We were a group of 3 who wanted to be seated outside on a hot and sticky Michigan day. Luckily there was a nice breeze. Ok make that 2 of 3 that wanted to be outside. As we followed our greeter to our table I kept screaming in my mind "no no no no no not that table no!" and she sat us at a table in full blasting sun. Nevermind the fact that there was a whole shaded section in the back part of the patio area. The rest of my group said it was fine and a beam of sun slowly bore a hole through my chest. Drink orders were up. I ordered a fabulous cross between a Moscow Mule and a Mojito. A+++ for the drinks. Mine was loaded with fresh mint from their garden. Same grade for our waitress who explained the drinks in detail and ended with "ugh- are you sure you want to sit at this table straight in the sun?" The other two said it was fine. I was ready to move, but was out voted. She continued to check in regularly and brought extra water. Most items on the menu were hot. I considered the fish, but we all landed on appetizers and we would just bounce from place to place for bites and drinks. We ordered the charcuterie board and the lavender lemon whip with bread and cucumbers for the 3 of us. The charcuterie board was the large version and had minimal offerings. It wasn't full and pretty. It was little piles of each thing on a board. This one definitely wasn't making it into Better Homes and Gardens magazine. There was a little pile of mixed nuts, a little pile of lose green grapes, a little pile of lose red grapes - not all grapes pristine or large and none were on the vine. There were 3 little piles of cubed cheese and 2 types of sliced sausage and sliced pepperoni. There were 8 crackers that were wheat thin size. This matters because we had some onion jam on the board and a nice serving of mustard. There really wasn't anything to put them on except for the 8 little crackers. That part was weird. These weren't elevated offerings. I could have picked up any of these at Walmart. They were not elevated quality either. We also got a lavender lemon infused whip which was their answer to tzatziki sauce. It was excellent but again, we were given so much of the sauce without a bunch to put it on. The cucumbers were sliced lengthways and there was a lovely bread that tasted like sourdough. There was 6 pieces of bread, and these were not particularly large pieces. A lot more would have been needed to use all of the sauce they gave. The proportions were off. All together the bill was over $100 for the 3 drinks and appetizers. If I ever did go back I won't order food based on what I experienced. There are too many other great options within walking distance. read more

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Came here for an anniversary dinner and left a bit disappointed. I have heard good things but turned out to be a very mediocre dinner. Got a burger and upgraded to truffle fries. Just one burger option and limited toppings. Server was very nice but didn't write down the order, and when it came my burger was missing the cheese and onion. I wasn't sure if they would take it back or what so I didn't eat anymore and it took her a decent amount of time to come and check on us after we got our food. I let her know what was missing and she said it was her fault and asked if I wanted it fixed. I said yeah and she went and got a cold piece of cheese and slice of onion and put it on a plate and gave to me to put on my own burger. I'd expected a little bit better service and I'm certainly not someone who demands top tier service from every spot. Fries were crispy but needed some parm or an aioli sauce to dip in. Also minor note but I had some fries left on my plate and when she came to collect plates I had food in my mouth so I couldn't say anything but she took the plate and my fries! They should always ask if there's any food left on the plate. Burger was decent overall, but definitely nothing special. Environment was cool and I'm sure they have got some other delicious items on the menu but for the price paid and service received, I'd go somewhere else next time. read more

Syndicate Ferndale - Burger (missing cheese and onion) and truffle fries with mayo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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Came here for our anniversary dinner for a burger and a cocktail! The space is super cute, and we got in with no wait without a reservation (which they don't take). Our waitress forgot a few things (do they not let them write anything down?? she def needed to we only got burgers lol) and took a while to check on us after receiving our food AND the 20% gratuity is included in the bill which I am never really a fan of, especially if service is lacking. Truffle fries were fine, would've liked an aioli or something to dip them in other than ketchup, and the burger was good but nothing too crazy. The cocktail I ordered was yummy though. read more

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This is a swanky spot for cocktails. We didn't enjoy our food experience but the cocktails were so specialized and unique that we will be returning!! The atmosphere and service is also top notch. read more

Syndicate Ferndale - A rum drink and a mezcal drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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This little strip has turned into a great spot for cocktails, and Syndicate has become a glorious addition. Walking in, the black and gold nuances strike you immediately and sitting at the bar, watching each drink being made is really quite fun. Their cocktail menu is absolutely spectacular. What a wide range of choices with all the major types of liquor available in one form or another. My bartender developed the program and she was super knowledgeable about it. I didn't try any of the food, so I can't comment on that, but for a pre or post dinner cocktail, I can definitely say this was an awesome spot to come out to. read more

