Five stars when it's warm out and I can hang out on the awesome patio in the back. Four stars when it's cold out and it's crowded inside. This place is cool and a nice hang out spot if you want more to drink than just a plain beer. I went there for an event one time and we got there early (before they opened). The staff was nice enough to let us in early and made us all drinks. The music is good, not your typical "Woody's, O'Tooles, Post Bar" type of music. :) They have different specials and promotions that go on during the week too.
(5)
Annalisa B.
Love the vibe at Bosco - upscale, but not pretentious. Great drinks and always good, chill music. The mixed drinks are really, really good and the prices are not bad at all. great place for drinks after a show or on a date.
(4)
Sarah W.
Okay so I have somewhat mixed feelings about The Bosco. What it boils down to is that the inside bar is small, usually, usually too loud, and either eerily empty or packed. That said I LOVE their patio, it is so nice! The lighting is great and it is a really beautiful place to sit and enjoy cocktails in nice weather. I'd have to say that the cocktails are also an A+ and I like that there is an air of upscale class to this place. I feel comfortable going in more casual cloths, but I also enjoy getting just a touch dressed up when I go because I don't feel overdressed like I might at some bars.
(4)
Tom N.
Great atmosphere. Tiny menu, okay burgers and "pizza" made with can-sauce and cheese on bread (not dough) toasted. Had both great and terrible service. Go for drinks but maybe not the food.
(1)
Sara A.
Located in Ferndale this chic bar offers patrons well made drinks in a swanky atmosphere. Finding it's home on Woodward this local hot spot attracts a more mature, hip crowd. with a bar well stocked and an open, modern decor, Ferndale's the Bosco is definitely one of those bars that one goes to to not to watch sports, but to enjoy a martini or a beer while listening to some laid back tunes. I started going to the Bosco years ago when a friend of mine was a bartender and have been going ever sense. The bartenders are attentive and well versed in making drinks, especially mojitos. In addition, the Bosco offers a great selection of imported brews. If you're looking for a night on the town with well behaved bar goers, check out the Bosco.
(4)
natalie r.
So far i've only been there once having been already a tad bit intoxicated, but it was really nice. We had cheaper drink coupons from going to see a movie at the magic bag. We sat outside and it was very serene. I could see people going there dressed up all fancy while at the same time you get all the people from the movies at the bag, so it's a good mix. We definitely will be back next time we go to see a movie at the magic bag.
(3)
Dan S.
Cutting and pasting from an earlier review under "The Bosco Lounge": A really nice space (indoor and out) with great attention to design detail, rendered lame by the attitudes of staff and patrons. There are plenty of bars to choose from in Ferndale -- no need to put up with such pretentiousness.
(2)
Jess N.
Great neighborhood bar. It's a classier place on the smaller side, and very clean. The outdoor patio is nice in the summer and the inside is even nicer now that they don't allow smoking! The drink prices are moderate and they offer a full bar with a menu of specialty drinks. On Tuesdays they do have specials, making it very inexpensive. The staff and bartenders are nice, it attracts a good crowd, and there is comfortable seating inside. It's a great bar to go to to relax and unwind.
(4)
Haroun K.
Not my scene, but if you like lounge-bars, this might be the place for you. I kind of felt like a cobbler on the little stools in the back though. It was not as chill as I'd hoped, and it was too loud to talk to anyone. Drinks are not so cheap by Detroit standards. Also, there seemed to be a lot of creepy, kind of desperate guys, if that's your thing.
(2)
Kat J.
New owners need to step it up or I'll be glad when it goes out of business and we can get a decent bar back in that space. I've been to Bosco a few times before, usually during the Ferndale Pub Crawl. They have a really nice patio in the back and they usually had good (though overpriced) drinks. In fact, their drink menu was fairly impressive with unusual mixes that you couldn't get at most other bars in that area. However, my most recent visit was particularly dreadful, and I do not plan on ever returning to Bosco. We went to use a Groupon that expires next week, so that plan was to go early and have two drinks a piece. We walked in shortly after 8pm on a Wednesday; there were only about 10 other people there. A couple was just leaving as we walked in; they didn't look very happy. I wandered around the bar area for a moment figuring out where to sit; there we no bar stools. The bar stools had all been put away for a "party" that was set for 9:30 that night (according to the bartender). The bartender asked another employee to bring out two bar stools for us. (I won't get into the fact that the bar stools are too short for the bar, and the bar itself is rather uncomfortable). Then, I asked for a cocktail menu. They don't have cocktail menus anymore. Um.... OK. So, then we asked whether they had any special drinks that the bartender recommended. He responded that they could make anything we wanted. First, I tried to order a Hendricks with cucumber. Nope, they threw out all of their cucumbers yesterday. Sufficed to say, they didn't have the ingredients for the next two drinks we tried to order. We settled on two mojitos. This was truly the most disgusting mojito I have ever been served. It was basically a glass full of simple syrup with mint garnish. It was so nasty that we decided to cut our losses. Neither of us took more than two sips of our drink. It was undrinkable. It took several attempts to pry the bartender away from the girls sitting down the bar from us. We gave up on the rest of the value of our Groupon and just walked out. We tried. Bosco failed. We went to Howe's Bayou, got served right away and salvaged our evening.
(1)
Kelsea F.
I think I like this place because it reminds me of some of the lounges I used to frequent in the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago when I lived there, except at the Bosco you can actually get a seat and you don't have to wait 15 minutes to pee. The music is, however, ridiculously loud, which is a personal pet peeve. Boo. As far as the drinks go, all I can say is, pomegranate mojito. I don't need anything else. They are half the reason I go. I've heard the patio is really nice in the summer; for some reason I've only hung out there in the winter so I've never been outside. A great lounge, but they need to turn down the music. It's not that good, anyway.
(4)
Todd E.
The most boring bar in Ferndale. It's a good place to hang out on the back patio and smoke cigarettes. Or grab a first drink of the night before heading out to better places. But this is no place to hang out for any length of time. The bartenders are friendly enough.
(2)
Chris T.
judging by all the reviews i guess its hard to keep this place a secret anymore. this is my favorite lounge in michigan. i try to look for other places like this and i just cant find any. maybe im not looking hard enough. ive only been here a few times since its a little out of the way, but i know it will be a big treat the next time i can make it out.
(5)
Sarah A.
Overall, The Bosco typically seems to set of the trendy vibe if you are not into that vibe, this isn't your type of place. I, on the other hand, like trendy/chic places. I first came here to work a fashion event with a designer. I got a behind the scenes take on the staff, overall everyone was very nice and accommodating. The venue itself doesn't hold many people, it is on the smaller side with a few couches here and there to sit. The patio is cute with lanterns and a waterfall...like I said trendy...the music playing is typically a techno/house. Don't expect people dancing, this is a sit back, enjoy a cocktail, mingle and catch up with others and people watch. Unfortunately, I feel the bar could be stocked better...I am a huge flavored vodka drinker and the selection here is not plentiful... Not any Three Olives vodka. Overall, this would be a nice place to take a girl for a cocktail after dinner to really make the date.
(4)
Kellie B.
Went to the Bosco on a friday night and enjoyed it. Love the 'Good Drink' Martini. Lemony and not sweet but just right. They use a high grade vodka for everything, at least Svedka. Ambience is lovely, hip, and unique. Just what I think the owners were looking for. Bathrooms for women were nicely decorated and clean. Interior by the window in front of bar echoes so watch your convo. Leather chairs for 2-3 people are situated throughout lounge. You can relax here, never too crowded.
(4)
o o.
Not half bad. The lounge has a nice feng shui about it. The drinks were perfectly made and although, the music was loud, I didn't mind it. Granted, I went on a Thursday night and was one of two groups there. They have plenty of seating with two nice long, comfy couches. In the summer they have a patio that looked like it could be fun. I have no idea what the scene is since I was practically the only person in the place.
(4)
Jen M.
Ah, The Bosco! I have yet to find anything that is remotely like it in Boston. It's a nice chill place where you can relax and unwind and here some pretty chill music. The bartenders were great and gave everyone equal service, the crowd was genuine and people came dressed as they are whether it was hipster-ish or casual. And yet everyone just blended together. The patio is my favorite during the summer. I hope that someday I will find something like it in Boston.
(5)
Brian R.
Not bad. Nice interior with good drinks. Can attract some odd characters, especially in the summer when it gets more business due to the large outdoor patio. And by odd characters I mean douche bags. Think hair gel, striped button ups and shiny black shoes. But let's not generalize. A pretty diverse crowd, lots of seating and decent service. Music is pretty loud but and isn't BAD, but isn't worth asking about either. This is where I come for a sort of low key night. Many tend to keep to themselves and you can easily relax and drink with a friend or two.
(3)
Samantha L.
Great spot for brunch. They offer outdoor seating and indoor seating. Food is fresh and delivered fast. I had the tex scramble with black beans and eggs. The side of fruit is also a nice touch of sweetness to breakfast. They serve Chazzano coffee which is awesome!! French pressed of course. Only annoyance is the music was pretty loud for brunch. I'll be back!
(4)
Daniel e.
I would not return to this place. We went for a birthday party with 9 people and grabbed a seat at the back of the bar. We asked multiple people working there if it was a special booth, and they told us it was not. We were there for about 45 minutes and suddenly we find ourselves being kicked out of the table because it had allegedly been reserved for 2 months. I tried to explain to the people working there what had happened and they shrugged their shoulders. Very very rude staff. I will not return here or give this place my business. Unless you know someone who works there you're treated like garbage.
(1)
Nick M.
I really enjoyed this place. Right next to The Magic Bag and Imperial, this is a secret gem in an area I have perused over the years. When you walk in it has a fancy-esque vibe to it, with large, fine wooden tables and booth seating for large parties. It reminded me of a sushi joint in a way, and the tables kind of reminded me of Ronin in Royal Oak. We sat down to meet with friends who had already ordered, and they shared their food with us. They had ordered caprese and spinach artichoke dip -- both were excellent. The artichoke dip was among the best I ever had, with the baked pita tasting just perfect. The caprese was on point and actually served on top of bruschetta. They don't have draft beers, but they have beers in bottles like Two Hearted. Their mixed drinks are pretty good and potent as well. The best part about this place, though, is the back patio lounge area. You walk in and it feels like you stepped into Hawaii. Plenty of seating of all varieties, including tables and high tops. Their is even a palm tree hanging over everyone, and you can actually smoke cigarettes back there without going outside. And if you do want to go outside, there is a back alley. It's a really fun atmosphere and fun for groups big or small who want to enjoy themselves in a laid back atmosphere. The service is stellar from both the waiting staff and bartenders, and even the bouncer and bathroom attendant were funny and courteous. I would definitely come back here for some appetizers and drinks.
(4)
Joe V.
Let me preface this review with the fact that we did not eat here when we came in on Saturday. It was around 8pm. There weren't very many people in the entire place. Some might find that alarming or boring, but it was just what we were looking for at that time. We found a spot on the patio. It was a great night and I'm sure that the experience of being outside on a nice night is helping boost this review to 5 stars, but it is what it is. We each had a couple drinks. Our server was very attentive and friendly. It was a slow night inside, so she actually sat and talked with us for a bit. The drinks were very good and moderately priced. There was live music in the back. Can't recall the name of the two guys that were playing, but they did a really nice job and were quite talented. As the place wasn't crowded, they did a great job of finding the sweet spot between being irrelevant and over-bearing. Overall, it was a great experience. I'd gladly come back to (hopefully) re-live the experience I had here on Saturday.
(5)
Amanda M.
Give Bosco some love, y'all. It's been part of the Ferndale scene for over a decade, and in my opinion, it has improved with age. Why aren't there more patrons?! The patio is beautiful, the service is great, and the food is solid. It's also just COOL-looking inside--wood galore! You all know you love bars with nice wood features! Don't act like you don't, because I see you at Imperial pretty much everyday. Imperial is great, and I love it, but broaden your horizons. You can actually breathe and hear people in Bosco! And you can sit, like, RIGHT AWAY. You don't have to awkwardly stumble in to Danny's to kill 45 minutes while you wait for three spots on a bench to become available and then be given side-eye and stank-eye by the regulars who, for some reason, appear to be alarmed (if not mildly disgusted) if you are not a white male. (Side bar: Seriously, patrons of Danny's, you are in Ferndale, not Wyoming. Get with the times). I digress. Just visit Bosco, and spread the Ferndale love.
(5)
Krystle S.
This was my first time here. Came in just for a after dinner drink and dessert, after all it boasts itself as a dessert lounge, so hey! I must be in the right place. Sat at the bar, place was empty for the time, but most were on the patio. The ambiance is great, I'd definitely spend some time here. Great decor. Just enough class and just enough rustic. Patio is perfect! I liked their $5 beer specials, and the menu had lots of drinks to offer, like 3 menus of specialty drinks. I had a strawberry beer - it was good. I ordered the cider doughnuts for dessert. Here's where the sadness begins.... Cider doughnuts? DO NOT expect the yummy cider doughnuts you often see, and devour, in the fall. I'm new to Michigan so the first time I tasted cider doughnuts I was hooked. They're so dense and taste like they're soaked in apple cider they're that flavorful. These were plain doughnuts with lots of cinnamon and sugar with maybe some apple pie or apple cider spice in the dough. It was pretty plain tasting and a huge let down. Yes it was house made, but it wasn't like the doughnuts you get in the fall at all. A plain doughnut with caramel dipping sauce, I ate one and left the rest. Because this place touts itself as a dessert lounge, I had high expectations. Cider flavor aside, they just weren't even good doughnuts. One Eyed Bettys has great ones, go there instead. There were only 4 desserts and 3 dessert drinks, so 7, to choose from. Not really much of a offering for a proclaimed "dessert lounge". Maybe they count a lot of their sweeter type drinks as dessert? Who knows, but I wouldn't come here for dessert, but drinks?, absolutely. I'd rate it higher, but my review was based on dessert. I'll be back for food and drinks because I'm sure I'd have a better experience food-wise. They should think about changing that dessert lounge moniker though. And OMG, totally wouldn't think this was a kid friendly place, it's not really conducive for kids in my mind, but the patio had about 12 small children running amok. If you read my reviews you know I'm in favor of adult only atmospheres. Uggggh. I'll admit it was only 7:30 so still before the night crowd, but wow that many kids huh in non kid friendly restaurant? I swear I'd never do that to other diners.
