Came here for a bar crawl recently! The fries and mac and cheese balls are a delicious and crunchy pick me up! Highly recommend stopping in for a bite. Only 4 stars because I was waiting by the counter for a while before getting to order as 4 employees stared at me from across the kitchen. Other than that, totally worth it!!! Side note: it's cash only. read more

Blonde bar back squeezed a lime on my head and followed me around the rest of the night it was very weird. Other than that it is always fun

Bartenders throw objects at you and kick people out on unidentified reasons (short bartender medium length dark hair) even after 60% gratuity read more

Came here with my husband after our extravagant dinner at Beggar's Banquet, was informed by the GM Steve Hermanson that both Beggar's and Rick's are owned by the same people! No wonder this place had such a great environment to it. Staff was friendly and alert, service was exceptional, and after a few (too many) drinks, my husband and I wrapped things up and were helped out the door (hehe we were a bit tipsy) Door staff even offered to buy us an Uber because my silly husband couldn't figure out the app! Very welcoming place and we can't wait to go back again soon! read more

If I'm going to be honest, this place is going down hill. I ordered 2 high noons, handed the bartender a 20, and received 35 cents back. Is that a joke? I can go 1 block away and get a 12 pack for 20 bucks anywhere. What a sick joke from a once great college bar. I would seriously reevaluate the menu here, a long with fixing the atmosphere and cutting out underclassmen. Fix the bar. read more

DO NOT USE THE ATM!!! I needed to withdraw $20 from the ATM last night to pay the $5 cover. The first time I tried it, nothing was dispensed and my receipt said that $20 was withdrawn but $0 was dispensed. I tried again and again, no cash was dispensed, however, when I checked my receipt this time, it said that $20 was dispensed from the machine. I checked my bank account and $20 + the $3 "tax" was taken out of my account. I put the receipt in my pocket and asked the manager about getting a refund. Conveniently, the last 4 digits of the card on my receipt somehow didn't match mine so he said he couldn't help me. Found out that the same thing had happened to my friend last week but they took $40 from her! This "broken" ATM is a total scam so DO NOT USE IT and honestly, don't go to Rick's ever it's not fun at all, drinks are wayyyy too expensive, and the manager is a d*ck. read more

If I could give this place 0 stars, I would. I was in East Lansing this past weekend, and while I was living there, I generally held my ground and said that I would never go back to Ricks. This last weekend, I must have slipped because some how we ended up there. Now for people that just turned 21, or people that are just trying to get their freak on, I can see the appeal of this place. As a person pretty far removed from school, I no longer see that appeal. The thing I hate most about this place- the smell. It always smells like puke in this place. I guess if you're drunk, you might not notice it as much, but damn, this place was wreeking on Sat. Plus they had some crappy "dj" there on Sat. I'm sorry, creating a play list on your computer does not make you a dj. If my friends ever try and go back, I think I'll just walk home. read more

BEST bar ever. I have never felt more at home than I have at this establishment. They truly do it better in the basement.

Rick's is a dump. It has the reputation of being the place where people finish their night, after they're already hammered. There's two sides at the place. One has a DJ and dancing, the other has tables, tvs, etc. Both sides are a mess at night, You have to go at least once while a student at MSU. Some people love it; I'm not one of them. read more

I normally like this place enough, but last night i was being stalked by a man who was waiting at the bar for me to leave. I told the bouncers and begged them for help and they did nothing. Very disappointed and concerned for other woman that this may happen to. So just want to leave a warning to women that this bar clearly does not have the best interest of women's safety in mind. read more

Full of energy, if you want to dance and meet people.. THIS IS THE PLACE!!!! Awesome bartenders who are happy and excited to be there. Everyone is dancing, so much fun read more

Rick's, The Riv, The Planet & Bilbos (with the semi frequent Lansing/AA/Kzoo/Detroit/Chicago shows mixed in) was the epicenter of my late 80s to mid 90s youth! But Ricks in particular holds the crown of the place where I've seen the most/some of the best shows in my life. Hannibals, Bop (H), Verve P...Water for the, TMIW, Pato Banton, and many, many other bands. Plus, CMON, the freaking dark ass basement, the long line down the long stairs, pics of previous bands, pitchers of Old Style (so called) Black n Tans, the troughs, puke & incredible graffiti in the mens head...ABSOLUTELY one of the classics! read more

