Dive Bars to Check Out in Grand Rapids

Anchor Bar

Anchor Bar is situated among one of the fastest-growing areas in the city: the Bridge Street Entertainment District adjacent to downtown Grand Rapids. You can’t miss it if you’re walking down Bridge Street or you’re taking the free DASH shuttle from downtown – the retro red neon sign out front includes a giant anchor suspended above the entrance. 

As new breweries and restaurants continue to pop up around it, The Anchor (as it’s lovingly referred to by regulars) stays the course set when it opened in 1935. It is a go-to stop among locals looking for a more relaxed bar with unique maritime-themed décor and comfy booths for smaller groups. You’ll find stiff drinks, a fun and lively staff, and free popcorn that’s always ready to go. The Anchor doesn’t serve food, but there are plenty of close-by restaurants if you’re hungry – including Fratelli’s Pizza and Condado Tacos, situated on either side of it.

Bob’s Sports Bar

Bob’s  is a casual sports venue with TV screens and bar seats along with a Chicago-style food menu – including hot dogs, burgers and other pub grub – plus 14 beers on tap, wine and cocktails. Located in downtown’s Medical Mile neighborhood and open from 7am-2am (the kitchen closes at midnight), it welcomes a steady stream of customers all day long.

Weekday food & drink specials include handhelds and a pint of domestic draft for $7-$9, and tacos are just $3 all day Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy trivia and music bingo on select nights, watch Detroit sports teams on TV and settle in on the outdoor deck in warm weather.

Birch Lodge

Birch Lodge is a popular Medical Mile bar referred to as “The Birch” by regulars. Here, you’ll find a warm and cozy atmosphere with a woodgrain bar top and walls adorned with random knick-knacks. The Birch is a great spot to catch a game with friends as it has a variety of big-screen TVs and shows most major sporting events.

The food menu is impressive and offers some great burgers and bar food. Daily food and drink specials are abundant, including 20% off everything on Monday nights and "Perch at The Birch" (all you can eat) on Fridays. Sundays are wildly popular with “Church at The Birch,” featuring a free all-you-can-eat taco bar with the purchase of a drink from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Duke’s Bar

Duke’s is another great Medical Mile spot to meet for happy hour or a night out later in the evening on weekends. The bar has floor-to-ceiling windows along the front, many beers on tap, and lots of munchies that can be ordered from their small but mighty kitchen. 

At Duke’s, regulars are met by friendly staff who remember their names and drinks of choice, and newcomers will feel right at home. Duke’s offers a variety of specials and puts out impressive bar food every night of the week, along with great happy hour drink offerings, Monday-Friday from 3-7pm. Be sure to ask your server about domestic beer specials on weekdays. Duke’s is open until 2am seven days a week, and rap, R&B and dance music keeps everyone on their toes into the wee hours. 

Logan’s Alley

Logan’s Alley is a bit east of the Medical Mile boundary, but close enough to lump it in with the rest of its Michigan Street bar brethren. Self-described as “your neighborhood bar with a craft beer obsession,” Logan’s does indeed have a great tap list, which includes hard ciders and draft cocktails as well as expertly curated beers, the majority of them from Michigan. Bottled beers, ciders, meads and hard seltzers are sourced from here and around the world, while a wide variety of liquors include locally and globally distilled selections.

Logan’s serves “Brunch & Such,” featuring breakfast dishes and a burger topped with a fried egg and jam, all day long. Burgers and handhelds include smash burgers and cauliflower tacos. Seasonal food features emphasize comfort food. Locals also recommend Logan’s Alley for breakfast (it opens at 7am daily) and mimosas, and the back patio is always buzzing in summer.

Mulligan’s Pub

“Cheap drinks, live music and good company!” is the promise at Mulligan’s Pub, and boy, do they deliver. Happy Hour specials include $2 well drinks, $2 domestic beers, $1 off pitchers and 50 cents off everything else. They’re one of America’s top bars for PBR sales and are known for their infamous Mulligan Stew Shot. (Asking what’s in it is, um, discouraged.)

