The 10 Best Bars in Bay City, MI

Coonan's Irish Hub

Irish pub · $

Beer, cocktails and plenty to do beyond ordering a drink put Coonan's Irish Hub at No. 1 among bars in Bay City, MI. Its 4.7 Google rating across 1,034 reviews supports that placement, while sports viewing, trivia night and happy-hour food and drinks give it several distinct draws. The casual, cozy bar serves lunch, dinner and late-night food, with outdoor seating available. Friday hours run until midnight, and Saturday hours extend to 1 a.m.

• Trivia night
• Happy-hour food
• Late-night dining

“It took over an hour for group of 6 to receive their food.”

Gatsby's Seafood & Steakhouse

Steak · $$

Brick walls and a retro speakeasy feel give Gatsby's Seafood & Steakhouse a distinct setting for drinks at 203 Center Ave in Bay City, MI. Its No. 2 rank rests on an on-site bar serving cocktails, beer, wine and liquor, alongside a 4.6 Google rating from 1,462 reviews. Seafood, steaks and pasta make it an option for dinner with drinks, while a fireplace adds to the cozy atmosphere. Outdoor seating is available, and Friday and Saturday hours extend to 10 p.m.

• Retro speakeasy feel
• Cocktails and wine
• Dinner with drinks

“If you're in town and in the mood for a great steak, this is the place! I ordered the "sizzler" (steak) with mashed potatoes and veggies. Perfectly portioned and cooked exactly how I ordered it. I was surprised by the price, VERY reasona…”

Beaver's Pub

Restaurant · $$

Beer, cocktails and sports watching give Beaver's Pub a clear bar focus, while late-night food and midnight closing on Fridays and Saturdays add flexibility. This women-owned spot at 200 Center Ave in Bay City, MI earns rank 3 with a 4.6 Google rating across 1,084 reviews and a casual, cozy setting. One reviewer praised the smoked old fashioned and service; another enjoyed the outdoor seating. Happy-hour drinks, small plates and dog-friendly outdoor seating round out the reasons to visit.

• Beer and cocktails
• Late-night food
• Dog-friendly outdoor seating

“Great place food fantastic!! Great atmosphere 100% best place”

Retro Rocks

Bar · $$

A vintage-themed setting and a broad range of bar offerings earn Retro Rocks the No. 4 spot in Bay City, MI. At 708 Saginaw St, it pairs beer, cocktails, wine, and liquor with a globally inspired, made-from-scratch menu. Trivia nights, sports viewing, and happy-hour food and drinks give the bar several distinct draws. Outdoor seating adds another option, while Friday and Saturday hours run until 2 a.m. Its 4.6 Google rating from 592 reviews supports its placement.

• Trivia nights
• Happy-hour food and drinks
• Open until 2 a.m.

“One of our favorite spots! That chicken buffalo dip and pita chips is a game changer! Always a great experience”

North Peak Brewing Company - Bay City

Brewpub · $

House-brewed craft beer anchors North Peak Brewing Company’s fifth-place entry in Bay City, MI, with cocktails, liquor, and wine rounding out the drinks selection. At 1100 N Water St, it serves a full pub-food menu at the bar and through table service. A fireplace, outdoor seating, and live entertainment give guests several ways to settle in. Friday and Saturday hours extend to midnight, while a 4.6 Google rating from 243 reviews adds support, with positive excerpts praising food, service, and ambiance.

• House-brewed craft beer
• Food at bar
• Weekend midnight closing

“Julie was a fabulous server and made our dining experience a delight.”

Wanigan Eatery and Pub

Sandwich · $

A beer garden, waterfront-view patio and Friday live music at 6 p.m. give Wanigan Eatery and Pub its appeal at No. 6 in Bay City, MI. The full bar serves craft beers, cocktails, wine and liquor, while sandwiches, perch and made-from-scratch soups make it a lunch or dinner stop as well. Locally owned for nearly 40 years, Wanigan occupies a 116-year-old building tied to the city’s lumber history. Its 4.6-star Google rating across 731 reviews adds support to the selection.

• Waterfront-view patio
• Friday live music
• Full bar

“Called in a take out order. Worker took my order quickly and repeated everything back. Food was prepared quickly. Got home and the meal was missing two portions of chips. One sandwhich had tomato and I asked for none. The worker did inde…”

Bemo's Bar

Bar · $

Live music seven nights a week gives Bemo's Bar its defining draw and earns it the No. 7 spot in Bay City, MI. The bar at 701 S Madison Ave pairs performances and dancing with beer, cocktails, wine and happy-hour drinks in a casual, cozy setting. One reviewer praised both the bartender and the bands, while its Google rating stands at 4.5 stars from 638 reviews. Daily hours of 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., outdoor seating and free parking add practical appeal.

• Nightly live music
• Happy-hour drinks
• Outdoor seating

“Fun place. Bartender was super nice, and the bands were fantastic!”

Tavern 101

Restaurant · $$

Craft brews on tap, globally influenced bar food and several ways to spend an evening earn Tavern 101 the No. 8 spot. At 101 Center Ave in Bay City, MI, the bar offers cocktails, wine and liquor alongside beer, with happy hour food and drinks. Live music, trivia nights and sports viewing add to the draw, while outdoor seating provides another option. Its 4.5-star Google rating across 1,397 reviews supports the selection; excerpts praise the food and drinks, though service feedback is mixed.

• Craft beer taps
• Happy hour offerings
• Live music nights

“Great place, friendly staff, good service, nice location, and wow that popcorn!”

Level Up Lounge

Snack bar · $

Board games and a TV give Level Up Lounge at 401 Center Ave in Bay City, MI a casual, activity-focused setting. This bar earns its No. 9 spot with a broad quick-bite menu, a lounge area suited to groups, and a 5-out-of-5 Google rating from 20 reviews. Pizza, subs, hot dogs, pretzels and nachos cover several snacking options, while salads offer another choice. Dine-in and takeout are available, and Friday and Saturday hours run until 9 p.m.

• Board game lounge
• Pizza and subs
• Dine-in and takeout

Mulligan's Pub

Restaurant · $

Dim lighting and a tin ceiling give Mulligan's Pub at 107 Center Ave in Bay City, MI a setting that reviewers appreciate for its old-building character. It earns rank 10 with beer and cocktails, burgers and other pub fare served at the bar, and happy-hour food and drinks. Bar games and sports watching add reasons to linger, while Friday and Saturday hours run until 2 a.m. Its 4.4-star Google rating across 1,123 reviews supports the selection, with excerpts praising food, value, and service.

• Happy-hour food and drinks
• Bar games
• Late weekend hours

“Great food at a good price. Love the old building style.”