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Delicious! Yummy appetizer with gluten free crackers. Great cocktails and mocktails! Friendly staff! read more

Syndicate Ferndale - Delicious lavender whipped feta dip and they had gluten free crackers - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

I've loved this bar in the past and have even brought out-of-town guests here because of its creativity and reputation. On my most recent visit, though, the experience was disappointing. I ordered a classic cocktail off-menu, the Last Word, which should be a perfect balance of gin, Chartreuse, maraschino, and lime. What I received was overly tart and clearly lacking the Chartreuse that makes the drink work. When I politely asked for a splash to correct it, the bartender said she'd have to charge me extra. What added to the frustration was noticing the fine print on the menu that essentially says you can't "return" a drink. I understand protecting against waste, but this also means if a drink is poorly executed, the guest is stuck with it. For a bar of this caliber, I expect more consistency and hospitality. I truly hope this was just an off day, because I've had great experiences here before and would love to keep recommending it--but this visit missed the mark. read more

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We came here for a nice night out for my husband's birthday. Everything was delicious. The drinks were unique and tasty, and the food was great too. Our service was also exceptional. The place is a little small, so I definitely recommend going closer to the time it opens. This is a great date night spot. read more

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It was about a 30 minute wait for a party of 4 on a Friday night so not terrible. It's not a large place so a wait is to be expected. Our waiter was very nice, explained and answered all our questions. The BYO burger called out to me and didn't disappoint. I appreciated the toppings being cold on the burger, they were very crisp (nobody likes soggy lettuce). Another cute, quaint space with a variety of drinks and fully loaded bar. I will definitely be returning here. FYI gratuity is already added to the bill. read more

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Stopped by with friends who had previously.went for a birthday and enjoyed it. Super cute ambiance, house music vibes. Shout out to Brian and Jessica who took care of us. Deco Daisy -4/5 very complex yet cohesive. Hemmingway breakfast (cocktail of the moment- rum, lime, apricot jam)- 5/5, delicious, refreshing tart and sweet. NA Expresso martini 3.5/5- tastes like straight coffee missing something to make it more interesting. Overall, great experience. Loved the late night deals (offered 9p-close). Would definitely return when I visit. read more

I'm so happy we found this place in our neighborhood! Syndicate has a moody vibe with yummy food and drinks. The dish that surprised me the most was honestly the Crimson Stew, which was the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Our server was excellent as well and attended us when we needed. read more

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Drinks are so creative and unique. Service is impeccable and kind! Everyone that works here is so nice. The place is so clean and beautiful. Stopped in last minute for my bday and felt so welcomed and celebrated. Literally love Syndicate and will always recommend! read more

Syndicate Ferndale - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

Drinks were delicious, and our server Kat was amazing. Very knowledgeable on the menu, her descriptions and recommendations were excellent. She even brought a water bowl for our pups! read more

Ferndale's new cocktail spot was a nice newly added scene to check out. I was waiting for my group to get off work to meet at Imperial and dropped in here seeing the new signage that beckoned. I sat at the bar and ordered up a Sazerac. I perused the menu while I enjoyed the cocktail. It all sounded pretty enticing; I'll have to come back to delve into their flavor profiles. They had a really nice patio area too. I'll be back next I'm in the Dale. read more

Cute, cozy restaurant with several build-your-own items on menu if you like that (flatbreads, burger). Got the calamari, butcher's creed (or greed i can't remember) and harvest salad - all were really good! The cocktails were expensive IMO ($15-17) but also made extremely well and with interesting ingredient combos so it was worth it! read more

Syndicate Ferndale - Snake Charmer - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

This place is very small and cozy. The service is friendly. If you're looking for a low vibe place while it's packed. This is the place good food nice drinks. The only downside I would have to say is the kale Caesar salad dressing is very very light. I had the Paloma while my son had a lemonade. My son ordered the prime build it yourself burger with fries. I had the kale Caesar and calamari: both tasty. Must try. Just add a little dressing on the side. Not a very diversified crowd but it's okay. read more

Finally stopped in to the Syndicate! LOVED the ambiance - anything with some mysticism and snakes had me sold. The interior is super modern and the bar is gorgeous. I loved how all the serving staff wore black and gold. The cocktails are truly crafted to perfection and they even give you tips on how to drink some of them for optimal taste! The menu is full of vegetarian options so we opted to split a few things: flight of deviled eggs, the green goddess bagel and a flatbread. Overall we had a great time and I will def be back! read more

