Flint has a lot of bars- and this is one of them. For certain, it was a heck of a lot better back in the day when it was the Backroom. I went here all of the time as a college student when it was known as the Backroom and later I dropped in once in awhile when it was called Kelly's, until it was sold and became the Loft. Yep, it's a dive bar, always has been and always will be, but the really good old days of the dive bar experience here are sadly gone. As dive bars go, I've seen better and I've seen worse. In fact, if look up the phrase "dive bar," you will probably come across a picture of the Loft. You can't order food here, the "dance floor" is tiny, the music is sometimes good, sometimes not. Don't let me get started on the parking situation- it's terrible and you might as well make a mad dash to wherever you managed to park your car when you leave! It's actually laughable. Some of the cocktails are a bit overpriced for what you are getting (sometimes weak or improperly made), but service largely depends on if you are regular or friend of a friend. Random strangers probably tend to get the short end of the stick. I admit, I've gotten free drinks here before, but that's because the staff knows me. Rodney, the owner, is a great guy, but sometimes the bar runs out of essentials, like premium spirits and mixers. I wish the bar staff would just get it together and make certain that the bar is properly stocked to avoid having to order something alternative because they're out of the appropriate ingredients. Beer selection is just average, but they do carry Stella Artois, one of my favorites, so the Loft has that going for itself. While I don't particularly care for most of their cocktails (either too sweet or extremely tart- so much for a happy medium), the bartenders do make a good mojito and a decent old fashioned, though. My preferred cocktail is a whisky sour, which is pretty easy to make and the last few I ordered kinda sucked. They just didn't taste right, too tart. More often than not, I haven't cared for the vibe, the atmosphere, etc. There are just way too many barfly types hanging around drinking draft beer all night. Plus, I often run into an ex or two here and that's just bad mojo all around... read more

I came here with a group of friends, and for a night we owned it. It has a neighborhood feel on a slow night, laid back, kinda like everyone knows you and you're the cool kid on the block rather than the drama queen. That's how I like it. We just bought round after round after round. They made our car bombs out of Bushmill's whiskey which was a huge plus! I love dive bars and I wouldn't call this one a dive exactly, but the atmosphere is definitely NOT one where you want to drink expensive specialty martinis and eat tapas while toting your designer bag around. It's more like the place that gets really cozy when you go there regularly. Torn jeans, comfy white T-shirt, your busted Cons. I definitely would go do some major chugging with my Flint town crew if I was back around there. read more

The Loft - Regulars enjoying some drinks. - Dive Bars Near Me - Flint, Michigan

This place is a dive bar, dirty, needs cleaning and the clientele is not friendly. If you like ghetto hood bars then go here. Clientele Very disrespectful to woman and too loud to stand or talk. read more

Played a show there and was able to pull out my nutsack, not on stage, without being kicked out. So that was cool. The place has a really cool setup to it Cant remember the alcohol selection but that must mean they have a good one read more

What a joke this place it. I went here on the recommendation of someone else. I don't know wTF kind of crack they were smoking, but it was NOTHING like they hyped it to be. The musical "talent" had anything but. the "DJ" was worse. drinks were watered down, no food menu at all. parking is downtown Flint's "finest", so I hope you keep your starving Rottweiler in your car while you are patronizing the establishment. the "scenery" is mostly social outcasts and locals with nowhere else better to go. the space is small and cramped. 1 star is being generous. read more

The music was way too loud, and everyone was wasted. They only had one employee behind the bar. We couldn't even get to the bar to order any drinks because he was so behind on orders. The inside was run down and dirty, and the layout doesn't allow for cohesive motion through the building. Everyone was just crowded in the back trying to get drinks. To summarize: We never had the opportunity to order drinks or food, we couldn't talk to each other, and we couldn't walk through the building. read more

I love hanging out in Flint when I return to my hometown. I came here over Christmas break with my best friend and had an absolute blast! The DJ was cranking out R & B tunes from the 90's and I loved every minute of it. The bartenders were cute and very prompt in service. The drinks were strong and decently priced. A man that looked as if he pimped since he was 16 was hustling the pool table and let me jump in on his game - I appreciate a man who wears gold chains and rose colored shades at midnight. Ahhh yes. Thank you Flint. read more

Definitely a downtown Flint dive bar. Drink specials were decent. The atmosphere is super laid back and relaxed. Mostly college type locals. The bar itself isn't much to look at on the inside, pretty much dark and basement like. My biggest complaint is the restrooms. I went when they first opened for the night and it was dark, small and dirty. There was one sink and the door barely shut on the stall. I know it may seem like a small inconvenience to some, but as a woman who is drinking, I usually have to go to the bathroom many times throughout the night so it just wasn't what I would prefer. Other than that it's exactly what you'd expect from a downtown dive bar. Not horrible but not great. read more

