Absolutely loved our experience at SidebarGR -- hands down the best speakeasy in Grand Rapids! From…read morethe moment you step in, you're transported to a cozy, classy hideaway that feels both exclusive and inviting. What really stood out was the bartending -- not just the skill, but the passion. After hearing the bartender's take on the Old Fashioned, I let him make it his way -- and it might be one of the best I've had. Balanced, bold, and beautifully smooth. Two of my friends described what they were in the mood for, and the bartender crafted custom cocktails for each of them -- both drinks were spot on and had them raving the rest of the night. If you're in Grand Rapids and want a cocktail experience that goes beyond the ordinary, SidebarGR is a must. Expert mixology, great atmosphere, and personalized service that makes you feel like a regular -- even on your first visit.

I've known about this bar for a while but finally went for the first time recently and it wasn't…read morefull! To find the entrance, go down the stairs towards Big O's Pizza and instead of turning right, take a left and you will see Sidebar's subtle entrance. It's dim lit and quite cozy in there. Limited seating and some spots at the bar were open and we took a seat up there. We did notice to the right of the bar there is a small additional area with more seating but still not a lot. I really enjoyed the espresso martini from here. The drink was so smooth and had the perfect balance of flavors. Highly recommend. We only stayed for one drink but I would definitely come back for another sometime. The bartenders were also really kind and having a good time with everyone in there! Really loved the atmosphere and our experience while we were there.

The food and the personalized service were exquisite! Jen! Thanks for making our first visit to…read moreApplewood Kitchen so nice! We will be back! Hubby had spicy Jambalaya and I had a fantastic club sandwich! Both were yummy!

Met our kids for dinner on a Wednesday night and were able to be seated right away . Crayons, cups…read morewith lids and high chair for my grandson . Ambiance is a bit farmhouse and. Got industrial with cement floors , tables made from old doors . Nice touch , it's a little cold and tinny inside , they need to get sound proofing right . Menu is limited as they get started , my kids loved the Brussel sprouts , and we tried both the tomato basil soup and venison chili . The chili was underwhelming as chili should be thick and meaty and this was thin and watery , more of a soup not a chili . Cocktail menu is nice though the paper plane which I ordered had way too much lemon , a good paperplane is equal parts of all ingredients . It looked like they might be trying to be something they aren't with some of the choices , too many ingredients trying to make a craft cocktail , sometimes simple is better and learn to master the classics first . Cocktail prices were high for the area as well The nachos were tasty but need more heat , an option for more pico and maybe some jalapeño , even the candied ones mentioned in another app. Sandwiches looked good but they need an option other than fries , not everyone likes fries with a sandwich . Too many other places within a reasonable drive that are so much better in atmosphere and price for the same quality .

General Wood Shop is such a fun spot on Bridge Street. They are LGBTQ owned and have tons of events…read moreall throughout the week, like drag shows, watch parties, dance parties, etc. I think the vibe is more "party" on weekends and evenings, but the times I've gone earlier in the day have been more my speed. Nate and I recently stopped in to try some of their new food menu and seasonal drinks. The new drink menu is Japanese themed, so we were excited since we went to Japan earlier this year. I got the alpenglow and Nate got the spicy margarita. Both were delicious and beautiful. We also got some happy hour snacks - the dijon sesame salad and the savory cream cheese wontons. Their happy hour is a great deal and I'd love to come back soon for that again. The salad was fresh and a big portion to share. The raw diced onion wasn't my favorite addition to the salad, but I did love the overall flavors. The savory cream cheese wontons were absolutely delicious - definitely very savory and crispy. I'd get these every time! The vibe inside at happy hour was pretty quiet but it can get packed as it's not a huge space. I am so glad that General Wood Shop is here and I'm looking forward to my next visit.

The General Woodshop, you will ALWAYS be famous…read more This bar is near and dear to my heart, when it first opened last year I made an effort to bring anyone with me that would come along. As a queer person, we have to protect our spaces by supporting them. The care that the staff lures into this place truly shows. The rotating menu, the affordable drink options, the ambiance and the way they truly take suggestions from their patrons. They have a new patio addition which has made the smaller spot feel larger aswell. Last fall, I came in on a whim by myself. Callie was my bartender (love), and they were deciding what to do with some Sloe Gin. Thus the "Femme Fatale" was born, there's something magical about watching a craft cocktail come together. Something even more magical about being able to NAME a cocktail at your favorite watering hole. GW is truly a beautiful addition to GR.

This is a great little dinner spot in downtown Plainwell! We called ahead and were grateful they…read morewere able to accommodate our party of 8. I'm a sucker for a French 75 - their version was light, crisp, and perfect for a summer day. We had the pot of gold (lump crab) and whipped goat cheese spread for appetizers, the latter of which was my favorite. I loved the fresh flavors & sprinkle of pistachios. For dinner, I ordered the Carbonara Bucatini and it was so delicious. My brother and sister in law both ordered the filet and finished every bite. I'm an out of towner, but I'd definitely visit again!

