Logan's Alley

Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

916 Michigan St NW
Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503-3526
United States

(616) 458-1612 | map
logansalley.com

Check the website for food and drink specials. Logan's offers any of their bottles to-go (at prices lower than advertised on the menu), but no growlers.
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.25
Reviews:
19
Ratings:
34
pDev:
7.29%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.11 by Phoodcritic from Michigan

Sep 10, 2017
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Reviewed by tetrisattack from Michigan

4.45/5  rDev +4.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 2
Driving by this place, it looks like any average dive bar. But despite the rough exterior, the beer list is one of the largest in West Michigan. They have hundreds of different beers at any given time.

Nowadays, there's a tiny handful of bars in the area with better selection - but not many. What's unique about Logan's is the clientele seems to be working class and laidback. None of the gentrifying hipsters who normally frequent craft beer places. The customers here are just regular people in a regular bar that happens to have a phenomenal beer list.

My only complaint is the food. Logan's will dress up tater tots in a million different ways, but none are very good. In fact, most of their food leaves a lot to be desired. I would never go here for dinner, but if you're a craft beer fan and want a normal bar without "artisans" behind the counter, this is the best place in GR.
Aug 08, 2017
 
Rated: 3.93 by Billydoughnuts from Michigan

Feb 02, 2016
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Rated by MichaelCoyne from Michigan

3.9/5  rDev -8.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
Good beer selections, Nice deck to sit out on in the summer
Jan 26, 2016
 
Rated: 4.73 by C_Adams from Ohio

Oct 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4.13 by jmiah22 from Michigan

Aug 27, 2015
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Rated by Jeffrey84 from Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
This has to be my favorite "tap house" dive bar vibe with good food and an amazing selection of great beer.
Apr 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4.11 by MSEGUIN from Michigan

Mar 05, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by EricTKole from Michigan

Oct 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by leprechaunandfatman from Ohio

Oct 01, 2014
 
 
Rated: 4 by styleisking from Michigan

Jul 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by BigTuna1066 from Michigan

Jun 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by GRFounder from Michigan

May 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by JMFP from Delaware

Apr 06, 2014
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Reviewed by Badger6 from Virginia

4.32/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
Being totally transparent, I haven't been in here since early last decade, am in GR for some family business, and it happened to coincide with a Founder's KBS rollout week...so we rolled over to get a pour of the KBS.

Right up front, it isn't Logan's fault, but the place was a madhouse, in a good way. People were friendly, pumped up for the KBS, and generally in great spirits. The staff were great, too. The place was crazy busy, they never skipped a beat, and served everyone fast and with a smile.

Tried a couple other beers while there as well, but the boards and beer lists were endless, with so many craft beers from Michigan and beyond, there is no way to go there and not find something, or some style, you would not like...even a shitty adjunct from St Louis.

Go in a have a beer, you'll love this place. I know if I still lived in GR, I'd probably go there a couple times a month, just to try something new and enjoy the neighborhood feel that the bar reeks of.
Mar 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by schwartzr33 from Michigan

Feb 27, 2014
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Reviewed by Jax2QT from Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +9.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Logan's Alley is a neighborhood pub that embraces it's neighborhood. The regulars frequently refer to it as their "living room" and is friendly enough to draw people to drive from the suburbs on a daily basis!

As all of Michigan, it is smoke-free. Drinks are poured generously (but not irresponsibly), which brings the liquor crowd back again and again. The beer selection is where they really rock it though--so many revolving taps and hundreds of varied bottles! I've had good beers and bad beers, all at Logan's Alley. If you can drink "4 Beers A Month" (who can't?) you must join their "Around the World" Club; half off all bottles on Wednesday and worth-it prizes for quarterly milestones.

They can appeal to just about anyone... The 3rd shifters swing by for the 7am open and the kitchen actually stays open until 2am for the late-night munchies. You really can't go wrong at Logan's.
Apr 08, 2013
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Reviewed by sneakymagician from Michigan

4.4/5  rDev +3.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Great selection of brews and great food! I always enjoy my time there. It's easy to find a beer that I'll like, and I can be rather picky.

The only real problem is that the place is tiny and has little parking. This is a real problem on a Saturday night...so I just go to its sister pub - The Monarch Club. I went during a weekday afternoon and the place was almost empty - but parking was easy to find.