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4.5/5 so I'll round up to 5. This place was pretty cool - my neighbor and I went here today before a show downtown. She had been once previously, and I had never been. They have an extensive cocktail menu - I read here on Yelp beforehand that they tend to do better with the cocktails versus the actual food, but I actually thought both were good. My neighbor ordered an espresso martini and I ordered a mocktail, because I was tired today - it's called the No, Thank You mocktail, and it included a smidge of numbing flower (flower from a numbing pepper) on the side, which was super interesting. We didn't get any appetizers but I had the London broil and my friend had the filet. The London broil came in a mushroom demi-glace sauce and was excellent. The potatoes that it came with also had a nice spice to it, some sort of Mediterranean spice the waitress said, and it came with a fantastic butter with salt on top. The entrees come with your choice of salad or soup; the salad sounded rather standard, so I opted for the Rutabaga & Parsnip soup. I'm not really a fan of soups that aren't really soups ... i.e., more like mush, and that's what this one is. However, it had a sweet taste that I wasn't expecting, and it was interesting; it comes with some bread, which was tasty to dunk in the soup. Although the entree was excellent, the star of the show was definitely the dessert we ordered: Frostbite Brownie sundae, which was cold on top (ice cream) and super warm on bottom (warm brownie), and included bits of peppermint sprinkled on top too. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that our waitress, Morgan, was also excellent - she was very knowledgeable about the menu and she checked on us frequently, but not an overwhelming amount. She told us that the menu changes every three months, so if you go in the spring it will be a different menu - pretty interesting. They use fresh vegetables and whatnot because of that. I will say this was a smidge pricey but on par with other places I've been in Ferndale - The mocktails were mostly $10 and cocktails started at $14. I'd like to come back and have a few cocktails but because I was tired today I stuck to a mocktail, which still had great presentation. Overall I was very pleased with our dinner here and I will hopefully be back sometime soon. read more

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Eclectic place. Cozy, great staff. Amazing cocktails with a unique menu. Effort to find the hidden menu is fun. Food is good - stable. Went to celebrate a birthday and they made it special with attentive service and an awesome dessert. read more

Syndicate Ferndale - a place setting with gold cutlers and a candle - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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Wow! What a night at Syndicate Ferndale! The cocktail kings....the Violent Stratosphere rimmed with Electric Dust is a tingling experience. New to the Ferndale scene, Syndicate is most certainly a must stop if you're looking for unique options for small plates and cocktails. The back room is cool a spot to hang out and play a game of pool. read more

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Food - the rutabaga and parsnip soup was more like a puree than a soup. Great flavor but not at all what I was expecting. It went really well with the ravioli, though. The ravioli was good on its own, but the soup acted like a sauce (that's how thick it was) and added an additional layer of flavor. The frostbite brownie got good reviews, as did the chili and chicken piccata Drinks - very unique drink menu. Lots of them sounded really good, and we enjoyed the ones we chose. They're a little on the pricey side, but good. Be careful what you order, because you get what you get - no send backs. Your server will tell you that up front. Service/Ambiance - the service was great. The host sat us immediately, and our server was very knowledgeable of both the drink and food menus. It's a cozy restaurant (ie. not very big) , nicely decorated, great music playing in the background. Please read the picture in the bathroom read more

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Loved it and can't wait to go back. The chef Remmie is awesome. Get the Dubai dessert, it's amazing and all homemade by the chef! Loved our server Kat too. Good suggestions and everything was great. Drinks were delish and fun too! read more

Syndicate Ferndale - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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This review is for drink and atmosphere only. Syndicate is a cool space, just off of Woodward, in Ferndale. Good vibes, good drinks, and great service. Music is on the right level. We stopped by after dinner, and got lucky on a perfect summer Saturday evening to get a table on the patio. They have several very fun cocktails, but also offer the basics. The server was good about recommending suggestions. read more

