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- Home Sugar House: a craft cocktail bar in Detroit. Cocktails, classes, private events, and a whiskey program.
- About The story, philosophy, and team behind the bar.
- Visit Address, hours, parking, and how to find us.
- Cocktail Menu The current seasonal and classic cocktail lists.
- Mixology Classes Hands-on cocktail classes; book a seat or a private class.
- Happenings Recurring programming and upcoming one-off events.
- Whiskey Bar The whiskey program, barrel picks, and tasting events.
- Private Events Host a private party or buyout in the bar.
- Bartending Services Off-site and event bartending.
- Start Planning Begin planning a private event or class with us.
- Shop Bitters, barware, merch, and gift cards.
- Gift Cards Buy a Sugar House gift card.
- The Vault Recipes, technique, and stories from behind the bar.
Mixology Classes
- Mixology 208: Aperitifs, Digestifs and Amari 200 — Bittersweet Architecture: The Story of Aperitifs Trace the evolution of aperitifs from their ancient origins as medicinal, herb-infused tonics to their rise as the definitive, glamorous golden-hour rituals of Europe and the New World. This class explores how aromatized wines, bitter liqueurs, and botanical spirits became the bedrock of modern drinking culture—crafted not just to stimulate the palate, but to set the tone for gathering, conversation, and appetite. Dive into regional styles and distinct traditions—from the elegant, wormwood-infused Vermouths and gentian-laced Quinquinas of France, to the bold, bittersweet Amari and vibrant spritzes of Italy, extending into the creative, botanically driven expressions of the New World. Along the way, you’ll discover "The Herbalist's Craft"—learning how botanicals, barks, roots, citrus peels, and fortified wine bases are meticulously blended to create an intricate balance of bitter, sweet, and aromatic flavor profiles. Enjoy a guided flight that highlights the remarkable depth and complexity of unique aperitif styles, and put your knowledge into practice by crafting two timeless, perfectly balanced classic cocktails. Ideal for cocktail enthusiasts, wine lovers, and curious palates looking to master the art of low-ABV sipping and bittersweet balance, this class offers a deeper understanding of the vibrant history and craft behind the world’s greatest pre-dinner drinks. The Experience Duration: 2 hours of expert-led instruction. Tastings: A curated flight of unique aperitifs, aromatized wines, and 2 handcrafted classic cocktails. Pairings: A complimentary welcome drink and our signature truffle popcorn.
- Mixology 205: World Whisky 200 — The Water of Life: World Whisky Trace the evolution of whisky beyond American shores, from the malt houses of Scotland through Ireland's rise, collapse, and revival, to Japan's century-long pursuit of a house style and the new-world distillers now rewriting the rules in India, Taiwan, and Australia. This class explores how one simple recipe of grain, water, yeast, and wood became a genuinely global spirit, with nearly every country that adopted it arriving at a completely different answer. Dive into regional styles, from the peated malts of Islay and the sherried richness of Speyside to Ireland's triple-distilled single pot still, built on a mash of both malted and unmalted barley, and Japan's precise, restrained blending tradition. Along the way you'll discover "The Blender's Art," learning how malt and grain whiskies, cask selection, and climate are combined to build a consistent house style year after year, the discipline that most separates the rest of the whisky world from America's single-distillery approach. Ideal for bourbon drinkers ready to cross the water, and for anyone who has decided they don't like Scotch based on one bad pour, this class offers a deeper understanding of how far a single spirit travels and how much the destination changes it. The Experience Duration: 2 hours of expert-led instruction. Tastings: A curated range of regional styles and 2 handcrafted cocktails. Pairings: A complimentary welcome punch and our signature truffle popcorn.
- Mixology 101: Fundamentals 100 — The Foundational Classics We'll walk through the rich history and American roots of cocktails, as well as an overview of distillation, spirits, and flavors. Then demonstrate the proper way to muddle, stir, and shake to achieve the perfect pour. To bring it all together, you’ll get hands-on experience crafting three core classics - the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Daiquiri. We’ll talk about glassware, ice, and garnishes so you’re prepared with everything you need to get started at home. The afternoon starts with a welcome punch and ends with you shaking with confidence. Perfect for beginners and curious enthusiasts, this class sets the stage for your mixology journey with equal parts history, technique, and hands-on experience. Great way to spend a Saturday!
- Mixology 102: Secondary Classics 100 — Mixology 102: The Rise of the Secondary Classics Build on the foundations of Mixology 101 with a deeper exploration of how imported European liqueurs and wines transformed cocktail culture in the very late 19th and early 20th centuries. This class traces the shift from simple builds to more layered, expressive drinks, leading to the refined styles used during Prohibition. Learn how expanding ingredient availability—liqueurs, fortified wines, and aromatized spirits—reshaped balance, technique, and creativity behind the bar. We’ll break down the structure of “secondary classics,” showing how bartenders began to experiment with complexity, texture, and presentation. Through guided instruction, you’ll craft three iconic cocktails that define this evolution: the Sidecar, the Highball, and the Flip. Perfect for those ready to go beyond the basics, this class sharpens your technique while expanding your understanding of how modern cocktail culture came to be. Duration: 2 hours of expert-led instruction. Tastings: Quality wines imported from Europe, Secondary Spirits 3 handcrafted cocktails Sidecar, the Highball, and the Flip Pairings: A complimentary welcome punch and our signature truffle popcorn. Technique: ISI Carbonation
Recurring Happenings
- Agave Tuesday 15% off all tequila and mezcal 2 oz pours and classic cocktails. Try our single barrel Corazón tequila finished in our Weller Full Proof barrel.
- Whiskey Wednesday Featuring $10 Makers Mark Old Fashioned, $12 pours of Makers Cask Strength (2 oz.), and discounted pours from our extensive whiskey menu.
Upcoming Events
- Sugar House 15th Anniversary 15 years of Sugar House calls for a toast Mark your calendar for October 8. We’re bringing back cocktails from our original menu, with live music to carry us through the night. We’d love to celebrate with you.