The Lads Travel Co.
Michigan
Local Intelligence
Every brewery, bar, concert, and golf course across Michigan — with the deals, timing hacks, and savings data that make the difference. No fluff. No ads. Just intel.
42+ venues
123 shows tracked
9 golf destinations
8 curated runs
🍺 Breweries & Bars
42+ venues · 8 regions
Grand Rapids — Beer City USA · 12 venues
Founders Brewing Co.
9.2
The anchor of Beer City. KBS season (March-April) is worth planning around. Massive tap room, full kitchen, outdoor patio in summer. Gets packed weekends after 7pm.
Brewery Vivant
9.0
Converted funeral chapel. Belgian-style ales and standout food menu. The building alone is worth the visit. Less crowded than Founders, more intimate.
New Holland Knickerbocker
8.8
Dragon's Milk on draft where it's made. Full restaurant, Sunday brunch is a recovery play. Bridge St location puts you walking distance to Butcher's Union.
Butcher's Union
8.9
Best happy hour in Grand Rapids. Dark wood, old-school cocktail bar energy. The burger and the Old Fashioned are the order.
The Winchester
9.0
Craft cocktail bar on Wealthy St. Seasonal menus, excellent bartenders. Not a beer bar — this is the cocktail stop on the Wealthy St crawl.
HopCat
8.3
130 taps, massive beer list. Cosmik Fries are the draw — crack fries with a beer cheese sauce. Double happy hour is the play.
Mitten Brewing Co.
8.4
Baseball-themed brewery in a converted firehouse. Great pizza, relaxed vibe. The locals' alternative when Founders is packed.
7 Monks Taproom
Curated tap list focused on Michigan and regional craft. Smaller, quieter alternative to the big-name breweries.
Archival Brewing
Neighborhood brewery with a rotating, creative tap list. Small batch, no gimmicks. The kind of place locals keep to themselves.
One Bourbon
Whiskey-focused bar with a deep bourbon selection. Bridge St location makes it a natural cap to a brewery crawl.
Greyline Brewing
Newer addition to the GR scene. Clean, modern taproom. Good IPA program.
Mammoth Distillery GR
Traverse City distillery's Grand Rapids outpost. Wealthy St location slots into the Vivant → Winchester crawl. Cocktails and spirits.
Donkey Taqueria
Tacos run $4-6 each. Solid margaritas. Weekend brunch. On the Wealthy St strip between Vivant and Winchester.
Detroit · 6 venues
Sugar House
9.4
Best cocktail bar in Michigan. Speakeasy entrance, no sign. World-class bartenders. Worth full price — this is the destination, not a stop.
Eastern Market Brewing Co.
9.3
Right in the market district. Pair with a Saturday morning Eastern Market run — market opens at 6am, brewery opens later. Great outdoor space.
Batch Brewing Co.
8.9
Corktown neighborhood brewery. Walk to Slows Bar BQ or Green Dot Stables. Rotating small-batch beers. On the Corktown crawl route to Sugar House.
Atwater Brewery
Rivertown location near the riverwalk. Solid lagers, German-influenced. Good starting point before heading into Corktown.
Slows Bar BQ
Detroit institution. Down the block from Batch Brewing. Weekday lunch is faster and less crowded than weekend dinners.
Eastern Market — Saturday
150+ vendors, free admission. One of the best public markets in the country. Get there by 9am for best selection before crowds.
Ann Arbor · 5 venues
Zingerman's Deli
Michigan legend. Sandwiches run $18-24 — they're large and worth it. The Reuben is the order. Picnic tables outside. Lines long on weekends.
Wolverine State Brewing Co.
Lager-focused brewery near Michigan Stadium. Good post-golf stop if pairing with Hills of Lenawee (50 min south). Relaxed taproom.
HOMES Brewery
Korean-American food + creative IPAs and sours. One of the most interesting brewery food combos in Michigan. Bao buns and hazy IPAs.
Good Time Charley's
Classic Michigan gameday bar. State St location, packed on football Saturdays. The post-game default for decades.
Ashley's
75+ taps with a deep Belgian and craft selection. Two floors. More of a beer nerd spot than a college bar — a block from campus but different energy.
Kalamazoo · 4 venues
Bell's Eccentric Café
The mothership. Two Hearted Ale on tap where it was born. Beer garden is legendary in summer. The single most important craft beer destination in Michigan after Founders.
One Well Brewing
Brewery with a full retro arcade. Pinball, classic cabinets, and craft beer. Good group spot — the arcade keeps everyone entertained.
Gonzo's BiggDogg Brewing
Neighborhood brewery with solid food and a big tap list. Less tourist-heavy than Bell's. Good lunch stop.
Old Dog Tavern
Live music venue and bar near Bell's. Local bands, cheap drinks, no cover most nights. The late-night cap after Bell's beer garden.
