Laid-back bar with a kitschy vibe features pinball machines & a live rock venue in back.
The Pyramid Scheme easily rivals as one of my favorite venues in downtown Grand Rapids. I have seen several shows here. The most recent was the Death is Little More tour with Boundaries, Stick to your Guns, Gates to Hell and Psycho-frame. Shows always run in a timely manner, with lines moving fluidly, pinball machines singing and drinks flowing from the bar. Highly recommend catching a show that suits your tastes, here!
I like the Pyramid Scheme venue mostly because for its size it offers just as much as the larger venues but without the congestion and prices. I have had the opportunity to see smaller acts like Mother Mother, Good Terms, Have Mercy to larger acts like Emery, Living Color, and Baroness. Before the show you can get a drink, play some pinball, and if you're lucky meet the bands in the lot. If you have some time to burn Stella's across the street has some great food so sit back and enjoy the show and ambiance. Always a great time.
Are you disappointed because the tickets to see the band whose song is on repeat at 5 different radio stations, from 400 yards away in the stadium stands, costs 2 whole paychecks? (I hate Ticketmaster). Well then look no further. There’s not a better place this side of the Atlantic Ocean to see an artist who actually wrote the songs perform them than at the bar named after the great 3D triangular shape. If you invite 2 friends, and each of them invite 2 friends and so on, the fun only multiplies for everybody. You can’t go wrong, and you don’t even have to report your enjoyment on your taxes next April. I’ve attended an incalculable number of shows here (maybe 10) and I’m never let down. Rates are fair, and the staff is kind. Play some pinball while you await the front row to see true art in the best form.
We came here specifically for the pinball. They have some recently released machines. While the machines were in good condition, some of the glass was very dirty and we also thought the machines were a bit pricey (used to more 2$ for 3 games rather than $1 a game which seemed to be a lot of the machines). Staff also did not seem very knowledgeable about the machines either so didn’t feel like a true pinball bar. Staff also came off kind of rude, like they are too good to serve you???!!
Great bar in front with booths and pinball machines. Great draft selection. The venue area in the back is fantastic. Great place for medium sized gigs with bathrooms and another bar.