A friend was playing a show at the Tip Top recently and it had been years since I'd been there. The bar is cozy and people were very friendly. We paid $15 per person for the band, cash only (they do have an ATM on site). They have live music most weekends, and you can reserve tickets online ahead of time. We got a booth for our group of four and it had an okay view of the stage - there are a couple of pillars that obscure the view but the music sounded great. I was worried it might be way too loud in the small bar, but it seemed fine. Bring earplugs if you need them! I think they sell them at the bar too. We got some food to split - the fried green beans and the grilled cheese sandwich. This food is simple but tasty, and goes great with a cold beer. I especially liked the crispy fried green beans with jalapeno ranch! Tip Top definitely gives the vibe of a Nashville honky tonk, and I had a great time. read more

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So went for a concert, didn't know anything about the venue. It looks like a neighborhood bar from the outside but dang you get transported to a sonic retro oasis on the inside. Great crowd, awesome drinks and delicious food. Won't break the bank.. promise you that So go take a chance at some great live music and have the chicken and waffles, AT THE BAR!!! read more

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A very unique place! We went for dinner and drinks and had a great time. We will visit again and stay for the live music next time. Good food, drinks, and service. read more

Don't pay with your debit card they will steal from you. I was there for the first time on Thursday 4/4/24 at 8:27pm. I ordered 2 beers and my total with tax was 12.72 I tipped 2.50 so my total was 15.22 Two days later I checked my bank account and I was charged 20.22 I clearly wrote on the slip I signed 2.50 in the tip section and wrote the total of 15.22 and signed the slip so the extra 5.00 was added after I left. The name of the bartender on the slip was Theodore which is the manager, even though the bartender that served me was a woman. I tried repeatedly to call with no answer and even messaged them on Facebook to give them a chance to make this right. I never got an answer. This must be a common practice of theirs to steal from customers that pay with a debit card read more

Only went for drinks and music, no food, but wow what a great time! Fun venue and sound and sight-lines were excellent (it's pretty small)! It's an odd placement in a suburban-like setting but very much a city feel. We saw surf guitar gods: Los Straightjackets and it was phenomenal. The place has a TON of character and the bar was hopping. Got our beers consistently prompt even though the place was packed to the gills. I can't say enough about the fun vibe. I would travel from Chicago burbs to Grand Rapids again for a show, for sure! read more

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This is a great dive bar that happens to have some really great live music! Be sure to keep an eye out to see who's coming, you'll have a great time! Our bartender was very nice, quick, funny and friendly. I have not tried their food although many people were eating when we were there. Everything looked and smelled good. I typically go out to dinner somewhere then come here for drinks and a show. Maybe I need to take them up on some late night snacks with my drinks. The bathrooms are clean which is a plus for bar in my opinion. :) This place has good vibes and is always a great time! read more

I really loved the vibe of this place. The servers were so kind and attentive and genuine! A group of us went on a night with a vinyl DJ, and they set up the small stage to look like a mini listening room taken straight from the 60s! It was so cute with the mid century couches, lamps, chairs, and decor. The rest of the bar is also whimsically eclectic with vintage elements. 50s ice cream parlor checkered tile floor. Your classic plastic, curved mid century diner booth. And of course, great tunes! Had a great time here with friends, and the only reason I docked a star was because we were charged premium prices for well liquor. It may have been an oversight, or maybe they just have more expensive drinks here. read more

Looks a lot nicer on the inside than the outside. I wouldn't call it a dive bar at all. The chairs all match! Awesome servers, great drinks. We saw two great bands play and felt welcomed by the owner. Food was good - we just got bar snacks. A fun night out was had by all at the Tip Top Deluxe! read more

Cozy, fun and pretty much my favorite place in the world. Locally sourced beef and friendly staff. Great live music venue. The kind of place where people talk to each other ! :) read more

Great bar. Very nice staff, excellent bands. Come on, what's not to like? It's a small, semi-out of the way gem. As far as I can tell, this is a real GR place, granted I've lived here less than a year, but, I have been around and know a bit about what it takes to rock and have fun. And this spot hits it. Haven't tried the food but I will some day, it looks good. And the band The Dying Breed is going to be huge one day, soon. See you at the next 80's dance party thing. (!) read more

Great sounding venue with super nice folks working there and great food! Can't recommend enough!