Lansing / East Lansing · 4 venues
HopCat East Lansing
Same 100+ taps and Cosmik Fries as the GR location. Walking distance from Spartan Stadium. Gameday staging spot.
Crunchy's
Bucket bar. $6 beer buckets are the draw. Karaoke nights. The MSU pre-game default — cheap and loud.
Ellison Brewery + Spirits
Brewery and distillery combo. Full cocktail bar alongside craft beers. A step up from the college bar scene.
Lansing Brewing Co.
Downtown Lansing's largest brewery. Good food menu, big space. Friday nights can be lively.
Traverse City / Bellaire · 6 venues
Short's Brewing Co.
9.0
Cult status. Great food (don't skip the pizza), creative beer program, live music, twinkly lights. The reward after a morning at Glacial Hills trails.
Jolly Pumpkin
8.3
Sour beer specialists on the wine trail. Vineyard views with craft beer. Order the Bam Bière. Natural cap to the Old Mission wine run.
Chateau Grand Traverse
8.2
Michigan's largest winery. Riesling and ice wine are the standouts. Tasting room with peninsula views. Midpoint on the Old Mission wine trail.
The Cooks' House
One of the best restaurants in northern Michigan. Farm-to-table tasting menus. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for summer weekends.
Rare Bird Brewpub
Downtown TC brewery with a strong food menu. Less tourist-heavy than Front Street spots. Good lunch stop between wine trail and dinner.
Bee Well Mead & Cider
Michigan's only dedicated meadery. Sweet and dry options. Walkable from Short's in Bellaire — add it to the Bellaire brewery run.
Harbor Country / SW Michigan · 5 venues
Journeyman Distillery
9.1
Full experience — distillery tours, cocktail bar, restaurant, live music, event space. Worth the drive from New Buffalo (20 min). The anchor of Harbor Country nightlife.
Beer Church Brewing
Walking distance to New Buffalo beach. Creative tap list. Good starting point for the Harbor Country crawl before heading to Journeyman.
Greenbush Brewing Co.
Sawyer brewery on the Harbor Country trail. Known for big, hoppy beers. Outdoor space in summer. Between New Buffalo and Journeyman geographically.
Round Barn Winery
8.2
Wine, beer, and spirits all on one property. The round barn building is iconic. Live music on summer weekends. Tasting room is the play.
Stray Dog Bar & Grill
Rooftop is the move — fish tacos and burgers. Beachy atmosphere, adults-only rooftop section. Walking distance from Beer Church.
Up North · 4 venues
Stormcloud Brewing Co.
Downtown Frankfort, 10 min from Arcadia Bluffs. The post-round brewery for any Arcadia golf trip. $6-10 beers, burgers on Fridays.
Ore Dock Brewing Co.
Marquette's craft anchor. Year-round operations. Post-round every day if you're doing the UP golf escape. Solid tap list in a great college town.
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Named "Most Beautiful Place in America." The Dune Climb and Pierce Stocking scenic drive are the hits. Sunset from the overlook is unmatched.
Mackinac Island
No cars. Bikes and horses. Fudge shops, the Grand Hotel, Fort Mackinac. Ferry runs from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace ($30 RT).
🎵 Concerts & Events
123 shows · Apr–Nov 2026
⛳ Golf Destinations
9 courses · 6 weekend runs
Course specs
Arcadia Bluffs — The Bluffs
#16 Greatest Public Course in America · Arcadia
Peak: $250 · Shoulder: $125-195 · Par 72 · 7,404 yds
LocationArcadia (Frankfort area) · NW Lower Peninsula
StrategyPlay The Bluffs + South Course over 2 days. Skip a 3rd round — savor two.
LodgingOn-resort lodge with bay and course views
Post-roundStormcloud Brewing (Frankfort, 10 min). $6-10 beers, burgers Fridays.
Save: Book directly with resort for bundled lodge + multi-course packages — per-round cost drops significantly. April/October shoulder rates save $55-125/round vs peak summer.
Arcadia Bluffs — The South
#53 Greatest Public · Arcadia
Peak: $180 · Shoulder: $85-150 · Par 72 · 7,412 yds
NoteDifferent style than The Bluffs — more inland, links-adjacent. Both courses in one trip is the ideal format.
Save: The South is $70 cheaper than The Bluffs at peak. If budget matters, play The South and use the savings for lodging.
Forest Dunes — Original
#37 Greatest Public · Roscommon
Peak: $185-215 · Shoulder: $145-165 · Par 72 · 7,104 yds
Pair withThe Loop (reversible course — #63 & #68 ranked). Same resort, different experience each direction.
