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!“

“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!!“

“Cozy place Great Service!“

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

“When I moved here a year ago, I didn’t know many people, and because I’ve always struggled with social anxiety, meeting new people has never come easily. The Apartment Lounge has become so much more than just a bar to me—it’s one of the few places where I feel genuinely safe and comfortable walking in by myself. Even on nights when I’m not ready to socialize much, just being surrounded by welcoming people in an accepting environment helps me feel connected instead of isolated. Having a place that gives me the confidence to leave my apartment, be part of the community, and slowly become more comfortable being around others has meant more than I can express. Thank you for creating a space where people like me can feel like they truly belong.“

“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.“

“Great find when visiting GR. Drinks are delish and the staff (especially Casey- I know that’s not spelled right, I apologize) are so nice and knowledgeable about their cocktails. We got a sample shot and a pitcher of water before we even ordered. Will go back every time I am out. Don’t miss it! No food though, just a couple munchie type item so eat before ya go and try a couple new cocktails!“

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

“Had a fantastic time. Showed up without a reservation on a Friday night. We got seated immediately near the salt water fish tank.

Servers were incredible. Personable, upbeat, made suggestions, even spent a few minutes telling us all the fish's names (Shout-out to Insane Clown Posse, Flapjack, and Spaghetti)

The drinks were great. They are tiki drinks, so you know they are way too crushable for how much rum is in them.

I got the Szechuan pork bowl, veggie spring rolls and both were great. Pork bowl was such a unique flavor and everything melded together perfect.

The spring rolls were some of the crispiest I've ever had.

And the atmosphere was nailed. It felt like your grandparents 60s basement.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Chicken Pickle sandwich was interesting, glad I tried, wouldn't necessarily get again. Lobster mac was very good, not great. Prices very reasonable. Our server, Danielle, was excellent, friendly, helpful, professional. Would return if ever back in town.“

“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.“

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

“It was a little cold in there but besides that the pizza was delicious, crust is soft and Crispy at the same time . The sauce is sweet with some acidity not too much.
The cheese is 100% real mozzarella, mini pepporni is a plus .
Cocktail selection is pretty decent, not too expensive.
Overall very great experience, very popular with college crowds . Lots of room for large parties !“

“Love Bowdies! Amazing steaks and service.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“