Everyone needs to chill on all the bashing of this place. It's a bar in a basement in a college town, I'm so confused what people are expecting. Would a place like this appeal to me now? Hell no. However as a 21 year old there was nothing better and some of my fondest memories in college involved Rick's. I absolutely adored that place and waited in line in 2 degree weather more times that I want to admit but I think it honestly wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I spent at least 3-4 nights a week here and spent the majority of my money here. Cheap drinks, good times, fun crowd. If you don't want to get rowdy, don't bother because that's exactly what this place is for and that's honestly party of the appeal. Walking down those magic stairs to the basement that smells like cheap beer, cheap cologne and bad choices takes me right back to college. Don't ever change Rick's - you're amazing! read more

It's sort of a personal pet-peeve of mine when people call their establishments a "Cafe", when it clearly is not. Cafe means coffee. It is not a catch-all term for any place that serves food. The bar/club is literally in a basement. The bar itself is so dirty that you might actually catch Syphilis sitting at it. The clientèle is the worst kind of trashy college students: sorostitutes clad in too short sequined dresses and 4in heels and Jersey Shore D-Bags looking to get laid in the bathroom. Which reminds me... avoid the bathrooms (just trust me on this). read more

It saddens me a bit to review Rick's because as a MSU alumni, there were moments where Rick's was at least a weekly stop. This is where I went on my 21st birthday and it was a regular stop on Friday afternoons for cheap pitchers and free pizza. That said, I don't think I'd ever go back there. Rick's is purely part of the college experience and now that I've been out of college for a few years, I know better. If you are in undergrad, Rick's is it- as evidenced by the long lines on busy nights. The drink specials aren't as great as other EL bar's so if you are trying to drink on the cheap, you probably have a better choice somewhere around the corner. read more

Rick's, why is it always Rick's? Whenever my wife's vet school buds want to go out it has to be Rick's, the worst damn place for anyone out of undergrad to hang out. If you're plastered it might be fun, but then again so is every other bar in the world. I'm not a fan of the music here, and the drinks aren't nearly cheap enough, nor are there enough bartenders to serve them fast enough. I can't get a buzz here because the wait is too long, and that's a killer. Guess I'm too old. read more

When you see the line wrapped around the corner and broke college students reaching into their pockets to offer up a $5 cover, you might assume something wonderful happens inside of Ricks. You would be extremely mistaken making this assumption. Ricks is dirty and loud with mediocre drinks and mediocre staff. Here are some facts you should consider before waiting in the line. 1. Your feet will stick to the floor in a damp basement that smells like stale urine 2. You risk getting eggs thrown at you while waiting in line and you most definitely will get at least one drink sloshed on you once inside. 3. All of the bar patrons will be scantily clad, heavily intoxicated and likely using a fake id. 4. You will wait at least 10 minutes for a cheap watered down drink. If you understand this before going in and enjoy drunk dancing in basements then you might have a somewhat pleasant east Lansing style evening . 21+ avoid read more

Drinks here are cheap and the lines are always nuts. The DJ on the one side of the bar usually places Top 40 music it's always blown out and loud. This is where college memories are made and forgotten the next day. This dark basement they call a bar is dirty and downright loud. Nonetheless, this is where college kids come to congregate, meet and maybe end up in places they don't expect. It definately is a filthy place. The bathroom is disgusting and the pizza is only tasty when drunk. It can sometimes be compared to reheated cardboard with cheese on top. Whatever, it's free. The only reason why i rate it so well is because of the memories that i've had here. The ambiance and the crowd is what makes this place so amazing. This is by far the best place to experience a college crowd and atmosphere. Don't expect clean floors. Party on! read more

I was amused to find out that there is a Rick's American Cafe in both EL and Ann Arbor. This one is more of a normal bar while the Rick's in AA is more of a dance bar. The thing that is the same about both of these Rick's is that they're both dirty, super loud and where all of the students go. I'm sure there wasn't anyone over 25 in that place. I had fun, because we went there for my friend's birthday. The problem is that as much as I don't mind bars, I prefer to be able to talk if I can't dance. If it's too loud to talk and there's no room to dance, it's probably not going to get much business from me. I did enjoy the look of it though. The walls were covered in posters and plaques, which made it feel more welcoming. read more

If you're over the age of 25, don't go to Rick's. You won't like it. The bathrooms are gross. It takes forever to get a shot. And good luck getting a table unless you're there super early on a Friday or Saturday before the rush. But maybe this is exactly why me and the 40,000 other college kids in this town love this place. If you're under the age of 25, go to Rick's. You'll love it. It's dirty and loud. Drinks are cheap. They run drink specials every night. You'll always run into someone you know which can be either good or bad. And the food is super greasy which is perfect when you need something to hold down that Irish Car Bomb. Albeit, I experienced my 21st birthday at this bar so it holds a special place in my heart, but it is an East Lansing tradition. Best nights to go to Rick's you ask? After or during any Michigan State sporting event, especially football games. But honestly, when is it not a good time to go to the bar? read more

