The only time I’ve ever stepped foot in a cigar bar was on a trip to Las Vegas. I wasn’t there for the cigars, but I completely fell for the atmosphere. It felt upscale, glamorous, and a bit out of the ordinary. My husband Charlie, on the other hand, is a huge cigar fan and loved every minute of it. Naturally, as soon as I heard about a brand-new spot opening on Grand Rapids West Side, had to tell him!

And if you are looking for cool, unique vibes? The entire setup is built inside a repurposed bank!

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Brothers Harsh and Tony Patel took the former Fifth Third Bank branch at 700 Bridge St. NW and transformed it into Patel’s Cigar Lounge & Spirits. Here is a peek at what the building looked like before:

Google Street VIew
Google Street VIew

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Looks like they did a ton of work to transform the place.

One big standout feature? They turned the original bank vault into a walk-in humidor!

Patel’s officially opened on September 22, featuring fine spirits, handcrafted cocktails, and a spacious outdoor lounge area. Even if you aren't into cigars, the cozy atmosphere and cool touches like the humidor make it seem worth the visit.

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They open at 10:00 a.m. daily, staying open until 10:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, midnight Thursday through Saturday, and closing at 8:00 p.m. on Sundays.

This new arrival fits right into the momentum along Bridge Street. Between the former Jolly Pumpkin building serving as a buzzing ArtPrize hub and the anticipation building for the new Farah’s bar down the street, the West Side corridor is on a serious roll.

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Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill

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