M-brew
177 Vester Ave, Ferndale, MI, 48220
M-brew Menu
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Address :
177 Vester Ave
Ferndale, MI, 48220 - Phone (248) 542-2739
- Website https://mbrew.bizsitemanager.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 11:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster, Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Chris J.
This place was really cool. Imagine a pretty cool old house that your grandparents may have once owned. You have the white fence out front, a large porch to sit on, and when you walk in the door you have the living room and fire place. Now add 20+ Michigan taps, pretty tasty pizza, a slew of local foods and flair, and a "basement" that could be confused for a man cave. This is a brief overview but in the end a pretty awesome spot that you should check out.
(4)Steph P.
Awesome place - great staff!! The manager even helped me fix my flat tire. He was very helpful and nice. Place is on the small side, but it's very cozy.
(5)Ben O.
If you like drinking a beer in a coffee house, with children running up and down the stairs than this is the place for you. I on the other hand don't like drinking around small children. Nor have I ever been to Starbucks or caribou and thought I could go for a beer. It's just a weird vibe. I love beer. And this place does have a great selection of beer on tap. But they should probably tell you anything about the beers like every other place like this does. One eyed betty's, ale Mary's, etc. Like perhaps what the hell kind of beer it is. Or the ibus. Or anything at all besides the alcohol content.
(3)Frank Z.
This place has an impressive offering of indie brews, nice and frothy, make sure you wipe your mouth off or your friends will think you have rabies, trust me, I know what Im talking about! If you like pinball AND beer (I suppose you could like them both individually as well, a pinball lover but a beer hater or a beer lover and a pinball hater. If you are like that you are boring) then this is the place to be in Ferndale, believe me, I know what Im talking about! M-brew has an impressive selection of pinball machines that are activated by a few quarters. Apparently some pretty talented players frequent this place because the replays are challenging and it's real challenging to enter your initials on the board (trust me, I know what Im talking about!). This place is really chilled out, good for groups and good if you want to be left alone. Ill be back, man! Oh yea, they have delicious looking food also.
(5)Maureen M.
Another great spot for Ferndale. There is not shortage of craft beer options in the area. I'm happy about that! I like that it's on a side street, which isn't too busy. I haven't spent any time on the 1st floor, but it seems like a good spot to hang if you like pinball machines. Upstairs is kind of cozy with a fireplace. They have a pretty good draft list. I've always found a good variety and new beers to try. Staff has always been helpful and friendly. I've eaten dinner here one time. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and fries. The pulled pork was pretty standard. The fries were great. Full of spice, even a little hot. I could've eaten the whole basket! I'm looking forward to visiting M-Brew in the summer!
(4)Angela S.
We come here to see Bethany! And to drink awesome beer (and homemade root beer) of course! There is always an awesome selection of beers to choose from, whether you have a local favorite or are wanting to try something new! My friends and I also gather here to watch sports games when they are on! Theres a nice flat screen in the main bar area up top, and a HUGE screen in the back where the pinball machines are. Lots of seating you can move around if your party is fairly large. They also have pizza and some other food items. We've tried the pizza and it was pretty good!
(5)Joe B.
Really the only time I like coming here is when it's dead...like on a Sunday morning at 9 am. I can grab a slice of some of their pretty amazing breakfast pizza, a beer and hang out by the fire. I'd avoid the breakfast sandwiches...they were dry and hard but the pizza was whip. When it's slow the game room is fun, when it's busy it's kind of a nightmare. The shuffleboard isn't well taken care of and there isn't anything to wipe it down with or sand to add to it so it takes the fun out of playing since it's kind of jacked-up. Otherwise, they have plenty of other games to play. It's a decent stop for a quick beer on a Friday night but I haven't wanted to stay here very long. The crowd can be pretty hit or miss.
(3)Kevin O.
This place was really crowded, which is usually a good sign. But considering the lack of organization or seating this made for a lot of people awkwardly standing around. This included people standing in front of arcade machines they weren't even using. The food looked like nasty bowling alley food, but the pastries were delicious looking (I got a cannoli and it was, in fact, delicious) but a little pricey. The drink selection was great: all michigan beers, ciders, meads, and wines. A lot of good ones too. However they serve everything, including the wines, in clear plastic cups. That's so you can look as classy as possible sitting next to the fireplace in the corner. The game selection was pretty weak. The ATM charges you $3 to use it, so make sure you have cash. There were a lot of pinball machines, but most people don't care about pinball machines. There was a knock-off street fighter that sucked. There was one machine that had Pacman, Ms Pacman, and Galaga all in one machine. That was a great machine, except that everyone wanted to play on that one because all of the other ones were dumb. The best options there were the bubble hockey table and the shuffleboard table which aren't even arcade games. But despite all of these disappointments we still had a really good time and may return someday.
(3)Albert K.
This place has become one of my favorites. It is like Chuck E. Cheese's for adults without the polish of Dave & Busters. The atmosphere and set up are unique and fun. It is like going to a friends house, but with better beer. Certainly, a great change of pace from the usual sports bars, pubs and modern mixology bars you find in Ferndale. It is a house with a cafe and bar on the first floor and a solid game room in the basement. Any place that has bubble top hockey is top notch in my book, but this place also has pizza and a nice selection of craft beer and baked goods. It also has a nice full blown shuffleboard as well. If you are out and about in Ferndale, M-Brew should definitely be on your list of stops.
(4)Peggah G.
I'm not sure whether to give this place 3 or 4 stars. Maybe by the time I'm done with my review I'll have a better idea. When my friend told me about this place, I thought it was going to be like a barcade. I met my friends upstairs, and it felt like a ski lodge with Michigan beers. I got a soft pretzel which was pretty good, but not amazing. When we went downstairs, it felt like... a basement. It felt like your cool uncle's basement who had been collecting games.There were some children there on a Friday night, so I didn't get a real barcade vibe. They had shuffleboard, some pinball games and some classic arcade games, but nothing really enticed me. The tables and stools were kind of wobbly. I knocked into the table about 3 times spilling drinks. I'm not sure if I'll make an effort to visit this place again.
(3)Ali L.
Great selection of craft beer, and vintage arcade games in the basement, as well as an awesome shuffleboard! I was visiting college friends that live there now. M-brew was the perfect place for a reunion!
