Grand Rapids, otherwise known as “The Furniture City,” is a famous city and county seat of Kent County, Michigan, U.S.A., with a population of 198,917 as of the last population census conducted in 2020.
Grand Rapids has a lot to offer people who find the place interesting enough to visit. There are quite some attractions to explore, like the Grand Rapids Public Museum, John Ball Zoo, The General ‘R’ Ford Presidential Museum, and many others.
If there is something Grand Rapids has in abundance, it is a collection of nice bars perfect for nightcrawlers who want to have fun at a fair price.
Are you visiting Grand Rapids? Here are the best bars in Grand Rapids, MI.
Best Bars in Grand Rapids
1. Founders Brewing Co
Founders Brewing Co is an American bar located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This extraordinary find is an excellent place to enjoy a fine selection of refreshing drinks and a couple of quick-bite meals that you will no doubt enjoy.
Founders Brewing Co opened in 1996 under the leadership of Grand Rapids natives Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers, who both put all they had into this Brewery to create a place where people can come to express their love for beers, spirits, and a host of other excellent offerings without having to hold back.
The bar has become a staple of the community and is easily one of the best bars in Grand Rapids, MI.
Founders Brewing Co has a beautiful collection of outstanding brews, which have been packaged in cans and bottles for ease of use for the customers.
If this bar resonates with you and what you like, you can visit and try drinks like Snowbound Vanilla Porter and All Day Haze to evening starters like Nitro Breakfast Stout and much more.
The Brewery opens from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm on Sundays to Wednesdays and 11:00 am to 11:00 pm on Thursdays to Saturdays.
Address: 235 Grandville Avenue, SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4037. Phone: +1 616-776-1195.
2. Brick and Porter
Brick and Porter is a fancy bar on Monroe Center Street. It is considered one of the cool bars in Grand Rapids, MI, due to its incredible hospitality, satisfying offerings, and dedication to ensuring its name stands out among Grand Rapids Bars through diligent customer service.
Brick and Porter opened a few years ago to cater to the thirst and cravings of Grand Rapids residents and guests looking for a beautiful place to enjoy a refreshing pint of good beer in a comfortable bar cum restaurant that stands tall among Grand Rapids bars in its class.
The bar is a clean and classy place to explore with family and friends if you want a nice place to spend your evenings musing about various topics.
Some drinks up for grabs include Failed Resolutions, Southern Hurricane, Dead in the Lauter, Damien, Vanilla Jitter Bean, Contemplation, Roselle, Orange You Glad, and so much more.
Brick and Porter opens from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm on Sundays to Tuesdays, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm on Wednesdays, and 11:00 am to 12:00 am on Thursdays to Saturdays.
Address: 47 Monroe Center Street, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2901. Phone: +1 616-226-6928.
3. Blue Dog Tavern
You would want to visit Blue Dog Tavern as it is one of the best places to drink in Grand Rapids at a great price, with so many offerings that will blow your mind.
Blue Dog Tavern was established in 2014, and it sits in what used to be the old City Trust and Savings Bank building that housed one of the former leading banks that is a known authority in the financial industry during the great depression.
The bar converted the building for its use and has transformed the place to have a more appealing look while still maintaining its character by preserving some articles and items of the rich historical building spanning over a century and adding some exciting features to give life to the building.
Blue Dog has a complete offering list with items like A Blue World, Caramel Apple Ginger, The Dog House, The Freshman, Long Drink Zero Sugar, Budweiser, Bud Light, and so much more.
The bar opens from 11:00 am to 12:00 am on Mondays to Thursdays, 11:00 am to 2:00 am on Fridays, 12:00 pm to 2:00 am on Saturdays, and 12:00 pm to 12:00 am on Sundays.
Address: 638 Stocking Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504-5119. Phone: +1 616-608-6050.
4. Gippers Sports Bar & Grill
Gippers Sports Bar & Grill is an American bar located on Kraft Avenue. It is one of the top bars in Grand Rapids, MI, that you must visit before you leave the city, as the bar has everything you need to have a great time.
Gippers opened up many years ago with its management and staff making the place an ideal spot for a refreshing round of drinks that calms the nerves and soothes the soul of its customers looking for a nice Grand Rapids bar to patronize.