If this place were bigger, with more parking and some entertainment, it could be a major destination in GR during the weekend. Right now, it's a popular neighborhood bar.
Nov 14, 2012
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Reviewed by 4thoseabout2bock from Illinois

5/5  rDev +17.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5
You can't drink all day unless you start in the morning...

This place looks like a neighborhood dive, and is as friendly and down to earth as you would expect as such. BUT the beer selection and menu choices were definitely well above anything I could have hoped for. As a craft beer traveller, I really appreciate finding a pub that carries and celebrates local breweries. We got to try Oddsides Citra, Brewery Vivant, Right Brain and Shorts ControverSI ale. Also an excellent short-rib and bacon sandwich.

The ratings don't make you think this is a must visit stop for travellers coming to GR.

This is a must visit.
Jun 15, 2012
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Reviewed by EnJeiBee from Wisconsin

4.44/5  rDev +4.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
Logan's Alley has the best selection of bottled beer I have ever seen. They actually have a leather bound book that showcase roughly 250 beers from around the world. They always have a great rotation of taps and are one of the few places I've seen with a dedicated Delirium tap.

The reason I started heading to LA is because I was working 3rd shifts and they were one of the only bars that was open at 7am. Many 3rd shifters, particularly from the medical field, tend to head in after work. The atmosphere is very laid back and the bar has the typical whole in the wall feel.

The staff all seem very knowledgeable and friendly, particularly for the time of morning they're behind the bar. If you're looking for a great place to try some new brews without the crowd or hype, this is the place you need to be!
Jun 08, 2011
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Reviewed by Bung from Michigan

4.2/5  rDev -1.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Used to frequent this bar when my friend lived up off Innes. Selection was the best in the city, until Hop Cat took over the Siera Room down by the Arena. Creative list of micros and imports, the bottle list doesn't seem like it changes much, but the drafts vary nicely. Food has improved drastically over the years, but seems a bit pricey for sandwiches. Service can be a bit hit or miss, especially when the place gets over crowded, which it tends to on the weekends. Quality jukebox, enough games to entertain, but those can be limited by the crowd. Overall you could do much worse in GR, but selection of rare brew the Hop Cat wins out.
Mar 01, 2009
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Reviewed by Gigantis from Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +9.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Logan's Alley appears to be a hole in the wall. Until about a year ago, I always associated the place with the middle-aged after work crowd. You know, men and women with mid-level jobs that don't really interest them anymore. The men have loose ties hanging, albatross-like, around their necks and the women obviously haven't touched up their makeup since the early-morning hours. Both have cigarettes dangling precariously from their lips. Don't get me wrong, that's a crowd I can totally get behind; the aimless working hoards. However, I have realized that Logan's transcends class, age and employment status. The aimlessness is always there though and that is what I love.

The patrons of Logan's are life's wayfarers. They... no, we... are not particularly motivated to do much so we lack presumption. This is one of the best things about Logan's: it has the feel of a working-class dive but offers much more than any dive I have yet patronized. And what, you may ask, does Logan's offer besides some good bullshitting at the bar? It offers the finest beer competition Grand Rapids has to offer.

When I go to Logan's I don't even look anymore at what is one tap (about 20 draughts of varying quality and rarity). I ask for my list. My list has six sections. Light-bodied, light/medium-bodied, medium-bodied, medium/heavy-bodied, heavy-bodied and fruit/sweet beers. Each section has about 30-40 bottles to choose from. When you've consumed the beer, you get your list initialed by the server or bartender. The lists are always changing so if you are one of the lucky few who finish the list, you can go for round 2. The selection on these lists is excellent and you can pretty much get anything you're in the mood for or experiment if you are inclined to do so.

The only downside to Logan's is the size of the place. If it gets busy, it becomes a standing room only situation and there isn't a lot of space to stand in, especially when the deck is closed in the winter months. It is also quite smokey, which I don't mind but I feel that those who do should be forewarned. It is actually a very attractive bar with lots of wood and sort of an old feel to it. Still, you can see why it is called Logan's Alley and not Logan's Alehouse or Logan's Beer Hall. Maybe "Beer Hallway" would apply.

There are all sorts of different types of people there; from college students to senior citizens. The people who work there are generally very nice and, the bartenders at least, know quite a bit about beer if you have questions. The food menu is pretty good too, I think. It's the same menu as Cambridge House and Graydon's Crossing and I have found that the best thing on it are the cheesesteaks. Look, if you're trying to eat healthy, just make a salad before going out because it's pub fare for sure at Logan's Alley. There are daily food and drink specials and, while you can spend a lot of money attempting to finish the list, generally the place isn't all that expensive. There is a pool table and dartboard - if you want to bet a beer on a game, you will almost always find a willing participant.

