Cocktails & Spirits Stories

I’ve been to plenty of concerts in plenty of venues in my time – everything from student unions to professional sports stadiums. And while they were all great performances, I’ve never had a musical... Read More ›

In the Grand Rapids area, an increasing number of women are shaping the craft beverage business. From positions like director of operations to co-owner, here are a few of the women who are taking... Read More ›

Hard seltzer continues to attract new fans across the nation and is one of the hottest new trends in boozy drinks. Hard seltzer, or spiked seltzer, is an alcoholic beverage containing carbonated... Read More ›

Veganism is continuously growing, and restaurants across Michigan are filling the demand, with Grand Rapids leading the way. Not only is Grand Rapids rising to meet the needs of people with dietary... Read More ›

The term “dive bar” has evolved in meaning over the years. What once meant an uncertain destination for many now points to an off the radar, unpretentious spot that serves great drinks and is full of... Read More ›

Cocktail Week GR is back for its fifth year of creative cocktails and fun! Restaurants, bars, and distilleries are showing their creativity with specially crafted Cocktail Week GR spirits,... Read More ›

Even though the temperature is dropping, there’s no need to run indoors. There are a number of restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries near Grand Rapids that have the perfect outdoor patio spaces to... Read More ›

Grand Rapids is home to many locally owned and operated LGBTQ+ businesses, and there are more than you might think. The city is becoming a destination to live and work for people of all ages and... Read More ›

Several bars and distilleries in Grand Rapids have elevated the standard gin and tonic (G&T) by using local or house-made spirits and adding a variety of botanicals and other spices to create a unique... Read More ›

Grand Rapids may be known as Beer City USA, but that’s not the only drink in town. With overflowing apple orchards and crisp fall weather, craft cider flows as strong as the Grand River. Unlike its... Read More ›

Following the East bank of the Grand River, the North Monroe Area, once a bustling industrial hub of Grand Rapids, is a now thriving business district offering much for visitors to see and do. The... Read More ›

Grand Rapids has a national reputation for beer, but that’s not the only beverage in town to sip on. For those who prefer wine, Grand Rapids offers a wide range of places to indulge in delicious grape... Read More ›

On Draft Of the 50 beers on draft, three are on nitro. Because of the sheer abundance of “so much great beer from our state,” Smith currently allocates about 80% of the tap handles to Michigan beer.... Read More ›

One of the hottest new things to do on a Sunday around Grand Rapids involves high kicks, cartwheels, and spins. It’s known as Michigan Drag Brunch, and it’s the latest Sunday Funday event hitting... Read More ›

Widely recognized for its exceptional food, Grand Rapids is a true foodie destination. Restaurants across the city offer unique, specialty weekend brunch menus paired with adult beverages. Weekend... Read More ›

There’s no denying Grand Rapids’ brunch scene is growing, and with it, there are more options than ever to find the perfect Bloody Mary. From full-service Bloody Mary bars, to secret recipes and... Read More ›

Proprietor and mastermind Mitch Ermatinger, along with wife and partner, Whitney, opened Speciation Artisan Ales in Comstock Park in January 2017. As Speciation’s website bio accurately points out,... Read More ›

Bridge Street Market, a new neighborhood grocery store from Meijer, opened its doors to the Grand Rapids community in August 2018. Located on the city’s West Side at the corner of Bridge Street and... Read More ›

Grand Rapids is home to numerous distilleries that are focused on producing high-quality distilled liquor blended with superior ingredients, careful technique, and attention to detail. In fact, Grand... Read More ›

Thanks to the availability of high-quality craft spirits from local and global sources, the cocktail craze is booming -- especially right here, in Grand Rapids. In fact, Grand Rapids’ cocktail... Read More ›

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If downtown is the heart of the city; neighborhoods are the soul. Grand Rapids’ Uptown neighborhood features community-centric restaurants with a flair for innovative cuisine and cultural fusion. The... Read More ›

With over 90 music venues, Grand Rapids has an impressive music scene that offers many places to dance the night away. Experience Grand Rapids polled their followers on social media to find out the... Read More ›

The West Side of Grand Rapids and its surrounding neighborhoods is growing at an amazing rate. Everywhere you turn there is a new place to eat, drink, and relax with family and friends. Whether you’re... Read More ›

About five years ago, I discovered the smooth, delicious spirit that is Irish Whiskey. Since then, I’ve sipped a number of them. Fortunately for me, Grand Rapids has plenty of Irish Pubs where I can... Read More ›

The West Side of Grand Rapids is transforming, making the beloved neighborhood a destination for dining, shopping, and nightlife. In 2015, we saw the addition of Harmony Hall and Black Heron to the... Read More ›

Foodies rejoice! With so many new restaurants opening regularly in and around Grand Rapids, there’s always a new place to savor innovative, delicious fare. In a post last month, we talked about... Read More ›

This year's Cocktail Week Grand Rapids runs from November 9th-20th, when local bars, distilleries, and restaurants showcase West Michigan's craft beverage culture. For $25 or less, you can enjoy two... Read More ›

Craft beverage selection: 9 beers on draft, all proudly from MI, and nearly 10 hard ciders, too. Craft beer and MI cider flights available, each with four healthy 5-oz. pours. Kid friendly Kids’ menu... Read More ›

Have you ever had a Negroni? I hadn't even HEARD of a Negroni until June of 2015, when the Grand Rapids Cocktail Guild brought the first Negroni Week to Grand Rapids. After a successful week of... Read More ›