SIDEBARGR

The best cocktail bar in GR ! The folks know their game and can make any drink you ask. Recently expanded their seating capacity which is great 👏🏽 Everyone is very passionate and makes great drinks !

Sidebar is one of those places that always enhances the night. The drinks are always on point. Well crafted and delicious. Good luck trying to stump the bartenders. Their cocktail game is top notch. If you can dream it, they can make it type of atmosphere. Absolutely worth while to stop in and spend a little time here.

This place is excellent. The ambiance is quaint, charming and very romantic. The red lighting on the night we went was a nice touch. Wonderful, unique drinks. I had the Chad special. Also, shoutout Chad he had a great, off the cuff drink for me. If Chad is your bartender please compliment his shades they’re fire.

Definitely the premier cocktail bar in Grand Rapids. This bar transports you to a more simple time where the Speakeasy reigned supreme. It’s a cozy venue, where you may want to consider a max group size of 4 people unless you’re willing to split up. Every time I’ve visited, the staff has been friendly, knowledgeable, and has a great sense of humor. It’s very clear that this bar is a great startup for bartenders who want to create their own drinks, menus, and abstract cordials for cocktails and move up to other bars to hone their craft. No complaints there, it helps that the menu rotates with the seasons keeping things fresh. Yes it’s dark inside, yes it’s fairly loud when many people talk at once, yes it’s cozy, but none of that matters when you take the first sip of your drink. Not every drink is a 10/10, but among the menu you will find your 15/10, and have a great time with friends or the staff. Prices are well adjusted compared to other bars in Grand Rapids. NEVER be afraid to ask the Bartender to surprise you with a drink. Ask them for something off menu they’re working on perfecting, ask them to make their favorite drink, ask them for something funky and refreshing. They will deliver.

True mixologist behind the bar. Cool atmosphere. Tasty cocktails! Noah and Joe did a great job behind the bar mixing up really good drinks.

LOVE SIDEBAR! The team is so personable, they pay attention to every single detail, making sure each sip of your drink is perfectly crafted. They genuinely care that you enjoy not just your beverage, but the whole experience. Honestly, this is the only place I recommend when someone asks.

Noah was our bartender tonight and he did phenomenal! The drinks were top notch, the best drinks we've had during our trip to Grand Rapids! Very unique and out of the ordinary. Like nothing I've ever had! Noah was welcoming and personable! He talked with us and made us feel right at home! I will definitely return! Love this bar! Thank you so much!

I really really tried to like this bar. But every drink was underwhelming. Each drink had a description that made it seem like it would come out with deep and complex flavors. But every drink we tried was just syrup and ice with what may be a touch of liquor. It was all garishly sweet and watered down. I had high hopes for the mezcal/tequila/chili cocktail, but in the end it was another overly sweet drink, almost like fruit juice. I appreciate what they are trying to do. And admittedly Grand Rapids doesn't have very many speakeasy style bars like this one. But this isn't it. I'm giving it 3 stars because the atmosphere is nice and warm.

Absolutely loved our experience at SidebarGR -- hands down the best speakeasy in Grand Rapids! From the moment you step in, you're transported to a cozy, classy hideaway that feels both exclusive and inviting. What really stood out was the bartending -- not just the skill, but the passion. After hearing the bartender's take on the Old Fashioned, I let him make it his way -- and it might be one of the best I've had. Balanced, bold, and beautifully smooth. Two of my friends described what they were in the mood for, and the bartender crafted custom cocktails for each of them -- both drinks were spot on and had them raving the rest of the night. If you're in Grand Rapids and want a cocktail experience that goes beyond the ordinary, SidebarGR is a must. Expert mixology, great atmosphere, and personalized service that makes you feel like a regular -- even on your first visit.

Great intimate, speakeasy ambiance. We had been looking forward to trying SIDEBAR as we had never been able to get in before due to no open seats. For this visit, there was no wait and the service was quick, although we did get there around 7:30. Jimbo was our bartender and was very helpful and personable. The drinks tasted good, however I would not describe them as bold or complex. I plan to revisit because I do not feel this visit lived up to their reputation or potential. Look forward to trying them again.

I've known about this bar for a while but finally went for the first time recently and it wasn't full! To find the entrance, go down the stairs towards Big O's Pizza and instead of turning right, take a left and you will see Sidebar's subtle entrance. It's dim lit and quite cozy in there. Limited seating and some spots at the bar were open and we took a seat up there. We did notice to the right of the bar there is a small additional area with more seating but still not a lot. I really enjoyed the espresso martini from here. The drink was so smooth and had the perfect balance of flavors. Highly recommend. We only stayed for one drink but I would definitely come back for another sometime. The bartenders were also really kind and having a good time with everyone in there! Really loved the atmosphere and our experience while we were there.

