The Bar At 327 Braun Court
327 Braun Ct, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104
The Bar At 327 Braun Court Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Ann Arbor for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Ann Arbor for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Ann Arbor for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
327 Braun Ct
Ann Arbor, MI, 48104 - Phone (734) 585-5440
- Website https://www.brauncourt.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Kristen G.
Experts say that a well made drink can cure a chilly winter and cool the humid summer. Well, I don't actually know if anyone says that, nor am I an expert, but I do know this is the best bar in Ann Arbor. Moving here I went to a few terrible bars that everyone suggested and I wish I had found this immediately. The setting is calm and collected. The music never fails to elevate the mood. And last but obviously not least, the bartenders are perfection. The drinks change every few months and they are beautifully crafted. Come here for a chance to appreciate setting and sipping.
(5)Miles L.
A romantic little bar with well made cocktails. I haven't tried the food but the drinks and atmosphere are good if you're looking for a quieter night.
(4)Allen L.
What a great bar. First rate bartending, ingredients and atmosphere. No pretense. No flair mixology. Just great drinks by staff that understand service. Smart food options, too. Brunch is great.
(5)Paul S.
Easy to miss this place, it's worth the steep ascent to partake of handcrafted libations in the dimly lit loft. A cocktail after dinner? How could I refuse? The Spartan interior is what keeps this bar hip in my opinion. Small wooden tables and a longer wall-mounted option greets you, and vintage grade school chairs bring back memories you'd rather forget of junior high school. Luckily the drinks will erase that momentary flashback with astounding complexity and Prohibition Era firepower (i.e. 3oz. minimum alcohol). I forgot the name, but I enjoyed the mezcal and respado combo: smoky and sour all at once. Just perfect for a digestif. If I lived here still I'd become a regular fixture for sure!
(4)Dug S.
Our cozy, dark, quirky neighborhood bar on the second floor of a nondescript house on Braun Ct. There's not a special knock or secret handshake to get in, no naugahyde door (see the Last Word for that), though it feels like that kind of place ("Ken sent me"). We often roll up to 50 deep in here, giving Eric a heads-up as best we can (24 hours is best) to call in reinforcements. Good things take time, and the Bar does creative, modern, and classic cocktails right - they take their craft seriously, and while you might wait a bit on a busy night (particularly if we're there), it's because they won't serve you a bad drink. Eric lines up the final rub / placement of a peel on the lip of a glass like a golf master lines up her final putt. It's inspiring to watch someone so committed. Beer-wise, it's mostly bottles, including many cheap/budget options, and two rotating taps, always Michigan microbrews. They always have a cider and often make (very strong) punch as well. A schedule of pop-up dinner nights is in chalk on the wall at the foot of the stairs, and they have some great ones. With the new Ground Floor Cafe on the first floor, they're also doing weekend brunch. The decor and atmosphere, OTOH, is pretty random - Lego bricks fill holes in walls, small taxidermy looms overhead, hand-written signs remind me of a Chinese restaurant, and music blasts inside their one unisex bathroom. The coop living room ambiance is part of their scrappy college-town appeal, I guess. One night they played the Pixies' entire Surfer Rosa album, and then turned around and played all of Doolittle. It was like reliving high school, with much better booze. This place is very Ann Arbor, and I'm glad to see them rewarded for it!
(5)Tabitha M.
Cute and tiny. Great cocktails. Hipster vibe.
(3)kim d.
This place is seriously overrated. We stopped in for a drink in the early evening. Unpretentious=dumpy, which is fine if you don't charge ridiclious prices for your lame drinks. We ordered one with "cooler" in the name, and while it tasted okay, it was literally not cold at all! Possibly the bartender neglected to shake it with ice? It was in a tall glass with one tall cylindrical ice cube in it-interesting-but not cold. And this round of 2 drinks cost us $25 with tip!!! That would NEVER happen in my hipster friends basement. While there, I heard somebody say that they liked this place better than the Last Word because "they try too hard". I almost started laughing. The Bar doesn't even compare to the Last Word (a Speakeasy with an awesome atmosphere, amazing drinks at a fair cost, even a Happy Hour). Frankly, if I'm shelling out $10 or more for a tiny drink, I EXPECT them to TRY HARD! I'm baffled that this place has so many good reviews. Won't be back, ever.
