" which is not my crowd. But whatever, all in all, I would come back to Cafe d'Mongo again and again. Incidentally, it is only open on Friday nights... read more

The only reason why it's not getting 5 stars is cause it's just way too crowded. Otherwise, this place is fantastic. Love the live music, ambience, people! read more

Visited with some friends from out of town on a saturday evening. It was way too packed and very difficult to move inside. It's called a speakeasy, but... it's really just a normal bar with music. Recommend Ubering to this area. The lady at the front door said 2 drink minimum and we decided to leave. Not worth a 2 drink min just to be smushed. read more

As soon as I walked in I was in love with this place. The Vibe, the people, the Music. It's a great place to Chill with friends. The drinks were GREAT! Don't go without eating though, they only serve one thing. A good Sandwich with a side of chips. Larry the owner was there and I got to chat with him for a sec. Me and my friends have decided this will be our go to place on the weekend. It's only open Fri and Sat I think. Great fun gem in downtown Detroit. read more

If you are looking for a fun night out with live music, this is the joint. The people were great, musicians made you want to sing and dance. It was one of the highlights of our evening. It's a bit cramped, but I think that adds to the character of the place. There seems to be a lot of history within the cafe. Grab some friends, a table, and some drinks. You are guaranteed to have a great night! read more

D'Mongs is warm, carefree and just chill due to the owner and who he brings in. There are no judgements here and the people celebrate. The decor is like your grandma's with the plastic pulled off of the furniture if she were Otis Redding, Bo Diddley and the Funk Brothers mixed into one. I marveled at the green lounge interior full of slim antiques, furniture and musical devices for years wondering if it was ever opened. It was put together in the 80's and kept that way when Larry locked the door only to open occasionally for parties with friends. Now he's opened it for everyone on Fridays and you're still his friends. I believe he's open both Fridays and Saturdays now. Drinks run out, beers switch out, pop comes from 2 liters and your bill is on the smaller side. The bar here is real low with orange seats, the bathroom less than desirable. Its quirky, all its own and a great spot to close out a night. read more

I just love this place. Simple as that. There's a unique feeling when you walk through the doors that stays with you the whole time you're there. To boot, the drinks are super cheap and the music is great. If you're visiting Detroit and looking for something different, check out Cafe C'Mongo's! read more

Cool spot - looks like it's been unchanged for 50+ years. Had live music when I went. The place is tiny inside, however, and service can be on the slow side. No cover charge. Try the food from Esto's Garage, which is connected to the building. Just text in your order and table number and the food shows up in about 15 min! read more

Stumbled in here because it was close to our hotel on Washington. What a sweet find. May not be for everyone (not a pretentious hipster in sight!) but this made me happy. So too did the very strong drinks, wonderfully eccentric staff and amazing owner. We were sad we couldn't stay longer! Thanks to Karl and the band for showing us a bit of Canadian love by playing The Guess Who and Rush! much love from Toronto! read more

Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy - Selfie with the owner - Speakeasies Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Oh D'mongo's, how much do I love thee? Too many ways to count! Drinks: delicious and cheap. Crowd: always entertaining. Decor: think rummage sale meets Twilight Zone meets Alice in Wonderland. Staff: friendly and awesome. This is a great place to take out-of-towners and suburbanites when they are looking to experience something uniquely Detroit. Make sure you check to see if they're open before making your way there though. Friday nights are always a safe bet. read more

There are tons of bars in Detroit, yet this one is the place I take my friends when they come to visit from Chicago or Seattle. Character is the name of the game; although they're only open on weekend nights, they pack a lot of entertainment into a short span of time. The live music at Cafe D'Mongo's is hit-or-miss, but the atmosphere is fantastic. If you're a fan of bourbon, be sure to try their Old Fashioned. Classy and polite wait staff combined with an inspired barkeeper and an owner who loves talking with the clientele makes for a wonderful night out in Detroit. Another gem hidden in Detroit for those of us who love to go there and discover them. read more

