If you’re looking for an outdoor venue to eat, drink, or just chill out this summer, the Grand Woods Lounge has the ideal patio. A group of us stopped in for a quick snack and a couple happy hour drinks on a random Tuesday, and we can’t wait to go back.
In my opinion the Grand Woods Lounge patio is among the top candidates for downtown Grand Rapids’ best outdoor dining. Located on Grandville Avenue, they offer a nice combination of downtown energy mixed with the calm vibe of The Woods.
Their patio has a fireplace, and you’ll often be entertained with live music. While there was no live music on this particular day, I have been there on a few different occasions when they’ve had a one man band who helps add the perfect touch to the atmosphere.
Their signature Woodstinis were on special for $3 (the server said they were normally $7.) What exactly is a Woodstini, you might ask? A heaping glass full of raspberries and mandarin oranges, soaked in vodka. If you’ve bought raspberries lately you know this was at least $3 in fruit alone, and it was fantastic. The perfect drink for a hot summer day.
Not being able to hold off until dinner later that night, we ordered the the Santa Fe Crab Dip and Beer Battered Salmon to share. Considering I’m not a big fish fan, I was skeptical, but I can honestly say I thought both were fantastic and would definitely go back specifically for either of these items.
Overall, the Grand Woods Lounge is a great choice for a quick happy hour stop, date night, or dinner with friends. Be sure to check out their live entertainment schedule here for upcoming performances, and keep them in mind next time you’re looking for an outdoor venue downtown.
