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    Sidebar

    4.3 (111 reviews)
    ModerateCocktail Bars
    Open 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Megan H.

    Very small space but it was a nice vibe! I love coming here with my girls when we go out for yap sessions Their drinks are all quite fancy and bit expensive, but they're so good that it's worth it. Being right next door to Big O's is nice as well because of the location downtown but also for the food. Not sure if this place has its own bathrooms. I ended up using the one at Big O's. The bartender was great as well! Good conversation and they had lots of knowledge on the drinks and ingredients.

    Victoria S.

    What a fun unexpected end to our night! I was at CityFlats next door for a Yelp event, and fellow Yelper Sarah and I decided to take her friend Steve to Sidebar on a whim as he had never been! As we were about to walk in, another fellow Yelper Karsen called out to us and asked if we were going to Sidebar, and we confirmed that we were, so we all decided to sit together. A big thank you to our mixologist Noah for being so welcoming and kind to us, and for joking around with us when we told him we were all Yelpers. When we initially walked in, it was only the 5 of us, but it quickly filled up with patrons and everyone was talking to each other like they were old friends. I had the Captains Kidd (espresso and rum), which tasted like a refreshing old fashioned/espresso martini (no cream, light sugar). Left Sidebar with 4 new friends, exchanged stories about Japan, and ended the night with a lovely cocktail. Keep in mind that Sidebar is very speakeasyesque and has very limited seating (I want to say 20 seats max?), so go early if you want to be able to snag a drink, especially on a weekend. Today is Tuesday and there were already 13 of us in there at 9pm, so I'm positive that the weekend gets crazy busy! It's worth the experience!

    Wall decor
    Clayton H.

    Great intimate, speakeasy ambiance. We had been looking forward to trying SIDEBAR as we had never been able to get in before due to no open seats. For this visit, there was no wait and the service was quick, although we did get there around 7:30. Jimbo was our bartender and was very helpful and personable. The drinks tasted good, however I would not describe them as bold or complex. I plan to revisit because I do not feel this visit lived up to their reputation or potential. Look forward to trying them again.

    Danielle G.

    We visited after our high school reunion for a few drinks while my husband grabbed pizza next door. The space is very small and intimate, but we squeezed four at a table. Service is excellent and I enjoyed my cocktail but my friend's husband did not. Good spot for a date, not for large groups!

    Joseph H.

    SERVICE: 5 FOOD QUALITY: N/A DRINK QUALITY: 4 ORDER TIME: 5 AESTHETICS: 5 NOISE LEVEL: 2 MENU SELECTION: 4 OVERALL EXPERIENCE: 4.17 Small speakeasy experience right next to BigO Pizza, and Booze. You can definitely miss it if you're not paying attention but the music is loud enough that you will definitely wonder what is going on behind the door. As you enter the darkened bar you will only see a few tables and a few bar seats. With this place being first come first serve you just have to get lucky, and hope something is available when you arrive. I've actually gone 3 times, and 1 of those visits we had to leave because they had no seats. I love speakeasy's and being that this is probably one of the best in Grand Rapids, I find myself wanting to go often. Menu selection isn't too large, and overwhelming, which is pretty common for speakeasies. One thing that I really dislike is the loud music which is uncommon. Every time I've gone the music is so loud that you can't really hear yourself think. In terms of quality I have found that my drinks were not consistent. I've ordered the same drink 3 times and each time it tasted a little different and the last time it tasted like a straight bourbon on the rocks. Overall, I find this place to be a neat little hidden bar with great drinks if mixed properly. I, personally, would choose to have a lower music volume, and make a playlist that is fitting for a speakeasy. The experience should feel like you're living a secret life and not in a crowded night club. Just the opinion of one worldly speakeasy seeker though. Definitely recommend going if you have a small group or you're flying solo. Not large group friendly.

    Belly up to the bar
    Nichole M.

    The establishment does not open until 5:00pm. It's an intimate venue that does not allow standing room so if you show up and there is not a place to be you need to wait in the entrance next to the pizza place. The drinks are pricey but worth it. The staff are brilliant when mixing and matching speciality drinks. Jeff got a drink off the menu (classic old fashion) I asked to be surprised with a limoncello concoction. Thankfully I was presently surprised. You would park in the parking garages a few blocks down, the venue is hidden but able to be found if you are looking for it and the bathroom is in the Big O's Pizza and they are okay with that. Overall it's a good stop in for one or two drinks and move along. Definitely something to experience.

    An oldie but a goodie, Old Fashion.
    Angela M.