(4)Susan F.
Great pizza. Got the Detroit style crust. Good craft beer selection and lots of Made In Michigan products. Nice place to relax and hang out in a Up North kinda vibe.
(5)Nick M.
This place reminded me of Olive Garden: I couldn't figure out whether I was enjoying myself or not. First off, the place looks like a huge house that was turned into a bar. The upstairs is a lot nicer than the downstairs, almost presenting a tropical-type feel with all the wood and chairs. It's probably really fun in the summertime. The downstairs is more open and less bells and whistles; it boasts a wide range of pinball machines and old arcade games (Galaga, anyone?!), along with one bathroom for each sex. That can become problematic on weekends because there are no bathrooms upstairs. The beer selection is vast. From Shorts to Founders to Dragonmead and more, you can get your porter or IPA or stout as you wish. The prices vary, as some beers cost $5.50 while others cost $8. I'm not sure how the pricing works but I would definitely look closely at the chalkboard by the register if you're concerned. Alas, any craft beer fan would be quite thrilled with the selection. I played pinball for a few minutes. One thing that sucks is that there is nowhere to put your drink, which can be inconvenient. I don't know ...it's a cool place to hang out and throw back some beers, but I wouldn't ever hang out here for hours. It's laid back but lacks overall character that distinguishes other establishments from their counterparts.
(3)Michele A.
Was looking forward to trying this place out, what a disappointment. We walked in on a weekday not busy at all. We looked around and then went to the counter having to push through a group of friends chatting with the server. We asked for a menu she just pointed to a pile of papers. We sat down to take a look at the menu and decided on a pizza and beers. My husband went to order from the counter at this point there were 5 people crowding the counter. The server sees him and ignores he is standing there just to continue to laugh and giggle with her friends. He stood there trying to get closer to the counter but got no attention. I said forget this and we walked out without anyone noticing us at all. I reccomend unless you know the servers to avoid this place.
(1)Ronald v.
Walk-up bar, but in this case only with good craft beer. Big Arcade downstairs if you're into playing games. Nice wrap-around porch for summer time. Limited but growing food menu. Beer is served plastic cups, which is the only downside to this place, but you get used to it....and at least they're not red Solo cups :-)
(4)Mark C.
Like the feel of the place... Plenty of Michigan products and lots of local craft beer choices... Had the veggie pastie... Tasty but a bit dry ... Kind of surprised a place such as this doesn't have a veggie gravy option... Would be s nice touch
(4)Andi O.
We stopped in Saturday evening to check out M-brew and loved it! I assume the M is for Michigan as that seems to be the theme, and they do it well. Great selection of craft beers. You can get a beer flight, called a brew-ski, and it's served on a cute wooden platter that looks like skis. We also had a Detroit style deep dish pizza, and it was delicious. After our pizza fix, we headed downstairs to the old-school arcade and had a blast playing Ms. Pac Man and Frogger. It was a fun, relaxed atmosphere with friendly people. We will be back soon.
(5)Sarah R.
This is one of my new favorite bars. Coffee house, meets beer arcade. Stopped here on a Saturday night as part of date night with 2 other couples. The upstairs you walk up and order and then you can head down stairs to where the fun begins!! First, the ordering part: They have about 20-30 different michigan beers on tap. I opted for a "brewski" it was a mini shot ski, that I was able to try 4 different beers. I like the fact that they feature michigan microbrewers and have a rotating menu. It you have a favorite microbrew, they have a "mailbox" that you can submit requests. They also offered pizza, we had previously eaten at a different resturant, but from the looks of it, it looked delicous! Something to try in the future. We did get a snack tho, it was some Carmely, popcorn puffs, i could get addicted to them. Next, the arcade! They have several pinball machines, one shuffle board table, 2 dart boards, and a hockey table. Lots to do. Great for a group of friends. Made me feel like a kid again. We went on a Saturday night around 10pm, there 2 as a steady flow of people but we were able to play a few games of shuffle board and pinball. Be sure to bring quarters to play pinball!
(5)Suzzette M.
Pros & Cons as with any review. I can't decide if I like or dislike this place. Pro's: They have a great beer selection. When we visited, it wasn't like 12 IPA's, 1 Hefe, and 1 Stout. There was a nice variety of styles. Most priced very well. The look of this place is great! It is bright, warm, and welcoming. A few TV's to catch the game. Cool record jukebox, darts, and shuffleboard table. ATM and Change machine on-site. Hot pretzel with beer cheese was really good. Con's I said above, most beers are priced very well. This is true, but there are a few that were pretty sky high. The games in the beercade, there are about 20 machines. Mainly pinball which is ok with me. But on the day of our visit, 3 were not working, 1 took my money, and 2 more reset in the middle of a game. :-/ Sort of a bummer. Food is a bit over-priced. $5.95 for a basket of fries. $3+ for a small hot pretzel and cheese (it was good tho!). Pizza (that we saw) looked like it had been under a warming light for a while. This place is pretty cool, I will probably be back for a beer, but not food.
(3)Michael H.
Great beer selection and atmosphere. A fun place to hangout and play old school video games, pinball and shuffleboard, or chill outside on the patio area. The pizza was great too.
(4)Christine S.
I have been here on 3 occasions so far and each of them have been quite pleasant. I did like it better when the weather was nicer so you could sit outside and check out the people passing by. Nothing like a nice cold beer on a warm sunny day..perfecto! I've played the gamut of video games they have there-Love me some Burger Time and Ms Pacman while listening to the juke box, rocking out to some 80's jams. The beer pricing is all over the place..I tend to pick what I like from the cheaper side of the menu. Not interested in spending $11 for a glass of beer. I did sample a slice the other day. I love it when the pepperoni curls up into crispy disks of greasy gems. So good! I can see why the place could be hit or miss. They rearranged the basement again and added a bar that serves liquor (not one person ventured to it all night). There is still a lot of wasted space where they could add more tables down there. A lot of people were standing there just waiting to get a seat. I like it-it's convenient, it's fun, it's something to do.
(4)Adam S.