(2)
Jes P.
The name 'Bosco' refers to someone living or working in wood, which is appropriate for this modern wood interior which is beautiful. Booths, bar table, ceiling - all wood. Ambiance? Woodsy like the kind of place Little Red Riding Hood would love to dine in. Even the outdoor patio is decked out with driftwood and twinkle lights. Vibe? Fun and a little on the hipster side. I went on a trivia night which was hosted by a local dj who did a fabulous job. Our group went well before the crowds arrived so that we could get a bite to eat before waitstaff got blasted. Even with no other dinning patrons, service was slow and we had to ask for our order on more than one occasion. I loved the menu items and the creativity of ingredients but the lamb sliders must have been off that day. The meat was dry and flavorless. The bun was rock hard in places as if it had been sitting out all day. My friend got the same thing and when I looked at her plate, she had literally taken parts of the bun off in an attempt to salvage what was still good. She didn't finish her sliders and neither did I. The fries were also dry and flavorless which was a surprise since other reviewers give them high remarks. I'm willing to go with the fact that it could have been an 'off' night so I'd like to try it again (crossing my fingers that a future visit will be an 'ON' night).
(3)
Nha V.
Ive never had food at this place before. And i must say, i am impressed. The food was delicious and very big portions. They change their menu every season from my understanding. I had the pleasure to try their summer dishes. My favorite things are the seasoned fries. So good (almost as good as hopcat crack fries). The Hawaiian burger? Has jalapeño in it, very good! But be warned; super spicy! I would say its hot level (mild, med, hot). But the flavors just goes so nice together once u get past the spicyness. Lettuce wrap was very good, comes with 3 different sauce for it, and chicken & quinoa. It has a sweet flavor to the sauce, it also comes sweet, salty? Spicy? I only had the sweet sauce. As for the salad, the greek power salad is probably my favorite. That chicken is super tender and juicy! The beets salad probably my second favorite. But all 3 salads on the menu is good. I think my least favorite is the pesto sandwich. I felt like it didnt have much flavor, and chicken was a little dry. But thats just me. My friends actually enjoyed the sandwich alot, and was probably their favorite, they said that's how its suppose to taste, idk? But i will warn you, the sandwich is huge! I would come back to eat again bc i really enjoy their food and ambience. Probably go when theres not as busy to get more attention. Love the outdoor patio.
(4)
Sara B.
I went here for board game Tuesdays and had an absolute blast! The decor is pretty nice, but some of the seating is at awkward angles or seemed low for the bar. I only had some drinks and snitched a couple fries from a friend, but the fries came out warm, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside. It was everything I could do not to order some myself. The drink menu is a very decent size and they have a lot of stuff from Michigan, which is always a plus. Besides, how can you go wrong with all night happy hour?! Hooray for Tuesdays. I'd love to go back some time and try the food.
(4)
Tyra N.
It felt very hipster. Nice authentic wood decor, minimalist, dark lighting, the guy at the door, the music. I only had a drink, a double of Black Label. Price was normal for the shelf. I'll try a dessert and more drinks on another visit. I'm not quite sure I'd spend a Friday night here.
(3)
Brian S.
Great spot we always go to for drinks at the bar and really cool spot to dance at their outdoor patio.
(5)
dawn v.
This review is for brunch, which is new for them, I believe, and I would go back to try things they seem known for: cocktails and fried Oreos! The Breakfast Sammy is a five star meal! Loved the prefect bread, gravy and egg together! Would order this again next time for sure! The potatoes that come with it were my favorite cut and cook but so so salty that they were inedible. Same for the BBQ hash, which is a shame cause it's such a great idea, but the meat is salty, the potatoes are very salty and it overpowers the eggs... Sadly my husband and I both ordered it. French press coffee is a winner! We will be back after they work out some brunch bugs.
(3)
Kou C.
This is my first time to Bosco and it is a very nice atmosphere to be in. We sat in the patio and I'm surprised that we did not get any mosquito bites at all so that's a plus! But while sitting in the patio, they had trivia night so if you're looking to have group activities of any sort, Bosco is the place to go to!They're small when it comes to choosing what you can eat and I decided to get the Bosco Burger. It's a half pound beef pattie with gouda cheese, bacon, and sriracha and lemon aioli. The cheese was perfect for it because every time you bite a piece of the sandwich away, you always get that stretch of cheese hanging from the sandwich. The bacon gives it that extra crunch and with the aioli, it makes it not so dry. One thing to add, you taste more of the lemon than you do with sriracha and I personally need a kick of heat in my burgers but I was satisfied. Love the atmosphere.
(4)
Nicole S.
I really enjoy Bosco and have for the past few years. It's a lot better now with the remodel of the patio out back. It's a really great atmosphere now, and even in the fall when it's cooler, they have heaters that kept me pretty warm if you need to get out of the craziness inside that can happen when it's busy since it's a smaller bar. However, I've had two experiences within the past month that have made me less of a fan of Bosco. The first is that I felt taken advantage of one night when I was pretty buzzed and asked for a glass of water only to be brought bottles of water. I then had to pay upwards of $20 for water when I asked for a glass. The waitress was pretty unfriendly about it as well when I told her that I asked multiple times for glasses of water with my drinks, not a bottle of water. The second was two weekends ago when Bosco was charging $20 cover. Seriously? This isn't Vegas, it's Ferndale. Also, I could totally understand this if there was live music or a more famous DJ who plays their own stuff. However, it was a pretty shitty DJ who sounded like he was just playing Channel 95.5. He went from some pretty hard rap to TLC's No Scrubs. Why am I paying $20 to listen to someone play a song from 1996? I can play Pandora for free at home and not have to deal with an extremely crowded bar that you can't even move in because you're charging $20 per person so you're greedily over packing the place to make more money. The part that pissed me off the most is that the second we walked in, we were told it's $4 to check your coat. So it costs me $24 just to get into this bar and listen to shitty music? Bosco, you're getting a little ridiculous, and you're going to lose customers if you keep this up. I'll be one of them and will be pretty disappointed because I actually enjoy this bar and have a had a lot of fun at it over the years!
(4)
Lisa T.
Bosco has done a 360. They got a new chef and really focus on customer service during dinner and brunch. They still have the club life late night during the weekend but still offer other things through out the week. They have happy hour and offer board games on Tuesday. Wednesday is trivia night. Saturday they have live music at 9 and on Sunday they offer a delicious brunch. You can always have a great time when you are there and they have many unique drinks to choose from.
(5)
Michele A.
Love it. The decor is amazing in here and the service was great. We had the smoked salmon app and it was very good a great start. I got a ginger drink that was tasty and strong which I like. My husband wanted a draft beer which they do not have however they have a large selection of MI beers in can/bottle. The main course was lamb sliders for me which had a goat cheese and cucumber, very tasty. My husband got the burger which was super juicy and cooked perfect. I loved them both a lot. You also get a side with dinner I chose the spinach salad comes with honey mustard dressing very tasty he got the parm frys which were amazing. Dessert was deep fried oreo's that came with ice cream. We shared them with the table as there are 5 on the plate 1 is enough trust me it can be shared. All in all I cannot wait to come back it was tasty and had a great ambiance.
(5)
Matthew H.
Warm sexy original. The BOSCO was a great experience The drinks are rich and well done. The food is great. A bit slow but worth the wait. This is a frat after work place to meet with friends and lovers. A Frequent in my calendar !!!
(5)
Virginia R.
I've been looking for a fun and cool bar atmosphere in Detroit that didn't make a 44 year old woman feel out of place. Saturday nights at Bosco hits the spot! Great drinks at affordable prices. I have the Lemon Drop Martini which was light and refreshing. The deck out back is beautiful space and we loved the decor which only added to the cool vibe. The wait staff was attentive, prompt and friendly. This is my new favorite hang out!
(5)
Tabitha M.
Dead at 6:45 on a Tuesday of Restaurant Week. Pleasant service. Delicious cocktails.
(3)
Tim Y.
No. This place is a no. I made a mistake coming here... probably because I thought I was going to eat dinner here... but it's only set up for drinks... or a party that got all the attention when my girlfriend and I came in. We had to wait too long for premade tastings of guacamole and ceviche... which were presented in tiny servings with essentially an entire bag of chips. The price of $10 for what we got wouldn't even be good at a baseball stadium. The server blew us off after we didn't order drinks. Thank God for the 10% off yelp coupon with a check in... it made the cost tolerable for the garbage that it was. In the trendy community of Ferndale, this is the bottom of the barrel.
(1)
David R.
This is by far the best brunch in town.. Besides the amazing food . The waitresses are funny,beautiful, charismatic,loving, nurturing, and energetic. Honestly , you have to ask yourself what are you doing with your life if your not here for Sunday brunch?
(5)
Betty T.
I just had breakfast today 5/24/15 I will not come back the service is not good please keep going the food was so,so but once again the service is very poor
(1)
Sabrina B.
Bosco Cafe; you have a new fan. I met a friend here for Sunday brunch (of course I did) and we were the first people in the door, which was great as I imagine this place gets hella busy as the morning wears on. We both ordered the special which that morning, was stuffed French toast. I can say it was delicious; I could not finish my entire plate, but that happens to me everywhere. It was very rich, very filling and very good. Service was exemplary; the server made my friend some French press coffee and came back a few minutes later with a fresh pot because she didn't think the first one would be hot enough -- this is notable because my friend didn't even say anything, the server just did it. She also was attentive without being intrusive, which is another big plus in my book. The place itself is really nice with roomy booths, a patio and a cool Ferndale vibe. I know I'll be back to try some other things off the menu and perhaps indulge in some mimosas. Bosco is getting filed as a favorite.
(5)
Chrys O.
Great breakfast/brunch spot. Party of 6 with no wait on a Sunday. Great breakfast potatoes and eggs. Menu item to get is "The Package", your choice of eggs, protein, and other sides all for 9. Solid place if you'd prefer to get a simple and fast breakfast or brunch for a group of friends!
(4)
Ling Z.
Horrible experience on Sunday brunch. We sat at the garden area for over 30 mins, from 1:45 to 2:28pm only one busboy followed up with us once and the other waitresses were avoiding eye contact with us, no responding on how long does it take for the food to be served. We ended up walking out of the restaurant.
(1)
April S.
I came to The Bosco a few weeks ago for brunch and sat outside on the patio. I had a wonderful experience so decided to come again today. What a difference!! It was raining so we sat inside. It was like trying to enjoy a nice relaxing brunch inside of a loud, obnoxious club. The music was loud,bad, and didn't help me enjoy myself. We ate our food as quickly as we could so we could escape. I don't think I will be returning to the Bosco anytime soon.
(3)
Alan H.
The music is actually pretty ok.
(3)
Holly F.
This is one of my favorite spots! The waitresses are amazing even on super crowded nights. The atmosphere is great! They have by far the best patio in the area!! I have been here several times and I believe I have gotten the tomato soup every time... It's that good!! I have been here with a group of friends and boyfriends, and have never had a bad experience. Brunch was good but the French press coffee is over the top amazing! For drinks I pretty much always stick with their sangria or the pomegranate martini. But everything I have ordered here has always been good. Jay does an amazing job with Bosco!!
(5)
Liz P.
This was my first time here, and I went for Ferndale Restaurant Week tonight. The food was DELICIOUS and probably why I will go back again. For FRW you got a choice of sliders or tacos, so I did the pulled pork taco and a chicken taco. I asked for the coleslaw on the side and one taco had it on the side and one did not ... luckily, it was more like marinated veggies than the normal white stuff, and actually very good. The pulled pork taco especially was a standout. It came with fries which were okay - "shoestring fries" but not really as small as shoestring fries usually are. Some sort of salt on it that was good, but almost too salty. Seemed like a side of mayo or something with it too, I just looked on their website and it was a "lemon aioli" though. The place was kind of dead which was surprising. I guess on Thurs. they do board game night but no one was playing anything. I got a vodka drink for like $3.50 which was a great deal (50% off during HH, 5 to 7pm) and my friend got a $10 (yikes) gimlet which was also very good tasting, though. Another con was the service ... I think there was only one waiter working or something because it was super slow, and my friend had a work-related obligation to get to afterwards. I liked the decor a lot and (this may sound weird but) their bathrooms were super nice. The faucets are "open" at the top so you can see the water coming out. I'd like to go back here during music performances or on the weekends, I could see it being busy then. Their dessert menu looked awesome as well - elephant ears, fried cider donuts, etc. Not your typical fare.
(3)
Rob M.
