Kalamazoo Beer Exchange

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#3 of 330 Restaurants in KalamazooAmerican, Bar, $$ - $$$

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Kalamazoo Beer Exchange

Review

At a glance

Open until 1:00 AM

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Website

+1 269-532-1188Improve this listing

About

The Kalamazoo Beer Exchange is a two-story multi-tap bar and grill located in the beautifully restored Globe Building in downtown Kalamazoo. Offering 28 rotating draught beers from around the world, The Exchange opens at 6 p.m., where draught beers are priced on real-time sales, like the stock market. Occasional "market crashes" drop beer prices to their all-time low. The food menu features pub fare with a twist, where classic dishes will be made new again.

Features

CUISINES

American, Bar, Pub

Meal types

Lunch, Dinner, Drinks

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

American Express

Discover

Free Wifi

Full Bar

Mastercard

Outdoor Seating

Parking Available

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Street Parking

Table Service

Takeout

Television

Visa

Wine and Beer

Location

211 E Water St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007-5823

Parking Available, Street Parking

Is this restaurant good for local cuisine?

Yes

Unsure

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Hours

Suggest an edit

Open until 1:00 AM

Sunday

Closed

Monday

11:00 AM - 1:00 AM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 1:00 AM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 1:00 AM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 1:00 AM

Friday

11:00 AM - 1:00 AM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 1:00 AM

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4.4

372 reviews

Excellent

208

Very good

123

Average

Poor

Terrible

Tom S

Seaford216 contributions

Unique concept that also provides really good food and ber

Aug 2020 • none

Son and daughter-in-law moved to Kalamazoo so we needed to check out the local restaurants. I've never seen "stock market" beer pricing anywhere else so it makes it kind of fun. Because it was not busy we could actually be a "market maker" with our buys. The food was very good; from sandwiches, to kabobs, to home style meat loaf. My only gripe, and this is generic for all craft breweries now days, I wish they would just name the beer after the style instead of all the cutesy names. I hate having to do a bunch of research to figure whether "Bouncing Betty's Hawaiian Dreamsicle" is a weissbier, a red ale, or a stout. It has gotten to where the waitstaff has to go back and ask because they don't have it memorized either. Apple pie dessert was a special plus. This was a C-19 affected Tues night but I bet it is packed on a weekend in normal times. The arcade on the bottom floor looked fun too.

Written August 13, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GyratingJeremy

Sheffield14 contributions

Brilliant beer and servers.

Sep 2024 • couples

The Beer Exchange has a fabulous choice of beers. This was our second visit and we still fully understand the prices changing in line with demand but it is great fun. Had far too much to drink! Two ladies behind the bar were exceptional - so hard working but always cheerful and friendly. They were part of the reason we stayed so long.

Written October 27, 2024

j b

Kalamazoo County310 contributions

Great place for casual get together

Dec 2019 • none

I've been here twice recently to meet friends for a casual meal and chat, both times during the day. You can actually talk here; the background noise is minimal and the music is audible but not overwhelming. I hate having to shout over din, and that isn't the case here. The food is quite decent, but it's the ambience I really like: very open, lots of light, exposed brick and several levels. The waitstaff is efficient and friendly. Try the pulled pork sandwich. Also, there is something called "cheeseburger soup." It's a little weird; basically, it's cheese soup with some lettuce, tomato and chopped bacon thrown in. A friend had it since it's gluten free and said it was good.

Written January 4, 2020

Laura C

1 contribution

Meh

Jun 2023 • couples

We were in Kalamazoo for an orientation for my son. Looked up on trip advisor a spot to grab a bite to eat. Staff looked and acted frazzled as there was a mid-size party when we were there of 25 people. Stick to the hamburger as it was good, the dish with the mashed potatoes and chicken was not impressive at all.

Written June 23, 2023

poukala

Macomb1690 contributions

Good Food

Jun 2023 • couples

We went for dinner when passing through the area. We didn't order a drink or beer, but there is some thing they do during Happy Hour. Our waitress Payton was very peppy and friendly. Our meals were good., fries were an extra $4, quite pricey for what we received, and had to ask to get the pickle spear. I assume too many people waste them so that is why you have to ask.