I wasn't sure what to expect as the website offered very little information. I like the fact that there's a better beer bar sitting in a neighborhood! The beer selection is fantastic. Michigan's craft beer scene is heavily represented here, but I'm not a huge fan of the $10 pours. I'd rather see all of the taps run $4-$6 as I just don't see the value in offering a $10 beer, but I suppose others may be buying these. The food menu is limited, but what I tried was very good. The pretzels and fresh cut fries hit the spot for an afternoon snack, and of course, both went well with the beer. I'd like to try a pizza next time, but I'm not sure if we'll be coming back... The basement was cool; full of vintage arcade games and pinball machines. I did read on their website that they had a vintage arcade, but I wasn't quite sure what that meant as they didn't mention specific machines. I suppose now, just about any arcade cab or pinball machine is "vintage", but were they more 70's or 80's machines or did they have some machines from the 90's too? I was a little disappointed to see that the arcade cabs were from the 70's and 80's. Centipede, Donky Kong, Galaga etc... It would have really been cool to have an NBA Jam, Street Fighter, Gauntlet or Mortal Kombat machine. I'd go through countless quarters if that were the case. I was also surprised to see that a lot of the machines were $0.50 and up to play. Vintage games, but not vintage prices. There are also a few dart boards, shuffle board, a 40ish inch HD TV and an old Jukebox down there. It was cozy enough, and it had decent atmosphere, but it didn't have the arcade vibe. It felt more like someone's rec room or a community center. The upstairs was really cool; it was remodeled into more of a lodge. Really good work; great use of the space! We didn't spend much time upstairs, but I'd like to go hang out one day. I was disappointed in the basement, so maybe if there is a next time, we'd just spend it up stairs. The guy manning the counter upstairs was nice (not sure if he's really a bar tender?) and offered help for folks that couldn't pick a beer. I saw some kitchen staff, but that's about it. He ran the whole place though and did a good job, so I'd say the service was good. Not being able to run a tab didn't bother me, but I was disappointed in the arcade. I hope they expand on the games and maybe consider lowering the prices of the machines to a quarter. I'd love to come back and give them a second chance, but there are so many other places to try and I wasn't exactly "wowed". There's a ton of space in the basement for more; lots of potential here, I just hope the operators realize what they're missing and expand a bit.
(3)Linda S.
Michigan only bar! Its awesome and much much roomier inside than it looks outside. The beer recommendation was good too. The basement is like sometimes awesome game room. Darts, tv, plenty of pin ball. it. I'd also not on Woodward which i like. I dig it.
(5)Samantha R.
Ive been here a few times and i must say... If you are looking for a chill hangout spot, to do homework, a casual date, meeting or interview... Skip starbucks and head to mbrew. Im in love! Its spewing with fun and character and the people are awesome. They have coffee, tea and over 30 Michigan beers on tap. I had the chili and jalapeno corn bread today and i will say it was probably one of the best ive ever had in my life. Stop in sometime if your looking for a spot to chill... You wont be disappointed
(5)Chelsea G.
Next time you are craving a taste of all the greatness Michigan has to offer, you can skip the cross state road trip and just head to Ferndale. M-Brew offers a "grab and go" or "hot to order" menu of the Great Lakes state's finest products. Think Pasties, Pinconning Pizza made with Michigan cheese and flour, 30 Michigan beers on tap, Traverse City cherry & beef brisket chili and Bavarian Style Frankenmuth fried chicken. This place is sure to give you your Made in Michigan fix! As we watched pizzas flow out, we enjoyed our beer sampling (four samples for $8). You can get a 16oz. Shorts Lager for under $4 or a New Holland Dragon's Milk for about $10... with 30 great beers on tap as well as some great Michigan wines, all your drinking needs are taken care of. Check out the menu for a peak into all the yummy Michigan themed food and drink they have to offer. Dino's Lounge owner, Dean Bach, created an environment at M-Brew for all. The laid back atmosphere (beer is served in plastic cups and you order food and drinks at the counter) is family friendly and the perfect place to grab some food & drink with your friends. There's a large wrap around patio to enjoy during the warm weather months and plenty of space to get comfy once the cold weather comes in. It is important to mention that M-Brew opens early for coffee and breakfast, but stays open late for beer, pizza and arcade games.
(5)Nick S.
Great atmosphere. Front room with tables, fire place, and order counter. The back room is full of pinball machines, arcade games, and a large shuffle board table. The beer selection is very large. I tried the pulled pork on a pretzel bun. It was literally a pile if pulled pork! It was very good and they have a couple of different BBQ sauces to try. Only down side is the size of the place. It can get a little crowded when it's busy but other than that it awesome.
(5)Jesda G.
It's like a bar with a coffee shop vibe. Come for the beer, stay for the pizza, games, and friendly service.
(5)Mike M.
Very cool place. Awesome beer selection, and all of the food we tried (pasties, wings, fries, thumb doggy) was very good-the pizza looked great too. I look forward to my next visit.
(5)Erin G.
A nice place, but I don't really get it. Seems super unfocused to me. A craft beer place? A retail store? An arcade? A restaurant? A cafe? All of the above? It's very cabin-like/ "Up North-y" on the inside. Cool and different vibe. It's kind of unclear where to go, and if you want to eat it's not clear how it works (hint: order at the counter). The menu, if you can call it that, isn't cohesive in the least. I guess the theme here is Michigan, but that isn't enough. I had a pasty, which was pretty delicious, but the experience was lessened by cheap plastic forks that were barely functional. I mean. Just spring for some better forks, honestly. It was served in one of those red plastic baskets lined with waxy paper, which promptly disintegrated when I added the gravy. It's totally fine to be casual in how you're serving food, but it needs to be functional too. I'd rather not be eating paper. They have all kinds of Michigan retail food stuff. Also a cooler of some ready-made sandwiches, baked goods, and other miscellaneous snacks. And tshirts. It's a nice idea, but the execution is lacking. I imagine the deck would be pretty great in the summer--that's the thing I could see going back for.
(3)Rebecca C.
