Katy C.
Yelp
One of Grand Rapids' newest cocktail bars is no stranger to the craft cocktail game - Eastern Kille has been operating on Ottawa for a while now, and they recently opened this second location in the busy Wealthy Street neighborhood.
Nate and I stopped in for a drink during this year's Uptown Shop Hop and were able to grab the last two seats at the bar. The space is pretty cozy, so I would expect a wait during peak cocktail bar times. The modern decor and soft lighting was impressive and beautiful - I couldn't stop staring at the light fixtures near the bar.
The menu is concise, with eight signature cocktails, five classics, and four draft cocktail options when we stopped in. There were two specialty drinks listed on a dark menu board up on a wall near the bar that was kind of hard to see. I wish those were listed on a paper with the regular book-style menu. They also offer spirits (flights or pours), house shots, and aperitifs. Pricing is very reasonable, ranging from $8 for a draft gin and tonic to $13 for a signature cocktail.
I tried the chupacabra: reposado agave spirit, ancho chili liqueur, ginger syrup, lemon, and tajin rim. Nate got the Notorius F.I.G.: fig-infused bourbon, house fernet, brown sugar, and black walnut. It was fun watching the bartenders make the drinks - we saw a flaming drink in a skull cup, I'm thinking that was the Mai Tai.
Our drinks were nicely balanced, smooth, and drinkable. The chupacabra was refreshing and not really spicy. We both enjoyed our drinks and would love to stop in again when we're in the area.