We asked the DJ to play 70s music because we are here for a 70's themed fundraiser and the DJ said "fuck you" and when we got the manager involved he said "I can't do anything about it" read more

Ah, good old Rick's. Last stop on the bar crawls, first in my heart. When you descend into the basement-y Rick's Cafe, you should expect to have a good time - if you're not too picky. This is a college bar. People go here usually when they are already drunk. Get in line early, get to know the bouncers so you don't have to pay the normally outrageous cover, be aggressive at the bar, and have fun.The bigger the group the better, considering most guys here are looking to take chicks home. It's just a good place to meet up with people and get ridiculous. Dress ranges from bar crawl t-shirts to all-out dresses and heels. It's pretty much up to you. There's two sides, one with a dance floor/bar and one with more seating and another bar. Coat check is hit or miss, except in winter when they always have it. And yes, if you're over about 22/23 years old, this is not the place for you. My recommendation-- go here thursday nights. $3 everything is the greatest. And Jedi Mind Trip plays great live covers with good DJ-ing in between sets. Yeah, Rick's bathrooms are not meant for anyone sober to use, and you may have to wait a while to get a drink. But I'm not gonna lie, it is a fun place, and everyone's goal is to have a good time. read more

One star. And I love dive bars. But just because this bar smells like vomit and pee, hasn't cleaned their bathrooms in ten years, and is in the basement - does not make it an ideal dive bar. Its filled with sorority and frat boys who want to pretend they like dive bars. Plus, I can't see any appeal in a place where it takes more than 20 minutes to get a drink. I came to get my drink on...not stand and be shoved by children while I sober. Hated it when I went there, continue to hate it. read more

I got into a barfight at Rick's. I was traipsing my way across the dancefloor and this guy randomly grabbed my ass and I told him to cut it out. He grabbed it again so I clocked him. Guess who got thrown out.... Anyway, you can see the kind of clientele you get at Rick's. Monday and Wednesday nights tend to be booty nights, Mondays attract more Lansing Locals than usual, so the crowd can get a little....rowdy. It's still kind of a frat-boyish bar and you are guaranteed to have cheap beer spilled all over you at some point and time during the night. The music is top 40, the bathroom and floors are filthy, it reeks of underground damnpess, but the drinks are cheap, so if you can put up with all the other crap for that, then sure g'head and check it out. If not, come chill with me (on Wednesdays) upstairs at half-off-wine-night (hereby known as H-Own) at Beggar's. read more

Your average East Lansing bar. Sticky floors, soda based liquor drinks, and horrible music! If this bar wanted to survive, they would put some money back into the place and would teach their bartenders how to make a cocktail menu and not just how to use a soda gun. Better luck next time! I'm glad I moved to Detroit where we can actually enjoy getting drinks. read more

Okay. First things first, this is a typical college dive bar so expectations need to be managed. It's dark, it's dirty, it's smelly. I wouldn't use the bathrooms if someone paid me. It can take forever to get a drink and you will usually see at least one crying girl in a corner. But it is an East Lansing staple and a great place to go after a football game if you want to brave the crowds. It's not a place to go and have drinks and conversation. It's a place to end a bar crawl because you will be too "happy" to remember that you braved the stairs to enter this dungeon. read more

This place is where memories are made. And then subsequently forgotten thanks to the cheap drinks and peer pressure. And then recounted hours later after waking up on your buddy's futon with beer spilled all over the furniture, sharpie drawings all over your face, and a half-eaten Menna's dub on your lap. Some of my best undergrad nights were at Rick's; only because my friends are awesome. The place itself is gross though. Those floors - lol. Consider it a miracle if you walk in and the floors aren't sticky. Bathrooms usually dirty. Food is almost inedible while sober. Their saving grace has to be the cheap drinks and their fortunately perfect location. It's college though. Just clean your floors, Rick's. And stop price-gouging when alumni come back for homecoming. read more

Why all the hate for Rick's? There was a time when stumbling from Crunchy's for lunch to Rick's for the 3pm happy hour was the highlight of my week. Back when I was young enough to go here, they had $2.25 pitchers and free pizza before 9pm. It is just as packed on Monday night as it is on Friday and Saturday. What i wouldn't give to be in college again. I appreciate this place more now that I have to pay San Francisco prices for drinks. read more