Been coming to this bar for over 10 years. Great hole in the wall with a locals feel. The bartenders always make delicious drinks here! Rodney specializes in specialty drinks.. I had a pineapple mule and a grapefruit mule tonight. Seriously amazing if you're a fan of Moscow Mules. Always great music here also! Love this bar! Oh and did I mention always drink specials here! read more

First yall bartenders are amazing prices are super fair then i can get in for just the 5 sheesh perfect, one night i was in that boy hitting the folks and one of the workers got the battling me sheesh he was fire with the dance moves. I was having way too much fun keep getting it in where you fit in fareal read more

The Loft has been under several owners and the current, Rodney, is trying to recruit new customers. The musical happenings are usually from Local talent. There is no food menu and the bar menu leaves a lot to be desired. The location is somewhat hidden and the parking is scary. There are always specials, but the prices are somewhat steep. There is a pool table and darts in the back room, but not very much space to enjoy it. This bar is a dive and not recommended. read more

This is the divest of dive bars, and one of the all time Flint classics. The owner is a straight up legend, and the regular bartender (Polly) is a BAMF chick. Their Happy Hour is a chill thing I do whenever I can. They tell me they have a good party scene later on, but I can't stay up that late. read more

Not bad...and not great. The loft is a place I wouldn't really seek out to go to, but if your in the area it's not bad ( well the parking is..make sure you get a lighted highly visible spot!). It's kind of like a dive bar...sans hipsters..and replaced with hip hop and booty shaking music. There are pool tables and a few places to sit and chat in the front of the bar, the dance area is kind of squeezed in so you have to make your own "get down space." A very eclectic crowd, although most patrons seemed to be younger (I'm 26). Not bad Downtown flint! read more

While I can't argue with some of the previously stated points about the Loft, it does not serve to lessen the experience of being a regular there, starting when it was the Backroom, thru the Kelly's phase and into the Loft era. I never found Buckham alley all that scary but I also cut my drinking teeth up and down it from Churchills to The Backroom and The Torch. If you want upscale, go elsewhere, but if you want down to earth, diverse, and cantankerous company (and often live/DJ music) then suck it up and do downtown. read more

The bartender here (who I have since found out is the owner) tried to keep my debit card. I handed it to him to pay for my drinks and when he came back 2 minutes later he claimed I never gave it to him. Eventually I got it back from him (he was incredibly rude about it) after asking several times but found when I had left that he charged an extra $20 to it without my signature or permission even though I had been tipping in cash all night. I wonder if this is the same bartender known for drugging customers. This is the probably the shadiest spot in Flint. read more

The Loft has always been a great place downtown to run into your peeps and work on your dance moves. Wednesdays and Sundays are always free cover and pretty laid back. The DJ spins well off three turntables, playing top-40, 90's hip-hop, alternative rock and an electronic assortment of bangers. Not bad downtown Flint, not bad at all! read more

This place is deep, takes some explaining. To quote the late lou reed "Give me your hungry, your tired your poor I'll piss on 'em / That's what the Statue of Bigotry says / Your poor huddled masses, let's club 'em to death / And get it over with and just dump 'em on the boulevard." this place is a lot of things, one of the more unpredictable bars in flint. Easy to get drunk, great place to meet interesting people. Also likely to watch a fight break out before last call. Takes all kinds but it's got character, I'll give it that. If you're out for an adventure and like to drink and dance, do it. Just dont get sucker punched or pissed on. read more

Flint's finest bar. Strong drinks. Diverse crowd and music. It gets loud. Sometimes they have soulfood. If you don't appreciate it you're probably not my kind of people. Bartenders are on point. read more

Who doesn't love 90's Indie music streaming from the speakers, a kick ass bartender serving me Stella in a gold rim glass and a huge jizz stain on the pool table? God knows I loved it. This place is a chill hole in the wall in downtown Flint. They have a lounge area (where the pool table is) with some comfy retro chairs in the front and then the bar area in the back. A great pit stop before you head to the Torch bar in the back alley behind it. read more

In response to Melissa G's review that was written on 5/1/09, I am writing this for another point of view as I was sitting at the bar. I did notice the girl they were referring to jumping in their picture and yes that can be annoying but she did not flick off the camera like Melissa stated. I also witnessed that Melissa's friend did not just "tap" her on the shoulder but tried to elbow her in the girls face. After the owner saw this he immediately got up and stopped this from esculating. As any bar, anyone who tries to start a fight is immediately removed from the bar. Within a few minutes after another one of Melissa friend walked up to the girl who got elbowed and stated "If that girl sees you outside the bar shes going to kick your f*cking ass" the other replied to get out as it was apprent they were continuing the argument. It says that the cops were called and the owner was arrested. Yes, the cops did come but it appears the owner was not arrested as I was there the rest of the night and saw the owner in the bar still. I have been back to the bar and have talked with the staff about what happened this night. They say that the girl that got thrown out has since been back to the bar and apologized for her drunken behavior and admits that she acted out of line. This is not a martini bar but is a lower keyed bar where it is a good place to get your friends together and hang out. read more

best damn bar in Flint - Rico Del Sol