My Exchange experience was way different than I anticipated it to be, but I guess that's why one should never assume what they have yet to try. Word-of-mouth and advertisements led me to believe The Exchange was a chic, upscale bar for the attractive percentage of Lansing that was a favorite of twenty-somethings and young thirties professionals. Part of those ideas were true, while others were way, way false.
The Exchange was, in fact, chic and upscale with an intimate loft upstairs that would have been a perfect place to socialize and dance IF... the place wasn't 100% inhabited by fourty and fifty years old with a middle-aged wedding band playing "Jessie's Girl" and "I'll Be Watching You" to boot. It was the perfect social and sexy scene - for my parents. Aside from the divorced professors and car salesmen that weren't already on date night with their cougar pals, the eyeballing received from the solo dads was uncomfortable and pretty pervvy.
So, I would very much recommend The Exchange to my parents or lovers of jazz. They'd have a blast. I would not recommend to the younger crowd or anyone who has a decent taste in music.
I've been to the exchange a few times before moving out of Michigan, but hit them up on a recent visit home.
First off, Michigan passed the smoking ban, so it's great to enjoy the place smoke free. On a Thursday night, they had a live band, which was a lot of fun and very entertaining. Miike Skory and friends was the band this evening - they also played at my wedding, so that was fun to see them again.
Drinks were great - strong enough, but not too strong, and $6 each for well. They also have some pretty good $8 martinis.
The crowd in here is mixed - twenty-something's and a few cougars and older couples but generally a good bunch.
If you're downtown and looking to have a few drinks in a nice place and enjoy some good music check it out.
Not quite sure what to write about since there's absolutely nothing that stands out about this place. Â Cocktails...the usual martini suspects....Beer...nothing interesting...Wine...brands you can find on any aisle end-cap. Â Service has always been pleasant enough but nothing to write home about. Â
Seems to only get busy on Thursday-Saturday nights and even that may be stretching it. Â
Just like it's rating, ok
I went here once with the lady to have cocktails and a snack. Her Cosmopolitan was bad, but my Martini was worse. It was just a little vermouth swimming in a sea of bottom shelf vodka. They didn't even have the decency to give me bottom shelf gin for my $7.50.
The food we had was all deep fried crap from GFS. It was what it was.
The crowd was interesting for people watching, as it was "cougars" in short skirts and old fat guys with beepers on their belts. Also, skanks.
The service was good, especially as it was very crowded. The house band did professional sounding covers of funk songs.
I thought this place was pretty fun. The live band wasn't what I would consider "club" type music but not bad. The lower level was pretty limited on seating so the place was crowded for sure. The upstairs was setup as a loungy area with couches, chairs and little intimate seating areas with candles, etc. I enjoyed it much better. The drinks were decent and the waitstaff was pretty attentive. Since Lansing is pretty "club challenged" I have to say that I will come back (even if it is due to limited choices).
Review Source:Where else can an early-20-something get dolled up to spend her limited college income on fancy-ass martinis?
The Exchange is certainly an upgrade from your regular meat markets, yet comfortable and casual enough with an older crowd, that you, little thang, will be appreciated.
There are two scents in the world that make me happy. Â One of them resides here. Â They need to prioritize making a candle out of their Cosmo. Â Orgasmic.
Stopped by here the other night. After passing many people who kept telling me that I should turn around and not go. This almost convinced me especially since I hate cigar smoke and I was already kind of hesitant to go.
I was pleasantly surprised though since there was very little smoking going on that night.
Overall the place was alright. I liked the atmosphere, the music level, and the lounge upstairs.
Recommendations:
If your young (26-35), single, and semi-attractive you will have your pick of the ladies. Just don't try too hard, since the dirty old men are already pushing them your way.
Sorta wannabe ritzy martini & cigar lounge. Â There's a hot ass bartender there...and I always forget his name....we'll call him "Rick" to protect his identity....Well anyway, "Rick's" service is excellent, and not solely because he has a very smackable bum (is this sexual harrassment?? :-P) but he knows how to mix a good drink and he's attentive to his customers. Â I've had limited success with other waitresses/bartenders there. Â
The crowd is mostly Cooley Law Students and old men (45+) trying to find a P.Y.T. to wine and dine on a "trip to Rio".  The best night to go in my opinion, is Thursday night when the Mike Skory Jazz Trio plays.  Go and make sure you ask them to play "Spain" by Chick Corea and watch them groan in disgust and say  "you must be friends with that one tall black chick who wears funky shoes" but they'll probably honour your request.  Drinks are again a bit on the expensive side for a midwest bar - $7-$9 for a martini, but you're paying for the ambiance.  After all, where else might you find Magic Johnson chillin' upstairs in the balcony on a random night?
If you dig stogies, you can buy one and light that sucka up at the Exchange. Â I'm no fan of carbon monoxide, but this is Michigan and not Cali so expect to smell like a humidor when you get home. Â The food is pretty good actually, as they share a kitchen with Omar's - the honourable strip joint next door, and face it, strip joints have good food (from what I heard).
The Exchange is a good break from East Lansing teenybopper-hell. Â Just don't be surpised if you drunkenly stumble into the men's loo and see lil blue pills and geritol on the floor.
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