Written July 9, 2023

rocmartin2003

Rochester139 contributions

Great find in downtown Kalamazoo!

Sep 2020 • none

My wife and i parked in downtown Kalamazoo and found this place on trip advisor. We could have parked at the restaurant, but it was an easy walk from where we parked. The place has a good vibe inside and is clean and well decorated. The wait staff was timely in getting to us and taking our order. The beer choices were varied and offered something for everyone. They have mixed drinks as well. The food was a typical bar food type menu, and we both ordered burgers. They were both very good and well prepared. The pickles on the burger tasted like homemade pickles my aunt used to make on the farm. They were amazing and had just a little kick to them as well. For a quick lunch, it turned out to be a great dining experience. We definitely enjoyed every minute of it. Would recommend to anyone.

Written September 10, 2020

Nikle

Porter84 contributions

Beat my expectations.

Sep 2020 • couples

Fried pickles were huge. Street corn could have been warmer. Stuffed burger was superb, & sweet potato were yummy. Buddy love his chix sandwich & hand cut fried, & friend enjoyed her smash burger patty with onion dip & chips. Beer was good. The market exchange on beer doesn't start until 6. So unfortunately we drove 2 hrs, & missed out on that experience as we popped in around 4. Due to covid the games can not be used along with the pool tables.

Written September 27, 2020

RockTIlUDrop

Kalamazoo175 contributions

Fun atmosphere and great food, too

Dec 2019 • none

Have eaten here numerous times over the years. Service is ALWAYS good. You can't say that about other restaurants in Kzo. This was a business lunch for two. We ordered from the special lunch menu which I wish I took a pic of. Some of the most unique combinations of food. Cheeseburger soup was great - not greasy not grainy not rubbery - balanced and unique (when was the last time you had lettuce on top of soup?). The bar chips and onion dip are super stars and don't miss the opening bell at 5:00, they do a cool thing with the patrons who are present. Sadly, our lunch didn't last until 5!

Written January 7, 2020

Christopher P

Oak Park1 contribution

Snowed In

Jan 2020 • friends

We got snowed in and needed a spot for food and beer. KBE was amazing! We ended up with a spot at the bar and the service was stellar. Aubrey was amazing behind the bar, she gave us all the beer profiles we needed and was on the spot with our food orders. Travis did a great job stepping in when we needed it, he was just as knowledgeable about the entire beer list. All in all a great visit, would highly recommend for anyone.

Written January 17, 2020

Rick B

124 contributions

good food -- fun place!

Oct 2022 • none

We visited for dinner before catching WMU's Rocky Horror Picture Show at the State Theatre. It was very busy on homecoming Saturday but the place is large and a fun location. Get the cheese curds!

Written October 16, 2022

Tavia W

Cape Canaveral7 contributions

Great food and service

Aug 2021 • friends

A really neat place with an extensive menu for both food and drinks. The food was excellent and the service was equally as great.

Written August 28, 2021

K F

Indianapolis186 contributions

Meh

Aug 2020 • couples

My wife's salmon was a little fishy (yes I know it's fish). I had the lamb it was fair, the Mexican grilled corn was good. Beer selection was good service kinda slow.

Written August 8, 2020

Jerry N

1 contribution

Great food ad atmosphere

Feb 2020 • couples

The beer exchange is a great place to grab a bite to eat. Also to partake in the beer drinking! Love the atmosphere and how the beers trade like the stock market! The food is great as well!

Written March 10, 2020

Kathy T

111 contributions

Fun, Great atmosphere and Great food!!

Feb 2020 • none

The experience of this place was awesome! There are pool tables and pinball machines in the lower level bar. The "stock market" theme is amazing, the market crashed twice while we were there making our drinks super cheap. The food is excellent as was the service! I really hope they open a Beer Exchange in Macomb County one day!

Written February 27, 2020