D'Mongo's has sort of become my regular Friday night bar, for better or worse. While they are open both Friday and Saturday, I've found I much prefer Fridays. The crowd seems generally the same - a lot of tourists, a lot of hipsters, a lot of people coming from events downtown (e.g. last week was Bravo Bravo) - but it is the bartender(s) that make the difference. Great place for good, well-priced drinks and people watching. The musical entertainment is usually pretty decent, but there is always a long pause between sets while I'm there. What is slightly odd and amusing to me, however, is that the lovely older lady who checks IDs at the door has yet to recognize me as frequenting the place so much, whereas she recognized my friend on his second trip there. I didn't realize I was so average Joe... read more

My friends took me to Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy because they know how I love to drink. And how I love to drink at interesting bars. So this place is a trip. Very all over the place on decor. Also very constricted space - every little part of it is taken up with tables, bar, band, or people. We got seats at the bar and settled in to listen to the band and have many drinks. They have a list of standard drinks that they make...Detroit Brown is the only one that I remember....but I don't like whisky so no go for me. I had a drink with Faygo Redpop. I have never heard of Faygo in my life but the drink was good and tastes like Big Red which is a pop apparently in the South? Maybe we need some Faygo down here. I also tried a drink made with lemon and maybe gin? I don't know, but what I do know is the cocktails were good and well mixed and I do love alcohol so everything is all good. The crowd is definitely leaning toward hipsters. However, there appeared to be all sorts of people there so I didn't find it overrun. People watching at the bar was great too - watched a chick pick up a hipster who was there alone. Watched the bartender welcome all his friends for his birthday. Watched the owner shoot the shit with all sorts of people. Good times! The bathroom is exceptionally small, but I was so fascinated by it that I didn't care. It looks like what my bathroom would look like if I decided to DIY and remodel. So boards just stopping whereever they run out. Holes cut so the toilet can flush or the faucet can turn. For some reason this just added some charm to me. Maybe because it was at least clean and well stocked with TP?! Pretty groovy joint for drinks, especially to start out the evening. Live music and only open on the weekend means it is going to get pretty packed, so get there a bit early and snag a seat at the bar and enjoy the trip. read more

Found this place via Yelp reviews during my maiden voyage to Detroit. ( Isn't yelp helpful?) Anyway, funky little soul joint only open on Fridays. If you're walking here and are not familiar with Detroit it looks like you are walking straight into a dimly lit, scary dead-end. The strip club across the street doesn't help that vibe. Rest assured, you are headed for a delightful experience. Fantastic Horeshoe-shaped bar, pleasantly mismatched decor and perfectly dimmed lighting make the ambience a win for me. Chris our bartender was fantastic. Friendly, mellow and helpful when asked about tips for other bars/ places. Just stopped in for drinks - we had JUST eaten dammit!-, but I did eyeball some others food and it made my mouth water. Only con: The first singer's ( yep, live music there too) amp was ear-screechingly loud. To the point where we had to move outside. Frankly, I couldn't believe that no one ELSE's ears seemed to be bleeding. She was actually talented too - so it was kind of shame no one sent her the 'how to work your amp in a small joint" memo. Would definitely return here when I / if I am back in Detroit. read more

I was unaware of Cafe D'Mongo until a friend told our group it was where we should travel to post-bowling/trivia festivities. She was dead-on about what we were looking for at the moment. We were unsure what to expect, especially since we were unaware it was technically termed a "speak-easy", something you do not come across often in Detroit. The atmosphere was very hipster, which none of us are and we stuck out like sore thumbs; this did not prove to be an issue. The owner was extremely nice, coming over and introducing himself, welcoming us to his venue. We all felt this was a nice touch. There is a wide variety of drinks to choose from, bottom shelf to top, and a small but nice collection of local brew. The $ was pretty nice as well, which is always nice. Rumor has it that the speak-easy is only open Friday nights, but I am unsure of the validity of the statement so do not quote me. I have to say that the feeling of welcomeness and positive atmosphere were the major positives for myself and my group. This was my first time in the establishment and will most definitely make it back again! read more

If you're coming for drinks and atmosphere, this is the place. Larry, the owner, is very gracious. Everyone seems to know everyone here. We stopped by just for a quick Friday night cocktail at 5 pm, having never been to the place. We left at midnight after having met at least 20 people. What a blast! Music, great surroundings, cocktails, people, laughter. Can't comment on the food. Had a quick bite of someone else's sandwich but that was about it! read more