I stumbled across an article about The Vegan Kitchen Takeover and thought the concept sounded so cool- Two chefs take over a restaurant's kitchen with a vegan menu for then night. With one 'take over' under their belt, I thought I'd check out their second go-round at The Tip Top on Monday night. The Tip Top is located off the beaten path but has a cool retro/rockabilly vibe that makes the trip worth it. I've been here before for a concert and was excited to check this event out and try some food. With tickets in hand, I arrived at my scheduled dinner time. The tickets were free so I assumed it was to gage how many people would be attending. As the night went on, the bar filled up but it was understaffed for the attendance they had. With only one bartender and one server on, we weren't greeted, the menu wasn't explained, and it took a while to get drinks. Our food came out sporadically too; half of our table got their order before the rest of us. I felt bad for the staff; they were running around like crazy but they did a good job under the stress. The food was really good and made up for the service during the night. Two people at our table got the meetloaf, I got the cheezy mac and another person got chikin thumb sandwich. We all split two orders of cheezy fries. And yes, in true vegan fashion, all the food was misspelled on the menu to distinguish it from its meat and dairy counterparts. I'm interested in checking out more Vegan Take Over nights and coming back to The Tip Top for drinks at another concert. read more

Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill - Vegan kitchen takeover @ tip top delux! - Music Venues Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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A classic neighborhood dive bar with great food- locally sourced beef and a wide range of bar appetizers. Staff is friendly and knows how to treat you right. The music scene is incredible! Highly eclectic and ranges through multiple genres with local, regional, national and international bands and comedy acts. An intimate setting with a huge heart and a whole lotta soul! read more

The place to see some of the best National Touring rockabilly, blues, surf, western swing, Americana. Nice atmosphere, excellent choice in micro beers read more

My friend, my cousin, and I took our dads to see Junior Brown at Tip Top (sold out). The show was incredible, the staff was great, and the drink selection was vast. We didn't try the food, but it smelled good. One patron said they host great loud metal shows. I would like to check one out. read more

Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill - Music Venues Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Came on a Friday afternoon around 5 and there were only 3 people at the bar, which was fine for my wife and I. We were not in the mood to try and talk over people to have a conversation. They had Dark Horse's Crooked Tree IPA on tap! This alone will keep me coming back for a great pint without all the hassle you deal with at Founder's. I liked the vibe of the place too, cool decor throughout with pinball machines as an added bonus. The waitress was very friendly. Ordered the Mac and Cheese as a appetizer and both of us really enjoyed it. Good amount of several kinds of cheese without being too cheezy. The burger was very tasty as well. Not a big burger but good non the less, with some old school crinkle cut fries. It had a cafeteria feel and presentation. Overall a very cool place, especially considering the neighborhood. I haven't been but I heard their bringing in some really good music as well. read more

My boyfriend and I have a tradition: every Sunday we get a groupon and try a new restaurant as a date day. The deal for Tip Top was awesome so we were excited to go. We got there around 4pm on Sunday. The outside of the building has large windows covered in heavy green curtains. As we walked up to the building an ominous middle finger came through the drapery at us... Once we opened the door a punk band's heart and soul poured out, loudly. The live band was so loud we couldn't hear the random girl, who didn't even work there, try to get us to pay a cover. After screaming over the noise a bartender/waitress came over and took us to the entryway to speak with us. We didn't have cash on us so we couldn't pay the cover. The conversation was very confusing to be honest. We explained that we would pay the cover if she could put it on our bill. Then she offered us two for one cover when we told her we had a Groupon and just wanted to eat. We ended up going in and seating ourselves as she told us to do. We sat at a booth. I felt extremely uncomfortable. Neither of us are part of the punk scene and it felt like everyone was staring at us, wondering why we were there. The band's lyrics were funny and snarky but it was impossible to communicate with the person sitting across from you because it was so intensely loud. We waited for 15 minutes or so and no one came to even give us menus. The waitress new we hadn't been there before and that we were there just for food, so if we were supposed to go to the bar to order we had no idea and she should have told us. We ended up leaving hungry and unhappy. read more

