The B.O.B.

  4.1 – 3,640 reviews   • Restaurant

Social Profile:

The B.O.B. (Big Old Building) in downtown Grand Rapids, a 70,000-square-foot, four-story red brick building from 1903 (Judson’s grocery warehouse), was saved from demolition by The Gilmore Collection. Its size, charm, and casual appeal make it a destination. The B.O.B. offers many choices, including breweries. It’s a big old building of fun! Explore our brewery and more.

Sprawling former grocery warehouse features a range of eateries, a brewery, piano bar & comedy club.

✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out The B.O.B. 49503

Hours

TuesdayClosed
WednesdayClosed
Thursday4 PM–1 AM
Friday4 PM–1 AM
Saturday4 PM–1 AM
SundayClosed
MondayClosed

Address and Contact Information

Address: 20 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Phone: (616) 356-2000

Website: http://www.thebob.com/

Menu Photos

Order and Reservations

Reservations: tripleseat.comtoasttab.com

thebob.com

Photo Gallery

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Reviews

L L
The BOB is a mixed bag and depending on your intentions it may be a great spot for the night or a miss.

Pros:
-multiple bars in one building each with different vibes for night life
– Dr. Grins comedy club
– Different age groups (>21) can be found there, so you can find a space to unwind no matter what generation you are in on a night out
-location is central to downtown
– have a coat check ($5 I beleieve)
– indoor and outdoor options
– enjoyable events listed on the website i.e. dueling pianos, dj, live bands, etc.
– multiple experiences available in one venue, so no need to travel/bar hop on a datenight (necessarily).

Cons:
– service is often less than desired with wait staff often seemingly entitled and unenthusiastic. I even see many of them focused on their phones versus contributing positively to the atmosphere.
– check your bill, they often pre-add gratuity to your check (ALWAYS at the comedy club, often for dining, possibly the bar too) and it is not explicitly stated or easy to see when you pay on the digital checkout which does not usually show an itemized statement… ALWAYS opt for a receipt and ask questions about your total if it seems high.
– The food quality is often lacking
– The drink prices are outrageous (~25 bucks for two wells)
– parking is not included
– cover charge after a certain time unless you have a ticket for the comedy club

Overall, my husband and I enjoy an occasional date night at the BOB with a bite to eat, tickets to the comedy club, and some drinks/dancing afterwards, especially on a warm summer night on the patio. We can anticipate a enjoyable experience with plenty of laughs, easy planning, and a hefty bill (unfortunately). Everytime we go, we are excited for an enjoyable and easy night out together but are prepared to have a bit of frustration with the lack of food/beverage service and the outrageous drink prices.

Its a good bet for anyone who needs an easy and enjoyable night out with some variety in the crowd and atmosphere. Its a bad call for anyone in a tight budget spot. No matter what, the night will most likely cost a party of 2 *at minimum* $100 IF you are cautious (usually much more) by the time it is all said and done if you are sparing with drink orders (remembering that you pay for parking and the comedy club has a 2 drink minimum per person with a mandatory gratuity already added in as a service charge).

All in all, it’s worth it from time to time and we always know its going to be an enjoyable date night, one of our favorite easy go-tos. We make sure we eat dinner before we go because we dont love the food menus and we make sure to keep our expectations low for the bartenders and waitstaff. Let’s be real, the restaurant/service industry is NOT what it used to be ANYWHERE you go.
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Eli Fetterhoff
Loved my bartenders so much. Was hanging on the third floor their dj seemed occupied… lol. Wanted some fun vibes but he surely did not bring them, ambient elevator music if that. If not for the warm hospitality from my bartenders I would have left. He was not my vibe, and with an empty dance surely not anybody’s vibe Todd Ernstein was not the vibe for a Saturday, busy talking.
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Cheryl Anne Barill
Great for ArtPrize! Be sure to check out the great art they host!!!
My own work can be found just to the right of entering the third floor ballroom!!!
Sept. 18 2025 -Oct 4 2025
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Melissa Austin
Always a good night at the BOB! Waitress wasn’t paying attention very well though, even when I waved her down 4 times… Looked at our table and continued to the next. Then she asked us to tip her in cash, even though gratuity is included in the bill lol
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Quanniece Rivers
We were greeted after sitting at the bar however we had to flag down a server to order food. They didn’t check on us and the location was not busy. They did check on the couple next to us 3 times during their maybe 30 minute visit. The chicken ordered was served hot and fresh however the fries were warm at best. The beer was ok. I was visiting the area, when I return to the area I wouldn’t visit again, due to not feeling like a valued customer.
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Shontella TerBurgh
The performance was great the venue was nice and inviting and the manager or the venue was quite exceptional! I had an issue with my expectation of what I ordered and the manger was quick to address it and send out the item I ordered to meet my expectation! Very good service!
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Invader Doc
Not a fan of the wait on yourself with a remote menu app, and then still expect you to tip. Waitress brought us a setting for 4. There were 5 of us. Only 1 table configuratuon for more than 4 which was taken. Interacted more with the bar staff and then the guy that brought us our food, saw him twice as we had a split table, than the wait staff who delvired napkins.
Had to got to the bar to get refills on water and soda. Had to goto the bar to get mixed drinks. No kids menu, at all.
If i want a do it yourself restaurant i can cook at home, i dont get tipped there, and you sgouldnt here.
The bar staff was pleasant and courteous, if a bit disorganized.
Food was decent, but overpriced for the complete lack of service.
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Sal M
The BOB is the best place to be in Grand Rapids. The music, drinks, atmosphere is the best and is always so much fun. Drinks can be pricey, but doesn’t interfere with the fun of the BOB. Will always pay a visit when in GR!
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Glenn Schillinger
I’ve only been to the BOB during Art Prize and I’ve only tried their pizza, so take this review with a grain of salt. Pizza was decent. Brew selection was pretty good except they were out of my top choice. Fun atmosphere, multiple levels. I’d go again.
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KMT
Came to see the 90s cover band while in town. This place is pretty cool. Many different floors with different themes and things to do. If you felt overwhelmed you could go to another floor to escape. Drinks are decently priced, $12 for a double. Only complaint is the parking being expensive but that’s not on them.
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