Absolutely gorgeous place with excellent service. The food was delicious. I had the Rueben it was…read morefilled with tender thin sliced wagu beef. Good fries too. The only knock was no vegetarian main dish choices. So my wife had the only non meat salad. She said it was pretty good.

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!

Have been here many times, it is a great place to bring clients after stressful meetings and relax…read more The ambiance is outstanding and the drinks are top shelf. The bartenders always take their time to make sure the drink or spot on, awesome service!

A really attractive space in downtown Ada. I stopped in for lunch today and decided to try the…read moreDeviled Eggs and the Tavern Smash Burger. I had heard that this place had good food, but because the price point was a bit higher than average, I wanted to try it for myself before bringing my family. The service was attentive and friendly. The food, however, did not meet expectations. I found the deviled eggs to be overcooked and a bit rubbery while simultaneously lacking flavor. The presentation was nice but I care more about the taste than how it looks. The Tavern Smash Burger does not seem to know what it wants to be. The patties were thicker than a traditional smash burger, lacking the juiciness of a regular burger while also missing the caramelization of your typical smash patty. The accompanying "Chef's Sauce" for the burger was not particularly flavorful and there was not enough acidic content to counter the fattiness of the burger. The bacon that topped the burger was cubed pieces that were chewy and frankly off-putting, and I found myself wishing for crispy bacon strips instead. All in all, I really wanted to love this place, but I just don't. The food wasn't terrible, but also nowhere near good enough to justify the cost or make me want to stop back in.

the ambiance is fine - not too loud in there - and despite being called a tavern it feels like a…read morenicer sit down restaurant our server didn't seem too attentive though / slow in bringing out silverware and also not that friendly lemon pepper chicken: the pepper was in the salt shaker btw (which usually should have one hole) - i tried to put pepper on my lemon chicken and ended up putting salt. but honestly, neither salt or pepper would have salvaged this terrible dish. the chicken was tender but the flavor was awful. no hint of lemon or pepper anywhere. what is this weird cornstarch-y sweet sauce? and why is it that all the veggies are overcooked?!! just mush :((( but again the sauce.. was really awful in this and i didn't want to eat but i also didn't want to go hungry so reluctantly ate it. butternut squash soup: the squash soup was alright / just very ginger-y and a bit on the sweeter side for my taste. spicy pineapple n/a drink: the drink felt a bit watered down. i don't feel the need to go back here again. oh and the food came out pretty slow!

We visited again on this last trip to Kalamazoo. I do still wish there were more gin and vodka…read moreoptions. I feel like they all were kind of similar? I wish that the lime and orange came through more, they both leaned very heavy on the bitter end which I wasn't expecting for both (one, sure, but not the other) I hope I find some brighter, citrus flavors on the next visit. We will always come back. It doesn't stay open super late so we gor kicked out lol but we always have a good time.

Top spot in Kalamazoo! Creative drinks, knowledgeable and friendly bartenders, and a fantastic…read moreamaro selection. The meat and cheese board is perfect with cocktails. The team make the experience fun without any arrogance highly recommend!

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!

10:00 on a Saturday and they were turning people away. Just fyi. Maybe it's fun but how can one…read moreknow...

Pursuit of Happiness Co is the girl she says she is!…read more The atmosphere is modern, chic, and makes me want to hang around for hours. I was personally impressed mostly by the Spritz menu. The cherry spritz, mama I dream of it still . My only qualm is that I am a stickler for good glassware ~ I would like to see the beverages with a stem. And based on the aesthetic I know the owner could find some classic glassware. We need more places like this in GR, and I need more POH in my LIFE.

My friend and I popped in the other night to warm up for snacks and bubbles and had a lovely time!…read moreWe sat at the bar and ordered some burrata while sipping on a glass of the brut. It was fairly quiet but the staff was friendly and the vibes inside were so filled with holiday cheer! I love how they decorate the space and you can purchase little things to go and just enjoy time with your friends, whether it's for a fancy girls night or just having a chill night out. Whatever your vibe is, Pursuit of Happiness is a wonderful woman owned business that I love to support! It's kind of tucked away from the bustle of the street, but you can easily find some off street parking around the corner in a lot or find some street parking pretty easily, which is really nice. I always forget this place is here but I always enjoy it when I come back! I need to keep it in my rotation and come back more often! The vibes are just too good.

Such a cool cocktail bar with a fun vibe! It's in the perfect location on bridge street right next…read moreto so many other good restaurants and bars. I like coming here for post dinner drinks because the cocktails are truly an experience here! The service has always been great and they're very patient whenever me or my friends ask what certain things ar ein a cocktail.

The most unique selection of cocktails I've encountered on a menu! My husband had the cornbread old…read morefashioned & loved it. I'm partial to coconut but wanted something different so I ordered the Ethiopian Colada. WOW! Such a unique blend of flavors. I felt like I was drinking a delicious sweet curry. Waitstaff was incredible on the snowy night before Thanksgiving- three different servers kept our water topped off and drinks coming. A great place to chill out while we waited for our dinner reservation across the street. So cozy- much preferable to a loud, crowded bar. This is a place to cozy up in a corner with old friends or a date and savor the cocktails. Get the chips and onion dip if you are munch!