Corktown Tavern

I'm not sure what's worse: the stupid wristband that they make you use or the fact that they expect you to tip for something that all self service?Plus, those wristband don't always work the way they're supposed to. You have to hold it there or keep hitting it several times to get it to work. (Seriously, a regular credit card processing thing would be faster and easier)Oh, and the place is loud. Not in fun, lively sort of way either. It's more llike being trapped in a 5 year old's birthday party.There are so many other bars in this neighborhood that are so much better.

Came here after having brunch down the street. A friend was bar hopping down in Corktown and we saw this place and said why not. The place is pretty simple and has a long bar with chairs in front of it. The back has an outdoor patio with some chairs and tables out there. The bartender at the time was amazing, serving us drinks and chit chatting with us. She was quite entertaining. She even played music that we requested. I would say come to this bar and check it out. You cannot go wrong cheap drinks and good comapny.

I've visited a few times for some drinks and cheap eats. Draft beers are $3-$5, bottled beers are about the same. Shots are reasonable, too. I love their $2 food menu! The tots are awesome, as are the fried meatballs.First couple times, I had awesome bartenders. The last time I went, there were two hipstery hipsters behind the bar that were too cool to bother asking customers if they wanted to order a drink or anything. I hate that! Bartenders like that give Detroit a horrible name and reputation. If you're too busy listening to Motorhead and playing with studs on your oh-so-punk-rock vest, do everyone a favor and just quit your job.My expectations are now lowered after my last visit. I'll probably still stop in for day drinks, but if I see those lazy bartenders again, I'll just walk back out the door.Overall, a cool bar to hang out in for a couple hours, but don't come in with high expectations.$10 minimum to use a credit card.

My Grandson, his girlfriend and I were looking for a sandwich and a cold one (or two) so we stopped in to sample this joints offerings.We sat a high-top across from the bar, three servers behind the bar, and we waited....and waited...and....I finally went up to the bar and asked one of the servers for some drinks. As she was getting the beverages, I inquired about menus. She directed my attention to a small sign above the grill area that listed their choices: Wings, Burgers, Mozzarella Sticks, Fries. No pricing. No other descriptions. So, I opened a tab and went back to our table. We all decided to make it simple and order three Cheeseburgers w/everything and Fries.Then, I went back to the bar and palced the order.Back at the table, we enjoyed our brewskis and waited. And.....waited. As I watched the portion of the grill that was visible to me, I noticed that a guy with his cell phone flashlight crawling around checking something and........we waited. 45 minutes.We all decided to just cancel our order and cash out.When I got to the bar (because the servers weren't expressing ANY interest in us), I told one of the gals that we didn't care to wait any longer and she said, "Oh...are you the guy who wanted the French Fries?"I told her that we ordered Burgers and Fries.....more than 45 minutes ago, and we didn't have time to wait any longer. She told me that they were having trouble with the equipment and couldn't cook!So, she went to the register to total my credit card and a lady in the seat next to where I was standing told me she was a server who was called into work that night because they were having entertainment. She was taken aback with the length of time we were waiting and said she would explain it to the owner.The server returned with my tab and I signed the CCd.I really enjoy dive bars but this one doesn't earn a spot on my list of favorites.We popped our cork and walked next door to Bobcat Bonnie's.

I really really dig Corktown Tavern. We've had a bad experience or two with shitty bar service from hipsters who were too cool to care, but overall this place rocks. If you've read any other reviews, I'm sure you've gathered that it's a bit divey. But I love dives, it's where I feel most at home.Talking to the bartender on our last visit, it sounds like there were some ownership/management changes lately that got rid of the food menu (so sad!) and specialty cocktails (who tf orders a fancy cocktail at a joint like this anyway??). It's ok though, stick to the basics and you'll be fine. Beer and liquor is smartly priced.Live music is upstairs, so you don't have to pay cover on those nights unless you're going up, which is nice.Great place in Corktown to grab a few cheap drinks and hang with some down to earth people. My kind of place.

Filthy and very unsafe. Owners don't care about patrons or staff at all and it shows. There are many better places to spend your hard earned cash at nearby.

I had an amazing experience at Corktown Tavern recently and I just really need to give them a shout out.Every year my best friend and I have a Corktown Birthday Bar Crawl (we were born a day apart). Its super unofficial and we don't usually let the bars know we are coming in advance since we could end up changing our mind on where we wanna go. All of our friends get together (about 20-25 people) and hop around Corktown all day. In the past, we usually never made it to the last stop which is Corktown Tavern but we did this year and I am so glad.All I can really stress is that we all received excellent service. Lacey the bartender and Joe the Chef were Awesome!! They found out it was our birthday (probably from the annoying bday crowns we were wearing) and sent our group appetizers and Tiramisu cake on the house!! How awesome. We really appreciated how accommodating they were to our group and how they made us feel special. Can't wait to come back next year!!! You guys rock.

This used to be a great bar and an excellent venue for concerts. Used to be. The owners fired some key employees and cancelled a bunch of shows that had been previously booked, in an apparent effort to reinvent the place. As a business owner, I understand this was their prerogative but leaving all the bands, promoters, and patrons hanging with no notice is a classless move, not to mention replacing a long time employee with no notice and without cause. I will never put another dollar in their pocket.

I've had a couple incredibly insane and extremely memorable times here, and met some characters who looked like they were bound to smash a beer stein right through the wall for fun.Whenever there's live music or a DJ expect to have a good time despite yourself -- the grime, the poorly transitioned music... I'm no fan of house music but -- who cares, I had a good time. I ain't gonna hate on it.

The staff is very friendly and accommodating! So glad we stopped in. The menu looks great and very affordable!