REGISTER NOW: Uncomfortable Conversations: The Skills Crisis
REGISTER: 8THIRTYFOUR Skills Survival School Founding Cohort

(Some of the) Best GR Patios

Share This Post:

A winge glass on a table with bread in the background.

Aaah…summer. We know Michigan summer looks different this year due to quarantine, social distancing, masks and limited togetherness, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy Grand Rapids patios.
We especially love that Grand Rapids created social zones to give our local restaurants more room to serve our community and offset the revenue loss of cutting capacity. You can read more about the social zones here. 
Our team gets into some heated debates on the best patios, as well as the best sides of town. We would love to hear your favorites. Send them to di*****@**************************ed.com.
Below are just a few of our favorites. If you choose to visit one of these amazing businesses, respect the mask rule, a.k.a. don’t be a dick.

Eastown/Cherry Hill

The Prickly Pear margarita is “to die for” at Donkey and is a perfect match with their guac. As one member of the team says, “bury me in their guac.” We have never been known for our subtleness. 
The Outside Coffee Co. is literally (yes, we overuse this word) the coolest place to hang out. Grab your dog and head there for coffee, snacks and lots of social distancing. We’re seriously bummed we didn’t think of this idea, and can we please live in your trailer?

West Side

Hello, Butcher’s Union. Their inside patio is pretty damn unique. It’s hard to get a seat there, but if you go during the week, you’ll have better luck. Also, get their Paloma. You can thank us later.
Looking to hang out and buy drinks from a shipping container? We have just the place for you—The Sovengard, located right across the street from Butcher’s Union. We basically just set you up for a pub crawl. 

Northeast Side

Perhaps a little known gem on the Northeast side is Brickyard Tavern, formerly known as JD Reardons. The menu is amazing, and the outdoor patio overlooks the condo pool. You’re very tempted to just jump in. 
Looking for the best tacos and some amazing beer? Head on over to CityBuilt Brewing. Get the Barbacoa taco. That’s not a suggestion. That’s a demand.
We know this isn’t a comprehensive list, and we suggest you check out TwoGuys Brewing, Bud & Stanley’s, and many many more.
 
If you’re looking for a guided tour, get ahold of us. We’ll bring our own mask. 

Responses

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Recent Posts

Something on Your Mind?

If you ever need proof that personal brand matters...Kim got to see the @nasaartemis II launch in person as a direct result of her Big Deal Energy™. 

You need to work hard, show up authentically, and provide value. That was her message to a room full of students and young professionals at @western_michigan_pmi's theProject Collegiate Competition. 

The Big Deal Energy™ Workshop is on June 23. Register at the link in bio.
Employers think Gen Z is lazy, entitled, and will quit the second things get hard. That perception is keeping you out of the room before you ever get a chance to prove otherwise.

The good news is, you can flip the script, but it will take some serious work and a personal brand, or as Kim Bode refers to it: Big Deal Energy™.

Kim is speaking at theProject™ Collegiate Event, hosted by the Project Management Institute Western Michigan Chapter on April 14. She'll cover how to build a personal brand that actually sounds like you (not ChatGPT) and how you can show your value through social, content and networking. 

Link in bio to learn more.
No one talks about how lonely it is to own a business. The tough decisions land on you, the business doesn't pause when you need a break, and nobody - not your employees or your spouse - really gets it. 

If you know a business owner, tell them they're doing a good job. It matters more than you know.
The growth stage is the hardest part of building a business. 

Kim was recently quoted in @corpmagazine on what she sees running the Women's Entrepreneurial Fellowship: women who have built something, survived the hardest part, and are still doing everything themselves. The natural tendency to be humble and attached to their work creates unique business challenges for women; they put up walls because they can't be vulnerable. 

Meanwhile, when a woman CEO needs growth capital, she compiles three years of tax returns before a bank will schedule a meeting, while her male competitor closes the same deal over drinks.

When women have access to the right resources, they grow and invest back. Full article at the link in bio.