Max's South Seas Hideaway
Tiki bar · Grand Rapids ·

Max's South Seas Hideaway

Tiki bar · Grand Rapids ·

Immersive tiki bar with tropical decor, Polynesian eats, and cocktails

Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by @ExploreTock
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null
Max's South Seas Hideaway by null

Information

58 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Get directions

$30–50

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Information

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58 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Get directions

+1 616 551 0016
maxstiki.com
@maxstiki

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Dec 4, 2025

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GRAND RAPIDS CITY GUIDE

"Experience a unique, world-class immersive experience for friends, co-workers, or a romantic escape."

https://www.exploretock.com/blog/city-guides/grand-rapids/
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Max’s South Seas Hideaway

Brian L.

Google
Amazing place! Hidden gem in Grand Rapids. The decor is superb and will transport you to an authentic Polynesian Tiki experience. The drinks are super fun and the drink menu is expansive! The food was spot on and we’ll definitely be back if we are ever back in Grand Rapids. Great date night or fun night with friends.

Jennifer A.

Google
Dear Max’s, your staff, food, and drink, plus ambiance were amazing! I make it a point to visit tiki bars when travelling. While visiting family in Ohio I dragged my dad here from Toledo on a Thursday night. (what a drive and a half) The servers were a pair of young ladies, one gal had a Rum Rum, my darling shirt from the High roller tiki lounge/ Bettie Page rum from out in California which I immediately recognized, and thought was pretty badass! I didn’t realize the owners also had a SF location which explained a lot of the items I saw around the place 😊 Either way the food was superb! The portions were huge, and I wish I could have tried more. The drinks were top notch and again I wish I had a bigger stomach to try more. The servers hooked up my dad with a taste of a rum that they thought he would enjoy, since he’s a bourbon guy and it was both generous and thoughtful! I was absolutely exhausted by the end, and I regret not exploring the upstairs ( which we were invited to check out several times). I am not sure If they had any souvenirs for sale, nor did I see a swizzle… but I got a couple post cards for my tiki cabinet.

Gamble & Sharp R.

Google
A very unique atmosphere. More importantly the food was delicious, tender. There spring rolls had the most delicate flakes wrap. Sauces were spot on. Service was great, the bartender explained everything that I asked and enjoyed watching my drink be made with pride. Id definitely go back and bring friends.

The C.

Google
This place seems like an oasis in a concrete city. If you ever wanted to go to a tropical environment and have a few drink drinks and maybe a few appetizers or food, this is your place. The staff was very friendly when we were greeted at the door and they continued to be friendly while serving us. They were friendly and helpful with giving advice on drinks and I imagine food if we had done so. I will say the drinks were strong. I am not complaining. I’m just letting people know. If you wanna get the most bang for your buck, this is definitely one of your stops. They had a wide variety of beverages to choose from. I am sure you will find something that will wet your pallet. The interior is unique in a way that you might not expect. It has multiple floors. The upstairs has a full see-through aquarium, which was very unexpected. The main floor has the bar along with little private cabana type rooms you get seated in for a small party. Overall, this place will be somewhere I come back to and try additional beverages or maybe some food.

J and B

Google
What a fun place to have a drink and go out on a date here! The drinks were strong and amazing. The pain killer was my favorite! This is a must stop in downtown GR! Next time we will be trying out some of the food items! It was a fun experience! Highly recommend!

Hannah H.

Google
Such a fun spot for a date night! Went here to celebrate our anniversary. Drinks did not disappoint. Lots of variety! Food was delicious. Atmosphere 10/10 - loved the fish tank and the art! Make sure to get a reservation!

Jackie H.

Google
As a tiki connoisseur, this has to be one of the best tiki bars I’ve ever been to. It’s on par with Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago and Tiki Tatsuya in Austin. This place might as well be part museum/exhibition of high tiki art. There’s a large collection of numbered Shag prints hanging casually on the way to the bathrooms, for example. I will be coming back here each and every time I’m in Grand Rapids or else I will have a temper tantrum and become inconsolable. In fact, I will travel to GR again just to visit Max’s. Also, make sure everyone at the table gets a bread pudding, otherwise fighting will ensue over bites. I loved this spot 💗🍹

Steven W.

Google
This restaurant/ bar specializes in fun drinks and a great atmosphere. Their food is equally amazing. I was surprised by the number of options and variety in the menu. It is a great place to stop for a different kind of meal and experience.
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Brandon M.

