The Riv was always one of the most popular bars in East Lansing when I was in college. They're known for Burgerama on Thursdays, with cheap burgers and pitchers of beer. Lines would wrap all the way around the block at times on Thursdays. Nate and I were in town recently and decided to stop in and catch part of the Lions game. I laughed out loud when they asked for our IDs to enter - but glad to see they're enforcing this for all patrons. They have Truly on tap, which I don't see very often. With the help of the bartender we ordered a pitcher of Truly to share - their pitchers are small, and this one was full of ice. I think they're about 30 ounces or so. There are a lot of TVs and fun neon signs for all your Instagram needs. There are two areas of the bar - a main seating area with the stage and pool tables (which were converted to water pong tables) and the side room with the bar. It was pretty early on a Sunday afternoon, so it was quiet with only a handful of other people at the bar, which was nice. I'm sure The Riv is still a busy place on evenings and weekends. read more

The Riv - Pitcher of Truly - Sports Bars Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

Called the cops on this place for accepting OBVIOUS fake ids. Cleanly young boys said ids were real. It's kind of sad how easily the RIV will let underage people get messed up. read more

Good service great vibe!! Good amount of girls to guys if that's wat ur keepin an eye out for. Can't refill our water. Not cool. Cool ducks madi loved the ducks she wanted 2 tho wudve made it a 10/10 2 ducks not drinks I didn't even say drink I shud delete that but I'm not gonna. Perky period purrrr Riv Rizz gods in here. Purr Riv Thank you for everything period read more

The Riv - Blast at the riv goooodd time!!!! Great service great vibe bad ratio but it's ok I'm with madi not worried about that - Sports Bars Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

Boy do I love the riv! Super welcoming and friendly environment for a 65 year old 2x divorced retired broker! Love to bring my former coworkers from my firm Verdugo & Associates here for 1-17 drinks! I really love the pre mixed Long Island mini pitchers! They taste great and get me absolutely smashed! After a few too many I start to flirt with the bouncers LOL. Once I get off probation I will definitely be back! read more

This man kicked me out because I closed my eyes for a second. I was playing a card game and we finished, and I laid my head on my friend's shoulder, and I guess that wasn't heterosexual enough for them. We are still so confused. We were just sitting there. It doesn't make any sense; we bought drinks, and we weren't causing any problems, but I guess you aren't allowed to feel tired in the Riv. read more

So with the skip the line app, can you get in through the back door if you bribe the bouncers still? Or are those days gone? Really want to know, old folks need to party as well read more

Only reason I'm giving two stars and not one is for the one bartender who saved the experience. Otherwise it was really embarrassing service. Specially the male staff acted very entitled and rude. There are many bars in this town that offer similar experiences and I would recommend spending your time and money there instead. read more

Greatest dive bar in East Lansing! The Riv is known for Burgerama, which is every Thursday afternoon, which they have specials on beer pitchers and burgers. Burgerama will be filled with drunk college kids. The beer selection is limited to 10-12 taps, but they have something for everyone. In recent years they've seem to get rid of waitstaff and everything is ordered at the bar. The food is actually decent at the Riv, which I'm impressed. Their Burger menu has really stepped up its game! The bar does smell of stale beer, but it's a great place to go before a game. read more

The Riv - Sports Bars Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

See all

I gotta give this place credit, they are smart. During a MSU football game the stadium was evacuated due to lightning in the area, the game was delayed almost 4 hours. The power ended up going out just about everywhere and there were 75,000 fans walking around the streets of East Lansing soaking wet with nowhere to go. Most bars/restaurants had signs on the doors saying "no power" even the hotels were powerless. But low and behold we see people walking into the Riv. It turns out they had no power either but that doesn't stop these folks from making some money! They gladly let people in and continued to serve alcohol (cash only). This was truly genius, as everywhere else was turning people away The Riv just got busier. It was jam packed and humid as hell but entertaining nonetheless. I mean what could go wrong when you cram a couple hundred drunk people in a bar with no power right? There were shenanigans no doubt about that but we enjoyed the free entertainment and cold beers until the game resumed. Shout out to all the hardworking servers and bartenders who were busting their butts to keep everyone hydrated in the dark. A cell phone flashlight has never been so handy! read more