I stumbled upon this place and I'm so happy I did! Super cool crafted cocktails! Server was so great! He helped me decide on a drink and I was not disappointed. I recommend coming in with an idea of what u like and being willing to try something out of your comfort zone! Speakeasy vibes, quiet, small and intimate. Incense , lights, and music compliment the drinks

Very small space but it was a nice vibe! I love coming here with my girls when we go out for yap sessions Their drinks are all quite fancy and bit expensive, but they're so good that it's worth it. Being right next door to Big O's is nice as well because of the location downtown but also for the food. Not sure if this place has its own bathrooms. I ended up using the one at Big O's. The bartender was great as well! Good conversation and they had lots of knowledge on the drinks and ingredients.

What a fun unexpected end to our night! I was at CityFlats next door for a Yelp event, and fellow Yelper Sarah and I decided to take her friend Steve to Sidebar on a whim as he had never been! As we were about to walk in, another fellow Yelper Karsen called out to us and asked if we were going to Sidebar, and we confirmed that we were, so we all decided to sit together. A big thank you to our mixologist Noah for being so welcoming and kind to us, and for joking around with us when we told him we were all Yelpers. When we initially walked in, it was only the 5 of us, but it quickly filled up with patrons and everyone was talking to each other like they were old friends. I had the Captains Kidd (espresso and rum), which tasted like a refreshing old fashioned/espresso martini (no cream, light sugar). Left Sidebar with 4 new friends, exchanged stories about Japan, and ended the night with a lovely cocktail. Keep in mind that Sidebar is very speakeasyesque and has very limited seating (I want to say 20 seats max?), so go early if you want to be able to snag a drink, especially on a weekend. Today is Tuesday and there were already 13 of us in there at 9pm, so I'm positive that the weekend gets crazy busy! It's worth the experience!

We loved our visit to Sidebar! A cute little speakeasy that you wouldn't think was there! It's small and dark inside which makes the vibe really cool. The bartender was really friendly and answered any questions we had! I had an espresso martini and it was so good! He made the espresso in front of us too which added to the fresh flavor!

We visited after our high school reunion for a few drinks while my husband grabbed pizza next door. The space is very small and intimate, but we squeezed four at a table. Service is excellent and I enjoyed my cocktail but my friend's husband did not. Good spot for a date, not for large groups!

The bar had a great atmosphere, fantastic music selection, and a friendly bartender. We really would have liked to stay there for a while - but the drinks can only be described as awful. We had four drinks from the menu and we couldn't finish a single one. Each one had something strongly off - the highball was overpowered by some twist to, and too much of, the simple syrup. The Manhatten riff had way too much simple trying to mask either way too much bitters or a bad whiskey. Our other drinks were so imbalanced that all four of us made faces and said some variance of "that's inedible." Every drink was on the paper menu but interestingly none are on the online menu, and I didn't see a negroni on the paper menu. Reading the other reviews, I genuinely am wondering if the bartender printed their own menue to try out his own thing on a quiet weekday night. It's either that or every other reviewer is a bot or a 21yo college student whose comparison point is Burnetts mixed with cool-aid.

This is a great unknown bar. Great vibe. Laid back. Great, innovative cocktails. Amazing one-on-one service. Perfect music for space. Accommodating staff.

The establishment does not open until 5:00pm. It's an intimate venue that does not allow standing room so if you show up and there is not a place to be you need to wait in the entrance next to the pizza place. The drinks are pricey but worth it. The staff are brilliant when mixing and matching speciality drinks. Jeff got a drink off the menu (classic old fashion) I asked to be surprised with a limoncello concoction. Thankfully I was presently surprised. You would park in the parking garages a few blocks down, the venue is hidden but able to be found if you are looking for it and the bathroom is in the Big O's Pizza and they are okay with that. Overall it's a good stop in for one or two drinks and move along. Definitely something to experience.

Super cute spot tucked away next to restaurant side associated with the bar. Great cocktail selection. Pretty small spot so seating is limited but a good intimate spot for drinks with a friend or date.

