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    Big Lake Brewing

    4.2 (344 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Breweries
    Closed • Closed

    Big Lake Brewing Photos

    BIG LAKE BREWING ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    The Hollander
    Vanetta G.

    We drove from Milwaukee, and we were ready to eat. There was no wait on a Thursday evening. We got there around 9pm. There is a beer hall vibe with string lights and an open airy atmosphere. We were seated quickly, and the hostess and our waitress were both very sweet. You are allowed 2 samples of beer, and my hubs and I each tried 2. We both ended up ordering the Bourbon Barrel Aged Fudgie Brownie (or something like that.) It was rich and delicious- no notes. The food was good, but a little pricey for what it was. We ordered tge brussel sprouts, and felt the lacked something. We got a side of balsamuc reduction for $2, and that helped. We also shared a 12" Hollander pizza. The sauce was creamy, and the sweetness from the caramelized onions was a great touch. Red pepper flakes helped balance out the flavors. We felt like there was too much crust. Having 2 inches of crust made us feel like we were missing sauce, and I didn't like the crust without the sauce. It was overall good, but not a place we would feel the need to visit again in future travels.

    Fried cauliflower
    Mia M.

    Seated quickly with no wait. Our server was great, checking in and available if we needed anything. The ambiance was their normal. A bit loud, dark, and industrial feeling. Food was exceptional and portion sizes were perfect. I've been here often and will return soon. Highly recommend for a lunch with a friend, a date night, or, with their large community tables, a meet up.

    2025 July
    Mya A.

    Very nice inside, way bigger than I expected. There is outdoor seating. There is also wooden block Jenga! The Stoner Fries were delightful. They do not carry any liquor, just the beers they brew. They have a back patio walk up bar where you can order a limited amount of items through the back. Otherwise you walk inside. Pretty full/busy inside for a Friday 2-4pm. There were many seats outside available though. It was cloudy with tiny bugs flying around us. Little fans operating at the table would be cool during the summer. We were most likely an unexpected table of 20. We were told a waiter was coming out but we ended up going inside and ordering. They brought the food out which was nice.

    Manisha M.

    We went here for a family gathering and Sat outdoors. They're have large booths around a fire pit that seated 9 adults and 3 kids very comfortably. It's a self service place where you walk to the counter to place your order but it comes out to be served to you. We ordered some beers but food was the standout to me. We ordered pretzels and stoner fries as the appetizer and really liked it. I ordered the bruschetta salmon and a BYO pasta (pesto cream is so so so good!!) to share. The portion sizes are huge and very filling. For dessert we like the poffert bites that came with Nutella to dip. The beerimisu was a pass for everyone, it really isn't much different from an average cake. Overall highly recommend for the food and vibes. We really enjoyed being outside in the good weather

    Bitterballen
    Dia D.

    I have been here in the winter and in the summer. Inside in the winter can be a bit noisy, but the dog-friendly patio in the summer is private and quiet. The inside has table service and on the patio you order at a counter where you get your drinks. They will bring your food to the table. We had the bitterballen and the fish dip and they were both very tasty. The chicken and waffles were good, but not great.

    BBQ chicken pizza
    James C.

    Very nice brewery with a great selection of tap beers. They have a menu with Pizza, Sammies, Salads, Burgers and Pasta. I tried the Pizza and really enjoyed the BBQ chicken pizza, fluffy hand tossed dough with rise and a little bite/tear,vrealy good texture! Great location as well. I had very friendly service at the bar with plenty of tap options.

    Fish and chips
    Kayla D.

    Great spot to socialize and grab a drink! Blood orange haze is the drink to have. The food is decent, but they do have a great happy hour deal

    Kassey T.

    Grabbed a quick drink here right before a wedding in town. My husband and I sat at the bar hoping to get served quickly. We knew we had a short amount of time so knew what we wanted right away. The bar staff wasn't very attentive, and it took them 8 minutes to ask us what we wanted, even though they weren't talking to any other customers or getting drinks. They (3 total) were hanging out by the computer chatting. That part was a bit frustrating, but they were friendly to us and the IPAs we ordered in our flight were all really good.

    Samantha R.

    First time here last summer, corn bread was amazing, pizza was good. Unfortunately burger had an issue but they fixed it really fast. The restaurant gives off new brewery feel and it was bigger than I had expected from the outside.

    Indoors
    Melissa S.

    A family friendly restaurant. They have a full menu, not just bar food. When we entered we were offered inside or outside dining. We opted for inside as it was breezy outside and there were no open tables in the sun. It was a bit chilly inside so I kept my jacket on. Service was quick on the drinks. We had to ask for the order of chips we put I. So that took a bit of the wait. Soon as we asked she brought them to the table, it was just waiting for it to be brought to the table. We ordered the crazier salad small. It was big enough for a side salad for two. I also ordered the beef stroganoff. It was only ok. It was too dry, not enough gravy for my liking. The meat was tender and delicious. They kind of skimped on the mushrooms. I wouldn't order it again. According to my husband the beer was good. He wished he had ordered a flight as there were so many good choices. I recommend you come here and dress warm and plan on staying awhile to enjoy the brewery ambiance.