Great live music venue, albeit small (capacity is 142 I think). They have a limited menu before/during shows (at least the ones I've been to). They usually have drink specials that are very reasonably priced. I was there for the recent Marshall Crenshaw/Bottle Rockets show and the place was packed, per my prior experience when name acts are performing. The Bottle Rockets opened for an hour plus set of mostly new songs and a Merle Haggard tribute (he passed away on the day of the show). The Rockets backed Crenshaw, who was very much under the weather, and saved the day for him in my opinion. I saw the Rockets here at their show last year and they are a band to be reckoned with. Very underrated as a studio band and fantastic live. This place has hosted quite a few high quality acts besides the aforementioned Crenshaw and Bottle Rockets. These included Kim Wilson , Dave & Phil Alvin, Twistin' Tarantulas, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, Lazy Lester, Mark Olson, and Coco Montoya. I'm remiss in writing this review as I have enjoyed this joint quite a number of times in the past and hope to more in the future. read more

So disappointing every time I come here. Beer is cool(ish) soda is flat, bartenders are oblivious. It's bizarre- do they want people to come here or is it a private club for people with no tastebuds? read more

My first time going there was to see a show (Igor and the Red Elvises). I knew nothing about the place, which is to say this is the first time I'd even heard of it. All in all, I was rather disappointed at the Tip Top Deluxe's attempt to function as a music venue. While the room may have been suitable for having a bar band, which is to say, a band there as ancillary entertainment for the patrons, this was a ticketed, cover-charged show, and the experience was below par. The biggest problem was that there was inadequate space. While the room may have fit the crowd comfortably if it was even partially cleared, long tables full of bar patrons, eating and drinking, took up far too much of the space. Lacking a coherent standing room, or adequate seating, concertgoers were forced to squeeze awkwardly into what standing room there was, likely blocking other paying bar/grill patrons from seeing. This would have been understandable if the show was not ticketed, or if the group in question was a local or an unknown outfit (with less of an expected crowd), but this was a ticket-selling, paid-door show from a nationally-touring band. My drinks were priced within reason, but tipping toward the high side of that scale, in my opinion. Given my poor impression elsewhere, and the fact that I was already paying to get in the door, this didn't gain them any points. From the other reviews I've seen, this establishment seems to function quite well as a bar and grill during normal hours. I can't speak to that, as I haven't experienced it. However, I would caution anyone who wants to see a show from a band with a following to consider another venue if one is available. read more

The Tip Top is a fun bar with a unique retro flare! If there is a show happening, the place will be pretty bumpin'. On nights with-out shows, The Tip Top is a chill place to eat, drink, and hangout. read more

Good drink deals, good service (if Monika is behind the bar) and great music. Desmond Jones (funk/rock/jazz fusion) plays every Monday from 9-1am for free. $1 beers and hot dogs on Monday. Wouldn't go expecting a full menu anymore. read more

Well, this was quite an experience. In an attempt for my girlfriend and myself to try different restaurants in the Grand Rapids area, we have been browsing Groupon a lot recently. We came across an $11 Groupon for the Tip Tip Deluxe Bar & Grill. This Groupon included an appetizer, two entrees, and two drinks for two, a $45.85 value. Sounded great! We decided to go on a Sunday afternoon about 4:00. From the moment we parked across the street and started walking toward the bar, the bad experience began. As we approached the front, I tried looking through the windows. They were covered with curtains and all of a sudden a guys hand appeared with his middle finger sticking up, pointing straight at us. We should have turned around then. We entered thru a door on the side building and the music was deafening. We couldn't even hear each other. We walked in and stopped at the bar to see what was going on. This is when we were told by another patron that there is a $4 cover. I explained that we were just here to eat and don't have cash. She said there is an ATM outside and would get the bartender. The bartender came over to us and we had to walk away toward the entrance in order to communicate. I told her we were here to eat and she immediately asked if it was a Groupon. I said yes and she said there is a $3 cover. I again said we were just here to eat and she said that we still have to pay the cover and asked if we would be willing to pay a two for one on the cover. I reluctantly said yes and then she walked away. A little confused, we decided to seat ourselves in a booth along the wall. My girlfriend and I were sitting less than 20 inches away and couldn't communicate. We waited nearly ten minutes with no service and decided it was time to leave. The music was insanely loud, we couldn't understand any of the words. There were about 20-25 people in there. No one was talking, they just looked like hypnotized beings as they stared blankly at the two man band playing on stage. Because we already purchased the Groupon, we are obligated to return and use it. I will have to call ahead and ask if there is a band the next time we decide to give Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill a try. Just a funny end to this, I browsed Groupon again just before writing this review, and the new deal for this place is exactly the same, but instead of costing $11 that we paid, it is now $19! Maybe they are trying to include the price of the cover into the deal. Hopefully next time our ears will allow us to stay and actually use the Groupon. Follow up review to come. read more

