Lowertown Bar & Cafe
Where morning coffee meets evening cocktails in Ann Arbor's historic northside.
Our Story
What began as a 1938 mechanic's garage has evolved into your neighborhood gathering spot. Lowertown Bar & Cafe bridges Ann Arbor's industrial past with its vibrant present, creating a space where everyone belongs.
We transformed this cinder-block box into something welcoming – adding warm wood finishes, comfortable booths, and plenty of natural light. It's still got character, just like our neighborhood.
Our Space
By day, sunlight streams through our windows, creating the perfect backdrop for coffee and conversation. As evening falls, warm lighting and a relaxed atmosphere make this the ideal spot to unwind.
Our spacious patio has quickly become a local favorite – whether you're bundled up around fire pits during winter snowfalls or soaking up summer evenings under open skies. And yes, we're dog-friendly outdoors.
Our Offerings
Morning brings locally-roasted Hyperion coffee and fresh pastries from nearby bakeries like Botanical Bakeshop and Beara Bakes. Afternoon and evening usher in craft cocktails, local beers, and thoughtful non-alcoholic options.
Our Camo Latte blends espresso with matcha for a unique morning kick, while evening favorites like the Michigan Rattler showcase our attention to craft – featuring house-made hibiscus syrup that steeps for days.
No kitchen? No problem. We partner with local food trucks to keep you fueled throughout your visit.
Our Neighborhood
Lowertown is more than a location – it's a community revival. This neighborhood predates much of downtown Ann Arbor, with the oldest commercial building in town just steps away.
We believe neighborhoods thrive when people have places to connect without traveling across town. That's why we're here – creating a "third place" between home and work where nearly 10,000 neighbors within walking distance can come together.
Join Us
Whether you're starting your day with caffeine, ending it with a cocktail, or just looking for a comfortable spot to connect with friends, we've saved you a seat.
No pretense. Just good drinks, good company, and a good time – morning, noon, or night.
“There’s great seating inside and out, the coffee is fantastic, staff is so kind and great dietary/lifestyle options both in coffee and cocktails/beers.”
“Since it opened, Lowertown has energized the vibe of our neighborhood! We love this place, love the coffee and the drinks. Especially the outdoor seating when the weather is nice is hard to beat!”
Yoni Pinto
“This place has quickly become one of my favorite spots in town. The drinks are good, there's ample outdoor and indoor space, and the atmosphere is lovely. It's far enough away from campus that it's not so congested and it's rather peaceful there. Highly recommend :)”
Emma Flynn
“The coffee is great, using Hyperion Coffee beans, and it's a great place to work during the day. At night, Lowertown turns into a bar, and hosts my favorite trivia night. The drinks are reasonably priced, service is good, and it's a fun place to hang out with friends.”
Nishant Kheterpal
“Love this place so much! Great vibes, super friendly staff, and the best cold brew in town. I also love that it turns into a bar at night. It’s the perfect laid back spot to grab a drink, especially on their patio around the fire pits, and their cocktails are delicious!”
Emily Reedy
“The espresso drinks are excellent. They do great classic cocktails and always have new unique options. Good variety of beer. My favorite thing is the selection of non-alcoholic/low alcohol options.”
Sarah Eppley
“The chai tea was amazing, and the music created a great vibe. Everyone around me was polite and respectful, making it a comfortable space to focus. I just wish they had more pastry or food options when I visited!”
Paige Ciuzicki
“Big community people who host food trucks consistently and Tuesday trivia nights that are fantastic! Love the fact that they allow/encourage outside food so we can make a day/night of it! As a regular, we also are grateful for the ways they remember orders, names, dogs, etc. The best spot in Ann Arbor!”
Erin Prior
“The perfect neighborhood spot!! We love coming here any time of day whether to meet with friends or co-workers, sometimes for work but mostly for time to relax and hang.”
Erin Prior
“We love Lowertown! Even if there were other cafes and bars nearby I would choose Lowertown every time. The people who work there are lovely and friendly - baristas and bartenders alike. I love the concept of a coffeeshop by day and bar by night.”
Sarah Eppley
“Great coffee, one of the best Mocha drinks I have had, and I LOVE cafes with real mugs.”
Savannah Coppersmith
“Within the first 3 weeks of them opening, I became a regular because i love it so much. The coffee is SO good and their drinks are delicious.”
Kate Miller
“Excellent coffee, excellent cocktails, great vibe, great outdoor seating, what's not to like? It's a most welcome addition to the neighborhood.”
Ronen Steinberg
“Incredible new addition to the neighborhood! Great for reading and working in the morning, or for going out with friends in the evening. Drinks are delicious, coffee is great, staff is super helpful.”
Will B.
“Wanted to host a casual birthday party for my friend, so I emailed to see if we could reserve a table for a larger group. They not only held a table for us, but had the tables decorated with happy birthday signs before we even got there. Employees were so so sweet to us. 11/10 experience and can't recommend enough.”
H. L.
“Whether you're an easy going any-coffee person or a hipster coffee snob who home roasts like me, you'll like Lowertown. It felt like a hybrid garden oasis and speakeasy.”