So if you are feeling a little bit aimless or even worn-down, give Logan's a try. At least they have a beer list you can focus on. It'll relieve any melancholy you may have.

In summary:
pros:
-great selection of beers from around the world - taps and bottles
-fun, unpretentious atmosphere
-great place to eat and grab a drink or stick around all night
-the beer list!

cons:
-a little bit small
-a little bit smokey
Feb 10, 2009
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Reviewed by sarahspat from Illinois

3.94/5  rDev -7.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
They have one of the best selections of draught beer in GR, but as it is owned by the same people who own Graydon's Crossing and Cambridge House, all three of these places will have the same beers on tap at any given time. I once went to all three in the span of two or three weeks and the tap lists were practically identical. Not that that's a bad thing, because they have pretty decent sized menus, but just don't expect too much variety if you go to more than one of these bars within a narrow window of time. Plus, they try to market each one of these bars like they're so quirky and unique (see LA's website for proof), but actually, they're dangerously close to being bland corporate imitations of truly unique bars. I almost feel like I should copy and paste this same review for all three bars, because I have very little different to say about each one. Oh well. They do have decent selections from microbreweries around the country and great European beers that are difficult to get on tap elsewhere.

For my closing remark, I will say if you're looking for variety, go to Hopcat and if you're looking for soul, there's only one place to go in Grand Rapids: Founders. I wouldn't waste my time anywhere else, unless you really want to explore the city. It's not that Logan's Alley (or the other ones) are bad bars, but Grand Rapids has so much more to offer.
Nov 09, 2008
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Reviewed by jjshutty from Ohio

4.22/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 2
Logan's Alley is one of the gems of Grand Rapids' beer scene. Located just outside of the downtown region, the patrons are a wide mix. From the exterior it is unimpressive and actually quite average, but inside the adventure begins.

The interior is dark, smoky, and relaxed. The perfect place for an after work drink, or to watch your favorite game on the tube. The food is cliche bar food, mainly greasy apps. But the beer, oh the beer is exceptional and the sole reason why I go.

If you can name it they will, within reason and season, have it.
Dec 13, 2007
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Reviewed by bullywee from Colorado

4.15/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Went to Logan's Alley back in Jan 07 finally here is the review. A great little neighborhood bar in a nice older building. The beer selection was solid Michigan craft beers represented with offerings from Founders, Arcadia, Bells and New Holland the draft line up completed by DFH 90, Arrogant Bastard, Sierra Nevada celebration, Delirium Noel, Lindemans Framboise.
The bottle menu was good as well. Food wise was pub fare reasonably priced and tasty, service was prompt, friendly yet to the point. I'd definatley make this a stop on future trips to GR.
May 23, 2007
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Reviewed by flacks360 from Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
Been to Logan's a few times, and every time is a great time. A bit of a hole-in-the-wall, but that's the way I like it. Kind of small, and somewhat heavy on the smoke.

The staff is generally very busy and don't chit-chat very much, but they're not unfriendly, and they seem to know their beer pretty well. Which brings us to the selection...

They easily have the best selection of any bar in West Michigan. Plenty of great stuff on tap. Only 2-3 macros. On my last visit, Stone Arrogant Bastard, Bell's Two Hearted, GL Edmund Fitzgerald, Delerium Tremens and Breckenridge Vanilla Porter were on tap, to name a few (probably 20 total). During past visits I've seen plenty of others from Founders and Bells, and even Dogfish 90-min.

Bottle selection is very impressive to say the least. Tons of microbrews from across the country. Nothing that can't be found in a decent beer store, but tough to find in most bars. They have excellent beer menus throughout the place, so if you want something a little more special, it's all laid out on paper for you. Also a plus were the good supply of Belgians: all 3 Chimays (in 750ml form), Rochefort 8 and 10, and Duvel, among others. Just ask for a snifter and you're in business.