(1)Andrea M.
This review is possibly- RATED PG-NC-17-21...something or other. Errr...read at your own risk. ******** Ever want to have sex with a drink? Me either, BUT this is as close to being seduced by a drink as you might get. Why? There's a lot of great flavors in their drink combinations built on some solid, hard liquor legs. Me likee, me likee very much. And, I am not a huge drinker at all. What I am is one of those people who only likes to drink the BEST when I do drink. If that's you- go have sex with a drink at The Bar at 327 Braun Ct. THE SEDUCERS (aka DRINKS) Wish I had a damn menu in front of me while writing this to describe more of what is there, but that is not the important part. Drink options rotate which is a good thing. Here's the skinny on the drinks- if you are a foodie and love food pairings and food flavors, you will appreciate the specialty cocktail aspect of this bar. That's what I drink when I go there- cocktails. What will seduce you most are the same things that describe some film noir femme fatale- mysterious, dangerous, at times and brazen, while sexy, smokey and elusive at other times. There is such a food-like appreciation quality in their drinks it is hard to describe, but I just love the combinations that make you appreciate the smokey, citrus, herby and other flavors that I am unable to describe at the moment. Just GO enjoy the flavor-gasm-in-your-mouth-fun and ....relax. FOOD There are some nights with pop-up restaurant options. The food is always, always excellent by some of A2's best restaurants, making the most fresh and cared-for food selections. ATMOSPHERE Ok, let's set the record straight about what others might mean about it being 'unpretensious'. They probably mean that the decor is understated, some retro stuff, etc. and the outside of the bar is so nondescript you will almost not find it as you walk by. That said, this is a hipster bar. Make no mistake, but the associated 'douche' factor is low, so no worries even for a hipster-y vibe. *** The stripped-down, casualness will put you at ease and this is the cool part my friends. *** A few...issues. Consider this housekeeping I guess. Sometimes the very nice bartenders might ignore you as they sweat their ass off like they just took meth and came to work, yet are not mixing fast like Tom Cruise in Cocktail (yes, bad analogy, sorry). Point is, while the bartenders are nice and they make you a great drink, it sometimes takes for-ever to get one, moreso in getting their attention. While this place can fill up fast and is often busy, he (or she) is not making robo-cocktails every second. Sometimes they stand around, shooting the sh*t, chilling, which is cool and fine- if I had not finished my drink and wanted to try something else. LESSON THE FIRST: A good bartender does not let someone run dry. So tisk, tisk to The Bar on this note. Consider it something to improve upon...or not...I doubt your bartenders care. And, most of the patrons don't either as we all keep coming back, right? CONCLUSION Do yourself a favor and go hook up with this mysterious temptress disguised as Plain Jane hipster of a bar...I AM talking about a bar though...a bar people, keep it clean. Happy trails. ;-)
(4)Jennifer X.
Best bar in A2. Relaxed, cozy, unpretentious. Aesthetic is cool but comfortably so. Also: the brunch kills me. I really love the space in Braun Court - so light and airy.
(5)Lauren L.
I love that everyone is calling this place unpretentious. Ann Arbor is full of pretentious bars, and this place is the king of them. I've been here half a dozen time with different friends and we've never had a good interaction with the waitstaff. We're quiet, polite, spend a lot and tried to tip well. Yet they're always spiteful and rude, and I kind of suspect this "unpretentious" bar hires them to be as pretentious as possible. Also, most of the cocktails are terrible. Somehow they manage to bring out the strong taste of alcohol and yet give you the weakest and overpriced drink possible. Basically, we've all decided to stop coming here. If you're going to treat your customers horribly, you give a pretty clear message you don't want them there.
(1)Rachel A.
I can't believe I've lived in Ann Arbor for so long and haven't gone to this place until last night. I love the low-key speakeasy vibe. The service was excellent; our waitress had lots of suggestions for drinks and was really helpful in selecting. (I was feeling extra indecisive!) The drinks were delicious - I tried two different things and my friend one. I'll definitely be back soon!
