The Last Chance opened at the end of prohibition in 1934, one of a few that opened at that time and still occupies the same location. The name came from the fact that it was the "Last Chance" to have a beer before heading South out of Grand Rapids. It has been a neighborhood hang out for all those years and was owned by the Holt family from the late 70's up until a couple of years ago. Many patrons tell the story of getting enganged at the Chance while a few others say, "their best man or bridesmaid brought me here the morning of the wedding and told me it was my Last Chance before marriage". It has always been known for it's "Garbage Burger" and that popular food item is still on the menu and is the number one selling item at the Chance. Big changes came when Jim Holt owned it as he bought the house next door and built a parking lot, added on the building creating a modern kitchen with a walk-in freezer and cooler, pizza oven, friers and large grill. He also added two handicap assessible bathrooms, 20 draft lines that always have as many as 18 craft beers and a cider, and redid the entire outside of the building and did a total refresh on the interior but left the nostalgic long wooden bar with wooden back bar coolers. In December of 2013 Doc Waldie and Tom Eastman partnered together and bought the Chance. Doc is a former GM worker and former owner of Champs Tavern in Coopersville. Tom is a former 35 year beer beverage employee on the wholesale side having worked for West Side Beer, Mervenne Beverage, and Kent Beverage now called Alliance Beverage via the Kent and B&B merger. Tom actually delivered to the Chance in the late 70's when Jack Holt owned it. Doc and Tom have made some changes like moving the booths, adding high top tables and redoing the floor with a ceramic tile that looks like hardwood floor but have tried to keep the place and atmosphere as much like a neighborhood bar as possible.

1132 Burton SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Driving Directions

Bars & Nightclubs