After Nine Years, Grand Rapids Comfort Food and Bourbon Joint is Closing its Doors

Another big shakeup is coming to the Grand Rapids area dining scene. This year alone, we’ve already lost Bosna Express, On the Border, Rainbow Grill, and Grand Butchers. Now, GR's West Side is losing a major staple of its own.

After more than nine years in business, One Bourbon is closing on Bridge Street.

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Since opening in 2016, the restaurant has been known for elevated comfort food, craft cocktails, and summer nights spent on their popular, string-lit back patio.

One Bourbon via Facebook

It also carved out a serious name for itself among local whiskey enthusiasts thanks to a massive wall behind the bar holding over 400 bottles.

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One Bourbon via Facebook

While I've been to plenty of the Bridge Street spots over the years, One Bourbon is one of those places I've always been meaning to check out. It looks like I better make it quick.

Why One Bourbon is Closing

One Bourbon owners Brett and Meagan Freriks shared news of the closure in a candid message on Facebook July 8. They explain that personal family health challenges, paired with the harsh economic realities facing independent restaurants right now, forced the tough decision.

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The Freriks specifically pointed to the ongoing uphill battle of navigating rising food and labor costs, shifting guest habits, and an economy that has simply made it harder for people to choose to go out to dinner. They thank all of their guests and staff and say:

One Bourbon was never just a restaurant to us. It was always about hospitality. Real hospitality. Eye contact instead of screens. Conversations instead of transactions. Learning your favorite whiskey before you even asked... In a world that has become increasingly automated and disconnected, we fought to preserve something human.

 

Famous Comfort Food and Over 400 Whiskeys

If you want to head in for one last meal, their scratch kitchen has a handful of standout dishes that regulars swear by. There's the 1B Signature Poutine—loaded with house fries, smoked pulled pork, curds, and pepper gravy—and the Tennessee Chicken with a whiskey cream mushroom sauce.

One Bourbon via Facebook

They also serve up a Bourbon Burger, a signature Peanut Butter Pie with an Oreo crust, and a Southern Chicken Sandwich that recently took home "Best in GR" honors.

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Final Kitchen and Bar Hours

You'll have to make it quick though because their final full-service kitchen hours are this week:

• Wednesday, July 8 and Thursday, July 9: 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11: 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The kitchen plans to keep cooking until the food runs out this Saturday night. After that, the food menu is done, but the bar will stay open for bar service only through the rest of July on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. as they pour through the remainder of their inventory.

The Freriks wrapped up their message saying,

As long as I have booze to pour - I will be here to welcome you with an ear, a drink and a story.