(5)Logynn H.
For a simple unpretentious bar, it's pretty nice. The bartenders are intelligent interesting people who give good service. The cocktails are really good if you order them off the specials. I have some regular drinks I usually get at every bar, but at this place it's worth it to try the unique ones they have made up.
(5)Sam G.
I have no idea why I would deprive myself for this long of such a sacred little space. Why would I keep myself from stiff drinks, service that makes you beam from ear to ear, and an ambiance that makes all your past brutal life experiences melt into a distant memory? The very thing that may keep you at bay is the very thing that makes this bar so intimate. You're never quite sure where you are or if the bar is open or who is inside so you just have to leap into it. Many shall enter, few shall win. Wait, no, scratch that. Few shall enter, all who enter win. Amazing music, sexy lighting, 'rustic' wood tables, and no douchebaggery. I love seeing greatness develop from the ground up and this is grassroot booze-slingin' at its finest. A contemporary speak-easy with no password, but you still want to whisper about it. (Oh, and there's one more delicious secret - they have brunch on saturdays from 11 to 2pm (i think?) - effin' yum!)
(5)Tia H.
Simple, unpretentious Bar located in an upper floor space in Braun Court. There are no TV's or brain pounding bass just simple tunes, fabulous craft cocktails and the occasional pop-in from local chefs or Café Memmi. A must go if you're in the mood for something different and delicious.
(5)Mara B.
My favourite bar in A2, hands down. Seriously, I love this place, and the people. The service is attentive and friendly, and the cocktails are delicious, well-made, and unique. The lighting is warm and ambient, and even after 18 months of being a regular, I still get a kick out of the eclectic, eccentric artwork. If you don't want a cocktail on the specials list (which changes every few months), the bartenders will always happily make you a classic, or chat with you to help you figure out what you might like. They also have a good, affordable selection of bottled beer, a cider or two, house wine and -- crucially -- bubbles. There's also delicious food most nights thanks to the amazing popups (Cafe Memmi on Tues, Wed, & Thurs, plus San Street on Sundays). I've hung out here a bunch, for lots of different occasions/purposes, and Braun Court is the ideal setting every time: with friends (in both small and large groups), on dates, and afternoon sessions by the big window with a pile of grading and a beer or two. The music can be a little loud sometimes, depending on how close you are to the speakers, but I pretty much always like what's playing so it tends not to bother me. One last pro: the staff are great about splitting up long, complicated group checks -- not every place has that kind of patience!
(5)Richard R.
Settle in, kids. Because I love this place and like to talk about it. I had the luck to check this place out the second night it was open and fell in love right away. The drinks, decor and general atmosphere were unique and inviting, and since it had yet to be discovered, I could sit at any table I wanted. I promptly named it the most popular bar of 2012. And it was February ( annarbor.com/entertainme… ) The place has transformed and grown, but always for the better. Amazing staff. A pop-up food program during the week that now features Cafe Memmi (which will surely be its own brick and mortar soon enough). It's a good place to sidle up to the bar and chat with stranger, tuck yourself in the back or bring a small group and hold court. They don't have a proper sign. They have great lighting. They've got something different that no other place in Ann Arbor has that I can't put my finger on. Also, super available parking. Some people call this place too hipstery or small or out of the way. To them I say, good. Stay away. More whiskey for me.
(5)Joss K.
Delicious cocktails at a fair price. Try the Fitzgerald--gin, lime, and bitters--which is only a touch sweet. If you're into something stronger, then a gin martini with a twist will twist your average night into a tasty one--and you'll all but forget the frustrating day you had at the library when the original publication of the Futurist Manifesto was not in special collections.
(4)Regis W.
I love the guys at The Bar, so down to earth with a great sense for delicious cocktails and they don't even get that mad at me when I bring the whole office and forget to tell them ahead of time. This is a great place to get a away from the hustle and overcrowding downtown and enjoy a really good drink. It's location, nestled above a cafe, makes it feel like a best kept secret and the ambiance is versatile in such a way that you can go all out or have a low key drink. The classic paper straws are just icing on the cake.