Yelp
Came in for a late dinner with some friends and our kids and really enjoyed it. The place has a nice fun atmosphere due to the tiki bar aesthetic. This place is definitely drink forward - they have a huge printed out menu for drinks, but the food menu appears to be digital only. Kids really enjoyed the mock tails they got, and I enjoyed my coconut mojito. Food was surprisingly good! I really enjoyed the Max's Burger, nicely made and a good taste. Waffle fries were also excellent. Service was good - they were busy as it was a Friday night we never were wanting for drinks or anything. Heading back again soon to try out the S'more desert.
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DJ C.

Yelp
This place seems like an oasis in a concrete city. If you ever wanted to go to a tropical environment and have a few drink drinks and maybe a few appetizers or food, this is your place. The staff was very friendly when we were greeted at the door and they continued to be friendly while serving us. They were friendly and helpful with giving advice on drinks and I imagine food if we had done so. I will say the drinks were strong. I am not complaining. I'm just letting people know. If you wanna get the most bang for your buck, this is definitely one of your stops. They had a wide variety of beverages to choose from. I am sure you will find something that will wet your pallet. The interior is unique in a way that you might not expect. It has multiple floors. The upstairs has a full see-through aquarium, which was very unexpected. The main floor has the bar along with little private cabana type rooms you get seated in for a small party. Overall, this place will be somewhere I come back to and try additional beverages or maybe some food.
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Smittenwith T.

Yelp
My husband and I went on a road trip to celebrate our anniversary. We both have a special place in our heart for tiki and Max's is amazing! Everything and I mean everything was delightful! The food was 10/10 which i don't know if I just picked all the best stuff or the chef was just having an impressive night. The drinks were super tasty, we had the painkiller, Singapore sling, pearl diver and a special shout out to the trade winds which was delicious. The decor and ambiance is out of this world and transports you to literal paradise. Last but not least was our server Haley who was so kind and patient and seemed like such a genuinely caring person which we so appreciated.
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Beth C.

Yelp
We had a reservation for a Friday evening in a lounge (the cute little rooms on the side of the main dining room), and it was great! The ambiance was perfect for an elevated happy hour, and the cocktails were all very tasty (I especially enjoyed the "Araki's Mana"). Our server seemed stretched a little thin, so our happy hour turned into 2, but we didn't mind. We didn't try the food this time, but I'd love to come back!
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Mike B.

Yelp
Here is another restaurant that's been around for a while that we're just getting to. We were dining with friends who suggested Max's South Seas Hideaway. As we had never been there, we were happy with the choice. We had reservations on a busy Friday night and were promptly seated. I did not realize there were two floors to this restaurant. Our table was upstairs and my wife was recovering from meniscus surgery so stairs were out of the question. We were happy to see they had an elevator in the rear. Were were able to easily access or table this way. Restaurant is decorated tiki style with several bars and amazing decorations. We were able to walk through most of the restaurant gawking at the amazing decor. First, the drink menu was amazing. Having had our fill of alcohol prior to arriving we didn't order anything other than soda but look forward to properly preparing for out next visit. The food menu is just as appealing. There were also a few specials. Our friends ordered drunken noodles with chicken, my wife had the tostada special and I ordered the tiki tacos. Both my wife's dish and mine had pulled pork but both were uniquely flavored and were outstanding. I kept saying, "how could we not have known about this place"? For dessert, we ordered the s'mores. This was quite an experience as you prepare them at your table. We were provided with homemade marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. We were also given stiff sticks for the marshmallows as the ones normally provided were difficult to handle while cooking them. The s'mores were delicious. If I have any complaints, there we're five marshmallows and five graham crackers meaning your s'more was basically open faced. Kind of chintzy I thought. I asked if it's possible to get more crackers. Our server said, "Sure with an uncharge". Happy hours at Max's look like fun as well with a reduced price drink menu and appetizers. Can't wait to do this too. Overall, great food and great service. So happy to be introduced to Max's.
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Melissa K.

Yelp
This was a great place for date night with my husband. Never been here before but we will certainly be back. The drinks were strong, the good was great and our server helped to guide our experience which turned out wonderful. We will definitely be back.
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Victoria S.

