The Ghost Bar: Detroit's Eerie, Overlooked Bar Inside The Whitney Mansion

At first glance, the stately mansion at 4421 Woodward Avenue in Detroit exudes grandeur, its exterior betraying little of the spectral tales that lie within.

 

Yet, stepping inside The Whitney reveals a world where history and hauntings intertwine, particularly on its third floor, home to the renowned Ghost Bar.

 

Constructed in 1894 by lumber magnate David Whitney Jr., the mansion was a marvel of its time, even featuring electrical installations by Thomas Edison, a personal friend of Whitney.

 

However, the home's opulence was shadowed by tragedy.

 

During its construction, Whitney's wife passed away, leading him to marry her sister, who also died within the mansion's walls.

 

Whitney himself succumbed in the home just six years after its completion.

 

Following these events, the mansion transitioned through various roles, including serving as a tuberculosis hospice, further embedding sorrow into its storied past.

 

In the 1980s, businessman Richard Kughn restored the mansion, transforming it into a luxurious restaurant.

 

Later, in 2007, Bud Liebler acquired the property, enhancing its gardens and embracing its haunted reputation.

 

Guests and staff have reported numerous paranormal occurrences: disembodied voices, unexplained footsteps, and the elevator operating independently, despite requiring an operator.

 

Notably, the third-floor Ghost Bar, originally an art gallery and servant quarters, has been the epicenter of these eerie experiences.

 

Patrons have recounted sightings of apparitions and unexplained movements, adding to the bar's mystique.

 

Embracing its spectral allure, the Ghost Bar offers themed cocktails like the Witching Hour Martini, inviting guests to indulge in both spirits and spirits.

 

Owner Bud Liebler openly shares tales of the mansion's hauntings, even welcoming paranormal investigators to explore.

 

In one account, a bartender frequently glimpsed figures out of the corner of his eye, only to find empty rooms upon investigation.

 

Such stories contribute to the Ghost Bar's reputation as a must-visit destination for those seeking a blend of history, luxury, and the supernatural in Detroit.