Lost River

Comments about Lost River

mustashman

April 7, 2022, 11:02 PM

A very intimate (tiny) bar with a great tiki atmosphere - even though they claim to be a tropical not tiki bar. The drinks are terrific and the drink menu is extensive. They're happy to make your favorites that aren't on the menu, and will even concoct delicious recipes if you give them an idea of what ingredients you like. The bartenders are pros who are very friendly and accommodating. They have a display case with memorabilia (mugs, menus, ashtrays, etc.) from Detroit tiki bars that are no longer in existence. I was shocked and amazed to find out about former Detroit tiki establishments that I never knew existed. There are continuous tropical themed (sometimes terrible yet great horror) movies being projected and tasty popup restaurants almost every day. It's definitely worth a visit - which will probably turn into many visits.

MichiganTikiLvur91

July 15, 2021, 7:09 PM

An excellent music selection and a projector with flicks playing (while we were there, it was a Japanese Godzilla movie and then an American greasers-in-Hawaii type movie). The drink menu was split between classics and originals, and my drinks were assolutamente delicious. The Zombie came complete with a nice fire show as some herbs were set on fire and Allspice was drizzled on top. The atmosphere was sufficiently dark and escapist to my taste. Service was great and the staff were very accommodating and chill. There was an Indian food truck park outside with delicious paneer wraps. Would recommend!

Lisa

Lisa has visited Lost River.

October 3, 2019, 11:08 PM

Such a hidden gem. Hannah was bar tending and she really knows what she’s doing and is super nice and helpful. I had a great Mai Tai [what I always get first at a place I’ve not been before so I can compare them fairly] with lovely decor in the drink. They have a signature mug [props for that!] and a nice menu of standard tiki drinks. The best part is that each drink is served in a classic tiki mug with plenty of extra decor to add a very festive atmosphere. Just looking at all the mugs they use to serve in was a treat. I’d love some type of bar snacks, even Chex Mix, just to have some nibbles, but that’s a minor point. I sat next to a couple of people from North Carolina who also seek out tiki spots when they travel, and since Detroit is still building its tiki audience this is a welcome spot that I highly recommend. Support tiki in Detroit! Don’t let the outside fool you - basically a black front with a neon sign above the door, but nothing else that draws you in. Just a few tikis, or some string lights to call attention to it would be great. It has a very friendly, inviting vibe. All in all a great addition to Detroit!

JohnnyFlamingo

JohnnyFlamingo has visited Lost River.

March 2, 2019, 10:35 PM

Very good service. Awesome selection of classics and orginals. Very fun staff and very friendly. Would recomend!

TikiWorldMan

TikiWorldMan is a semi-regular at Lost River.

February 15, 2019, 2:59 PM

Great tiki bar. Amazing drinks, great vibe - they clearly get how to do a modern tiki bar in Detroit. Feels like a tropical neighborhood bar. Parts of the old Detroit bar are preserved, seems to a good mix of locals and visitors. The staff is the best part. They know tiki, know rum, have unique specials that usually appear for just a day or two. Wish they had more space, but can't ding the spot based on the building/capacity. Hoping to see more great things out of this place in the future!

Tiki Mon

Tiki Mon has visited Lost River.

August 8, 2018, 5:36 PM

Dropped by to check out the new Lost River (wonder how Lost Lake feels about that). First off, it's in a pretty dodgy part of Detroit, but once you're inside it's a nice transformation. They are off to a nice start but it still need to ramp up it's Tikiness. It's really more of a Tiki themed bar at this point. Drink selection is limited and seems to be Gin, Bourbon and Ginger Beer heavy. They told me their Painkiller is the most popular drink which spells trouble if you are a good Tiki Bar. They get full marks for making all of their own syrups, and plan to expand on the beverage selection in the future . A solid B for effort, but it could be so much more.

Mantiki

Mantiki is a regular at Lost River, and is usually there Often.

July 16, 2018, 3:12 PM

I was excited to hear of another Tiki bar opening in Detroit so soon after Mutiny opened, and Lost River has not disappointed at all. These people know what they are doing.

The decor is very classy. It's not over the top, but still fully tiki forward. The mugs are fantastic and unique. The music is wonderful. Its a sad thing to say, but you rarely hear Les Baxter, Martin Denny and other exotic greats in most tiki bars. It really adds to the atmosphere.

Most importantly, the drinks are on point. A great selection of classic Tiki, and some fun originals. Home made syrup and hand squeezed juices in house make a BIG difference. A great selection of rums, and they will even happily make you a non tiki drink, as they did for someone in my group.

The staff are great. It really feels like a neighborhood bar...but in the middle of the South Pacific.

Merrill Stubing

Merrill Stubing has visited Lost River.

July 5, 2018, 10:02 PM

The most important thing Lost River has going for it are the people running it. They get Tiki and are working hard to make it right. They make their own syrups. They have commissioned some one-of-a-kind mugs and a beautiful mural from local artists. The exterior is simple, but perfect.

It's a terrific start.

The drinks we tried -- Mai Tai, Zombie, Dead Bastard -- leaned toward the tart/less sweet end of the spectrum. I liked this, personally, but others in our group, not as much. The Caipirinah was nicely sweet, however.

Our visit was during their second week of operation, so I expect to see a lot of tuning and tweaking in the months to come.

Tiki Zug

Tiki Zug has visited Lost River.

June 21, 2018, 9:05 AM

I have a lot of hope for this bar... we need more Tiki in the D

Regulars and Visitors of Lost River

Regulars

People who go to Lost River at least a few times a month.

• Zombified
  When I’m thirsty
• TikiGreg
  Wednesday or Thursday
• Mantiki
  Often
• Wotuka
• MattMerge

Semi-Regulars

People who go to Lost River at least a few times a year.

• 
  Anntiki
• 
  Garrlicbread
• 
  TikiWorldMan
• 
  sea_nymph
• 
  creatinemachine
• 
  nprorick

Visitors

People who have been to Lost River at least once.

• 
  Gordy
• 
  LouieLouie
• 
  tikitabby
• 
  Lisa
• 
  Tiki Chi
• 
  michiganminiac
• 
  DJMaxPayola
• 
  Tiki Mon
• 
  Tiki Zug
• 
  AtomicLady
• 
  TPA2LAS
• 
  JohnnyFlamingo
• 
  Blowfish72
• 
  Merrill Stubing
• 
  DesertTiki
• 
  krankenator
• 
  MichallaMarie
• 
  TheFuzzyMusk
• 
  Napsto
• 
  michigan_rummy
• 
  KBoroniec
• 
  Tiki Barbie
• 
  tikimnky
• 
  guyworthy
• 
  baxter's island
• 
  Chef Miller
• 
  Kunu
• 
  Watsonitis
• 
  linzmath
• 
  Tiki_hellcat
• 
  nutburgers
• 
  TIKISPERG
• 
  "Aloha" Adam Demerath
• 
  SeekytheTiki