I have been to MBrew twice now - the first time for dinner, the second for a beer. Here's the breakdown: The good: the beer selection (Soft Parade for $5.51? Yes please!) The old school video games in the basement (QBert! Burger Time! A Kiss pinball machine!) The friendly staff. Here's the bad: um...everything else. I really, REALLY want to love this place. It's 4 blocks from my house. They focus on Michigan made products. It's owned by Dino, from Dino's Lounge, who makes my favorite brunch in Ferndale. The counter is crazy disorganized; there are no lines, so to speak; everyone is just barking their orders at the poor servers, who are doing the best to keep up with the crowd. When I went there for dinner, I ordered the Frankenmuth chicken (a favorite of mine). They were out of white meat. No big deal, I like dark meat, too. When they brought it out, that's all I got for my $7 - two pieces of chicken. No sides, no plate(!) - just two pieces of chicken in a bag. And while the chicken was good, it wasn't Frankenmuth chicken - just regular fried chicken. Oh, and they were out of my first two choices of beers too - at 8 pm. Bummer. So overall, I think it's a fun place to go have a beer and play some video game, but I might hold off on dinner there, for now.
(2)Carole H.
M-brew has the beers, for sure. And good ones. If you can't find a beer you like here, you probably aren't going to find one anywhere. But...the overall experience is lacking. I like how a previous reviewer put it - it feels like a coffee shop that serves beer. You walk up to a counter in the brightly lit room, and there's a chalkboard menu above with all the beer selections laid out in colorful writing. You order at the counter, pay at the counter, and then carry your drinks yourself to whatever table you choose to sit at. So much of what I love about a place is based on staff and service, and this model allows for only a fast, bar minimum, divided-by-the-counter experience. There's no opportunity to really ask questions, banter about the selections, etc - at least not without holding up the line of people behind you. The upstairs is open, airy, and leading out to a number of outdoor porch seats. The downstairs is a large space full of arcade games and big screen tvs, and feels a little like you're hanging in the church social hall. It's in a good location right off the hoppin' 9 and Woodward intersection. I like that they've repurposed an old VFW hall. But it's still a little too casual, hall-like feel to me when I was wishing for something a little warmer, a little more intimate. If I'm drinking - be it beer or otherwise - I like to feel like I'm in a bar environment. Maybe that's just not the angle they wanted, which is fair enough. Beer connoisseurs who are coming strictly for the brews will probably love it here. And business appeared to be booming for them, which is great. But as for me, it just wasn't quite my thing.
(3)Mike B.
I got the pizza and it seemed like the kind you get at the Gibraltar Trade Center, I wasn't pleased with the quality.
(2)Bridget S.
This is our favorite chill bar. We love the rotating taps and relaxed atmosphere. My husband calls it a "grown up frat house." I was pretty surprised to learn that they have their own pastry chef.... the sweets are great.
(4)Karen B.
I'd heard about this place from friends and based on those reviews, didn't think it would be a fit for me. I decided to reconsider when I read the glowing review in the November 2014 Hour Detroit magazine. After I visited, it didn't surprise me that none of the photographs featured an image of the full cafe area, which would have clued me in to the atmosphere. They also didn't mention that the pizza is ready-made and sitting in a glass display, under a heat lamp. If they had pizza to order, I couldn't tell from the hard-to-read menu. Considering other offerings in Ferndale and nearby RO, I don't see the draw here. Yes, it's casual. Yes, it's a coffee/beer joint. The beers weren't cheap: upwards of $7 a plastic cup (and at the time we visited, didn't have one hefeweizen offering), the food was sub-par and the atmosphere was awkward. Everything's throwaway here: cups, utensils, and plates. The main purpose of this review is to bring to the owner's attention the need for reorganization of the interior signage and menu. The beer sign should be behind the order counter for ease of viewing while patrons are standing in line deciding what they want, not overhead of those waiting in line. The hand-held menu should be supplemented with a behind-the-counter menu board. Incorpoate a 2-for-1 idea into a large chalkboard divided into two spaces, one for beer offerings, one for food. For detail, patrons can refer to the printed menu. Which brings me to the last item on my list of improvements, the printed menu: KISS. 1. Utilize a graphic designer to overhaul the menu layout. There is too much to process and it is not organized properly. Needs to be easier on the eye and this is easily accomplished. 2. Scrap the plastic laminated menus. Consider half-sheet/double-sided paper printouts. Have them in a couple of places around the cafe in easy to see stands. Toss what gets dirtied. It can't be that much more expensive to have clean, easy-to-read menus on hand to replace daily (just don't use 16 or 20 # white copy paper stock). We didn't know that the food menu was laying flat on the counter. The positives: It is probably the warmest place we have been served in a long time. We cozied up to the natural gas fireplace during a cold autumn's eve and were very comfortable. I can't imagine, tho, that the cafe will stay warm for long in the winter with the front French door opening and closing all the time; two patrons left the door open when they walked out. I think the arcade is a very unique aspect to this venue. Would love to see a place like this join The Fly Trap as being more "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" -centric. We want you to stick around but also set the bar just a little bit higher with some do-able tweaks.
(2)Steve M.
They have a great beer selection (lots of Michigan brews) and a really good collection of pinball and arcade games. As of 1/2/1015 all the pinball machines were in perfect condition. They also have bowling and golden tee, both of which are online. I really happy I made a visit to this place. If you are in the Detroit area I highly recommend coming to M-Brew.
(5)Andrew E.
I come to M-brew every so often for their amazing breakfast pizza, which they advertise as selling by the slice until 10am. Unfortunately, it seems like they make one pizza and if that one runs out they wait until someone else comes by asking for a slice to make another pizza. I want to support local businesses, and I love their pizza - but I don't have time to wait for a pizza to bake in the morning on the way to work! I already am coming out of my way to drop by, they need to have consistently available slices in the morning.
(3)Cari M.
I'm so happy for another amazing Ferndale establishment. Great Michigan beer selection. I always try and stick to MI booze when I go out anyway so I appreciate a place encouraging our state's economy! I can't wait to try some of the pastries ... Cake pops, pie pops. I also look forward to stopping in for breakfast. This is a great addition to the neighborhood with the basement arcade, laid back vibe. I'm glad to see it already having great success, too. The very friendly employee I spoke to told me about how busy they constantly are, woohoo! I imagine this will grow into a downtown Ferndale staple. They did create a one of a kind atmosphere- amidst all the other bars/restaurants they found something Ferndale didn't even realize it was lacking and created it beautifully. It is pricey... Which might be the only thing that would hold me back from a 5 star review.
(4)Alycia P.