Yelp
Came here on a cousin date, got the scorpion bowl to share and the zombie. The zombie is SUPER strong!!! We ended up dumping it into our bowl to share because the sips were barely making a dent, so we had to use the big straws to make it through. We got the pupu platter and locomoco to share, as well as a side of broccolini. Our favorite was the locomoco. The sauce was on the thicker side, like a light gravy, and it mixed so well with the rice. We sat upstairs and loved the vibe. It was a little bit lighter and felt more casual. The main floor is darker and feels much more intimate. Our waitress was super friendly. We had an excellent time!
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Sydney T.

Yelp
Max's South Seas Hideaway was the perfect way to kick off our night in Grand Rapids. The tiki vibes were spot on--fun, immersive, and exactly what you'd hope for. We started with the Tiki Bowl, a rum-filled cocktail for two ($27), then shared the Pu Pu Platter, which was an awesome mix of finger foods to sample it all ($36). The atmosphere was such a blast with plenty of photo-worthy spots, and our server made the experience even better with their menu knowledge, great service, and plenty of laughs. Such a fun dinner--thank you!
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Kerry F.

Yelp
We visited for happy hour on our anniversary and enjoyed one of the lounge areas. It was a nice cozy space that was impeccably decorated. We ordered spring rolls and brussels sprouts from the happy hour menu brussels sprouts were hand down my most favorite thing they were perfection. We also enjoyed a few cocktails none of which I remember name wise, but all were good. Are very sweet server brought us out a island bread pudding to enjoy for our anniversary and oh my goodness it was amazing! I can't believe it took us so long to try this place out, but I am so so happy that we did. We will definitely return soon.
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Greg M.

Yelp
Jason and Avery were out bartenders and they did a fantastic job. We had an amazing time there and learned allot about the different drinks. We tried several kinds as well. The tiki collections are amazing and the entire vibe of this place is chill. We did have the Crab Rangoon's and they were enough for three of us to share. They were crispy and delicious! Upstairs bar is beautiful too and the fish tank was fun to see the different fish. Definitely will be coming back next time we are in GR

Rufus M.

Yelp
I thoroughly enjoy this place. The vibes here are incredible; why this legitimate tiki bar would be in GR of all places I have no idea, but it is legit! I would go here just for the looks and the drinks alone (the mixed drinks are next level and deserve more than I'm writing here) but honestly, the food is also really good! I'd say the only thing that I found just decent was the service, which was not bad but I had no memorable experiences in a good way either.
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Lucas E.

Yelp
I had not visited Max's in a couple of years, and I'm happy to say its strengths are still standing: the theming and decor are charming, the drink menu is extensive and diverse, and it feels like a unique experience. Service has always been good and attentive, even when busy. What disappointed me this time around was the food quality and pricing. I know costs have gone up pretty much everywhere, but you pretty much can't get a dish here under $25, and the sandwiches/burgers are all around $18. That's a $30 meal with a tip, not including drinks, and not much on the menu here is worth that much for me. Stick to it for special occasions when you want something different.
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Brent B.

Yelp
Ok, this place gets 5 stars for the atmosphere alone! I've always wanted to visit a Tiki restaurant and this place certainly lives up to its hype. The decor is amazing, go upstairs to check out the fish tank if you get a chance. The food was decent but the star of the show are the cocktails. We also split a pu pu platter. and that was fun. the staff are friendly and everything came to the table in short order. If you are looking for a one of a kind evening out in GR give Max's a shot!
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Kristie N.

Yelp
Extremely dark!!! Had a hard time reading the menu and seeing where to go. Bathrooms are downstairs. Had the marooned drink and didn't like it at all and bartender let me switch drinks. A lot of choices to choose from. Jerk chicken tacos were good (spicy). The pineapple salsa was amazing!! Best I ever had! And it also came with like a corn thing that was pretty good too!!
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Brittany W.

Yelp
LOVE this place. This weekend marks my second visit here and I'd come back over and over. The ambience is my favorite part - it truly feels like you've been transported to a tropical island. Certainly a nice place to go in the winter when you're completely over the freezing cold of Michigan! Our food was on point again this visit. The crab rangoons are huge and the chicken satay is so tender and delicious. My Mom loved the spring rolls. We also shared the drunken noodles and even got another order of spring rolls togo. Our waiter was stellar and very attentive! Another highlight for me is the nonalcoholic drink menu section. Make sure to check out the entire upstairs and the beautiful salt water tank!
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Tricia B.