Overall, an excellent place to chill and have a few good brews, which is what most of us are looking for, right? Good location about a mile or so east of downtown Grand Rapids and within close range of a handful of other bars.
Mar 23, 2007
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Reviewed by SupaCelt from Michigan

4.3/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
This bar was somewhat dark and dingy inside. I like bars of this character. Reminds me of the other, more seedy feeling, bars I frequent in my area. Felt like a towny bar. I happened to make it in for last call on a Wednesday night, so the place was pretty well empty. There were maybe six or eight people inside. No teeny bopper types. Always a plus. The place was dimly lit. It had some booths and tables, a medium length bar for 10 to 12 asses to be perched in front of, and a pool table which adds bonus for me. There was also a video game and a bubble hockey thing-a-mabob. A bit smoky, but mild compared to some places I've asphixiated in. Overall not a large room, but just my type.

This place has a surprisingly killer selection of brews. I counted the tap handles when I was standing there teetering from side to side. Last call. Needless to say I can't remember how many there were. Twenty? Nineteen? Eighteen? One of those. An impressive set of handles. I think only three were macro style lagers. Here are a few examples: Rogue Pale Ale, Hennepin, Dogfish Aprihop, Young's Double Chocolate Stout, John Courage, Beamish, Lindemans Framboise, Founders Centennial and Breakfast Stout, something from Bell's. I was pretty well blown away. Plus they have a cooler behind the bar that is loaded with bottle selections. I remember seeing 750 ml Unibroues in there as well as Delirium Tremens and Nocturnum in 12 ounce bottles. The cooler was loaded. The barkeep said everything on tap is also available in bottle. He followed that with, "We're the beer bar." They damn sure are. I just wish I had had more time to drink there. I only got to try a couple of beers. I'll surely be back. Service was good.

I didn't look at a menu or have food, so I don't know anything about that. The prices were reasonable. I paid $4.50 for a pint of Hennepin. I think $4 for Aprihop. Maybe a bit steep, but I can't really compare it to anything else right now. It was worth it to me. I am most definitely going to go back there sometime when I have more time to soak it all in.
Feb 17, 2006
Photo of jp32
Reviewed by jp32 from Michigan

4.51/5  rDev +6.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
Located on Michigan St. in Grand Rapids, right down the street from 3 or 4 other bars. It doesnt look like much from the outside, but dont second-guess it though, this is one of the best in town.

I stopped by on Thanksgiving evening for a couple of after-turkey brews. Their special for the day was Rogue Mocha Porter on tap for $2 a pint. What a steal! Needless to say, I wasnt shy about ordering up myself quite a few of those. Most other beers were atleast $4 for a pint. The inside are of the bar is kind of small and cramped, but maybe it just felt that way as they began to get quite busy. Probably 5 or 6 large booths, 5 or 6 tables, and a bar that fits atleast 12-15 people. Entertainment consists of 1 pool table, a dartboard, golden tee golf, a hockey/foosball table, a couple tv.s, and a wagon-load of great beer.

The beer selection at this place was unbelievable. There was probably about 20 or so beers on tap, and atleast 17 or 18 I'm sure are worth trying. They have a "beer menu", with (if I remember correctly) about 15 pages of beer options. I believe a sign said they had 120 bottled beers available, which is amazing. They also had food available, but I didnt pay much attention to the eats as I was a little overwhelmed with liquid options.

The service was decent. They all seemed to be working very quickly and hard, without sacrificing too much friendliness. I didnt have to wait long for service, but there definitly wasnt time for chit-chat with the staff.

Overall, this is an excellent place to stop by if you're in Grand Rapids and are looking for some exciting beers to try. The awesome selection is this bar's good selling point.
Nov 28, 2005
Photo of rteis
Reviewed by rteis from Michigan

4.53/5  rDev +6.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Best selection of beer in all of Grand Rapids. Bottles are too numerous to count. Beer menu has descriptions of many of the beers they offer and a taste score (not sure where they pull that from but it's pretty on target) Don't blink on your way down Michigan Ave. or you'll miss it... great outdoor patio during the summer months. Inside is small, dark and noisy. I've lived just a couple miles from this place, but didn't discover it until this summer.

the beer menu is at least 7 pages long single spaced. Draft choices rotate around so it's always worth a stop back to see what's new. My wife loves the Lindemans Framboise is there on tap... it's amazing. Didn't think it could be better than what comes out of the bottle, but it was.

Definitely worth a trip if you live nearby and definitely worth a stop if you're traveling through.
Sep 30, 2005
Photo of malty
Reviewed by malty from Michigan

4.14/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Stopped-in last Saturday (2/12/05) upon a buddy's recommendation.

Driving by this place one would never guess the delights that awaited inside. A quaint place to say the least - an 'L' shaped bar that seats maybe a dozen. A tap count of approx. 20-24. That day there was 'Free Food' that consisted of a hot dog bar near the back door with chili, cheese, etc...

