“Coolest” Patio in Grand Rapids to Open Saturday

The progressive up-and-coming Broad Leaf Westside is set to open the “coolest” patio in Grand Rapids for the season on Saturday, April 29. The inaugural opening will be celebrated in block party fashion on the patio with yard games all day and a private DJ and “Bao-B-Q” starting at three o’clock. No matter the temperature outside, the brewery plans to cool things down with craft cocktail slushies and family friendly soft serve ice cream cones served from the outside container bar.   zzubreebym

Broad Leaf moved into the former Sovengard space last year and opened their doors for food and drinks in November. This will be the first season for the brewery to operate the expansive outdoor space. 

“We are looking forward to opening in a bigger way. We have had the winter to work on honing our menu and have been getting great reviews. However, this outdoor space is what we have been so excited for and we can’t wait to get the season kicked off,” comments Ryan McClure, Westside Head Chef. “This block party is our way to invite the neighborhood in to give us a try.” 

When the doors open at noon, the regular main menu of street food inspired cuisine will be available. Starting at three o’clock, the special bao bun themed barbecue menu being hailed “The Bao-B-Q” will be ready along with fun, shareable food features including chicken and tofu yakitori, arctic char ceviche and an assortment of fresh and pickled vegetable spring rolls.

Pouring from the outside bar will be a full array of beer including their sought after Chromatic Shatter Hazy Pale Ale and a Coconut Kiwi Lime version of the fan favorite Sour Lake beer series. In addition to beer,  Broad Leaf will be debuting their Agave Spirit available for the first time in bottles from the retail store as well as in various drinks on the menu.

“Our draft Margarita is something we are really proud of and can’t wait to share with the public,” says Stan Samual, Spirits Manager. “This is the best tasting draft Margarita in all of Grand Rapids, maybe West Michigan, even dare I say, all of Michigan. It starts with our house made orange liqueur which finds its perfect amalgam partners in our 99% Blue Agave Spirit, organic lime juice and home made simple syrup.”

What makes the backyard patio unique is the shipping container bar. It is a repurposed 40 foot steel shipping container with large retractable doors for the open air service windows. To continue that theme there are newly installed shipping container seating booths along the back wall of the patio. All of this industrial charm is accented with brightly colored tables and chairs, fun lighting and a stellar service team that make all guests feel welcome regardless of their experience with craft beer and spirits.

Owners Jason and Kris Spaulding also own & operate Brewery Vivant and Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits in Kentwood. “We see the role of our tap rooms to be more than just places to get food and drink. All of our locations are family & pet friendly. We see them as community gathering places that add to the personality of our city,” says Jason, company CEO. “We are adding soft serve ice cream to our outdoor space as a way for there to be something for everybody,” adds Kris, co-owner & company president. “Some people will want to come for a cocktail on the patio and others may want to just bring the kids down and get an ice cream cone. Even if weather is less than ideal, we will have our outdoor pellet stoves keeping people toasty warm.”

Direct access to the patio is located in the rear of the brewpub off Broadway. Guests can also enter from the main entrance on Bridge street which is shared with Fratellis Tavern & Drip Drop Cocktail Bar. Once coming in the vestibule, take a right and follow the stairs down to the lower garden level. The patio will be open for the summer season with days & hours expanding as weather allows.

Who we are

Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits is a certified B Corp that focuses on flavor exploration. We stay on the cutting edge with ongoing experimentation to explore new flavors, styles & techniques. There is a constant curiosity to try new things, find new ingredients to push boundaries in beer, spirits, food & beyond. Broad Leaf is part of the One Beer At A Time group of Grand Rapids based food & beverage businesses owned & operated by Kris & Jason Spaulding.