Bad food. Bad service. Bad management. But the place looks cool. Stopped in for brunch on Sunday after deciding to try a "new" place. Although the place was empty our server seemed out of sorts and even took our silverware right off the table to give it to another. The manager did not seem interested in the fact that our service was awful. The entire staff was more interested their own image rather than customer service. Will not be coming back.
(1)
Joe B.
With the renovation this place has a whole new persona about it. I have yet to try the food but it's on the top of my Yelp to-do list. I'm just glad they have eats here now. We came in at 715 on a Thursday to a completely empty bar. Julie told us to sit anywhere and came straight away with menus, a solid attentiveness and a big smile. We sat on the patio, which is now the nicest patio in Ferndale, in my humble opinion. We ordered a few glasses of a very nice Malbec and just kind of chilled on the very breezy patio, listening to some quiet cool background tunes over good conversation. It seems we picked the exact right moment to be here since it was so slow. I'm guessing this spot doesn't really amp up until later in the evening and likely on the weekends more specifically. That said, the Tuesday game night has my interests piqued and I'm definitely coming back here since my faith in this place is totally renewed. The inside atmosphere is warm and inviting but still modern and trendy while the patio is more of the same but with grills, for what I'm interested to find out. Seating is comfortable throughout and the prices were reasonable. I'm back on board with the Bosco and looking forward to coming back in soon.
(5)
Ta-Janay S.
Definetly one of my new favorite brunch places. Their spiked coffee drinks are delicious and they have an option to do bottomless mimosas AND live music on the weekend. The only reason I did not give boscos 5 stars is because you can only sit comfortably at the bar if you're 6 ft tall.. (The chairs are at a weird height) other than that I definitely recommend boscos!
(4)
Nadav F.
We've been going to bosco for years , great place to go out for drinks and good music. i would highly recommend to try their brunch.
(5)
Ginger G.
Visited yesterday. ..decor is telaxing...people friendly. .staff accommodating...did eat just drinks but had a good time...!
(4)
Julie T.
I use to visit Bosco before working there and I've always enjoyed my time, thankfully it's gone through quite the facelift interiorly, as well as the menu. Things are always changing for the better, new hand crafted drinks are added every few months, as well as seasonal beers that seem to fly out the door almost as fast as they come in. The newest addition is the food menu which has quite the array of options of shared plates. Bosco has always been known as a place just for cocktails, beers, and wines, but as more and more people come in and enjoy the menu, the popularity of the food is growing. I HIGHLY recommend any desert, especially the deep fried Oreos! With the combo of live local musicians and local DJs, this bar truly has something for everyone! If you haven't experienced Bosco, or maybe haven't had the greatest first impression I urge you to come in and check out all of the new renovations inside and out!
(5)
KT H.
Went there for trivia on a Wednesday night. Great and interesting drink menu. Pretty good beer menu and reasonably priced. Had dinner but they were out of the Mac and cheese, which is what I wanted. Settled for the Cubano sandwich, which was good but not worth $14. There was also only one waiter for the entire place on a fairly busy night, so service was a bit slow for everyone. They are a little pricy if you're ordering food and the selection is limited but overall great atmosphere and fun place to play trivia.
(4)
A. N.
Looking for overpriced drinks with bottom shelf quality liquor? Hungry for food that lacks in both quality and creativity? Interested in a dining experience where the music is so loud you must yell at your company? Then bosco is your new place! If you're interested in cheap drinks, try sneakers. If you're interested in top notch tacos and dogs, go to imperial. Need a late night drunk hotdog? Detroit Underdog is for you. Searching for sliders in ferndale? Head on over to Public House. Have a sweet tooth? Grab some dessert at Pinwheel bakery. Parched Saturday morning?get some weekend brunch at Betty's. Support local business that has their own ideas and great bang for your buck. If the bosco has no wait on a Friday night...there's surely a reason. If you're still interested in bosco, enjoy your 10$ pearl vodka drink.
(1)
Natalie E.
This was the first time I've been to Bosco, and I wasn't impressed. The food and drinks are mediocre but expensive for size and quality. The martinis are 12 dollars but tiny! Tacos are very good but don't plan on being full for less than $20. I do recommend the donuts though. Also, the service was terrible. My beer was empty for over 20 minutes and I felt like I was inconveniencing the server by ordering. Also took forever to get the check. Overall, very poor service. The server had way too many tables and had no help from the manager.
(2)
Jason D.
Overall the food was delicious, but I mean the serving/portion sizes were really small for the price. Potatoes were a little salty too. I ordered the scramblette and they totally botched my order which I thought was kind of funny how wrong it was. I asked for an omelette and it came scrambled and I asked for extra mix in sides and they were missing, but I was still charged for it so I brought it up. Whatever people make mistakes, I thought it was a little funny for the time
(3)
Eddie F.
Truly enjoy the small plates and the atmosphere here. I've been going to the Bosco for over a decade now and it never disappoints. Great patio, which has a bbq grill for late night eats. Love it.
(5)
Phil D.
Just moved from Chicago to Royal Oak and have been trying new brunch spots every Sunday. This is a great hidden gem, when many other places have 1 hour waits. Best bottomless mimosas and delicious brunch menu.
(5)
Emily E.
The Bosco seems to have gotten a face lift...and from first glance it looks good. A few friends and I came in on a Tuesday (which they are now branding as Board Game Tuesdays) and had a few drinks, some of their new food, and played several games. We all enjoyed the night! It was a very comfortable (not to mention beautiful) atmosphere with a super friendly staff. Everything we ate was good and I look forward to coming back. Very glad this place has evolved!
(4)
Myles G.
$20 cover? ...you do realize this is Ferndale, MI and not Las Vegas, NV bouncer. What a joke. Definitely skipping Ferndale and sticking to Royal Oak or Ann Arbor.
(1)
Sandy S.
Cool interior decor/vibe. We were here for brunch and the French Toast is amazzzing. So was basically everything we ordered! I am SO happy with my meal. The servers were prompt and gracious. The only thing is that their black tea apparently has an unappealing burnt smell and taste (my friend told me to mention this).
(5)
Melissa M.
I would give 5 stars, but after 10pm it turned into a bit of a techno dance club. Before 10, it was a 5 star. Wait staff was very attentive and the spinach artichoke dip was by far the best I've ever had. The ambiance was very desirable and the place had an earthy feel. I'll go again, but before 10pm!!!
(4)
Rose M.
Me and my family and my nieces wedding party went here for brunch today.....the service was really bad.....the waitress was very mean and disrespectful, both of them had nasty attitudes and the food was terrible......had a $14.00 Burger and fries and the burger was hard and dry.....with no taste.....they wouldnt refund or credit and they have no customer service experiences at all .......I give this restaurant a half star and thats for the rest room being clean......DON'T EAT HERE.......if the customer not happy then your restaurant want have much success......we help pay your bills....just a little news about this place.....i could go on but it didn't and probably want matter but if you want good service please eat somewhere else......Thanks....
(1)
M. R.
Stopped in recently and noticed that the menu has been rebooted. Not as much to pick from but workable. Still empty as heck. It seems like if you have working toilets and a liquor license, you can expect infinite business in ferndale. Great selection of microbrews, ok food, smiling servers and plenty of nice seating both indoors and out..... Empty. Is it a case of one liquor license too many? Did the owner run afoul of a skull and bones type Ferndale society? Is it that thing where a witch wipes the back of her hand on the door and says 'emmmmmpty'? Is soylent green people?? I am the only person to have two nice experiences here in a row??! There's at least a dozen businesses in Ferndale that have built empires based on horrible condecending service, bad food, and tardy drinks. I'm wondering if the name Bosco has too much baggage. I just hope they can mysteriously stay open like French Gourmet so I can stop in now and then for a quiet drink. It's nice to go somewhere after nine pm and not have to swim over a sea of glowering goslingitos with jungvolk hairdos. (see also, M-Brew)
(4)
Gary M.
My bartenders were Julie and Lisa & they were great. They have bells up behind the bar and when they receive a good tip they ring the bell. It's really loud. It was fun. The food was awesome. The spring tacos were to die for!!! No draft beer but great bottles to choose from. They even had dragonmead final absolution. The fried Oreo cookie dessert was so tasty. I'll definitely be back again real soon.
(5)
Jasmin M.
I've spent many summer nights on the patio and many winter Friday's parting there. The place is always busy with diverse crowds. I recommend it to anyone that is looking for a nightclub feel and a lounge vibe. With live DJ's, bottle service and a bar for drinks the place has everything under one roof.
(5)
Natalie G.
They serve deep fried Oreo's with icecream.. Need I say more lol. Honestly I have only been here a few times and until I tried the Oreo's I didn't think I would like this place. But now I am hooked! You must stop in and try them if you have a sweet tooth!
(5)
Frank I.
Went here on a Friday evening. Nice decor with many wood accents. Thought it was a little overpriced for what you get. Martinis, in the $9-10 were expensive and tasted watered down. Also tried the Charcuterie and cheese appetizer .. Was pretty short on the meat (only a few slices of two kinds) , quite a bit more cheese. Live music was very good and was playing earlier in the evening (unlike many places where the live music doesn't start until 9) . Will give it one more try.
(2)
Jaxon K.
Love the new brunch menu and the patio seating option. Bruschetta was absolutely delicious, kind of a mini caprese salad on top-and they used fresh buffalo mozzarella which is my favorite. Best part-NO wait, which is hard to come by on Sundays in Ferndale. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Robert C.
Ha! That's what I thought about brunch. Cool patio and guitar player. Drinks were decent after the 15 wait. I totally get the place is small and has one server for Sunday brunch, but c'mon man... I've been a server for years and my dad has been a executive chef ever since I was suckling on my mom's titties, I know how restaurants are supposed to run. Whatever THAT was, was comical. I felt embarrassed that I took my parents there for brunch because I've been there before and it wasn't bad. I hate bad yelp reviews as much as the next business owner but here goes, 25 minute wait for drinks and order. 15 minutes for drinks after they told us they could not make hot tea because there was no hot water?, 35 minutes for appetizer, let's just say we never got our food. When I went to tell the (only) server we wanted him to cash out I even had to wait for that because there was another lady giving him an ear full about her awful experience. But hey, I kno how it works. It's not the servers fault or even the ONLY chef. I still tipped 20%. This is the owners/managers fault. GET MORE STAFF! you have potential
(1)
Johnny V.
Used to come here pretty often with the crew a few years ago. It was always a cool place to chill with friendly staff accommodating guests, making great suggestions from specialty drinks they were excited for people to try out and enjoy their evening. Kind of felt like that really awesome place that only you and your buddies knew about. We would meet tons of girls there mostly because you can actually lounge around and have conversations with other people. Good times back then. Went back for a birthday gathering and W-T-F happened to this place?? Doorman man making it difficult to get in, the place was half empty and this is a very small place mind you. When he decided we could meet with our group inside it was like a bad club scene trying desperately to look cool. Get over it, you're in Ferndale and not New York. No disrespect to Ferndale because the city is actually really cool but you know what I mean. Anyway, the place is filled with douchey dudes that think they're trendy and hot stuff. The females there seemed to be receptive to such men so I guess they may be doing something right for themselves... Drinks took forever to get back to us. They were not correct, and they were clearly watered down or definitely not the top shelf premium brands we ordered. We drink frequently and we know better, get real. The bill was wrong and they couldn't fix it on the computer so the waitress went back to ring in the bill all over again and I don't even know what she came back with. The poor girl seemed flustered and complained like this was all nothing new. We threw down cash after it sounded like the bill was kind of right and we left around 12 to get some food next door. Some of the people that were there for the birthday were who I used to go with to The Bosco back in the day when it was a great spot and they said it came under new ownership and has been declining since. What a waste.
(1)
M K.
i have never been to this place before and honestly will never go again, me and some friends were meeting other friends for a birthday party insde and we were told to inform the bouncer that we are here for the birthday party and mention the birthday boy name. we got there and the bouncer says even if we are on the list we still have to wait until some people leave so we can get in, we waited and waited for over 30 minutes in michigan freezing november and people where leaving but he wouldn't let us in and kept saying that some other people have priorties before us even though they should up after us. we noticed after a while that everyone the bouncer was letting in people because they were slipping him 30 TO 50 DOLLARS A PERSON.TO GET IN , after we saw that we said the hell with that place and left . never going there again
(2)
Amy W.
Came here on a Thursday night this week and I was impressed. The place was relatively quiet - but we got there around 8:00. I had the white chocolate raspberry and the Snickers martinis. Both were amazing! A little too expensive for someone of my financial status, but it's nice for a little treat once in a while. Our sever was friendly, helpful, and prompt. The patio left a little to be desired, but the weather was beautiful so I wasn't too bothered with aesthetics. The live music inside was a little too loud, hence the reason we chose to sit on the patio.
(4)
Katie W.
I signed up for yelp specifically to review this establishment. My friends and I arrived at around 9:30 for a late dinner. We were initially impressed with the decor and live music. I asked a waiter if we could sit anywhere we like and was told we could. We sat down, then was told by another waiter we needed to be reseated because the table we sat at was intended for a different group. We were reassured we would be seated promptly at a different table. We waited for about 10 minutes and were seated at a new table. Upon sitting, we were rudely told by the waitress we would need to be finished eating by 1130 because a group was coming for bottle service (as a side note-bottle service? We're in the suburbs of Detroit, not Vegas). We said we would eat quickly and leave. We ordered our food and before the food came out we received our check and was told we needed to be out ASAP and could be reseated to yet another location. Placing a check on the table before the food is completely unacceptable and rude. The food was mediocre at best. We will not be returning here.
