Putt Putt's is a west side staple dive bar. I noticed their outdoor patio when driving by one day, so Nate and I stopped by for a bite to eat and a drink recently after visiting the zoo which is down the street. He used to live in this neighborhood so he was familiar with the menu and mentioned the inside has changed quite a bit since he frequented this spot. We ordered a burger on sourdough with tots and the BBQ chicken flatbread. This was great bar food! I loved the burger - it was juicy and the tots were fried and seasoned to perfection. It was a great portion too, so we were able to share (makes me think of Napoleon Dynamite - no stealing tots necessary). I love that you can order your burger on sourdough instead of a bun - it was perfectly toasted. It did get a bit messy and fell apart a little towards the end, but we had plenty of napkins. The flatbread was super tasty. I don't usually go for a BBQ chicken pizza but I saw someone else ordered it and it looked delicious. I'm so glad I copied them, because it was sweet, savory, and covered in chicken and cheese. The included side of ranch just rounded it out. Yum! Our server was quick with refills and around for us to order more drinks when needed. The outdoor space is pretty spacious and covered. Definitely will stop by again soon! read more

See all

Saw 4.5 stars for putt putts and decided to give it a try... NEVER AGAIN. We came in with five of us and it was decently busy. A server never came to our table, never brought us a menu (we had to look it up on our phones). Finally go up to the bar and ask for a server (after multiple attempts and having to order drinks from the bar) and she comes over and tells us they only have fried food. We buy some shots and beers (server asks for our card and we pay for them up front) and they never brought them (we had to remind the server we ordered drinks and shots). Overall it was a clusterf*** and we will never be back. read more

The bartenders took a real ID and refused to take drinks from him. They called him an asshole when he did nothing wrong even when when they don't get service as it is read more

Great locals bar. It's very comfortable and cozy inside. All of the staff is extremely friendly and provide quick service. They have everything you need food and drink wise to have a good time, watch some sports, or just enjoy some cold drinks. read more

Putts putts will always be a warm, affordable, and casual place to grab drinks. For the people who spent the time to copy & paste the same review over and over again whining about the bartender suggesting they order a drink, have clearly never been to a dive bar. If you want the bow down customer service you're so eagerly expecting, I hear that Ruth's Chris will even wipe your mouth for ya! Maybe try there. There's a reason this place has been open for over 100 years and why the patrons who are getting "terribly treated" constantly come back. Its really a shame that people have one bad experience, likely due to them personally being overly intoxicated, and blame it on anyone but themselves. We love Putts and we will forever return here!!! read more

First of all, I came with my friends. They kicked us out 30 minutes before they close. They said they were closed. I'm giving them a one star cause fuck that. even though they said they closed at 12 the fuck. read more

I honestly can't believe how terrible our experience was at this bar. The moment we walked in, we were greeted with an aggressive and rude message that completely set the tone for the night. "IF YOU'RE NOT ORDERING A DRINK DON'T STAY LONG. THIS IS A BAR," the bartender literally yelled at us. No friendly welcome, no "Hi, how are you?", just instant hostility. We hadn't even had a chance to settle in when we were hit with this nonsense. It was as if we were an inconvenience simply for walking through the door. The vibe was immediately uncomfortable and unwelcoming. It's supposed to be a place to relax and enjoy yourself, but instead, we felt like we were intruding. I get that bars are there to serve drinks, but there's a way to communicate that without being rude and unnecessarily harsh. It's 2024--people like to hang out, chat, and enjoy the atmosphere. I'm baffled at how a place can be so clueless about customer service. We left immediately and will NEVER be coming back. There are plenty of other spots where the staff actually knows how to treat patrons with respect. Avoid this place unless you want to be shouted at the minute you walk in. read more

Service was horrible, once we told her that we were paying cash and not starting a tab she never came back to the table. 20 minutes passed and we left read more

This place is very unprofessional. The management is amateur and will ask you to leave without telling you why or giving any reasons. They will also threaten you with calling the police if you don't immediately comply with their unscrupulous demands. The manager that talked to me was obviously a very insecure and bitter individual. This place is a dump and a stain on the thriving Grand Rapids bar scene. Do not give them your business! The bouncer was chill though. read more

They have a great burger with sauerkraut on it that I haven't been able to stop thinking about since I had one a few months ago.