Kevin F.
“As a coffee enthusiast and cafe aficionado, I absolutely adore Lo Bar & Cafe. They truly elevate the coffee experience.”
Brian M.
“There’s great seating inside and out, the coffee is fantastic, staff is so kind and great dietary/lifestyle options both in coffee and cocktails/beers.”
“Since it opened, Lowertown has energized the vibe of our neighborhood! We love this place, love the coffee and the drinks. Especially the outdoor seating when the weather is nice is hard to beat!”
Yoni Pinto
“This place has quickly become one of my favorite spots in town. The drinks are good, there's ample outdoor and indoor space, and the atmosphere is lovely. It's far enough away from campus that it's not so congested and it's rather peaceful there. Highly recommend :)”
Emma Flynn
“The coffee is great, using Hyperion Coffee beans, and it's a great place to work during the day. At night, Lowertown turns into a bar, and hosts my favorite trivia night. The drinks are reasonably priced, service is good, and it's a fun place to hang out with friends.”
Nishant Kheterpal
“Love this place so much! Great vibes, super friendly staff, and the best cold brew in town. I also love that it turns into a bar at night. It’s the perfect laid back spot to grab a drink, especially on their patio around the fire pits, and their cocktails are delicious!”
Emily Reedy
“The espresso drinks are excellent. They do great classic cocktails and always have new unique options. Good variety of beer. My favorite thing is the selection of non-alcoholic/low alcohol options.”
Sarah Eppley
“The chai tea was amazing, and the music created a great vibe. Everyone around me was polite and respectful, making it a comfortable space to focus. I just wish they had more pastry or food options when I visited!”
Paige Ciuzicki
“Big community people who host food trucks consistently and Tuesday trivia nights that are fantastic! Love the fact that they allow/encourage outside food so we can make a day/night of it! As a regular, we also are grateful for the ways they remember orders, names, dogs, etc. The best spot in Ann Arbor!”
Erin Prior
“The perfect neighborhood spot!! We love coming here any time of day whether to meet with friends or co-workers, sometimes for work but mostly for time to relax and hang.”
Erin Prior
“We love Lowertown! Even if there were other cafes and bars nearby I would choose Lowertown every time. The people who work there are lovely and friendly - baristas and bartenders alike. I love the concept of a coffeeshop by day and bar by night.”
Sarah Eppley
“Great coffee, one of the best Mocha drinks I have had, and I LOVE cafes with real mugs.”
Savannah Coppersmith
“Within the first 3 weeks of them opening, I became a regular because i love it so much. The coffee is SO good and their drinks are delicious.”
Kate Miller
“Excellent coffee, excellent cocktails, great vibe, great outdoor seating, what's not to like? It's a most welcome addition to the neighborhood.”
Ronen Steinberg
“Incredible new addition to the neighborhood! Great for reading and working in the morning, or for going out with friends in the evening. Drinks are delicious, coffee is great, staff is super helpful.”
Will B.
“Wanted to host a casual birthday party for my friend, so I emailed to see if we could reserve a table for a larger group. They not only held a table for us, but had the tables decorated with happy birthday signs before we even got there. Employees were so so sweet to us. 11/10 experience and can't recommend enough.”
H. L.
“Whether you're an easy going any-coffee person or a hipster coffee snob who home roasts like me, you'll like Lowertown. It felt like a hybrid garden oasis and speakeasy.”
Kevin F.
“As a coffee enthusiast and cafe aficionado, I absolutely adore Lo Bar & Cafe. They truly elevate the coffee experience.”
Brian M.
“There’s great seating inside and out, the coffee is fantastic, staff is so kind and great dietary/lifestyle options both in coffee and cocktails/beers.”
“Since it opened, Lowertown has energized the vibe of our neighborhood! We love this place, love the coffee and the drinks. Especially the outdoor seating when the weather is nice is hard to beat!”
Yoni Pinto
“This place has quickly become one of my favorite spots in town. The drinks are good, there's ample outdoor and indoor space, and the atmosphere is lovely. It's far enough away from campus that it's not so congested and it's rather peaceful there. Highly recommend :)”
Emma Flynn
“The coffee is great, using Hyperion Coffee beans, and it's a great place to work during the day. At night, Lowertown turns into a bar, and hosts my favorite trivia night. The drinks are reasonably priced, service is good, and it's a fun place to hang out with friends.”
Nishant Kheterpal
“Love this place so much! Great vibes, super friendly staff, and the best cold brew in town. I also love that it turns into a bar at night. It’s the perfect laid back spot to grab a drink, especially on their patio around the fire pits, and their cocktails are delicious!”
Emily Reedy
“The espresso drinks are excellent. They do great classic cocktails and always have new unique options. Good variety of beer. My favorite thing is the selection of non-alcoholic/low alcohol options.”
Sarah Eppley
“The chai tea was amazing, and the music created a great vibe. Everyone around me was polite and respectful, making it a comfortable space to focus. I just wish they had more pastry or food options when I visited!”
Paige Ciuzicki
“Big community people who host food trucks consistently and Tuesday trivia nights that are fantastic! Love the fact that they allow/encourage outside food so we can make a day/night of it! As a regular, we also are grateful for the ways they remember orders, names, dogs, etc. The best spot in Ann Arbor!”
