Hello, travelers!
One of the best things to do in the Metro-Detroit Area on the weekends is have a great meal or grab a drink. Over the past few years, many cool bars and restaurants have popped up around the city, and as native Detroiters, we love trying them out! We recently visited one of the most talked about cocktail bars that opened up last year in East Village: Father Forgive Me. Built into an old church’s garage, it first opened its doors to the public in June of 2025. After hearing about the unconventional space and the delicious cocktail menu, we knew we had to check it out. Here’s why we loved it!
THE ATMOSPHERE
One of the top reasons you should consider going to Father Forgive Me is the fact that it’s a part of The Shepherd, a cultural art center that’s built into an old Romanesque-style church. While the bar only takes up the church’s garage space, the church itself houses art exhibition spaces, a public library, a performing arts theater, and a workshop space. Father Forgive Me is one of several spaces on the grounds that are separate from the cultural center but work in harmony with it. Some of those other spaces include a boutique bed and breakfast called ALEO, a sculpture park honoring Detroit artist Charles McGee, and a skatepark designed by Tony Hawk. While we didn’t go into the church itself, we walked the grounds and saw the sculptures and skatepark, both of which were incredible!
The bar itself is beautifully designed with low lighting, swanky seats and couches, and even stained glass in the swinging doors that we are guessing are original to the church. Although it was a breezy autumn night when we visited, the garage style doors were still open, allowing for patrons to drink and dine both indoor and out. We picked a table outside on the gravel pathways, and many tables and seats were near fire pits or under large umbrellas.
We enjoyed the carefree attitude of the bartenders allowing patrons who just wanted a drink to sit at the tables outdoors or at the bar (which is first come first serve). The whole space felt upscale and refined, and the outdoor sculptures and manicured grounds added to the luxurious ambience. While we were slightly dressed up, we did see other groups of people in casual attire and even skaters from the skatepark coming up with their boards to grab a drink, so it truly is a relaxed atmosphere for those who are dressed up or more casual.
WHAT WE ORDERED
We came here after dinner purely for drinks, so we each decided to order one of their custom signature cocktails. Lillian ordered their take on a negroni called a “dog days negroni.” It featured Tanqueray, Campari, Cocchi Rosa, and clarified strawberry broth with a long rectangular ice cube in a tall glass. Lillian is a fan of Campari so she was lured in by the description, and was pleasantly surprised with their take on a negroni. Ryan ordered the “hokusai highball” which is a drink with vodka, Agwa de Bolivia, Vermouth, Midori, yuzu, honeydew + lemongrass + coriander cordial, green tea, and CO2. Ryan is a big fan of any drink with Midori (honeydew liquor) so he had to order this drink. Both were absolutely delicious! We enjoyed sipping them while sitting by the sculpture garden.
VERDICT
We loved this new Detroit gem, and would love to come back. We hope that next time we’ll come during the day so we can walk around The Shepherd, but also to try some snacks and sweets along with drinks from their menu. If you are wanting a unique dining or drinks experience, it’s hard to beat Father Forgive Me. We highly recommend you stopping here if it’s your first time in Detroit, or if you are a native Detroiter/Michigander like we are and are looking for a new spot to grab drinks with friends.
If you want to read about some of our other favorite spots in Detroit, or in the Midwest in general, check out the Midwest tab under “U.S. Travel.” If you’re new here, subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on our socials to stay updated on all our latest travel content!
Happy travels,