Yelp
Drink was 5 stars, food was 2 stars. I will definitely be back for a cocktail, but doubt I will eat here again.
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Michael M.

Yelp
OMG. This place is an UNBELIEVABLE GEM. If you were wondering where everything went from that big Tiki estate auction went all those years ago--this is where. TWO STORIES OF TIKI SPLENDOR. Food was amazing. Drinks...amazing. Service...yep, amazing too. You could walk around here for hours and still not take it all in. Truly unbelievable. If you have no other reason to go to Michigan--now you have a reason to be here. This is worth a plane trip just to spend some time here. JUST AMAZING....
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Laura F.

Yelp
Everything you want a tiki bar to be, with a space suitable for a big group... a bachelorette party here would be amazing. The food was delicious. My pearl diver cocktail was not very pearly, but was very good. Super special ''hidden' spot for a date night
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Annie M.

Yelp
This place has an incredible Happy Hour (aka Aloha Hour) with many of their specialty tiki drinks available for $6 and food options for $10. The ambiance here is impeccable and it's obvious that a ton of care was put into the decor. My friend and I each enjoyed two cocktails and a food item and were both very pleased! The Aku Aku drink was super refreshing and delicious. I had the fried shrimp And rice (can't remember what it's called) and it was bomb. I would order that over and over again. Perfection! I absolutely loved my experience here and look forward to introducing some other friends to this cool spot!
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Alia G.

Yelp
Great ambience! Fun drinks! Good eats! AND!!!! They have tableside S'mores. What more do I need to say?!!! Hahahaha The s'mores.... House made marshmallows and graham crackers! They are so good! No artificial tastes like the store bought kind we grew up with. Don't get me wrong.... I'm eating any kind of s'mores at every opportunity. Before indulging in the s'mores we shared the Hulu huli ribs...the fries and a green salad. The ribs were tender and fell off the bone... The salad was crisp and fresh. Would definitely come back again if I'm in the area.
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Trinity B.

Yelp
This place is seriously sooooo cool!! The ambiance makes you feel like you're faaaar far away from wherever you came from, I wish I'd taken more pictures of it honestly! The drinks are AH-MAZING!! The bartender we had was awesome too and even checked about any allergies either my boyfriend or I had to make sure even our drinks were safe!! I'd never had that experience at another bar! He washed everything he made this drink in to prevent any cross contamination for me and I was so thankful, considering they do have a wideeee variety of drinks! (I have a nut and tree nut allergy) A heads up, it's pretty dark feeling in there when you first go in there until your eyes adjust, but it's awesomeeee!! Thank you for an amazing experience!!
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Linda I.

Yelp
What a gem!! We made a dinner reservation here mostly for the tiki ~vibes, but the whole experience exceeded expectations. The food was so delicious! And we weren't even trying to order the best on the menu, mostly because we had a heavier lunch so we were looking for a lighter dinner. A lot of options on the menu sounded delicious but too heavy. We ordered: - Tiki Tacos with Smoked Jerk Chicken, Poblano and Pineapple Salsa, Cilantro, Onion and a Side of Elote Corn Salad - Ginger Salad (Mixed Greens, Tomato, Cucumber, Red Onion, Ginger Dressing) - Chicken Satay with Soy Yuzu Marinade, Thai Peanut Sauce - Side of Broccolini Everything was DELICIOUS, with generous portions. The tacos were so flavorful and juicy, the chicken satay cooked perfectly. We really weren't expecting much with the ginger salad, just wanted to add more greens, but this was actually so good!! It was huge and the dressing was light and zippy. The Broccolini side actually came as broccoli. It was tasty but a little heavily sauced. I also tried their Caipirinha, with Guava. Luscious! Not super boozy but very refreshing and tasty, and the guava made it unique. Service was friendly and the dedication to the theme was impressive, with every inch of the walls and even the ceiling designed to fit the tiki ambiance. Super enjoyable time and would definitely recommend checking this place out!
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Garret H.

Yelp
I simply love Max's. Every time I go there they make me happy. This time we showed up early with no reservations and they sat us in the corner lounge area which is my favorite place to be honestly. We ordered the pu pu platter, a ginger salad, ribs, and the spicy shrimp. Every piece of it was great and provided leftovers for the next day. Oh, did I forget the zombie drinks. If you like rum, you will love the zombie drinks and be careful they are super strong.
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Austin G.

