Nestled in downtown Detroit, NoHo Hospitality Group, in partnership with the family members of the original concept's owner, has opened Saksey's, a cocktail lounge designed to channel Detroit's golden era.
The bar marks the latest collaboration between NoHo Hospitality Group partners Luke Ostrom and Josh Pickard, who have opened such concepts as San Morello, Evening Bar and Gilly’s Clubhouse. With Saksey’s, the team continues to expand its creative footprint, bringing New York polish to a project deeply rooted in Detroit’s sense of community and craft.
“The story behind Saksey’s has real Detroit roots,” says Luke Ostrom, partner at NoHo Hospitality Group. “The original, Detroit-based Saksey’s, owned by Sam Gilbert (Dan Gilbert’s father), was the kind of neighborhood tavern everyone wished was on their corner… easygoing, full of heart, and built on genuine connection. When we started shaping this new bar, we wanted to honor that spirit while making it entirely our own. It’s not about recreating the past; it’s about carrying its energy forward, the sense of belonging, the humor, the craft, and letting it live in a new way.”
Designed by Daniel Caudill of DTM Consulting, Saksey’s is a moody and dramatic retelling of the original concept. The room is layered with dark cherry wood paneling, a brass back bar, and deep green velvet banquettes, offset by custom mahogany tables and vintage lounge pieces from the 1960s and 1970s. Subtle details, like the glow of lacquered wood, dark green and brown velvet curtains, and a mix of mid-century textures, create a space that feels both familiar and unexpected.
It’s warm and lived-in yet polished, a setting where Detroit’s past and present meet naturally through design rather than declaration.
Saksey’s cocktail program balances precision and personality, led by NoHo Bar Director Darryl Chan and Head Bartender Tara Wong drew inspiration from Detroit’s playful energy and no-nonsense charm. Highlights include the Dirty Snow Cone, a frosty grown-up nod to summer nostalgia; the Root Beer Negroni, a spirited twist on a childhood classic; and the bar’s signature small but mighty martinis, they deem Teeny ’Tinis.
Images courtesy of Emily Berger
