36 Best Cocktail Bars in Grand Rapids

“Everything at Gin Gin’s is top notch; from the food to the service to the atmosphere. It is easily the best restaurant in GR! Downside is that it’s hard to get in. You have to get there at open if you don’t have a reservation and if you need a reservation I’d recommend booking at least a week in advance, especially on the weekends.“

“WOW! 100% would recommend this cool low light atmosphere of a bar! Top notch cocktails and amazing service. Our server made sure I got a drink I actually liked and refunded me the one I didn’t. Check them out!“

“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!“

“Cozy place Great Service!“

“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!!“

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

“I’m the kind of guy that doesn’t take the time leave a review unless it’s worthy. But both the bar and the bartender Autumn are the best. If you want a bar to chill and feel safe while sipping great beer or drinks, go see Autumn (mic drop)“

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

“Service was excellent! Menu was diverse and prices were average, food was 7/10. Unfortunately, the wagyu steak was overcooked and lacked flavor for the price.
Nice selection of wines and liquor.
Good small venue for live music.“

“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!“

“The ambiance here is colorful, cozy, and moody. They’ve even got a comfy patio out back. It was the perfect spot for a joint birthday party with friends this past weekend. I had the seasonal cocktail New Feelings, which is excellent for those who appreciate spicy food and drink. The bartenders here are friendly and spectacular at their art form!“

“Great staff. Friendly atmosphere. Fantastic drinks!“

“Awesome place and awesome people. Love the leaderboard“

“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!“

“The drinks were dangerously smooth in the best way possible! Dirk even crafted us an off menu cocktail with pickle juice that was unexpectedly refreshing, unique, and absolutely delicious. Beyond making great drinks, he was so personable and genuinely engaging throughout the night. He made us feel welcome from the start and added so much fun to the experience with great conversation and an awesome attitude. You can tell he truly enjoys what he doe and it completely elevated our Sunday funday moms night out visit. We will definitely be back!“

“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.“

“An Affordable, flavor-filled experience with a welcoming atmosphere for all walks of life! Servers/bartendsrs Jeff and Natalie are both friendly informative and funny making it my favorite week-night unwind spot! I also have enjoyed the mixology of Simon on an occasional weekend stop. Highly recommend“

“amazing beers and cocktails. and the food is 🤤 awesome atmosphere and staff! 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.“

“Our family came in tonight for dinner. Everything was awesome! Especially our server, Russ, who was wonderful but exceptionally great when our toddler started acting really bad and we needed boxes and to leave quickly. He was very kind, understanding, and responded fast so that we could leave before she made too big of a disturbance. We look forward to coming back another time and having more of the delicious crab rangoon!“

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

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

“Incredible staff! The menu feels very European, is giving seasonal with staples, Flavor profiles of my dreams, lots of vegan options! immaculate vibe, i sat at the bar every time but has such a warm inviting atmosphere, outdoor seating options, and very spacious for groups.“

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

“Great food and best server Jocelyn.“

“If you are looking for an absolute staple of the Grand Rapids food and drink scene, HopCat is it—but the crew working tonight took a great local spot and turned it into an unforgettable experience.
From the second we walked in, the energy was fantastic. Let’s start with the food, because it completely lived up to the hype. Those legendary Cosmik Fries are worth every bit of praise they get; that signature cracked pepper seasoning paired with the warm cheese sauce is pure perfection. Beyond the fries, the entire spread was flawless—comfort food executed at the highest level, paired with a massive, expertly curated tap list that makes any beer lover feel right at home.
What truly elevated the night, though, was the world-class hospitality. Our server, **Lis**, was a total rockstar. She was incredibly attentive, split-second fast with refills, and brought a bright, infectious energy to the table that made us feel like regular VIPs. You can tell when someone genuinely cares about their guests, and Lis crushed it.
To top it all off, the manager, **Kasey**, took the time to stop by our table to check in on us. It’s rare to see a manager so hands-on and genuinely invested in the guest experience, but Kasey’s leadership and warmth clearly set the tone for the entire room.
Phenomenal food, an elite draft selection, and a staff that goes above and beyond—HopCat Grand Rapids is firing on all cylinders. We will absolutely be back!“

“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. 💕“

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

“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.“

“Love Bowdies! Amazing steaks and service.“

“Ordered delivery and put the room number in the directions. It was dropped off to the front desk with no notice and the order was incomplete. Even worse, no one answers the phones here.

Edit. After calling a few times they did deliver the missing items. Thank you“

“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.“

“Music was a bit loud and cluby, which I thought was weird. We got three courses. The first 2 (grilled prawns and pastas) were 10/10, some of the best food I've had, but the final main dish (pork chop for me) lacked balance. The first few bites were impressive but the richness eventually exhausted my palette. more like an 8.5/10. The food was in general great and very high quality and well thought out. The staff were very nice and the atmosphere felt mostly sophisticated.

Overall, I'm pleased with my experience and would recommend it to anyone looking for elevated Italian food on this side of the Atlantic.“

“I honestly cannot say enough good things about my experience at Dublin Hall, and it was all because of our incredible server, Lawson.

From the second we sat down, Lawson went above and beyond in every possible way. He was attentive without being overbearing, friendly without feeling forced, and genuinely made us feel like VIPs the entire time. It’s rare to find someone who balances professionalism and personality so effortlessly. He knew the menu inside and out, gave amazing recommendations, and made sure everything came out perfectly and right on time.

What really stood out was how much he cared. Our drinks were never empty, he checked in at just the right moments, and he made sure we were completely satisfied with every single thing. Even when it got busy, he handled it like a pro — calm, efficient, and still giving us top-tier service.

Dublin Hall is lucky to have Lawson. He didn’t just serve us food — he created an experience. If you’re going, ask for him specifically. He’s the kind of server that makes you want to come back again and again.

10/10. Absolute legend.“

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

“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.“