(4)Kelly E.
I love, love The Bar. One, because it's just called The Bar. Two, because they have delicious cocktails without the pretension. They have a delicious beer cocktail, and a rotating menu. I recently ordered the Mint Julep, holy cow. It comes in a legitimate silver cup (and requires a credit card as collateral, because - trust me - it would get stolen). The crushed ice and bitters were amazing, I don't think I can go back to ordering any other cocktail! It's a small space, but I've rarely seen it packed. It feel very intimate, and is a great place to catch up for a drink or two. There is some very interesting wall art (a portrait of Zach Galifianakis next to The Last Supper?) including an enormously creepy mounted animal head with accessories. No kitchen, but there are food trucks there on certain nights of the week.
(5)levramosis H.
Fun place, chill atmosphere and good drinks. The flavors are well thought out but not always very well balanced. The bartenders are great, they are using premium and fresh ingredients. I would love to come here on a night when they serve food. I would have loved something to munch on while the ice melted and toned down the intensity of the alcohol in my cocktail. I've only visited once, but could see myself going back some night when a pop-up is in residence.
(4)Brendan K.
This is a really nice place. It has great atmosphere and great drinks. Not exactly for the undergrad crowd, but really fun for adults. I like it, the waitstaff and the lighting!
(5)SweetP G.
Wow, this was quite a find. (If you can actually find it - their speakeasy vibe is not an act. Door is in the same courtyard as the Aut Bar.) As others have said, service is pretty good. (The first time I went they were very attentive, second time not so much. Maybe because I was solo.) Good selection of libations. Delicious - and I mean delicious - food, very unique and incredibly fresh ingredients. Their menu changes daily (displayed on their Facebook page). It is relatively expensive, but if you're in the mood, I'd say it's worth it.
(4)Ben A.
Pretty much every spot in KerryTown is unique, and The Bar is no exception. There's a coffee shop downstairs during the day, and it's a bar upstairs at night. I've only been to the bar, and it's pretty cool. The Bar is relatively small, dimly lit, tables on either side, and an open area in front of the bar in the middle. Their drinks are also one-of-a-kind, and all that I have tried so far have been delicious. They also have beers that I don't think I've been able to find other places, even at Ashley's. It doesn't take much to crowd this place, so have a plan B if you come with a large group and don't want to stand. Definitely worth checking out though, and it's one of my favorite spots if I'm not going bar hopping.
(4)Sean M.
There's a lot to like about 327, and a lot of reasons I want them to succeed. I do not, however, believe they will in their current form. What's good: the location is super convenient for me, and it fills a niche. I love the atmosphere (yay no TVs); it works for hanging out with friends, for a date, or for working. The staff has been super-friendly and they know their booze. The cocktails are good and always well made, the beer list works well too. The appetizer list is solid and consists of things that are not fried bits of starch and cheese. Why I don't think it will work as is: the drinks are small, $9, and the current cocktail menu is mostly smoother drinks. In other words, my $9 goes way to quickly, and then I'm $18 down.... and so on; most drinks could be consumed in a single long (slightly ambitious) sip. I feel like the drinks need to get a little less smooth, a little larger, or a little cheaper to work, or at least for this to work as a neighborhood/regular bar for me. So, for now, it's 3 stars. I'm really hopeful that it becomes somewhere I can (afford to) visit more often and that they go on to thrive. -- One of the other issues is that the first floor -- the most visible part -- isn't lively, which makes it less inviting than it should be, and harder for it to draw in foot traffic, but this doesn't affect the review. It just made me wonder if they were even open the first time I came by. Also, we are having trouble deciding what to call them. Some friends call them "the bar", but that's too ambiguous. I'm in favor of "327," but "Braun" also works (and I don't think will be confused with Aut, which is "Aut").
(3)Danielle S.