    Cavatappi Cajun pasta with smoked chicken
    Leang E.

    We got lucky with an availability for a reservation for the two of us within the next half hour at 6 PM on a Saturday. We get there and our seated at a fabulous table. We are in the middle of the room and we have use of all the TV screens and just everywhere. Ayanna was our servant and she was fantastic. Eight years working in there so she knew her stuff she whipped out the recommendation for my flight based on what I liked and it was on point. I had the happy citrus, tropicale, silly gose, cotton candy, blue water, and peach haze. There honestly wasn't one that I did not like. My hubby and I split the brussels sprouts and he got the New York strip and roasted potatoes and I got the Cavatappi Cajun pasta with smoked chicken. Both were excellent, the steak was juicy and the pasta had great flavor with the right amount of spicyness. I went home with a four pack of the Sparty beer that had passionfruit and a pint glass to add to my collection. The menu was reasonably priced. We are a bit embarrassed it took us so long to try this place out. I would absolutely recommend and I'm sure we will be back there again.

    Chicken Pesto Pizza
    Emma L.

    Big Lake Brewing is such an underrated restaurant in Holland! Since it's not on 8th street, it's generally a calmer crowd and it's easy to be seated right away. During the summer, their patio with live music is amazing! You seat yourself and can start a tab at their outdoor bar -- it's perfect! The food is always delicious and they have some classic dishes with unique takes. Highly recommend!

    Salmon BLT

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    14 days ago

    Nice people, good beer, nice atmosphere... what we ordered was disappointing- but the mgr was super nice and took it off our bill.

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    22 days ago

    Come here every weekend but this day it took over an hour. Lately seems to be the normal now.

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Great beer, but even better loaded tots. Go there for the tots. Really nice outdoor seating as well and you can bring your dog.

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    6 months ago

    Great beer selection for a range of tastes and creative food options. Try the Rise and Shine pizza!

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    1 year ago

    The outdoor hang out area is so fun. We all got drinks, all of them were good. The service was very friendly as well. Such a fun place.

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    1 year ago

    Great happy hour to enjoy beers half off & a few appetizers too. Patio is very comfortable. This is a must stop every time we're in Holland.

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    Obstacle No. 1 - Obstacle no 1 is my fave drink

    Obstacle No. 1

    4.4(54 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    We visited this really cute speakeasy on a Friday night, excited to check out the space after…read moresecuring a 10:00pm reservation. We arrived at 9:45pm and were seated at a cute, cozy little couch and table setup. The hostess handed us both a drink menu and a separate food menu. Looking through it, I was thrilled to see quite an expansive cocktail list broken down by "chapters," as well as several small snack options clearly marked with a gluten-free (GF) label. Unfortunately, the experience was a bit disappointing once we tried to order. Despite the online hours stating the venue closes at 11:00pm our server informed us that the kitchen was already closed. There is no indication online of what time the kitchen closes, and it was incredibly disappointing to be handed a dedicated food menu by the hostess only to be told moments later we couldn't order anything. When I asked our server for recommendations and which specific cocktails were gluten-free, she mentioned she was new and had to go check. She returned about 10 minutes later, only to give a vague answer that "most drinks were gluten-free" without offering an actual recommendation or helpful suggestion. My husband ended up ordering a non-alcoholic drink, but between the kitchen confusion and the lackluster service, I opted not to get anything at all. It's a cool venue with a lot of potential, but they should put their kitchen hours online and better train their staff on the menu.

    My friend Olivia and I went to Obstacle No. 1 recently for an after dinner drink. Definitely make…read morereservations online as it's a small space. It's next door to their sister restaurant, Lovejoy. Walking in, the space is very dimly lit with a nice bar and some cozy seating. We were directed to a couch and a couple of low chairs. The menu is organized into different "chapters," with different themes for each chapter. They also have beer, wine, spirit-free options, and a spirits list. I wanted something fun, so I chose the Don the Beachcomber, a rum-based tiki cocktail that is flamed tableside. My friend got the Obstacle No. 1, which is a bourbon drink that they smoke at your table. Very theatrical and fun! These drinks were $20+ so pretty pricey, but worth it for a fun occasion. We had a nice time just relaxing and catching up. I would say it's not a great spot for a large group, but definitely a fun date night place. They have a small food menu of offerings from the restaurant next door that sounded tasty. We had just eaten but I'd be interested in their small plates. I'm so glad I got to experience this place. It feels like you're transported to a secret speakeasy when you enter!