Trip format3-day Gaylord-Roscommon Classic: Forest Dunes + Treetops
Save: Shoulder season (May, Sep-Oct) saves $40-50/round. Multi-round packages through the resort cut per-round cost further.
Boyne Highlands — Heather
#25 in Michigan · Harbor Springs
Peak: $130-183 · Shoulder: $87+ · Par 72 · 7,218 yds
AreaPetoskey/Harbor Springs — 17 championship courses within 30 min
BreweryPetoskey Brewing Co. (20 min) or drive to Short's in Bellaire (40 min)
Save: Boyne multi-course builder deals often include lodging. Shoulder rates start at $87 — nearly half peak pricing.
Bay Harbor Golf Club
#100 Greatest Public · Petoskey
Peak: $440+ · Twilight: $155+ · 27 holes
NotePremium pricing. 27 holes across 3 distinct nines — Links, Quarry, Preserve.
Save: Twilight rates ($155+) save $285+ vs peak morning. You still get 18 holes and the same views. The value play at a premium course.
Treetops Resort
4 courses + #1 Par-3 in America · Gaylord
$49-145 per round · Shoulder: $49-89
ValueMost golf per dollar in northern Michigan. 4 full courses + a par-3 on one resort.
Pair withForest Dunes (45 min) for the Gaylord-Roscommon Classic trip
Save: Stay-and-play packages bring per-round cost under $80. The par-3 Threetops is $49 and rated #1 in the country — best golf value in Michigan.
Greywalls — Marquette
#55 Greatest Public · Upper Peninsula
Peak: $235 · Shoulder: $145-155 · Par 71 · 6,828 yds
AreaMarquette — USA TODAY #1 golf destination 2025. Regional airport access.
Post-roundOre Dock Brewing Co. (downtown Marquette, 15 min)
Save: UP golf delivers championship quality at 40% lower cost than comparable Northern Michigan courses. Empty tee times, no crowds. Shoulder season saves another $80-90/round.
Hills of Lenawee
#3 GolfPass Best Value Nationally · Adrian
$25-52 per round
LocationAdrian — 50 min south of Ann Arbor, 60 min west of Detroit
App hackBook via GolfNow app 7-10 days out for $10-15 discount per round
Pair withAnn Arbor breweries post-round (Wolverine Brewing, HOMES)
Save: Mid-week (Tue-Thu) green fees drop to $25-35. GolfNow adds another $10-15 off. Total: $20-25/round. Two rounds + Ann Arbor beers = full day under $100/person.
Savings programs
Michigan Golf Passbook
Statewide discount book — up to 75% off at 129 courses, 3 visits per course. ~$100 for the entire state. Pays for itself in 2-3 rounds.
General timing intel
Shoulder season (May, Sep-Oct) saves 20-30% vs summer peak. Twilight rates (after 3-4pm) save 30-50% at most courses. Weekday play is almost always cheaper than weekends. Book tee times 4-6 weeks ahead for peak season (Jun-Aug).
🗺️ Curated Runs
8 runs · sequenced routes
Wealthy St Spirits Crawl
1
Mammoth Distillery GR — Start on Wealthy St. Cocktails and spirits at GR's newest distillery outpost.
2
The Winchester — Craft cocktails. Seasonal menu. 5 min walk.
3
Brewery Vivant — End at the converted chapel. Belgian ales and dinner. Walk from Winchester.
All 3 stops are walkable. No rideshare needed. $40-70 covers drinks + food at Vivant. Compare to a downtown bar crawl with Ubers at $80-120.
Bridge Street Crawl
1
HopCat — Start downtown. 130 taps + Cosmik Fries. Hit the 3-5:30pm happy hour for 50% off apps.
2
New Holland Knickerbocker — Walk to Bridge St. Dragon's Milk on draft. Happy hour until 6pm.
3
Butcher's Union — Same block. $5.50 drafts and $10 Old Fashioneds during HH.
4
One Bourbon — Cap with whiskey. Deep bourbon selection, same Bridge St strip.
Start at 3pm to maximize both happy hours (HopCat 3-5:30, Butcher's Union 4-6). Save $20-30/person vs evening pricing across all 4 stops.
Corktown Crawl
1
Batch Brewing Co. — Start in Corktown. Rotating small-batch beers. HH Tue-Fri 4-6pm.
2
Slows Bar BQ / Green Dot Stables — Food stop. Slows for BBQ, Green Dot for sliders ($3-4 each). Down the block.
3
Sugar House — End at the best cocktail bar in Michigan. Speakeasy entrance. Worth full price.
All walkable within Corktown. Green Dot sliders at $3-4 each are the cheapest quality dinner in the neighborhood. Total run under $100/person with food.
Detroit Saturday Full Day
1
Eastern Market — 9am. Free admission, 150+ vendors. Coffee and breakfast from market stalls.
