Monte's

I'm not actually reviewing Monte's, I'm reviewing The Establishment, which does not yet have a Yelp page!

Apparently, the owners closed Monte's and refurbished it into a really cool, upscale bar.  The bar offers excellent craft cocktails and the staff was very friendly.  They're still trying to draw in customers so if you're in the Grand Rapids area and looking for a nice bar to try some new and inventive cocktails, I definitely recommend checking this place out.

I happen to really dig this place. Atmosphere is very classy. If you look up the nightly password on Facebook, you can get 2 dollar drink tickets every Friday or Saturday and no cover at the door. This place is very well maintained, clean, friendly, and classy. Only negative is that it can be a bit loud. The windows out in front of the place are awesome and there are tons of places close by if you want to go someplace more intimate ;) They have a surprisingly good selection of beers on tap including Founder's IPA, which is always a plus. They make good shots from what I have had. Overall I really love this place.

Okay, I know what you're probably thinking "a *third* review of Monte's? isn't this a little excessive?" This place gets better every time I come (now a five-star establishment in my book. The two things I'd like to point out this time are: (1) the doormen are just classy as all get-up, and I noticed that, for the winter, they have heaters by the door--nice touch--but seriously, whenever you walk through the door here, you feel like money. (2) I cannot emphasize how on-top-of-things the bar staff is here. I'd say they are the best in GR. Even on a busy Saturday, the bartenders are always quick to get to you and get your drink in your hand. Especially if you are sitting at the bar, expect to be taken care of very well.

Also, I never before commented on the atmosphere. Monte's has a very "clubby" feel to it. The music is always pumping, and the action on the dancefloor ebbs and flows, depending on the night. There are also a good number of booths and tables, so it's a good place to go with a group. Monte's is quickly becoming my bar of choice in downtown Grand Rapids, despite its distance from most of the other downtown attractions.