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GR Bar Scene

cheshireguy

By cheshireguy
in Grand Rapids Coffee House

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cheshireguy Whistle-Stop

cheshireguy

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So I thought in light of the restaraunt review thread, we should have a thread dedicated solely to the GR Nightlife. Grand Rapidians, weekenders, and potential travelers can use our feedback here to plan a night out or six. Also, local bar owners can peruse this thread for ideas to better their establishments.

I'll start with my favorites - - I look for a more subdued scene without too much glitz or posturing - I could sit a Bull's Head Tavern all night and people watch. It has a great beer and drink selection, is right in the heart of all, and the decor is wonderful (think 1890's South African safari theme).

Also, I really like the scene at the Grand Woods Lodge. I always see to have a great time there and the ambiance is second to none. It has the look of an upscale cottage, complete with a rustic, working fireplace.

Recently, we went to the Monarch's Club on the west side near Salvatore's. Excellent tap beer (Founder's , New Holland, Okicim, etc), beautiful floors/walls/ceiling (old Boston look to it), the best jukebox in a while, the only knock would be no smoke ventilators. There were only six or seven of us in there, 5 smokers, and it was really cloudy.

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dbrok Hamlet

dbrok

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I'm a fan of Gardella's...usually not jam packed on a Friday or Saturday night and no DJ or dance floor if you're trying to avoid that. Pretty reasonable prices, too. Plus on Wednesday nights, everything is half off. The Anchor on Bridge has some of the strongest, cheapest drinks.

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oakesLife Whistle-Stop

oakesLife

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I like lo-key spots with great music. These are my fav's:

Rockies

Monarch

Graydons

Founders

Bar Divani

And some dive spots:

Nick Finks - Comstock Park (if you haven't been here you really must check it out if just to see the velvet wallpaper)

The Holiday (jello shots on weekends, how hot is that?)

Wengers - $1 Miller High Lifes and a fantastically terrible jukebox!

Pickwick Tavern

Some occasional spots when I'm with friends who are wanting to meet people:

Cambridge House

Gardella's

Never Ever:

Margarita Grill

Taps

Mojo's

Monte's

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michguy582 Unincorporated Area

michguy582

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It is interesting how alot of the people that comment on this site all go to the similar places. Just thinking how many times we have probably crossed paths without ever know, just cause we are at our regular places.

My favorite places in no particular order:

Sazerac

Rocky's

Monarch

The Web

Our Tavern

Teazer's

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gvsusean Burg

gvsusean

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I am going to add The Black Rose. Mostly quiet atmosphere, real Irish food, great ambiance, and excellent customer service.

I am not a fan of McFadden's on College Nights. I admit that there are plenty of attractive women there on college night, but the immaturity is unbelievable.

One thing that I am disappointed in is the quality of training for Bartenders in the Grand Rapids area. When I was living in Philly and when I visited NYC, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, or New Orleans, the biggest thing that I notices was how well the bartenders were trained. I swear that they had eyes out the back of their heads and knew their bar well enough that they could do their job with their eyes closed. Every pour was perfect, and the wait time was a just seconds. One guy in at Egypt in Philly opened 10 bottles in under 5 seconds, and then made three mixed drinks with the same minute. It was very impressive and people kept buying.

I know that GR is not one of those cities, but I figure that exceptional customer service should not be something that should be limited to major cities. I think that many of the bartenders I have met have the skill to not only be as good as someone in NYC or Philly, but much, much better.

But then again, I am of the understanding that if it is possible, it should be done.

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PBJ Burg

PBJ

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Hey your stepping on my toes here!!! j/k, but seriously I bartend; the major difference between NYC and GR is that bartenders in NYC make 50k plus (I have a friend in Miami that makes 80k a year in some podunk bar). In GR that simply is not the case.
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Yankee Fan Hamlet

Yankee Fan

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Not that I have ever bartended, but a big difference between GR and a big city is that most big city bars are full every night, whereas here those nights are pretty much only on the weekends.

My point is that I think that it takes consistent practice to be at a high level of service. And if 5 nights a week your business is brisk at best, then you are going to have to "ramp up" your service to handle those peak nights.

Here is my theory: Let's all start drinking downtown every night and the service will get better! Or, it will at least seem better because we have all been drinking. :lol:

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