On any given day, Father Forgive Me prays for the sins its customers may or may not commit as they imbibe in the shadow of The Shepherd, a century-old Romanesque-style church turned cultural center.
Today, the team behind the wine and cocktail bar is basking in the glory of a national recognition as one of the 38 USA TODAY Bars of the Year for 2026. Food writers across the country nominated bars that excited them, bars they would recommend to friends and family, bars they’d return to again and again.
“To be recognized is an honor,” said Joe Robinson, owner and operator of Father Forgive Me. “Everybody here has so much love for the space. It’s a joy to be around, and to be able to share that with the whole team is amazing.”
What makes Father Forgive Me in Detroit, Michigan, stand out
The interior of the former church garage is moody with subtle nods to its liturgical past, without kitsch. You won’t find a single repurposed pew, or relics of Christ’s Passion, but rather a sleek, contemporary space dimly lit by oil lamps with polished wooden tables and a sturdy oak bar that runs along the back.
Bartenders serve a small selection of wine in short glasses emblazoned with white lambs, and a cocktail list features beverages that range from light and herbaceous to sweet and heady.
According to Robinson, who also owns downtown Detroit watering holes Standby, The Skip and Deluxx Fluxx, the cocktail program at Father Forgive Me follows a similar approach as the other establishments in his portfolio, with light, refreshing beverages often carbonated and on tap. Think carbonated Negronis with clarified strawberry broth, and herbaceous, effervescent highballs made with Agwa de Bolivia and green tea.
“With any concept, I go for undeniably delicious, and not just interesting,” he said, noting that he and General Manager Ryan Sparks collaborate on curating the cocktail menu. “I really try to make the drinks appeal to both bar geeks and everyone that can walk through the door.”
On the wine side, Beverage Director Dan Reinisch develops an ever-evolving list sourced from small, passionate producers. There might be a Pinot Gris from Oregon’s Willamette Valley and a chilled red from the Italian Alps.
An outside seating area at Father Forgive Me is laid back. Gravel crunches underfoot, and you’ll rest your glass on wooden stumps or toast to a special occasion over a fire pit. The open-air feel and verdant overstory that shades The Shepherd creates the sense that you’re a million miles from the city — just a stone’s throw from Belle Isle.
“This space really reaffirmed my love for hospitality,” Robinson said. “Seeing the space activated — the grass lawn covered with people in blankets, picnic-style hanging out and families coming through — is just amazing.”
What to order at Father Forgive Me
Wine. Beverage Director Dan Reinis curates a concise menu of around 10 wines by the glass ranging in body — often just two sparkling options, two medium whites, a rosé and an orange wine, and about three reds, from chilled light options to room-temp medium and full bodies.
Cocktails. Father Forgive Me is one of few bars that prioritizes both wine and cocktails with equal measure. According to owner and operator Joe Robinson, the idea was to create a 50-50 wine and cocktail bar, where both worlds would exist under one roof, serving just as many cocktail offerings as wines by the glass. Try the Ostuni Sunrise, a signature cocktail that embodies the bar. Here, verjus blanc and orange wine join blanco tequila, Aperol and grapefruit sherbet for a tannic mashup of an Aperol spritz and a paloma.
Small bites. Food here is simple — the usual almonds, olives, tinned fish offerings you’ll find at many trendy wine bars. A standout on the menu is a mortadella sandwich served panini-style with ribbons of thinly sliced meat and a layer of pistachio cream. The bread is crusted in crushed pistachios for a nice touch and added crunch.
Insider tip: On warm days, bring your beverage to the grassy lawn, shared with the second location for the James Beard Award-winning bakery Warda Patisserie. There, you can nosh on buttery cookies and pastries and wash it all down with your drink of choice.
Details: 1265 Parkview St., Detroit, Michigan; fatherforgiveme.com. Instagram: @fatherforgivemedet.
Contact Detroit Free Press Dining and Restaurant Critic Lyndsay C. Green at: LCGreen@freepress.com. Follow @LadyLuff on Instagram and Twitter. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for extras and insider scoops on Detroit-area dining.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit wine and cocktail bar named one of the best bars in America
Reporting by Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
