Photo: The Anchor Bar shot by Rudy Malmquist

The West Side is a rough and tumble area with dive bars and fun shopping only minutes from downtown. Some say Mayor Cornelius V. Butterman founded the area in the 1870s when he built the first Bridge Street Bridge. The new territory was settled by Polish and German families yearning for a land with a bar or church on every corner. More recent investments by Grand Valley State University and Bob Israels have helped to revitalize the working-class neighborhoods.

The Flamingo Lounge (930 Bridge St. NW) is famous for introducing karaoke to the West Side. It has been popular with pickled crooners and tone-deaf agoraphobes ever since. The Flamingo is pretty basic; there's a horseshoe-shaped bar filled with friendly neighborhood folk and a raised stage in back. The bar was run for many years by Don Wasker, but has since passed it to his son, Brent, who has owned the bar for more than 20 years. "I don't worry about marketing. I just serve good food and cheap drinks," he said. You'll like the $1.75 drafts - not much more than the Polish Halls - and the homemade soups and chili made by the bartender Mindy.

The Nite Cap Bar & Grill (801 West Fulton St.) also offers karaoke, but its story is more complicated. Owner Marv Sienkiewicz operated the El Dorado for 34 years. When the 100-year-old saloon had to be replaced, he built the Nite Cap right behind it. The new bar opened January 2004 and has high ceilings, outdoor seating, and professional sound that even West Siders expect. According to Jason, the new night manager, the Nite Cap has one of the best selections of bottled imported beers and microbrews on the West Side. The $2 drafts and $5 Jägerbombs are popular with college students. The bar also organizes bus trips to see the Detroit Lions and Tigers so the patrons can see the games together. "I like the area because of the wide variety of people," Jason said. "There's never a dull moment."

The Monarch's Club (646 Stocking Ave. NW) is a real gem. The 1893 building was a pharmacy and then a speakeasy during Prohibition. Owner Frank Lehman kept the name and touches like the white mosaic floor, brick walls, and black glass drink rail. He also added a tin ceiling, an antique bar mirror from Chicago, and an 80-year-old oak and glass display cooler. According to Jessica the bartender, the Monarch's Club is a "hole in the wall, but it's a nice hole in the wall." You will find microbrews and bottles of house wine for $10. It also has Vienna Beef hot dogs, Italian Beef sandwiches, and Paninis. Try the Heartwell Stacker, which has turkey, ham, lettuce, and honey mustard. They also serve chili made with the same recipe used by the old Red Lion Restaurants. You can get three Red Hot Chili Dogs and a six-pack of PBRs for $10.

Across the street you'll find the Kopper Top (638 Stocking Ave. NW). Built in 1898 as a grocery store, it operated as Frank's Tavern and Beer Garden for many years. It became the Kopper Top in 1972 when new owners covered the bar in a sheet of copper. They also began decorating the bar for the holidays. Current co-owner Dan Brown said that the tradition has become "tastefully tacky." They decorate for Halloween, Christmas, New Year's, Valentines Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Easter. Decorations only come down in the summer. While it may look like a bordello, food is the main attraction. The classic Polish Platter includes kielbasa, kapusta, pierogis, and golabki. They also serve the best liver and onions in town, sautéed in whiskey with onions and bacon. You won't find televisions or Keno screens at the bar, either. "People can actually talk to each other," said one long-time bar patron.

Salvatore's Italian Restaurant (654 Stocking Ave. NW) was opened by the Tinervia family in 1976 after they had moved to the U.S. from Sicily. Salvatore's moved a couple doors down in 1986 and they recently expanded. Its most popular pizza is the Taste of Grand Rapids, with ham, onions, sausage, Romano cheese, fresh basil, and Sicilian sauce. Or try the Chicken Spedini, which is skewers of boneless chicken breast rolled with ham and cheese, served with linguini and vegetables. One of the friendly waitresses, Rachel, said that the Salvatore's is busy on Sundays with families and bigger parties taking advantage of the Half-Off Pasta Special. "The food is really good here. I can't eat at any other Italian restaurant," she said.