Pros: As others have mentioned, the atmosphere at Bar is really nice-- it's quiet and relaxed and usually not very crowded. It feels intimate, even. We've never had trouble getting a table. The vibe is hip. The drinks are pretty good. Not as good as other bars in a similar (or even less expensive) price point but still adequate. I particularly like the Easy Does It. Cons: The drinks are just ok and, given that, are pretty darned overpriced. You can get a decent Manhattan across the court at Aut bar for $5. The pricing of the food is even more egregious. I sometimes suspect that it's a complex art joke or social experiment wherein Bar is testing how much people will be willing to pay for chips and salsa or hard boiled eggs. And the food is so incredibly uninspired for a place that's attempting to be edgy and cool.
(3)Ashley T.
Came for the San street popup restaurant night (every tuesday) and had never been here before so it was hard to tell if it was open. The bar is on the second floor and has a very cool relaxed atmosphere. The drink menu looked Interesting so I will definitely be back for a casual night with friends!
(4)Timur A.
Walking in I thought it's a house party. It's right across from the Aut Bar and at first looks like a regular house with "Bar" written across. That and the people coming out to smoke are the only tips you can go on to find it. The main part of the bar is upstairs which is comprised of a fairly long bar table and a few tables off to the side. The drinks are great (but a little pricey at $9). The White Russians there are AMAZING. They have an ok beer choice, but you're not going there to drink beer (unless you're just trying to save money after getting that one cocktail). If you're going with more than 4-5 people, you'll also find it hard to find adequate seating. The crowd was mostly grad students (poli sci, engineering, law, SI, whatever). This is important, as you might find the conversation at the table next to you is easier to hear than that at your own (some of the tables are THAT close). Most were friendly though and jumping into random conversation was part of the fun (if you're into that).
(4)Jonas L.
If you've always longed to live in Wicker Park, Park Slope, Kreuzberg, and the likes, but unfortunately found yourself in Ann Arbor instead, then this is the place for you. It's got that speakeasy atmosphere. It's got that kitschy Ronald Reagan painting on the wall, and even kitschier waterfall pictures in the bathroom. (Get it? Water. Fall.) But it's also got friendly service and talented mixing -- as well as a decent beer list. The cocktails are definitely the highlight though. Plus, I heard during the day they have pop-ups downstairs, including some of the best espresso drinks in Ann Arbor. A little piece of Park Slope indeed.
(4)Alex H.
A cool little bar inside a house. Great mixed drinks and cocktails, great presentation. Good for first dates? Hell no. It's small, and it isn't loud. So bring people here who you actually like to talk to, or you're gonna have one hell of an awkward first date.
(5)Kelly S.
I love this bar, the drinks are out of this world and the space itself is really fantastic. However, since, as expected, all the other reviews have covered that accurately, I'm here to talk about something that hasn't been covered in these reviews, that is also very important. One egg. 327 Braun has a simple yet interesting appetizer menu, which includes a single hard boiled egg. My partner and I have been to 327 a handful of times, and after lots of discussion, he finally ordered The Egg. Our beautiful and delicious cocktails arrived without The Egg, and when the waitress asked if we needed anything else, I quickly reminded her of The Egg. We waiting in anticipation, and when it came.... thus began the string disappointment which sadly never ended. When a swanky upscale dive such as 327 Braun features such a classic item on their menu like One Egg, you imagine it will come in a beautiful hard boiled egg cup, unpeeled. Fresh as cow's milk, classy and delicate. Our Egg arrived pre-peeled and slightly wrinkled, in a small sad bowl. When bit into, it's rubbery, gummy texture caused my partners face to turn sour. "This is terrible." he remarked. 327 Braun, please take a moment to perfect this One Egg situation. Buying a cartoon of fresh eggs and boiling them once a week - and perhaps investing in a better means of overall presentation would really not be all that much extra effort. We know you can afford it, based on the price of your delicious beverages. My partner says he will not return to 327 Braun until this One Egg situation is corrected.
(4)Dil F.
