The Pyramid Scheme

The Pyramid Scheme is in my top three favorite bars in all of Grand Rapids, but somehow I’ve never seen a show here! So I’m just reviewing the bar. I love this bar because it’s always easy to order a drink, they play good music, the crowd is diverse, and the noise level & lighting are always perfect — not so dark that you can’t see or too loud to have a conversation, but loud and dark enough to be fun. I haven’t actually played the pinball machines, but they look really cool and it’s nice to have the option. :) Once I lost something here and when I went back for it the next day they had saved it for me behind the bar — SO NICE! :)

One of the best bars I’ve visited in North America for my tastes, I’d go out of my way to come back if I was in the area. Dark, divey vibe that manages to be both edgy and clean. Full bar, good drinks, nice open bar space in front.
The main attraction is the couple dozen pinball machines in absolutely stellar condition. Barcade owners, take note: this is how it should be done. All games were setup perfectly and clearly get routine maintenance. Super fun to play. Pyramid scheme rivals the best pinball spots and barcades in the country, from Ground Kontrol in Portland to modern pinball in New York to Pins & Needles in LA to SS Billiards in Minneapolis… I would rank this place up there with any of the best.
As an added bonus, they have a wide selection of awesome merch, cool shirt designs, hand screened posters, and embroidered art. If that’s not enough there’s a cool little rock and roll venue in the back. Definitely the kind of place I’d frequent every chance possible if I lived in Michigan.
Do yourself a favor and get over there and enjoy this spot and show the support it deserves!

This place is so awesome! If I lived in Grand Rapids, I’d be here all the time. Other reviews mentioned there were too many hipsters, but we were here on a Thursday night and there was a variety of different types of people. Everyone was really cool too, including the employees. We ended up staying till close and the bouncer/​security guy started shutting down the machines but said he’d keep a few on if I wanted to play. I thought that was super cool.
They have a ton of local beers which is great for a tourist like me that wanted to stick with local brews. We drank and played pinball for awhile. Overall, it was a really great night. I asked my husband if we could stay in GR one more night, just so we could hang at The Pyramid Scheme again.
The Pyramid Scheme = my favorite part of Grand Rapids. Don’t miss it if you visit!

HORRIBLE VENUE! My friends and I paid for a ticket to see a band months in advance and we were very excited to see the show. During the opening act we were told to leave for no reason at all, the bouncer claimed we were too drunk when we were not; we most definitely weren’t bugging or harming anyone, we were simply having a fun time enjoying the show. There was no legitimate reason for us to have been told to leave. I am beyond outraged with this place and don’t plan on going back there ever again.

loved this place! usually not a huge fan of crowded bars or live music, but i figured being on vacation means you can do stuff you don’t normally do. i saw a show here with some friends and it was great! i know nothing about music venues but this one seemed standard. the good part is that if you’re not there for a show, you’re not forced to listen to the band because it’s a separate room.
the bar is really cool because it had lots of pinball machines and many many beers on draft. the friend who lives in grand rapids told us that they usually have incredible deals on beer during the week — it was just normal prices for us, which were normal.
basically the pinball machines made it. they don’t have some of my favorites, but there’s bound to be one or two you really like. parking is difficult so just über it.

Best Venue in Grand Rapids. Yup I said it! This is the one place you can see a band and never have a view too far away or too bad. There is a separate room in the back where the bands play, so don’t feel like you can’t walk in here without having to see a band as well.
I will admit the vibe could come across as not very welcome but it is pretty relaxed and you will mostly see people who can be classified as the ‘alternative’ type but don’t let that keep you out! Everyone is friendly, without needing to fee like they have to greet you with a huge smile. Their tap list is filled with lots of local brews! Each night is a different special, with my favorite one when Short’s beers are cheap!
They also have pinball machines, that date back quite a few years in prime working condition. Pinball machines with a KISS theme to others rockin the Monster Mash vibe.
Come for a show, come for a drink or come to play some pinball… they have tournaments too!
Oh and they have some funny merchandise and local artist prints for sale as well!
And did I mention a dinosaur on a bicycle… yea that is there with funny Michigan gear too!

We had the most wonderful time here! Drea is the loveliest bartender, and she made our drinks with such skill and expertise. If given the opportunity to receive drinks from this fantastic lady, be sure to ask for a water moccasin. Dear lord does she make them well!

This is my favorite venue in Grand Rapids. I’ve never seen a bad show here, and the intimate setting makes every show a little more special. Drink prices here are much better than at the Intersection and they usually have a large selection of Short’s beer.