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What a hidden treasure! We came in here on a Saturday night while own in Detroit and I cannot wait to go back. This eclectic space is filled with interesting "artifacts" and even more interesting people. There was live music in the corner and the drinks were strong and cheap. Such an interesting place to come across in the heart of the city. A must try! read more

This is the perfect place to meet with friends and have a good time. There is a feeling of Time Traveling within the walls of Larry's little lounge. He has been kind to me and all my out of town guests, makes them feel welcome and treats them to an authentic Detroit experience. read more

Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy - Speakeasies Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Wow! I've had many a terrific night in here with my wife. Great character and music! I hope it stays like this forever! Those Gins are strong so drink wisely folks! read more

I can't quite put my finger on why this is the greatest bar in the world, it just is. Strong drinks, great ambiance, good times. You'll have fun. read more

My friend introduced me to this little spot over the holiday season..... I am now quite the regular.... when you walk in, you are immediately surrounded by quite the eclectic crowd of people.... Some people say, that you feel like you are stepping back in time.... You are welcomed by people of all ages, interesting one-of-a-kind decor, loud music and memorable stories..... Something about this place has me coming back.... I love the band The Reelers who play on Saturday night... soulful rock with great guitars and drums! I love this place and I would recommend anyone who is doubtful of Detroit to come check it out. You won't forget a place like this. read more

Wow - I can't believe I never went here before. Great decor, excellent service. Reasonable drink prices. The live music was good also. Owner was mingling with the crowd. Many interesting drink choices. Fun crowd. Did not try any of the food this time. Waitress took $5 off of our bill because she thought it took too long for her to get our bill. Nice touch!! read more

The absolute coolest spot downtown. Music is awesome and ambiance is crazy, sexy, cool.

Great live music, fun place to go for a drink. How the restrooms meet building/health code, beyond me. I would go again, but pee somewhere else, lol. read more

Absolutely wonderful experience here! I've been wanting to go here for quite sometime and was able to finally go last week! The service was amazing, drinks were delicious, and the atmosphere was very eccentric! The population of the customers were amazing as well. No one was shy to welcome you and have awesome conversations across the bar. They also had awesome live music playing while we were there. If your looking for a different bar scene, this place is definitely for you! What a gem! read more

It's hard to describe. As eclectic as it gets. Old-school and funky. read more

I was at Cafe D'Mongo's three years ago, and it could have been last week. This place looks almost the same except a few more tables and seats have been added. That's great since it is standing room only at times. We were here on a Saturday night this past November. Note: only open Fridays and Saturdays. We arrived about 8pm so I'm sure we're considered the early crowd. It had also begun to snow so not many people were here. Our waiter was very nice and very throrough when explaining the drink options. I love trying new drinks but usually only want sweet drinks without a strong alcohol taste. The place became moderately busy over the next hour. The band arrived at 9:15pm. Well, it was only two people because the other member was delayed due to the weather. The music was great and some lady proceeded to dance amongst the closely placed tables and chairs. Well, that didn't last too long; she realized it wasn't a wise choice. Cafe D'Mongo's is a great place for drinks, and an eclectic atmosphere makes it a hidden gem in Detroit. read more

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Great bar with a strong drinks that will put hair on your chest. My friend and I sat at the bar and chatted up the sexy bartender, Chris, about the scene around town. Chris set us up with a delicious house drink (Makers Mark and something -- DELICIOUS). We sat next to a couple of other first-timers who smartly showed up to order the BBQ. Dammit, their food looked and smelled delicious. I really wish I would've saved my appetite for this place. Open only on Friday nights -- if I lived in Detroit, I would make a point of showing up here every Friday that I could. There is live music, and the girl vocalist who was performing while we were there sounded great -- but her amp was turned up waaaay too high. My friend and I moved outside and enjoyed that a lot better (plus my friend's a smoker, so she was completely at home having her drinks outside). read more

Super easy to just sunk right in to the Detroit experience. Great pee, great drinks. Enjoy your time on this planet. read more

Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy - Great people - Speakeasies Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Okay so went here for late night cocktails with a few friends for a fun night in Detroit. This place is great if you like jam packed bars with live music. But trying to get a drink here is almost impossible. But if you like an overly hyper place definitely try this. read more

There is no actual food here, only grilled cheese sandwich. It smells like my grandmas house. The staff were really friendly and nice!!!