I've lived in Ferndale for the past 4 years now, and it seems as if new, cool places to grab a drink keep popping up. This one for sure takes the cake. Not only does it make you feel like a kid again (hanging out with friends and family on a porch on a summer night), it makes you proud that all of the deliciousness served there is actually made in Michigan! Because it was the old VFW hall, looks like a house, and is right next door to homes in Ferndale, walking up to it makes you feel a bit like an insider... knowing that this cool place exists in the middle of a neighborhood. The pizza is delicious, best Detroit Style Pizza I've had in a very long time. I LOVE the fact that you can bring your dog here and have a drink on the porch. Ferndale is filled with dog owners, and this is an ideal place to stop off at after work with the husband, the dogs, and to relax and just recoup.
(5)juston m.
i like it here and want to like it more. the beer selection and pricing is great. they have rotating michigan brews mostly under 5 dollars. the atmosphere is great. there is outdoor, open air and arcade seating and the arcade has a selection of 80s pinball and games like burger time and ms pac man. however, there are some early business problems. i've been twice and there has been way too much staff with nothing to do. in fact the staff is kinda in your way. the line to order a beer can be long and could benefit from separate beer and food lines. the jukebox is inaudible. you seriously cannot hear it. and the food is subpar. the pizza is not good. i think they can be great though. the place has a really great layout. the staff is very nice and they have a great selection of beer and free shuffleboard. hopefully they iron out some of the wrinkles. and i will be back love, juston
(3)Katie B.
This is one of my favorite bars in Ferndale. The staff is wonderful and knowledgable. The setup of the place is cool, although there isn't enough seating for the busy weekend nights. I definitely recommend it for a weeknight beer or daytime weekend stop. I've enjoyed all the food I've ordered here (pasties, pizza) and I love how the beer menu is constantly changing. I will be coming here often!
(5)Liza S.
Great service! Great food! Me and my husband walked in and up to the counter and said it was our first time here and asked how does this work? The bartender lady behind the counter was VERY nice and explained everything. We had a couple beers while we waited for our pizza. The pizza was crazy good!!!!
(5)Chris T.
Writing negative reviews is not something I believe in, but I feel necessary to point out how much waste M-Brew produces. All dinner ware is throwaway and non reusable. The food and experience was not good either. However the atmosphere is great and this place has some real potential. After standing in line and trying to figure out the ordering process we are handed a number for our table. We select a table outside and chose to try a baked burger wrap. We waited what seemed like a very long time with no one checking on us, to the point where we thought maybe there aren't any servers and we have to get the food ourselves. I go upstairs to see if they forgot about my party and they hand me a stack of cardboard boxes. Everything here is throw away: Plastic utensil and I find most offensive plastic cups for good beer. Trying to stay positive we dig into our meal what seemed to be hamburger helper with mustard inside lots of dough. Was a bit gross.
(2)Hannah D.
I love this place. Great beer. I usually get the cider and they always have at least one. They will let you sample the beers before you buy. If you like pizza and pasties then your set for food. I wish they had veggie hot dogs because then I would never need to go anywhere else. They have lots of fun games and the staff is always friendly and helpful.
(5)Derek F.
Another place I really wanted to like, but it was only so-so. After reading some reviews on yelp I was geeked to ck out M-brew. But I thought the place was kind of weird, The place is set up weird from ordering the beer and food at the one little spot at the counter, to the table set up and the plastic ware. And I was a little disappointed with the game selection, I wanted more vintage arcade games. Then there's the food, we tried ribs, pizza,chicken, frys a salad and the kids wanted hot dogs. It was all just ok the pizza was probably my least favorite too much cheese and under cooked. The beer selection if your in to craft beer and growlers was good. But they need more of a bar area to sell and pour the drinks, use some real plates, and get more vintage games back. Clean and wipe the tables more. So this place is not without its flaws. Only 2 stars for now. But I will be back. Sorry no pics
(2)Aaron C.
Five stars for actually having some of the best 1990s pinball machines. Most are in great working order except theater of magic which has it's chest stuck but still can detect when you hit it, though obviously you cannot shoot into it or hit the magnet to start multiball. This is sad because it's their second best machine in my opinion behind attack from mars. The beers are good. Interesting way of getting service to keep costs down. It's like Starbucks. Nice atmosphere. Interesting art on the wall. Dining tables upstairs and old school arcade downstairs. Fair prices on arcade machines. They have a coin dispenser as they should. *in re to theater of magic; you may be able to start multiball by striking the chest even though it's not working right. I didn't play it myself I was watching a friend.
(5)Wendy W.
You had me at beer... I absolutely love this place! Beer, pinball, video games, and food...I couldn't ask for more. Yes, M-Brew does things a tad bid differently than other places, but I'm okay with that. Paying as I go and finding my own seat don't bother me. It's a cafe after all, not a full service restaurant. I typically check beermenus.com before I go, to find out what's currently on tap, so I don't hold up the line trying to decide. Pros: you get to try beers you've never even heard of the staff are super friendly there are great food options PINBALL! video games you can drink beer on the porch or patio there's wine available for your non-beer-drinking friends Cons: none worth mentioning :-)
(5)Maya G.
I really want to love this place, but I was there on a Sunday morning and they had one source of music playing in the main area and then another playing downstairs. Both were at a pretty high volume, and since the two rooms are connected it was a pretty unpleasant cacophany. Maybe later in the day when the place is filled with people it's not so bad, but on a Sunday morning it was pretty awful.
(2)Ryan B.
Good Michigan beer selection; lousy food. The night my friends and I were there, they were out of hamburgers. I would have preferred KFC over their Frankenmuth chicken. It was greasy, flavorless and some of us got breasts the size of thighs. The pizza is a little below average. For some reason they add a yellow/orange cheese to the mozzarella.
(2)Jason R.
First time customer, unique style business. Very cozy feel inside and lots of good craft beer. If you go downstairs there is an arcade style game room. Pretty cool, not sure why you need around 10 pinball machines but hey it was cool. Full size table shuffle board was cool. Overall good experience and would recommend.
(4)Melissa M.
Fun place! It's a great place to hang out and chill for the night if you want to be low key. Not much to offer food wise, but the kraft beer selection was pretty good.
(3)Dawn K.
