FEATURED STORY FROM THE Best of BG – 2017 ISSUE
Grumpy Dave’s:
Anything But Grumpy For Those Who Enjoy Its Multi-faceted Entertainment
Grumpy Dave Harper isn’t actually grumpy; he just comes off that way because he’s a big guy with a gruff voice. When he’s bartending or working the door at “Grumpy Dave’s,” one of BG’s best entertainment spots, he just doesn’t have time for small talk, so people get the wrong idea. Dave is in fact a nice guy with some hobbies including reading, playing guitar and operating ham radios.
Prior to opening his own business, Dave was a research psychologist who studied the memory and decision making processes in the brain. He received an undergrad degree from Montana State University and a Masters Degree from Bowling Green State University. The BG alum left the psychology scene and got into the bar business because he said, “it was time to have fun.” That was back in 1998. Since then he’s been a consistent fixture in Bowling Green’s nightlife.
Grumpy Dave’s is located in downtown Bowling Green, right above Easystreet Café. Before being called Grumpy Dave’s, it was known as Easystreet Upstairs, however, it hasn’t gone by that name since Dave’s business opened in 2004. It’s one of the most versatile spots in town because even though it has no particular theme, some nights of the week sure do. Tuesday nights are comedy night, karaoke falls on Saturdays, and live bands perform other evenings.
Multiple student organizations also rent the place whenever they want to have a shindig or soiree. The Latino Student Union holds a Latin night multiple times each semester. Fraternities and Sororities use Grumpy Dave’s to hold formals. People can also be found dancing the night away. Almost anything can happen on any night at Grumpy Dave’s. One of things that makes the place so recognizable is the logo.
The bald man with a snarl, holding a mug full of frothy, golden liquid, with a green and red background is unforgettable. Believe it or not, the logo is based on a younger Dave Harper. The place is obviously named after Harper as well, capitalizing on the misconceptions about his personality. The reason the bar is named Grumpy Dave’s is because, when the owners were trying to figure out what to name it, Dave was having issues with his knee. Because he was in constant pain grimacing all of the time, the people he worked with thought he was grumpy. When the name was suggested, the owners decided to run with it.
All in all, Grumpy Dave’s is one of the best places to have a good time in downtown BG. Whether you want to dance, sing the night away with friends on the karaoke machine, or see a live band, Grumpy Dave’s is the place to go.
AN ADDITIONAL FEATURED STORY ABOUT GRUMPY DAVES CAN BE FOUND IN THE Best of BG – 2016 ISSUE