Dakota Inn Rathskeller

Dakota Inn Rathskeller

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Open Wednesday through Saturday. Live music every night. Prost! The Dakota Inn Rathskeller was opened on August 1, 1933 by Karl Kurz, the Grandfather of Karl E.

Open since 1933, the Dakota Inn is an authentic German restaurant and beloved Detroit landmark featuring traditional Bavarian recipes, a cozy Rathskeller wine bar, and a giant Biergarten. Kurz, the present owner. 93 years later, Detroit's only authentic German bar is still going strong! Join us for band nights with authentic German bands or the ambience of our classic piano sing-alongs.

06/13/2026

Saturday! We open at noon! World Cup on all day. Live music begins inside AND outside at 6pm. If you missed the Huff Quintet last time they were here, you don't want to miss them again. Also, happy 40th to Joseph Naglesworth - make sure to buy him a beer in the garten. Prost! 🍻

06/12/2026

Bratwurst. Sauerkraut. Mustard. Hands only. It's a tradition that has brought families and friends together for generations.
So grab that bun, dig in with your hands, and savor every bite. When you are done, reward yourself with an Underberg to settle the stomach and lift the spirits. Prost!

06/12/2026

PROST! 🍻

🍺 A Ford factory worker spent his nights and weekends quietly converting a Chinese laundry on John R Street into a Bavarian beer hall. That was 1933 - and it's still there.

Dakota Inn Rathskeller might be Detroit's only real authentic German bar:

✓ Started as a three-stool rathskeller; now seats 145 across a space packed with antique beer steins, family hunting trophies, and hand-painted murals from the founder's Bavarian childhood
✓ Servers in dirndls and lederhosen, a piano leading live sing-alongs, sauerbraten and schnitzel on the menu: the 1930s atmosphere is entirely intact
✓ Listed on the Michigan State Register of Historic Sites in 1988, and still the only place in Detroit where this particular night exists

Ninety-two years in and nothing quite like it for miles.

➡️ Dakota Inn Rathskeller
📍 17324 John R St, Detroit, MI 48203

06/11/2026

We will open at 3pm today (Thursday) and tomorrow for the World Cup. Prost! ⚽️🍺

Photos from Dakota Inn Rathskeller's post 06/10/2026

When the beer is flowing, you need something that sticks to your ribs and warms your soul. Short-grain rice, fresh herbs, tender Napa cabbage. That’s it. Honest & hearty.
So take a big bite, and let’s get back to the drinking! 🍲🍺

06/09/2026

Wednesday we welcome back and the Eat It Up Trio. Food & drink 4-10pm. Music 6-9pm. As always, no cover.

06/08/2026

Busy week at the Inn... Tuesday we're excited to welcome for their weekly after party.

Wednesday we welcome back & the Eat It Up Trio for Jazz Night.

Thursday & Friday we'll open an hour early for the 3pm matches. USA plays Friday 10pm and there's also a match Saturday 1pm.

Saturday night we'll have live music inside and outside. Should be a great week. Prost!

06/05/2026

First things first — drink the beer! 🍺 it’s our invitation to good times.
Once you’ve taken that first sip, then we talk about the food. The bratwurst, the sausages, the stuffed cabbage stew that hugs your soul. Don’t worry — we’ll be back around to top off that glass before you even finish your first bite. Guten Appetit. 🍻🥨

06/02/2026

Tomorrow (Wednesday) we welcome back the Bob Mervak Trio. No cover. Bring a friend. Or two.

05/29/2026

Blues skies in the Biergarten. Open Friday 4-11pm & Saturday 12-11pm. Live music both nights. Prost!🍺

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Telephone

Address


17324 John R Street
Detroit, MI
48203

Opening Hours

Wednesday 4pm - 10pm
Thursday 4pm - 10pm
Friday 4pm - 11pm
Saturday 12pm - 11pm