Standby is a go to for a great time. Simple design and layout but the music and vibe is always top notch. I will say it can get a little tight/crowded in there, but I guess that's part of the vibe. Staff is always super cool and the drinks never disappoint. Can't even lie, I forgot I ever ate here lol. Haven't eaten beef in 6 years, but I'm sure the Standby Cheese Burger and Fries was good when I had it lol.

What a great little peek a boo place! the atmosphere here is quiet, and low, but the food here is out of this world. Staff was wonderful and kind. And on top of things. only negative i have is how far the bathroom is. lol ( its quite comical)

Updating my review now that Matty Matheson (of The Bear fame) came thru and re-vamped their menu. The drinks are still on point, but Matty is a GENIUS. It's a small but mighty menu and so delicious. We tried damn near all of the (Food) menu: *CRISPY PORK BELLY (milk bread toast, chili hoisin mayo, ginger, scallion) - yo, how have I not had pork belly on toast in my 3 decades of existence of this planet?!?!?!? I want this all the time. It was a PERFECT bite of savory, sweet, acid, heat. Damn. * FULLY LOADED SWEET POTATOES (corn, jalapeño, crema, fried cheese) - Another GENIUS move. Just wow wow - it's basically like esquites ON a sweet potato. The cheese curds are also genius. Anyways, flavor town status. *COCONUT SHRIMP & JERK MAYO (green onion, serrano relish) - This was perfectly fried and quite delish but in the context of the other two shareables, I wouldn't order this again. *BRICK CHICKEN (buttery mash, pan jus) - When you have a chicken dish on the menu, it had better be AMAZING and I mean it was pretty amazing. Crispy skin. Huge portion (half a chicken?!). Delish. *STEAK FRITES (tenderloin, au poivre) - I found it interesting that the sauce for the brick chicken & steak frites were exactly the same. This was my friend's dish so I didn't try any so can't comment on flavor. Looked like it was cooked properly though! *8oz BISTRO BURGER & FRIES (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, cheese) - okay I say this in the most loving way but it tasted like Burger King (elevated) and McDonald's fries. I actually think that's a pretty impressive feat to do that in an elevated way like Standby did! Taylor - our server - was great. Super attentive and gave great recs. Also we were celebrating our friend's birthday so it was sweet that they sent out a complimentary lemon drop shot w/ candle!

We had a great night cap on a busy Saturday night - the bar is open until 2 and has a fun vibe and great music. Top-notch cocktails - it's fun to sit at the bar and watch - the bartenders are cool and friendly. They made me the nicest mocktail - I told them what I like, and they made me something. Delicious and pretty - I don't usually spend $12 on a mocktail, but it's nice to sit at the bar with a pretty drink while your friends have cocktails. It's a great spot to stop on your downtown tour.

Always fantastic here- and the staff is the best- I've been coming for years and years and been through changes of chef, menu, staff, etc and somehow the high quality continues

Love this place!!! Happy hour on Sunday? Wow !! Favorite place in Detroit for a drink and always great service. They have a large drink menu and give great suggestions. It's a smaller restaurant but has a decent size bar. It gets very crowded in the evenings so plan ahead.

Aptly named, Standby is still the best restaurant + cocktail bar in Detroit. Whenever I'm downtown, I'm hard pressed to choose to go elsewhere because I just honestly would prefer to be here. The cocktails are consistently spectacular, and the rotating food menu is always enticing and delicious. I also consistently receive exceptional service. Top this off with an immaculate vibe, and you've got the makings of, well, a standby. I've come with family to celebrate birthdays, with friends to toast to a promotion, with my husband for an intimate date night, and solo when I just wanted to treat myself. Because of the seasonal menu rotations, there is always something new and interesting to sip or bite. A constant cocktail on the menu that I highly recommend is called the Snake in the Grass. But the best cocktail I had here was called the Black Beretta and was made with clementine sherbet and black sesame - outstanding! I also love that they have a rotating "break-even bottle" - where you can get a taste of typically pricey pours of whiskey, tequila, etc. for just as much money as it costs for them to break even on the bottle.

I've lived downtown Detroit a very long time. Standby until present day is hard to get into. Today's there's a bit more flexibility on a weekday but I still recommend a reservation. Dress up if you come or cool swag. Lights are dim and the music makes you feel better. Drinks are yummy and beers are welcome. The staff is lovely. Brandy is a doll. I did come alone and was treated right. I ordered the pasta and calamari! I love the deviled eggs. I love the carrots and honestly y'all the food is great. Doris approved. 4.6 Only because in order the deviled eggs a lot and a few times they have been cold even tho deep fried- and still yummy. I do like them better a bit warmer also sometimes when empty the food still takes a long time to come ourt- not that I am in a rush! Other than that- it's beautiful and I completely recommend for a date night, team thing for work, or a girls night out. Food: Tonight I got the calamari and the pasta. Calamari is a good mix of pieces. Soft but deep fried. It's in a coconut spicy pineapple white sauce. It's good but I didn't finish the plate. I also got the pasta. The cream sauce isn't special- taste out of the can. The sage would have been better fried. The stuffing is beautiful: really yummy and the shells would cooked al dente. Just lovely, Great amount of food for the price. And some crunch on top. I would recommend. I just wish the white sauce had some bite and there was just one slice of bread. I was offered fresh silverware that matters to me: and my waitress wasn't annoying I didn't feel rushed out. She was very nice and kind to me. Highly recommend!