I've been to the exchange a few times before moving out of Michigan, but hit them up on a recent…read morevisit home. First off, Michigan passed the smoking ban, so it's great to enjoy the place smoke free. On a Thursday night, they had a live band, which was a lot of fun and very entertaining. Miike Skory and friends was the band this evening - they also played at my wedding, so that was fun to see them again. Drinks were great - strong enough, but not too strong, and $6 each for well. They also have some pretty good $8 martinis. The crowd in here is mixed - twenty-something's and a few cougars and older couples but generally a good bunch. If you're downtown and looking to have a few drinks in a nice place and enjoy some good music check it out.

Being new to the area, I wanted (and still want) to like the exchange, queer spaces are so…read moreimportant for the community. They describe themself as gay/queer bar in their own description, however, I (a man) was kissing another man and was told by the bouncer (who was wearing a pride bracelet) that we had to stop because it was making people uncomfortable. With the dance bar vibes and being a 'gay bar', it's wildly confusing that someone in leadership must be homophobic and could direct the bouncer to tell two gay men to stop kissing. For what it's worth, I've enjoyed the drinks that I've had here. But the bar clearly doesn't know what it wants to be...and based upon my experience, it certainly isn't a safe space for the queer community.

Met some friends at Esquire Bar last night and had the best time. It was our first time in a gay…read morebar, and the people were so friendly. The exterior doesn't look like much, but the interior was inviting, the ambience was great, and the decorations were fantastic! Great place to gather, and it definitely has a "Cheers" feel to it.

Great place for a crazy night, especially during the weekends, the crowd is always very fun and…read morelively. One of my all time favorite spots

The following is a text from my best friend and former roommate, Shoe. We've known each other since…read morewe were six, so she's allowed to hit me with my most embarrassing moments of all time without needing forgiveness. Shoe: "I saw a TikTok yesterday where someone talked about getting so drunk that they peed in their closet at 3 AM, and it reminded me of that time you got drunk, woke up in the middle of the night, and relieved yourself on that pile of clothes on your floor at Stormy Garcia (the name we gave our apartment based on its previous occupant). Oh, good times. Anywho, happy holidays!" Oddly, this story has been coming up a lot lately. Before you hear it from someone else, I'd like to go on record. This is my 8 Mile B. Rabbit vs. Papa Doc final rap battle story. The prelude is a little foggy, as this happened nearly twenty years ago and there was alcohol involved. I came home trashed from whatever Wicker Park hipster dive bar I chose to be over-served at that particular night and immediately passed out in my twin bed. I remember having a very vivid dream about needing to pee, but being far too tired to walk the five steps across the narrow hallway to the bathroom right outside my room. I had the brilliant idea to just go on the floor, squatting off the side of my bed. This is genius. I should do this more often. Great idea. I'll just give it a quick Swiffer in the morning. Everyone's gonna be doing this. Zzzzz. When I woke up, I was dry, fully clothed, but something was suspiciously off. I never have dreams that are as clear as that. It's normally an H.R. Pufnstuf bowling-alley strike-screen jumble--. I had, in fact, gone off the side of my bed but into a laundry basket full of my clothes. Not just any clothes. Clothes that had been recently laundered, folded, and had just been minding their own business, waiting to be put away. I remembered this godawful moment for the next nineteen years with a shiver of mild embarrassment. One day, absolutely out of the blue, I reconnect with an old friend. The kind with benefits, backdoor privileges, and a copy of my apartment key at the time. He recounts the exact same story with vivid details, not because I had shared this with him previously, but because he was a primary source. He was in the bed with me, trying (feebly) to dissuade me, and then forced to watch while this all transpired. How the hell did I block that part out? "But I know something about you. You went to Cranbrook. That's a private school." I still don't know what this information was meant to accomplish. As if private education was going to un-do the laundry basket. The Avenue in downtown Lansing reminds me of this moment and of being twenty-three years old again. It's messy, it's weird, it's a bit skanky, it's mixing every spirit behind the bar with reckless abandon, and it couldn't possibly be more fun. I've only been there twice, but it always seems to be "Ratchet Night," which I respect deeply. There was an amateur drag show the last time I was there, so I found myself hobnobbing with the who's-who of the Lansing-area LGBTQIA+ scene. This included a girl in a gimp mask and a bartender dressed as a literal clown. Face paint. Lavender pigtails. A polka-dotted hat with a pom-pom on top. Whatever. It doesn't really matter, because this clown made me one of the best drinks I've had in a very long time. It was a pistachio espresso martini, and it was a work of art. Real pistachios. Whipped cream. It took at least five minutes to assemble. I wanted to order ten more, but on a busy Saturday night, I could not bring myself to be that person with a high-maintenance drink order. After I mixed many exotic drinks together, I took to the dance floor and absolutely destroyed it to I'm Lookin' for the Hoes by Sexyy Red, followed by that seminal work on big jugs, Tia Tamera by Doja Cat. The rest is kind of a blur, but I do remember getting a shoutout from the emcee before I left. They said, "Judith hit so sticky." I said, "Thank you very much." Bent the whole world over and said, "Spank you very much." Nah, I'm just playin'. I went home and got sick in a sink that night. At least I didn't ruin a hamper, though.

