Ahhh, the Frolic Bar in Grand Rapids. It was one of those amazing watering hole spots that anyone could walk into and be welcomed.

It had a prime location on Fuller just off Michigan and the Ford Expressway. There was plenty of parking and it was always a feel-good place to stop for a pop, so to speak.

  👇   BELOW: HAVE FUN WITH PICTURES FROM MICHIGAN'S PAST! 👇

But, did you know the Frolic wasn't always the Frolic? The bar itself actually goes back to the 1940s.

According to the Local Watering Holes blog, back then it was a small bar known as Walt’s Bar. That's simple enough, Walt's Bar. Okay, just a good, cozy place to stop.

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Well, a few years later the owners were thinking it needed a sexier name. The question was, what do we call it. The collective brain trust got together and in the mid 1950s  decided they were going to call it The Frolic Gardens.

There you go, the Frolic is the name many remember today  Because through the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and early 90s, the Frolic, expanding with a better restaurant, became THE neighborhood spot to be.

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But, with the 90s arriving, things were about to change again.

So what happened? Did the popular Frolic die and go away because of the times?

On the contrary, not a chance.

The owners again made some modern updates to make sure is was still the place to be the eclectic bar it was, and decided it needed a new name.

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Google street view
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Welcome to The Elbow Room, which opened up in 1995.

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Google Street View
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Walt's, The Frolic, The Elbow Room, is still there, same location, on Fuller between Michigan and I-196, the Ford Freeway, and it is STILL one of Grand Rapids popular places to be.

MORE: Some Fun Photos From Michigan's Past

 

 

 

 

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