(1)
Katy M.
The small plate options were tasty and the staff was very happy and attentive, great way to spend a Friday night
(4)
Dottie K.
Great place, great food and great drinks. Bosco is the one place that is always fun pretty much any night of the week. The staff including the bouncers are always very nice and friendly. I am a forever fan of the Bosco!!
(5)
Torrie M.
I loved the Bosco years ago, but now that it's smoke free, I love it even more!! The cocktails are unique and tasty. The service is good, and the couches are comfy! They have a patio which is perfect for summer and makes you feel like your in NYC or Miami. They always have on some odd movie and their music is so chill. Go early and snag a great seat! Tuesdays if you bring your passport you get a discount. I don't ever remember paying a cover charge. Look for the green and white lights.
(4)
Valerie G.
Remember how I used to think of the bosco as a special place... where I almost felt like I was vacationing somewhere awesome when I was inside? Well thanks to the changes due to new ownership, walking inside only made me WISH I was on vacation... or frankly, wish I was anywhere but the bosco. So not worth my time... and so not the type of vibe I expect from a Ferndale establishment. They took away the awesome drink specialities, they highlight beers like miller lite while putting buckets for bottle service on the tables, the bartender seemed less than intelligent and looked plastic... none of these things are an improvement in my mind. Oh well - another one bites the dust.
(2)
Yanni D.
Never been to Ferndale until I heard about this place and checked it out a few years ago. It has come along way since then a lot of changes and improvements with the latest their addition of their exquisite menu. Good looking staff great hospitality and alot of options on different nights. Check it out early for great food and deserts before the Djs start. Great addition to Ferndale's nightlife district
(5)
Maureen M.
Last night was the 1st time I've been to The Bosco. Initially, we walked right past it! (It was early.) I was so impressed with the entire lounge, and loved the outdoor area! Very simple, but a great atmosphere! Our waitress was great. She put our drinks up over her waitress station when we walked outside for my friend to smoke. We asked about having parties there, and she was informative. The manager was nowhere to be found for some reason. That puzzled me since it's not a big place & they were not busy. I also liked that they offer bottle service. I guess it comes with a great setup so that a large group doesn't have to worry about a waitress getting drinks, missing drinks, screwing up drinks. It's expensive, but it makes sense. I really enjoyed our time here last night and will definitely be back!
(4)
Dina D.
Bosco's a great place for drinks and fun with friends. I haven't tried the food yet but I hear it's pretty good. I can't wait for board game Tuesdays!
(5)
Dick E.
kinda pricey
(3)
Maggie H.
Ok, I am in complete contradiction with everyone else, but the only word I can think to describe my experience at The Bosco is disaster. My girlfriends and I were looking for somewhere to go for a later happy hour, and one of them had a GroupOn for The Bosco so we went there. First off, their website and the worker my friend spoke to on the phone both said they open at 8pm. We got there at 8pm to be told by their staff that they were not open. I asked them what time they were going to open and I was told "8:30 or 9ish", I swear that was the actual reply. What kind of business does not know what time they open? So we came back around "9sih" to use our GroupOn. First off, the waitress said that they wouldn't honor the GroupOn because they recently came under new ownership, but then returned super confused and she said it was ok. Second, they wont honor the drink specials that are listed on the Yelp page, obviously they have not updated that either, along with their website. Then, the waitress forgot one of the 4 drinks we ordered. To top it off they were allowing people to smoke on the back patio with the doors wide open into the inside seating area. Not only is this in violation of the Michigan Smoke Free Law it was really annoying. The atmosphere at The Bosco was beautiful, so I wanted to like the place, but everything was such a cluster. Obviously the new owners have no idea how to run a business and I don't think you could pay me to go back there. I don't write many straight up complaining reviews, but this place earned it every step of the way.
(1)
S S.
This place used to be very nice years ago. A chick cool lounge where young professionals would hang out. Then it went downhill. We heard it has come back so last night four of us (all men) went there to give it a try. Arrogant bouncer wouldn't let us in, asked us if we're on the guest list. What guest list? He said that after 11:30, every night apparently, noone can get in unless they're on a guest list. And we would know that... how? Bosco doesn't even have a website! A group of guys came in after us and he asked them the same thing. They hesitated a bit, then mentioned some name (most likely completely made it up) and he let them in. When we asked to speak to the manager, he wouldn't let us and told us he was the manager of the door. Needless to say, there goes another bar which we won't patronize again.
(1)
Ryan L.
I love this hip, swanky, well-decorated lounge. It's not everyone's scene, but if it is, you will love the Bosco. On the east side of Woodward in Ferndale, north of Nine Mile, the facade resembles an H&R Block. Inside the atmosphere is energetic but not frantic. The music is great and the spectrum of electronic and dance music is played. The walls are lined with tables and seating the the main bar towards the front. Whenever I've been in the Bosco the screen has showed a variety of films from bollywood to Brigitte Bardot flicks. An outdoor patio is attached to the back of the lounge. There is never a cover, but sometimes there is a line to get in. The Bosco has a full bar and a short list of specialty drinks including a tequila caiperena and various mojitos. The drinks are expertly prepared and delicious. The only drawback to this bar is that the drinks are quite expensive. For inexpensive drinks go to Passport Tuesdays, where you are served drinks for $2 if you present your passport at the door. If you're in to the lounge scene, check out the Bosco and you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Joe T.
I have always liked this bar. Kind of trendy without being hipster. Has class without being pretentious. Enough room to dance a little bit on a busy night but intimate and small enough so you would never lose your company. I have been here on some weekend nights where it was relatively quiet, and some nights it was packed. It is best enjoyed when it is in the middle. Drink prices and barstaff are average. If you are ever in Ferndale on a Wed. night and looking for a bar to drink cheap, this is your place. $1 wells Wednesday nights, you can't really beat that these days, especially in a nicer venue like this. The DJs usually play good Hip-Hop, Dance, Electro House, Reggaeton, Soca, and all your new good stuff. I recommend checking this venue out. Main risk is it has its busy times and dead times, so it could be hit or miss. Also, no complaints on the patio in the summer time!
(4)
Kat P.
Ugh... I used to love this place. Great atmosphere. Good service, different concept from many other bars in town. I had a Groupon that I had purchased that if used on Wednesday was worth more than other days. I called ahead to find out when they opened and was told 8 which matched the website and Yelp's info. We walked in at 8:10 and were told they were closed. Like most would, we then asked when do you open. They didn't know the answer. Flash forward an hour...we come back and are seated and I inquire about the specials which per Yelp and The Bosco's website there are $1 well drinks. The server said that there were no specials. Just specialty drinks. Hmmm We ask her to check on the specials which takes awhile. She settles with us for $3 wells and something else... she takes our order and forgets a drink and we can't get her attention for at least 10-15 minutes. We flagged down another server. She seemed to be either inexperienced and possibly distracted by friends at another table in her section. When we've felt that we had exhausted the $25 Groupon money, we asked for our bill. Another knock on the service. The waitress couldn't do simple mental math and came back stating we owed money when actually, they owed us... 4 wells @ $3 equals $12 plus $8 for 2-$4 beers..... per bosco it equals $33... but in the rest of the world (math is a universal language, right?) it is $20. Even if they charged us for the DD's diet coke, the most the bill should have been was $22. She was given an opportunity to fix the bill, and when it was still wrong, I was fed up. She went to get the mgr on duty to fix the computer to print a proper bill Not impressed... he totally blew me off and did not apologize for the service. He just brushed me off like a bother and while he took care of the bill, it was as if he was getting rid of us as if we were the problem and not his inept staff. He treated me like the bimbos in blk dresses that deliver drinks ( I wouldn't call them waitresses as they haven't proven themselves capable of anything but looking good in a LBD). Being a professional, I was not pleased with being called honey. We should have been apologized to. Good thing I had a deal and didn't waste any real money.
(1)
Kathryn L.
My one and only complaint with The Bosco is that they allow smoking on the patio. Not only is that really obnoxious, but also completely illegal in Michigan. We notified the staff and management, and they didn't seem to care. Other than that, drinks were good. Prices were fair. Service was fine. A good place to hang out, but not as cool as it used to be.
(3)
Lauren M.
Bosco was fun, but nothing memorable. Typical uppity bar, with exactly the type of people you'd think inside. We went for a girlfriends birthday. It was over crowded which took away from the experience. It also took me a while to get a drink. The bar itself is nice, everyone seemed friendly and the music wasn't bad. But to me it was just another bar, nothing i "have" to experience again.
(3)
Robyn V.
Small bar. It was nice. Most everyone were dressed to impress. It was cool but a few people seemed a bit snobbish. This was my first time here but there was obviously a new bartender serving my drink. I bought a Surfer on Acid but it tasted rly watered down. Oh well...but other than that it was kinda cool. Nice place to chill when you want to get out for awhile.
(3)
Navee C.
The previous owners of Bosco took the lemons of a small venue and turned it into an upscale, cozy lounge with signature drinks (Booberry!!) that set it apart from other similar establishments. The current owners take those same lemons and squirt you in the eye.
(1)
Brian F.
This is a fabulous establishment. The bartenders are friendly and engaging. Looking to try something new? Ask their opinions and perhaps concoct something new, or new to you! Very knowledgable, witty, and fun people.
(4)
Jessica S.
As a local I despise this establishment. It's a pretentious bar for Ferndale, with a crowd that obvioulsy belongs in Birmingham or West Bloomfield. They probly feel like they're 'going to the city'! LOL! Unless you're a has-been stripper or a guy that sports way to much hair gel and cologne, I'd stay away.
(1)
Stephanie C.
The Bosco is the sort of bar that reminds me that even though Detroit is what I call a "casual city" we still know how to dress up for a really amazing night out. And when we want to do that - this is where we go. I'm proud to have a place that feels on par with any lounge I'd seek out in LA or NY. The cocktails here are always amazing. And somehow it's the kind of bar I'll find myself with a friend on a random Tuesday night swapping hilarious stories until far too late into the night. The bartenders are wonderfully attentive. The setting is minimal, chic and just the sort of place you want to share. Add to that a balmy summer night and you get the Bosco patio, with its fountain. It's a little oasis in Ferndale and one I truly enjoy. From top DJs who set the mood to a crowd who clearly show up ready to be seen, the Bosco has a reputation as being a bit fancy. Maybe too fancy. But to me, it's just what Ferndale and metro Detroit needed. I'll strut over in stilettos any night of the week.
(5)
Jana P.
Friday night = slow... On the outside of this joint looked alitlle unweary although...once you take the few steps in to the place... Bosco looked like a dream that came out of the movies. I love how this lounge looks like. It even has a patio with heaters, water flowing, and alot of tables for groups to socialize. I like the decor of this place... I like the music they play in there.
(4)
Jonathan W.
I can't believe I have not reviewed this place yet. Back when I first moved from NYC to Detroit summer 03, my friends kept taking me to all the sports bars and dives around the area, not that there is anything wrong with those places, but just not my thing, I had just lived in NYC for 6 years and liked the laid back lounge type feel. You know the kind with great drinks, chill upbeat music (think tribe called quest, N*E*R*D ), and good looking people dressed like they want to be out, not like they are in their friends basement playing poker. I had read about the Bosco on the Internet while I was still in NYC when looking into the nightlife around Detroit. So I kept telling the friends that I met when I moved here about it, but they never heard of it. Well one night I dragged them from their comfort zone in Royal Oak down to the Bosco. Immediately I was impressed. Great drinks, good music, and a great atmosphere. The place is set up very nice. It reminded me a lot of a bar in NY I went to a lot. Lots of places to sit and have drinks with your friend and you don't need to buy a bottle like all the wanna be clubs in town. There is a outdoor patio that is nice in the summer, it even has those outdoor heater lamps for when the temps dip a little. Every drink I have had from this place has always been good, not to weak and not too strong. The staff has always been great. The only thing is that the crowed is hit or miss. Sometimes it is packed, but sometimes when you walk in it looks like just a group of friends standing by the bar. I always found it odd that it does not draw a big crowed most of the time. I guess most MI peps like their sports too much, and there is no TVs in the Bosco. That is a very good thing for me. When you go out, you are supposed to socialize not have your face glued to a boob tube. Stay at home or go to a game party if you want to watch sports. Any other city, this place would have a line out the door most nights. When it is crowded there is a mix of people, everyone from the trendy, sceanster types to business casual. Most of the time everyone is dressed to impress in a stylish way. No redwing jerseys and luggs look here. Although you do see a lot of the trying way too hard to dress like you are a creative type, but hey that's Ferndale, you know the glasses with clear lenses just for looks, wears black all the time and carries around a macbook pro, most likely went to CCS or wants to, haha. I can say that I really work in the "creative" biz. I think smoking is allowed as I have seen ashtrays and bosco match boxes, but I have never really noticed it being too smokey thank god. I did hear the owner on NPR a couple months back talking about how he was for the smoking ban. I wish it would pass too, it did very well in NYC. You can always smoke on the patio at the Bosco. The Bosco is my favorite bar in the metro area, I just wished I lived a little closer now that I am in Dearborn. The Bosco was a bar way ahead of the curve in the Detroit area, and is still waiting for most people in the area to catch up to that curve.
(4)
Keely W.
I went to the Bosco on a night out with my girlfriends. There were about 16 of us and our second stop was this establishment. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the it was very nice for a low key night out. I would have preferred to go with maybe a smaller group as when we arrived no one was dancing. They had a DJ playing some great music but mostly everyone was sitting around talking. I would definitely go again but, as I said, with less people who aren't looking to dance.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Music : DJ Good For Dancing : Yes Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Toni C.
