Thompson Bar & Grill

Reviews

• Mary D.

  star star star star star 12 June 2026

  When you first walk in, you get the impression that Thompson's is the kind of bar that only the locals and regulars would know about.
  For good reason; it is in the middle of a long stretch of Michigan Avenue (US12) between Saline and Clinton. Who would go here?
  Let me tell you! Locals, yokels and even a few from the city come out here to hang out and enjoy a real rural pub experience.
  The food is GREAT with a few exceptions. Seriously, if you're going to eat Mexican style food, it really is best to eat it at a Mexican style restaurant (though it was survivable).
  The hamburgers are the real star here. Delicious, cooked just right, perfect served with a side of chips or fries. DO GET THE FRIED PICKLES.
  Fried pickles are localized, rural southern Washtenaw county pub MUST. If you see em on a menu, you just have to get them. You won't be sorry (what's a few more miles on the treadmill?!)!!
  In the summer they proudly serve Bell's Oberon (a super big plus) and in the winter you can switch back to Sam Adams. What's not to love? Plus they will give you orange slices to put in your beer. Cool!
  The way it's supposed to be. The waitresses are all cute, happy and friendly. They even wear tank tops in the winter. On Fridays they have a decidedly country-skewed karaoke. There is lots of seating and a couple of pool tables. Upstairs there's no windows but it's nonsmoking. But who cares? You are in the boonies, enjoy the locals hanging out at the bar. You may make a friend.
  GREAT place to just come have a beer by yourself and just start talking to you stool neighbor at the bar. The booths need more padding but after a big beer or two or three you don't notice anymore. UPDATE 12/09: They renovated the padding in the booths! Hooray!
  If you love the idea of 'True Blood's' Merlotte's Bar you have found the identical equivalent in Thompson's (sans vampires!).
  Note: It used to be called the "Polar Bear" and it still bears the letters 'PB' on the windows. In the summer, you get an AWESOME sunset view over the farm fields across the road.
  If you get too tipsy, you can take the back roads back to town. No, I did not just tell you that.

• Holly G.

  star star star star star 7 June 2026

  THE BEST PIZZA out of any surrounding pizza places Thompson's is by far the best & I've had pizza from almost every place in lower Michigan. lol

• Martha R.

  star star star star star_border 2 June 2026

  I don't go to this place that often, but I drive by all the time and it's ALWAYS packed. We tend to call it The Penguin Bar because of the penguin out front (creative, I know)... but whatever. They have super friendly service, the beer selection is pretty good, and the prices good too. Overall, good hole-in-the wall to grab a drink and some grub if you're in the area. Definitely worth stopping in!

• Kimberly D.

  star star star star star_border 18 May 2026

  I love dive bars and consider myself a dive bar dweller. Any city I visit I try to hit at least one or two dive bars on my trip. While visiting my mom in Saline for a long 6 weeks we passed this place many times and finally decided to stop in one night. We were happy to find that the kitchen was still open at 9:30 on a Sunday night. We decided to split the sampler plate appetizer and wasn't disappointed. The bartender was cool, the drinks were strong and cheap, and the few locals in there were friendly.
  
  Thompson's has keno which is a big deal to me living in Vegas where you have every other kind of gambling but not keno at a bar. We came up a few Friday's later and the place was packed. They had on the Tigers game and the MSU game. Found a couple spots up at the bar, played some keno, and watched baseball. Around 10pm they started setting up for karaoke but I was tired and didn't feel like staying. I like the vibe at Thompson's and will be coming back on future trips.

• Linda H.

  star star star star star 18 May 2026

  I'm giving this review specifically for the amazing turkey Reuben sandwich!!
  
  Great stop on Michigan Ave