The service was amazing here, all of the staff went above and beyond and did there best to accommodate a lot of people. It is very trendy and decorated in an interesting way but the space itself is pretty small. They have a main room with 12ish tables and 8ish bar seats. I went on a Saturday and it was packed for hours. You are permitted to wait in the lounge area in back (can order drinks and apps there, mostly couch/chair seating, limited table space). The outdoor seating area would be nice in the summer to add space but looks like it is closed for the season. I was really excited about the menu but the food was a bit disappointing. We got the filet and the short rib. The filet was ordered medium rare and came out medium well. The short rib was really fatty and the potatoes were pretty bland (would have preferred a true mashed potato, instead of the chunks). It seemed like there could have been a veggie with it as well. For appetizers, we had the pears with goat cheese and the stuffed mushrooms. The pears were ok but they came out cold and I was expecting warm for some reason. The mushrooms were good but both apps were overpriced for the quality. The one food item that I really liked was the Tuscan soup that came with my entree. It was hearty and flavorful- came with chicken, potatoes and two peppers in this creamy sauce, served with bread). They also have an extensive list of pretty cocktails and mocktails. Overall I would say that I expected better food quality for the price point but willing to give a second chance because they are new and the service was so good. read more

Syndicate Ferndale - Short rib - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

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I had such a wonderful experience at Syndicate. Here's what was good: we were a party of 3 on a Friday around 6 PM and were seated immediately. The atmosphere was lively and enjoyable from the start. Our server was friendly and welcoming. I started with a classic Margarita which was perfectly made. I ordered the 5 oz Filet Entree. It was perfectly prepared and absolutely delicious. My son enjoyed the Herb Roasted Chicken and my husband ordered the Build Your Own Flatbread and he was very pleased with that. For dessert we had the Panna Cotta... so good! I can't wait to return! read more

Syndicate Ferndale - Earl Grey Panna Cotta...delicious - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

Came here last week with two friends. The inside is gorgeous! Customer service is A+, and not just our server, but everyone we encountered working there. Drinks are good but pricy, as is everything these days. I had the prosciutto sandwich, which I absolutely loved. Bonus points for actually being able to make crispy sweet potato fries! Deducting a star because it is WAY too loud in here. I don't like to feel like I'm in a nightclub. read more

Syndicate Ferndale - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

Syndicate is a sexy quaint spot for a drink. We had dinner with friends there last night. The food was good/fine. I'm a foodie and it just doesn't hit the mark. We had a flatbread, minestrone soup, and calamari. I wouldn't order any of these 3 again. They were fine but not good. However, I'd definitely go back for a cocktail. I love the space. Tell your Tinder date to meet you at Syndicate. read more

Will. Not. Be. Back. Had a horrible experience. Great drinks. Delayed food order we sat there for 45 min waiting to place our food order. Server was so nice but she was terrible. Remembered nothing. Forgot everything we had to ask repeatedly for things because she couldn't remember a damn thing. Ordered a steak cooked it to hell medium rare came well done for a filet mignon. Will never come back here and recommend to stay away. read more

Syndicate is a fun spot in Ferndale, a bit tucked away off of the central intersection of 9 Mile and Woodward. It's located across the back alley from Imperial and is its own standalone building that is very understated. They have an outdoor patio space area with all these individual tiny house style huts for you to dine in all year long, a small back room of the restaurant with several billiard tables, and then a larger space for the main area of their restaurant. There's a lot going on in this building, but all of it looks very inviting and interesting, so I know there's a lot of various occasions for which you could come here to dine, play, or snack. The vibes in here are very sophisticated, especially in the restaurant area. All the waiters wear black and gold, which fits in style with the ambiance of the restaurant. There is definitely a lot of intentionality throughout the space with what they have used to design and it continues even throughout the bathrooms. The food and drink is really fun here. My favorite dish was the appetizers of a flight of deviled eggs. All of their deviled eggs were prepared in unique and incredible ways that I have never tasted, and they all worked really really well! My friend who also got the deviled eggs said they might have been the best deviled eggs she's ever had, and I might have to agree with that! The drinks are pretty awesome as well, they had a great selection of mocktails and the one I got came with cotton candy, which was fun, but ultimately the drink wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be from its description. But I really appreciated that everyone's drinks were so unique and came with very unique mini garnishes. One friend's drink came with a small cone of pretzel sticks clipped to the side of his glass with a mini clothes pin - how fun! Things are very creative here and you'll definitely have a very entertaining time. For my main, I got their salad, which was not the greatest. It was very basic and unremarkable, but there was a good quantity, they used good ingredients, and it was an okay balance of all the ingredients. Overall, things are definitely on the pricier side at Syndicate, so make a note of that, but it's definitely worth a trip and a splurge in my personal opinion given how unique the experience can be. Finally, I will note that I came with my service dog in training and I know how strict Ferndale is with their dogs. I know that the Syndicate is a dog-friendly outdoor patio space, but given that my dog is a service dog in training, I have taken him to a lot of restaurants and other establishments throughout downtown Ferndale with minimal fuss. But Syndicate was by far and large the place that questioned me the most about my service dog being inside. The manager asked a lot more questions than are appropriate to ask given the laws we have in place with service dogs in Michigan, if I'm being completely honest. But ultimately, they allowed us to dine, but I could feel the manager keeping a really close eye on our table throughout the entire meal and that definitely impacted my experience quite a bit, so I wanted to make sure to include that as a word of caution to those coming here with their service dogs and service dogs in training. read more