The bar has two sets of pool tables for game players, corn hole boards, Michigan lottery pull tabs, and a host of other exciting games for you to engage in while enjoying its fantastic collection of satisfying drinks.
The offerings of the Gippers bar include items like Spirits, Beers, Wines, and an assorted collection of rums for your drinking pleasure.
Gippers Sports Bar & Grill is open daily from 11:00 am to 2:00 am.
Address: 2929 Kraft Avenue, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512-2021. Phone: +1 616-551-0841.
5. O’Toole’s Public House
O’Toole’s Public House is a fantastic bar located in Grand Rapids. It is a terrific bar visited by locals and regular guests in Grand Rapids for a relaxing time out with buddies and family or to visit alone for a solo pleasure-seeking adventure.
This fabulous bar opened in 2003 to serve Grand Rapids residents an incredible selection of the finest drinks to go with their food to give them a complete and memorable dining experience to look back on at one of the cool bars in Grand Rapids, MI.
This fantastic bar has a beautiful and aesthetically-pleasing interior with beautiful lighting and a well-arranged seating structure that allows patrons to move about freely but still feel connected to every part of the restaurant.
The menu served at the bar includes Bloody Mary, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Margarita, Moscow Mule, Saturn, Miller Lite, Bud Light, Peachy Party, Heineken, and so much more.
The bar opens from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays and from 11:00 am to 2:00 am on Mondays to Fridays.
Address: 448 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504-5322. Phone: +1 616-742-6095.
6. Buffalo Trader Lounge
Buffalo Trader Lounge is one of the famous Grand Rapids bars where you can get any drink that you need tailor-made to your preference to give you a wonderful experience at the bar.
This fantastic bar opened in 2017 to give Grand Rapids residents a new feel of nightlife and a new tune to dance to in the circles of top Bars in Grand Rapids.
The interior of this fine bar is a touch of beauty with a classy feel as it radiates excellence in its designs and perfection in its structure.
The offerings are a wonder to behold. There are items like Negroni Jones, Blue Duck, Two Horse Town, Happy Puppy, Mount Yummah, and many other incredible drinks you will surely enjoy.
The bar opens from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Tuesdays to Thursdays, 4:00 pm to 12:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Sundays.
Address: 950 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3572. Phone: (616) 591-3540.
7. Prospect Hills Brewhouse
Prospect Hills Brewhouse is an American Brewhouse that caters to the drink needs of Grand Rapids residents looking to explore some of the best bars in town.
The bar opened in 2017 to serve as an excellent spot where people can visit for a beautiful time and an enjoyable drinking experience.
Prospect Hills Brewhouse is located in an expansive spot within the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, where passengers in transit often stop for a quick drink before catching a flight to their destination.
The bar employs dedicated staff always on hand to welcome guests and offer them genuine hospitality and top-notch service that the customers admire and greatly appreciate for its warmth and welcoming feel.
Prospect Hills Brewhouse has a lot to offer in terms of drinks, including Craft Beers, Tonics, Rums, Scotch, Brandy, and a host of other incredible offerings.
This friendly bar opens from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm daily.
Address: 5500 44th St SE Grand Rapids Airport, Grand Rapids, MI 49512-4055. Phone: +1 616-233-6000.
8. H.O.M.E
H.O.M.E. is a famous American bar that has been around for a while, serving satisfying drinks to the delight of bar patrons who seek to find a worthy spot among Grand Rapids bars that offer customers a good time with incredible offerings and a good sense of hospitality.
H.O.M.E. opened years ago to fill the void created by the shortage of bars that can also double as restaurants where everyone can visit and have an excellent time at a budget price that many Grand Rapids residents can afford.
The bar has since grown to become one of the fun bars in Gran Rapids, MI, with its name becoming a known brand and an authority among top Grand Rapids bars that enjoy massive patronage from old and new customers.
H.O.M.E. is known to have a very comfortable and classy interior that can accommodate many customers and also serve as an ideal spot for various celebratory occasions like birthdays, promotion celebrations, and many other uses.