Yelp
What a fun spot to grab a drink! Near downtown, the space is large and decorated like you're in an island jungle. The menu is very large with drinks for any type of person. If you enjoy more sweet and refreshing drinks, order the Puka Punch. It comes with passion fruit and pineapple and is very large!
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Shari W.

Yelp
This is our family birthday celebration location. We are a posse of 8 and we love this place. Nice diverse menu where everyone has a favorite dish. The drink menu is fun, creative and varied. We have never had bad service. Very hip tiki decor that SHAG would approve of!!
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Alex T.

Yelp
Absolutely loved this place. Such an amazing Tiki bar and restaurant that we randomly came across while wandering around Grand Rapids while there for the weekend for a wedding. The tiki atmosphere rivals some of the great tiki bars across the country. The food was unbelievable and the drinks...perfection! Our waiter (and later our bartender when we went upstairs for another drink) suggested the perfect drinks based on what we liked. I wish we had something as great as Max's in the Detroit area. This will be a must-do whenever we return to GR.
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Nick R.

Yelp
Ok who the heck knew Grand Rapids had a Tiki Bar and a good one at that. Sat at the bar and just had drinks, the service was great, drinks strong and the atmosphere excellent. Reminds me of the Trader Vic's Restaurants. Will be back!!!
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Eileen B.

Yelp
This place is an adventure. You walk in and feel like you have stepped into the Hawaiian islands. The decor is fantastic and the vibe is to relax. There are 3 levels and 3 bars and one is shaped like a ship. Also a giant fish tank on the third level. A must for kids. Now their drink menu is bigger than their food menu. So many choices. I chose the aku aku which is rum pineapple mint so refreshing The food makes you feel like a Hawaiian luau. Poi poi platters spicy shrimp and so much more. I got the green curry hummus with fried naan bread. My companions got the drunken noodles spicy shrimp and vegan green curry Everyone was happy content and full A must go to place
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Adrienne R.

Yelp
We have wanted to try Max's for quite a while - but it feels so far away (45 minutes ). Picked a Saturday in early February to have a late lunch/early dinner - Around 4pm. The place was already packed. We didn't make a reservation I assumed we would be able to sit at the bar, but it was full. We waited about 20 minutes for a table in the lounge, next to the bar. This place was very unique and reminded us a lot of restaurants and bars we went to in Honolulu several years ago. The vibe is retro and kitschy. we loved it! We started with the crab rangoons and they were good! LOADED with crab. And we did splitsies on Max's Loco Moco and the chicken & waffles. Both entrees were so good! We really enjoyed their take on chicken & waffles, lots of interesting flavors that we hadn't had with chicken & waffles before. If you've never had loco moco, I highly recommend it! Very unique! It ended up being a lot of food! We took home leftovers! Service was great and we loved our trip to the bathrooms in the basement - the art in the hallway is stellar!
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Rachel I.

Yelp
The menu can get a bit pricey, but the food and drinks are always great. Also, the vibe of the restaurant is perfect for a night out with friends!
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Abbey S.

Yelp
well-decoarated, fun cocktail bar in downtown grand rapids! street parking and parking garages. party of 4 on a fri night w/o a res. tables were booked, but we got full service at the bar. the drink menu is super fun, descriptive, and right on theme! our drinks were delish and service was good. the food menu def has something for everyone but the reviews on food are mixed. spring rolls were good but tasted like the frozen kind. drunken noodles were quite salty. jerk chicken tacos were great! chicken satay and ginger salad were meh. the place is a bit dark and loud, better for drinking than for eating. i would come back for drinks and vibes but maybe not dinner.
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Tammy D.

Yelp
I always pass by this place and I'm so glad I finally checked it out! I loved the way everything looked inside. The island decor made me feel like I was on a boujee vacation lol. I really appreciate their diverse menu catering to different cravings like burgers, tacos, sushi etc. I got Max's loco moco which was delicious beef, a smash patty, veggies on rice topped with a perfectly fried egg. I had never had anything like it and I was very impressed. My friend got the tiki tacos which had jerk chicken seasoned with pineapple salsa. It came with a corn salad which she unfortunately did not enjoy as much as the tacos because she thought it was elote corn and not a cold salad. However, our server was understanding and let her switch it out with a side of waffle fries. The drinks were amazing and they have a lot of exotic drinks that you would not find anywhere else. It is on the pricier end, but I think they earned that since the atmosphere transports you to another place and the food for me was amazing.
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Lauren G.