    The bartender greeted us warmly and skillfully prepared delicious drinks. My husband and I thoroughly enjoy frequenting this establishment. Every visit has been met with exceptional drinks and service. The ambiance exudes charm and sophistication.

    OMG best drinks ever! it was a little hard to find :) -- NEXT TO THE PIZZA SHOP LITERALLY! lol pero we (boyfriend & i) on our 5year anniversary and counting can i get a YAYYYY our server- Chad got our drinks to a T! was and will always be fire! love the drinks and the vibe, it is small, so if claustrophobic but if you've never been it's so welcoming& music is great! also just perfect for us barback Joe was very welcoming! and awesome i got a - ramblin man / tequila my boyfriend got - mango jerry / gin

    Stephanie C.

    Sidebar is absolutely one of my favorite gems in GR. The two bartenders are super friendly and can help you figure out whatever type of drink you want. However, the place is SUPER small given it was a storage closet that turned into a Speak-Easy type of cocktail bar. Make sure that you get there early or be prepared to wait. It is definitely a spot that I'd come to often but the drinks are a little on the pricey side. This is great for a pre-dinner date night or for a night-cap. Definitely not a place that you'd stay and hang and drink all night though. Given how small it is, I don't think the bartenders would love not being able to turnover the maybe 20 seats they have in total. However, they are amazing mixologists and you can never go wrong with ordering anything while there!

    The dude having a beverage.
    Scott M.

    There's a naughty little hideaway in Grand Rapids. Go down to get a pizza, turn the wrong way, and you're there! This closet is full of atmosphere, a small bar, and a couple of tables. If you are into quality over quantity, this is the place to wet your whistle. My bride and I love popping in here after a night out.

    Water Lillie's

    Although this bar is small, it is well worth the wait. A cool, laidback ambiance and the drinks are incredible. I got the Water Lillie cocktail and it was amazing. The staff was super friendly, and a big shout out to Joey who was so fun and took such good care of our group.

    The bar
    Emily J.

    Sidebar is such a hidden gem! A great experience (if you can get in-seating is limited!!!) and there's always some fancy cocktails to be had (although I heard their OG bartender moved on to a new experience, and I'm hoping that doesn't effect drink quality!) They were at capacity when we were there (which is about 20 people) and the only reason I took a star off is because service was a little rough, but when you're making some time consuming drinks, I get it! Definitely stop in and make your own judgements.

    Drew at Sidebar!

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    4 months ago

    Great vibe and delicious drink. It is a space and kinda dark, so keep that in mind! Wouldn't be very good for large groups!

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    2 years ago

    Amazing service, great vibes and excellent variety of drinks and food ! Cant wait to come back when I'm in town !

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    2 years ago

    We found this place by chance. It was a really cool spot. Small and out of the way of the usual downtown bars. Loved it!

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    3 years ago

    A great atmosphere with great service! The bartenders are very knowledgeable and super friendly.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Sidebar

    Review Highlights - Sidebar

    If you're in Grand Rapids and want a cocktail experience that goes beyond the ordinary, SidebarGR is a must.

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

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    I Dont Care - Exxxpresso Old Fashioned and an Espresso Martini

    I Dont Care

    (70 reviews)

    $$$

    I Don't Care is a speakeasy tucked inside the Amway that leans hard into the hidden-bar concept…read more There are no signs and you need to put a code on the key pad outside to get in, and the only way to get that code is by signing up for their mailing list. That said, it is pretty painless. You can sign up on the spot and the email with the code comes through within minutes, so it does not slow things down too much. They offer outdoor seating even in the winter, and while it is technically heated, you will still need a coat. It was cold enough that we chose to sit inside instead, but the interior was also chilly. Every time the door to the patio opened, a draft of cold air rushed in, which made the space feel colder than expected. The drinks are on the expensive side, but the quality mostly backs up the price. I ordered the Donna's Kiss and it was absolutely worth it, very well made and delicious. My friend had a Moscato that was sweet and easy to drink. We also ended up getting two free shots of tequila because they liked our vibes , which was a nice and unexpected bonus! Definitely a great move on their behalf because it just goes to show that the staff there were super welcoming and that makes me want to come back (probably when it's warmer!!).

    Came in for the first stop of the night on Saturday 10/4/25 around 6pm…read more There wasn't a wait nor was it full. We were sat right away at a tall table with a great view of the street. Our server was very nice, she was busy but we didn't wait too long. No bar nuts - and as the only food on the menu I was disappointed because I'm starving. But it's no big deal. Happy to finally check this place out after walking by it SO many times and trying to figure out how to get here! Thank you to @emilyingrandrapids for the info!

    Allora - TORTA SETTEVELI | seven elements of chocolate cake, sponge, hazelnut praline, chocolate mousse.