REALLY REALLY fun. On a warm sunny day you can sit on the patio , watch bikes roll by, enjoy a cold beverage, and swear you're in Key West. (ok minus the palm trees) Great place! Good job guys.
(4)Cristina T.
Love this place! Friendly service, great coffee and excellent beer. I haven't tried the food yet but it looks awesome, and I'm a fan of the assortment of dips, rubs, t-shirts and merchandise. ALSO AN ARCADE in basement-- such a good idea. This place is my new Ferndale favorite.
(5)S M.
Went to M-brew, after leaving Valentine Vodka. The place seemed like a different concept and I was excited to try it out. However, plastic cups, one male and female bathroom and the feeling like you were at a Cracker Barrel gift shop... No thank you. A game of pinball was fun, but not enough to make me want to come back.
(2)john d.
I think this place is a blast, and a welcome change of pace for Ferndale! Those who don't like the layout/style of the joint don't seem understand the concept. It's supposed to elicit hazy childhood memories of the camp stores, arcades, and party stores we frequently haunted in our formative years (talking to you, x-y-z'ers). If you want table service, go to a restaurant! This is a place you can unwind on the porch at your own pace, and have a bite with your Michigan brew if you so choose (and it's all pretty reasonably priced by Ferndale standards). You can also round it out with a few old school arcade cabs/pinball machines with friends. Yes, some if the machines have been out of order every time I've been there, and that's authentically true to form of the old arcades -- oh the nostalgia! People can't seem to tolerate the slightest inconveniences any more. Life must be incredibly frustrating for some. The retro selections on the juke are a fun touch. And the pizza is pretty delish if you ask me, featuring a Detroit style crust with gobs of Pinconning cheese. I suppose if you're used to pizza hut and dominos cardboard cheese discs, I would understand you wouldn't enjoy a fresh baked pie here. So don't expect to be waited on hand and foot, but expect to have a great time without spending too much and mix it up a bit outside of the trendy restaurant/bar scene.
(5)Jay N.
I like this place. It feels like a coffee house that serves craft Positives -The michigan beer selection was good and the staff member I talked to was decently knowledgable about them. -I love that they fill growlers. -the arcade games were great (Johnny Nmeumonic pinball anyone?) -air conditioning was blasting(it was very hot that day and I am FAAAAATTTT!) -porch day drinking cannot be beat -michigan products were a good addition Negatives -the dart boards were crappy. They were old, difficult to start up and the darts were in bad shape, I'd rather have a pool table or 1-shot basketball although those r kinda noisey -the counter/ordering seemed confusing. Although I did not eat, it seemed like there was allot of food available but not a cohesive menu to order off of. Like going to someone's house and they "what do you want to drink?" And you have no clue what they have. So you're like "I'll just have water" Then you sit down with your water and your friend cracks open a grape fanta and you're like "dammit I should have held out" -when you read this last part remember that I really do like this place. It seems like this place was allot of different "things." The fact that it's everything, makes me feel like it wouldn't be a destination for me. When I want craft beer I go to Betty's, when I want ice cream I go to treat dreams. It's a place to go to hang out when nothing else sounds better because I can't put my thumb on exactly why I should come here.
(4)Elliott B.
It's fun to get a beer and play in the arcade but the food has yet to catch my eye. There are no servers but instead you order from the counter which the line can get long at peak times. Plus they have no glassware and everything is in plastic cups, a bit bizarre.
(3)Tyler M.
Decent beer, great pizza and most importantly, awesome arcade game selection. Had a great night and talked to the neighbors who are super nice and welcoming
(5)Ashley W.
Went there for the first time tonight. It was a cool concept, the bar looked like a house though but I do like the laid back atmosphere. I wasn't too crazy about the no table service thing but it was something different to experience for a random Friday night. The old school arcade is a pretty cool addition but my favorite pinball machine was not working correctly (theater of magic) so it needs to be fixed (especially since this place hasn't even been open a month and the games are already not in working order? Come on now; get your crap together. But anyways, the bathrooms are down stairs so if you have someone who is handicapped in your party this may not be the place for you... Also the bathrooms are one person at a time so that also sucks when you really gotta go lol but the beer selection was nice and I love the fact that they support michigan businesses and sell michigan made products, especially pasties, my mother is a yooper so I love me some pasties!
(3)Joe B.
As a lover of Michigan I really love the concept of this new spot in Ferndale. Everything in this place is Michigan made from the delicous made from scratch food to the retail and lets not forget the 30 craft beers, wine and coffee. The pizza seems to be a mix between a thick and thin crust and features Pinconninig cheese. I thought the pizza was good but what stole the show at dinner was the Frankenmuth Seasoned fried chichen with mashed potatoes and gravy. So good. I am really looking forward to trying their pasties, BBQ ribs and everything else they offer. The patio is awesome and the retro arcade games, pinball machines and shuffle board is a great touch. Hoping the bubble hockey gets fixed soon (yes they have bubble hockey). Super friendly staff and great location. I could sit on the porch all day. Great addition to Ferndale and i already know where I will be doing most of my Chirstmas shopping as they offer MIchigan shaped wicker gift baskets filled with Michigan products of your choice and of course growlers and howlers.
(5)Mindy B.
I recently threw my husband a surprise 30th birthday party in the arcade here. Everything went perfectly! The staff, particularly Nicole the manager, was EXTREMELY kind and helpful the entire time and made sure everything went smoothly. We had a lot of people and ordered a lot of pizza/beer, and they handled everything with not a single misstep. The food was fantastic, the cost was totally reasonable, and the games were a huge hit. Don't waste your money at a big chain like Dave & Busters or something like that... stay local, save money and have more fun having your next party here!!
(5)casper ray r.
If you don't love pinball and craft beer you're a fool. The pins are relatively dialed, which is a rarity. This place deserves your support. Obviously some good players in the area based on the scores. If I lived in the area this would be a replay hang out.
(5)Rachele M.
Although I love the idea behind this place and am a huge fan of ferndale, I'm mixed on this new place. First, it's cafeteria style where you order and get a number - I tend to like a personal server. Secondly, the food all is delivered in "to go" type containers including plastic ware which seems cheap (which the prices are not) and wasteful. Next, the tables in the dining area are all tiny tables for barely enough room for two to sit and enjoy a meal each. On the up side, my hubby enjoyed the pizza, brew-ski and yummy fries. Three of us tried the burger which was a loose burger wrapped in a pizza crust. Good idea and good flavor but seemed doughy. Not sure this would be my go to place while in ferndale next ?!