Five stars when it's warm out and I can hang out on the awesome patio in the back. Four stars when it's cold out and it's crowded inside. This place is cool and a nice hang out spot if you want more to drink than just a plain beer. I went there for an event one time and we got there early (before they opened). The staff was nice enough to let us in early and made us all drinks. The music is good, not your typical "Woody's, O'Tooles, Post Bar" type of music. :) They have different specials and promotions that go on during the week too.
(5)Annalisa B.
Love the vibe at Bosco - upscale, but not pretentious. Great drinks and always good, chill music. The mixed drinks are really, really good and the prices are not bad at all. great place for drinks after a show or on a date.
(4)Sarah W.
Okay so I have somewhat mixed feelings about The Bosco. What it boils down to is that the inside bar is small, usually, usually too loud, and either eerily empty or packed. That said I LOVE their patio, it is so nice! The lighting is great and it is a really beautiful place to sit and enjoy cocktails in nice weather. I'd have to say that the cocktails are also an A+ and I like that there is an air of upscale class to this place. I feel comfortable going in more casual cloths, but I also enjoy getting just a touch dressed up when I go because I don't feel overdressed like I might at some bars.
(4)Tom N.
Great atmosphere. Tiny menu, okay burgers and "pizza" made with can-sauce and cheese on bread (not dough) toasted. Had both great and terrible service. Go for drinks but maybe not the food.
(1)Sara A.
Located in Ferndale this chic bar offers patrons well made drinks in a swanky atmosphere. Finding it's home on Woodward this local hot spot attracts a more mature, hip crowd. with a bar well stocked and an open, modern decor, Ferndale's the Bosco is definitely one of those bars that one goes to to not to watch sports, but to enjoy a martini or a beer while listening to some laid back tunes. I started going to the Bosco years ago when a friend of mine was a bartender and have been going ever sense. The bartenders are attentive and well versed in making drinks, especially mojitos. In addition, the Bosco offers a great selection of imported brews. If you're looking for a night on the town with well behaved bar goers, check out the Bosco.
(4)natalie r.
So far i've only been there once having been already a tad bit intoxicated, but it was really nice. We had cheaper drink coupons from going to see a movie at the magic bag. We sat outside and it was very serene. I could see people going there dressed up all fancy while at the same time you get all the people from the movies at the bag, so it's a good mix. We definitely will be back next time we go to see a movie at the magic bag.
(3)Dan S.
Cutting and pasting from an earlier review under "The Bosco Lounge": A really nice space (indoor and out) with great attention to design detail, rendered lame by the attitudes of staff and patrons. There are plenty of bars to choose from in Ferndale -- no need to put up with such pretentiousness.
(2)Jess N.
Great neighborhood bar. It's a classier place on the smaller side, and very clean. The outdoor patio is nice in the summer and the inside is even nicer now that they don't allow smoking! The drink prices are moderate and they offer a full bar with a menu of specialty drinks. On Tuesdays they do have specials, making it very inexpensive. The staff and bartenders are nice, it attracts a good crowd, and there is comfortable seating inside. It's a great bar to go to to relax and unwind.
(4)Haroun K.
Not my scene, but if you like lounge-bars, this might be the place for you. I kind of felt like a cobbler on the little stools in the back though. It was not as chill as I'd hoped, and it was too loud to talk to anyone. Drinks are not so cheap by Detroit standards. Also, there seemed to be a lot of creepy, kind of desperate guys, if that's your thing.
(2)Kat J.
New owners need to step it up or I'll be glad when it goes out of business and we can get a decent bar back in that space. I've been to Bosco a few times before, usually during the Ferndale Pub Crawl. They have a really nice patio in the back and they usually had good (though overpriced) drinks. In fact, their drink menu was fairly impressive with unusual mixes that you couldn't get at most other bars in that area. However, my most recent visit was particularly dreadful, and I do not plan on ever returning to Bosco. We went to use a Groupon that expires next week, so that plan was to go early and have two drinks a piece. We walked in shortly after 8pm on a Wednesday; there were only about 10 other people there. A couple was just leaving as we walked in; they didn't look very happy. I wandered around the bar area for a moment figuring out where to sit; there we no bar stools. The bar stools had all been put away for a "party" that was set for 9:30 that night (according to the bartender). The bartender asked another employee to bring out two bar stools for us. (I won't get into the fact that the bar stools are too short for the bar, and the bar itself is rather uncomfortable). Then, I asked for a cocktail menu. They don't have cocktail menus anymore. Um.... OK. So, then we asked whether they had any special drinks that the bartender recommended. He responded that they could make anything we wanted. First, I tried to order a Hendricks with cucumber. Nope, they threw out all of their cucumbers yesterday. Sufficed to say, they didn't have the ingredients for the next two drinks we tried to order. We settled on two mojitos. This was truly the most disgusting mojito I have ever been served. It was basically a glass full of simple syrup with mint garnish. It was so nasty that we decided to cut our losses. Neither of us took more than two sips of our drink. It was undrinkable. It took several attempts to pry the bartender away from the girls sitting down the bar from us. We gave up on the rest of the value of our Groupon and just walked out. We tried. Bosco failed. We went to Howe's Bayou, got served right away and salvaged our evening.
(1)Kelsea F.
I think I like this place because it reminds me of some of the lounges I used to frequent in the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago when I lived there, except at the Bosco you can actually get a seat and you don't have to wait 15 minutes to pee. The music is, however, ridiculously loud, which is a personal pet peeve. Boo. As far as the drinks go, all I can say is, pomegranate mojito. I don't need anything else. They are half the reason I go. I've heard the patio is really nice in the summer; for some reason I've only hung out there in the winter so I've never been outside. A great lounge, but they need to turn down the music. It's not that good, anyway.
(4)Todd E.
The most boring bar in Ferndale. It's a good place to hang out on the back patio and smoke cigarettes. Or grab a first drink of the night before heading out to better places. But this is no place to hang out for any length of time. The bartenders are friendly enough.
(2)Chris T.
judging by all the reviews i guess its hard to keep this place a secret anymore. this is my favorite lounge in michigan. i try to look for other places like this and i just cant find any. maybe im not looking hard enough. ive only been here a few times since its a little out of the way, but i know it will be a big treat the next time i can make it out.
(5)Sarah A.
Overall, The Bosco typically seems to set of the trendy vibe if you are not into that vibe, this isn't your type of place. I, on the other hand, like trendy/chic places. I first came here to work a fashion event with a designer. I got a behind the scenes take on the staff, overall everyone was very nice and accommodating. The venue itself doesn't hold many people, it is on the smaller side with a few couches here and there to sit. The patio is cute with lanterns and a waterfall...like I said trendy...the music playing is typically a techno/house. Don't expect people dancing, this is a sit back, enjoy a cocktail, mingle and catch up with others and people watch. Unfortunately, I feel the bar could be stocked better...I am a huge flavored vodka drinker and the selection here is not plentiful... Not any Three Olives vodka. Overall, this would be a nice place to take a girl for a cocktail after dinner to really make the date.
(4)Kellie B.
Went to the Bosco on a friday night and enjoyed it. Love the 'Good Drink' Martini. Lemony and not sweet but just right. They use a high grade vodka for everything, at least Svedka. Ambience is lovely, hip, and unique. Just what I think the owners were looking for. Bathrooms for women were nicely decorated and clean. Interior by the window in front of bar echoes so watch your convo. Leather chairs for 2-3 people are situated throughout lounge. You can relax here, never too crowded.
(4)o o.
Not half bad. The lounge has a nice feng shui about it. The drinks were perfectly made and although, the music was loud, I didn't mind it. Granted, I went on a Thursday night and was one of two groups there. They have plenty of seating with two nice long, comfy couches. In the summer they have a patio that looked like it could be fun. I have no idea what the scene is since I was practically the only person in the place.
(4)Jen M.
Ah, The Bosco! I have yet to find anything that is remotely like it in Boston. It's a nice chill place where you can relax and unwind and here some pretty chill music. The bartenders were great and gave everyone equal service, the crowd was genuine and people came dressed as they are whether it was hipster-ish or casual. And yet everyone just blended together. The patio is my favorite during the summer. I hope that someday I will find something like it in Boston.
(5)Brian R.
Not bad. Nice interior with good drinks. Can attract some odd characters, especially in the summer when it gets more business due to the large outdoor patio. And by odd characters I mean douche bags. Think hair gel, striped button ups and shiny black shoes. But let's not generalize. A pretty diverse crowd, lots of seating and decent service. Music is pretty loud but and isn't BAD, but isn't worth asking about either. This is where I come for a sort of low key night. Many tend to keep to themselves and you can easily relax and drink with a friend or two.
(3)Samantha L.
Great spot for brunch. They offer outdoor seating and indoor seating. Food is fresh and delivered fast. I had the tex scramble with black beans and eggs. The side of fruit is also a nice touch of sweetness to breakfast. They serve Chazzano coffee which is awesome!! French pressed of course. Only annoyance is the music was pretty loud for brunch. I'll be back!
(4)Daniel e.
I would not return to this place. We went for a birthday party with 9 people and grabbed a seat at the back of the bar. We asked multiple people working there if it was a special booth, and they told us it was not. We were there for about 45 minutes and suddenly we find ourselves being kicked out of the table because it had allegedly been reserved for 2 months. I tried to explain to the people working there what had happened and they shrugged their shoulders. Very very rude staff. I will not return here or give this place my business. Unless you know someone who works there you're treated like garbage.
(1)Nick M.
I really enjoyed this place. Right next to The Magic Bag and Imperial, this is a secret gem in an area I have perused over the years. When you walk in it has a fancy-esque vibe to it, with large, fine wooden tables and booth seating for large parties. It reminded me of a sushi joint in a way, and the tables kind of reminded me of Ronin in Royal Oak. We sat down to meet with friends who had already ordered, and they shared their food with us. They had ordered caprese and spinach artichoke dip -- both were excellent. The artichoke dip was among the best I ever had, with the baked pita tasting just perfect. The caprese was on point and actually served on top of bruschetta. They don't have draft beers, but they have beers in bottles like Two Hearted. Their mixed drinks are pretty good and potent as well. The best part about this place, though, is the back patio lounge area. You walk in and it feels like you stepped into Hawaii. Plenty of seating of all varieties, including tables and high tops. Their is even a palm tree hanging over everyone, and you can actually smoke cigarettes back there without going outside. And if you do want to go outside, there is a back alley. It's a really fun atmosphere and fun for groups big or small who want to enjoy themselves in a laid back atmosphere. The service is stellar from both the waiting staff and bartenders, and even the bouncer and bathroom attendant were funny and courteous. I would definitely come back here for some appetizers and drinks.
(4)Joe V.
Let me preface this review with the fact that we did not eat here when we came in on Saturday. It was around 8pm. There weren't very many people in the entire place. Some might find that alarming or boring, but it was just what we were looking for at that time. We found a spot on the patio. It was a great night and I'm sure that the experience of being outside on a nice night is helping boost this review to 5 stars, but it is what it is. We each had a couple drinks. Our server was very attentive and friendly. It was a slow night inside, so she actually sat and talked with us for a bit. The drinks were very good and moderately priced. There was live music in the back. Can't recall the name of the two guys that were playing, but they did a really nice job and were quite talented. As the place wasn't crowded, they did a great job of finding the sweet spot between being irrelevant and over-bearing. Overall, it was a great experience. I'd gladly come back to (hopefully) re-live the experience I had here on Saturday.
(5)Amanda M.
Give Bosco some love, y'all. It's been part of the Ferndale scene for over a decade, and in my opinion, it has improved with age. Why aren't there more patrons?! The patio is beautiful, the service is great, and the food is solid. It's also just COOL-looking inside--wood galore! You all know you love bars with nice wood features! Don't act like you don't, because I see you at Imperial pretty much everyday. Imperial is great, and I love it, but broaden your horizons. You can actually breathe and hear people in Bosco! And you can sit, like, RIGHT AWAY. You don't have to awkwardly stumble in to Danny's to kill 45 minutes while you wait for three spots on a bench to become available and then be given side-eye and stank-eye by the regulars who, for some reason, appear to be alarmed (if not mildly disgusted) if you are not a white male. (Side bar: Seriously, patrons of Danny's, you are in Ferndale, not Wyoming. Get with the times). I digress. Just visit Bosco, and spread the Ferndale love.
(5)Krystle S.
This was my first time here. Came in just for a after dinner drink and dessert, after all it boasts itself as a dessert lounge, so hey! I must be in the right place. Sat at the bar, place was empty for the time, but most were on the patio. The ambiance is great, I'd definitely spend some time here. Great decor. Just enough class and just enough rustic. Patio is perfect! I liked their $5 beer specials, and the menu had lots of drinks to offer, like 3 menus of specialty drinks. I had a strawberry beer - it was good. I ordered the cider doughnuts for dessert. Here's where the sadness begins.... Cider doughnuts? DO NOT expect the yummy cider doughnuts you often see, and devour, in the fall. I'm new to Michigan so the first time I tasted cider doughnuts I was hooked. They're so dense and taste like they're soaked in apple cider they're that flavorful. These were plain doughnuts with lots of cinnamon and sugar with maybe some apple pie or apple cider spice in the dough. It was pretty plain tasting and a huge let down. Yes it was house made, but it wasn't like the doughnuts you get in the fall at all. A plain doughnut with caramel dipping sauce, I ate one and left the rest. Because this place touts itself as a dessert lounge, I had high expectations. Cider flavor aside, they just weren't even good doughnuts. One Eyed Bettys has great ones, go there instead. There were only 4 desserts and 3 dessert drinks, so 7, to choose from. Not really much of a offering for a proclaimed "dessert lounge". Maybe they count a lot of their sweeter type drinks as dessert? Who knows, but I wouldn't come here for dessert, but drinks?, absolutely. I'd rate it higher, but my review was based on dessert. I'll be back for food and drinks because I'm sure I'd have a better experience food-wise. They should think about changing that dessert lounge moniker though. And OMG, totally wouldn't think this was a kid friendly place, it's not really conducive for kids in my mind, but the patio had about 12 small children running amok. If you read my reviews you know I'm in favor of adult only atmospheres. Uggggh. I'll admit it was only 7:30 so still before the night crowd, but wow that many kids huh in non kid friendly restaurant? I swear I'd never do that to other diners.
