Broomstack Michigan: The Coolest Spot You’ve Never Heard Of
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This Tiny Michigan Town Has the Coolest Restaurant-Curling Club Ever
Tucked away in tiny Maple City, Michigan, Broomstack Kitchen and Taphouse is the kind of place you tell your friends about in hushed tones – not because you want to keep it secret, but because you know you’ve stumbled onto something special.
A quick 20-minute drive northwest of Traverse City brings you to the southern edge of Leelanau County, home to a year-round hangout that somehow manages to be both a winter sports hub and a summer paradise.
Call it a curling bar if you’d like – no matter the time of year, you can hop on over for a curling session and great grub, all under one roof.
Yummy Pizza, Brews, Great Tunes & Dog Friendly
Step inside Broomstack and you’ll find yourself in the old Maple City schoolhouse, transformed. Under one roof, there’s a sheet of ice with several dedicated curling lanes where you can watch games from comfy lounge chairs, flowing into a welcoming restaurant and bar.
Outside, in the summer, the back patio glows with string lights, while the front lawn welcomes you and your four-legged friends for picnic-style dining. You might catch live music, depending on when you visit.
No matter where you settle in, three things are for sure: friendly people, fresh food, and a great selection of local craft brews.
The vibe is casual – you’ll feel at home whether you’re still in your curling gear or just stopped by for dinner.
Their fill-you-up stone-fired pizzas are a crowd favorite, and the rotating tap list complete with local labels makes it an easy spot to unwind after a session on the ice. And, I know it sounds wild, but the peanut butter bacon burger is the talk of the menu for a reason—people keep coming back for it. Personally, I go for the truffle fries. There’s no shame in licking your fingers, rights?!
Curling: Way More Fun Than You’d Think
Broomstack was smart to pair great food with a fun activity like curling. Even if you haven’t tried it yet, curling is pretty easy to pick up and fun to do with friends.
They make it easy for newcomers with Learn to Curl classes, where the instructor gives you a crash course in the basics and gets you playing a real game in 20 minutes. If you get hooked, you can join one of their leagues that run anywhere from 3 – 10 weeks.
Pro tip: Book a curling session followed by dinner – two hours on the ice works up an appetite, and they’ll have your table ready when you finish.
The Perfect Winter Weekend Getaway
Here’s where it gets really interesting – they offer these weekend packages that combine curling lessons with dining and overnight accommodations. It’s basically the perfect excuse to grab your friends and do something different.
Instead of another typical dinner out, you can learn an Olympic sport and then brag about it over craft beer and amazing food. I can’t wait to do this!
Before Visiting Broomstack Kitchen
- Reservations are needed for curling sessions
- Parking is a breeze (a rare find in Northern Michigan!)
- Dog-friendly outside seating in season
- The restaurant can fill up fast on summer evenings – try to snag a spot before 6 PM or go for lunch.
While You’re Here: More Must-Do Adventures Around Maple City
Maple City might be tiny, but its location is perfect. After you’ve gotten your curling fix at Broomstack, you’re just minutes away from some serious Northern Michigan adventures.
Make it your refueling stop after visiting the nearby lavender farm, or use it as your base for exploring some of the area’s best attractions.
You’re just minutes from Glen Arbor (pro tip: hit up the River Club for some putt-putt), the legendary Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Crystal Mountain.
And the cherry capital of the world, Traverse City is less than a 30-minute drive. If you’re in town in early July, the Cherry Festival is a ton of fun.
Will Broomstack Get a Spot on Your Michigan Bucket List?
There’s something pretty nifty about finding an old schoolhouse in tiny Maple City that’s now a place where you can throw some curling stones, grab a really good burger, and hang out with your dog on the lawn.
For me, it checks a lot of boxes. It fits right in with a day of hiking the dunes or checking out local lavender farms. It’s really what makes Northern Michigan fun – you take a chance on a random turn-off, and boom – you’ve found your new favorite spot. So yeah, maybe add Broomstack to your list. The truffle fries alone are worth the drive.
