37 Best Cocktail Bars in Grand Rapids

“Highly recommend dining here. Everything we had from appetizers to main course was outstanding. The staff went above and beyond and were very friendly. It was by far the best quality dining out meal we have had in a long time. 5 stars!“

“Was in tonight for dinner in GR on the front patio with a couple girlfriends and we were approached by a homeless man who tried to grab our bags. I’m reaching out to praise your manager and the rest of the staff for taking our concerns seriously and jumping into action. Top notch team you’ve got there. You were already a go to spot for us, but even moreso now. Thank you for a great spot, delicious menu, and for making your patrons safety a top priority!!“

“Private event. The food was excellent. Large portions and the wait staff was outstanding.“

“This was a new discovery for us. We had marinated olives for our appetizer, morty sub and bacon and friends pizza - all were out standing! Try the homemade chip dip! Creme Brule was the perfect ending! Our waiter lost some tip because taking care of dishes was more important than taking care of our check. Surrounding area, inside and out was very pleasant!“

“Drip Drop is a standout in Grand Rapids’ cocktail scene, consistently delivering the quality expected of a top-tier craft cocktail bar. Their rotating themed menu keeps things fresh, and I’d even say they rival some of the best bars I’ve visited in much larger cities. Over the past year, we’ve returned for multiple menu iterations and have always left impressed—not just by the drinks but by the exceptional staff. Connor, Johnny, and Nick (one of the owners) excel at crafting unique cocktails and bring deep knowledge of emerging industry techniques. Their creativity and expertise make every visit an experience worth savoring. I also appreciate that Drip Drop goes beyond just great cocktails—they occasionally host events like fundraisers and live music, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. Plus, their selection of light snacks is a thoughtful touch, making it an even more enjoyable place to spend an evening.“

“Great Mediterranean Cusine! The white steamed rice bowl with steak and veggies is amazing!“

“Cozy place Great Service!“

“Mike was the first person who greeted me upon my first time here, he made me feel welcome and is very good at his job. He is the multitask master! Mack is also an honorable mention for being so sweet and kind, as well as good at what they do! This place has started to grow on me because of the service and overall fun atmosphere. Everyone here is great!“

“We came down to GR for a food show and decided to check out this place as it was right down the street from our hotel. Em was our server and she was absolutely amazing. And she made THE BEST smoked old fashioned hands down! Check out this place. We didn’t eat this time but we will be back for sure!“

“This cocktail lounge is incredibly cute and cozy. The drinks were all expertly crafted and delicious. The staff was friendly and attentive, making our experience even more enjoyable. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be back!“

“My friends and I had a great time here! We walked in on a Saturday and were able to get seated right away! The hostess was friendly and our server was great. Each of us enjoyed our drinks! My husband did the mystery drink and ended up enjoying his as well. The decor is super cute in there and the hanging lights give it a cozy vibe. There is an outdoor seating area as well that offers similar cozy vibes as well! I will definitely be coming back to this spot!“

“What a great experience here! Everyone was friendly and approachable and excited to tell us about their bubbly! Very clean and aesthetic environment! Overall we had a lot of fun here and we will be back soon!“

“Great staff, good drinks.“

“Great staff. Friendly atmosphere. Fantastic drinks!“

“very chill and tasty cocktails. great vibe. visitor from away. recommend“

“Excellent assorted specialty coffees. The flat bread pizza was surprisingly good as well. Staff were all above and beyond in their service. Truly wonderful addition to Grand Rapids and Alger Heights.“

“I had a small wedding last week with 11 guest attending. They were a joy to work with, even created special menus for us and allowed us to bring in a cake. Everything was well planned and went great. Pics on the property are beautiful as well. Highly recommend for small groups and weddings!“

“Amazing food, environment, drinks💗You must go!“

“Absolutely loved the food. Drinks were also amazing.“

“Went here for the first time tonight and will definitely be coming back! Me and my partner had a few great drinks and were able to relax and enjoy vinyl night. The owner was super sweet and obviously puts a ton of time and energy into making this business the best it can be and even made an effort to connect with every table at least once. Whether you’re looking to stop in for a few drinks or hang out for a couple hours this place is a great option!“

