7 Cool Car-Themed Bars & Restaurants in the U.S.
If you have some long drives on the agenda this summer, or merely want to check out some unique places in your state, check out this list. We rounded up seven of the coolest car-themed bars and restaurants around the United States. From lowriding hot rods to posh Porches, there’s a little something for everybody. Let’s dig in!
The Garage Grill – Draper, UT
A popular tourist state, Utah has plenty to see and do. With more arches, canyons, and cliffs than we can even count, the state is a mecca for outdoor adventurers and off-road enthusiasts alike. And tucked about halfway between Salt Lake City and Provo sits the fast-growing city of Draper.
Known as one of best places in the country for hang gliding and paragliding, the city is also home to The Garage Grill. This spot kicks off our list of fantastic car-themed bars and restaurants with some truly outstanding décor. Think: vintage gas pumps, racing flags, and LOTS of hot rods on lifts above your dining table.
Seriously, if you’re the type of gearhead who thinks lunch just tastes better in the garage, this place is for you. And if for some wild reason, the atmosphere doesn’t grab you, the menu certainly will. This is classic American grub dressed to impress. Grab a double-decker burger on brioche or spicy fried chicken sammie. Or how about stepping outside the box and ordering those sushi nachos? Whatever you order, ditch the boring soda and wash it all down with a signature cocktail or some craft beer from Salt Flats Brewery.
Did we mention Garage Grill also hosts seasonal car shows? These guys are all-in on car culture and we’re here for it, 110%. If Draper is off the planned route, consider checking out their new location about 10 miles west in Herriman.
Low ‘N Slow – Santa Fe, NM
Looking to get a little lowww in your southwest tour? Then you have to check out Low ‘N Slow, a lowrider-themed hotel bar in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Situated inside the absolutely charming Hotel Chimayó (Wrap-around porch! Handcrafted furniture! Native American art!), this place is a must-see for anyone seeking an unforgettable car-themed experience.
The distinctive lowrider style is folded into the décor very cleverly, revealing itself in diamond-tuck upholstered seats and tables made of chromed chain-link steering wheels. Classic hubcaps grace the walls alongside creative photos of slammed trucks and pavement-sweeping beauties. An exhaust pipe chandelier will have you rethinking that pile of scrap in the garage.
Soak up the ambiance with a drink in hand. The place offers twenty different tequilas to get your motor going. Play some tunes on the iconic Wurlitzer jukebox, dig into a little wood-fired Hawt Pizza – a local treat – and relish those Low ‘N Slow vibes.
Want to make a weekend of it? Ditch the destination and the deadline. Hop in Hotel Chimayó’s custom ’64 Chevy Impala lowrider and take in the sights of Downtown Santa Fe and the historic Plaza. There’s no end of things to do in town, but we recommend heading riiiight back to the bar when you’re done – and sampling those other 19 tequilas.
The Shop – Seattle, WA
If you find yourself in the Emerald City, we suggest you check out The Shop. This one’s a little outside the box, as far as car-themed bars and restaurants go, but aren’t all the best ideas? Slating itself as a country club for gearheads, The Shop is essentially a private member’s club where car and motorcycle enthusiasts of all levels can come and – quite literally – “build their passion.”
The Shop offers everything an enthusiast could want: indoor wash bays, valet service, 55,000 sq. ft. of climate-controlled storage, access to lifts, tools, and a place to hang out with like-minded people and learn from their expertise. They host events, and serve up delicious treats in their on-site restaurant called Derby.
You don’t have to be a member to check out Derby – which is good news for you foodies, because the chef is serving up some delightful creations. We’re talking classic comfort food meets thoughtfully-sourced ingredients… served alongside craft beers, bourbon, and a very impressive selection of scotch. Did we mention the view is pretty hard to beat?
For a small fee, you can also get a tour of the storage facility. Get up close and personal with hundreds of cars – from classic to exotics – and remember to check the event schedule. If there’s a meet-up while you’re there, you’ll get a free second tour outside as well. Additionally, the company just opened a second location in Dallas, Texas. Check it out!
Sickies Garage – Fargo, ND
Making our way east, we want to shout-out a state that doesn’t get as much love as it should. That’s right, ol’ North Dakota. Known for its rugged natural beauty, delightful Midwestern accents, and being a favorite of Teddy Roosevelt, this state is also home to Sickies Garage.
Entirely garage-themed, this bar-restaurant is famous for its menu of classic American grub and rotating selection of 50 local craft, domestic, and import brews. The place takes its name from Sick Boys Motorcycles, a lifestyle brand based in Deadwood. (Fun fact: A “sickie” is also a person who calls in sick to work but goes to hang out at a bar.)
From the oil cans holding up the awning outside to the rusty hoods hanging from the ceiling inside, Sickies screams resourceful gearhead. We hear the burgers are to die for – and come in virtually every iteration you can imagine. Double up the patty, throw on some mac-and-cheese, or swap out the bun for a donut – hell, swap out the bun for a double grilled cheese. It’s America, dammit!
Don’t feel like venturing quite that far north? Then head to one of Sickies other fine locations in South Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, or Florida.
Pete’s Garage – Monroe, MI
If you’re gonna eat in a car-themed bar or restaurant, you might as well do it in the home state of Motor City, right?
Pete’s Garage is a classic gem in Monroe, Michigan. It sits roughly 35 minutes south of Dearborn (home to all things Henry Ford and the Automotive Hall of Fame) and about 40 minutes from Detroit (home to everything else automotive-themed).
Built in the 1980s, like all great family-friendly sports restaurants, Pete’s claim to fame is the 1950s junkers turned into dining booths. Just note: there are only 5 in the restaurant, so they generally require four people for a seating.
Expect time-honored American classics to nosh on – burgers, wings, subs, and beer. Really, what more do you need?
Ford’s Garage – Fort Myers, FL
While the OG location is in sunny Fort Myers – less than a mile from Henry Ford’s winter residence – this fast-growing franchise can be found in more than a dozen locations throughout Florida, plus spots in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Texas – with more coming!
Regardless which Ford’s Garage you end up at, you’re in for a treat. From the 1920s fueling station vibes to the vintage Ford vehicles to the hand-hammered copper bar top, this place just exudes a simpler time and place. Many more unique features, too numerous to list, really make this spot a fun place to visit… including these absolutely wild sinks in the bathroom!
To match the atmosphere, Ford’s Garage serves up a menu a là “gourmet burger bar,” but with a focus on American craft beer – all wrapped up in licensing rights from one of America’s most iconic brands. This is a great place to take the fam or do a little Sunday Funday day-drinking for you sans-kids folks.
Sunday Motor Co. Café – Madison, NJ
Last, but certainly not least, is the Sunday Motor Co. Café. Serving up Instagram-worthy breakfast and brunch foods alongside high-octane coffee, this place brings a little concours to our list of car-themed bars and restaurants. With a classic color palette of black, white, and natural wood, paired with bright natural sunlight and garage-door walls that open up to the fresh air (weather-permitting), Sunday Motor has “chill coffee spot vibes” on lock.
So, where does the car theme come in? Well, how about the gorgeous Targa hanging in the corner?
As clear Porsche enthusiasts, you’ll find little homages paid to the gods of German engineering all throughout the café. And if you show up on a Cars & Coffee Sunday, you can breathe in some sweet exhaust with that fresh-brewed coffee and warm pastries.
What are your favorite car-themed bars and restaurants? Let us know about it in the comments!
