The Riv is a fun place. Burgerama on thursdays is a great time and a great deal on burgers and beer. Any other day of the week is good too, but don't stay too late. If you are heading out to the... More

The Riv is a fun place. Burgerama on thursdays is a great time and a great deal on burgers and beer. Any other day of the week is good too, but don't stay too late. If you are heading out to the bar late in the evening I would skip this place.....starting at about 1:00am they turn lights on and yell over their crackly loudspeaker that everyone has to get up leave their seats and move to the other side of the bar. That basically forces everyone to be packed in like cattle and to me it just ruins a good night out. If you're just going for a few drinks or going early then definately check this place out.
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The Riv, located at the corner of Abbot and MAC in downtown East Lansing, is one of the seminal watering holes of East Lansing. The big weekday attractions to the Riv are the bi-weekly half off food... More

The Riv, located at the corner of Abbot and MAC in downtown East Lansing, is one of the seminal watering holes of East Lansing. The big weekday attractions to the Riv are the bi-weekly half off food days (Mondays and Wednesdays) and Burgerama on Thursdays, which includes extremely inexpensive burger and beer specials. Not uncommon to see lines at the front and back door on the weekends. This place is the very epitome of the college dive bar. It’s dirty, dark and has a bit of a dodgy stench that you can’t quite place. The Riv straddles the line between meat market and hangout for raging alcoholics, so it can certainly make for some very interesting people watching. Be sure you don’t leave without checking out the Men’s bathroom. I’m told a meticulous collector brought it up piece by piece from Jackson State Prison. It is truly a sight to behold. The menu is unremarkable, if a bit limited.
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