Went to Tip Top a couple weeks ago just to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised. $1.50 domestic can beers & the burgers were great. Surfer band was decent too. read more

Best music venue in Grand Rapids. No contest that they get the best acts in consistently. They also give a great hand to up an coming local acts. Top notch atmosphere and patrons. read more

Extremely small place with great live music and good drinks. No real parking, just Park on the street

They need to do a better job of listing on the internet, website, their open hours, stopped in a couple days ago. According to the online info they were open, but, but, when I arrived they said at the door they don't open till four,..... read more

Great svc! Shows are wonderful. Cant say enough about the bartenders. They always were on top of things. No waiting!

Loved this bar right from the GIT go! The vibe walking in, the decor, the quaint size and our bartender Monica! We went for the Pathway to the Pasture, the battle of the bands to see who gets to perform at the Cowpie Music Festival. The burgers were delicious, Angus from farmer Johns local Shagbark Farms. The music was great! Unfortunately we did not stick around to hear the 3rd band. We encountered a very rude, unfriendly bartender named Jacob. And talking with other patrons around us, we weren't the only ones that thought so. It was disappointing that I, not the rest of my group, allowed this to put such a damper on my good time. Growing up in the industry, I cannot understand why the manger/owner would keep someone with that personality on their staff?!? The service is the #1 reason patrons return, I will not return when he is working. Monica was so friendly and accommodating, providing us with great service! She will definitely bring us back to enjoy this fabulous lil gem of a venue! read more

Just came here tonight with my fiancé because we had a groupon. After seeing some reviews I was a bit hesitant. This place completely surprised me. The waitress was attentive and fast. We arrived and the place was a lot larger than I expected. The waitress was quick to get our drink and Appetizer order. Both of these came in a timely order. We then ordered our entree. This was where I was most surprised. I loved the Dagwood burger was to die for. It was a burger patty with a black bean cake on top, bacon, onions, goda, Swiss, American cheese, and tomato. My fiancé ordered the a burger with kielbasa and loved it too. The seasoning was great! His favorite part was the side of red skin potato salad. I tried it as well, and it was wonderful! I will definitely be coming back, without a groupon! read more

I dig it. I work a couple streets away so it's been nice to have a convenient watering hole to get away to. The bartenders are nice, beer selection is better than you can really find anywhere on the west side (except Monarch's, which I think is one of the same owners) and the cooks make excellent food. The service is great and they book some unique and interesting live music, and the Wednesday open mics are a good time. read more

The staff were great until they wanted to go home. They kicked two women out an hour before close while we waited for our cab. Never going their again. read more

This was the worst restaurant I have ever been to. My group of 4 arrived at 7:15pm. We placed an order for 2 appetizers and had to wait an hour and a half for them. By the time they came out we were starving, but I couldn't even eat the food because it was burnt and disgusting. After waiting another hour, so two and a half hours for our dinner, it was 9:45pm and I just wanted to go home so we got our food to-go. The band was way too loud and the service was terrible. Our waitress was never present and didn't appear to care about us at all. The posters on the wall had cobwebs on them, which was quite repulsive. The only reason we did not walk out was because we had already paid for our Groupon for the food. I will never return to this establishment and hope no one else does either. read more

If you feel like ordering an appetizer, waiting half an hour, then to order your food, waiting an hour, receive horridly overcooked and cold appetizer, wait an addition hour, threaten to walk out, wait another 15 minutes, accept food in "To-Go" format, find said food so unappetizing that neither you or the dog is tempted to eat it; you've found your place. read more