So I used to attend this bar QUITE often. Unfortunately, the place has CHANGED a lot. A vodka soda for $8? I felt robbed. We knew a guy that bartended and we didn't even get free OR discounted drinks. They removed the dart boards. Sometimes change isn't always for the better. read more

Dirty loud college bar at night, I'd never go there then. During the afternoon on a football Saturday it's not a bad choice to grab a high cholesterol fried bite to eat on the way to the game. Even on a quiet Saturday afternoon, filled with middle aged alumni, the music is too loud. They don't clean very well, so the floor is sticky and the restrooms are frightening. But comparatively speaking, if you can't talk your White friends into one of the two excellent Korean joints, then this might be your best choice for a beer and a burger within walking distance of the campus. Well actually this is within stumbling distance of the campus. read more

The Riv - Odd use of space - Sports Bars Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

See all

It's hard not to feel nostalgic about a place where you had so many great memories (giant Jenga and Burgerama, to name a few). I was pleasantly surprised to see upgraded furniture (ie: sturdy) and even updated bathrooms from what it looked like during my most recent visit, my first in about a year. I love The Riv more when it's not so crowded (which I've always found hit or miss. Why so empty at 11 p.m. on a Saturday?), and you can control the jukebox, play darts and get great, attentive service. read more

Another dirty a$$ college bar that I have outgrown. Even in the prime of my college years, I never got this place. This place always seems to be crowded, smoky, and sticky. I understand they have specials every day of the week ranging from 2 for $2 tacos on Sunday, to burgerama Wed (or Thurs, I forget), but here's what I really don't like: -dance floor- their dance floor is about the size of a small lavatory leaving little to no room to "get down." -DJs- for some unknown reason the Riv uses "Jamming DJs" to do their music. If I could find them on yelp, I would give them a 0, they are AWFUL. I reiterate- creating a playlist on a computer does not make you a dj. These are the same people that used to kick off our high school dances with track 1 from Jock Jams, they suck HARD. -tvs- I get that they are not a sports bar, but they should consider upgrading their tvs, especially since they have Tigers Tuesdays. It seems that there are 2 places you can sit and have a decent view otherwise you are SOL. Outside of the cheap food and the people watching, this place is completely forgettable. College students- go get your grind on. People out of college 2 plus years- run away, as fast as yo ucan. read more

Typical college bar super packed on weekends. Went here for rama.. it took awhile to get drinks.. drinks were watered down and not great at all. Bartender seemed like she knew what she was doing idk.. my shot did not taste like what I ordered.. music was okay but not that good. I will for sure be back. Can't pic a fave bar quite yet but this one sure seems to be a hit on Instagram!! We had a fairly fun night. read more

I was excited that my college student suggested we go here as it was one of my regular hangouts when I was her age. Before I even walked in the door the bouncer announced that the owner had just now decided that it was time to charge a $5 cover. Cover for what!?!? There's no band! Well we paid the $5 cover and boy do I regret that. As we walked in - the place smelled like bleach. We should have turned around and walked out. My daughter's friend told me that the glasses and pitchers are sanitized by dipping in a big bin of water (and bleach) and not run thru a dish washer. Ewwww! Maybe she was joking but it sure made sense with the bleach smell. We joined her friends with their parents. It took a while to order our drinks as we sat at the table as the game was on TV. The place was so loud that we couldn't hear anything that the person next to you was saying. The menu on the table looked like it had been pulled out of the garbage bin - it was wrinkled and covered in food. The table was dirty and the floor was sticky. I know - pretty typical for a college bar - however I have been to several other places over the past 4 years within 200 yards of The Riv and this is a place I will never return to. We each had 1 drink and then left. The whole $5 cover left a sour taste in my mouth or maybe that was the bleach smell. read more