Great place to sip some boozy booze. $9 cocktails. It's warm and inviting, and quiet except for talking which i like, and the staff are super knowledgeable and friendly even as you distract them from making money with your tidbits of Scotch and Chartreuse knowledge that you gleaned from Esquire or Maxim. The upstairs is small but comfortable enough to want to slouch forward with your lips pressed to your glass, people-staring as you excite your tongue with booze and syrups and bitters. They make a perfect negroni, a not-so-hot old fashioned, and have a small but very cunning curation of bottled beer. You can tell they've put some thought into that bottle selection - and they want you to be able to tell that. They also have many coat hooks which is so thoughtful in the winter time. Thank you, Bar at 327 braun court, for being so thoughtful! It was nice and comfortably pleasant! Also, the bar name is horrible. But really worth bringing in a small super pac of friends into the upstairs to get your exquisite slur on.
(4)Hakeem J.
Consistently delicious drinks. Service sometimes a little on the slow side, but it's primarily because the place brings in quite the crowd, for reasons that will quickly become apparent once you've had a few of their drinks. Music can sometimes be too loud for comfort, but I think it's part of the appeal for some folks. And it can sometimes be too dark, but again it's part of the aesthetic they're going for. Some call it a hipster bar, but I think that's pushing it. It's an awesome place to go, even if you like things that many other people enjoy. :)
(4)Annette J.
I have to admit I haven't been here during regular business hours but I was here during a NYE party where they had the regular cocktail menu and I was definitely impressed. The space isn't all that fancy just a nicely (if sparsely) decorated spot that's perfect for chilling out with some buds, drinking a fab cocktail, and catching up. No TVs or blasting music (although there are tunes) for distractions and the place is very lowly lit which makes it easy to just blend in and hide a bit if that's what you want. It's not huge but it's the right size. There are seats at the bar and it's nice to sit and watch the bartenders/mixologists do their thing. There's a larger area for standing near the bar and some small tables for seating in adjacent rooms. From the outside you would have no idea that this place was even there since it's on the top floor of a house in Braun Court in Kerrytown but that's part of the appeal. It almost feels like a secret spot which I love. The drinks, as I mentioned, are impressive. In the last year we've had a few fantastic craft cocktail places pop up in these parts and I have to say the more the merrier! They have a small but delicious looking menu of specialty drinks and tons of bottles behind the bar featuring brands that I have never even heard of and I mean that in a good way. These are high end liquors, specialty brews and mixes that they throw together to make one heckuva beverage. On NYE I had one particular drink--they Kenny--and it was fantastic. SUPER sour, complete with one massive square ice cube, applejack and some fruit juices that left me puckering my mouth and clamoring for more'. A buddy of mine got the White Russian and said it was the best he's ever had--and that drink was gorgeous! Even in that dark room I could see the whiteness of that Calder cream against that dark booze. So good! They also have a great selection of some craft and local beers bottled and available. I saw loads of Shorts options when I was there. The prices are a bit steep for a cocktail but they are high quality and pack quite a punch. If you want to get wasteoidz by drinking cheap beer all night or watch a game and get rowdy--this ain't the place. But if you want a chill night out while enjoying a sophisticated beverage and good company. I think you might want to try this place on for size.
(4)Kellie W.
I've bever been to any place like this bar. You walk up to the door and, from the outside, it looks like you're going to some house party over on Packard (student area). There's just a small label that says 'bar.' I like it though, it makes you feel like you're in on an A2 secret. Once you go upstairs, the decor is awesome. It's very intimate and emo-esque and I really like their light fixtures (just what you look for in a bar, right?). The waitresses are O.K., the bartenders are great. I've never had a bad drink here and they make the best white russian I have EVER had. They're also very creative and edgy with their beverages. One of my cocktails was served with bacon fat, and while I wouldn't order it again, It was pretty yummy. I'd classify the bacon fat beverage as a manly drink. Not surprisingly, this bar doesn't have emo-esque prices.
(4)Demony Z.