Erin Prior
“The perfect neighborhood spot!! We love coming here any time of day whether to meet with friends or co-workers, sometimes for work but mostly for time to relax and hang.”
Erin Prior
“We love Lowertown! Even if there were other cafes and bars nearby I would choose Lowertown every time. The people who work there are lovely and friendly - baristas and bartenders alike. I love the concept of a coffeeshop by day and bar by night.”
Sarah Eppley
“Great coffee, one of the best Mocha drinks I have had, and I LOVE cafes with real mugs.”
Savannah Coppersmith
“Within the first 3 weeks of them opening, I became a regular because i love it so much. The coffee is SO good and their drinks are delicious.”
Kate Miller
“Excellent coffee, excellent cocktails, great vibe, great outdoor seating, what's not to like? It's a most welcome addition to the neighborhood.”
Ronen Steinberg
“Incredible new addition to the neighborhood! Great for reading and working in the morning, or for going out with friends in the evening. Drinks are delicious, coffee is great, staff is super helpful.”
Will B.
“Wanted to host a casual birthday party for my friend, so I emailed to see if we could reserve a table for a larger group. They not only held a table for us, but had the tables decorated with happy birthday signs before we even got there. Employees were so so sweet to us. 11/10 experience and can't recommend enough.”
H. L.
“Whether you're an easy going any-coffee person or a hipster coffee snob who home roasts like me, you'll like Lowertown. It felt like a hybrid garden oasis and speakeasy.”
Kevin F.
“As a coffee enthusiast and cafe aficionado, I absolutely adore Lo Bar & Cafe. They truly elevate the coffee experience.”
Brian M.
“There’s great seating inside and out, the coffee is fantastic, staff is so kind and great dietary/lifestyle options both in coffee and cocktails/beers.”
“Since it opened, Lowertown has energized the vibe of our neighborhood! We love this place, love the coffee and the drinks. Especially the outdoor seating when the weather is nice is hard to beat!”
Yoni Pinto
“This place has quickly become one of my favorite spots in town. The drinks are good, there's ample outdoor and indoor space, and the atmosphere is lovely. It's far enough away from campus that it's not so congested and it's rather peaceful there. Highly recommend :)”
Emma Flynn
“The coffee is great, using Hyperion Coffee beans, and it's a great place to work during the day. At night, Lowertown turns into a bar, and hosts my favorite trivia night. The drinks are reasonably priced, service is good, and it's a fun place to hang out with friends.”
Nishant Kheterpal
“Love this place so much! Great vibes, super friendly staff, and the best cold brew in town. I also love that it turns into a bar at night. It’s the perfect laid back spot to grab a drink, especially on their patio around the fire pits, and their cocktails are delicious!”
Emily Reedy
“The espresso drinks are excellent. They do great classic cocktails and always have new unique options. Good variety of beer. My favorite thing is the selection of non-alcoholic/low alcohol options.”
Sarah Eppley
“The chai tea was amazing, and the music created a great vibe. Everyone around me was polite and respectful, making it a comfortable space to focus. I just wish they had more pastry or food options when I visited!”
Paige Ciuzicki
“Big community people who host food trucks consistently and Tuesday trivia nights that are fantastic! Love the fact that they allow/encourage outside food so we can make a day/night of it! As a regular, we also are grateful for the ways they remember orders, names, dogs, etc. The best spot in Ann Arbor!”
Erin Prior
“The perfect neighborhood spot!! We love coming here any time of day whether to meet with friends or co-workers, sometimes for work but mostly for time to relax and hang.”
Erin Prior
“We love Lowertown! Even if there were other cafes and bars nearby I would choose Lowertown every time. The people who work there are lovely and friendly - baristas and bartenders alike. I love the concept of a coffeeshop by day and bar by night.”
Sarah Eppley
“Great coffee, one of the best Mocha drinks I have had, and I LOVE cafes with real mugs.”
Savannah Coppersmith
“Within the first 3 weeks of them opening, I became a regular because i love it so much. The coffee is SO good and their drinks are delicious.”
Kate Miller
“Excellent coffee, excellent cocktails, great vibe, great outdoor seating, what's not to like? It's a most welcome addition to the neighborhood.”
Ronen Steinberg
“Incredible new addition to the neighborhood! Great for reading and working in the morning, or for going out with friends in the evening. Drinks are delicious, coffee is great, staff is super helpful.”
Will B.
“Wanted to host a casual birthday party for my friend, so I emailed to see if we could reserve a table for a larger group. They not only held a table for us, but had the tables decorated with happy birthday signs before we even got there. Employees were so so sweet to us. 11/10 experience and can't recommend enough.”
H. L.
“Whether you're an easy going any-coffee person or a hipster coffee snob who home roasts like me, you'll like Lowertown. It felt like a hybrid garden oasis and speakeasy.”
Kevin F.
“As a coffee enthusiast and cafe aficionado, I absolutely adore Lo Bar & Cafe. They truly elevate the coffee experience.”
Brian M.