Maggie's Kitchen (636 Bridge St. NW) is popular at lunch time. The cafeteria-style restaurant is decorated in bright colors with numerous pictures of Mexico and its rich culture. The cafe specializes in cuisine from the Michoacán region of Mexico and you can still find Magdalena "Maggie" Garcia at the stove. Her son Luis Ramirez will greet you with a smile and make sure your meal is special. I always order the Puerco En Salsa Roja Platter, with spicy pork and red chili sauce, beans, rice, and salad. Vegetarians will like the Veggie Burrito and the Avocado Salad served with tomato and lime wedges.

The Fourth Street Deli (528 Seward Ave. NW) is the West Side's other lunchtime destination. Chef Scott Schulz and General Manager Chris Sommerfeldt have created a menu with 100 sandwiches, 20 salads, and six soups every day. The shop is four times larger than their Cherry Street Deli, but no less charming. With its high ceilings and tall windows, you would never know that the building had once been covered in metal siding. The Leyden Panini with roasted chicken, Portobello mushrooms, and smoked provolone is popular, according to assistant manager John Bruha. Vegetarians prefer the Fifth Street Sandwich, with marinated tomatoes, roasted red peppers, artichokes, and mozzarella.

After a hearty lunch, you'll be ready to browse The Other Store Furniture Clearance Center (769 Seward Ave. NW). This massive, two-floor furniture store discounts showroom samples and odd lots from Israels Designs for Living, Klingman Furniture Company, Michigan Designs Resources, and The John Widdicomb Trade Center. It's perfect for an afternoon of browsing as you fantasize about outfitting your imaginary castle. "We want the store to be a more relaxed shopping experience. We always have a variety of premium pieces at great prices," James Israels.

Rejuvenate yourself after shopping at the Bitter End Coffee House (752 Fulton St. W), which is a favorite of the fanciful Miss Carolita. The only independent coffee shop on the West Side, the Bitter End is open 24 hours and has a no smoking policy. With wood-paneled walls and antique photos, the shop has a quirky scholarly feel that is popular with college students, especially late at night. All of the coffee is organic and fair trade. A barista named Steve said the most popular drink options are the French Kiss Latte, with white chocolate and French vanilla, and the Raspberry Mocha.

Renee Austin and Renee Austin Wedding (442 Bridge St. NW) have brought a touch of glamour to the area. Owner Angie Austin opened the brick-walled boutique a year ago and she offers a selection of luxurious dresses and gowns from Mori Lee, Sottero & Midgley, Jasmine, Jovani, and Alyce Designs. She opened a bridal shop in the fall. The location is ideal, since many of the couples who hook up at Montes next door have to come back to get their "white" wedding dresses and tuxes. When asked why she chose the West Side for her high-end shop, "I love the area," Angie said. "We're a destination shop so people come here from all over West Michigan. I would never want to move."

Current and future designers can shop around the corner at Service Reproduction Co. (345 Summer Ave. NW). Hidden in a nondescript industrial area, Service Reproduction is the only independent art supply store in Grand Rapids. The staff of working artists and large selection of specialty items make it the ideal store for college students, architects, and creative types. Todd, who has worked at the store for several years, noted that the store draws artists from Kalamazoo to Traverse City. "We don't make you wade through introductory supplies like at a crafts store or online," he said. Then he showed me a 1.5" sable watercolor brush by Kolinski for only $225.

Whether it’s grabbing a “bigger than average” shot at The Anchor Bar (447 Bridge St. NW), the Sunday morning Bloody Mary Bar at O’Toole’s (448 Bridge St. NW) or the bi-level lanes at The Clique (533 Stocking Ave. NW), the West Side has much to offer those who dare to try the other side of Grand Rapids.

cliquelanes.com, (616) 723-8626
reneeaustins.com, (616) 272-1231
servicereproduction.com, (616) 451-2901
4thstreetdeli.com, (616) 301-1344
tos-furniture.com, (616) 774-8389
salvatoresgr.com, (616) 454-4280
nitecapbar.com, (616) 451-4243
Bitter End, (616) 451-6061
Monarch's Club, (616)233-9799
Kopper Top, (616) 459-2001‎
Flamingo Lounge, (616) 774-2246
Maggie's, (616) 723-8626