I have often opined, faced with a precious, farm-source quoting craft cocktail menu, that I'm nostalgic for a little less craft and a little more 'cock'. 'The Bar' splits the difference with admirable equanimity and invention. Their special cocktails achieve the Three S effect - Simple, Sincere, Strong (the latter is the most frequently forgotten virtue of a good cocktail - the drinking should come with a bit of blinking). I tried the 'Easy Does It' - a grapefruit infused refresher in the Corpse Reviver genre...It was great and enlivening - the drink equivalent of a shine and a shave. I was even more impressed by the thoughtful interpretations of the Classics - their Manhattan, Old Fashioned and, particularly, their Gin and Tonic (not just housemade Tonic but made right in front of me Tonic (secret ingredient - lemongrass)) were all stellar. My neighboring drinkers were doing Rebel Yell and Coke and Genny Cream. This is not a 'stuffy' place. There is great 'pop-up' grub during the week - tonight it was Zingerman's aspirational Tunisian restaurant 'Café Memee' - tasted four dishes - all fantastic, all inexpensive. The music was great (and you could still talk). The design is eccentric but real (rather than a design applique of eccentricity - it plays like the world's coolest 2nd floor basement). The vibe is friendly and unpretentious...blessedly free of the cringing piety of (some) chi-chi craft bars in my new home city Chicago. I wish I could put it in a gigantic pneumatic tube and send it to my neighborhood and go every night. They do use The Lone Big Ice Cube and rightly so...and The Long Lone Ice Cube in drinks served in Collins glasses (I sorta fellated the one in my G and T to forage the last trace amounts of that delicious Tonic)...if this is bothersome to you there's an old Family Hotel by the Jackson exit on 1-94 (where I'm writing this from) with a bar that, despite a recent Boutique-y facelift, you can expect your ice to be reassuringly small and abundant. Onward!
(5)zin b.
Low-key laid-back hipsterish vibe with sophisticated cocktail menu and 3 kinds of Genesee. What's not to love?
(4)Zachary W.
Very cool, hip place. My favorite thing here is the pop-in chefs, where local chefs prepare delicious meals, such as Cafe Memmi, which I found delicious. Additionally, they have a good selection of beer and the people I went with loved the cocktails.
(5)Ashley J.
I'm a huge fan of this place. The drinks are inventive and delicious, so if you're looking for a fancy cocktail, you have quite the selection. But what I love is that I can also come here and order a $3 Genesee and be perfectly happy. It's dark, cozy, and totally unpretentious. Also, the pimento cheese dip is awesome.
(5)David Y.
A great local bar, fun staff, cool atmosphere and good down to earth snacks. Oh yes and great drinks too! It will be fun to see a screening there soon.
(4)TJ F.
I really liked this place, it had the wonderful feel of a recently abandoned home that had been broken into and turned into a well hidden secret bar (this is a good thing) the crowd was very laid back, smart and hip (excluding me I am a formidable square) including our worldly-wise mixologist / graphic illustrator. She calmly drew upon a House-MD-like knowledge of juniper , human anatomy and its less common malfunctions, while making me a series of delicious cocktails. What more can you ask I ask? Would have given it 5 stars had the light in the back-lit painted artwork in the bathroom been functional. That bummed me out for like 5 seconds. This bar has no external markings, so good luck finding it without a sherpa.
(4)Kay B.
Though pricey (and seemingly getting pricier!) this is my favorite spot for inventive cocktails. I love that the cocktail list changes seasonally. They currently have a couple of campari-based cocktails which I cannot get enough of, and they always have a cava drink which is equally delicious. When I first went here cocktails were about $6-9. At the most recent visit a couple of the cocktails on the list had crept to $11. As much as I love this place, when they hit $13, I'm out.
(4)Blake A.
The bar at Braun and Alley Bar are hands down the best cocktail bars in Ann Arbor if you are looking for a place that takes cocktails seriously. Where they primarily differ is that Alley has become a louder, more-crowded bar recently while Braun can only accomodate so many people and therefore tends to get less crowded.
(4)A. K.
This is a great bar! I love the vibe and the people there (bartenders and guests) all seem really nice. In fact, when I was there during it's second week open, I had the bartender make up a cocktail with me... I called it The Big Al (someone said they adjusted it a little and put it on the menu under a different name, but I'm not sure)... I love that there are no TVs and the decor feels like a combo of hip and speakeasy-esque. It's very laid back, but yet still inviting. It definitely feels like a neighborhood bar.
(4)Kevin S.
