Looking for the best way to spend an evening in Grand Rapids? Our team shares their go-to spots for dinner, drinks, and fun—from sushi and speakeasies to rooftop views and dive bars.
One of the best parts about having an office in downtown Grand Rapids? You really get to know the city. Over the years, the downtown scene has only gotten better—new restaurants, cocktail bars, and entertainment spots have popped up, making an evening in Grand Rapids full of possibilities.
This week on the blog, we asked our team: What does your ideal evening in Grand Rapids look like? We’ve talked about our favorite restaurants and coffee shops before, but this time, we wanted a full night-out experience—dinners, bars, lounges, and everything in between. Here’s what we had to say.
Hey, it's your old pal Daniel back here with another answer for you on my ideal night in Grand Rapids. As a big sushi fan, my ideal night starts at Maru Sushi—one of my all-time favorites. A big staple in college while at Cornerstone University. After that, I’d grab a drink at O'Tooles or New Holland Brewing before heading home.
I live in Grand Haven, so I don’t go out in GR as much as the rest of the team, but when I do, it’s always a good time.
My perfect evening starts with a quick workout at the Downtown YMCA right after work. Then, I’d meet up with friends at Barrio for a drink and a taco.
After that, we’d head over to House Rules for board games and another drink. It’s a fun, laid-back spot, and honestly, now that I’ve said this out loud, I want to go do it right now...
If I'm not heading home after work—I’m going out with my girls. We’d grab drinks at Uccello’s (especially if it’s nice outside) and order a few appetizers to split.
If the night is feeling fun, we might go back to someone’s place to keep the hangout going with games. But at the end of the day, I’m a homebody. I love nothing more than heading home, laying in bed, and working on some design projects.
I’d leave the office around 4:30, hit the gym for a solid lift, and then head to Roam for dinner. Their menu is different from anywhere else in Grand Rapids, and the drinks are just as good.
To end the night, I’d go to IDC, a speakeasy with a great outdoor area. If it’s dark out, even better—I love the lights downtown. The best time to go? When it’s snowing. Sitting under the heaters, watching the snow fall—it feels like you’re way higher up than you actually are.
I don’t usually eat dinner downtown, so my night would start with drinks at MDRD in the Amway Grand Plaza, then a stop at Lumber Baron Bar for an Old Fashioned. It’s an unbeatable drink in an unbeatable atmosphere.
If I want to stay out later, I’d head to Anchor Bar on Bridge Street for a $2 PBR—because you can’t go wrong with a solid dive bar.
My ideal night in GR starts with a race over to Butcher’s Union for happy hour before it ends. If it’s winter and the World of Winter Festival is going on, I’d check out the light installations and inflatable sculptures.
My ideal evening has two key parts. I live downtown, and I love being able to walk everywhere. I’d finish up work at 5:00 p.m. at the Launch Kit office, then take a short walk down Ottawa to Leo’s for dinner. I’d start with the calamari and a glass of red wine. I don’t have a go-to entrée, but I usually lean toward seafood—steak is reserved for a trip to Bowdie’s.
After dinner, I’d take a walk over to the Amway Grand Plaza and stop at Lumber Baron Bar. They make the best smoked Old Fashioned I’ve ever had—the kind of drink you can still taste and smell if you close your eyes. The dark, leather-clad atmosphere makes for great conversations. I’m an early-to-bed person, so I’d be home by 8:30, prepped for a great day tomorrow.
There you have it, folks: a mix of dining, game nights, dive bars, speakeasies, and outdoor vibes. We're super thankful to call this city home and enjoy sharing it with our friends and family. We hope this article sparked a few ideas about what you can do next time you're in the neighborhood.
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