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    The Pyramid Scheme

    3.8 (93 reviews)
    InexpensiveBars, Music Venues
    Open 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    The Pyramid Scheme Photos

    Business Info

    THE PYRAMID SCHEME ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Casual
    Loud

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    Recommended Reviews - The Pyramid Scheme

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    Gee R.

    The Pyramid Scheme is such a fun spot to add to anyone's night out in Grand Rapids. The bar itself gives off dive bar vibes but with a fun twist - they have all the pinball machines you could imagine! I hesitate to say it is retro, because that would be aging me. But playing the games gives me a nostalgic feeling. Bring cash to play the games! I believe The Pyramid Scheme also has live music/concerts too! I have not ordered food here, so I cannot comment on that. The drinks are standard, and the bartenders are all excellent. Also, if you visit the space late at night, make sure you are of age because they will card at the door. If I were to voice a complaint on the space, it would be on the bathroom situation. I'll just say it's a typical dive bar bathroom. Still I give this spot a 5/5 stars on Yelp and will continue to visit!

    Nasty floor
    Matt S.

    This place has tremendous potential, however, the place is a disaster. The pinball machines were poorly maintained and a majority didn't work properly. I had paddles not function, the ball getting stuck on damaged ramps, money taken and no credit applied. If you are looking to get blacked out and treated as an inconvenience, this is the place. Terrible drinks and service. The floors looked like they haven't been mopped in years. The Pyramid Scheme, an absolute perfect name. Cheers for being to cool for your patrons!

    Nada surf
    Annette J.

    Came here for the first time last month to see some friends who were playing here and we had a great time. The venue was a "vaccination required" spot so we flashed our cards along with everyone else when we got there and it was easy peasy and good to know we were a little safer being in a larger crowd. It's a small to mid-sized venue so the stage isn't huge but it means getting up close to the band, which rules. The sound was solid and there's a small riser around the perimeter with seating and more elevated standing for folks who want a little more lift to their view. Beer selection was really good, the pinball machines in the front part of the bar (seperate from the venue in the back) were really fun too. I didn't play a game but they had a great variety. Between here and Stella's across the street this stretch is a pinballers paradise! Highly recommend checking out a show here if you can!

    Rawr! Above pinball machines
    Stacia G.

    LOTS of pinball and interesting objects on the wall. Just grabbed a beer and everyone had the same idea as we did so it was busy as everyone was at bar. We only stayed a moment and I enjoyed looking around.

    Their AC/DC pinball table is a custom "Whole Lotta Rosie" limited edition. Very cool, very sexy.
    Eric S.

    OMG 1T'S THE 1LLUM1NÂT1 Some things in life are just worth going out of your way for. Time, money, effort.....it's often a roll of the dice if the venue will live up to your expectations. In the case of The Pyramid Schemei, they took my expectations, placed a block of C-4 in it, then proceeded to blow them to kingdom come. Knowing that I was going to be spending the weekend in Muskgeon at Michigan's Adventure, I veered east about 35 minutes to Grand Rapids after seeing a large purple dot on Pinsider, indicating a large pinball population in the area. Sure enough, I arrived just after opening (4pm on a Sunday) and what I saw before me was pure pinball nirvana. Games were aligned in 3 rows of 8 and included brand new models as well as ones from the 80's and 90's in excellent condition. They even had a custom AC/DC pinball with an ultra limited edition 'Whole Lotta Rosie' backglass, the 1st I've ever seen. All tables were 50¢, except for Wizard of Oz and The Hobbit, which were 75¢. I encountered a few issues with coin slots on a handful of tables (damn things ate mah quarter!!) but the bartender was kind enough to reimburse me for my loss. He had a great demeanor and spent enough time talking to me where I felt like a valued patron. Lots of beers on tap, in cans, and in bottles. Local stuff from the Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo area, imports, domestics, you name it. I tried two new beers, notably a Celestial Critter Belgian pale ale with a modest 6.4% ABV. That sh*t was delicious. No food menu, however, so if you're experiencing hunger pains I'd recommend Stella's right across the street. It was here where I purchased quite possibly the coolest T-shirt in the history of EVER for something like $15: it's a profile/shadow view of the Alien queen (the one Ripley faces off against from the movie 'Aliens') playing a space-themed pinball. It's simply too awesome for words.....you'll just have to see me modeling it on the streets of Chicago. Pyramid Schemei is run/owned by a pinball fanatic, which came as no surprise to me. Every table I played was in superb shape and on more than a few games I kicked way more butt than normal. I'm told they host pinball tournaments periodically during the year. If you ever find yourself in the Grand Rapids area and consider yourself an appreciator of the art of the silver ball, then you owe it to yourself to stop by and give these dudes your toll money.

    Front door person and waiter were awesome but we came to spend money on your pinball machines but the bar has some rule you have to stay at the same pinball machine the entire time. I guess they're too lazy to clean the machines between use. It wasn't even busy.

    Great live venue!
    Jim P.

    Great live music venue with a 50's or 60's kinda vibe going thanks to the tiled floor and opaque glass lighting fixtures on the walls. Bartenders are friendly and make a great cocktail. The collection of pinball machines and classic video games make this place a throwback blast! Worth the drive if you're in the area!

    Pinball!

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    2 years ago

    Loved playing the games... this area is just not my vibe when it comes to going out. It tends to be younger and sloppy.

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    4 years ago

    Bartender(s) are volatile, emotional and ready to escalate situations. Good luck kicking every customer out when they hurt your feelings.

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    4 years ago

    Cool place to come hangout. The pinball machines all take quarters and they have a nice variety to play on. Was pretty popular when we came

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    5 years ago

    Favorite stop in GR. Great beer selection, friendly staff, cool games and atmosphere. Awesome art. Would be a regular if I lived there.

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    6 years ago

    This bar is so entertaining. Who doesn't love pinball?! Also their beer selection was vast, lots of local options!

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    Review Highlights - The Pyramid Scheme

    I was coming near Grand Rapids while traveling for work and decided to see if there were any good places to play some pinball.

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    The Pyramid Scheme - bars - Updated May 2026

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