Yelp
The atmosphere is sensational. You are taken into a completely different world. The lighting is a bit dark, but I feel like it adds to the vibe. We ordered some drinks which were good. They are strong. The pu pu platter has a little bit of every appetizer and all of it was delicious. The main entrees were good as well. The ramen was more of a stir fry though. The sauce was thick and not like a broth at all.
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Christi J.

Yelp
What a great spot! Very cool decor and atmosphere (it is very dark inside as a warning, if that's not something that works for you), and we enjoyed everything we had. The poke bowl was huge and very fresh - definitely can get 2 meals out of it. My daughter wanted the s'more dessert tray and I didn't expect much, but it ended up being really yummy (and fun).
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Breanna H.

Yelp
This is a really unique bar in downtown Grand Rapids which I feel like you have to know what it's about as it's a little hidden off the main drag. Once you walk in you're immediately transported to a tiki wonderland and it's hard to picture walking from 29 degree weather into here! We sat at the bar as it was pretty busy on a Saturday night and proceeded to look over the lengthy drink menu. Woah these drinks are strong ! Haha be careful and come loving rum because these are heavy! Not exactly cheap but I think for the ambience and the craft cocktails it was great. Service at the bar was. A little slow but because they are making every drink from hand , you have to factor that in. The only reason I knocked it down a star was the lack of TVs . I definitely think they are going for a Caribbean feel and they don't want to have TVs at the bar to interrupt that overall feel of the restaurant, but it's just not something we're used to especially with a ton of college games on. Would highly recommend you stop in for a cocktail! Their food looks really good too so I would love to come back and try that out as well!
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Amanda M.

Yelp
Once again, an absolutely phenomenal experience at Max's. The Drunken Noodles were so good. My husband had the ribs and they were so flavorful and fell right off of the bone. Our server was a sweetheart and very helpful with the drink menu. You cannot beat the vibes here. It is dark, but it is so beautifully done. You truly feel immersed in a tiki bar/restaurant.
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Tiana M.

Yelp
I really enjoyed this meal. The fired chicken and the Mac were so incredibly delicious. My drink was strong but I expected nothing less. The decor in the restaurant was fun and very on-theme. Staff were prompt and friendly. Definitely recommend a trip here
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Bri K.

Yelp
For so long I avoided this place because after trying to dine twice and being told there was a 2 hour wait I was like whatever. Especially after seeing less favorable reviews. I was an idiot. Max's is actually rather wonderful! Yes, it is on the pricier side but the food and drinks are fantastic. Food is Polynesian inspired and incorporates lots of spices and flavors. The cocktails are complex and the juices used in them are made fresh daily. It's not just sugar filled. The bartenders know how to mix rums to create various flavors and elevates drinks. It's not just tiki drinks; it's a rum bar. Now the decor. It is immaculate! And authentic. I received a tour by one of the owners who took my boyfriend and I around and explained much of the artwork. A lot was collected from older/closed tiki bars while many Polynesian artists were contracted for pieces for the place. So many artists were used that each booth is decorated differently and with that artists' take on tiki. It's rather magnificent to learn about. While downstairs is more tiki, the second floor is ship themed with an impressive ship bar. A third story will be coming soon! Being downtown, parking is pretty much parking garages or the lucky on street (pay for) parking, or Uber. Depending on how many drinks you consume, you might need one! This place is the real deal.
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John H.

Yelp
An absolute must-visit for any Tiki Bar fans, Max's South Seas Hideaway is a gem in downtown GR. Keep in mind this isn't just a "tiki-inspired" joint, from the drinks to the food choices (the chicken satay, brussel sprouts and green curry hummus were a recent highlight), it's authentic and delicious. No overly sweet or syrupy libations here. The drinks are matched by the decor, with hundreds of tiki artifacts, totems, etc lining the walls. It's truly a show-stopper of a place. Knowledgeable servers are also a key part of the mix; don't be afraid to have them help you find your perfect cocktail. Have been here many times and look forward to returning!
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Zackery F.

