THE PREMIER LGBTQ BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY
WESTERN MICHIGAN
SCAN QR CODE TO VIEW THIS ISSUE ONLINE Bar Guide & Event Schedule
TABLE OF CON TENT S
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ABOUT WESTERN MI
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RESTAURANT GUIDE
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EVENTS SCHEDULE
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BAR GUIDE
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LGBTQ ORGS & ATTRACTIONS
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BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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ABOUT WESTERN MICHIGAN LGBTQ Western Michigan The west side of the state is well-represented by Grand Rapids and Saugatuck. Not surprisingly, major population centers like Grand Rapids tend to be the most progressive when it comes to the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The Advocate magazine ranked Grand Rapids 10th on its annual “Gayest Cities in America” list. This may surprise many who associate western Michigan with conservative values, but Grand Rapids has long been open and accepting to LGBT folks. Many come here for the many creative design opportunities that are presented by the city’s furniture industry. Michigan’s oldest gay bar, Apartment Lounge, is located here, and the city has outlawed discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation. Every year during the second weekend in June, the city hosts Grand Rapids Pride. LGBT families looking to relocate here should consider gayfriendly neighborhoods like Eastown and East Hills.
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RESTAURANT GUI DE Butcher’s Union Modern gastropub with a meat-heavy menu of globally inspired fare, 100+ whiskeys & draft beer. 438 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI
Food Dance Restaurant Homestyle eatery for seasonal American fare & market for locally produced food & cooking classes. 401 E Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI
Theo & Stacy’s Downtown Greek specialties, American comfort food & all-day breakfast in a homey eatery with family roots. 234 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI
Rockwell Republic Hip, high-ceilinged hangout serving American & Asian food & cocktails focusing on local ingredients. 45 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI
The Old Goat Gastropub fare & a full bar in an industrial-chic environs with oil-drum lighting & outdoor seating. 2434 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI
Hunan Gardens Muralled walls & private booths adorn this option for traditional Sichuan recipes & Chinese beers. 5059 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI
Rustica Tables surround the animated kitchen at this trendy choice for rustic European fare & curated wines. 236 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI
Linear Restaurant Cool, industrial-style hot spot with outdoor seats for seasonal American cuisine & craft cocktails. 1001 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI
Sundance Grill & Bar Big breakfasts, Southwest fare, a margarita bar & other cocktails in a quiet atmosphere. 151 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI
Crow’s Nest American breakfast & brunch specialist with a snug, informal 2nd-story setting. 816 S Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI
600 Kitchen and Bar Restored early-1900s factory, offering boozy drinks & sourced fare. 600 E Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI
The Chop House Plush chophouse with elegant gas lamps offers premium beef & wines, plus dessert & cigar bar. 190 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI
Leo’s Seafood Restaurant & Bar Seafood in a dining room that boasts soaring ceilings & romantic lighting. 60 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI
HopCat Woodwork-filled brew pub with a massive beer list & creative pub fare. 300 E Water St, Kalamazoo, MI
Zooroona Restaurant Colorful spot featuring a menu of Middle Eastern dishes & teas, with global wine list & full bar. 1710 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI
MeXo Tequila & Mezcal Bar/Restaurant Modern takes on traditional Mexican cooking, plus tequila & mezcal, amid an arty, industrial vibe. 118 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI
San Chez A Tapas Bistro Breezy tapas spot for Mediterranean & Spanish flavors with an upbeat ambiance, plus cooking classes. 38 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI
Palio - Grand Rapids Busy, modern standby with a patio offering Tuscan pizzas, pastas & Italian entrees, plus a full bar. 545 Michigan St NE #102, Grand
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2022 EVENT SCH EDULE APRIL
ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Don your best Derby hat, fedora or fascinator. Details available at shorturl.at/mzDHW.
APR 20
ARTSY-FARTSY DRAG & PAINT: 4:20 SEAWEED
MAY 08
We’ll be painting this punny Seaweed painting in honor of 420 and our favorite legalized plant. This is a paintand-sip you will not forget. Get ready for crude humor, vulgar language, messy sing-alongs, strong drinks, and fabulous art. Learn more at shorturl.at/npyEV.
WITH ALL MY LOVE... FASHION SHOW
Join us for a Mother’s Day Brunch & Fashion Show at the Gardens featuring & highlighting all the amazing LOVE & JOY a mother’s love brings. To learn more, visit shorturl.at/jlHK2.
APR 23
MAY 14
WINGS & WHISKEY CRAWL
AFTER DARK NIGHT MARKET!