Absolutely cool venue and great service but- You can't charge higher prices than Chicago and use Dolin for your sweet vermouth. I know it's a Dutch town but come on. This place is for amateurs or would be the fancy bar in mt pleasant where the English profs who couldn't get a job at uofm talk about their next edgy class on Kurt Kobain lyrics. Edit - after finishing my drink I really feel ripped off. Place should be closed

The bartender greeted us warmly and skillfully prepared delicious drinks. My husband and I thoroughly enjoy frequenting this establishment. Every visit has been met with exceptional drinks and service. The ambiance exudes charm and sophistication.

OMG best drinks ever! it was a little hard to find :) -- NEXT TO THE PIZZA SHOP LITERALLY! lol pero we (boyfriend & i) on our 5year anniversary and counting can i get a YAYYYY our server- Chad got our drinks to a T! was and will always be fire! love the drinks and the vibe, it is small, so if claustrophobic but if you've never been it's so welcoming& music is great! also just perfect for us barback Joe was very welcoming! and awesome i got a - ramblin man / tequila my boyfriend got - mango jerry / gin

There's a naughty little hideaway in Grand Rapids. Go down to get a pizza, turn the wrong way, and you're there! This closet is full of atmosphere, a small bar, and a couple of tables. If you are into quality over quantity, this is the place to wet your whistle. My bride and I love popping in here after a night out.

Although this bar is small, it is well worth the wait. A cool, laidback ambiance and the drinks are incredible. I got the Water Lillie cocktail and it was amazing. The staff was super friendly, and a big shout out to Joey who was so fun and took such good care of our group.

SERVICE: 5 FOOD QUALITY: N/A DRINK QUALITY: 4 ORDER TIME: 5 AESTHETICS: 5 NOISE LEVEL: 2 MENU SELECTION: 4 OVERALL EXPERIENCE: 4.17 Small speakeasy experience right next to BigO Pizza, and Booze. You can definitely miss it if you're not paying attention but the music is loud enough that you will definitely wonder what is going on behind the door. As you enter the darkened bar you will only see a few tables and a few bar seats. With this place being first come first serve you just have to get lucky, and hope something is available when you arrive. I've actually gone 3 times, and 1 of those visits we had to leave because they had no seats. I love speakeasy's and being that this is probably one of the best in Grand Rapids, I find myself wanting to go often. Menu selection isn't too large, and overwhelming, which is pretty common for speakeasies. One thing that I really dislike is the loud music which is uncommon. Every time I've gone the music is so loud that you can't really hear yourself think. In terms of quality I have found that my drinks were not consistent. I've ordered the same drink 3 times and each time it tasted a little different and the last time it tasted like a straight bourbon on the rocks. Overall, I find this place to be a neat little hidden bar with great drinks if mixed properly. I, personally, would choose to have a lower music volume, and make a playlist that is fitting for a speakeasy. The experience should feel like you're living a secret life and not in a crowded night club. Just the opinion of one worldly speakeasy seeker though. Definitely recommend going if you have a small group or you're flying solo. Not large group friendly.

Joey and Noah were absolutely wonderful. Made our night and were great hosts throughout the evening. Will be back again.

Giving them 5 stars because is it exactly what you think of when you say speak easy...excellent bartender who is proud of his craft and meticulously makes the cocktails on the menu or something that you want...music is great...ambiance...dark, small so that you have to speak to others and make friends...would definitely come again...oh and yes to find it you have to go thru the pizza place door...

Super classy drinks in a speak easy type of atmosphere. Dark and chill. Come in here with a relaxed posture, ready to have a special drink. They are around $15/drink so also be prepared. One of the best drinks I've had with very knowledgeable bartenders, upscale prices and product.

Drew was amazing!! Great experience with tons of new friends. A must stop while in GR.

Sidebar is absolutely one of my favorite gems in GR. The two bartenders are super friendly and can help you figure out whatever type of drink you want. However, the place is SUPER small given it was a storage closet that turned into a Speak-Easy type of cocktail bar. Make sure that you get there early or be prepared to wait. It is definitely a spot that I'd come to often but the drinks are a little on the pricey side. This is great for a pre-dinner date night or for a night-cap. Definitely not a place that you'd stay and hang and drink all night though. Given how small it is, I don't think the bartenders would love not being able to turnover the maybe 20 seats they have in total. However, they are amazing mixologists and you can never go wrong with ordering anything while there!

shitty bar! we sat at our table for 10 mins before a server came to only give us WATER and promptly walked away. they were very attentive to everyone else & we sat for another 15 mins without anyone coming to us to take our drink orders before leaving. it's also extremely tiny and crowded. will not come here again!

Best bar in GR. Custom drinks, amazing atmosphere, fantastic service. Noah is a genius.

