Brews on the Lakeshore

While West Michigan has a special kind of magic, Michigan as a whole is always worth shouting for. Heading across the state to Bay City offers a different experience than you’ll find in West Michigan’s brew scene. Still, like many towns on the west side, Bay City was founded along the water.

A Tennessee Legacy in Michigan

One of the standout coffee shops in Bay City is Harless & Hugh Coffee, a striking black shop covered in ivy looking sleek on Washington Street. Much like Bay City itself, Harless & Hugh brings a distinct experience that is unlike anything you’ll find in West Michigan. Stepping off the Bay City street and into the coffee shop feels like slipping into a café in Tennessee.

Opened in 2015, Harless & Hugh Coffee carries the legacy of an American family full of businesspeople—rooted in Tennessee and settled in Bay City. The coffee shop’s front room is a gleaming white, reminiscent of traditional homes in the United States South. With walls, ceiling, bar, and tables a brilliant white, the space feels as bright as a Tennessee Desert afternoon.

Harless & Hugh offers a classic espresso and coffee menu alongside a few creative seasonal drinks—but it’s more than just a coffee shop. The bar also serves beer, wine, and breakfast cocktails, as well as an impressive selection of canned and bottled non-alcoholic options, including cocktails, beer, and wine. Behind the bar, a simple golden tap pours a selection of Michigan-made craft beers, mostly from Traverse City, with styles ranging from light to dark.  Uniquely, the tap also has a kombucha flavor.

A light food menu complements the drinks at Harless & Hugh, featuring numerous toast dishes with rich ingredient pairings, along with small plates like quiche, a hummus spread, and parfait. While you wait, you can browse a thoughtfully curated selection of merchandise that reflects the shop’s aesthetic—hemp purses, blankets, artisan olive oil, and cookbooks lining the shelves.

Though events are rare, the ones they do host are just as visually striking as the space itself. Most recently, Harless & Hugh offered a wreath-making and winter arrangement workshop that perfectly matched their elegant atmosphere.

Carefully Crafted Spaces

Continuing to the back of the coffee shop, the space shifts into a cozier atmosphere, with an antique fireplace, leather chairs, and additional tables gathered in a bright white dining room. Hemp-wrapped lighting and a cloth wall-hanging, scattered cacti, and a signature bull skull create a space that feels like a type of American dream rarely found in Michigan.

On a hot Bay City day, the outdoor seating area at Harless & Hugh completes the picture. A firepit surrounded by antique wooden chairs rests atop white pebbles, rooted in Southern warmth. Ivy climbs nearby walls, and grassy plants and a white flowering bush add an additional elegant touch.

Harless & Hugh Coffee is a rarity on Michigan’s clear, coffee horizon. From the bright, intentional design and carefully curated merchandise to the abundant drink menu and serene outdoor space, every corner of the shop feels carefully composed. Whether you’re passing through Bay City or planning a destination day trip, Harless & Hugh is a great place to explore or escape to.