Yelp
They've clearly invested a lot into this place to nail the tiki theme perfectly - but - that unfortunately seems to mean that you'll also be investing a lot in your meal. The food is really good and there's more variety than I expected (Sushi, Burgers, Tacos, Curry, etc.) but you should expect to pay $20-30 per dish and the portion sizes are not extremely generous. Drinks range $10-20 each so those likely add up pretty quick as well, very easy to find yourself paying over $100 for two people. It's worth going to once in a blue moon for the unique novelty experience but definitely not a place I'd go regularly. If that's what you're after though, it's a good choice.
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Stephanie A.

Yelp
Came here on a Sunday night around 8:45, had to wait 5 min for a table. We had drinks - Blue Hawaiian, Marooned with a movie star and A rocki's mana on the rocks. Server was super friendly and the vibe was really chill. Drinks were tasty but they all had A LOT of ice in them. Heard good things about the Brussels but as someone who always orders them when they're on the menu, I was slightly disappointed.
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Brian C.

Yelp
We went in with a large group, at 3:30 pm. We walked in & no one was there. We started to go up the stairs. Then we're greeted rudely & told not to go up there. So we asked for a table of ten. The hostess told us no they can't accommodate that size. We asked maybe a few smaller tables. They told us no right away. Did not even try to accommodate. They said we should have called for reservations. We called earlier in the week and was told reservations weren't necessary. We drove two hours to get there. Their rudneds probably cost them at least $500

CJ O.

Yelp
What went well? What didn't go well!? The drinks, so perfectly manicured. Every one made individually. I hope this place stays under the radar, as much as I'd like it to go viral; as it deserves, I love being able to walk in, get a spot at the bar and have the best drinks in GR! Don't miss your chance to come here.
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Adna C.

Yelp
Truly a gem! I genuinely forgot I was in Grand Rapids and not on vacation. The entire experience is immersive from start to finish! Plus, you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I tried the Rum Runner and ended up having two - so good! If you like drinks that are more sweet and a little sour, I would highly recommend. Beside the incredible theming and delicious food/cocktails, the staff add another layer of pure magic to the experience. Everyone we encountered from start to finish was absolutely amazing, and had so much wonderful information about the restaurant. More interested in exploring on your own? Go on a self guided art tour of the first floor - keep your eyes peeled for QR codes that will tell you all about the artwork in each area. Disney fans - discover enchanting elements from both the Polynesian Resort and the Enchanted Tiki Room. The Pu Pu Platter? Straight from Bugs Life. They also have several spaces with varying capacities for private events!
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Claire M.

Yelp
Great cocktails in Grand Rapids! Max's is such a cool spot! The ambiance is legit a moody, tiki hut vibe and the service is great. Our waitress helped us pick out our drinks from the humongous menu of cocktails. She described the top favorites and the flavor profiles, which was so helpful. I can't remember what I ended up getting here, but it was so good and so strong! You definitely get your money's worth when drinking here. The food also looked really good - can't go wrong w/ waffle fries! But we just got drinks during our visit. Very cool spot!
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Amanda V.

Yelp
First time at Max's. Our server was very friendly and prompt. We had made a reservation since we were coming prior to a concert. She did a great job getting us out on time for the event. The food and drinks were delicious. I really enjoyed the Blue Hawaiian. The portions were large! My friend and I ended up splitting the Korean Poutine. I would definitely recommend that dish. The ambience was neat. Everything was decorated with a South Pacific/tiki theme. My only complaint is that it was quite dark. At first it was hard to read the menu! Otherwise had a great experience!

Chris A.

Yelp
If you are in to tiki this is a must visit. If you are not in to tiki it is still a great place for food and drinks. Two floors of amazing decor! The upper level was closed, but we were still allowed to check it out. We loved all the old tiki items as well as the Shag art. My wife and I had several drinks which were all great and reasonably priced. Food was great as well. We went out of our way to visit and Max's did not disappoint. Make sure to book a reservation as we visited on a Tuesday and all the tables were occupied. We did see several walk ins that ended up at the bar which is still nice option.

Jenna B.

Yelp
This is my favorite place in GR! The bartenders are so awesome! The drinks are great and they have the best crab Rangoon's!! This is the place I take all my friends when they visit! Gotta try the smores board!

Christina T.

Yelp
Wow. The food was amazing, the decor is outstanding. We have been there before so we were ready for this. The waiter we had? I was too embarrassed to ask his name after he told me, I forgot, and we had a great conversation, but he managed to make perfect better.