Grand Rapids’ Oldest Bar Is Re-Opening Its Doors in September

It feels like more often than not we hear about businesses in West Michigan closing and leaving forever, but rarely do we get one of our gem's back to enjoy. After being closed for the past three years, Nick Fink’s Bar—the oldest bar in Grand Rapids—is finally reopening.

Founded in 1888 in Comstock Park, Nick Fink's has a storied past. It started as a simple bar and, according to some accounts, even doubled as a brothel. Over the years, this third-generation bar has seen many uses, serving as everything from a post office to a hotel. Originally owned by Nick Fink, an immigrant from Prussia, it was passed down through the family before eventually being sold to The Gilmore Collection in 2008.

If you weren't lucky enough to visit them before they closed in 2021, it’s like stepping into a time capsule. From the worn patent leather booths to the vintage wallpaper that still lines the walls, nostalgia practically oozes from every corner. The Gilmore Collection has made preserving the bar’s character a priority, keeping the original bar top, vintage beer cooler, and that unmistakable gold and black velvet wallpaper.

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The place is packed with tradition and a bit of mystery. Legend has it that none other than Al Capone was a regular, favoring a particular corner booth. Even Ernest Hemingway is rumored to have stopped by during his travels to Northern Michigan, with some saying he drew inspiration for characters in his "Nick Adams Stories" from people he met here.

There’s history carved into the very wood of the place—literally. Some of the original tables still bear the names of patrons from decades past. And if you’re into the supernatural, Nick Fink's hosts a Ghost Hunter reveal party every Halloween, where employees and investigators share eerie stories of unexplained activity, like the jukebox turning on by itself or disembodied voices caught on tape.

This has to be one of the most unique places to get a drink in West Michigan, and it's so exciting to see it coming back to life after a short period of time. And while this bar has a lot of history, it will be amazing to see new memories made in it's space.Nick Fink’s isn’t just a bar—it’s a living piece of Grand Rapids history.