Join us and try different flavors of wings at participating bars and a wing eating contest with a trophy for the winner! We’ll be drinking whiskey and eating wings all day long! Details online at wingsandwhiskeycrawl.com/ grandrapids.
Join us on second Saturdays at 555 Monroe for live painting, artist markets, food, drink, and live music! General admission is free and everyone is welcome, the events will kick off at 3 pm and end at 10 pm. Complete details at www.lionsandrabbits.com.
APR 30
PSYCHIC & HOLISTIC FESTIVAL
MAY 18
MAY
If you enjoy a relaxed evening mingling with friends and sampling exceptional Michigan beverages while supporting families with hospitalized children, this event is for you. Hosted at the Ronald McDonald House in our beautiful 5-acre backyard, the event includes great food, beer/cider tastings, music, yard games and more! Visit shorturl.at/cyJM4.
THE STOLEN STOOL COMEDY NIGHT
JUNE
RED SHOE BREW 2022
A 2 Day Festival featuring psychics, mediums, healers, crystals, aura photography, holistic products & food concessions. General Admission $8 in advance / $10 at the door. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets available at shorturl.at/qsIT6.
MAY 06
JUN 03-04
The Stolen Stool Comedy Night runs out of Harmony Hall! Bringing some of the best Comics in Michigan! Every Friday at 9pm! Great comics, good food, not to mention Free Admission! Learn more at shorturl.at/ruQVZ.
KALAMAZOO PRIDE 2022
Pride is the opposite of shame and social stigma - and Kalamazoo Pride is a way to raise our visibility, galvanize our victories and come together as a community so we all may live OutFront. Visit www.outfrontkzoo.org for details.
MAY 07
3RD ANNUAL DERBY DAY: RETURN TO THE ROSES
JUN 11
PRIDE CRAWL - GRAND RAPIDS
Enjoy the Kentucky Derby with the
The 5th Annual Pride Crawl. Get Your
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BAR GU ID E Steel Cat Bar Daily happy hour & various mule cocktails in laid-back digs with an ice-topped bar & frosted taps. 640 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI
Rumors Nightclub Nightspot featuring dancing under a strobe, plus karaoke, DJs, male strippers & drag shows. 69 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI The Apartment Lounge Comfy, low-key gay bar with a longtime history offering theme nights & regular drink specials. 33 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI
The Diplomat Gay-owned private sauna and adult store in Grand Rapids. 2324 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI Sugarbowl A good old neighborhood bar with great service and friendly people. 904 Washington Ave, Kalamazoo, MI
MI Drag Brunch Michigan’s #1 choice for celebrating your birthday, bachelorette party, work outings, or ANY type of celebration! Visit midragbrunch.com for locations Club Vortex Kalamazoo’s premier LGBTQAI+ nightclub with drag shows. 502 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI
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2022 EVENT SCH EDULE JUN 19
Tickets Now! A Portion Of Proceeds Will Be Donated To The Trevor Project. Learn more at www.crawlwith.us.
JUSTICE 4 ALL JUNETEENTH JAM The Justice 4 All Juneteenth Jam will be a day to celebrate black art, entertainment, culture, history and experience. www.iwantjustice4all.com
JUN 12
BETTIES WHO BRUNCH!
Brunch is best when it’s with your squad! Join the Betties and Beauty Beyond Drag Productions for a show and some food, catered by Krystal Palace GR! Visit shorturl.at/osKVW.
JULY JUL 01
EVENTJAZZ PRESENTS: JAZZ AT WEBER’S
JUN 18
Come and enjoy a variety of classic jazz, funk, and Sinatra vocal standards played by several rotating bands of local talent. Details at shorturl.at/bBQ09.
TOGETHER AGAIN PRIDE FESTIVAL 2022
Grand Rapids Pride Festival is an event that brings LGBTQ community members, LGBTQ businesses, allies, and organizations together to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and celebrating who you are Proud To Be! Learn more online at grpride.org/festival.
JUL 01-04
FREEDOM FESTIVAL 2022
Come celebrate our country’s independence with us. where we end this one with a bang! This is an all ages event. Visit shorturl.at/byD12.
JUN 18
GHOSTS OF GRAND RAPIDS HISTORIC TOUR
JUL 09
VINTAGE IN THE ZOO: MALLMART + ZOO FLEA
Join the author(s) for an evening of Grand Rapids history mixed with the paranormal world. Each tour guide will portray a member of Grand Rapids’ past to heighten your historical experience.
FREE, monthly, single-day outdoor true vintage & handmade marketplace -offering 70+ regional vendors, w/ sounds by WIDR FM’s DJ Dan Steely! Visit www.vintageinthezoo.com.