The menu has items like Golden Ale, Indian Pale Ale, Skinny Pete, Space Boy Stout, Grapefruit Song, and so much more that you are guaranteed to enjoy.
The bar opens from 4:00 pm to 1:00 am on Thursdays to Saturdays.
Address: 20 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-6208. Phone: +1 616-356-2000.
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9. Tavern on the Square
Tavern on the Square is a good find for those looking to patronize a top-tier bar that takes customer satisfaction seriously.
This fantastic place opened in July 2010 to serve as a neighborhood bar that is an ideal spot for everyone to visit for a great time and an enjoyable drinking experience that locals can attest to and spread the word about without holding back.
Tavern on the Square has a pleasant and beautiful appeal that allures customers to it, especially with its great outdoor seating space that locals love and extensively lookout to sit there.
The menu includes items like Domestic Beers, Blue Collar Beers, Double Whiskeys, Stouts, Vodka, Gins, Ciders, etc.
Tavern on the Square opens from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays and 3:00 pm to 2:00 am on Mondays to Fridays.
Address: 100 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4115. Phone: +1 616-456-7673.
10. Fulton Street Pub and Grill
Fulton Street Pub and Grill is an old American bar on Fulton Street. This fantastic bar caters to the drinks needs of Grand Rapids beer lovers and guests who visit the city for one reason or the other.
This fabulous bar opened fully in 1970 to share its awesome collections of fine blends of beers, gin, spirits, and tonics with the people.
The bar has a comfortable interior with pool tables for customers to enjoy and a spacious outdoor seating area for lovers of outdoor dining.
Also, there are several game machines for people looking to get competitive with buddies and the Michigan Lottery for those feeling lucky.
The bar went full throttle on the menu, offering only the best drinks like Two Hearted Ale, Miller Lite, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Christmas Ale, Bud Light, and so much more.
Fulton Street Pub and Grill are open from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am on Sundays and 10:00 am to 2:00 am on Mondays to Saturdays.
Address: 801 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504-6212. Phone: +1 616-451-4243.
11. The Derby
The Derby is a great find and a rare gem among Grand Rapids bars that looks rough on the outside but is indeed a lucky find when you step into its beautiful interior.
The Derby is a usual hangout spot for fans of the local football team, where people gather to enjoy free tacos, share great beers, and enjoy friendly banter between fans who sit together to enjoy a good game in this fine bar.
The bar has a lot to keep you entertained. There is a fine selection of good beer, football banter, and the free taco bar that the bar offers as an incentive to its patrons.
The Derby has incredible offerings like Dark Horse Raspberry, Arbor Ypsi Gypsi, Short’s Controversiale, Stone Arrogant Bastard, etc.
The bar opens from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays and 11:00 am to 2:00 am on Mondays to Fridays.
Address: 816 Burton Street, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507-3320. Phone: +1 616-243-5777.
12. Mulligan’s Pub
Mulligan’s Pub is a lovely American bar you should consider visiting during your stay in Grand Rapids. This bar has a lot to offer customers who find it worthy of visiting and patronizing its fantastic list of offerings.
The bar is known for its infamous Mulligan stew shots and its live band that plays heavy rock and roll music that people from far and near visit the bar to enjoy at a great price.
Mulligan’s Pub is ideal for you if you are looking for a place where you can get great stiff drinks with an amazing kick.
The interior is small and usually packed with patrons looking to grab a shot of their favorite brand or a bottle of the various beers available at the bar.
The menu offerings of this bar include options like Domestic Beers, Off Pitchers, Long Islands, and so much more.
The bar opens from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am on Sundays and 3:00 pm to 2:00 am every other day.
Address: 1518 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506-2719. Phone: +1 616-451-0775.
13. Wise Men Distillery Downtown
Wise Men Distillery Downtown is a beautiful bar waiting to be explored for its incredible offerings. This fantastic bar is located on Monroe Center Street, where it caters to numerous customers who troop in to have a great evening alone or in the company of others.
This famous bar was created by three friends who share the passion for creating something satisfying and catchy that people can enjoy with friends and family in a comfortable establishment with everything in place to help the patrons have a wonderful time.
