The bars have closed, the moon has been out for hours, and you should've been in bed long ago. But let’s face it, the desire to hit up one last place before going home won’t go away. REVUE’s staff and minions hit the streets after dark to find out where to go to nourish (or start) some late-night habits. From comfort food at a truck stop to working it off at the 24-hour gym, read on for some great late-night spots to visit.
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek
Sweetwater’s Donut Mill
2138 Sprinkle Rd, Kalamazoo
sweetwatersdonuts.com, (269) 388-4613
Instead of grabbing a plate of greasy slop at a big chain diner after all the bars close down, have some respect for the classic old standbys and go to Sweetwater’s Donut Mill, among the Top 10 doughnut restaurants of the nation, according to MSN.
With three establishments – two in Kalamazoo and one in Battle Creek – Sweetwater’s has provided early birds and night owls alike with quality coffee, doughnuts and danishes since 1983. Have I mentioned they’re open 24/7 and have a drive-thru window?
You shouldn’t have to spend more money on the after-meal than you did on drinks. Sweetwater’s has held true to the cause, knowing that in a financial bind people could rely on the doughnut – it can be a meal and won’t break the bank. That’s why throughout history, doughnut sales skyrocket during economic slumps. For the price of one Denny’s Grand Slam breakfast, you and your friends could feast on a dozen fresh-baked doughnuts; a value and taste worth stopping in for. --Caitlin O’Leary
The Strutt
773 W Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo
thestrutt.com, (269) 492-7200
The Strutt has greatly impacted the nightlife in Kalamazoo due to the ambitious, trend-setting efforts of owner Darren Bain whose enthusiasm about local music and arts spreads like wildfire.
Like all bars, The Strutt has to close down at 2 a.m. Unlike all bars, The Strutt is divided into two areas: a bar and a café. During times when students need it the most, like mid-terms or finals, The Strutt has found a way to give the people what they need: a venue open after 2 a.m. It’s not uncommon during these evenings for The Strutt to have everyone stand up and leave at 2 a.m. then re-open its doors for the café side of the establishment at 2:01 a.m., in accordance with Michigan Law, so students can hit the books after blowing off some steam listening to live, local music. --Caitlin O’Leary
Fourth Coast Café
816 S Westnedge Ave. #1, Kalamazoo
myspace.com/4thcoastcafe, (269) 383-0202
Crow’s Nest
816 S Westnedge Ave. #2, Kalamazoo
(269) 978-0490
If you’re seeking out a hot late-night breakfast or a good cup-of-joe, head to Fourth Coast and The Crow’s Nest and see what a real ambiance can do for you, verses those other restaurants with a bad 50s stereotype atmosphere.
Fourth Coast is a little artist’s oasis open 24 hours a day seven days a week, supplying it’s eclectic cliental with espresso and coffee drinks to keep the creative juices flowing through the night. Manager, Dana Owens says the late-night hours are unpredictable, “You never can tell what it’ll be like at three in the morning here; it’s a slice of big city life in a small town.”
The Crow’s Nest, nestled a floor above Fourth Coast offers some warm food unlike any after-hours joint around. This restaurant only seats 53 people, lending to its laid-back homey atmosphere. All dinner and breakfast dishes are served in 10 minutes from the short-order kitchen, but don’t expect greasy cafeteria grossness.
The Crow’s Nest is renowned for its extensive vegan and vegetarian menu as well as its flair for the omelet. “We have the best omelets in town,” said kitchen cook, Mike Louks who uses fresh, upscale cheeses, sauces, meats and vegetables to concoct the most delicious omelets imaginable.
The Crow’s Nest opens Friday at 8 a.m. and doesn’t close until Sunday at 3 p.m. It’s also open daily Tuesday-Thursday. --Caitlin O’Leary
Firekeepers Casino
11177 Michigan Ave E, Battle Creek
firekeeperscasino.com , (269) 660-5722
The newest nightlife destination is located just off of I-94 in Battle Creek. Firekeeper’s Casino opened for business in August and has already proven itself as an entertainment mainstay.
More than just roulette, craps, black jack, poker and slot machines (as though that’s something to scoff at) Firekeepers also has eateries open all day and all night.
Shake that thang at Firekeepers’ hottest club, Kabaret, while sexy DJ Slim Tim spins pop and dance tunes. You can continue gambling at the club with game monitors at every bar stool, or take a break and lounge on the plush chairs and couches.
Café 24/7, obviously open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, gives you all of the classic diner dishes. If you’ve built up an appetite wandering the expanse of the casino, stop on in and try its monster dessert favorite, the hot fudge brownie. With all the bells and whistles in place, Firekeepers is on their way to casino glory. --Caitlin O’Leary
Grand Rapids
76 Coffee
1507 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
myspace.com/76coffee, (616) 301-2226
76 Coffee is “not as smoky as you think it is,” according to co-owner Ryan Van, though it is one of the last coffeehouses in town for people who enjoy cigarettes with their coffee.
