Ricks American Cafe

They played an extremely racist song during a very busy time. I’m extremely disappointed and as a student who’s transferring next semester I don’t regret my decision!

Underground grime-central but great at being exactly that.Lots of open space and a big dance floor. Fun to watch the college kids struggle to dance to the DJs completely undanceable radio tracks, but worth it just for that.Easy to get in and leave.

Its a dirty basement that happens to serve drinks and allow college kids to just have rough dry-humping sessions on each other. Yet overall it is essential to the MSU experience and Ive had many great times there. My only real complaint is that their drinks are the worst out of any of the EL bars. But nevertheless it gets the most packed.

Cool little basement college bar. Rude young man collecting money. Tried to charge us twice, even though we had the little mark on our hand. Wasnt until I mentioned an employee that he let us pass. The rest of our party was still inside. We had to go out to call an Uber due to no cell reception.

Ricks is one of the very very few, if not ONLY places in all of lansing to go out for the night and dance. I dont typically go out often but after waiting for over an hour and half to get in we got one drink that was the first drink that was too disgusting to finish Ive ever had. Im 23 years old. Theyre a club in a basement and yet their music played that Saturday night included... JOURNEY and SWEET CAROLINE! both of which I love but if I wanted to sing amateur karaoke with everyone else in the room I would have got to the dive bar down the street with the average age of 53. Extremely disappointed with the music choice for a Saturday night and the one (half) drink I managed to stomach. I may try again. But I am genuinely not expecting much.

Ricks is the quintessential college bar, sticky floors and all. They have live music and sometimes its the best youll hear for miles around. They used to have a pay side with the band, and for those who dont want to pay cover and just drink, the non-pay side.

Service was pretty good but the place was a mess. The floor literally had an inch of some sort of liquid on it and it wasnt raining that night. 80% of the bathroom stalls were full of puke and over flowing. Way too many people that had drank way too much. But the place has a lot of potential. Clean it and clean up the clientele.

Had a terrible experience Saturday night 10/27/18 Got into Ricks then I had to use the ATM to get money out for cover. Got the $20 out paid for me and my boyfriend and got my drivers license back. The staff then told my boyfriend he couldnt get in. Why let me pay if you werent going to let him in? They wouldnt give me my money back and was extremely rude to us. We have always enjoyed coming to Ricks, and never had any issues before tonight. We will never return due to the way we were treated last night. My dad works with local law enforcement and agreed that they shouldnt of kept my $20!

The place is too packed and always smells like puke. If youre not drunk enough to not be bothered by that, dont go. But if youre ending the night and are already hammered, its a nice place to take your last drinks.

Ricks is the cess pool of East Lansing. If the disgusting floors dont make you vomit, the bartenders never will, as it seems they cant mix a drink to save a life. Most people who have turned 21 say they are too old for this establishment, as they will accept any photo ID that has a legal birth date on it, regardless of anything that identifies the person handing it to them. One good thing about Ricks is that any sorority girl / frat guy looking to exchange an STD will gladly do so with little effort down in this basement of filth. Fun music, too!

The one and only place to celebrate anything and everything.Its welcome week? First day of class? Home alone, roommates gone? Finished an exam? After career fair? Broke up with your boyfriend/girlfriend? Just got a bid? Aced/bombed an exam? Spartans/Lions/Tigers/Wings win or loss? Lines at other bars? Stressed about finals? Wells preachers telling you youre going to hell? Cant find a place to study because the library is full? Skipping class? You dont have A/C? You dont have heat? Just plain bored?Straight to Ricks. #STR

It wouldnt be Ricks if:The TV was cleanThe music was a normal volumeThe bar wasnt swampedLack of piping and wiring everywhereBad lightingThe mirrors made senseI wasnt in a cold ass basementThe flooring was consistentUgle peopleLets be real. This is the college dive/club you both dread and look forward to.

I am literally sitting in Ricks at this very moment. After many disappointing nights, the DJ is now playing Breaking Free from high school. At our big age. I dont know if the DJs have heard any music from this decade, but the music needs help fr. There is not one night where the music is current and lit. I could get the crowd more hype off my own phone than these djs who get paid. I literally cant express how bad the music is. Please play current hip hop and rap. Weve heard enough of the high school musical throwbacks .

Terrible service with terrible bar staff. They pride themsevles on serving minors and over serving customers. To all those that enjoy the East Lansing bar scene, try and avoid Ricks as there are better bars within walking distance.