(2)Jes P.
The name 'Bosco' refers to someone living or working in wood, which is appropriate for this modern wood interior which is beautiful. Booths, bar table, ceiling - all wood. Ambiance? Woodsy like the kind of place Little Red Riding Hood would love to dine in. Even the outdoor patio is decked out with driftwood and twinkle lights. Vibe? Fun and a little on the hipster side. I went on a trivia night which was hosted by a local dj who did a fabulous job. Our group went well before the crowds arrived so that we could get a bite to eat before waitstaff got blasted. Even with no other dinning patrons, service was slow and we had to ask for our order on more than one occasion. I loved the menu items and the creativity of ingredients but the lamb sliders must have been off that day. The meat was dry and flavorless. The bun was rock hard in places as if it had been sitting out all day. My friend got the same thing and when I looked at her plate, she had literally taken parts of the bun off in an attempt to salvage what was still good. She didn't finish her sliders and neither did I. The fries were also dry and flavorless which was a surprise since other reviewers give them high remarks. I'm willing to go with the fact that it could have been an 'off' night so I'd like to try it again (crossing my fingers that a future visit will be an 'ON' night).
(3)Nha V.
Ive never had food at this place before. And i must say, i am impressed. The food was delicious and very big portions. They change their menu every season from my understanding. I had the pleasure to try their summer dishes. My favorite things are the seasoned fries. So good (almost as good as hopcat crack fries). The Hawaiian burger? Has jalapeño in it, very good! But be warned; super spicy! I would say its hot level (mild, med, hot). But the flavors just goes so nice together once u get past the spicyness. Lettuce wrap was very good, comes with 3 different sauce for it, and chicken & quinoa. It has a sweet flavor to the sauce, it also comes sweet, salty? Spicy? I only had the sweet sauce. As for the salad, the greek power salad is probably my favorite. That chicken is super tender and juicy! The beets salad probably my second favorite. But all 3 salads on the menu is good. I think my least favorite is the pesto sandwich. I felt like it didnt have much flavor, and chicken was a little dry. But thats just me. My friends actually enjoyed the sandwich alot, and was probably their favorite, they said that's how its suppose to taste, idk? But i will warn you, the sandwich is huge! I would come back to eat again bc i really enjoy their food and ambience. Probably go when theres not as busy to get more attention. Love the outdoor patio.
(4)Sara B.
I went here for board game Tuesdays and had an absolute blast! The decor is pretty nice, but some of the seating is at awkward angles or seemed low for the bar. I only had some drinks and snitched a couple fries from a friend, but the fries came out warm, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside. It was everything I could do not to order some myself. The drink menu is a very decent size and they have a lot of stuff from Michigan, which is always a plus. Besides, how can you go wrong with all night happy hour?! Hooray for Tuesdays. I'd love to go back some time and try the food.
(4)Tyra N.
It felt very hipster. Nice authentic wood decor, minimalist, dark lighting, the guy at the door, the music. I only had a drink, a double of Black Label. Price was normal for the shelf. I'll try a dessert and more drinks on another visit. I'm not quite sure I'd spend a Friday night here.
(3)Brian S.
Great spot we always go to for drinks at the bar and really cool spot to dance at their outdoor patio.
(5)dawn v.
This review is for brunch, which is new for them, I believe, and I would go back to try things they seem known for: cocktails and fried Oreos! The Breakfast Sammy is a five star meal! Loved the prefect bread, gravy and egg together! Would order this again next time for sure! The potatoes that come with it were my favorite cut and cook but so so salty that they were inedible. Same for the BBQ hash, which is a shame cause it's such a great idea, but the meat is salty, the potatoes are very salty and it overpowers the eggs... Sadly my husband and I both ordered it. French press coffee is a winner! We will be back after they work out some brunch bugs.
(3)Kou C.
This is my first time to Bosco and it is a very nice atmosphere to be in. We sat in the patio and I'm surprised that we did not get any mosquito bites at all so that's a plus! But while sitting in the patio, they had trivia night so if you're looking to have group activities of any sort, Bosco is the place to go to!They're small when it comes to choosing what you can eat and I decided to get the Bosco Burger. It's a half pound beef pattie with gouda cheese, bacon, and sriracha and lemon aioli. The cheese was perfect for it because every time you bite a piece of the sandwich away, you always get that stretch of cheese hanging from the sandwich. The bacon gives it that extra crunch and with the aioli, it makes it not so dry. One thing to add, you taste more of the lemon than you do with sriracha and I personally need a kick of heat in my burgers but I was satisfied. Love the atmosphere.
(4)Nicole S.
I really enjoy Bosco and have for the past few years. It's a lot better now with the remodel of the patio out back. It's a really great atmosphere now, and even in the fall when it's cooler, they have heaters that kept me pretty warm if you need to get out of the craziness inside that can happen when it's busy since it's a smaller bar. However, I've had two experiences within the past month that have made me less of a fan of Bosco. The first is that I felt taken advantage of one night when I was pretty buzzed and asked for a glass of water only to be brought bottles of water. I then had to pay upwards of $20 for water when I asked for a glass. The waitress was pretty unfriendly about it as well when I told her that I asked multiple times for glasses of water with my drinks, not a bottle of water. The second was two weekends ago when Bosco was charging $20 cover. Seriously? This isn't Vegas, it's Ferndale. Also, I could totally understand this if there was live music or a more famous DJ who plays their own stuff. However, it was a pretty shitty DJ who sounded like he was just playing Channel 95.5. He went from some pretty hard rap to TLC's No Scrubs. Why am I paying $20 to listen to someone play a song from 1996? I can play Pandora for free at home and not have to deal with an extremely crowded bar that you can't even move in because you're charging $20 per person so you're greedily over packing the place to make more money. The part that pissed me off the most is that the second we walked in, we were told it's $4 to check your coat. So it costs me $24 just to get into this bar and listen to shitty music? Bosco, you're getting a little ridiculous, and you're going to lose customers if you keep this up. I'll be one of them and will be pretty disappointed because I actually enjoy this bar and have a had a lot of fun at it over the years!
(4)Lisa T.
Bosco has done a 360. They got a new chef and really focus on customer service during dinner and brunch. They still have the club life late night during the weekend but still offer other things through out the week. They have happy hour and offer board games on Tuesday. Wednesday is trivia night. Saturday they have live music at 9 and on Sunday they offer a delicious brunch. You can always have a great time when you are there and they have many unique drinks to choose from.
(5)Michele A.
Love it. The decor is amazing in here and the service was great. We had the smoked salmon app and it was very good a great start. I got a ginger drink that was tasty and strong which I like. My husband wanted a draft beer which they do not have however they have a large selection of MI beers in can/bottle. The main course was lamb sliders for me which had a goat cheese and cucumber, very tasty. My husband got the burger which was super juicy and cooked perfect. I loved them both a lot. You also get a side with dinner I chose the spinach salad comes with honey mustard dressing very tasty he got the parm frys which were amazing. Dessert was deep fried oreo's that came with ice cream. We shared them with the table as there are 5 on the plate 1 is enough trust me it can be shared. All in all I cannot wait to come back it was tasty and had a great ambiance.
(5)Matthew H.
Warm sexy original. The BOSCO was a great experience The drinks are rich and well done. The food is great. A bit slow but worth the wait. This is a frat after work place to meet with friends and lovers. A Frequent in my calendar !!!
(5)Virginia R.
I've been looking for a fun and cool bar atmosphere in Detroit that didn't make a 44 year old woman feel out of place. Saturday nights at Bosco hits the spot! Great drinks at affordable prices. I have the Lemon Drop Martini which was light and refreshing. The deck out back is beautiful space and we loved the decor which only added to the cool vibe. The wait staff was attentive, prompt and friendly. This is my new favorite hang out!
(5)Tabitha M.
Dead at 6:45 on a Tuesday of Restaurant Week. Pleasant service. Delicious cocktails.
(3)Tim Y.
No. This place is a no. I made a mistake coming here... probably because I thought I was going to eat dinner here... but it's only set up for drinks... or a party that got all the attention when my girlfriend and I came in. We had to wait too long for premade tastings of guacamole and ceviche... which were presented in tiny servings with essentially an entire bag of chips. The price of $10 for what we got wouldn't even be good at a baseball stadium. The server blew us off after we didn't order drinks. Thank God for the 10% off yelp coupon with a check in... it made the cost tolerable for the garbage that it was. In the trendy community of Ferndale, this is the bottom of the barrel.
(1)David R.
This is by far the best brunch in town.. Besides the amazing food . The waitresses are funny,beautiful, charismatic,loving, nurturing, and energetic. Honestly , you have to ask yourself what are you doing with your life if your not here for Sunday brunch?
(5)Betty T.
I just had breakfast today 5/24/15 I will not come back the service is not good please keep going the food was so,so but once again the service is very poor
(1)Sabrina B.
Bosco Cafe; you have a new fan. I met a friend here for Sunday brunch (of course I did) and we were the first people in the door, which was great as I imagine this place gets hella busy as the morning wears on. We both ordered the special which that morning, was stuffed French toast. I can say it was delicious; I could not finish my entire plate, but that happens to me everywhere. It was very rich, very filling and very good. Service was exemplary; the server made my friend some French press coffee and came back a few minutes later with a fresh pot because she didn't think the first one would be hot enough -- this is notable because my friend didn't even say anything, the server just did it. She also was attentive without being intrusive, which is another big plus in my book. The place itself is really nice with roomy booths, a patio and a cool Ferndale vibe. I know I'll be back to try some other things off the menu and perhaps indulge in some mimosas. Bosco is getting filed as a favorite.
(5)Chrys O.
Great breakfast/brunch spot. Party of 6 with no wait on a Sunday. Great breakfast potatoes and eggs. Menu item to get is "The Package", your choice of eggs, protein, and other sides all for 9. Solid place if you'd prefer to get a simple and fast breakfast or brunch for a group of friends!
(4)Ling Z.
Horrible experience on Sunday brunch. We sat at the garden area for over 30 mins, from 1:45 to 2:28pm only one busboy followed up with us once and the other waitresses were avoiding eye contact with us, no responding on how long does it take for the food to be served. We ended up walking out of the restaurant.
(1)April S.
I came to The Bosco a few weeks ago for brunch and sat outside on the patio. I had a wonderful experience so decided to come again today. What a difference!! It was raining so we sat inside. It was like trying to enjoy a nice relaxing brunch inside of a loud, obnoxious club. The music was loud,bad, and didn't help me enjoy myself. We ate our food as quickly as we could so we could escape. I don't think I will be returning to the Bosco anytime soon.
(3)Alan H.
The music is actually pretty ok.
(3)Holly F.
This is one of my favorite spots! The waitresses are amazing even on super crowded nights. The atmosphere is great! They have by far the best patio in the area!! I have been here several times and I believe I have gotten the tomato soup every time... It's that good!! I have been here with a group of friends and boyfriends, and have never had a bad experience. Brunch was good but the French press coffee is over the top amazing! For drinks I pretty much always stick with their sangria or the pomegranate martini. But everything I have ordered here has always been good. Jay does an amazing job with Bosco!!
(5)Liz P.
This was my first time here, and I went for Ferndale Restaurant Week tonight. The food was DELICIOUS and probably why I will go back again. For FRW you got a choice of sliders or tacos, so I did the pulled pork taco and a chicken taco. I asked for the coleslaw on the side and one taco had it on the side and one did not ... luckily, it was more like marinated veggies than the normal white stuff, and actually very good. The pulled pork taco especially was a standout. It came with fries which were okay - "shoestring fries" but not really as small as shoestring fries usually are. Some sort of salt on it that was good, but almost too salty. Seemed like a side of mayo or something with it too, I just looked on their website and it was a "lemon aioli" though. The place was kind of dead which was surprising. I guess on Thurs. they do board game night but no one was playing anything. I got a vodka drink for like $3.50 which was a great deal (50% off during HH, 5 to 7pm) and my friend got a $10 (yikes) gimlet which was also very good tasting, though. Another con was the service ... I think there was only one waiter working or something because it was super slow, and my friend had a work-related obligation to get to afterwards. I liked the decor a lot and (this may sound weird but) their bathrooms were super nice. The faucets are "open" at the top so you can see the water coming out. I'd like to go back here during music performances or on the weekends, I could see it being busy then. Their dessert menu looked awesome as well - elephant ears, fried cider donuts, etc. Not your typical fare.
(3)Rob M.
