Saksey’s

Saksey’s is a revival, not an invention. The original Saksey’s Lounge and Restaurant sat near Seven Mile and Woodward through the 1960s and ’70s, run by Sam Gilbert — Dan Gilbert’s father — with partner Irv Saks, and by every account it was the neighborhood tavern everyone wished was on their corner. The name came back in November 2025, in the lower level of Gilly’s Clubhouse at 1550 Woodward, with the entrance off the alley by Parker’s Alley.

The room commits to the era — dark cherry paneling, a brass back bar, deep green velvet banquettes, vintage lounge furniture, and a soundtrack of ’70s and ’80s sleeper hits — and seats roughly fifty. The cocktail list, built by NoHo Hospitality bar director Darryl Chan with head bartender Tara Wong, has a sense of humor about itself: a Root Beer Negroni, a Dirty Snow Cone, and Teeny ‘Tinis, which are exactly what they sound like. The kitchen plays along with Caviar & Bugles, Pretzel Tots, and a Cap’n Crunch Berry Sundae.

We haven’t been down yet. It’s on our list as the rare throwback executed with real technique, from the same team behind San Morello.