This was the host bar for the regional Sporcle Live trivia tournament. I drove from Ann Arbor to participate in the tournament and was not impressed. First and foremost, if you're going to host this kind of event, make sure that you have enough seats for everyone. Thank goodness my friends arrived early and secured a table for our team. There were several people who had to stand the entire four hours. Also, at an event where you can't get up from your table except for allotted breaks, it's ridiculous that you didn't have servers walking through the crowd to take orders the whole time! I didn't have a drink or food until almost the end when a server FINALLY came to our table and took our order. After arriving a half hour later, the burger was mediocre, cold, and missing the cheese, and the bun was hard as a rock. We asked for a pitcher of water for the table, but it had so much ice in it that we were only able to fill two of the five glasses at the table. Won't be back... read more

I've worked at a lot of bars and restaurants in EL, and by far, this is the best place to work at. All of the staff is incredibly kind and respectful. Great atmosphere to work at and drink at. So many games, great drunk bar food, and fun music. GM is doing a great job bringing this bar to the top of the bar scene in EL! read more

Went here last night with @nicklucido and @katyhomanick. It's a great place to watch the football games and play the Bags video game. It's close to Menna's Joint and Georgio's. Burgerama on Thursdays is always a great deal and a good time. I frequent the Riv when I'm in town but this time I found out something awesome last night. They allow you to play quarters here. BEWARE. To the guys who need to know this: Their stalls don't have doors and their toilets don't have toilet seats. Avoid at all costs unless it's dire. read more

$2 beer in a college town with Mrs. PAC Man. Settled in for a few rounds of nostalgia and Founders Breakfast Stout on draft. Nice spot to warm up and reminisce about good times at MSU with buddies. Bartender gets shout out for thumbs up on dinner and drink advice read more

I'm an avid Buckeye fan that was in town for the game this year. We got to the Riv right before it opened, and there was a line. The amazing thing. Hours later, there was still a line. The Riv was an awesome atmosphere, a nice mixture of students and older fans. The service was definitely slow, but the place was jam packed so that's to be expected. I got the chicken sandwich with fries, which was definitely serviceable. But, if you go to the Riv, you really are going to pregame for a sporting event, and it's an excellent bar to do just that. read more

The Riv is a great time. It's has an unpretentious crowd with great deals and everyday good prices on everything else. It's not the cleanest bar, but what does that matter? Once you have a few Labatt Blues you will forget all about how bad the bathroom stinks. I just hope they throw away the pitchers people leave in the toilet that everyone (myself included) fills up with piss. Also, I reccomend staying away from the mini-tacos. They sound like a good idea, but you will might poop your pants. Anyone who has been in this situation knows your night is over. There is no pooping at the Riv, you simply say goodbye to your friends, go home, dump and call it a night. read more

"Whatever they're putting on these fries is. fire" " the perfect crispy to creamy ratio" these are just some of the amazing things said about this establishment. Would definitely return again. read more

Smokey? Check. Sticky? Yup. Douchey? Here and there. A good place to get rip roarin' drunk? You bet. As far as college dive bars go, The Riv is pretty standard. But I was impressed with the specials, and the music was at least tolerable, which I didn't expect at all. They also have the game Bags, which is always worth a whole star for me, as I can completely occupy my time spinning that little track ball if need be. I don't anticipate doing heavy binge drinking again in East Lansing any time soon, but when that day does come (and you know it will) I'd be up for making the Riv a stop in my night of debauchery. read more

This is an average college bar. No one is going to slip roofies in your drink but your girlfriend my get "accidentally" felt up by some loser. Pros: live music, large bar for you and everyone's friends Cons: pain in the ass to get a drink, or a seat. Advice: Go early to avoid the cover charge, leave early to avoid the crowd read more