Sidebar is such a hidden gem! A great experience (if you can get in-seating is limited!!!) and there's always some fancy cocktails to be had (although I heard their OG bartender moved on to a new experience, and I'm hoping that doesn't effect drink quality!) They were at capacity when we were there (which is about 20 people) and the only reason I took a star off is because service was a little rough, but when you're making some time consuming drinks, I get it! Definitely stop in and make your own judgements.

What a great surprise finding this place. A server at a restaurant told us about this Speakeasy. The atmosphere was what one would expect for a Speakeasy. If no seats you cannot stay. The bartenders were professional, knowledgeable & brilliant mixologists. The drink menu is several pages, and all unique. You can also go off-menu & have requests. If you share with the bartenders what you like or dislike they will mix up a concoction just for you. They were entertaining to watch them craft drinks. Had an absolute blast here. I'd go back to Grand Rapids (3 hours away from home) just to go here.

This is my favorite cocktail lounge in GR. The bartenders are so friendly and super fun to talk to! They make the most unique and delicious cocktails and I adore the intimate vibe.

this hidden *tiny* gem was such a treat! drinks only (super tasty and unique)! ambiance was amazing - they had an incense burning , dim lighting, and an amazing playlist going. only 2 servers in the establishment but our server was so sweet and friendly with great recommendations. this is such a great place for a nightcap, but be warned, it may be hard to snag a seat (it's all about good timing and luck!

Amazing service, great vibes and excellent variety of drinks and food ! Cant wait to come back when I'm in town !

Awesome "hidden" spot for amazing drinks. Small; former storage closet turned cocktail bar. Impressive drinks, great service, reasonably priced. Do not sleep on SidebarGR!!

We found this place by chance. It was a really cool spot. Small and out of the way of the usual downtown bars. Loved it!

Sidebar is a tiny, 18-seat "hidden" cocktail bar in the basement location that is also home to Big O's Cafe next door. I had tried to check out Sidebar previously but they were closed during their posted open hours, kind of a bummer. My boyfriend and I found ourselves downtown one day with no real agenda at an off hour, so we decided to stop in and see if we could get a spot. Luckily there were only a few other people there at that time so we could sit right away. I think you have to wait outside if there are no tables, which isn't great for our Michigan winters! The bartender came over and gave us drink menus. The menu is pretty small but nicely curated. I ordered the Laughing Lopez ($15) because it sounded tropical with dark rum, pineapple rum, scotch whisky, coconut cream, lime, and orange. My boyfriend got an old fashioned which comes in a few different variations. The drinks didn't take too long to make but I would be patient if it's busy! The Laughing Lopez was pretty much what I was expecting; slightly fruity but not sweet, with a little kick. The old fashioned was good too--not the best we've ever had but a very good take on a classic cocktail. I liked the drinks we had at Sidebar, but I likely won't be back super soon just due to the small size of the establishment. There are plenty of other places to get fantastic cocktails where you don't have to risk waiting outside in the cold for who knows how long!

Ambiance was dimly lit, intimate, and tight. Encouraged quiet conversation in close quarters. I loved it. Cocktails were amazing. I tried the Oaxacan Old Fashioned. And then sips of the other cocktails my table mates ordered (COVID who?) that were no longer featured, but the Bartenders were excited to whip up for them. Service was amazing, staff was friendly and personable. Going to definitely be back and soon.

This place is SUPER cool! You MUST ask for Levi (like the jeans). He can create, suggest, and bring to life the PERFECT cocktail for any guest. The location is a little tricky to find, but once you do you won't leave. The space is limited so make sure to plan accordingly and travel with smaller groups if possible. The bartenders will work diligently to get your party accommodated quickly, but you might wait a small amount of time. The drinks are very well priced for the QUALITY Of cocktail you are getting. 100% of the time I would suggest this of the time!

A great atmosphere with great service! The bartenders are very knowledgeable and super friendly.

Best bar downtown! Great vibes, unreal (strong) drinks and super nice staff. Bernie the owner is such a nice guy. One of my favorite hidden gems downtown. Can't wait to come back!

Awesome tiny bar in the basement of an office complex. The drinks were crafted perfectly and they weren't cheap. Expect $16-20 per drink, but totally worth it. I'll be back soon.

