
Tried Michigan’s Oldest Bar—And Got Free Donuts!
THEY HAD ME AT DONUTS
Last week I asked the WITL fam to tell me about some places in the area I should check out while I’m filling in for Kristen on the WITL Wake-Up Show. I had an opportunity to try one of those places over the weekend, and I’m so glad I did.
BUT WAS IT A BROTHEL?
The New Hudson Inn in New Hudson is Michigan’s Oldest Bar. The doors have been open for almost 200 years. According to metroalive.com, the bar opened its doors before Michigan was a state. They say it’s possible that it was once a brothel, though there’s more evidence to prove that it was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

As soon as I walked in, I was in awe. Natural wood with cast iron fixtures...even the bathroom was my aesthetic. The bar was inviting and spacious. The staff was friendly. Big shout out to Savannah “...two n’s and an h!” our server, so bubbly and helpful.
BREAKFAST, DINNER, DONUTS, AND OPEN MICS
The New Hudson Inn is definitely still a popular place. One listener recommended their Sunday breakfast —because donuts...FREE donuts. Not sure I've ever really considered donuts bar food...maybe AFTER the bar food. But these were served like rolls during dinner, these pastries were divine! Cinnamon sugar covered deliciousness. Even though I didn’t finish them until they had cooled down (being a 53-year-old with braces and having to cut everything into teeny tiny pieces) they were amazing through the end.
The breakfast menu offers pretty much everything you would need to start your day off great—pancakes, biscuits and gravy, omelets (including a “build your own” option) and egg platters. I'm definitely going back for dinner. The Double By-Pass Burger caught my attention. I’ll try to time my return to one of the nights they have live music or drag JR out one Monday night for Open Mic.
SEE ALSO: Michigan Place Names: Funny Questions About Rapids, Big & Grand
The WITL audience knocked it out of the park with this recommendation. Thanks to Angel Joy, for the heads up. I give The New Hudson Inn two thumbs up!
NEXT UP:
I was told to try a “Chip Dip” at Quality Dairy...one of the locations has a sign that reads Laundromat/Liquor/Bakery/Ice Cream, right? Absolutely going to check this out!
The Top 10 Best Rated Restaurants in Lansing in 2025
Gallery Credit: Kristen Matthews
Lansing Restaurants That Should Be Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
More From 100.7 WITL








