Lukas's Kalamazoo Picks

I’ve lived in the Kalamazoo area for the majority of life. In that time, I have picked up a thing or two about where the cool stuff is around here. Whether you are a returning student or have never stepped foot in Kalamazoo your whole life, I’m excited to share with you some of the coolest spots in town. From food, to entertainment, to studies, there are some gems around here if you know where to look. My hope is that you give these spots a try and that you grow to like them as much as I do. (I promise it's not just bars lol)

Sweetwater’s Donut Mill

Kalamazoo’s most known and acclaimed donut shop! I used to work there last year, and I grew to enjoy their variety of flavors, textures, and menu items. These include but are not limited to cake and yeast donuts, donut holes, muffins, long johns, and fritters that are the size of your head! Their donuts have received national recognition, with their Boston Creme flavor being notably popular. The Homer Simpson Donut is a top seller as well; a simple yeast donut topped with a pink-dyed vanilla icing. My personal favorite is the Raspberry Jelly donut, with berry filling, fluffy frosting and sprinkles on top.

They have a rotating set of seasonal donuts as well, including a donut of the week that ensures a constant flow of new items to try. Squares are larger yeast donuts with their own shape that are custom made every single day, with each one being unique from the others. Their Paczki’s are a local delicacy served every year around Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras. Just make sure to try and get there early or order ahead of time because they are incredibly popular.

There are two different locations in Kalamazoo, but the Stadium Drive one is both closer to campus and has very kind and fun faculty. The interior has a rustic diner kind of feel to it, it’s designed nicely. I’ll sometimes stop by the drive-thru to get a quick coffee on my way into class or work. The service is timely, and you’re even able to put in bulk orders ahead of time for specific events or parties you might be hosting.

Green Light Music

This is one of Kalamazoo’s premier record shops, selling CDs, Vinyl, and even 8-track tapes! Much of the time, they will have new releases in the front of the store on display, featuring music from local artists as well.The best way to get what you’re looking for if you’re seeking a particular album is to pre-order on their website ahead of time. Otherwise, check out their stock of used music. Their collection of previously owned CDs is expansive and constantly changing, plus you can find some good bargains in there for CDs that still work as they’re intended. That’s usually the first place I go to look while hunting for additions to my collection. They even have a poster collection you can sift through, with older and used posters being available entirely free of charge.

Greenlight also hosts listening parties for new albums, which oftentimes include giveaways for music, merch, and concert tickets. Listening events I’ve attended include Deftones, Gorillaz, and Weezer, and I had a lot of fun each time. These are great opportunities to make friends and meet people who are fans of artists you enjoy. The staff are very knowledgeable and passionate about music as well, and you can make great conversation with them about music, records, and the overall culture. They also host special sales and giveaways during their Record Store Day celebrations. This year, I won tickets to see Dance Gavin Dance and The Fall of Troy in Grand Rapids through one of their drawings. 

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe/General Store/Beer Garden

Alright, I know, it’s low hanging fruit. But I promise their sponsorship of us has nothing to do with its placement here. I had to get at least one bar in here to represent the bustling, and active bar scene here in Kalamazoo, and Bell’s Eccentric Cafe is their crown jewel.

While items like the Two-Hearted IPA, Kalamazoo Stout, and Robust Porter are available in the General Store year round, they also have exclusive season drink offers. This includes the legendary Oberon Ale, which is a magnificent citrus-flavored summertime ale recommended for serving with an orange slice. The Oberon Eclipse puts a twist on that recipe, having an honest raspberry wheat flavor that jives well during autumn nights. Their Christmas Ale is a fun, jolly flavor that feels nice in the winter. In the Eccentric Cafe itself, they have an even larger variety of drinks on Draught. I like their Cider quite a bit, with a real tart and sweet apple taste that throws down.

Bell’s is also a nice place to keep an eye out for concerts. Their Beer Garden hosts a lot of shows and festivals for mid-sized artists playing in Kalamazoo. Historically, they have hosted the annual Kalamashoegazer music festival there; the longest running Dream Pop music festival in the country. It’s a staple here in Kalamazoo and for good reason.

Outside Caffe Casa in The Kalamazoo Mall (Pc Discover Kalamazoo)

The Kalamazoo Mall

Ok, so this isn’t a specific business or attraction. But I wanted to bring attention to it because this is one of the coolest cultural landmarks in the city. When it first opened back in 1959, it was the first ever outdoor pedestrian mall in the country. While it’s changed quite a bit over the years to allow car traffic through certain parts, it remains a nice shopping center with unique food, stores, bars, and more. It’s located in a nice downtown area and is decorated throughout the year quite nicely.

Climb Kalamazoo is a great place for amateur and veteran rock climbers. Rocket Fizz has a wonderful variety of wacky candy flavors. Zero is a non-alcoholic bar within the Kalamazoo Candle Company that uses Ginger as a flavor substitute. These are just a few of the spaces that stick out to me off the top of my head, and there are a number of other gems around. This is a nice place to go and see what's going in the cities culture and hang out with friends.

Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue

Kalamazoo has a number of cafes around town, but the Kzoo Cat Cafe stands out as having a unique goal and purpose in mind: housing stray cats and putting them up for adoption. It feels warm and inviting, with a ton of cats all over the place who have varying personalities and appearances. Some of them are much more curious by nature, a number are cuddly, and others are playful. Wherever you look, there’s a cat who has found a spot to hang out. All of the nooks and crannies you can find them in are a lot of fun.

The interior of the Kzoo Cat Cafe (so cute!) (Pc MLive)

The idea of a cat cafe is not unique to Kalamazoo, but the execution here is especially homey. When you’re inside, you are given the opportunity to get yourself a drink and a snack. These are fairly simple, like Keurig made coffee and cheetos. I think this is to the setting’s betterment though, given the overall aesthetic feeling like an old ladies home. Having some simple food and drink to go with it makes the place feel like your own, and it’s surprisingly tidy considering this space is inhabited primarily by animals.

As a student, you can schedule a visit to the cafe at a discounted price on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are other spots around town that offer student discounts as well. Western Michigan Universities Office of Student Engagement has compiled a list of such deals on their Instagram.