Dive bar is probably an understatement for The Riv. I ordered a "frog tank," and it was disgustingly sugary. The drinks are cheap, but not strong. The tables were sticky, and the bathrooms were pretty sick, too, but that's a standard for any college-town bar. read more

Oh the Riv..... The Riv tends to be a staple in a student's life at MSU...just not mine. I've only been to the Riv twice, and I prefer to keep it that way. Frat-boy central, the river has cheap beers, top-40 music, a teeny tiny dance floor, and horrible horrible service. The last time I went, I just stopped in after work for dinner with a few friends. It was early for bar hours - like 9pm. There was no one in the bar really and it still took the server about 45 minutes to get two orders of tacos and a cheeseburger. Ridiculous. The only reason I give the Riv an extra star is for Burgerama - the weekly burger bar event where you can get burgers for a buck-fifty and a pitcher for $3. read more

A decent sized dive bar. Sticky, grimey, dark, filled with smoke, the works. However, they have awesome drink specials and I love seeing a overhead menu at a bar with the specific specials for the days of the week. For a guy, it's a good place to just chill with the dudes if you want a low key night. Maybe a place to pregame. read more

There are no words for how much I miss Burgerrama (Thursdays 3pm - cheap pitchers/food). I never missed it, even if it meant coming from class or not going altogether. The guys didn't even have to look at my ID eventually, sad but true. The people at this bar are the best. Wait in line, it's worth it. The Riv will always be full of endless memories from college. Come as you are and leave feeling good. read more

Everyone likes a dirty smelly bar every now and again right? well as a lady I really don't mind one. The Riviera Cafe has become a staple in my friends nights life. As regulars at the Peanut Barrel we feel right at home here. A perfect place on a Monday to go with friends to have drinks, with a live cover band playing. And as one who doesn't really enjoy cover bands I can honestly say this one isn't half bad. If pool is your thing they've got it, how about darts? got it too. Really they have everything. Big long tables, comfortable booths. I believe they seem to have something for everyone. read more

I had a major love/hate relationship with the Riv when I was in school. Love because of Burgerama. Hate because it takes 2 hours to get your burger, fries and pitcher for $5. I hope they still have the frog tank. For the uninitiated, it is a pitcher filled with assorted hard liquor and some form of artificial coloring. Basically, it's everything a growing boy needs. It's a good place to go and tie one on after tailgate. read more

The Riv was the bar I decided to go to on my 21st birthday! Usually packed on the weekends, and an overall awesome place. Great Thursday specials, "Burgerama," they have $2.50 pitchers of Labatt and cheap burgers and fries. The crowd is the normal college-town crowd, but less of a dude-bro/sorostitute hangout than some of the other bars in E.L. Usually not super packed, (other than Burgerama Thursdays, be prepared for a wait, especially before 9pm). Even then, I've never had a problem getting drunk. ;) The bathrooms are disgusting, but it's a college bar, what do you really expect? Drinks around $3-$4 bucks a piece for middle of the road beers and drinks. Pool tables, dart boards, Foosball, top 40 and college classics(think Journey, "Sweet Caroline" and Snoop Dog) when it comes to music. Staff is friendly, and so are the clientele. read more

