I agree with frazbri that the Eccentric Cafe is a shrine to good beer. Bell's always has interesting beer on top at the Eccentric. I had lunch here (I always seem to have lunch here) and my curried chicken salad sandwich was great. I sipped a sampler along with a friend. The sampler included some interesting beers that aren't available in bottles including everything from a cherry wheat to smoked stout. The Kalamazoo Porter was the special at $2 a pint. I could have camped out all day at the Eccentric, but I had other places I wanted to be (like Jolly Pumpkin in Dexter, but that's another story.) I absolutely love the decor at the Eccentric; the very old maps, the custom stained glass, the seemingly random flags and bric-a-brac along with the large painted wooden sign; Kalamazoo Brewing Company....the Beer is Flowing.

Indeed it is and long shall it flow.

reviewed on: 2008-11-13 23:28:35

Bells is one of my favorite breweries of all time. I fell in love with Two Hearted Ale and Oberon on my first of many trips to Kalamazoo over the last 4 years. I have since had to grease many palms to have fresh bells beer sent to me in Texas to satisfy my needs.

The Café and beer garden are nice and they usually have most of the styles available on tap as well as the occasional "something fun”. I’ve been here in both the winter and summer and never have I found it void of consumers. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The store across the parking lot has an assortment of beers by the bottle for purchase as well as merchandise and homebrewing supplies.

reviewed on: 2008-04-13 21:36:11

Bell's Eccentric Cafe is a shrine to craft beer. It also lives up to it's name. There's a neo-hippy, art student feel to the place. The art on the wall must have a story to tell, but it's hard to guess what that story could be, but that's part of the charm.

Expect to find most of the Bell's regular line-up on tap, with the occasional pub only beer. Last visit they had a nice bitter. The pricing is very reasonable, with the occasional bargain offering.

Sit back, relax, and have a few pints. It's a good place to drink.

reviewed on: 2007-07-05 16:58:38

I remember the last time I went into bells eccentric cafe and I always reflect on my next visit what's new on the walls and art in general around the cafe.... vibe is everything.... hot dog eating contest in aug 07... fyi...

beer selection was summery, which is good as it's summer.... I went with the pub exclusive bitter (12 oz), because what's the point of going to the cafe if you're gonna drink what's available to you (with a drive of course) and then the third coast "pale" ale.... that threw me for a wtf? is that wrong.... tried it and it wasn't, was quite quaffable.... the K-zoo stout n porter were as dark as the board got with the pale, oberon, two hearted, (amber was out) and handful of other tasty treats that were lighter for the summer crowd. no growlers tho, but that's what the store is for..

Atomsphere is a "5" at the cafe every day of the year... All the art in there is a contradiction to each other but as a whole it makes for a really nice mental buffet of "what's that" art pieces, make the place just awesome. The bar itself, in my opinion, is where to sit, tho if you like chess, the tables over where the band, when inside, usually sets up.... I've never sat up in the balcony at bells because I'm clumsy and might fall down the stairs getting my 10th beer, but one day, I may go up there.. At some point you'll turn around (from the bar vantage) and stare at the large fish in the tank.... (edit paranoid rant.... but just know it's staring back)

Then there's the garden.... there was a reggae concert that night out back... didn't stay as this was my 3rd stop of a long ass day of a long ass weekend.... but I love the back biergarten, it's big and spacious and wonderful to be in... if there woulda been nothing going on sunday I'da crashed went to the show, and drank fine beer till I passed out.... be sure to gaze a bit at the benches and the trellace and the stage and , hell just sit in the grass or on a bench and take in the day as you realize how good a beer can be in a place made for it...

The last part of the Tri-fecta that is atomsphere is the store... they had a new beer at the store, amber packaged for a hotel up in mackinac island "big porch" they call it... something new... dude in the store said the 8k should roll in a month..... woohoo, reasons to return. This is one of my top 10 places I've been to with a swag selection this big.... Bells has many styles, for the ladies as well... there's a bells purse there now as well... (not kidding)

service was good as everybody was out back and I was at the bar for a few pints.... wasn't wanting for anything... so good service...

no food this trip.

the amtrak rolls right into town for the public transpo check.

things close and worthwhile are shakespeares, (short's beer on tap) kraftbrau (for bells contrast) and Tiffany's (very cool low key store, do not miss)

reviewed on: 2007-06-24 02:36:45

First off... Finding the entry door is not easy. The signs are all facing Kalamazoo Ave. But those are the signs for the building, not for the Eccentric Cafe. Underneath those signs appear to be the Bell's Brewery offices. You can't eat in there... Go around the back onto Porter Street to find a parking lot and the entrance to both the General Store and the Eccentric Cafe. Neither entrance is marked very well (especially in the dark!).

I was prepared for "locals only" type of service here after reading a lot of reviews on the internet. And I was totally suprised when I received great bar and food service. Each pint came quickly, even though the place was slightly crowded. The bartenders were helpful and even provided us a sample of the Cyser and answered a few questions about it when we asked.

There are 12 taps, all full of juicy Bell's products (they have even more taps available during events like Eccentric Day). You have to enjoy a place that's offering you $3 to $3.50 Imperial Pints of Kalamazoo (the locals say "kay-zoo"), Two Hearted and Java Stout! Mmmm.

The food was good. I had the Ostrich Burger (tastes like buffalo!) and my wife had the Cobb Salad. Both were tasty, next time I'm trying the Rabbit and Rattlesnake Sausage Kabobs. Don't worry they still have regular cheese burgers and normal type fare, but it's nice to see interesting/eccentric offerings in a beer joint.

Service was great, selection was great, prices were great and the atmosphere is casual. Oh, and no smoke! You have to love leaving a place like this satisfied and smelling like the beer you drooled down your chin rather than the smoke from the guy sitting down the bar.

Eccentric Cafe, I'll be back.