4.9
Praised by couples for:
Amenities
Helpful staff
Guests comfort
A historic venue for life’s historic occasions
Kristina and the staff at Gandy Dancer are the ones you can trust for your special event! The food was the most delicious (no comparison), staff was attentive, and the service was impeccable. They didn't treat our special day as a business, they took care of you and your event as you're part of their families! They went above and beyond to ensure we and our guests had a great time at Gandy. I normally never leave any reviews, but Gandy is so special and had such a profound impression on us!
xin D.
5.0
We knew we loved Gandy because it is the favorite restaurant of the Grandmother of the bride, so choosing them for our rehearsal dinner was an easy decision. Kristina Spurlock was very responsive and easy to work with. Our guests loved the food and drinks and space and we are so grateful we were able to host our event there. We will certainly be back!
Jake S.
5.0
Based in Ann Arbor, MI, Gandy Dancer Restaurant offers its space as a venue for weddings and events. Located in the historic Michigan Central Depot, this venue blends old-school charm and modern, contemporary details. From your rehearsal dinner to your reception desserts, the grounds make for a memorable base for your and your guests' wedding experience.
Gandy Dancer Restaurant's location was first built in 1886 and has been carefully restored to serve as an elegant architectural landmark. The grounds feature original stone walls, lush surroundings, and multiple private spaces for you to host your wedding events. Their largest option is The Courtyard, a covered outdoor area where up to 120 guests can be seated comfortably around the dance floor. Paper lantern-style lights hang from the ceiling, adding a rustic, welcoming glow to your celebration. Flourishing trees and shrubs surround the space, adding a touch of natural beauty to your event. Also available on site is the contemporary Mezzanine, where the muted color scheme, moody lighting, and stained glass windows make for a memorable cocktail hour or pre-event gatherings of 70 people. For a more intimate setting, The Wolverine Room features vintage chandeliers, stone walls, and semicircle windows to help up to 50 guests feel like they're traveling through time.
You will have a variety of dishes to choose from for your reception dinner. The catering team's multi-course reception dinners will ensure you and your loved ones have a mouthwatering experience, from your champagne toast to your wedding cake cutting. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a large, lavish celebration, Gandy Dancer Restaurant will make sure that your big day is one to remember.
What You'll Love About Gandy Dancer Restaurant
Couples rave about the delicious food available at this deluxe venue. They also love working with the professional and friendly staff. Check out the FAQs for more information about Gandy Dancer Restaurant's services.
Speaks English
Amenities + details
Amenities
Covered Outdoors Space
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Settings
Historic Venue
Restaurant
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Food & Catering
Service Staff
Any questions?
Reviews
4.9
out of 5.016 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
you make those big decisions with ease.
xin D
Highlighted review.
5.0
Kristina and the staff at Gandy Dancer are the ones you can trust for your special event! The food was the most delicious (no comparison), staff was attentive, and the service was ...
impeccable. They didn't treat our special day as a business, they took care of you and your event as you're part of their families! They went above and beyond to ensure we and our guests had a great time at Gandy. I normally never leave any reviews, but Gandy is so special and had such a profound impression on us!
Jake S
5.0
We knew we loved Gandy because it is the favorite restaurant of the Grandmother of the bride, so choosing them for our rehearsal dinner was an easy decision. Kristina Spurlock was ...
very responsive and easy to work with. Our guests loved the food and drinks and space and we are so grateful we were able to host our event there. We will certainly be back!
Any questions?
Liz M
5.0
We had our wedding reception at The Gandy Dancer on the patio and it could not have gone better! Kristina and the entire team are awesome. Kristina is so easy to work with and was ...
so accommodating with our requests. The food and drinks were delicious and everyone had a great time. I cannot say enough wonderful things!
Liz M
5.0
We recently held our delayed wedding reception at Gandy Dancer’s outside courtyard. Kristina & the service team were outstanding! Kristina was so flexible since we had to delay our...
party due to COVID. She is also responsive & helpful. Very easy to work with. Venue was beautiful & food/drinks were excellent! There is a reason this A2 institution has been in business for years!
Response from Gandy Dancer Restaurant
Thank you so much for this kind review. I will definitely share this with my staff. Your r...
eception was a blast and memorable with your touch of fun!!! It was a pleasure planning your reception and congratulations on your new journey and wish you all the best. Come see us anytime.
Charlotte B
5.0
Kristina and the crew at the Gandy Dancer did an amazing job. Our wedding was perfect. The food was amazing as always. Could not have asked for a better wedding venue!
Julia K
5.0
We had our wedding at the Gandy Dancer in early September. I can't say enough good things!!
Beautiful venue, cozy and comfortable atmosphere, amazing food and great bar selection, ...
and best of all - the event coordinator Kristina was so responsive and easy to work with. She made me feel completely confident and sure that our wedding reception would be perfect! Which it was!
We had about 90 people, and this venue was the perfect size for our group, with room leftover for the dance floor and a little open space to spare for mingling.
Mary M
5.0
The Gandy Dancer has incredibly delicious food at baseline and does a great job producing tons of it without sacrificing quality. The patio is very pretty and cozy with strings of...
hanging lights, brick floor, and nearby fountain. Kristina is great to work with--very energetic, accommodating, and responsive. And you can't beat the overall atmosphere of the historic railway station. We highly recommend the Gandy Dancer as one of the best affordable wedding venues in the region.