Open from 9 a.m. until 4 a.m. daily, 76 Coffee is a moderately sized red room with high ceilings, decent music ample seating and windows overlooking Wealthy Street. The walls are covered in music posters that, to a degree, reflect the taste of the baristas (Van cites his preferred bands of the moment as Dose One, Port O’Brien and The Dismemberment Plan).
All coffee and espresso is fair-trade and organic. Other choices include juices, teas and small foodstuffs. If you’re intending to stay all night, you might consider purchasing a bottomless cup of coffee in one of Van’s own mugs, decorated with sardonic sayings we can’t print here. Only five dollars, they’ll bring you endless joy. If you’re looking for something delicious, try co-owner Tim Novak’s “Triforce,” described as “three chocolates, three shots [of espresso], three awesomes.”
“76 Coffee is just a good place to come in, sit down and a have a cup of coffee, either because you need to study late, don't feel like going home before midnight, or you got too drunk at the bar,” Van said. --J. Bennett Rylah
Snap Fitness
7200 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids
snapfitness.com, (616) 554-3200
Snap Fitness is popular for its 24-hour operation and numerous locations (ten in the Grand Rapids metro area alone), enabling members to squeeze in a workout on their schedule, whenever that happens to be. The recently opened Caledonia Snap Fitness, located within the StoneWater Country Club complex, provides a full gym, tanning beds, showers, optional fitness classes and two on-staff personal trainers.
“It’s great for third shift workers, bartenders after work, or on holidays,” said Kim Von Kaenel, who is a manager and personal trainer at Snap. “You can come in at 4 a.m; don’t have to wait until six. It’s affordable and convenient.”
If you need an extra incentive to get in shape, Snap Fitness is offering free enrollment if you sign up before Oct. 31 (good at Caledonia, 28th, and East Beltline locations). New members will receive a free orientation and consultation, and membership includes access to all Snap Fitness locations nationwide. --J. Bennett Rylah
ULX
4336 Plainfield NE, Grand Rapids
ulxgr.com, (616) 776-1287
Other late night havens include ULX (the Ultimate LAN Experience), open on Sun.-Thurs until 11 p.m., but until 4 a.m. on Fridays and 2 a.m. on Saturdays. Here, you can gather with other gaming enthusiasts for some late-night multi-player action. Popular games of the moment, according to co-owner Mike Reed include Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Valve games like Counter-Strike. ULX also offers internet access, soft drinks, snacks, a comfortable lounge area and special events like Magic Tournaments. Friday all-nighters are the most popular night, perhaps because of the prizes, pizza and social interaction. On Nov. 6-7, ULX will be hosting a Call of Duty tournament with proceeds benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project. --J. Bennett Rylah
Diners
Grand Coney
809 Michigan NE, Grand Rapids
(616) 776-5580
Yesterdog
1505 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids
yesterdog.com, (616) 336-0746
76th Truck Stop
460 76th St., Byron Center
(616) 455-3600
Invariably, with all this late night carousing, a person gets hungry. There are a variety of places to get a post-midnight snack and we’ll name a few. Looking for a greasy spoon with a retro diner feel downtown, you can try the Grand Coney, open late every night but Tuesday. Right next door to 76 Coffee is Yesterdog, open until 2:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday for that post-bar quickie. Our personal favorite after hours eatery, however, is the 76th St. Truck Stop. You’ve got all the comfort food of a diner, plus it’s a truck stop where you can buy cigarettes or take a shower. What more does a person need? --J. Bennett Rylah
Grand Haven
Rendezvous
401 N. 7th St., Grand Haven
(616) 846-3740
All you nighthawks at the diner haven’t found the perfect greasy spoon until you’ve tried The Rendezvous. Green vinyl booths and hot, steaming Paramount coffee await you in this regular-prone, oldies-playing 24-hour diner.
Opened in 1920 as a Texaco station with a flattop grill, the station became a diner in 1947 when Texaco management wanted the station to be open on Sundays. The owner said no, ripped out the pump, added a full kitchen and the rest is history.
Now the Rendezvous never closes. It serves up what Owner Bill Peak calls, “Mom’s home-cooked comfort food,” including stuffed hashbrowns, deep dish apple pie, burgers, cheese fries and the famous breakfast heavyhitter, The Sheep Herder. Imagine everything you eat for breakfast all at once and that’s about right.
“We get a pretty diverse crowd and a lot of regulars,” Peak said. “We’re like Cheers without alcohol.”
The Rendezvous offers both smoking and non-smoking seating. --J. Bennett Rylah
