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The Trap Door

4.0 (21 reviews)
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THE TRAP DOOR ATMOSPHERE

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Maggie V.

I must be kind of sore, and I must say that this checks off every box. Hidden away, lots of history, great food, beautiful setting, and a great selection of old-school cocktails. The evening that we were there, there was a lovely singer. Dressed in a 1920s vibe. So talented that she should definitely be on Broadway. Forward to going back.

Smoked Negroni (smoked with Mahogany Chips)
Stacy J.

What an amazing experience at The Trap Door - 5 out of 5 stars. Just like stepping back in time 100 years! The ambiance is off the charts with a mix of 20's jazz, classic rock, and low lighting with hidden notes in the rugged rock walls. We came here right when they opened at 5pm on a Saturday night and landed a cozy, romantic booth in the back. The curtains between each table makes the speakeasy vibe complete. The drink menu is vast - so many options we're going to have to come back every time we visit just to try something new each time. We ordered a strawberry jalapeño margarita and a smoked Negroni, along with the Spicy Feta dip, the Firecracker Shrimp, and the Shrimp Tempura roll. Our awesome server, Brandon, gave my husband the option to choose his wood chips for the Smoked Negroni, which he loved. The strawberry jalapeño margarita was delicious and well balanced without being too strong or too spicy. My husband loved his Negroni - the smoke in the bottle smelled just like a campfire! All of our food was delicious - the Firecracker Shrimp was crispy and flavorful without feeling greasy or heavy, the Spicy Feta dip was amazing, and the Shrimp Tempura roll was hot and cool at the same time and so delightful with the mix of sauces drizzled over the top. We definitely plan to come back!

What a fantastic place. The atmosphere is very intimate and inviting. The staff were exceptional and very attentive. If you love craft cocktails and are looking for something special then this place is it. The small bites were very tasty. We had a bourbon flight, fall boozy flight, flatbread, and a few other things. Great date night. Who knew little Clare has this hidden gem. Highly recommend.

Pineapple Smash and Salted Caramel Espresso Martini.
Nawana L.

The Trap Door speakeasy is a cool spot. I'm happy we stopped after grabbing a bite to eat next door. There was a wedding in the building adjacent, so it was hard to hold a conversation, but we enjoyed our drinks. Drinks were handcrafted and well worth the downtown price.

Bar
Carrie C.

The Ambiance was great. We did not eat, but had cocktails. Our bartender was friendly and attentive. I really enjoyed the French Essence. My Friend was not crazy about her Blood Orange margarita as it was very sour. Kind of pricey, but a great place! I was certainly glad we checked it out!

Dirty Martini
Rob M.

When I think of Clare MI, I think of the gas station I stop at on the way up north. I have a new reason to stop more often and longer. Located just off the main drag, in the basement of The Venue. Smoked Old Fashioned is the draw but the entire drink menu is solid. Old Speakeasy vibe is spot on and ambience hits just right. Absolutely destination worthy.

Fondue and charcuterie board.
Jj H.

Had a great time having out here. The staff was great,ambiance and drinks were great and the fondue is outstanding.

Cheese Board
Pam I.

Clare has joined the 21st century with this restaurant! Visited on a Friday around 5:30 pm. Not too busy. Got busier when we left about an hour later. Great creative drinks. We tried the maple cider old fashioned and a "The last word". We ordered the cheese board. All Delicious. Absolutely. Fresh. Waiter was quick and friendly. I can only suggest that the very cool looking renovated basement needs a story that the wait staff can tell customers about the history of the place. Also, desserts are for large parties. Need some single desserts but a sweet drink can be ordered instead. Just happy to have a go-to classy place in Clare.

Berry Mule
Daniel D.

Tried the new pretzel bites and the pretzel feta dip. Recommend you try both. Pumpkin mule and Carmel apple mules were great!

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1 year ago

Waited 20 mins for a table of 7, only to have a table of 10 take our place after waiting 15 minutes...

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2 years ago

Service here is horrible. Takes forever to get an order. When you do there's a good chance it's not even yours.

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4 years ago

Too small with limited menu. Website is misleading. Staff was attentive but don't bring larger group

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Review Highlights - The Trap Door

Our group had a flatbread, pretzel trio, spinach and artichoke dip, and bao buns and firecracker shrimp.

Mentioned in 2 reviews

Read more highlights

Obstacle No. 1 - Obstacle no 1 is my fave drink

Obstacle No. 1

(50 reviews)

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!

Sidebar - Back Room

Sidebar

(111 reviews)

$$

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.

I Dont Care - Exxxpresso Old Fashioned and an Espresso Martini

I Dont Care

(72 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!!).

It's okay. Fun place. But we were sitting in the bar already and were told if we didn't leave by 8…read moreour tab would include a cover charge for a DJ. I'm sorry but if we are already there, adding a cover charge to our bill is a bit much.

The Trap Door - speakeasies - Updated May 2026

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