The Otherside is Mulligan’s in-house performance venue, hosting both local and touring talent as well as open mic and karaoke nights, trivia and stand-up comedy. There’s a large bar to sit, perfect for striking up a conversation with someone new, as well as tables and booths. Mulligan’s doesn’t have a food menu but the Street Chef Shaw Food Truck swings by for Taco Tuesdays from 5-9pm.

Pickwick Tavern

Opened in 1934, the Pickwick Tavern is one of the oldest bars in Grand Rapids. It’s a great place to grab a beer with friends and catch a glimpse of yesteryear. Much of the interior has not changed in years, and it feels like you’re taking a step back in time the minute you walk through the door. 

Regulars congregate for happy hour and watch Jeopardy on most weeknights. Pickwick is a quieter setting that provides a great space to catch up, as well as reasonable drink prices. The Pickwick is cash-only, but there is an ATM on site. And if you’re in the mood for food, try one of the many other bars and restaurants within walking distance – Brewery Vivant, grove restaurant, Maru Sushi or The Green Well – to name a few.

The Meanwhile Bar

The Meanwhile Bar is a cozy space with a somewhat arty aesthetic – the bright red walls are adorned with paintings and prints, and a colorful dinosaur mural, painted by co-owner Jeff VandenBerg, covers one wall of the back patio. That may not scream “dive bar” to you, but the cheap drinks, friendly vibe, jukebox and pinball games say otherwise. (And did we mention the life-size hammerhead shark hanging over the bar?)

The Meanwhile offers 15 Michigan beers on tap and some really great daily drink specials – like $5 pitchers of PBR on Mondays, $4 Long Islands on Tuesdays and $12 bottles of wine on Wednesdays. All Michigan products are $1 off every day until 8pm.

Vinny’s Bar

Located about 2.5 miles northeast of downtown GR on Plainfield Avenue, Vinny’s Bar has been a fixture of the city’s Creston neighborhood for 80+ years. Bartender Rhonda is a legendary figure to regulars, known for her generous pours and special touch with a Bloody Mary.

Vinny’s doesn’t serve food, but feel free to bring something in. (Nearby restaurants include Lucy’s, Gaia House Café and Mizizi.) Be sure to bring cash, too – Vinny’s doesn’t accept credit cards.

The Elbow Room Bar & Grill

Beloved as much for its food as its drinks, The Elbow Room offers an extensive menu of appetizers, soups, salads, burgers and handhelds. You can wash down your meal with a wide variety of beers, liquors and cocktails, surrounded by a friendly and, when a Detroit sports team if playing on the TVs, a somewhat boisterous crowd.

Daily afternoon and late night Happy Hour specials make reasonably priced drinks even more of a deal. About two miles or so from downtown Grand Rapids, The Elbow Room is easily accessible from the I-96 expressway (take the Fuller St. exit) or via Michigan Street.

Vestal Inn

A relaxed sports bar with TVs, pool tables, keno and pull tabs (similar to lottery tickets), The Vestal Inn serves up some delicious burgers, salads, sandwiches and south-of-the-border favorites to go with its full bar service. Enjoy live music performances every Saturday from September through March.

The Vestal Inn is on West River Drive in Belmont, about 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids and six minutes from LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps baseball team – so it’s perfect for relaxing after the game.

Flamingo Lounge

Also known as the “Dirty Bird,” the Flamingo Lounge is on Bridge Street, about a half-mile west of Anchor Bar and the main Bridge Street Entertainment District. You’ll run into all walks of life at this eclectic bar where you can mix and mingle with a fun-loving crowd and enjoy a cold drink. Happy Hour runs from 10am-6pm every day.

