The best bars & nightlife in Traverse City

12 bars & nightlife we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

Browse another shelf: all of Traverse City’s best · Restaurants · Beauty · Bakeries & Sweets · Home & Garden · Shopping · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Entertainment · Sporting Goods · Arts & Culture · Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · Health & Wellness

Pinned in Traverse City today

This spot is open today.

Two pinned places a day in Traverse City — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. List your business →

Paid placements are always marked.

Nightlife · 12 places · showing the latest additions first

Kilkenny's

Nightlife

When you want a no-fuss pint and proper comfort food, Kilkenny's delivers traditional pub fare, craft drinks, and handcrafted brews that…

400 W Front St · ✓ checked Jul 28

When you want a no-fuss pint and proper comfort food, Kilkenny's delivers traditional pub fare, craft drinks, and handcrafted brews that hit the spot. Ideal for post-shift catchups or a low-key night with friends... just bring your best toast and let the sláinte do the talking.

From the Traverse City newsletter, September 11, 2026

Website ↗

Tucked in a century-old root cellar, The Barrel Room pours Northern Michigan wine and cider right where the barrels rest, with guided…

1400 Yellow Dr · ✓ checked Jul 28

Tucked in a century-old root cellar, The Barrel Room pours Northern Michigan wine and cider right where the barrels rest, with guided tastings that dig into the LFC story plus a Barrel Room Board of artisan cheeses and accoutrements that actually make your favorites pop.

From the Traverse City newsletter, August 7, 2026

Website ↗

Low Bar

Nightlife

Low Bar revives pre-prohibition charm with crafted cocktails and Northern Michigan's most extensive list of rare bourbon, scotch, tequila,…

128 S Union St · ✓ checked Aug 5

Low Bar revives pre-prohibition charm with crafted cocktails and Northern Michigan's most extensive list of rare bourbon, scotch, tequila, gin, rum, and vodka. Slide in this week for a proper pour, explore 70-plus whiskeys and 200-plus spirits, and let the bartenders steer your evening right.

From the Traverse City newsletter, August 13, 2026

Website ↗

Rustic eatery with a market and brewery specializing in farm-to-table grub and beer.

10051 Lake Leelanau Dr

Rustic eatery with a market and brewery specializing in farm-to-table grub and beer.

Website ↗
Run a Traverse City business? Two pinned spots a day — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. Advertise →

Blue Goat Wine & Provisions pairs a cozy wine bar with a retail stash of well-chosen wines, craft beers, ciders, spirits, and provisions,…

875 E Front St · ✓ checked Sep 11

Blue Goat Wine & Provisions pairs a cozy wine bar with a retail stash of well-chosen wines, craft beers, ciders, spirits, and provisions, all curated with balance and a sense of place. Slide in for a thoughtful pour, then snag a staff-picked bottle for the week’s dinners.

From the Traverse City newsletter, September 15, 2026

Website ↗

The Parlor TC

Nightlife

The Parlor TC serves up fresh, handcrafted cocktails like cherry wood smoked bourbon and herb-infused sippers alongside rotating gastropub…

205 Lake Ave

The Parlor TC serves up fresh, handcrafted cocktails like cherry wood smoked bourbon and herb-infused sippers alongside rotating gastropub plates that change monthly, all in a historic train weigh station with exposed beams and candlelight. Expect chill nights that turn into lively themed parties or private events.

From the Traverse City newsletter, September 6, 2026

Website ↗

Colibri Wine Bar pours hand-selected, food-friendly wines and drinks designed to play nice with their menu, so every sip actually makes…

414 E Eighth St · ✓ checked Aug 14

Colibri Wine Bar pours hand-selected, food-friendly wines and drinks designed to play nice with their menu, so every sip actually makes your bite better. When you want something curated without being fussy, this is your midweek reset spot where expertise shows up in the glass.

From the Traverse City newsletter, August 18, 2026

Website ↗

MiddleCoast

Nightlife

Skip the same-old and grab a seat at MiddleCoast, the historic police stables turned modern hangout pouring seasonal and experimental…

329 E State St Unit 2 · ✓ checked Aug 14

Skip the same-old and grab a seat at MiddleCoast, the historic police stables turned modern hangout pouring seasonal and experimental brews, plus house-crafted spirits. The from-scratch kitchen backs it up with handmade plates, so your midweek hangs suddenly feel like an occasion.

From the Traverse City newsletter, August 22, 2026

Website ↗

Traverse City Comedy Club keeps the laughs coming with a regular lineup of shows and a proper food and drink menu. Grab a seat, split some…

738 S Garfield Ave · ✓ checked Sep 18

Traverse City Comedy Club keeps the laughs coming with a regular lineup of shows and a proper food and drink menu. Grab a seat, split some quesadillas, and support a spot that’s genuinely investing in Traverse City’s comedy scene, even inviting locals to step up to the mic.

From the Traverse City newsletter, September 5, 2026

Website ↗

Locals keep Lil Bo Bar and Restaurant in their regular rotation for award-winning chili, killer Po' Boys, and homestyle comfort that pairs…

540 W Front St · ✓ checked Sep 18

Locals keep Lil Bo Bar and Restaurant in their regular rotation for award-winning chili, killer Po' Boys, and homestyle comfort that pairs with a rotating seasonal cocktail list.

From the Traverse City newsletter, September 4, 2026

Website ↗

Housed in a beautifully restored 1931 red brick building, Rare Bird Brewpub pours its own beers alongside a wide range of beers and…

229 Lake Ave · ✓ checked Sep 18

Housed in a beautifully restored 1931 red brick building, Rare Bird Brewpub pours its own beers alongside a wide range of beers and beverages from Michigan and around the world, then backs it up with seasonal grub. Perfect when you want a house pint, or to try something new.

From the Traverse City newsletter, September 22, 2026

Website ↗

Left Foot Charley pours award-winning wines and hard ciders in a tasting room set at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, plus a…

806 Red Dr Ste 100 · ✓ checked Aug 5

Left Foot Charley pours award-winning wines and hard ciders in a tasting room set at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, plus a 19th-century root cellar Barrel Room where guided tastings meet curated artisan cheeses and cured meats, spotlighting fruit from small northern Michigan vineyards.

From the Traverse City newsletter, August 14, 2026

Website ↗

Listed here?

You’ve earned the mark — get the BaseLocal’s Best badge for your site →. Want in? List your business →