(3)Christie P.
M Brew is a good alternative to the bar seen, but it's not necessarily a cozy spot. They have tons of beer options though, and I've come during the day for coffee, and it's a good place to work. They have outdoor seating, inside coffee house vibe seating, and downstairs, there is a game room with a more bar type atmosphere.
(3)Jeff H.
The best place I've ever been to. I would get married here. The pizza is the best form of edible substance ive ever had. I would kill someone I loved for saying that it was only ok. Playing lord of the rings pinball was the most fun I've ever had in my life. Going to M Brew will be the best decision you could ever make.
(5)Michael D.
This is a great place, especially to have a group event. They have a MI craft beer expert guy who stands out in the areas and helps people choose the craft beers they may like. They cook amazing pizza and have a nice outside patio, as well as a basement area for large groups with video games from the 80's.
(5)Lisa P.
It's not a restaurant. It's a bar with great snacks! Great Michigan beers, laid back atmosphere, plus coffee. What else could you want?
(5)Amber R.
I was really excited about this place as Ferndale and the area in general has nothing like it. Then they got rid of most of the old video games... So now there is no reason to pick it over Betty's (better food/beverage selection). The patio will probably be great in the summer though.
(2)Alex K.
An imaginary 3.5 for now, but I figure it could end up being four if I come back and eat some food. I came in here on a Monday afternoon for a beer and some pinball (I am clearly an adult). They have quite a few pinball machines, most of which are newer (except Addam's Family). The machines all work well, and seem to all cost 75c for one game, or $2 for three, with the exception of the Wizard of Oz table. Those are pretty standard prices, so not much to say about that. The beers are just priced strangely -- down to the penny, and seem a bit more expensive than most places, but hey, it's Ferndale. I've heard the food is supposed to be pretty good, but I was saving my appetite for Dollar Dogs at Ye Olde Saloon. I like the extensive beer list and the pinball and other arcade machines, but I don't see myself coming here a whole lot just because it costs more for the simple fact that it can. A mile down the road I can go to Ye Olde Saloon and get a decent beer list (smaller than here), some pinball machines (also, fewer than here), and a filling meal for considerably less money. Still, this is a nice place that I could see myself coming to fairly often if I lived in the area. Likely unfair that I'm partially giving M-Brew a fairy-tale 3.5 because I'm a broke ass college kid, so... sorry about that. That's why I rounded up.
(4)Heidi S.
We started coming here for the convenient location by our house and kept coming back for the great rotating Michigan beer selection, nice outdoor seating where we can bring our dog, awesome pizza, and fun arcade style game room in the back! Staff is always very knowledgable of the beer selection and willing to let you sample before ordering. I'm not a big beer drinker so I appreciate this. They also have a small but nice wine selection which I often order from. Menu is pretty unique but we always get the warm pretzels, pizza and salad. Haven't tried many of the other options. Honestly, between the awesome beer and great pizza I don't think they need the other menu items. I would really like to see the pretzel wrapped hot dog with bacon and cheese back on the menu though! So good. Pro tip: Stop by for breakfast! The breakfast pizza is amazing. You can dine in or grab coffee and a slice to go.
(5)Max M.
Sort of a hip place, but it has no vegetarian fare save for 3 sides: mediocre green salad, cole slaw and mac n cheese. After asking about veggie selections, discovered they also have a cheese pizza, but when I asked for 3 slices for the family, the guy taking my order said they only had pepperoni made and he wasn't ready to make a cheese one.....yet. I had to stare at him for a second before I confirmed he would not make a cheese pizza for slices. Seriously? It was barely 6, well w/ in the dinner time, so it was more than likely he would have sold whatever was left. It's not like we asked for an olive and anchovy pizza, that would be harder to sell. So meh. We also don't drink, so the large selection of beer on tap holds absolutely no appeal and w/ relatively no selection in food and not even a minimal effort to accommodate us from the too cool for school server, there is just no reason to go back.
(3)Rebecca B.
Loved this place! At first I thought it was a little weird ordering drinks from a counter..it's like McDonalds, but for beer! But in a good way.. If you're not sure what to order, they kindly allow you a sample taste.. They have converted a cute little bungalow into this personable hangout. Lovely seating all around a wrap around porch and in what was the yard beside the sidewalk. Once you have your beverage, head downstairs for some pinball, shuffleboard or just kick back and watch the tv. Got munchies? No worries! Pizza, and awesome looking baked goods are readily available. My friend couldn't leave without getting one of their gigantic cookies to go! If you're hanging out downtown in Ferndale, for sure make this one of your stops! Oh, and I highly recommend St. Julian's cider on tap, it's my new favorite!! Delish with a capital D!!!!
(4)Lindsay B.
M-brew is an awesome addition to the neighborhood. I love me some pinball and they've got pinball! Score! They have some pretty kick ass old school arcade games, as well as darts and shuffleboard. The arcade portion of M-brew is located on the bottom floor, and it really does feel like you are hanging out in somebody's basement in the best possible way. I don't drink beer but it seems like they have plenty of craft brews on tap. I don't drink coffee but I know they open early for your a.m. fix. They have a small assortment of baked goods and I know they have pizza that looks pretty decent. They also have Ferndalelicious gifts, like mugs and t-shirts. While the pinball is a bit pricier than some other similar arcades I've been to (75 cents a game!), this is a super fun neighborhood hang out spot. Looking forward to spending some more time here this summer.
(3)Craig S.
I have been there for beers and games on pretty much every day during ther week and have been happy. This review is on something different, something special they offer that I do not know of a another place that offers...oh you want to know now... ...oh you crave to know now... ...oh you want to know bad now... I will tell you what they offer that really satisfies !!!!!!!!!!! They have a breakfast pizza !!!!! by the huge slice, or order ahead for a 6 piece medium or a 8 piece large. I have gotten all three to bring into the offer or sometimes being sneaky selfish just for myself lol. It is so good and always ready when I have ordered on time from 7am to ranging from 7:30am. Here is the lowdown on it... Rise & Shine Breakfast Pizza Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage gravy, scallions, and Pinconning cheese blend Go there because it is a Rock'n Two Thumbs Up..just better not take my food lol : ) P.S. been there over 28 times for the breakfast food in 2015
(5)Michael S.