After so many experiments, the three friends were able to come up with moonshine so perfect and satisfying that the patrons could enjoy it without having the adverse effects of other moonshines available out there.
This achievement brought about the Wise Men Distillery Downtown, known today as one of the fun bars in Grand Rapids, MI, where customers visit to have their thirsts taken care of.
The award-winning bar has a fantastic collection of recipes and tasty brews that customers enjoy and recommend to people looking to try out bars with authentic brews.
If you find yourself at this bar and want to try out some of their star drinks, consider ordering drinks like Gin Gimlet, South Side Fizz, Spiced Rum, Bourbon, Bourbon Bomb, Gold Rush, Honey Badger, and so much more.
The bar opens from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays.
Address: 146 Monroe Center St NW Suite 150, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2825. Phone: +1 616-228-4728.
14. Steel Cat Bar
Steel Cat Bar is famous for people looking to enjoy a few drinks in an okay place with excellent customer service and a fantastic atmosphere.
The self-acclaimed first frost bar in Grand Rapids welcomes numerous customers daily. The bar is an excellent place to explore if you are looking for a bar to stop after a hard day’s work, blow off some steam, let loose, and have a good time with other patrons.
The bar has a small but functional interior that is large enough to accommodate a few patrons at a time. It enjoys much attention from customers who troop in and out of the bar with a good smile.
Anyone who is a regular at this bar will not hesitate to recommend to newbies a plethora of offerings this restaurant has to offer, which include Mexican Mule, British Mule, Bud Light, Caramel Porter, and a host of other incredible items on the menu.
The bar opens from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.
Address: 640 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, U.S.A. Phone: (616) 200-4449.
15. The Meanwhile
This fantastic bar with a unique name is one of the iconic Grand Rapids bars that is perfect for buddies and family meet-ups, group hangouts, and a host of other purposes.
This fabulous bar makes it a point of duty to give its customers the best service and an incredible feeling of appreciation by ensuring that the drink needs of the customers are met with the finest drink options, has on its menu.
Built like a diner cum bar in the 80s, this bar has a colorful and beautiful interior with private booths available for people to sit in while they enjoy their drinks without being disturbed by other bargoers who are also there to have a good time.
If you are considering visiting this bar, try drinks like Two Hearted, Long Islands, Black Label Cans, Michigan Drafts, House Wine, and a host of other unique beverages.
The Meanwhile bar opens from 4:00 pm to 2:00 am daily.
Address: 1005 Wealthy Street, SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506. Phone: (616) 233-1679.
16. Stellas Lounge
Stellas Lounge is a well-known bar in Grand Rapids that is an ideal place to be if you are a hippy bar lover that likes to enjoy your beer straight from the tap and is on the lookout for a nice spot with unique offerings to try out.
This fantastic place started as a small-town bar but has grown to become a perfect spot where game lovers gather to test their skills at the various arcade games available while enjoying different satisfying drinks from the bar’s menu.
Stellas Lounge is a beautiful place to be. It has a catchy interior with hippy murals painted on the walls to give the bar some character. Also, customers are entertained with rock music blaring from the speakers strategically placed in the bar for maximum sound effects.
Some drinks to try out at this bar include Vienna Lager, Two Hearted, Soft Parade, Peanut Butter Devil Dog, etc.
The bar opens from 4:00 pm to 12:00 am on Mondays to Thursdays and 12:00 pm to 1:00 am on Fridays to Sundays.
Address: 53 Commerce Ave SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Phone: (616) 742-4444.
17. Brewery Vivant
Brewery Vivant is a contemporary American bar with a wide range of vodkas and gins made available for the drinking pleasure of its many customers who visit the bar to socialize and enjoy their favorite drink brands.
This fabulous bar is reportedly the world’s first LEED-certified microbrewery. Although some might find it creepy that the bar is housed in a refurbished funeral home, some enthusiastic customers find this part of the bar amusing and exciting.
The bar is quite comfortable for all patrons as it has an expansive and well-covered outdoor seating space where customers can sit to enjoy their drinks as they enjoy nature’s blessings or choose to dine inside the bar where they can enjoy the historic appearance of the bar’s interiors.