The Ghosts of Grand Rapids Walking Tours begin and end at the Grand Rapids Public Library (111 Library St NE), cover just over a mile and take approximately 2 hours. Details at shorturl.at/nwyEU.
JUL 15-16
SLICES OF HEAVEN - MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
Slices of Heaven theme for this month is LOVE. See you on the dance floor.
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2022 EVENT SCH EDULE Stepping, Ballroom, Hustles and Open Dance Hustle Lessons. Details available at shorturl.at/dijH7.
With special guest Friday Beers and an epic performance from DJ Press Play, we promise this is something you won’t want to miss out on! Visit online us at www.breakawayfestival.com.
JUL 29
TAMARACK MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Best Tiny Fest in the Mitten State. Two days of live up-close music, camping, and creative activities. Visit eventbrite.com for details.
SEPTEMBER
AUGUST
Join us for our 2022 Scottish Festival and Highland Games, held in beautiful Kindleberger Park. There will be vendors, scottish food, highland athletics, clan tents, educational seminars, piping, drumming, children’s activities, and fun for the whole family! This is a free and open to the public event and all are welcome to attend! www.kalamazooscottishfest.org
SEP 10
30TH ANNUAL KALAMAZOO SCOTTISH FESTIVAL
AUG 04
THE FINAL COWPIE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Come party in the pasture for our home turf festival! Cowpieeeee! Details at thebootstrapboys.com.
AUG 05
ART HOP - WITNESS ART IN PROGRESS
SEP 17
GRAND RAPIDS AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Artists will be producing beautiful artworks live at this month’s Art Hop in downtown Kalamazoo. Visit us at kalamazooarthop.org.
A two day Grand Rapids event celebrating the outstanding contributions of African-American artists through the visual and performing arts. Learn more at shorturl.at/cnsxK.
AUG 13
HAUNTED HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO TOUR
SEP 17-18
The Haunted History of Kalamazoo Walking Tour begins and ends at Bronson Park, covers just over a mile and takes approximately 2 hours. Visit shorturl.at/jqyX2.
FALLASBURG ARTS FESTIVAL
The event features 100 unique fine art and fine crafts booths, live music featuring regional musicians, a children’s craft area, and food booths. Timeless craft demonstrations take place inside a large pavilion both days. Visit www.lowellartsmi.org.
AUG 18-20
SQUARE DANCE CONVENTION
Join us on for the 58th Annual State Convention. We’ll be at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, 100 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Visit squaredance-michigan.com.
SEP 19
DIVINE DIVAS - ICONIC WOMEN OF POP
Dance your night away with the iconic and influential women who defined music, style, and what it means to be a strong woman. Featuring the rousing music of Beyonce, Cher, Bette Midler,
AUG 19-20
BREAKAWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL
We’re excited to announce The Road to Breakaway Michigan, presented by Jars!
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LGBTQ COM MU NI TY ORGANIZATIONS & ATTRACTIONS
THE NATIONAL LGBTQ SOCIETY - MICHIGAN CHAPTER The National LGBTQ Society Michigan Chapter is a chapter of a federally recognized non-profit/ public charity servicing the LGBTQ community around Michigan, with 2 main locations being Lowell and Grand Rapids. Website: www.thenatlgbt.org
OUTFRONT KALAMAZOO OutFront Kalamazoo is a not-forprofit, charitable organization serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and allied community in southwest Michigan. We are a diverse, inclusive and connected group of tireless advocates, loyal allies, enthusiastic donors, knowledgeable staff and dedicated volunteers. Website: www.outfrontkzoo.org
QUEER THEATRE KALAMAZOO The plays produced in Kalamazoo are culturally rich and varied, produced ethically, and distributed freely. Website: queertk.org
GRAND RAPIDS PRIDE CENTER Since 1988, the Grand Rapids Pride Center has empowered LGBTQ+ individuals through supportive services and awareness. Website: grpride.org GIFT GRAND RAPIDS GIFT (Gays in Faith Together) is an organization that affirms lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual, asexual, pansexual (LGBT+) people of faith. We provide support groups, education, and consultation for LGBT+ adults and allies throughout the area. Website: giftgr.org
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GOOD FOR BSINESS U SI NESS GOOD FOR BU Protecting LGBTQ Americans from Discrimination is Good for Business Business leaders know that protecting every American from discrimination is good for the economy. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adults have a combined buying power of $884 billion dollars, and business leaders know that today’s generation of consumers prefer to shop at businesses that support gay and transgender people. Business leaders across the nation are leading the charge to secure nondiscrimination protections for gay and transgender people. Fairness for All Hardworking Americans • Gay and transgender people are our neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family. Hardworking Americans deserve to be treated fairly and equally under the law. Sadly, too many hardworking Americans are facing discrimination in areas like employment, housing and public accommodations, just because they are gay or transgender. • America is a land of opportunity and freedom, where people who work hard and meet their responsibilities have the chance to get ahead. Everyone deserves the freedom to achieve the American Dream, including gay and transgender citizens. Respecting Our Coworkers and Getting the Job Done • What’s most important is focusing on what we have in common, taking pride in our work, respecting our coworkers, serving customers, and getting the job done. • Employees should be judged on their qualifications, experience, and the job they do – nothing more, nothing less. Non-Discrimination Protections Are Good for Business • Business leaders across the nation, including conservative leaders, agree: Discrimination is bad for business. Today’s top job creators seek states and communities that are welcoming to everyone, including their families, employees and customers. • When every American is given the opportunity to work hard and earn a living, our economy, communities and nation succeed. To download a PDF version of this resource, go online and visit: freedomforallamericans.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/BusinessBackgrounderFFAA.pdf
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Excerpt from freedomforallamericans.org
BUSINESS D IRECTO RY AMUSEMENT CENTER Great Lakes Glow Golf........................................ 11
FLOORING STORE Mid Michigan Floor Coverings.......................... 13
ANTI-AGING Advancing Lives, LLC.............................................3
FUNERAL HOME Langeland Memorial Chapel............................. 15
BANKING Independent Bank............................................. 13
FUNERAL PLANNING Langeland Memorial Chapel............................. 15
BUSINESS LAW Bolhouse Hofstee & McLean PC...........................7
HEALTH CARE Synergy Health Partners MCO, LLC.................... 13
CATERING Distinctive Catering..............................................7
HOME STAGING Stage Right Home Staging...................................9
DIVORCE & DIVORCE MEDIATION Keener Law Offices PLC...................................... 15
MORTGAGES Cadillac Mortgage............................................. 11
FAMILY LAW Bolhouse Hofstee & McLean PC...........................7 Keener Law Offices PLC...................................... 15
NUTRITION Advancing Lives, LLC.............................................3 REAL ESTATE Kent County Real Estate........................................5
FINANCIAL ADVISOR Up North Financial, LLC........................................1
RETIREMENT COMMUNITY Cook Valley Estate & Porter Hills Village...............5
FINANCIAL PLANNING Alkhamis Financial...............................................9
RETIREMENT PLANNING Alkhamis Financial...............................................9
FITNESS Advancing Lives, LLC.............................................3 FLOORING Mid Michigan Floor Coverings.......................... 13
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2022 EVENT SCH E DULE Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga, Diana Ross, and more! www.circletheatre.org
OCT 07-08
SEP 22
Celebrating community, family fun, and fall activities for over 30 years! Pumpkinfest is a two-day event that features a number of free and low-cost events that can be enjoyed by all ages. Visit www.zeelandfestivals. com/pumpkinfest.
2022 HOME & GARDEN EXPO
The Fall Home & Community Expo is coming to the Kalamazoo County Expo Center and Fairgrounds! Talk to industry experts. Get Motivated! Be Inspired! Build your dream! Visit www.hbafalleexpo.com for more information.
OCTOBER OCT 01
OKTOBERFEST BAR CRAWL GRAND RAPIDS
Put on your lederhosen and grab your das boot! Participants will have the chance to try different Oktoberfest beers at each participating bar. Think of it as a bar crawl and beer festival in one! Learn more at shorturl.at/aetEZ.
OCT 06
HYP TRIVIA @ TULIP CITY BREWSTILLERY
Come join HYP for monthly Trivia. Hang with some good friends, have fun and get to know new people (and then compete with them in team trivia.) Join us at TCB and Unwind from 6 -7 followed by team trivia from 7-9! Please RSVP online on website at shorturl.at/absBS.
ZEELAND PUMPKIN FEST
OCT 13-14
GRRCON 2022
GrrCON is an cyber security and hacking conference put together to provide the community with a venue to come together and share ideas, information, solutions, forge relationships, and most importantly engage with like minded people in a fun atmosphere without all the elitist “Diva” nonsense. Visit GrrCon.com.
OCT 19
LGBT CANCER AWARENESS DAY Every year, CenterLink holds “LGBT Center Awareness Day”, a national day of action focused on awareness around the work of LGBT community centers everywhere. The day was planned to help bring national attention to the Community Center Movement within the LGBT movement, which serves over 40,000 people weekly, and highlight the ways that people can get involved or utilize their local centers. Visit us online at www.centerawarenessday.org.