Photos: Sneak Peek At The Grid Arcade And Bar In Lansing’s Old Town
Like beer? Like arcades? Like classic arcade games? Like the '80s? Like the '90s?
Like fun, in general?
Then there's a place that's tailor-made for you!
The Grid Bar And Arcade nestled in the heart of Lansing's Old Town is the latest edition to Mid-Michigan's watering hole scene. But, as you'll find out, it's nothing like its contemporaries.
The venue is a true bar and arcade, a niche type of establishment gaining steam across the country. But Corey Montie and Callie Mykut, The Grid's owners, say theirs is the first real incarnation of that trend in the entire state of Michigan.
The Grid sports dozens of vintage arcade and pinball games. There's even a room upstairs set up with couches, a large flat-screen TV and the Nintendo 64 version of Mario Kart.
Seemingly everything inside the venerated building at 226 E. Grand River Ave. is arcade- or video game-themed. There are tables emblazoned with scenes from Mario. The bathrooms are designed with Pac Man and Ms. Pac Man signs (and that's not even mentioning the insides). Flight trays are shaped like swords from The Legend Of Zelda. And then there's the ceiling, which is like a real-life immersion into the original Mario video game.
For this child of the '80s and '90s, visiting The Grid was like stepping into a time machine set for the most cherished part of my childhood--but if I could also legally drink beer there.
Oh yeah--there's more than 40 craft beers on tap!
The Grid opens on Tuesday, April 18 at 4 p.m. It's a 21-and-up venue only but plans to offer special event days for families.
There is no kitchen, but packaged snacks are available as well as food trucks and delivery service from Old Town restaurants. Games operate on tokens, but tokens are included in every drink purchase. Translation: If you're drinking then you're playing for free!