So I'm a first time poster here, but some of these reviews forced my hand. Namely, the one by J. H., claiming there are 'sticky floors' and 'scummy employees.' I frequent the Riv, and it is hands down the best joint in East Lansing. The place is always clean (and smells clean too), and yeah, on busy nights, the bathrooms can get a little iffy, but find another bar in town who's bathrooms don't. New management recently came in and straightened the place up. NONE of the staff are 'scummy.' They're always neat in appearance, smiling, professional and helpful. Scummy? They're college kids man. Grow up. The menu consists of your standard bar food, but it is well above average. The philly cheese steak is phenomenal (if you're very hungry), and the burgers never disappoint, especially when placed on the pretzel bun. They have a relatively large selection of Michigan craft beers, and recently started bringing in a collection of great canned beers. The TV situation is great, and there isn't a bad seat in the house. They've got bags (cornhole) sets out in the bar now, the pool is free a couple nights a week, and the darts are always free. I dunno, I know I'm biased, but I love this bar. Lastly, J.H. speaks about "decent drink specials with no alcohol." Hmm. You can get a 64oz pitcher of beer on Thursdays for $3.50. Or doubles on Friday for $5.50. The guy has either never been to the Riv or simply has zero clue what he's talking about. If you're looking for a clean, down to earth, welcoming, chill bar with an awesome staff, The Riv, as far as I'm concerned, is the only place for you in East Lansing. Crunchy's is great too. read more

Get on your drinking cap, cuz this place is no friggin joke. Super good drinks with a super friendly atmosphere. I always head here with my fellow Alumni when visiting th E.L. - Tip well, and you will be treated like royalty...just sayin read more

I've only been here once for the infamous Burgerama starting at 3PM on Thursdays. Burgers are $1.50 and pitchers are $3. Unless you don't want to wait in line, get here early because when I arrived a little after 5, I was in line for almost an hour. The crowd is pretty wild and there is a DJ is spinning music. Some people play card games at tables, some people watch ESPN on TV, some people dance, some people just get too drunk to leave a booth. I can't say I remember much, except they make burgers constantly and they pile up and get cold, so make sure you ask for a fresh burger when you go up to make that $1.50 purchase. My buddy dropped his burger on the ground, still ate it, and said it was one of the most delicious burgers in his life. Then again, after two pitchers, what isn't delicious, even if it's been dragged across a dirty bar floor? read more

oh jack. the established locale of ladies night for my friends, this place wets our palates to perfection. typically a sausage-fest on any day of the week, sundays and mondays are my fave days to go. sundays there is 2 dollar domestic mugs and mondays there's 2 dollar labatt and $2.50 bass, guiness, and new castle mugs. the servers are always really nice although sometimes on busy nights it may take awhile to get served. the pool tables are almost always occupied, but people are down for playing doubles or with strangers. food-wise I recommend the pretzel bites. yup, the same ones you can get in the frozen food section at the grocery store at your fingertips. read more

I like this place for it's nostalgia-factor. A fine establishment for the just-turned-21, and way too smokey, but with appropriate amounts of stale beer smell and an also appropriately nasty men's bathroom. Sometimes decent happy hour food specials, to boot. read more

The mixed drinks here are bad, but this place is worth visiting once so you know you won't need to go back again. People come to "The Riviera" to get messed up, so it's easy to see how this "cafe" gets away with selling poor quality food. Unfortunately, there are worse bars in East Lansing. read more

Fun and chill spot for a night on the town. Check them out on Thursday for Burgerama, but get there early because they will be packed during the school year as they definitely draw a college crowd! Also fun playing life size Jenga and the DJ'scare always spinning the hits! read more

Rama is fun but not when you wait 3 hours only to have the bouncer let his friends in over you

I have such fond memories of the Riv! Back in college, we lived and died by Burgerama Thursday's. I literally planned my senior year class schedule such that I was done with classes by 3 and could wander directly across the street to get plastered by 10pm and still be in bed by a reasonable hour so I could make my 10am lab meeting on Friday's. Playing naked photo hunt was a fantastic way to make new friends - you start out with your squad crammed into a booth, and then someone else wanders by and shouts out a hint, and suddenly you've got 15 people shouting out the differences between the nipples. I don't even understand why other bars were even open on Thursdays! My only complaint is that the Riv was honestly pretty gross - sticky floors, the toilets in the bathroom were consistently covered in piss and clogged up... disgusting. But when you're hammered on $1 beers, you barely notice these things, hence the success of Burgerama. read more