There’s a certain amount of comfort in being able to slip into a familiar, comfortable place for a glass of something good. That's part of why the pub has taken hold in Michigan and why you'll find so many of them around. So settle in, drink deep, and come often, because we'll run down the great pubs in Michigan!
O'Duffy's Pub, Kalamazoo, MI
O'Duffy's Pub in Kalamazoo focuses on the little things, including Gold Standard Award Guinness Pints every time. Family owned and operating since 1999, it's got the ring of history behind it as well as a clear push toward the future, a combination that's hard to pass up. With live entertainment, a variety of food and drink on hand, and not one television—a clear departure from the norm—there's a lot to like here.
McGonigle's Pub and Grill, Battle Creek, MI
Battle Creek's McGonigle's offers an excellent slate of options for those looking for a drink or a simple bite to eat. Focused on a variety of comfort foods like meatloaf or liver and onions, it's a good place for a quiet night. Throw in plenty of drink choices all served up in a welcoming environment and the result is the kind of place you could call a home away from home for a night.
Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro, Hastings, MI
The Walldorff Brewpub in Hastings offers six different varieties of tap beer, as well as six bottled beer varieties, four hard cider varieties, a raspberry Lambic and even several options for wine by the glass and cocktails. They've even got a draft root beer on hand. That's exciting enough for anyone looking for a pub, but when you throw in the meal options from soup to salad and beyond, you've got a complete experience. You can even take home a growler of their beer varieties if you're up for it.
The Curragh, Holland, MI
Welcome to Holland, home of...a traditional Irish pub? Only in Michigan! The Curragh offers its guests "one hundred thousand welcomes," which is a whole lot of welcome by most any standard. Beyond the superfluity, though, is a pub that's got a lot to offer. From its very-own recipe fish and chips, to a seasonal menu that changes with the time of year, you'll have plenty of choices out here. There's even a family-style take-out menu for those who want a taste of the Curragh at home.
Rare Bird Brewpub, Traverse City, MI
Seasonal food, 35 taps featuring house-made and regional beers, options in wine and cider, and live music all come together to form an exciting picture for the Rare Bird Brewpub, found in—where else?—Traverse City. Located in an historic building, the Brewpub delivers a string of options on every front. Don't come here if you're afraid of making choices, because you'll have lots of them to make.
Conor O'Neill's, Ann Arbor, MI
Conor O'Neill's in Ann Arbor makes a push for authenticity all around, from the ground up. We mean that quite literally—the pub was built out of Ireland-native stone and wood, so that's just where it starts. Follow that up with the Perfect Guinness Pint in the Perfect Guinness Glass, and you've got a good idea of where this is going. Just to round it out, it's got a slate of entertainment, beer and food options, so you've no risk of getting bored at Conor O'Neill's.
Flanagan's Irish Pub, Grand Rapids, MI
Flanagan's Irish Pub in Grand Rapids delivers plenty of value, starting with live music running four days a week. Throw in a substantial food menu with authentic fare like Shepherd's Pie and Boxty potato cakes—including an array of lunch options, as well as a wide range of drinks including an Irish Hot Chocolate (comes complete with Gingers Irish Whiskey) and that makes this an experience well worth catching.
Northland Pub, Marquette, MI
Part of the Landmark Inn complex in Marquette, the Northland Pub looks to offer an English-style pub experience in the midst of the Upper Peninsula. It features stained glass decor and a "beer on a wire" delivery system that helps get the brews to the drinkers. Exciting, but the basics are also well in hand thanks to live entertainment, a Friday night fish fry, and plenty more from there.
Key Insights at a Glance
