West Side Grand Rapids Meadery Closing Its Doors Soon

Get ready to say goodbye to another Grand Rapids business. It continues to be a challenging year for local bars and restaurants, as operational expenses keep climbin and customers are cutting back due to inflation.

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Another bar is now joining the growing list of closures, which already includes The Green Well, Turnstiles, The Foolery, House of Wine, and more.

This time, it's Arktos Meadery on Grand Rapids' West Side. After five years near the US-131 and Hall Street interchange, Arktos Meadery made the move to Bridge Street in 2019.

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Mead, one of the world's oldest drinks, is a honey-based wine made with natural ingredients like honey, water, fruits, and spices. Arktos aimed to give guests the feeling of stepping back in time, with a dimly lit, TV-free tasting room meant for conversation. They also served food like burritos, sandwiches, ramen, mac and cheese, soup, and dips.

Well, get in soon for one final goodbye!

The owners announced the closure on Facebook, citing rising costs, slowing sales, and the loss of a nearby public parking lot—cleared to make way for the new Amway soccer stadium—as major blows to the business. Despite their best efforts, they say “even the bravest Viking knows when it’s time to sail west.”

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Guests are sharing their sadness at the news.

Molly says,

This is the saddest closure I’ve seen yet.

AJ shares,

This is absolutely heartbreaking... just devastating. My husband and I have enjoyed coming to Arktos over the years and have loved your mead. Arktos has been a gem. Thank you for all the great mead and the great memories. We'll definitely have to stop by once or twice more over the next month.

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Arktos Meadery will serve its final drinks on August 31, and they’re bottling up the rest of their stock so fans can take home their favorite meads. Stop in for one last toast before they close the doors for good!