2
Eastern Market Brewing — Afternoon. Walk from the market. HH Wed-Fri 4-6pm.
3
Corktown — Rideshare to Corktown (10 min). Batch Brewing → food at Slows or Green Dot.
4
Sugar House — Cap the night. Walk from Batch.
Full day, one rideshare. Market breakfast is $8-12, brewery beers $5-7 during HH, dinner $15-20, Sugar House $14-18/cocktail. Best full-day value in Detroit.
New Buffalo Escape
1
New Buffalo Beach — Morning. Free parking if you arrive early (before 10am in summer).
2
Beer Church + Stray Dog — Afternoon. Brewery and rooftop bar in town. Walk between them.
3
Journeyman Distillery — Evening. Drive to Three Oaks (20 min). Tour + cocktails + dinner all on site.
Arrive early for free beach parking vs $20+ later in the day. Journeyman dinner replaces a separate restaurant stop — one venue handles the full evening.
Bellaire Brewery Run
1
Glacial Hills / Torch Lake — Morning. Trails or beach time. Free access.
2
Short's Brewing Co. — Lunch + beers. Don't skip the pizza. Expect a wait for a table.
3
Bee Well Mead & Cider — Walk from Short's. Michigan's only dedicated meadery. Quick tasting stop.
The entire run is walkable once you're in Bellaire. Torch Lake morning is free. Short's lunch is under $25/person. Total day under $100 including gas from TC.
Sunday Recovery — GR
1
New Holland Knickerbocker — Sunday brunch. Dragon's Milk on tap. Less crowded than Wealthy St brunch spots.
2
Grand River Riverwalk — Walk it off. Free.
3
Founders or Vivant — One more beer. Afternoon patio session.
The cheapest quality Sunday in GR. Brunch + 2 beers for under $35/person. Riverwalk is free and scenic.
Grand Rapids Local — Full Day
1
Founders — Start here. Afternoon patio or tap room.
2
Brewery Vivant — Walk to Cherry St. Belgian ales and dinner.
3
Mitten Brewing Co. — Rideshare to Leonard St. Pizza and pinball.
4
20 Monroe / Bridge St — Late night. Check for shows at 20 Monroe. Butcher's Union for a nightcap.
One rideshare the whole day ($8-12). 4 distinct brewery experiences for the price of a single nice dinner elsewhere.
🏟️ Gameday Intel
4 gamedays · Fall 2026
Michigan Wolverines Football
Michigan Stadium · Ann Arbor · Fall Saturdays
Pre-gameZingerman's Deli → tailgate on the Golf Course (free, BYOB)
Post-gameGood Time Charley's → State St bars
Budget~$80/person (ticket + food + drinks)
Splurge~$250/person (premium seat + dinner)
Save: Park at Pioneer High School lot ($20) and walk 10 min. Stadium lots are $50+ and you'll sit in traffic an hour post-game. Golf Course tailgate is free — bring your own food and drinks.
MSU Spartans — September Cluster
Spartan Stadium · East Lansing · Sep 5, 12, 26
Pre-gameCrunchy's ($6 buckets) → Munn Field tailgate (free, massive)
Post-gameHopCat → Harper's → PT O'Malley's
Budget~$60/person with $6 bucket beers at Crunchy's
Save: Crunchy's $6 buckets are the cheapest pre-game in East Lansing. Munn Field tailgate is free. Three home games in September — plan around the cluster for maximum value on travel.
EMU vs CMU at Ford Field
Ford Field · Detroit · Wed Nov 4
Pre-gameBatch Brewing (Corktown) → rideshare to Ford Field
Post-gameWalk to Greektown for late-night food
Save: Wednesday night game = cheap tickets and no weekend crowd. Park at Greektown Casino garage ($10-15) and walk to Ford Field. Greektown post-game is 5 min on foot.
CMU Homecoming
Kelly/Shorts Stadium · Mt. Pleasant · Oct 3
NoteOctober in Mt. Pleasant with fall foliage is underrated.
Pair withBellaire brewery run the next day (45 min north) — Short's + Torch Lake
Save: Turn homecoming into a weekend — CMU Saturday, Bellaire brewery run Sunday. Two experiences for one trip north. Fall foliage drive on M-66 is free and worth it.
Lads Local
Michigan Intelligence · Summer 2026
Data as of April 2026. Happy hour times and pricing subject to change — always verify with the venue.
Items marked with ⚠️ were added via research and need fact-checking.
Concert schedule updates weekly through spring. More shows will be announced.
Two guys who actually go to these places. Not a booking engine. Not an ad. Just intel.
Items marked with ⚠️ were added via research and need fact-checking.
Concert schedule updates weekly through spring. More shows will be announced.
Two guys who actually go to these places. Not a booking engine. Not an ad. Just intel.