What are the opening hours?

Monday 11am - 11pm Tuesday 11am - 11pm Wednesday 11am - 11pm Thursday 11am - 11pm Friday 11am - 12am Saturday 11am - 12am Sunday 11am - 11pm

The Peanut Barrel

Congratulations to our August Business of the Month, The Peanut Barrel! First opening in 1973, the Peanut Barrel has been an East Lansing favorite for decades! With their new owner, Michael Krueger, who also owns Crunchy’s in East Lansing, Peanut Barrel is continuing to serve delicious food and a great atmosphere!

07/31/2024

Join us every Friday at 8pm for our live music lineup presented by Angry Talent Entertainment. Grab your friends, enjoy some great music, and kick off the weekend right. 🎶

07/29/2024

Just a heads up that we'll be closed tomorrow, July 30th, so we can take our amazing staff to a Tigers game as a special thank you for all their hard work. Don't worry, our friends at Crunchy's will take care of you!

07/24/2024

Come for the food, stay for the beer. 🍻

Donate to Help Lindsey, Tim & Axel, organized by Elizabeth Taylor Quilliam

07/18/2024

Lindsey, Tim, and Axel have been a huge part of the Peanut family for so many years. Please donate if you can!

Donate to Help Lindsey, Tim & Axel, organized by Elizabeth Taylor Quilliam Lindsey, Tim and Axel woke up early last Wednesday morning to the sound of a tree f… Elizabeth Taylor Quilliam needs your support for Help Lindsey, Tim & Axel

07/16/2024

Join us today at The Peanut Barrel for Groove Doctors 3 from 6-8pm. This is their only show at PB until mid-August, so don't miss out on a great evening of music, food, and drinks! 🍔

07/12/2024

We'll see you here tonight for live music from Mark Collins starting at 8pm! Presented by Angry Talent Entertainment.

07/11/2024

Trivia night starts at 7:30pm, and it's totally free to join. Come test your knowledge of random facts with friends!

07/08/2024

Don't miss Marc Finger Family & Friends for "Tuesday Tunes" on July 9th from 6-8pm. Enjoy delicious food and drinks while you watch this great show!

07/03/2024

Hey friends! We'll be closed on the 4th, so make sure you come in today for some burgers and brews, or we'll see you Friday the 5th. Have a wonderful holiday!

06/28/2024

Join us at The Peanut Barrel to see the talented Henry Herig perform tonight at 8pm! Brought to you by Angry Talent Entertainment.

06/17/2024

Exciting news! Groove Doctors 3 will be performing live tomorrow, June 18th, and the city will be filming a video. We would love to have you join us!

The Peanut Barrel Serving up crazy good burgers, beer & fun for 41 years. and Support Your Neighborhood Bar

06/14/2024

Join us tonight for live music from Amanda Igra starting at 8pm! Presented by Angry Talent Entertainment.

06/10/2024

Join us for a special "Tuesday Tunes" at this Week (Tues, June 11) featuring TWO great musicians, Chris Christoff (6-7pm) 🪈 and Bump the Hope Ju**ie (7-8pm)!! 🎸And make it an evening with the Barrel's great eats & drinks! 🍔🍺

06/05/2024

Raise your hand if you've enjoyed one of our famous LIT's on our patio 🙋‍♀️

06/03/2024

Check out our June live music schedule brought to you by Angry Talent Entertainment! We have an amazing lineup of talented artists performing every Friday night at 8pm.

The Peanut Barrel Serving up crazy good burgers, beer & fun for 41 years. and Support Your Neighborhood Bar

05/31/2024

We’ve got live music with Matthew Shannon tonight at 8pm! See you here!

05/27/2024

Just a heads up that we will be closed today in observance of Memorial Day. Enjoy the day and we'll see you tomorrow!

Claim ownership or report listing

Want your establishment to be the top-listed Bar/pub in East Lansing?
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Our Story

The Peanut Barrel Restaurant was originally opened as a Jacks or Better Restaurant in November of 1973 by Carol and Gordon Smith of Portland. The concept emerged from an idea that Mr. Smith developed at Howard Johnson's called The Ground Round restaurant. Large juicy burgers, cold beer and peanuts were the order of the day. It still is today. In '74 the restaurant name was changed to The Peanut Barrel and the footprint included what is now the MSU Federal Credit Union.

In 1979 the Barrel was downsized and the original lounge side was remodeled to be a self sustaining bar business. Thus the beginning of The Peanut Barrel as we know it today. In July of 1980 the Smiths sold the business to Jennifer and Joe Bell who promptly added a kitchen and hence the birth of the Papa Joe Burger. It remains their family business to this day.

In the spring of 1983 a patio was added to the front of the building when property owner Robert Phipps refurbished and enlarged the entire building to present a more attractive street appearance. His vision has stood the test of time as the building continues to be one of the most attractive on Grand River Ave.

Throughout the 80’s and 90’s The Peanut Barrel established a reputation as the place for great burgers, sandwiches, fries and a brew. The patio may be the most popular in East Lansing and inspired the Barrel's famous Long Island Iced Tea. On football Saturdays you can sit on the Peanut Barrel Patio and hear the crowd at the stadium. If the wind is blowing out of the south you might just hear the fabulous Michigan State Marching Band performing their halftime show.