Laura B
5.0
My husband and I were so happy with our experience at the Gandy Dancer! After searching for weeks trying to find a venue that would accommodate our wishes (having an intimate dinne...
r only without all the typical wedding hoopla (DJ, dancing, cake cutting, bouquet throw, etc.)) we finally decided on this amazing historical landmark that went with our literary/book theme perfectly!
Kristina, the events coordinator, was so helpful from the moment we toured the facility to the end of our wedding dinner. She answered all of our questions promptly, thoroughly, and guided us through both the process and journey.
The food was amazing, and we were so glad our guests could enjoy their meal. We received so many compliments on this portion of the evening; everyone seemed to appreciate the fact that it wasn't your typical "wedding food." In lieu of a cake, we were able to select desserts off of the restaurant menu. Additionally, my husband and I were able to stay within our price range due to the many selections and packages that are available.
Final jury: I would recommend Gandy Dancer to any engaged couple who is looking to have a twist on the traditional wedding ballroom reception!
Ilse M
5.0
Absolutely AMAZING!
My husband and I were so impressed with the Gandy Dancer team, ESPECIALLY Kristina! She was quick to respond to all of my questions and was willing to meet ...
with me on multiple occasions to discuss the details of our day.
Our wedding reception at the Gandy Dancer was absolutely incredible. The staff was on point and the plates of all guests were served hot and at the same time. I can not tell you how many rave reviews I received on the food! And the CAKE! Our cake was designed to perfection by their pastry chef Bryant, he turned my inspiration image into a real life replica and it tasted phenomenal!
I would HIGHLY recommend this venue to future brides!
James S
5.0
We absolutely LOVED having our wedding at the Gandy Dancer! Our only concern was that the space would be too small for our 130 guests, but it was perfect. There was ample room to e...
at, dance, and socialize, and the cozy space just made it feel like more of a party. The food, as always, was EXCELLENT. Aside from being in our favorite city and being a fun, unique location, the food was the main reason we chose the Gandy Dancer - and it did not disappoint. The bar service was also great, and the pricing was more than reasonable for food and drink, with no fixed rental fee. Last but certainly not least, Kristina was AMAZING at helping coordinate everything. She is incredibly friendly and made the planning process much more enjoyable. She was also very accessible in helping address our questions, and consistently provided great recommendations regarding food options, seating arrangements, timing, etc. We would highly recommend her and the Gandy Dancer to anyone looking to do a fun wedding in Ann Arbor! Thanks Kristina!
Mariah L
5.0
My aunt had my bridal shower brunch at the Gandy Dancer in May 2013. They provided great service throughout the event. The food was wonderful. I was not impressed with the cake the...
y had costume made (two different flavor layers and very heavy). Would recommend the space as a very unique personal space for a shower.
Amanda P
5.0
Hello- We wanted to pass along comments of gratitude!!! We had our wedding at the Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor on 7/19/14. It turned out beautiful! We couldn't be happier about th...
e accommodating service and responsiveness throughout the planning process and on the big day. Everything was more than we had planned!!! The food was delicious, service was speedy and on the spot, and atmosphere was gorgeous! Special thanks to Kristina Spurlock and her staff!!!
Katie D
5.0
Not very many brides get to say that their wedding day was perfect. But I get to, and in no small part thanks to The Gandy Dancer. Kristina, their wedding coordinator, was an abso...
lute joy to work with. You can just tell that she has done this many times before and her ability to put you at ease is just priceless! I never had a single worry about my venue or food during the entire process. You just know that she is on top of it. The food was amazing, not your typical wedding food, everybody raved about it. The service was out of this world! We had a small wedding of about 80 people, and nobody wanted for anything all night!
I can't say enough about how amazing everybody was. The venue is beautiful, the staff is amazing. Book this amazing historic restaurant for your reception!!! You will not regret it!
Response from Gandy Dancer Restaurant
Thank you very much Katie!!!! It was a pleasure working with you and as well you made it e...
asy for me. So thank you for choosing our lovely venue for your ceremony and reception. :)
Molly B
4.0
I recently got married and had my reception here. The food and service was impeccable! We had so many guests rave about this and all said the reception was perfect.
My only com...
plaint was how they split up the bill at the end of the night. The food and alcohol was supposed to be separate, but wasn't. This made things very complicated in splitting bill between my in-laws and parents. Also, when you talk to them about the type and prices of alcohol you want served, BE SPECIFIC! We had issues with this as well.
Other than that, it was an amazing night, and I recommend this place to everyone!
Katie L
5.0
Great spot for a rehearsal dinner. Decadent food, private rooms, great location, excellent service.
Jill H
5.0
I had a small wedding (50 people), and the Gandy Dancer was perfect! The wedding coordinator there (Christina), was awesome and worked with us so much to make sure everry detail w...
as met to our specifications. I had a vintage style wedding, and it fit perfectly with the venue, which is an old train station turned into a restaurant. The menu/food selection was amazing and all of my guests loved the food. It's not your typical "wedding" food, it's very high quality steaks, seafood, etc. The prices were very reasonable in my opinion too. The staff was excellent and I would highly recommend this venue!
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