Firebird Bar GR, 526 Stocking Ave NW, Grand Rapids ~ July 21, 2026

 
The Firebird opened in February of 2026 in the building that previously held Turnstiles, a bar and music venue that closed in July of 2025 after operating for four years. Before that, Joe V's Sports Bar Pizzeria was a long time neighborhood staple here.
We had to skirt some equipment to get into the parking lot.
Robert Wahl is the new owner (he also owns Bridge Street Bar and the The Win Tavern) and this is a very cool looking bar with unique decor. There's a beautiful horseshoe bar running down the middle of the building.
Pontiac Firebirds were produced from 1967-2002 and various firebird hoods adorn the walls.
The firebird is also a mythical creature found in Slavic folklore and some tales also include a "Horse of Power".

The lamps are also quite distinctive.
Like Turnstiles, live music events are a regular thing here.
There are plenty of TVs.
The Firebird has an extensive liquor list, specializing in beer and Bourbon.
We started with a very good Old Fashioned, a Yuengling Flight draft, an Arnie Palmie, and a Leinenkugel Summer Shandy.
The food menu is very concise, consisting of three appetizers, two chicken sandwiches, pizza, and breadsticks. It's a great concept: pick just a few items and do them well. We had to start with the fried pickles.
And they were the best we've ever had. Hand battered and thinly sliced, they were crispy and tasty. Unlike with pickle spears, there was no danger of getting burned by pickle juice.
Two of us ordered the grilled Classic Chicken sandwich, one with fries and one with a side of cole slaw. The chicken was tender and juicy and the firebird sauce (secret ingredients) was slightly sweet and went well with the chicken. Buns were soft and fresh. The cole slaw was oil and vinegar based, not mayo. The fries were thick and nicely seasoned, and were crispy on the outside and soft inside.
The crispy Nashville chicken sandwich is topped with pickles and cole slaw, and the cole slaw balanced the heat of the Nashville chicken. The slaw also added nice texture to the sandwich.
Lastly came a pizza: green peppers, onion, and banana peppers, on a soft, thin crust. The veggies were plentiful and evenly placed but the crust could have been a little crispier. Altogether, it was a pizza right up my alley.
Our server, Emma, was wonderful, both informative and attentive.

Here are a few things we spotted on our way out.
Questionable 😕
We were the early birds at the firebird and enjoyed the sleek bar, sweet atmosphere, and good food. 

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