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Dig into Grand Rapids with us - from secret spots and new eats to offbeat date ideas. Whether you're hunting for your next neighborhood or just tonight's adventure, we've got the local scoop.

6 Best Christmas Bars & Restaurants in West MI, Plus Honorable Mentions – Great Date Night Ideas!

West MI’s Most Decked-Out Christmas Bars & Restaurants, Plus More!

If you know where to go, you can get a seat at one of West Michigan’s festive restaurants and bars this holiday season for your next date night. Not sure where to find these fun places? Stick around for a jolly journey through the local hotspots that have decked their halls (and walls!) with everything you can imagine – and then some.

Honorable mentions go to those places that, while their decor isn’t over the top, it’s still worth noting.

Get ready to eat, drink, and be merry!

1

Broadway Bar: Christmas Cheer Overload

Address740 Broadway Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Welcome to Broadway Bar, where it looks like Christmas exploded – in the best way possible!

Owned by the delightful Mommy Cindy for 35 years, this family-run bar is a West Michigan staple. Picture every inch covered in tinsel, baubles, and lights. It’s like an ugly sweater party took over the bar!

Warning: it’s super cozy (read: small), so come prepared! Reservations are a must in December and must be made in person.

Bar seating is first-come, first-served, so arrive early to grab a spot. Check their Facebook page for status updates.

Broadway Bar - Christmas Bar in Grand Rapids
Broadway Bar – Grand Rapids
2

Long Road Distillers

Address537 Leonard St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Ready for a some holiday spirits? Long Road Distillers has festive decorations, a seasonal menu and a slew of handcrafted holiday cocktails.

In years past, Long Road has embraced the festive spirit with a countdown: The 12 Cocktails of Christmas.

Each day, unveiling a new cocktail featuring a mix of holiday-inspired flavors and easy-to-follow ingredients, so you can create a merry moment right at home.

Or, join them at one of their locations to enjoy these festive concoctions surrounded by the warmth and joy of the season!

Be sure it hit Grand Rapids’ first craft distillery this holiday season.

Cocktails, farm-fresh food, and bottles-to-go make it a truly joyful.

Long Road Distillers – Grand Rapids
3

Bob's Bar

Address725 Michigan St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Decked out in lights, sparkle and cheer, is local favorite, Bob’s Bar.

Open from 7 AM – 2 AM, you can pretty much always go to Bob’s. Famous for their nightly specials, along with Trivia on Monday and Wednesday evenings, you are sure to find a lively crew enjoying fun and friends this time of year.

Bob’s has Happy Hours!

If you’re in the mood for discounts with your festive fun – Bob’s Happy Hour is from Mon – Fri from 7 AM – 10 AM & 3 PM – 6 PM

And Saturday and Sunday’s from 7 AM – 10 AM.

Bobs Bar – Grand Rapids
4

Lucy's in Grand Haven

Address133 Columbus Ave
Grand Haven, MI 49417

Step into Lucy’s and it’s like you’ve been hit with a Christmas spirit snowball!

This place isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a holiday-themed wonderland with twinkle in every corner. Festive drink menu and oodles of Christmas knick-knacks, from snowmen to stuffed animals and a giant Santa, add to the party.

But wait, there’s more!

There’s also live music on Friday and Saturday nights and an all-new BRUNCH on Sundays from 11 AM – 3 PM.

Enjoy the magic of Christmas at Lucy’s for lunch, dinner, brunch, or just a drink.

Lucy’s in Grand Haven
5

Stan's Bar

Address208 W Savidge St
Spring Lake, MI 49456

Just around the corner from Grand Haven, Stan’s Bar in Spring Lake is a must.

Christmas is all around at Stan’s. They’ve got loads of lights, and their signature “Elf” glasses, which turn all of those twinkles into little elves, dancing before your eyes.

This is a Christmastime favorite with locals and visitors alike.

Stan’s Bar has been open in the Village of Spring Lake for over 75 years.

Home of the Laker Liter, Root Beer Barrels, and Stan’s burgers, all walks of life and generations enjoy visiting this hometown bar.

You can even pick up farm-fresh eggs from Stan’s. Make it a stop before your Christmas breakfast.

Stan’s Bar in Spring Lake
6

Poncho's Tacos: A Mexican Christmas Fiesta

Address1874 28th St SW
Wyoming, MI 49519

Celebrating its fourth anniversary at their Wyoming location, Poncho’s Tacos offers a Christmas twist with a Mexican flair.

The decor is sprinkled with magic, with pretty ornaments and a wall covered in lights giving winter wonderland vibes.

Whether you’re here for the mariachi band, the festive atmosphere, or delicious tacos and enchiladas, Poncho’s is a great place for filling up on holiday cheer.

Ponchos Tacos in Grand Rapids

Honorable Mentions: More Festive Spots in West Michigan

While the top six spots are dazzling in their own right, there are plenty more gems in West Michigan that get a shoutout for their holiday spirit.

Take a look at these honorable mentions and their Christmas decor:

Brass Ring Brewing

2404 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Brass Ring Brewing has an awesome ceiling snowflake display and snowflake lights during the Holidays.

Brass Ring Brewing in Grand Rapids

Putt Putt's

1148 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Putt Putt’s bar is ready for your Christmassy Grand Rapids date night.

Putt Putt's Bar in Grand Rapids

Turk's Tavern

11139 Cleveland St, Nunica, MI 49448

Turk’s Tavern is just off of I-96, on the way to Grand Haven. Every year they deck the halls in the most delightful way. This ridicuously cozy bar is a must stop for festive cheer.

Turk's Tavern in Nunica, MI

Bud & Stanley's

1701 4 Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Bud & Stanley’s is a notable spot with lights and garlands lining the windows for a festive atmosphere in NE Grand Rapids.

Bud & Stanley's in Grand Rapids

Greyline Brewing

1727 Alpine Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Greyline Brewing has loads of beautiful winter white decor and they have brought breakfast back, so try this hot spot in the morning.

Greyline Brewing in Grand Rapids

Clifford Lake Inn

561 Clifford Lake Dr NW, Stanton, MI 48888

Up for a drive? Clifford Lake is a destination and known for their “Sparkies Christmastime Lounge.” Think Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and you’re on the right track.

Clifford Lake Inn in Stanton, MI

Festive Frenzy

Embrace the festive season in West Michigan, and visit one or five of these holiday transformed favorites. Cozy ambiance, creative libations, and the glow of shared holiday cheer make them memorable.

Don your ugly sweater, grab your friends, and you just may start a tradition for years to come. 

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Kate Overbeek

Kate-O-Headshot

Kate is a Grand Rapids native. After graduating from MSU, she landed there to raise her three boys with her husband of over 20 years. She loves to travel, especially to new spaces & places. Her teenage sons keep her schedule busy and her fridge empty. But when she's not rooting for them in sports, she's usually skiing, playing golf, hanging around the lakeshore, and trying to catch a view of sunset.