“Got drinks with a friend on a Saturday night at like 9pm. I lovedddd the vibe of this place. Low lighting with ambient music. Definitely mood setter.Wasn’t crowded at all. Bartenders were super chill, and friendly. They have a few NA options…I had something in a bottle and enjoyed it.“

“Our party of 8 had friendly and attentive service. The cocktails and mocktails were very good. The kids liked their fancy mocktails. We came here because we were told the fried ribs were delicious and they were correct, they were delicious. The frites were also good, I got the truffle frites. The carrot cake was pretty good also. They have roof top seating so that's where we sat.“

“Private event. The food was excellent. Large portions and the wait staff was outstanding.“

“Such a fun game to play with friends! Nice space, staff and bar were really nice. Will be back!“

“staff and bartender A+ ( very accommodating) First visit and only had bloody marys. They were different, make they're own mix, but they were good.“

“Every time I have been to Max's, I have had a great experience, so I love taking friends here for the first time. The drink selection is just tons of fun to explore, and all the food I have tried is delicious. I love getting to sit in different parts of the restaurant to take in all of the amazing decor! Don't miss the fish tank upstairs - there's an eel!“

“We came here for our 20th Wedding Anniversary. This was hands down the best meal and service we’ve ever had! Thank you, MDRD, for such a special celebration experience. 💕“

“Amazing experience and for anyone who’s new to the Cigar world, BOLD gets you well taken care of. Outstanding hospitality, drinks were on point, the staff were absolutely phenomenal in assisting us. The overall atmosphere was just what I was looking for in a nice Cigar lounge.“

“Great food and best server Jocelyn.“

“This was our 1st visit to a Hop Cat and knew it was going to be loud. That would be the only negative I felt we need to mention, but overall we loved the place. Food was great, our server, Julia, was great. Everyone must try the Fries! Great beer selections, too! My husband had the Chicken Bowl and I had the Steak quesadillas and they were both very good. We will definitely go back.“

“We had an incredible experience celebrating my dad's 50th birthday at Bowdies. Our server, Manny, was phenomenal.He we t above and beyond to make the night truly special. The tomahawk was cooked to absolute perfection, and the apple cider cake? I haven't stopped thinking about it since. Every detail was flawless. Easily one of the best dining experiences we've ever had.“

“Love this place! The pizza and garlic knots are awesome! The vibe is chill and the drinks are great.
The kitchen manager makes the best drinks (they covered for the bartender and damn absolutely killed it!!!!)

If you’re in Grand Rapids and craving pizza I highly recommend!!!“

“This place showed up on Uber Eats and we tried it. So glad we did! We got the seafood and shrimp fajitas and cheese dip. Was great! Hope to stop by in person soon.“

“A passable pub experience on their patio. On a hopping night downtown with a wait most places there was room for eight of us on their patio.

Despite the Dublin name, this feels like a pretty basic American joint, with friendly staff. I did appreciate that they had cans of NA Guinness 0!

The onion rings and loaded fries arrived barely warm, and I wouldn’t call the fries “loaded.” More like sprinkled. But the fries and toppings were tasty, and the onion ring dipping sauce was good.“

“Great cocktails and sharable plates. Plus, the views overlooking the city 🌆 are fantastic. Great service as well.“

“This was date night for us! My husband said I have a surprise for you. We took an elevator up 8 stories I think. When we walked out on to the rooftop patio the view was amazing. I am not originally from Grand Rapids so to see the city from this view is always a treat! The sunset was beautiful! The staff was very friendly and made time to come talk with us and welcome us. They were excited it was our first time there. We recommend the Bacon 🥓 for sure. They have spirits that can be made into your favorite cocktails. The old fashion was delicious. Overall, a great time and perfect atmosphere for date night!“

“Mertens Prime is a beautiful establishment filled with history. It's a gorgeous facility that has 3 different venues and is absolutely perfect for weddings and events. I love that they have a scratch kitchen and that they do a seasonal menu. If you've never been, I suggest you go there.“