My husband and I are craft cocktail lovers. He is deep into the bourbon scene and I am a fan of well crafted, thoughtful drinks. I loved the atmosphere of this hidden gem. It is so hidden that I paced back and forth in front of the entrance for about 5 minutes before we found it. It is very small (18ish seats) no windows, but that makes it perfect for giving bartenders time to perfect their craft. Many people stopped in and saw that it was full and left. I would say wait in line because the drinks are worth it. Some would say that the prices are steep but they were on point with the market in grand rapids for well crafted drinks with high quality ingredients. Nothing was jumping out at me for my second cocktail and the server asked what kind of things I liked and brought be something off menu and it was very good. Awesome service. Highly recommend.

AMAZING craft cocktails, very skilled and friendly bartender. Perfect atmosphere and music. This is definitely a go to bar from now on.

Wow, this is the coolest bar in town. Hidden underground, next to Big O's, only 18 people can fit in this perfect bar. Hand crafted cocktails (obviously more expensive) made by bartenders with so much knowledge in making the perfect mix. The bartenders are awesome and you leave with a new friend. Nick (receipt said Duncan) was great and he made our first Sidebar experience perfect. We made it in for last call and we only wanted one drink before heading out. He made great recommendations and got to work. These cocktails take a little time to be prepared but it is completely worth it. He also said we were lucky to get in because usually it's a long wait. Definitely my new favorite place in GR!

After wanting to go here for months, the built up expectations didn't live up to reality. Yes, this place is cool, because like 20 people can fit in here. It's dark, they have great drinks, it's neat. But you have to stand outside until you can get a table, and you Literally have no idea how long u'll be waiting, it's very cramped, it's expensive, the service isn't great and the whole place really needs to be cleaned. There was dust built up and cobwebs hanging from the ceiling. It really is like a supply closet turned bar. There are better choices in GR.

Their cocktails are pretty good... however, in all honesty, it takes more than a good cocktail for you to want to go back.. rudeness is not one of them. You can get good cocktails from many places. You go to places like this for ambiance, intimacy, friendly bartender... well, one night i got utter rudeness. No intention to go back nor would I recommend it to anyone. If you want a good cocktail, however give it a try. It's only fair.

Sidebar is an amazing speakeasy style bar that seats tops of 20 people. It is next door to Big O's Cafe and makes for a perfect hideaway if you don't know where to look. I came out here last weekend with my sisters on the recommendation of a friend of mine, and boy, am I glad we checked out this place! The drink menu has a seasonal variety of negroni, old fashioned cocktails, and signatures. I went with the Fey Lady, which was nicely balanced between cucumber, gin, prosecco and elderflower liqueur. My sisters went with the Banana Bread Old Fashioned, and the Wingtip Old Fashioned. We finished off with GB2. Goodness, that was a perfect roasted peanut and chocolate finisher to the night! I look forward to going back again to take in more cocktails from this fun place.

Great place! Limited capacity, amazing bartender, so knowledgeable about their drinks. Highly recommend it

Incredibly small but intimate place with handcrafted drinks. It is hidden and shares an entrance with Big O's. There are only about 3-4 tables and the bar itself. The place fits less than 20 people and you never know how long the wait it; it all depends on how long the people in there decide to stay for. In addition, due to the small seating - the waiter will ask if it is okay to seat others at your table right next to you if your party does not take up the whole table - they seat 4 max. You have the right the decline if you want a more intimate experience.

Sidebar is a fantastic concept and the cocktails are perfect. But, the drinks are expensive and the space is limited. The tight space is part of the appeal, but it's such a drag if I have to wait. In fact, I might not wait because there are enough watering holes within a stone's throw, including Big O's just next door. I understand that they don't want to be a "standing room" or "sidle up to the bar" kind of place, but I wish they would allow some limited standing room to bump capacity just a bit. I typically reserve 5 stars for places that I can't get enough of, and want to visit every single day. Sidebar is something I have to be in the mood for--when the mood strikes *and* I don't have to wait, this place can be as good as it gets.

Great little speakeasy with good drinks and a very chill, cozy vibe. We were lucky enough to get a table and enjoyed our cocktails and the service! Definitely recommend.

I can't really give a star rating because we weren't able to actually have a drink there. We came downtown to check the scene for NYE. I totally get that this is a big holiday and everywhere is busy but the attitude given by the staff immediately upon entering was disappointing at best. We looked forward to trying one of the hand crafted cocktails in the unique atmosphere and would've stood with drinks, no big deal but the bartender blew us off upon arrival. "How many?" There were 2 of us. "We are on a wait." Everyone was seated. "What time is it?" It was 7:56. "Last call is at 8:30 and everyone just sat down". So basically we were greeted with a "f@ck off" upon arrival. We will probably give it another try later but so far I am NOT impressed.