I was at Rick’s and they charged me $8. When I checked my statement they had added 10 dollars where the amount was changed to $18! From the reviews, it seems that if I called and asked about the incorrect charge with no receipt or evidence, Rick’s will not give me my money back. So don’t go to Rick’s where you wait too long for a drink, think you are paying a certain amount only to have them charge you even more.

Oh Ricks... we meet again... Unfortunately. Do I love you? Do I hate you? Do I remember anything that happened when I was inside? The answer to all of those questions is yes. This is the classic love-hate relationship, and the bar keeps drawing me back to it, no matter how many times I swear it off.

DJ had racist comments to say to my friend saying “he smelled Mexican” and admitted he was racist. Also tried to fight outside with him. Then when I called management to complain, manager said he did nothing when CLEARLY I would not make this up. It’s sad that he could get away with this and I hope someone can address. Never going back.

Not an American Cafe, unless your version of an American Cafe is a crazy rave like bar with a sticky dance floor. Super fun though if you know what to expect. 5 stars.

Great atmosphere, exceptional service, and friendly patrons. Always a great time in East Lansing.

Like every Ricks, this one will exceed your expectations with how bad it is. This is still one of the main bars in downtown EL and a common bar to end up at late in the night as a college kid. Not a bar for everyone...

You never EVER want to go but you ALWAYS end up going... Best staff in town. The guy named Riley who looks like woody from toy story is the best.

They literally hold up the line so that its around the block when the place is empty for publicity? No idea why youd do that but its dumb and makes a lot of people walk across the street to harpers

Ahhhh. Sticky Rickys. Bartender was very attentive and fast. The floor is always slighty sticky with....something. That being said all around fine place.

Unfortunately this establishment Carrys the uncomfortable right-wing mentality . Most Segregated Community East Lansing is and Ricks Bar is no exception . I think the Community of downtown East Lansing should attend weeks of multi cultural training because its obvious that they do need it .

Yikes..what a place. Cheap drinks, sticky floors, DJ. Classic ratchet college bar, but a fun time after midnight.

Maybe the wildest bar in East Lansing, but you guys are so cheap and the worst drinks ever.Just tons of ice and rare or cheap alcohol.Will never visit this spot again

Definitely a college club lots of underage drinking heavy petting and loud. Cheap drinks though Definitely will be back.

Bartenders short you. spent almost $100 and left sober even though all i ordered was shots and doubles.

Wow this place is sure something. All floors are sticky, all staff is rude, all customers are sloppy, and it is in a basement. Do not even get me started on the bathrooms. DONT LET RICKS WIN!

We had tons of fun at Ricks staff was awesome and the face floor was great!

Its fun and the drinks are cheap, but its not a nice bar by any means

Im too old to be a party dude but Id recommend it to all college students old enough to hang there.

Staff was amazing and we always had our drinks on time, would definitely recommend.

Anyone that has partied in East Lansing knows Ricks. Its a staple. Im a lot older now but I still try to make it at least once a year.

I dont always leave reviews, but when i do, theyre good. This place is fun.

Place was so fun. First time out in over 10 years

Dirty, long line and drinks without much alcohol but great place to dance and make a fool of yourself.

3.6 stars at the time of reviewing... what a shame. This place is sticky in a good way.

Sticky ricks need some more clean up. Still popular! Amazing

Drinks were watered down, had no booze in them and were expensive. Also the bartenders had an attitude.

Great college bat

Have wyatt as your server great guy alot of fun to talk to cheap alcohol and fried food

Sticky, a lil depressing, and a very good time. The ideal college party bar

Is exactly what you expect from a college bar. Tuesday deals are unbeatable!

We always have a great time after football games at Ricks

Ricks is the best bar in East Lansing definitely!

Hottest bartenders in east lansing by far

It was OK. I dont know why they turned on the lights and never turned Em off back.

This is a grimy horrid attempt at a night club that over serves underage MSU kids.

Great place to yak and have no one judge you for it.

Drinks are worth it, nice place to sit and drink and dance

Simply legendary place for E. Lansing. Go green!

Fun spot to go at night. Usually very packed.

College students bar of choice. Extremely busy on weekends.

Sticky floor! Not sure why theres always a line to the place. Picking up zombies?

Taking peoples ids and passports instead of calling the police.

Fun spot - undergrad bar.

The most happening night clubbing in East Lansing

Nice place for a good time on the weekends

Typical college barWater downed drinks

Fun place and cool cocktails

Great food and atmosphere!

Flamimg hot pile of garbage bar

Good time

Had an awesome time.

Jugg

The crowd

Love it

We do it in the basement

Always amazing

For basics and bros.

Its okay.

Great hang

Horribly fantastic

Worst bar in EL