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South Riley Tavern

4.6 (57 reviews)
InexpensiveBurgers, American, Dive Bars
Closed • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 3 months ago

South Riley Tavern Photos

SOUTH RILEY TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Divey
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - South Riley Tavern

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Reviews With Photos

Josh S.

This is the type of dive bar that I dream of stumbling upon. Just outside of Lansing, this bar is a step into a different world. You have to walk through a party store to get to the bar, so that's fun! Beyond that, the burger is one of the best burgers I've ever had. Try the onion rings and get a basket of fries too! You won't regret it. Good spot to hang out and it's as true of a dive bar experience that you can get.

Menu
Amy V.

This place is the best dive! It's a local place. My brother lives in town but we were visiting from TN and I asked if we could go for dinner. It took a really long time to get the burgers but I think one woman was doing everything -- bartending, serving, cooking, etc. Anyway, the burgers are massive. Hilariously large. And so good. I'm posting pics of the menu as there is nothing recent for them and I know I was curious about prices before we went.

Amazing food, especially the burgers! Place was packed and had a bit of a wait for food but cold beer and friendly service made it worth the wait. Will definitely be back.

THEE O Burger!!!
Todd H.

Ho Lee SHIZZ, the freakin olive burger!!!! Ok, backup. This is an amazing example of rural dive bar at its finest! We drove up on a Sunday...this is a nice backroads drive from Lansing Area. We were served by a very kind, Jovial chap, who allowed me a beer switch at the last second--once I found out they had my favorite that nobody carries--coors banquet stubby bottles! Got drinks & food in no time at all. The atmosphere reminds me of an Upper Peninsula Hunting bar/lodge. Lots of old wood. Rustic-dive-comfort is how I'd describe it. If you're a fussy britches, (KARENS) you will be massively disappointed. If you're an everyday joe who loves a good 'ol dive, this needs a stop NOW, back to the Olive Burger. Just makes me wanna curse about how great & unique the olive mix/sauce is. It's fluffy, like cool whip texture almost. I thought about that damn burger for 3 days into the next week. My god. Check it out!

The olive burger at this joint is top notch!  Coupled with a bottle of Busch Light and you have perfection!
Rob M.

Nailed it again! Never disappoints. Olive burger earned its right as BEST OLIVE BURGER in Lansing and the rings, fries, pizza and roast beef sandwich all delivered. Service was above and beyond. Perfection

Olive burger
LJ M.

Great service, friendly atmosphere and the BEST olive burger. I'm kind of an olive burger snob. I recently, had a terrible one and insisted the next time we're going to South Riley where I know I won't be disappointed. Thick, lots of olives, dripping down your face, messy olive burger. Cooked to perfection. Can't wait til the next time!

Olive burger south Riley monster burger

Had some onion Rings as an appetizer with my father we got a Pepsi and a Mountain Dew he got the olive burger I got the south Riley monster burger the food was really good the service wait time is kind of reasonable 20 minutes something like that we enjoyed the food it was really good place could use another waiter or 2 to get more food out faster but overall place was good great place to eat the tables are nice and clean floor is clean bathroom is clean very clean place I recommend this to people for their first time.

Bar area
Michael R.

I have finally found the best burger I have ever eaten. Good luck finding this place, but once you do you'll agree this is it. Great little local place George the owner great guy made us out of town era feel very welcome. I highly highly recommend this little spot for all your bar food finds. Great place great job big fan.

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12 years ago

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12 years ago

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10 years ago

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11 years ago

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8 years ago

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10 years ago

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7 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

Great little spot- comfortable, burger and onion rings were great. Very friendly staff

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10 years ago

Best burger in town hands down! Very down to earth type of place. Great service couldn't ask for more. Gizzards were amazing too.

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9 years ago

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14 years ago

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8 years ago

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12 years ago

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10 years ago

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12 years ago

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Bannister Bar & Grille

Bannister Bar & Grille

2.8
(4 reviews)
22.4 mi

Closed permanently years ago. Closed when owner passed away. The shed in Marion springs is a great…read moreplace to if your hungry.

Bannister is my home town. It's a tiny village that oddly supported two bars, two churches, and two…read morerather large reception halls for a long time. It lost its grocery store a long time ago. Now it's down a reception hall now, but the churches are stable. While the bars, both of them, go up and down with the economy and interest. This bar has been remodeled and opened up. They run karaoke some nights, and when I was here during Lent, they served a huge crowd fish dinners on a Friday night. Even though we arrived a little late, there were only a couple of tables left. It was filled with regulars and groups of folks that travel around checking out Lenten Fish Fry nights. Except for the kids, everyone in our fairly large group had fish. It was available fried or baked, with a choice of potato, and a salad bar. The salad bar is exactly like what you find at many small town places. Several mayonnaise dressed salads, some lettuce from a bag, a few toppings, and dressing, particularly ranch. It was clean and fairly fresh -- from such a crowd. The dinners were all good and arrived fairly quickly, though they weren't particularly interesting. This is good, solid food for the same kind of people. The beer is cold. And the drinks are cheap. There are babies in the bar. Some nights there are still bar fights, and some nights someone drives home a local drunk, so no one has to worry. Tipsy bridesmaids and groomsmen will find their way down to ease the pain (and get lost for awhile) when the reception at the hall down the street is too hot. I love this bar.

Photos
Bannister Bar & Grille
Bannister Bar & Grille
2 Pool tables and the TV's to catch the sports and history channel.
2 Pool tables and the TV's to catch the sports and history channel.
Some of their best food on the menu.

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Some of their best food on the menu.

South Riley Tavern - burgers - Updated July 2026

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