The staff is friendly and packs a fun, outgoing attitude with newcomers. There is menu of hearty comfort food and free popcorn that’s always hot and fresh. Hop on your motorcycle and head to the Flamingo on summer Wednesdays for “Bike Night” featuring live music and great food and drink specials in the parking lot.  

Broadway Bar

The Broadway Bar is a one-of-a-kind bar just a few blocks away from the Bridge Street Entertainment District. The bar is decorated from top to bottom in Christmas decor in the colder months and other holiday decorations year-round. It’s also home to the Broadway Burger (and other awesome food options) that are cooked up on the flat top grill right before your eyes behind the bar. It’s a giant handmade patty on grilled Texas toast with your choice of toppings and fries on the side.  

The Broadway Bar is family-owned and operated. Some days the owners will be working behind the bar or in the kitchen serving up your lunch the same way they have for years. It is a definite must-stop during the holidays to get in the spirit, but a fun time no matter the season. Be sure to call well in advance for holiday reservations – it’s one of the hottest spots in town.

Bow Tie Tavern

You’ll have to head to Sparta, a small community about 20 minutes north of Grand Rapids, to check out the Bow Tie Tavern. Local fans will tell you the drive is worth it. This laid-back hangout serves beer, cocktails and bar food at reasonable prices. Get there early on Friday nights, when live bands take the stage. There’s karaoke on Saturdays.  

The Silver Derby

Low prices, a decent draft selection, expert bartenders and friendly service are among the draws at The Silver Derby in Alger Heights, about 10 minutes from downtown GR. TVs, a pool table and a few gaming machines add to the dive bar ambiance. No kitchen, but they serve hot dogs and let you bring in outside food.

Dirty Shame Bar & Grill

Proclaiming itself “Ada’s Original Five Star Dive Bar” – a phrase proudly emblazoned on the t-shirts it sells – the Dirty Shame is a cozy, family-friendly watering hole with an extensive food offering (including a kid’s menu) to complement its full bar service. Entertainment includes sports on TV, music bingo, karaoke and live music on weekends. About 20 minutes east of Grand Rapids in Ada.  

Log Cabin Cocktail Lounge

Operating since 1938, the Log Cabin Cocktail Lounge is a chill bar and grill serving a wide array of pub grub and cheap drink. Nightly entertainment ranges from live music on the weekends to trivia, music bingo and more during the week. Locals also recommend the Log Cabin for karaoke and dancing. It’s a 10-minute drive north of downtown GR on Division Avenue.

The Pump House

The Pump House is a (very) casual hangout on the border of Grand Rapids and Kentwood, about 20 minutes from downtown GR. Expect inexpensive drinks, dim lighting, a pool table, bar games and sports on TV – everything you want in a dive bar. The atmosphere is chill, with locals readily accepting newcomers. No food, but you can bring outside food in if you like.

Putt Putt’s Bar

Putt Putt’s, or “Putts” as it's affectionately referred to by regulars, is a popular neighborhood bar about a mile and a half west of downtown GR. It feels like a family-run sports bar, and it’s often packed for major games and sporting events. Mirrored beer signs adorn the walls, and there are large tables for groups to gather.

Even if you don’t drink, this is a nice spot to stop if you’re hungry as they have a reputation for good bar food. There is a patio along the front of the bar to spend sunny afternoons and watch traffic or listen to your favorite jams on the jukebox. Popcorn is self-serve and always free here too.  Joey’s Tavern across the street is also a great option for a local bar with indoor and outdoor seating and a solid food selection

Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill

Though it may be known best for hosting genre-spanning music acts 2-4 times a week (and stand-up comedy shows on Tuesdays), Tip Top Deluxe is also a classic neighborhood dive bar serving fantastic burgers and other bar food along with reasonably priced craft beers and other adult beverages (made even more reasonable with daily specials).

Just a short walk from the downtown campus of Grand Valley State University, Tip Top feels intimate and “divey” even with the steady succession of renowned national touring artists that alternate with local and regional musicians.