There’s a speakeasy tucked away in the heart of downtown that’s tricky to find—but once you’re in, you’ll be glad you made the effort.
“It’s outside on the side of the building. Look for the gold door,” said the woman behind the front desk at Courtyard by Marriott, waving me away and gesturing in the direction of an unmarked entrance on the south side of Plaza Towers, located at 201 Fulton St. W.
That was my introduction to Nightwatch Lounge, a year-old, speakeasy-style haven tucked into the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. Unassuming from the outside, the lounge is a veritable velvet-draped secret for those in the know—housing not just world-class cocktails, but a private art collection that could rival any city museum.
The collection belongs to Paulus C. Heule, a Grand Rapids real estate developer best known for his company Eenhoorn (Dutch for “unicorn”). Fitting, because this place is exactly that—rare, enchanting, and entirely one-of-a-kind. The oil paintings? All originals. A floral still life by Emanuel Ernst Gerardus van der Ven caught my eye, as did Village on the North Sea by Max Fleischer—just two among dozens. There are no empty walls awaiting decoration; every inch is curated with intention. The art would be well suited in the drawing room of a European manor-turned-museum. And that’s the beauty of it—the delightful juxtaposition of sipping a highball, surrounded by 19th-century masterpieces, just steps from a Griffins game, or a Billy Strings concert. Pure joy!
Originally intended for private gatherings, Nightwatch has evolved into an exclusive cocktail lounge for guests willing to follow the rules: there’s a dress code, a $15-per-person deposit, and reservations are a must.
At the helm is Rob Hanks, general manager and cocktail sorcerer. With 15 years behind the swizzle stick at Grand Rapids institutions like Sidebar, Buffalo Trader, Reserve, and Chop House, Hanks brings serious mixology chops—and passion—to every pour.
“Some establishments are liquor-forward. We’re flavor-forward,” Hanks said. “We don’t build cocktails around a spirit. We build them around taste.”
That philosophy comes to life in drinks like the elevated Old Fashioned—featuring wheat whiskey, rye, Jamaican rum, cognac, maraschino liqueur, and bitters—or a daring Singapore Sling with peated Scotch and pomegranate grenadine. Even the Gimlet gets a glow-up with aquavit, lime, absinthe, and aloe liqueur.
Every cocktail surprises. Every ingredient is intentional. Credit cards only, gratuity included, and yes—each concoction is worth it.
And as if that weren’t enough, Nightwatch doubles as a comedy club on Tuesdays and is available for private events.
Just look for the gold door.