Great service, the ladies are pleasant. Matt could be a little more friendly. Would be 4.9 if I could

Ordered a few waters for a group of 10 and was asked "do you want to elaborate on that?" Just no customer service here. They must not work for tips because they don't care. Food and drinks are good, but I won't be back. read more

"Where you're only a stranger once." I love coming here. I don't care if I'm in a cocktail dress or sweatpants and a hoodie, I always feel comfortable and welcome. They pour strong drinks and serve up great bar food. Sandwiches, burgers, and lots of fried delights. Let's be honest, you didn't come to the bar to eat a salad did you? It's a great place to hang out, watch the game with your friends, or make your own fun with their pool tables. They recently renovated and now have a great outdoor patio too. Aaaaand free Wi-Fi! If you're looking to get away from the stereotypical bar/club scene, try Putts. Everyone is welcome! read more

Putt-Putt's Bar - Turkey bacon club. Mmmmm. - Sports Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Male to female ratio? 10:1. Pool? Check! Seating? Long tables, outdoor tables, good bar? Check! My kinda place. read more

Putt-Putt's Bar - Sports Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Food is super-duper!! Drinks are generous and yummy!! Jennifer is one of the best cooks! The tater-tots are not to be missed!!! All of the help works together- great to see!! read more

Always busy on the weekends, small, fun, well priced - the place must make a killing! Cranberry & Vodka = $3.25, can't beat it, and yes I know it's not Grey Goose and that's fine with me! Self service popcorn, nice and salty, addicting and making you drink more - I've never ate there except Popcorn but it looks like your basic bar food! Great place, check it out!!! read more

Putt-Putt's Bar - Popcorn - salty and yummy! - Sports Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Putts', as it's affectionately called by some, is a long-time favorite watering hole on the West Side. Decor-wise it is most assuredly a dive bar, but since I've been coming here off and on for years, the unchanging mirrored beer signs on the wall and plastic lunch-room style chairs and tables just feels like home when I walk in. The staff is always friendly and fun, joking and talking with all the regulars but still making time for new customers. I've never ordered food here so I can't speak to that but the beer is cheap and liqueur drinks are always strong. On Saturday afternoon we sat outside on the front patio to people watch Fulton St. The patio area was tidy and staff came out regularly to check on our drinks and see if we needed food. If you are looking for a comfortable, low-key spot with some West Side charm, this is one of the best! read more

Get on your scuba gear, cause it is gonna be a long dive down to this bar. Local bar filled with local regulars, and the children of local regulars. I used to go here with a friend that knew the owners and bartenders so maybe we got special treatment, but just decent place with cheap beer, strong drinks, and friendly people. DO NOT go here expecting to find the coolest jukebox in town, or the kind of people that would appreciate it. Really decent food considering they make burgers on a little grill behind the bar. Do yourself a favor and buy a round of Tahitian Treat shots, you won't be disappointed. read more

Love this bar!! Yesterday I was on a bender with me boss Joe Gaglione and then after Sarah got off work she joined up as well. We ended up at Chee Chee on Broadway in the somewhat sketchy part of San Diego... Well, it was around 4 am when Sarah and I were recapping the night and giggling our heads off that we were trying to compare the Chee Chee to some Grand Rapids bar and we came up with Putt-Putt's Bar... and also conjured up some old Russian with a swollen liver named Vlad. As well as a forty-something black tranny. It was funny. You had to be there. Love this bar! read more

It's 1 of my favorite bars in gr. The staff is super friendly, the food is far better than your average pub grub, and the patio is a great option. You can't go wrong adding Putts into your day or night out. read more

Kevin was a fantastic bartender. I came here for my birthday and they treated me like a king. Kevin is fantastic.

Super nice crew behind the bar. Had a Long Island that took me back to my vacay in the tropics. Nice patio for relaxing on

Well it was as if the staff didn't want me there. The proper response when someone comes to the bar to order a beer is not "what?" i got the feeling if they dont know you, they dont want to know you. Ive never been treated like that at a bar or restaurant. Youre in the costumer service industry, put on your fake smile and your fake voice and dont be an ahole read more

No service. Waitresses hanging out with friends. After 20 mins. Not even an acknowledgement that we walked in the door!

I really like it when they ignore you for 30 minutes and then tell you "no you can't order anything but fried food" right now. During that last 30 minutes of service the waitress was being groped by a customer. fabulous customer service. read more

My favorite bar in GR, hands down. Tuesday nights are the best--interesting mix of people, and Kellen and Brandon behind the bar mixing delicious cocktails that you've never heard of. I'd always rather be at Putt Putt's. read more

We are writing this review because our grade school alumni met at Putt Putt's for a reunion 64 years after our eighth grade graduation. Our welcome by the owner, Charlie Fischer, was outstanding.we were impressed with incredible personal service. Charlie even stood on a chair to take photos of our group and visited with us to make sure our needs were being met. Our former classmates raved about the delicious food, attentive staff and are making plans to return. Alice and Carolynne Grade School Graduation Class of 1953 read more