    Photos
    Obstacle No. 1
    Obstacle No. 1
    Obstacle No. 1

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    The Ondergrond

    The Ondergrond

    3.3(3 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Did you know there is a speakeasy in Holland?…read more Right below Butch's Dry Dock downtown Holland you can find a small dim lit cocktail bar! You can go to their website to get on the email list for the password each week or you can go to the host stand at Butch's and ask if there is available seating "downstairs". The two times I've done this, the host always understands. They pick up the phone and call downstairs to see if there's any open spots and let us go down there. There are stairs or you can take the elevator to the basement level. After you've arrived downstairs you can find the door with the black lock symbol and KNOCK THREE TIMES. They will let you in and welcome you to find a seat. They have a water station where you can help yourself and some tables and a couch and bar seating. The menu is pretty fantastic. I haven't had a drink that I dislike yet! The prices are a bit elevated but that's okay for a fancy drink imo. Hope you check out this gem if you're ever in Holland and want to go on a little adventure to find this place! My only complaint is the basement area smells a little funky but inside the bar was fine. But otherwise it's totally amazing and worth the experience! The people working here are great too! So kind'

    We loved our experience at the Ondergrond. We heard about it while visiting and searching the web…read morefor fun places. It's below Butch's Dry Dock downtown, and you either have to email them to ask for a password, or stop by Butch's host desk and ask for 'a table downstairs'. They give you instructions then. The five of us all tried something different, from cocktails with absinthe and flaming sugar cubes, to vodka infused fruity drinks, and even a simple red wine. Our bartender had been working here for a couple years, so he knew the specials and was quick with his work. A real mix of customers from a college student to a couple of workmates, our family, and another group of friends further back. It's a small place which makes it cozy but a little hard to get into at times; we had to wait 20 minutes for enough free seats. We'll be back; it was fun!

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    The Ondergrond
    The Ondergrond
    The Ondergrond

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    Parrot's Lounge

    Parrot's Lounge

    2.1(27 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    •$

    If it wasn't cash only I'd give it 5 stars. Very strong drinks. Very nice workers. Good vibes.read more

    Beware. This is one of, if not the only bar in Holland open late - but don't be tempted. Two times…read moreI've been here with my cousins while we were in town for the holidays, and both times I've regretted it. There won't be a third. As a lifelong Michigan resident, a good local dive is not hard to find - oozing with character & charm. You will not find that here. It's difficult to describe the atmosphere. There is an oppressive, hostile vibe. Perhaps it's different if you're friends with the owner/staff. The space is in poor shape even for dive standards - more reminiscent of your favorite fraternity's party room than a legitimate establishment. It retains none of the unique cultural charm many have come to expect in Holland, or any Michigan town outside of metro Detroit. I suppose it is Dutch in its own way - if Holland is Amsterdam, this is the red light district. The women in your group will feel uncomfortable. Stone faced men sit on the walls, not drinking, or talking, or socializing, but observing. Familiar faces circulate to those same men repeatedly, exchanging few words and brief handshakes. Interpret that as you will. You will also feel uncomfortable. When you request salt & limes for tequila shots, you'll pause and wonder if the bartender actually just called you an explicit homophobic slur. Or perhaps when you're followed into the bathroom and receive compliments regarding your manhood at the trough - unsure if it's a clumsy attempt at connection in a typically conservative locale - or a test with a bloody & bruised prize on your departure. You'll begrudgingly pay a cover and ponder why there's a seriously robust & out of place security team in downtown Holland of all places. You wonder why you can only enter through the back door, while the front is essentially hidden from the main drag. You'll notice the fresh young faces of some of the patrons, and speculate if their drivers licenses are vertically oriented. You'll come to understand that the rot festering in this space threatens to leak out & spoil the carefully curated charm that is Holland. Tolerance is the Dutch way - laid bare at the Parrot Lounge. It's up to you to decide how far your own tolerance extends.

    Photos
    Parrot's Lounge
    Parrot's Lounge - Great times with my friend!

    Great times with my friend!

    Parrot's Lounge - Beer (water) pong

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    Beer (water) pong

    Skiles Tavern - Skiles Special Pizza

    Skiles Tavern

    3.2(95 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    •$$

    Stopped in with a buddy just after 10 p.m. on a Thursday evening and split the 13" Skiles Special…read morepizza. Pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, green olives, and onions on a thin crust with just the right amount of grease. Exactly the kind of pizza you hope for at a neighborhood tavern. I call that "top-shelf grease." If you've never been, grab one of the "mini pitchers" to share with your pizza. They're smaller than your typical pitcher, but they've become our go-to pairing. Skiles has both a restaurant side and a bar side. The bar can get lively depending on the crowd, and with a pool table and TouchTunes, it's a fun place to hang out. They don't have one of the huge sports channel packages, so I wouldn't pick it for trying to watch six different games, but it's a great spot for good food and good company. Arielle took care of us at the bar and was fantastic as always. Friendly, attentive, and one of the reasons we enjoy coming back. One quick tip: don't assume they're open until midnight every night. Like many neighborhood taverns, they'll sometimes close a little early if things slow down. I'll definitely be back. Come here for: Thin-crust pizza, mini pitchers, and classic neighborhood tavern vibes.