    Allora

    (37 reviews)

    Absolutely amazing multi-course dinner and drinks at Allora. Hands down one of the most creative,…read morefreshest and best meal we've had in a long time. Every course was beautifully/ thoughtfully prepared and absolutely delicious! We can't wait to go back, perfect for an unforgettable date night. The quality was truly superb. Special shoutout to our incredible server Brendon - he made the whole evening feel so special, fun and created an amazing dining experience! Also can't stop dreaming about the desserts!

    The girls needed to get together & we decided for a birthday to finally try Allora after months of…read moreanticipation. We got a reservation for 8:30pm, which was one of only a few available. We got there at 8:15 & were told our table was being cleared and it would be a few minutes. We decided to sit at the bar and have a drink, which was a lovely setting. The bartenders were attentive, drinks were delish! By 8:45, we wondered if we had been forgotten. By 8:55, the host stopped to tell us our table was still getting prepared. At 9:10, we finally had a table! They did bring us complimentary prosecco since our table wait was 40 minutes past the reservation time. Our server, Levi, was phenomenal. He gave great recommendations and walked us through the menu & style wonderfully. Our food was also delicious. Nothing disappointed on the menu! All in all, the food was spectacular, the space is gorgeous, and service once seated was amazing. The only star taken away was for the issue of timeliness, which could easily be due to the rush of a Friday night. We hope to return in the future!

    Gin Gin's - Crab Lumache with steak added

    Gin Gin's

    (219 reviews)

    Great ambiance, delicious food, and really good service. The filet mignon was cooked perfectly as…read morewas the potato gratins. Great overall dining experience

    Finally got a seat at the bar! This place is always packed. They take reservations but not for one…read moreperson. Bar seating is first come first served so I went right after work and got there about 4:45. There were a ton of seats open at the bar. A friend met me at 5pm. We were seated with Fin, the bartender. He was awesome- very attentive but not overbearing. I could tell when he was coming by to peek in on us but he never interrupted our conversation. He would glance over and check our drinks and pause, and then keep moving. I'm sure if I was alone he would've provided me with some banter, he seems nice enough. He recommended a cocktail - The Last Word. I've had one before and this one did not disappoint. The other drinks I had were the espresso martini and the New York sour- both favorites of mine and done very well by Fin. I love that this bar uses frosty glasses for their cocktails. It's a nice touch. I had to have the Wagyu meatballs. They're mentioned in many reviews and people at work agreed they're a must have. My friend wasn't very hungry so I ate 5 out of the 6 haha. The bread that comes w it is a focaccia that is his divine! I thought it was deep fried but it's just soaked in oil and then heated on the griddle. The meatballs are Wagyu 75/25 so kinda fatty but so smooth. They are served with a marinara sauce and ricotta. So good. Would get this again. The menu looks awesome but we were just there for drinks and snacks. Next time I'll make a reservation (Resy) and have dinner. Parking is typically awful. No valet. Bathrooms are multi sex unistalls, clean. The restaurant is noisy- maybe not a great first date spot. Seemed to be a lot of well to do people in the restaurant, based on the outfits and accessories I saw. Might be a place to meet someone new if it wasn't so loud and incredibly busy. It's hard to get a table during dinner hours especially if the weather is perfect. But try your best to get in. They do take walk ins and it's worth an hour wait.

    Rendezvous - Seasonal Drinks

    Rendezvous

    (13 reviews)

    It's a solid spot to meet up before/after a show or if you're otherwise hanging at the Amway. I've…read morebeen here at least a dozen times. Servers and bartenders have always been friendly--and fast. They know their cocktails and they're remarkably consistent with the mixes. My old fashioneds tasted the same every time I've gone. Very limited menu, but it'll do the trick when you're in a rush (or if the Lumberbaron Bar has already closed its kitchen). I like the pizzas, especially the mushroom. Don't let the name fool you. It also comes covered with savory cubes of bacon and fresh greens. It's good! I also like the wide open layout. You never feel crowded. Great place to spread out for a cocktail and light bite.

    What an amazing experience!!! We came here for one of their monthly events. We found out about it…read morethat day and the tickets were no longer available. But we took our chances and the manager was able to get us in! So glad he did. They have these types of tastings every month. December will be a champagne pairing. I definitely plan to come back for that! They did a beautiful presentation. We got to try three different scotches which were paired with delicious small plates of food. Afterwards, we went to the bar area and had a drink. The service here was impeccable. The food was delicious and the signature cocktails were delightful! The hotel itself is gorgeous and I was happy we got to experience it all decked out for Christmas!

    Sidebar - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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