Gross. Top shelf liquor was on special so I had a few Dragon Bleu and Cranberry cocktails but it was a very seedy bar and I'm not sure that I would come back. read more

Pros: free pizza on Thursdays that tastes like cardboard and expired ragú but, well, it's free. amazing people watching. drinks are cheap AND strong. Cons: I got punched in the face here by someone who looked like they did a lot of crack. one time I saw a guy pee on the wall by the bathrooms. read more

I went there completely blasted, but I still had a good time. A lot of the reviews seem to be negative because it's the college crowd. I guess you're not into that, then it's not your place. However, if that's what you're looking for, it's great. It's loaded with lots of people, drinks are flowing, and it's a large basement with a big dance floor. They also had a live band playing. I had a good time. They did have a $5 cover though and wrote the last digits of my ID onto my hand for some reason. read more

Despite of its cleanliness or raunchiness of this venue, Ricks is by far the best bar in EL for experiencing a real college bar atmosphere! Music is top 40s, doesn't matter because everyone will dance just about to anything. They have a mini elevated stage you can bring girls to dance on and even higher one behind the DJ (dark corners). Oh and Chairs and tables for boring people to sit and hate on people having fun... read more

Rick's American Cafe - Bars Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

Went to the MSU-Michigan game and wanted to check out Ricks. I have to admit I have been in some dives in my life, but without a doubt Ricks was the filthiest, dirtiest place I have ever been in. The floor was so dirty and sticky your feet stuck to the floor when you tried to move. The place reeked of stale odors,\ and vomit. Everything about the whole place was disgusting..people were passed out at tables and throwing up all over the place and this was at 7-8 pm...god knows what it is like after midnight. I wanted to take a shower when I walked out. I guess if you were 21 and had a BAC of 2.0 or more you might enjoy it. read more

Tie your shoes up tight before you enter because otherwise they will be stuck to the floor and you might lose them. It is so pitch black dark in there you will never see them again. if you wear sandals in there i truly pity you. Looks like shit, smells like shit, sounds like shit. My own little vision of hell on earth. read more

Ricks is a fun place to dance, get sloppy and find someone to take home at the end of the night. DO NOT come here if you're trying to sit down and have a great convo with friends; this is not that place. Also, this "cafe" isn't a place for food. It's more of a night club. Tuesday is half off! If you're looking for the college experience then you should come here. If you're looking for a less trashy college experience, go to Harpers. Also, if u want to get in at a decent time, you better be in line before ten. read more

This place scares me, I have never met a quality person at Ricks, its just a drunk tank for creeps. The drinks, staff and environment are all very under par. Just like everyone else has said when reviewing, when I was young it seemed like an ok place, but as you get older you get smarter and this place sucks. But it will always be around, because there are always young kids that don't know any better. read more

Two reasons you go here A: Blackout B: Pick up some filthy creatures that you run from in the morning That being said best bar in East Lansing read more

This is the worst bar I have ever been too... And I know my night life scenes. The floor was so disgusting! It was both sticky and slippery at the same time from all the booze and vomit all over the place. I was terrified that if I fell and my skin touched the floor I'd end up with a life threatening disease... Sometimes a sticky floor adds to the uniqueness in a good way like at MACs bar but.... No... Just no. The bathrooms are disgusting. I get it... It's a bar but seriously.... It might as well have been an outhouse filled above its limit. The bar tenders are very fast but complete ass holes. I girl tried to tell me I paid for my drink with 4 dollar bills and to keep the f***ing quarter cuz she didn't want it.... That was the person next to me... I paid with one 10 and had to slow her work before I could get my change. You can't move because there are so many people there looking to hook up. I got felt up so many times and I was just glad my pockets had buttons on them so I didn't get pick pocketed. I was squeezing my way through a door and some girl thought I tried hitting on her "man". She followed me around until she got stuck in the crowd trying to get in a fight but she could barely keep her head up she was so drunk... I give it one star because I can't give it less on this app read more

Great dancing. Quality food. Above par service. Mac and cheese bites were pretty bad but the chicken fingers 10/10 would recommend. Hidden valley ranch for sure. Don't wear sandals and bring your own tp, otherwise great selection of old men to choose from. read more

Recently I went to Ricks cafe for a date with a girl whom I had been talking with via a very popular dating app called Tinder. When I met the girl for the first time in person, I was admittedly disappointed because her online profile was much more appealing than her real life face, but after I funneled several drinks into my face I found her much more interesting and attractive. Later that night I got kicked out for starting a fight and then went back to that girls house for some cuddling... it was hot. In finality, Ricks American Cafe is great and the sticky vibe is great for causal sex 4 stars. read more