    They never answer the phone. You can call 3-4 times at different times of the day/ night and…read morenothing. Use to place Togo orders and pick up on my way home but really don't understand having a phone if no one answers. Pizza is great if ya get it or are able to order

    Photos
    Skiles Tavern - Inside

    Inside

    Skiles Tavern - Pizza was solid.  loved the canned mushrooms.  not italian neopolitan but better than frozen

    Pizza was solid. loved the canned mushrooms. not italian neopolitan but better than frozen

    Skiles Tavern - Skiles Special Pizza

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    Skiles Special Pizza

    Seventy Six - Chocolate cake and strawberry daiquiri

    Seventy Six

    4.2(269 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    •$$$

    I highly recommend Seventy-Six if you're visiting Holland or the surrounding area. The food was…read morefreshly prepared, beautifully presented, and clearly made with high-quality ingredients. The service was excellent -- perfectly timed, without a single unnecessary wait. The prices felt very reasonable for the quality and level of the restaurant. I usually love to finish a great dinner with dessert, and since the food was so good, I skipped appetizers and saved room. The four of us tried all three desserts on the menu. Given how impressed I was with the food, I expected a little more from the desserts. They were good, but for me, they didn't quite reach the same level as the rest of the meal. Overall, Seventy-Six is a wonderful, atmospheric restaurant that made our trip to Holland even more enjoyable. I would absolutely recommend it.

    We visited Seventh-Six during the tulip festival and I will say that this restaurant is…read moreconveniently located downtown near a ton of cute shops and bars. Our waitress was really nice and overall service was quick. We ordered the Lemon Chicken and the Wedge Salad. The reason why I'm giving this restaurant 3 stars is mainly because of the chicken dish. I was expecting it to be more citrusy, but I feel like whatever lemon flavor it was meant to have was lost by some sort of sweetness. I think the Meyer lemon butter made the dish was so oddly sweet it mixed in with the rice underneath. Overall, this dish was sadly disappointing since we were looking forward to something savory and herby but got what felt like a sugar bomb for chicken. The salad was good and loaded with toppings, however, I felt like there was way too much dressing that drowned the salad once it was all mixed. If possible, I would get the dressing on the side. All in all, great ambiance, good service and a wonderful location. Perhaps I just ordered the wrong things. Still worth checking out, if you're in the area!

    Photos
    Seventy Six
    Seventy Six - Split Caesar salad

    Split Caesar salad

    Seventy Six - Whitefish

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    Whitefish

    New Holland Brewing

    New Holland Brewing

    3.9(1.1k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    •$$

    Great beer selection, awesome bartender and I ordered the garlic parm mozzarella pizza which was…read moredelicious! I recommend this place!

    Typically I enjoy New Holland.Friendly staff & usually good food.Upon my recent visit I was…read moresomewhat confused by my experience.I ordered a sandwich with fries ( which ideally would be eaten TOGETHER). When my Food arrived I requested to have my fries remade since they were NOT HOT & had most likely been sitting under a light ( is my guess ) for a while.After 25 minutes fresh fries did arrive but as you might imagine now my sandwich was COLD.I asked my waitress ( who was lovely in every way!!!! ) to please send a manager over so I could express my frustration. The manager was apologetic & comped my food - but fun fact,I now had a cold sandwich with hot fries. Literally one was switched for the other. Although I appreciate the slight concern, it would have been nice to offer me an altogether HOT meal complete with everything HOT at the same time.Am I asking too much? I didn't get a meal that day- just some hot fries.....& actually the thought of this still annoys me. Please consider the entire meal & remember,I came to EAT not "negotiate " 1/2 of a HOT meal. SO ANNOYING!!!!!!! Do better New Holland,Please . P.S. An interesting footnote to this review is that New Holland Brewing didn't even care enough to acknowledge this or respond

    Photos
    New Holland Brewing - Gift store

    Gift store

    New Holland Brewing - Etole Corn Dip

    Etole Corn Dip

    New Holland Brewing - Great place to have dinner while the weather still is good   Comfy chairs for being outdoors

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    Great place to have dinner while the weather still is good Comfy chairs for being outdoors

    Big Lake Brewing - bars - Updated October 2026

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