Tasty food with a variety of heat on the noodles or rice dishes depending on a person's tolerance…read morefor spicy. The bartender was working double duty waiting tables though kept up with our needs at the table. Prices are on par with other places that are bar meets food options. Be aware music can be on the loud side however for a place with a great variety of pinball machines, pool tables, and a few other game machine this is a given. This is a bar with food not a traditional sit down so it aligns. Fun time as a fan of pinball and ramen.

We attended a concert at the GreenDoor, they open at 7:00pm - 2:30 pm., and had a great time…read more Not sure about food service,no waitress, however, I don't mind getting in line for drinks. I had not been here in many years and some changes have been made, new plate glass windows has been installed with an overhead door that looks as if it opens to the sidewalk. You need to check it out for yourself.

They don't ever have karaoke, as advertised. I don't think that this place is like it used to beread more

Please note that the above 5-star rating does not indicate this is a place for a first date... it…read moreis probably not... unless you've just left jail, or the like. This neighborhood pub is part of a trio of local bars (one in Mason, one in Eaton Rapids) that is owned by the Darbor family. Crystal bar is always decorated in the season's lights ... or Forth-of-July flags, etc... The bar is cash-only - there is an ATM. Keno from Michigan Lottery is available. What you'll find: drinks... full bar + several tap beers (Miller Lite, PBR, a Bell's variety). Food is limited to a help-yourself popcorn machine (highly recommended) and several snacks on the wall. The bar doesn't mind if you bring your own food or order from a local pizza joint, etc. The crowd is generally of the local variety ... working class ... you can usually chat with anyone and the bar is friendly if you stop in for a beer alone. Saturday evening karaoke starts about 9pm. Other nights feature a jukebox. Negatives include a pretty serious second-hand smoke situation. Enjoy!

I heard they have karaoke on Saturdays. I tried calling to confirm before going, never could get…read morethru. They have a recording that states the service isn't available

Bartenders where extremely efficient. Drinks made to regulation almost to the ounce. Atmosphere was…read moreexceptional. Cleanliness was very good. Very few bars I can audit as a secret customer pass at this level of service. I would highly recommend this establishment. 0 code violations is a rarity. Passed with flying colors. Seems tin can has stepped its game up. I applaud them all the way.

Racist. Everyone there is racist. From the owner refusing to play ANY music made by black or brown…read morepeople, the person who sales the tickets, to the bartenders serving the white patreons and family and when asked I was told and I quote "this is my family, if you don't like it you can get the F*** out". Was physically grabbed by one of the staff and literally thrown out the building for just standing there trying to talk to the security guard and making sure the women I came with were okay. Not even close to the best spot around town, don't waste your money at this garbage spot. Have been multiple times and have had very unnecessary alterations with basically anyone who works there.

Views, comfort, service and atmosphere is top notch! Just a great spot to hang out, relax and…read moreunwind. Great views of East Lansing and enjoying views of the trees and MSU across the street. The drinks were great and the people were amazing. We ordered the French onion dip, the meats and cheeses along with the pretzel bites with beer cheese. They were all very good. Nice little menu of tasty bites. The vibe and energy here is really relaxing and comfortable.

Service was quick. It's a great atmosphere with music playing and a wonderful view of the…read morecampus.Very disappointed in the M.A.C old-fashioned, Advertises a Luxador cherry but..... after we saw that we did not try the food.

The Riv was always one of the most popular bars in East Lansing when I was in college. They're…read moreknown for Burgerama on Thursdays, with cheap burgers and pitchers of beer. Lines would wrap all the way around the block at times on Thursdays. Nate and I were in town recently and decided to stop in and catch part of the Lions game. I laughed out loud when they asked for our IDs to enter - but glad to see they're enforcing this for all patrons. They have Truly on tap, which I don't see very often. With the help of the bartender we ordered a pitcher of Truly to share - their pitchers are small, and this one was full of ice. I think they're about 30 ounces or so. There are a lot of TVs and fun neon signs for all your Instagram needs. There are two areas of the bar - a main seating area with the stage and pool tables (which were converted to water pong tables) and the side room with the bar. It was pretty early on a Sunday afternoon, so it was quiet with only a handful of other people at the bar, which was nice. I'm sure The Riv is still a busy place on evenings and weekends.

Good service great vibe!! Good amount of girls to guys if that's wat ur keepin an eye out for…read more Can't refill our water. Not cool. Cool ducks madi loved the ducks she wanted 2 tho wudve made it a 10/10 2 ducks not drinks I didn't even say drink I shud delete that but I'm not gonna. Perky period purrrr Riv Rizz gods in here. Purr Riv Thank you for everything period