Bad food. Bad service. Bad management. But the place looks cool. Stopped in for brunch on Sunday after deciding to try a "new" place. Although the place was empty our server seemed out of sorts and even took our silverware right off the table to give it to another. The manager did not seem interested in the fact that our service was awful. The entire staff was more interested their own image rather than customer service. Will not be coming back.
(1)Joe B.
With the renovation this place has a whole new persona about it. I have yet to try the food but it's on the top of my Yelp to-do list. I'm just glad they have eats here now. We came in at 715 on a Thursday to a completely empty bar. Julie told us to sit anywhere and came straight away with menus, a solid attentiveness and a big smile. We sat on the patio, which is now the nicest patio in Ferndale, in my humble opinion. We ordered a few glasses of a very nice Malbec and just kind of chilled on the very breezy patio, listening to some quiet cool background tunes over good conversation. It seems we picked the exact right moment to be here since it was so slow. I'm guessing this spot doesn't really amp up until later in the evening and likely on the weekends more specifically. That said, the Tuesday game night has my interests piqued and I'm definitely coming back here since my faith in this place is totally renewed. The inside atmosphere is warm and inviting but still modern and trendy while the patio is more of the same but with grills, for what I'm interested to find out. Seating is comfortable throughout and the prices were reasonable. I'm back on board with the Bosco and looking forward to coming back in soon.
(5)Ta-Janay S.
Definetly one of my new favorite brunch places. Their spiked coffee drinks are delicious and they have an option to do bottomless mimosas AND live music on the weekend. The only reason I did not give boscos 5 stars is because you can only sit comfortably at the bar if you're 6 ft tall.. (The chairs are at a weird height) other than that I definitely recommend boscos!
(4)Nadav F.
We've been going to bosco for years , great place to go out for drinks and good music. i would highly recommend to try their brunch.
(5)Ginger G.
Visited yesterday. ..decor is telaxing...people friendly. .staff accommodating...did eat just drinks but had a good time...!
(4)Julie T.
I use to visit Bosco before working there and I've always enjoyed my time, thankfully it's gone through quite the facelift interiorly, as well as the menu. Things are always changing for the better, new hand crafted drinks are added every few months, as well as seasonal beers that seem to fly out the door almost as fast as they come in. The newest addition is the food menu which has quite the array of options of shared plates. Bosco has always been known as a place just for cocktails, beers, and wines, but as more and more people come in and enjoy the menu, the popularity of the food is growing. I HIGHLY recommend any desert, especially the deep fried Oreos! With the combo of live local musicians and local DJs, this bar truly has something for everyone! If you haven't experienced Bosco, or maybe haven't had the greatest first impression I urge you to come in and check out all of the new renovations inside and out!
(5)KT H.
Went there for trivia on a Wednesday night. Great and interesting drink menu. Pretty good beer menu and reasonably priced. Had dinner but they were out of the Mac and cheese, which is what I wanted. Settled for the Cubano sandwich, which was good but not worth $14. There was also only one waiter for the entire place on a fairly busy night, so service was a bit slow for everyone. They are a little pricy if you're ordering food and the selection is limited but overall great atmosphere and fun place to play trivia.
(4)A. N.
Looking for overpriced drinks with bottom shelf quality liquor? Hungry for food that lacks in both quality and creativity? Interested in a dining experience where the music is so loud you must yell at your company? Then bosco is your new place! If you're interested in cheap drinks, try sneakers. If you're interested in top notch tacos and dogs, go to imperial. Need a late night drunk hotdog? Detroit Underdog is for you. Searching for sliders in ferndale? Head on over to Public House. Have a sweet tooth? Grab some dessert at Pinwheel bakery. Parched Saturday morning?get some weekend brunch at Betty's. Support local business that has their own ideas and great bang for your buck. If the bosco has no wait on a Friday night...there's surely a reason. If you're still interested in bosco, enjoy your 10$ pearl vodka drink.
(1)Natalie E.
This was the first time I've been to Bosco, and I wasn't impressed. The food and drinks are mediocre but expensive for size and quality. The martinis are 12 dollars but tiny! Tacos are very good but don't plan on being full for less than $20. I do recommend the donuts though. Also, the service was terrible. My beer was empty for over 20 minutes and I felt like I was inconveniencing the server by ordering. Also took forever to get the check. Overall, very poor service. The server had way too many tables and had no help from the manager.
(2)Jason D.
Overall the food was delicious, but I mean the serving/portion sizes were really small for the price. Potatoes were a little salty too. I ordered the scramblette and they totally botched my order which I thought was kind of funny how wrong it was. I asked for an omelette and it came scrambled and I asked for extra mix in sides and they were missing, but I was still charged for it so I brought it up. Whatever people make mistakes, I thought it was a little funny for the time
(3)Eddie F.
Truly enjoy the small plates and the atmosphere here. I've been going to the Bosco for over a decade now and it never disappoints. Great patio, which has a bbq grill for late night eats. Love it.
(5)Phil D.
Just moved from Chicago to Royal Oak and have been trying new brunch spots every Sunday. This is a great hidden gem, when many other places have 1 hour waits. Best bottomless mimosas and delicious brunch menu.
(5)Emily E.
The Bosco seems to have gotten a face lift...and from first glance it looks good. A few friends and I came in on a Tuesday (which they are now branding as Board Game Tuesdays) and had a few drinks, some of their new food, and played several games. We all enjoyed the night! It was a very comfortable (not to mention beautiful) atmosphere with a super friendly staff. Everything we ate was good and I look forward to coming back. Very glad this place has evolved!
(4)Myles G.
$20 cover? ...you do realize this is Ferndale, MI and not Las Vegas, NV bouncer. What a joke. Definitely skipping Ferndale and sticking to Royal Oak or Ann Arbor.
(1)Sandy S.
Cool interior decor/vibe. We were here for brunch and the French Toast is amazzzing. So was basically everything we ordered! I am SO happy with my meal. The servers were prompt and gracious. The only thing is that their black tea apparently has an unappealing burnt smell and taste (my friend told me to mention this).
(5)Melissa M.
I would give 5 stars, but after 10pm it turned into a bit of a techno dance club. Before 10, it was a 5 star. Wait staff was very attentive and the spinach artichoke dip was by far the best I've ever had. The ambiance was very desirable and the place had an earthy feel. I'll go again, but before 10pm!!!
(4)Rose M.
Me and my family and my nieces wedding party went here for brunch today.....the service was really bad.....the waitress was very mean and disrespectful, both of them had nasty attitudes and the food was terrible......had a $14.00 Burger and fries and the burger was hard and dry.....with no taste.....they wouldnt refund or credit and they have no customer service experiences at all .......I give this restaurant a half star and thats for the rest room being clean......DON'T EAT HERE.......if the customer not happy then your restaurant want have much success......we help pay your bills....just a little news about this place.....i could go on but it didn't and probably want matter but if you want good service please eat somewhere else......Thanks....
(1)M. R.
Stopped in recently and noticed that the menu has been rebooted. Not as much to pick from but workable. Still empty as heck. It seems like if you have working toilets and a liquor license, you can expect infinite business in ferndale. Great selection of microbrews, ok food, smiling servers and plenty of nice seating both indoors and out..... Empty. Is it a case of one liquor license too many? Did the owner run afoul of a skull and bones type Ferndale society? Is it that thing where a witch wipes the back of her hand on the door and says 'emmmmmpty'? Is soylent green people?? I am the only person to have two nice experiences here in a row??! There's at least a dozen businesses in Ferndale that have built empires based on horrible condecending service, bad food, and tardy drinks. I'm wondering if the name Bosco has too much baggage. I just hope they can mysteriously stay open like French Gourmet so I can stop in now and then for a quiet drink. It's nice to go somewhere after nine pm and not have to swim over a sea of glowering goslingitos with jungvolk hairdos. (see also, M-Brew)
(4)Gary M.
My bartenders were Julie and Lisa & they were great. They have bells up behind the bar and when they receive a good tip they ring the bell. It's really loud. It was fun. The food was awesome. The spring tacos were to die for!!! No draft beer but great bottles to choose from. They even had dragonmead final absolution. The fried Oreo cookie dessert was so tasty. I'll definitely be back again real soon.
(5)Jasmin M.
I've spent many summer nights on the patio and many winter Friday's parting there. The place is always busy with diverse crowds. I recommend it to anyone that is looking for a nightclub feel and a lounge vibe. With live DJ's, bottle service and a bar for drinks the place has everything under one roof.
(5)Natalie G.
They serve deep fried Oreo's with icecream.. Need I say more lol. Honestly I have only been here a few times and until I tried the Oreo's I didn't think I would like this place. But now I am hooked! You must stop in and try them if you have a sweet tooth!
(5)Frank I.
Went here on a Friday evening. Nice decor with many wood accents. Thought it was a little overpriced for what you get. Martinis, in the $9-10 were expensive and tasted watered down. Also tried the Charcuterie and cheese appetizer .. Was pretty short on the meat (only a few slices of two kinds) , quite a bit more cheese. Live music was very good and was playing earlier in the evening (unlike many places where the live music doesn't start until 9) . Will give it one more try.
(2)Jaxon K.
Love the new brunch menu and the patio seating option. Bruschetta was absolutely delicious, kind of a mini caprese salad on top-and they used fresh buffalo mozzarella which is my favorite. Best part-NO wait, which is hard to come by on Sundays in Ferndale. Will definitely be back.
(4)Robert C.
Ha! That's what I thought about brunch. Cool patio and guitar player. Drinks were decent after the 15 wait. I totally get the place is small and has one server for Sunday brunch, but c'mon man... I've been a server for years and my dad has been a executive chef ever since I was suckling on my mom's titties, I know how restaurants are supposed to run. Whatever THAT was, was comical. I felt embarrassed that I took my parents there for brunch because I've been there before and it wasn't bad. I hate bad yelp reviews as much as the next business owner but here goes, 25 minute wait for drinks and order. 15 minutes for drinks after they told us they could not make hot tea because there was no hot water?, 35 minutes for appetizer, let's just say we never got our food. When I went to tell the (only) server we wanted him to cash out I even had to wait for that because there was another lady giving him an ear full about her awful experience. But hey, I kno how it works. It's not the servers fault or even the ONLY chef. I still tipped 20%. This is the owners/managers fault. GET MORE STAFF! you have potential
(1)Johnny V.
Used to come here pretty often with the crew a few years ago. It was always a cool place to chill with friendly staff accommodating guests, making great suggestions from specialty drinks they were excited for people to try out and enjoy their evening. Kind of felt like that really awesome place that only you and your buddies knew about. We would meet tons of girls there mostly because you can actually lounge around and have conversations with other people. Good times back then. Went back for a birthday gathering and W-T-F happened to this place?? Doorman man making it difficult to get in, the place was half empty and this is a very small place mind you. When he decided we could meet with our group inside it was like a bad club scene trying desperately to look cool. Get over it, you're in Ferndale and not New York. No disrespect to Ferndale because the city is actually really cool but you know what I mean. Anyway, the place is filled with douchey dudes that think they're trendy and hot stuff. The females there seemed to be receptive to such men so I guess they may be doing something right for themselves... Drinks took forever to get back to us. They were not correct, and they were clearly watered down or definitely not the top shelf premium brands we ordered. We drink frequently and we know better, get real. The bill was wrong and they couldn't fix it on the computer so the waitress went back to ring in the bill all over again and I don't even know what she came back with. The poor girl seemed flustered and complained like this was all nothing new. We threw down cash after it sounded like the bill was kind of right and we left around 12 to get some food next door. Some of the people that were there for the birthday were who I used to go with to The Bosco back in the day when it was a great spot and they said it came under new ownership and has been declining since. What a waste.
(1)M K.
i have never been to this place before and honestly will never go again, me and some friends were meeting other friends for a birthday party insde and we were told to inform the bouncer that we are here for the birthday party and mention the birthday boy name. we got there and the bouncer says even if we are on the list we still have to wait until some people leave so we can get in, we waited and waited for over 30 minutes in michigan freezing november and people where leaving but he wouldn't let us in and kept saying that some other people have priorties before us even though they should up after us. we noticed after a while that everyone the bouncer was letting in people because they were slipping him 30 TO 50 DOLLARS A PERSON.TO GET IN , after we saw that we said the hell with that place and left . never going there again
(2)Amy W.
Came here on a Thursday night this week and I was impressed. The place was relatively quiet - but we got there around 8:00. I had the white chocolate raspberry and the Snickers martinis. Both were amazing! A little too expensive for someone of my financial status, but it's nice for a little treat once in a while. Our sever was friendly, helpful, and prompt. The patio left a little to be desired, but the weather was beautiful so I wasn't too bothered with aesthetics. The live music inside was a little too loud, hence the reason we chose to sit on the patio.
(4)Katie W.
I signed up for yelp specifically to review this establishment. My friends and I arrived at around 9:30 for a late dinner. We were initially impressed with the decor and live music. I asked a waiter if we could sit anywhere we like and was told we could. We sat down, then was told by another waiter we needed to be reseated because the table we sat at was intended for a different group. We were reassured we would be seated promptly at a different table. We waited for about 10 minutes and were seated at a new table. Upon sitting, we were rudely told by the waitress we would need to be finished eating by 1130 because a group was coming for bottle service (as a side note-bottle service? We're in the suburbs of Detroit, not Vegas). We said we would eat quickly and leave. We ordered our food and before the food came out we received our check and was told we needed to be out ASAP and could be reseated to yet another location. Placing a check on the table before the food is completely unacceptable and rude. The food was mediocre at best. We will not be returning here.
