News Summary
Flanagan’s Irish Pub in downtown Grand Rapids is up for sale for $4 million following a 50-day liquor license suspension due to unpaid fines. The establishment has been a community favorite since 1981 but faces uncertainty after repeated bounced payments to wholesalers led to the suspension. Despite hopes to reopen, recent signs have been removed, leaving the future of the beloved venue in question as the community watches closely.
Grand Rapids – Flanagan’s Irish Pub, a well-known establishment in downtown Grand Rapids, has been listed for sale at a price of $4 million on realtor.com. This announcement comes amid a significant setback for the pub, as the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) has suspended its liquor license for 50 days due to the pub’s failure to pay a $1,000 fine.
The liquor license suspension, which was put into effect one month before the listing became public, stemmed from accusations of dishonored payments to wholesalers. This included multiple violations cited for bounced checks due to insufficient funds. According to the MLCC, the initial violation included eight bounced payment charges occurring between May and November 2024, followed by two additional bounced payments in January 2025. The pub had until the end of May to clear the fine but ultimately did not settle the amount, leading to the suspension.
Signs posted outside the establishment initially indicated that the pub was temporarily closed but intended to reopen as a gathering place for local patrons. However, at the time of reporting, both signs had been removed, raising questions about the future of the venue.
Flanagan’s Irish Pub, located at 139 Pearl St. NW, has been a long-standing fixture in the community since it opened its doors in 1981. It is renowned for its extensive cocktail menu and traditional Irish cuisine, with popular offerings including burgers and bangers and mash. Additionally, the pub has served as an entertaining venue for live music performances, drawing crowds for its vibrant atmosphere.
The property itself encompasses a 1,269-square-foot “boutique hotel” featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The building, originally constructed in 1890, was initially designated for 14 long-term apartments and two commercial spaces. The listing highlights high-quality finishes, tall ceilings, and granite surfaces, alongside features such as in-unit washers and dryers present in the fully furnished units.
The current owners, Ben and Martha Penrod, have held the pub since 2019. However, they have not released any statements addressing the recent license suspension or outlining potential future plans for the establishment. Moxie Real Estate is the agency handling the listing, but they did not respond to inquiries about the sale at the time of publication.
The ongoing circumstances surrounding Flanagan’s Irish Pub bring to light significant concerns related to financial management within the establishment. As the liquor license suspension is in effect, the future operations and community presence of the pub remain uncertain. The situation marks a notable development in downtown Grand Rapids’ local dining and entertainment scene.
As FLanagan’s pub continues its journey towards a sale, the community watches closely to see how this beloved venue may evolve or if it will ultimately reopen under new management.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Downtown Grand Rapids Irish Pub Listed for $4M
- WZZM13: Flanagan’s Irish Pub Liquor License Suspended
- Hoodline: Flanagan’s Irish Pub Closes After Liquor License Suspended
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: Downtown Grand Rapids Pub Hits the Market
- WoodTV: West Michigan St. Patrick’s Day Events
- Wikipedia: Flanagan’s Irish Pub
- Google Search: Flanagan’s Irish Pub
- Google Scholar: Flanagan’s Irish Pub
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flanagan’s Irish Pub
- Google News: Flanagan’s Irish Pub
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
