New Irish Pub and Restaurant Opens in Saugatuck

Looking for a new spot for dinner and drinks on the lakeshore? A new Irish pub and restaurant opened this week in Saugatuck!

Get our free mobile app

When I visit my Mom in South Haven, we're always looking for new places to try and Saugatuck is just a quick trip away! Butter and Whiskey Pub in downtown Saugatuck looks like an awesome new spot!

Butter and Whiskey bills itself as a "contemporary Irish pub" which "honors reverence to traditional and modern Irish cuisine using modern cooking techniques from cultures all over the world, focusing on the fresh and simple preparation and use of local and sustainable ingredients whenever possible."

If you're curious about the name, the new restaurant has the following quote on their website,

What butter and whiskey does not cure, cannot be cured - Irish Proverb

Right?!

Leading Butter and Whiskey's team is Executive Chef and Operating Partner, Michael Alexander. Alexander was born in Traverse City where he grew up in an Irish-American family and learned traditional cooking methods and a passion for food from his dad, who is also a chef, and in his grandmother's kitchen. Alexander worked in kitchen's in California, where "he fell in love with contemporary California cuisine, and it’s use of local and sustainable products."

Upon his return to Michigan, Alexander worked as an award-winning chef in Traverse City. He eventually moved to Grand Rapids where he met and married his wife Eva and began his tenure as the Executive Chef at the historic Honey Creek Inn. Alexander was honored with numerous awards during his time at Honey Creek; afterward he became the Corporate Chef and Director of Brand Development for Restaurant Partners Management. Alexander says he and his wife and two sons are excited to join the community in Saugatuck and live close to his sister and brother-in-law are longtime Saugatuck residents.

So what are they serving up at Butter and Whiskey? They say everything is prepared in-house, using local ingredients when possible, like butter butter from local cream, mayonnaise from local eggs, and "brisket that is brined for ten days to create our mouthwatering corned beef" -- um, yum!

In addition to corned beer and cabbage, Butter and Whiskey also offers fish and chips, a reuben sandwich, burgers, wedge salads, soups, and appetizers like whiskey mushrooms and gulf shrimp cocktail. Check out their menu here!

They also have a huge selection of Irish Whiskies they say will satisfy all whiskey drinkers, classic cocktails, wine, and beers from Michigan and Ireland.

Butter and Whiskey is now open at 220 Culver Street in Saugatuck. Hours are Monday through Thursday 12p.m. to 9p.m. and Friday and Saturday 12p.m. to 10p.m.

Check them out on Facebook!