Esquire Bar

Luv this bar. Owner is a sweetheart. Hosts amazing events and has energy drink on tap 😋

I’ve been coming here at least once a month since I moved to Lansing, and I’ve never had a bad experience. It’s always made me happy that they offer low-quality frozen pizzas and microwave popcorn, and they’re accommodating to me as someone who doesn’t drink but goes out with my queer friends who do. The vibe of the bar definitely feels centered around older, cis-gendered gay men, which is fine, but I don’t feel quite as welcome as a younger, femme-presenting nonbinary person. But hey, at least it’s felt a bit more welcoming than your average straight bar. Unfortunately, I was floored at how I was treated upon my most recent visit. I made the mistake of bringing in my reusable water bottle. To preface, I understand that I made the mistake of not reading the sign out front that said no outside drinks are allowed. Totally on me. However, the older man with glasses who is always checking IDs didn’t have to absolutely berate me and treat me like garbage over it. He could have just said “hey, you can’t have that in here. Can you take that to your car?” Instead, after I simply apologized to him and told him it wouldn’t happen again, he became increasingly angry and wouldn’t stop going off on me. I did not once argue with him, so I see no reason why he couldn’t have stopped after my apology. He decided to rant at me, do his best to dress me down, and told me he “didn’t want to have to start yelling.” It felt like there was no way to escape from him acting like this, because no matter how many times I apologized, he wouldn’t stop berating me and getting angrier. Me and my group decided to leave at that point. Not because I couldn’t accept my mistake, but being chastised by an older man who was becoming increasingly furious with me when I was only trying to profusely apologize and repeat that it wouldn’t happen again was a horrible experience. Especially as someone who frequents this bar. I’m still completely taken aback at the way I was treated.

I definitely had a good time here this weekend. The drinks was good kinda loud music but you can still talk. Meet a couple of beautiful women here. I can't wait to come back again

I normally don’t leave reviews, but this experience was honestly upsetting. We went out for Krampusnacht, waited in line, and when we finally got to sit at the bar the bartender immediately yelled at us for “skipping the line.” We hadn’t — we were waiting right next to the group she had just served. Other guests actually had to speak up for us before she would even help, and she was still rude the entire time. What really crossed the line was the drink situation. I am sober (3 years) and ordered a non-alcoholic beer (Heineken 0.0). The bartender mixed up the drinks and served me an alcoholic one instead. That is not a small mistake. When someone specifically asks for a non-alcoholic drink, serving them alcohol is serious and completely unacceptable, busy night or not. The whole interaction felt careless and dismissive and completely ruined what was supposed to be a fun night out. I’m still shocked this happened.

We went during Krampusnacht and after waiting in line sat down at the bar. The bartender proceeded to yell at us for "hopping the line" even though we had been waiting in line right next to the people she just had helped. The only reason she served us is because the people behind us advocated for us and she was still quite rude. After we ordered, one of our friends ordered a heiniken 0.0 and she accidentally swapped me and my friends drinks. Shes literally SOBER so that was kinda messed up. No matter how busy it is as a server you cannot mess up serving someone who requests a non alcoholic bev literal alcohol. Horrible service and completely threw off our night. I still cant believe that happened.

Mel is a little rough around the edges but he's a great caring man. Cookie and Joel are amazing bartenders. Karaoke every Friday except for the first Friday of the month is fettish Friday.

Mel is the coolest bartender 😎 😍 👌