People who frequent the bar recommend drinks like farm Hand, Farm Hand Tart Tangerine, Rapid I.P.A., Ski Patrol, and many other incredible offerings.
Brewery Vivant opens from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Mondays to Thursdays, 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Sundays.
Address: 925 Cherry Street, SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506. Phone: (616) 719-1604.
18. Cascade Winery
Cascade Winery is a perfect spot for wine lovers to explore as it has an exquisite list of incredible wines made from the freshest hand-grown produce processed in its world-class press.
Cascade Winery, also known as Sierra Rose, is a maker of some of the world’s best ciders. It invites customers to its tasting room to taste its excellent offerings that they cannot simply refuse.
This bar has a well-stocked cellar filled with the choicest cider wines you can think desire. It has also gone the extra mile by packaging its products in cans for people to enjoy on the move without needing to visit the winery.
The winery is a great place to visit as you will enjoy a variety of stiff cider drinks that come in variants like Raspberry, Peach, Sangria, Apple Pie, Watermelon, and so much more.
Cascade Winery opens from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursdays, and 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: 4665 Broadmoor Avenue, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512. Phone: (616) 656-4665.
19. The Pyramid Scheme
If what you seek is a lively place to enjoy the nightlife, satisfying beer, and good prospects of socializing with other patrons, then The Pyramid Scheme is your best bet among the best places to visit in Grand Rapids.
The Pyramid Scheme is where you can sit to enjoy good beers and unforgettable melodies made available by the live band that regales customers with catchy tunes that force them into rhythmic dance steps.
Regulars at the bar greatly recommend drinks like Triple Crown Brown, Lake Effect Zest, Broo Doo, and Gemini, to mention a few.
The Pyramid Scheme opens from 4:00 pm to 2:00 am daily.
Address: 68 Commerce Ave SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Phone: (616) 272-3758.
20. The Mitten Brewing Company
The Mitten Brewing Company is a famous bar and pizzeria rolled into one excellent iconic relaxation spot that stands tall among Grand Rapids bars in its class with its authentic brews and a comprehensive collection of unique features it has in place to make customers feel comfortable and welcome.
The Mitten Co. is an excellent find for anyone who stumbles upon it. It has been one of the favorite hangout spots of locals in the area since it opened its doors in 2012 to cater to bargoers who want to experience something different from the norm.
The bar has a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing medium-sized interior with a cozy and easy-to-navigate setting that customers find appealing and comfortable. The atmosphere is primarily quiet, with people enjoying their pints of beer in silence or low tones if they are with the company.
Mitten Brewing has a lot to offer its customers. Locals enjoy items like Rye Life, The Stretch, Goblin Mode, Fogout, and many other incredible offerings.
The bar opens from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm on Mondays and 11:30 am to 8:30 pm on Tuesdays to Sundays.
Address: 527 Leonard Street, NW Grand Rapids, MI. Phone: (616) 608 – 5612.
21. Anchor
Anchor is a pocket-friendly bar known to the locals as the perfect spot to get good drinks for dirt-cheap prices that almost everyone can afford.
It is an old-school bar that has been a significant part of the Grand Rapids community for several years and has contributed positively to the growth of nightlife activities in the city, drawing in people from neighboring towns to come in and enjoy its many offerings.
Anchor is a bar ideal for patrons looking to have fun, meet new people, and dance to good music at a great price that most patrons consider a steal.
The bar has a lively air to it, with happy voices of tipsy customers often rending the air in gleeful cheers while they enjoy the many drink options available at the bar.
Some items available for your drinking pleasure range from Beers, Spirits, Ales, Draft Beers, and many other unique options to select for your pleasure.
Anchor opens from 11:00 am to 2:00 am on Mondays to Fridays and 12:00 pm to 2:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays.
Address: 447 Bridge St NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504. Phone: (616) 774-7177.
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Have Fun!
Grand Rapids bars are undoubtedly the kings of nightlife and have mastered the art of pleasing customers.
If you visit any of these bars and want to drink on a budget, do not hesitate to tell the bartender, as they have many affordable options for your drinking pleasure.
Have a great time at these bars and make happy memories as you enjoy their many offerings.