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A nice spacious chill spot. I loved that they had multiple mock tail options. Everyone else cocktails and enjoyed them. So I'd say it's a great place to take a mixed group of friends who do and don't drink alcohol. The service was also nice as well. read more

Syndicate Ferndale - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

Perfect spot to hangout this summer with friends enjoying a nice cocktail (or 2 or 3...). The outdoor patio has a lot of seating and the open garage has a pool table. Didn't have a chance to try the food but the cocktails were delicious. They are very creative and presented beautifully. Our waitress was very nice and attentive despite it being such a busy Friday night. read more

Syndicate Ferndale - Hibiscus kiss. Popcorn papi. Syndicate old fashion. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

Spinach, ground beef, olive, garlic, pepper, onion, mushrooms! Toppings are an additional cost but it's sooo TASTY! read more

Syndicate Ferndale - Flatbread pizza! Created my own! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

The vibe in this place is super nice, hip music and it feels upscale but sans the pretentiousness. The drink menu is extensive and they have a lot of non alcoholic drinks that looked amazing. Got the chicken sandwich and it hit the spot. Food is a tad overpriced but it was good overall. read more

Syndicate Ferndale - Sundried tomato melt - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Ferndale, Michigan

Finally got to try Syndicate since their opening. We sat on the patio and enjoyed the lovely Michigan May evening. We ordered a few cocktails and shared the feta lavender spread. The drinks and app were so good! There were many options on the menu, and now we need to go back to try something new. We ordered a salad and a turkey burger and fries to share. Great food, and the service was amazing. I highly recommend visiting Syndicate, they have a great vibe, service, food and cocktails! read more

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I've been here a few months ago for dinner, but didn't take the opportunity to review. Dinner was good! I came back for a few cocktails & I wasn't disappointed. They have seasonal cocktails, which is pretty cool! The drinks are really good & the ambiance is very sexy inside & out. Please get the Old Fashion, it comes with pretzels...now that's a win!! Also, the pool table is free! The artwork on the walls are by local artist, which is pretty dope! This is a great place for a date night or a girls night out! Shout out to Morgan who was very attentive! read more

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The food here is really good and different from other restaurants I have been in. I really enjoyed their drinks as well. The unique atmosphere and dining experience was what really stood out to me. The place is very nicely designed and decorated. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable in what they are serving. I love the spicy margaritas here! I would definitely recommend checking this place out. read more

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We were out celebrating and Syndicate was on our list! We got there right as they open. They offer a brunch menu, but we had already eaten. We enjoy sitting at the bar and watch all the magic happen! This place is relatively small inside. But don't let that fool you. They definitely knew what they were doing! They have a variety of very unique cocktails. It was fun watching them come together! Go in with an open mind and try something new! You won't be sorry! read more

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The food was Ok. I was expecting better flavors and presentation. I would not go back for the food. The restaurant is small and there are tables facing the bathroom which is very gross. In terms of service, our waitress would grab our cocktails without asking if we are finished. That was annoying. Everyone at the table noticed that. personally, I wouldn't go back. read more

A new must try restaurant/mixology bar in Ferndale. Cozy space with neat decor from tables to the plate settings. We had a party of 4 on Friday evening just walked in without having a reservation around 7:30 and were sited right away. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and recommended a couple different drinks based on you preference. The cocktail menu is extensive and also available to see online with pictures of the drinks. I have tried Ruby Slippers and Syndicate Old Fashioned. Both excellent! The neat thing about the Old Fashioned was the ice cube inside the glass had their signature snake imprinted on it just so cool We also have ordered Calamari and Better Then Take Out-Mongolian beef skewers cooked perfectly. In the summer time they will have the back patio and music as well. Great night will definitely be back! read more

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First time dining at Syndicate and the experience was incredible! The food selections are unexpected and absolutely delicious! I had the best burger of my life and the Dubai dessert was mind blowing. Going back soon. read more