I have seen many of shows here and my most recent visit was for The Pyramid Scheme’s 5^th Anniversary Party with Andrew W K. It was another fun show in part because the venue is so small that there is not a bad view in the place. The lighting and sound were stellar and the energy was nuts.
For those unfamiliar, The Pyramid Scheme is a hipster type bar and music venue that features local and nationally known bands, dj’s, and shows. The venues name (I assume) is a reference to Grand Rapids’ very own Amway Corporation, who has a somewhat tarnished reputation within the direct sales industry as being… well… a pyramid scheme.
When you walk in, there is a main bar area that is open to all. There are tables, a well-​stocked bar, and pinball machines. There is also a separate, back concert venue area for ticket holders. This concert space is primarily standing room only, although I have been here when they put seats out for some types of shows. The concert area has back bar area, but for a packed show like Andrew W. K, it was easier to leave the concert area and go back out to the main bar area for drinks.
They have a fun selection of Pinball machines. I easily went through $ 10 playing the Jurrasic Park game last time I visited.
My only gripe is with service on show nights; the serving staff, while very friendly, seem overwhelmed. I realize that’s more of an issue with management scheduling enough people on, but as a customer, it can get frustrating trying to track down a server for a drink or my bill. That said if you stop by after a show has started and the crowd has thinned out, the service is great.

I must admit I didn’t stay very long on my visit here. It was a stop between two other destinations. Only in town for the weekend, my hotel recommended it to me (I’m guessing based on my age and attitude).
It was dirt cheap beer, something to look forward to in Beer City, Michigan. The T-​Shirts and other merch for sale there was hilarious and I almost left with some of it. The pinball machines are a nice touch. The crowd wasn’t very welcoming nor was the staff but I can forgive that for being an Out of Towner. I really liked this place, and when I’m back in Grand Rapids, I’ll probably stop in again.

Very chill cool place to grab a cheap beer. I went during a Saturday afternoon so I can’t speak about the atmosphere during the busy concert times. I enjoyed myself and I was pleased with the $ 2 PBRs

This is an awesome place to kind of get away from the downtown rush at all the other bars. They have a ton of modern and old school pin ball machines. A pretty relaxed and hipster setting overall. They have a respectable list of brews on tap as well. Definitely more of a local bar than some of the very touristy bars in town.

Went there this past Saturday night to see Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers. This is a great little place for a show. I love all the pinball machines when you first come in. Great selection of beers and the price for the show and beverages were great!

Great live music venue with a 50’s or 60’s kinda vibe going thanks to the tiled floor and opaque glass lighting fixtures on the walls. Bartenders are friendly and make a great cocktail. The collection of pinball machines and classic video games make this place a throwback blast!
Worth the drive if you’re in the area!

My boyfriend and I went back on a Thursday night for 1 beer and to play some pin ball. It wasn’t busy, the bar tender was great and we had a really fun time :) might be a hit/​or miss kinda place??? We also bought tickets for an upcoming show so we will see! ;)

Hands down, favorite bar in Michigan. The drinks are of a wide variety and fairly priced, and each day there is a different special. The atmosphere couldn’t be better, with the distant clanging of pinball machines, nerdy art, and music that’s always hip in the least obnoxious way. This place is also a music venue in the back, and the set up is incredible. Some of the best shows of my life have been here. It’s basically what you wish to experience when you go to the Intersection, with a better crowd and more affordable drinks. The staff is also super friendly and accommodating. They are all pretty attractive too, not that it matters, just sayin’.

We came here in June to see Naked Raygun play. The front of the joint is a video game arcade, and the back (separate paid entrance) is where the live music is. I was really impressed with the acoustics, the fact that we could actually sit at comfortable chairs, and the great service.
The bartenders were extremely efficient and were friendly. The bar had a great selection of beers and liquor, and prices were pretty reasonable. Overall I’d definitely come back in here again if I were going to be in Grand Rapids.

I went on a Saturday night and it was not as hype as I thought it would be. There was a concert going on I’m sure but the front area was pretty empty. I expected it to at least have a good crowd for a Saturday. The service was quick since it was so empty so that was nice.
I have been to this place in the past and had similar results. Although I do have to admit that I do enjoy the theme and atmosphere they are going for.

Best downtown beer spot. (if you are a Shorts fan — they do have others…)
Great cocktails — some specialty cocktails.
Really the only kind of place downtown I could drink at ⁴⁄₇ days weekly.

This venue would be amazing if it weren’t the size of my closet. Great drink prices, friendly staff, cool pattern on the floor, and most importantly the sound system was good. I read other reviewers complaining about sound, but I thought it was fine and I wasn’t even that drunk…
My only qualm was that I brought my hula-​hoop with me with the intention to do some serious hoopage. I was able to get a few good minutes in but once again, this place was like the size of my gynecologists office. I kept hitting people because they were darting around like mad men, and felt bad and put the hoop down. A lot of potential and I would come back again sans hoop.