The Oakland

So, the Gatsby-era drinks and the dark vintage décor of The Oakland lend a very stylish vibe to this formal bar. I love how you are escorted in through the bland entrance and seated with menus to order your drinks from a server. Be aware that the drinks are expensive. However, they are extravagant and strong, quite delish and you absolutely get your money's worth.

There's not a lot to be said about this place that hasn't already been added by others, but my "Best of SE Michigan" list has been sitting without this place for too long, so I'll add my two cents.

Located behind an apparently vacant storefront on 9 mile, dimly lit within, cell phones and standing not allowed (among other rules), I'd call the whole thing gimmicky if they didn't embrace the concept so fully.  If you take it the right way, it's an unmatched "chill" drinking experience in Metro Detroit, even compared with The Sugar House and The Last Word.  You can hear the person next to you, you can sit and linger without people crowding around, and you can chat leisurely with the bartender about what you're drinking (I'd recommend sitting at the bar for that reason).

Kaytee and the rest of the bartenders are in fact one of the best selling points, as they should be at a place like this.  They'll describe the flavors of each drink, give samples of the rarer liquors and mixes, and generally be cool people to chat with.  They'll recommend to your tastes, and they'll even throw down quick examples of things you might like, based on as little as an overheard comment or criticism.

It'd all be moot without the cocktail chops to support it, but they devise some fantastic stuff.  The menu changes frequently, so not everything's perfect, but 4 out of 5 are.  All the ingredients and liquors are carefully sourced and manipulated in-house, they infuse their own liquors, and they produce all their own flavorings and sodas.  From the basics, like sarsaparilla, to more exotic compositions, like ramp infused gin or strawberry-balsamic soda, everything is delicious.  Their standards are so high, in fact, that occasionally they won't serve one or more of the listed drinks if they deem any of the ingredients to be sub-par -- the sarsaparilla wasn't available the last time I went because the recently-delivered roots didn't have quite the right flavor.

It'd be dishonest to claim that no one will have a negative experience.  The prices are high, the wait-time is sometimes long, particularly in Winter, and the rules are strict.  But this place is one of the best craft cocktail places in the midwest, and (IMO) every bit as good as its mentor establishment in Chicago (The Violet Hour).

Recommended without hesitation.

My favorite bar!
The ambiance is not comparable to anything we have in ferndale, the drink menu is amazing, I have never been disappointed! The staff is well versed in the drinks and will help you order based on your taste!