Decor: metal embossed panel ceiling. Walnut looking paneling on walls that stood chest high (painted drywall from paneling to ceiling). Clumbsy decorations from posters to blackboards. Some vintage tin beer signs would have finished it off nicely.

OK, now the important stuff... Tap selection was VERY nice: Hobgobblin, Young's Oatmeal (nitro), Urquel, Celebration, Edmund Fitz along with regional offerings from Founders, Bell's & Arcadia. Oh yes, for you $4/60 oz. pitcher types - you could choose from PBR and Old Style. I stuck to the well-stocked bottle selection: Duvel, Orval & Jubel were my choices. My pal went with the Sterkens White, Rogue Shakespear & something else - forgot.

Price for a pint were $3.50 - $4, but I did notice on Thursdays they offered Beamish for $2/pint. I'm sure these guys have a daily special for just about everyone.

Great little pub - will revisit for sure. Great beer, patrons & atmosphere.
Feb 18, 2005
Photo of Silphium
Reviewed by Silphium from Michigan

3.73/5  rDev -12.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 2
A fairly nondescript bar with a handful of tables in the bar room and an additional room with a pool table, darts, and hockey. Huge menu with a fairly extensive beer list; 20 beers were listed on tap, and there were dozens of bottles available. Just prior to my visit, Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale and Summit Oatmeal Stout were available, both very rare beers in this region (in fact, I'm willing to bet this was the only bar within 100 miles that had those two beers). Others included Youngs Double Chocolate Stout, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Great Lakes Nosferatu, Founders Breakfast Stout, and a handful of other locals and imports. I'm not aware of any other bar in Grand Rapids with this tap selection. In bottles, several Belgian, German, and British beers are available, including Baladin Nora, Duvel, Chimay, etc.

I had the Nosferatu and the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. The former seemed a bit stale to me, very sweet with little of the original hop character. The SNCA also had an odd sweetness to it; I've had this beer on tap elsewhere several times before and never detected this flavor. A revisit is in store to see if other beers on tap have the same flavor.

Foodwise I was disappointed; I ordered a Reuben and got a hamburger bun with a smearing of sauerkraut, cheese, and a small stack of that cheap 99 cents/package corned beef, probably that Carl Buddig crap. Pretty lame. Their food menu is quite small, and I recommend eating elsewhere before visiting.
Feb 01, 2005
Photo of deejaydan
Reviewed by deejaydan from Michigan

3.78/5  rDev -11.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
Stopped in here on a Thursday night, pretty busy. Lots of dark nice wood around. Room for 75 people, tops. Looks like a neighborhood pub, until you look at the beer menu.


Awesome Tap Selection.. SN Harvest Ale on tap for $2 a pint was the special this day, seems to be that they have daily specials. Had a full pint of Great Lakes Nosferatu for $5, which is a steal. Food is basic bar food, seems to be made there in a limited kitchen. Reminds me of an Irish pub, with the limited quick food. Had a pretty good Ruben. If you are in the area and want to be dazzled by the beer selection, be sure to stop in.
Nov 19, 2004
Photo of granger10
Reviewed by granger10 from Wisconsin

4.05/5  rDev -4.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
Well, well, well. I've driven by this place hundreds of times before and never knew the kind of beer selection it had until Tiki beermailed me with the list of their tap and bottle selection. I have been there a few times since and plan on going many more throughout the course of this school year, considering it's right by my college.

The place is really small and gets loud quite easily. There's a deck you can sit on but it gets filled easily. The service is decent if not too knowledgeable about the beers. But I go there for the tap selection. Edmund Fitzgerald, Young's DCS, Abbot Ale, A couple of Founder's beers, some New Holland, a Bell's tap, etc. Best tap selection in GR easily. Their prices are really good too ($3.50/pint for any American beer and $4/pint for all imports), even the bottle prices are good. Last time there I had the Black Tulip (9%) in a pint for $3.50!

This place doesn't look like much but the beer selection and prices are supreme. There's also a nice game room in the back.

Update: I've had the food here a few times and it's good for pub food. The new menu has a nice offering of burgers and sandwiches but it's a bit pricy for pub grub. Service has really varied at times and the selection, while still the best in G.R., does not change enough for my liking.
Sep 01, 2004
Logan's Alley in Grand Rapids, MI
Place rating: 4.25 out of 5 with 34 ratings