This is a nice place to get a drink and chat. It beats driving 40 miles to Detroit :)
(3)Joe G.
Drink: 4/5. Service: 4/5. Make this your neighborhood bar.
(4)Chris F.
Four of us tried out this new addition to Kerrytown on Friday during Kindelfest (a holiday shopping night). Very hipster feel and a young crowd, but we still felt welcome despite my lack of facial hair. It's a comfortable atmosphere, but it's also very modern and doesn't feel like either a sports bar or a club. The music didn't overpower things, so it's a nice place to have a conversation with friends. It's got a short, but tasteful beer list with good choice in bottles and cans, many of them Michigan brews, like Shorts. Some interesting offerings are on the mixology list. I tried the Scofflaw and it was solid, though the lemon could have been a wee bit more balanced. This place seems like its off to a nice start and I'm betting it will only improve with time.
(4)Sara G.
Just your friendly, neighborhood bar where the day molts off as you climb the stairs, cozy up to the barkeep and order a drink. Or, just your friendly neighborhood bar that offers a dining experience like no other in the form of different-themed 'pop-up' restaurants, depending on the evening! I met my folks and their Tunisian friends here for Cafe Memmi, the Tunisian pop-up that has been a Thursday night Bar staple lately. We were seated downstairs (which also doubles as The Espresso Bar) as my mother can't navigate stairs too well. At first I wasn't sure we'd be able to sit down there, but the very hospitable bartender assured me it would be ok. So I ordered a whiskey punch and waited. The space was nice and low-key. The service was impeccable, dreamy even. Everyone was incredibly nice, patient and wanting to know our thoughts about the food. My drink was made with Bulleit (without me asking for it), brilliant and delicious! The food was really good too. The menu was small (an app, a side/app, 2 mains and a dessert) but that's how pop-up's are. I didn't really mind. Everything was carefully and perfectly prepared and the vegetables were fresh from the farmer's market. I really appreciated that! We started with the fried chickpeas. Holy Fried Goodness, Batman! They were small, crunchy and utterly habit forming. I could eat several bowls of these! Then came the peas w/fava beans and caramelized shallots. I'm not really into peas--but those lil buggers could make a pea-eater out of me. Not mushy or mealy at all, but firm and juicy with just the right amount of chew and pop. After that, my root vegetable salad arrived. Fingerling taters and small carrots dressed with sea salt and olive oil so fresh I thought I was in Europe for a second. It dawned on me too that this was the healthiest meal I had eaten in a while! We didn't get dessert, which was fresh strawberries and cream (I can only dream) and I kept gazing longingly at the Espresso Bar hoping somehow that a post dinner pick-me-up would magically make itself but that's ok. I was full and content. Had I not been with my parents, I would've snuck upstairs to enjoy the dark and cozy bar. I came for the food, but I will be back for the booze! Hmm...maybe on a Tuesday after experiencing the San Street pop-up...
(4)Tyler B.
Stopped out of curiosity the other night and was pleasantly surprised. Ann Arbor has been missing a place that feels a lot like your drinking at your cozy, hip friend's apartment. The drinks were a tad pricey - our vodka sodas were a dollar more than the trendy main street bar we went to afterwards. But the service and atmosphere make it a place I'd go back to. If the screening room turns out to be as cool and eclectic as the bar, this place could truly shine. I look forward to coming back when that happens and giving them the elusive fifth star.
(4)Charles Y.
I love this place. It's of the beaten path and has great drinks. I like how there's always something new to try and theres a great mix of local products. The place sometimes is crawling with hipsters and screams irony with their old school chairs, but it works. I like it. I like the bartender and have never been disappointed.
(5)James B.
Not a bad place. I like the "speakeasy" feel the place gives. When you first walk in you would never know its a bar. You go upstairs and the decor is pretty cool, it's dark and gives a mysterious feel. The drink menu looked really good/unique and the drink I had was different..but delicious. Only thing this place could do better is amp up their bar staff. The lady working this night I came in was... for lack of better terms, dull. As a bartender myself I expect some kind of interaction beyond my drink order. Great place that needs upbeat bartenders.
(3)