Stopped in Sunday afternoon for a beer. The place was not very busy but the bartender never acknowledged our presence. We waited almost 20 minutes while she chit-chatted with regulars and waited on regulars who walked in after us. Some of the regulars at the bar pointed in our direction a couple times to try to get her to wait on us, and apologized for her rude behavior. We never did get a beer and finally gave up and left. read more

After seeing that the bar was placed in one of the local magazines as one of the best spot for burgers in the area, my family and I came to taste test. This place is easily passed when you drive down Fulton. My sister used to live in the area and I have passed by it quite a bit not knowing it was there. The interiors made me feel like I was walking into a set on a movie. The Christmas lights and the simple decor really caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting anything upscale but the tables and chairs made me immediately think I entered a VFW. Maybe this is a typical feeling when you walk into a dive bar. I wouldn't dress up like you are going to the club for this spot. In fact any kind of casual would be about right. The music is hit or miss since there is a jukebox with people selecting random songs. Mostly, I think 80s rock kind of fits in here. My family and I thought we were actually at the wrong place because it's not like you get seated or that the menus are easily accessible on the tables. The bartender came and asked for our drinks before he asked if we wanted to order food. So, no one even got an alcoholic beverage, we each got pop with our burger order. The burger comes out in a white sliced sandwich style bread and it's cooked just one way, medium well. We were kind of skeptical, but it totally worked! We all actually really enjoyed our burgers. We were commenting on how sometimes there's just too much bread in the overall veggie to meat and bread ratio. The meat is seasoned really well and just tasted fantastic. We had a boat load of fries and my jalapeno poppers were pretty good as well. I think we found a burger spot we'll be coming back to. read more

I love Putt putts. I don't drink often but when I do it's here! I hate busy bars but putt putts is just perfect. The atmosphere is warm and the bartenders are quick to make drinks. The female bartender is sassy and intimidating but that's just part of the charm I think. read more

Good bar food for reasonable prices. Went here for dinner with my sister, it was a good choice

I do not like the service, only three of the bartenders are awesome! (AJ, Skinny and AJ's gf). I love it when you have to get your own drinks (you all know who I'm referring to), and then expect a tip! Terrible. Foods not that great either! read more

Nice place but the workers are so fucking rude!! Some friends and i visited a few bars and I left my wallet at one. When I got to putt putts I stepped outside to call the previous bar and sure enough they had my wallet. No big deal! I was pretty much done drinking anyway. So I just go sit with my friends. After they grab a second round, I grabbed an empty drink to chew the ice. Then the bartender came over. Admittedly, I shouldn't have grabbed the glass when I didn't have my id, but I don't believe that is ground for the bartenders behavior. First he was rude to me at the table, only to then pull me aside and be completely rude to me again. This whole time i'm being reasonable with him because I understand that I did something wrong. After i leave the bartender takes it upon himself to sit down with all of my friends and berate them as well. Every single one of us is over 22 and half of us work in restaurants. The situation was blown extremely out of proportion and I have never been treated so rudely by staff, even before I turned 21 and tried to use a fake and got caught! In my years of working in restaurants, I have never seen a bartender treat a guest so rudely. Your job is to serve drinks and check ids not be a total dickhead to patrons and make girls cry for making a mistake. This is just the cherry on top of stories i've heard from my friends and my sisters friends about the bartenders at this place. read more

Nice place but the workers are so fucking rude!! Some friends and i visited a few bars and I left my wallet at one. When I got to putt putts I stepped outside to call the previous bar and sure enough they had my wallet. No big deal! I was pretty much done drinking anyway. So I just go sit with my friends. After they grab a second round, I grabbed an empty drink to chew the ice. Then the bartender came over. Admittedly, I shouldn't have grabbed the glass when I didn't have my id, but I don't believe that is ground for the bartenders behavior. First he was rude to me at the table, only to then pull me aside and be completely rude to me again. This whole time i'm being reasonable with him because I understand that I did something wrong. After i leave the bartender takes it upon himself to sit down with all of my friends and berate them as well. Every single one of us is over 22 and half of us work in restaurants. The situation was blown extremely out of proportion and I have never been treated so rudely by staff, even before I turned 21 and tried to use a fake and got caught! In my years of working in restaurants, I have never seen a bartender treat a guest so rudely. Your job is to serve drinks and check ids not be a total dickhead to patrons and make girls cry for making a mistake. This is just the cherry on top of stories i've heard from my friends and my sisters friends about the bartenders at this place. read more

Great bar, friendly staff. Excellent alternative when downtown GR is packed with college kids!!