(1)Katy M.
The small plate options were tasty and the staff was very happy and attentive, great way to spend a Friday night
(4)Dottie K.
Great place, great food and great drinks. Bosco is the one place that is always fun pretty much any night of the week. The staff including the bouncers are always very nice and friendly. I am a forever fan of the Bosco!!
(5)Torrie M.
I loved the Bosco years ago, but now that it's smoke free, I love it even more!! The cocktails are unique and tasty. The service is good, and the couches are comfy! They have a patio which is perfect for summer and makes you feel like your in NYC or Miami. They always have on some odd movie and their music is so chill. Go early and snag a great seat! Tuesdays if you bring your passport you get a discount. I don't ever remember paying a cover charge. Look for the green and white lights.
(4)Valerie G.
Remember how I used to think of the bosco as a special place... where I almost felt like I was vacationing somewhere awesome when I was inside? Well thanks to the changes due to new ownership, walking inside only made me WISH I was on vacation... or frankly, wish I was anywhere but the bosco. So not worth my time... and so not the type of vibe I expect from a Ferndale establishment. They took away the awesome drink specialities, they highlight beers like miller lite while putting buckets for bottle service on the tables, the bartender seemed less than intelligent and looked plastic... none of these things are an improvement in my mind. Oh well - another one bites the dust.
(2)Yanni D.
Never been to Ferndale until I heard about this place and checked it out a few years ago. It has come along way since then a lot of changes and improvements with the latest their addition of their exquisite menu. Good looking staff great hospitality and alot of options on different nights. Check it out early for great food and deserts before the Djs start. Great addition to Ferndale's nightlife district
(5)Maureen M.
Last night was the 1st time I've been to The Bosco. Initially, we walked right past it! (It was early.) I was so impressed with the entire lounge, and loved the outdoor area! Very simple, but a great atmosphere! Our waitress was great. She put our drinks up over her waitress station when we walked outside for my friend to smoke. We asked about having parties there, and she was informative. The manager was nowhere to be found for some reason. That puzzled me since it's not a big place & they were not busy. I also liked that they offer bottle service. I guess it comes with a great setup so that a large group doesn't have to worry about a waitress getting drinks, missing drinks, screwing up drinks. It's expensive, but it makes sense. I really enjoyed our time here last night and will definitely be back!
(4)Dina D.
Bosco's a great place for drinks and fun with friends. I haven't tried the food yet but I hear it's pretty good. I can't wait for board game Tuesdays!
(5)Dick E.
kinda pricey
(3)Maggie H.
Ok, I am in complete contradiction with everyone else, but the only word I can think to describe my experience at The Bosco is disaster. My girlfriends and I were looking for somewhere to go for a later happy hour, and one of them had a GroupOn for The Bosco so we went there. First off, their website and the worker my friend spoke to on the phone both said they open at 8pm. We got there at 8pm to be told by their staff that they were not open. I asked them what time they were going to open and I was told "8:30 or 9ish", I swear that was the actual reply. What kind of business does not know what time they open? So we came back around "9sih" to use our GroupOn. First off, the waitress said that they wouldn't honor the GroupOn because they recently came under new ownership, but then returned super confused and she said it was ok. Second, they wont honor the drink specials that are listed on the Yelp page, obviously they have not updated that either, along with their website. Then, the waitress forgot one of the 4 drinks we ordered. To top it off they were allowing people to smoke on the back patio with the doors wide open into the inside seating area. Not only is this in violation of the Michigan Smoke Free Law it was really annoying. The atmosphere at The Bosco was beautiful, so I wanted to like the place, but everything was such a cluster. Obviously the new owners have no idea how to run a business and I don't think you could pay me to go back there. I don't write many straight up complaining reviews, but this place earned it every step of the way.
(1)S S.
This place used to be very nice years ago. A chick cool lounge where young professionals would hang out. Then it went downhill. We heard it has come back so last night four of us (all men) went there to give it a try. Arrogant bouncer wouldn't let us in, asked us if we're on the guest list. What guest list? He said that after 11:30, every night apparently, noone can get in unless they're on a guest list. And we would know that... how? Bosco doesn't even have a website! A group of guys came in after us and he asked them the same thing. They hesitated a bit, then mentioned some name (most likely completely made it up) and he let them in. When we asked to speak to the manager, he wouldn't let us and told us he was the manager of the door. Needless to say, there goes another bar which we won't patronize again.
(1)Ryan L.
I love this hip, swanky, well-decorated lounge. It's not everyone's scene, but if it is, you will love the Bosco. On the east side of Woodward in Ferndale, north of Nine Mile, the facade resembles an H&R Block. Inside the atmosphere is energetic but not frantic. The music is great and the spectrum of electronic and dance music is played. The walls are lined with tables and seating the the main bar towards the front. Whenever I've been in the Bosco the screen has showed a variety of films from bollywood to Brigitte Bardot flicks. An outdoor patio is attached to the back of the lounge. There is never a cover, but sometimes there is a line to get in. The Bosco has a full bar and a short list of specialty drinks including a tequila caiperena and various mojitos. The drinks are expertly prepared and delicious. The only drawback to this bar is that the drinks are quite expensive. For inexpensive drinks go to Passport Tuesdays, where you are served drinks for $2 if you present your passport at the door. If you're in to the lounge scene, check out the Bosco and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Joe T.
I have always liked this bar. Kind of trendy without being hipster. Has class without being pretentious. Enough room to dance a little bit on a busy night but intimate and small enough so you would never lose your company. I have been here on some weekend nights where it was relatively quiet, and some nights it was packed. It is best enjoyed when it is in the middle. Drink prices and barstaff are average. If you are ever in Ferndale on a Wed. night and looking for a bar to drink cheap, this is your place. $1 wells Wednesday nights, you can't really beat that these days, especially in a nicer venue like this. The DJs usually play good Hip-Hop, Dance, Electro House, Reggaeton, Soca, and all your new good stuff. I recommend checking this venue out. Main risk is it has its busy times and dead times, so it could be hit or miss. Also, no complaints on the patio in the summer time!
(4)Kat P.
Ugh... I used to love this place. Great atmosphere. Good service, different concept from many other bars in town. I had a Groupon that I had purchased that if used on Wednesday was worth more than other days. I called ahead to find out when they opened and was told 8 which matched the website and Yelp's info. We walked in at 8:10 and were told they were closed. Like most would, we then asked when do you open. They didn't know the answer. Flash forward an hour...we come back and are seated and I inquire about the specials which per Yelp and The Bosco's website there are $1 well drinks. The server said that there were no specials. Just specialty drinks. Hmmm We ask her to check on the specials which takes awhile. She settles with us for $3 wells and something else... she takes our order and forgets a drink and we can't get her attention for at least 10-15 minutes. We flagged down another server. She seemed to be either inexperienced and possibly distracted by friends at another table in her section. When we've felt that we had exhausted the $25 Groupon money, we asked for our bill. Another knock on the service. The waitress couldn't do simple mental math and came back stating we owed money when actually, they owed us... 4 wells @ $3 equals $12 plus $8 for 2-$4 beers..... per bosco it equals $33... but in the rest of the world (math is a universal language, right?) it is $20. Even if they charged us for the DD's diet coke, the most the bill should have been was $22. She was given an opportunity to fix the bill, and when it was still wrong, I was fed up. She went to get the mgr on duty to fix the computer to print a proper bill Not impressed... he totally blew me off and did not apologize for the service. He just brushed me off like a bother and while he took care of the bill, it was as if he was getting rid of us as if we were the problem and not his inept staff. He treated me like the bimbos in blk dresses that deliver drinks ( I wouldn't call them waitresses as they haven't proven themselves capable of anything but looking good in a LBD). Being a professional, I was not pleased with being called honey. We should have been apologized to. Good thing I had a deal and didn't waste any real money.
(1)Kathryn L.
My one and only complaint with The Bosco is that they allow smoking on the patio. Not only is that really obnoxious, but also completely illegal in Michigan. We notified the staff and management, and they didn't seem to care. Other than that, drinks were good. Prices were fair. Service was fine. A good place to hang out, but not as cool as it used to be.
(3)Lauren M.
Bosco was fun, but nothing memorable. Typical uppity bar, with exactly the type of people you'd think inside. We went for a girlfriends birthday. It was over crowded which took away from the experience. It also took me a while to get a drink. The bar itself is nice, everyone seemed friendly and the music wasn't bad. But to me it was just another bar, nothing i "have" to experience again.
(3)Robyn V.
Small bar. It was nice. Most everyone were dressed to impress. It was cool but a few people seemed a bit snobbish. This was my first time here but there was obviously a new bartender serving my drink. I bought a Surfer on Acid but it tasted rly watered down. Oh well...but other than that it was kinda cool. Nice place to chill when you want to get out for awhile.
(3)Navee C.
The previous owners of Bosco took the lemons of a small venue and turned it into an upscale, cozy lounge with signature drinks (Booberry!!) that set it apart from other similar establishments. The current owners take those same lemons and squirt you in the eye.
(1)Brian F.
This is a fabulous establishment. The bartenders are friendly and engaging. Looking to try something new? Ask their opinions and perhaps concoct something new, or new to you! Very knowledgable, witty, and fun people.
(4)Jessica S.
As a local I despise this establishment. It's a pretentious bar for Ferndale, with a crowd that obvioulsy belongs in Birmingham or West Bloomfield. They probly feel like they're 'going to the city'! LOL! Unless you're a has-been stripper or a guy that sports way to much hair gel and cologne, I'd stay away.
(1)Stephanie C.
The Bosco is the sort of bar that reminds me that even though Detroit is what I call a "casual city" we still know how to dress up for a really amazing night out. And when we want to do that - this is where we go. I'm proud to have a place that feels on par with any lounge I'd seek out in LA or NY. The cocktails here are always amazing. And somehow it's the kind of bar I'll find myself with a friend on a random Tuesday night swapping hilarious stories until far too late into the night. The bartenders are wonderfully attentive. The setting is minimal, chic and just the sort of place you want to share. Add to that a balmy summer night and you get the Bosco patio, with its fountain. It's a little oasis in Ferndale and one I truly enjoy. From top DJs who set the mood to a crowd who clearly show up ready to be seen, the Bosco has a reputation as being a bit fancy. Maybe too fancy. But to me, it's just what Ferndale and metro Detroit needed. I'll strut over in stilettos any night of the week.
(5)Jana P.
Friday night = slow... On the outside of this joint looked alitlle unweary although...once you take the few steps in to the place... Bosco looked like a dream that came out of the movies. I love how this lounge looks like. It even has a patio with heaters, water flowing, and alot of tables for groups to socialize. I like the decor of this place... I like the music they play in there.
(4)Jonathan W.
I can't believe I have not reviewed this place yet. Back when I first moved from NYC to Detroit summer 03, my friends kept taking me to all the sports bars and dives around the area, not that there is anything wrong with those places, but just not my thing, I had just lived in NYC for 6 years and liked the laid back lounge type feel. You know the kind with great drinks, chill upbeat music (think tribe called quest, N*E*R*D ), and good looking people dressed like they want to be out, not like they are in their friends basement playing poker. I had read about the Bosco on the Internet while I was still in NYC when looking into the nightlife around Detroit. So I kept telling the friends that I met when I moved here about it, but they never heard of it. Well one night I dragged them from their comfort zone in Royal Oak down to the Bosco. Immediately I was impressed. Great drinks, good music, and a great atmosphere. The place is set up very nice. It reminded me a lot of a bar in NY I went to a lot. Lots of places to sit and have drinks with your friend and you don't need to buy a bottle like all the wanna be clubs in town. There is a outdoor patio that is nice in the summer, it even has those outdoor heater lamps for when the temps dip a little. Every drink I have had from this place has always been good, not to weak and not too strong. The staff has always been great. The only thing is that the crowed is hit or miss. Sometimes it is packed, but sometimes when you walk in it looks like just a group of friends standing by the bar. I always found it odd that it does not draw a big crowed most of the time. I guess most MI peps like their sports too much, and there is no TVs in the Bosco. That is a very good thing for me. When you go out, you are supposed to socialize not have your face glued to a boob tube. Stay at home or go to a game party if you want to watch sports. Any other city, this place would have a line out the door most nights. When it is crowded there is a mix of people, everyone from the trendy, sceanster types to business casual. Most of the time everyone is dressed to impress in a stylish way. No redwing jerseys and luggs look here. Although you do see a lot of the trying way too hard to dress like you are a creative type, but hey that's Ferndale, you know the glasses with clear lenses just for looks, wears black all the time and carries around a macbook pro, most likely went to CCS or wants to, haha. I can say that I really work in the "creative" biz. I think smoking is allowed as I have seen ashtrays and bosco match boxes, but I have never really noticed it being too smokey thank god. I did hear the owner on NPR a couple months back talking about how he was for the smoking ban. I wish it would pass too, it did very well in NYC. You can always smoke on the patio at the Bosco. The Bosco is my favorite bar in the metro area, I just wished I lived a little closer now that I am in Dearborn. The Bosco was a bar way ahead of the curve in the Detroit area, and is still waiting for most people in the area to catch up to that curve.
(4)Keely W.
I went to the Bosco on a night out with my girlfriends. There were about 16 of us and our second stop was this establishment. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the it was very nice for a low key night out. I would have preferred to go with maybe a smaller group as when we arrived no one was dancing. They had a DJ playing some great music but mostly everyone was sitting around talking. I would definitely go again but, as I said, with less people who aren't looking to dance.
(3)