What to Expect

Each zone is different because the businesses surrounding it are different. All zones include tables and chairs – spaced at least six feet apart – where patrons can eat takeout meals and drink alcohol in sealed containers purchased from nearby restaurants. Retailers can display their goods in sidewalk-sale fashion. Gyms and exercise studios might conduct classes, there may be live music to enjoy and games to play … all out in the fresh, open air.

Downtown Social Zones

More than 170 restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, retail shops and service establishments are eligible to participate in four downtown zones. Following is an overview of current zone utilization. Additional seating and amenities may be announced at any time – we’ll update this page as necessary.

Monroe North

Bound by the Grand River to the west, Ionia Avenue to the east, Leonard Street to the north and I-196 to the south, the Monroe North Zone currently features restaurant-specific seating for

• Big E’s Sports Bar
• City Built Brewing
• Field & Fire Café
• Garage Bar and Grill
• Linear Restaurant
• Rocky’s Bar & Grill
• SpeakEZ Lounge
• Whitewater Café and Lounge

Bridge Street 

This social zone encompasses the city’s newest entertainment district, Bridge Street west from Seward Avenue to the Grand River. It offers restaurant-specific seating for the

• Anchor Bar
• Fratelli’s Kitchen and Bar
• New Holland Brewing-The Knickerbocker
• The Sovengard
• Butcher’s Union
• Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria and Brewery
• Morning Belle
• O’Toole’s Public House.

Center City 

Monroe Center Avenue returns to its ‘80s-era incarnation as a pedestrian mall in the City Center zone, which extends roughly from I-196 north to Fulton Street south, and Winter Avenue west to Division Avenue east. There are more than 190 tables available for open and restaurant-specific seating to support the Center City’s 60+ restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Food trucks will be stationed near Rosa Parks Circle at select times. Ah-Nab-Awen Park and Calder Plaza may be used for outdoor fitness classes.

Heartside/Ionia Ave 

Extending from roughly Fulton street to the north, Logan Street to the south, Market Avenue to the west and Division Avenue to the east, the Heartside Zone includes restaurant-specific seating for Divani, Luna and The Pyramid Scheme, among others, plus open seating for dozens of other restaurants. Ionia Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic between Weston Street and Fulton Street from 8pm to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, increasing the space available for visitors to enjoy outdoor fare from such businesses as

• Buffalo Wild Wings
• Go Java
• Grand Rapids Brewing Company
• HopCat
• Sparks BBQ

Refreshment Areas

Now you can enjoy an adult beverage while strolling around the city. “Refreshment Areas” in select Social Zones allow patrons of participating restaurants, pubs and entertainment venues to carry an open alcoholic beverage outdoors. The drinks must be in designated containers only available from participating businesses, and patrons must stay within the boundaries of each Refreshment Area. (You cannot travel between Areas.) Refreshment Areas operate Sunday-Thursday from 7am-10pm and Friday-Saturday from 7am-midnight. Check out maps and details for Downtown, Bridge Street and Monroe North Refreshment Areas.

Parking and Transportation

Some street and lot parking has been eliminated to make room for seating and other amenities. Traffic routes have also been shifted in some zones. Visit the Grand Rapids City website to find the nearest available parking to each zone. You can use the free DASH bus service to travel within and between downtown social zones, which are adjacent to each other.

Social Zones Outside Downtown

The city has also identified additional commercial districts in neighborhoods outside downtown for outdoor space activation. That means restaurants and other businesses in these districts can work with the city to create social zones. These zones are still being developed – we’ll post updates as soon as they become available.

Leonard Street

The Mitten Brewing Company has opened “The Outfield,” an outdoor social zone that complements its vintage baseball theme. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy a cold beer and delicious pizza – and it’s dog-friendly!

Uptown

The Winchester gastropub has transformed its Wealthy Street parking lot into a summer oasis complete with socially distanced picnic tables, greenery and magical nighttime lighting. Other Wealthy Street restaurants within two blocks of The Winchester also offer outdoor seating: Donkey Taqueria, Elk Brewing, Outside Coffee, Royals and Zivio.

Alpine

Amore Trattoria Italiana has created a spacious dining patio in a portion of its parking lot, just 15 minutes north of downtown Grand Rapids. Now you can enjoy the award-winning restaurant’s homemade Italian fare al fresco!

Pets Welcome

These are public spaces, so pets on leashes are allowed. Individual restaurants might not allow non-service animals in their outdoor dining spaces – please check first.