A pretty nice place with a solid selection of craft beer. We stopped in here at the end of a self directed tour. M Brew was a great final stop. There beer selection was wide and deep. Any lover of craft beer will find something and not at outrageous prices. They have a pretty decent menu, though I can't tell you how the food tastes. It might be a destination for both eating and drinking, though. It's in what used to be a house in a Ferndale neighborhood. It's nicely laid out with a good amount of outdoor seating. While you have to line up at a counter, the two servers with a some people behind them to help facilitate the sale make the purchase a fairly quick thing.
(4)Carolyn E.
First, let me say, I'd come back here to have drinks and play games. There's a really cool vibe here, like you're hanging out in your best friend's basement. It is also very reminiscent of an Up North Country Store - lots of Michigan products, treats, and cool gift items in addition to food and drinks. I heard good things about the pizza and I had a craving, so my husband and I stopped in. We ordered a couple of slices and beer. The pizza was meh. Bready, and not much flavor. Perhaps if we had ordered one to take home fresh, it would have been better? I don't like pizza that tastes like bread with pizza stuff on it, and that's basically what this was. The desserts looked amazing, though, so I'd come back. The girls handling the counter were very friendly and the crowd was cool. Family friendly fun. But...if you're looking for a fantastic slice, head to The Loving Touch instead. ;)
(3)Mark D.
This is my most ideal place for a happy hour. I cannot believe it took me this long to end up here. I went last week and was greeted by large picnic tables and a wrap around porch. Perfect. The inside is a wooden paneled ceiling terrace with double doors opening to the porch which is great for near outside drinking. When I say near outside I mean "I like eating outside minus the wind and possible rain". The setup of the restaurant is ordering at the counter followed by getting a number and they bring the food to you. To the beer. Rotating taps. Some familiar michigan beers. Some limited release brews. Some you haven't heard of. You can't go wrong with any of them. Plus plastic cups, in case you have a few too many and get clumsy like me. The food is centered around the pizza. I wouldn't call their "Detroit" style pan pizza but it's not a regular crust. Maybe if regular hand tossed and pan pizza had a child, that would be this pizza. The Piggy Q was phenomenal. Brisket and pulled pork with barbecue sauce. Who needs Slows BBQ anyway? Get at least a slice of this. But the best part is walking through the building down the steps to a paradise of arcade games and pinball machines. If you grew up playing space invaders like me your inner 8 year old is jumping up and down with a Fanta in his hand. Overall a great experience.
(5)Heatherleigh N.
Love this place. First off, it's versatile. I have met colleagues here for a mid-morning business meeting complete with dueling laptops, coffee, and breakfast pizza. I've taken a seven year old to play pinball and have a slice and a root beer. I stop in for a seven am coffee on the way to work, and I've closed the place down with friends out on the porch late at night. And, they deliver, pizza, fried chicken, and even (my favorite) The Brew Burger (just do it, you can thank me later. This place is the ultimate neighborhood joint, and what it lacks in a not-so-expansive menu, it more than makes up for in friendliness. Oh, salad-lovers? Nope, skip it...there is NOTHING for you here.
(5)Jim D.
Went here a couple of times while in town visiting friends. Once with the whole family and another time with just the guys. Laid back place. Had the pizza, pulled pork, and several of the beers on tap. Dino the owner was there, who's a really down to earth, generous guy, and passionate about his restaurant...and bar/lounge (Dino's).
(5)Weston P.
They have a solid beer spread that is updated regularly. Staff has never disappointed me, and their knowledge of their current brews is fairly comprehensive. I would give them 4-stars, but they have a variety of arcade games... freakin arcade games.
(5)Vivette E.
Great seating, but the food was disappointing. It was cafeteria pizza. I would recommend going there for drinks and a desire to be outdoors.
(3)Caleb Y.
Great place to come fill up growlers of your favorite beer! Very happy that this place features only MI draft beer - I mean that really is a no-brainer since there is so much great beer in this state! The food service does not match the quality of the beer service...they have some work to do in that area. However, overall, a cool Michigan-centric beer café! Enjoy....and don't forget to bring your growlers!
(3)Jessica Y.
This is one of my favorite spots in the area. It's so low key and relaxing. The staff is great, I love how friendly they are and they have great recommendations. Also, anywhere where you can go from great coffee to great beer is A-OK in my books! I love the arcade although some of the machines are frequently broken but not enough to ruin the experience....it's never too crowded and I love the renovated space. I wish there was one of these in every town.
(5)Jenna S.
This place was great! An excellent craft beer selection and the staff were more than willing to offer samples/advice. The staff were friendly and laid back. We didn't eat, but the pizza looked great. There were a variety of other foods, all with a Michigan made focus. The whole place had a homey atmosphere. Today we sat on the sunny porch and enjoyed a beer outside. Downstairs there were a variety of pinball games, shuffleboard, darts & other arcade games. Very laid back, great atmosphere, amazing craft bee selection. Best of luck to this new business!
(5)Ashley H.
The place is growing on me, what can I say? They are finally allowing customers to keep a tab. While I wasn't impressed with their food initially, I am hooked on their pretzels. The beer cheese they serve it with is so tasty, you'll want to lick the container when you're through. There still needs to be a better system for keeping your seat. I watched two guys get up with their empty cups in hand and head up to the counter for another beer, only to have their table taken while they were up.
(4)Joanna G.
I really enjoyed my lunch at M Brew. The staff offered samples and recommendations when I said it was my first visit. In the end I picked the pulled pork sandwich, BBQ beans, and fries. The meat was so tender and full of flavor. Our server provided several types of BBQ sauce to try and all had layers of sweet, spice, and heat. The root beer on tap was a great surprise on a hot day. I'll definitely be coming back again!
(5)Liz H.
Went to M-brew last night for the first time. Great atmosphere, delicious pizza, and the games were fun. We'll definitely be back!
(4)Nikki C.
My favorite place in Ferndale. Period.
(5)