I am tooling around northern Illinois and thought I'd stop here because it says Harbor, and yea, looking at water and drinking a beer sounds great. Do you know where this is going? Although there are many picturesque lakes nearby, the brewery does not have a view of any of them, sadly- just trying very boring and dead Main St. On the other hand, my 6.5% APV Blood Orange IPA is delicious. As far as atmosphere goes, -1 for all the gambling games. +1 because I can smell the sweet wort in the air. read more

Harbor Brewing - For my reading pleasure, the history of beer, which includes a reference in The Book of the Dead. - Breweries Near Me - Lake Villa, Illinois

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Date of visit: January 31, 2026 We were down here for a fundraiser for the NGBC Knights Baseball Trivia Fundraiser in the rear banquet space and was overall impressed with the facility. It's kind of hidden as it is located in a separate space behind the taproom and we actually appeared to walk through some of the production facility to access the space (likely on account of the cold) which was both fascinating and slightly nerve-wracking, similar to the beginning of a low-budget horror movie! The space is airy and large, and accommodated a couple hundred inebriated baseball parents (and two infidels from Wisconsin that snuck into the event and won the whole damn thing!) along with a quesadilla truck and raffle prizes. I don't drink so I can't speak to the beer but others I talked to said they were good. I can only vouch for their Coca-Cola and give that a thumbs up! Really the only issue is that the space never seemed to fully warm up for me and I left my coat on the entire several hours I was there. read more

Harbor Brewing - 1/31/26 Trivia winners! - Breweries Near Me - Lake Villa, Illinois

This is a fun date night hang. Harbor Brewing often has live music and has a spacious venue with indoor and outdoor seating as well as the ability to open up the doors for fresh air when the weather is nice. They have a large drink selection. Be sure to ask for a menu or take your time in talking with the bartender. They have a great mocktail selection - however our bartender was not quite understanding what we wanted and when we asked about non-alcoholic options, she recommended the root beer only. We found out after ordering that, that they had a much more extensive list of nonalcoholic options. The shuffleboard table at the back is a fun activity while enjoying your beverage. read more

Harbor Brewing - Exterior - Breweries Near Me - Lake Villa, Illinois

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I'm so surprised that I haven't written a review for Harbor Brewing. We've made the trip to Harbor a handful of times and always have a great time. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because their beer is just middle of the road for me. They have lots of different varieties, as well as some cocktails, but I've never tried any that stand out. But where they make up for it is the overall vibe. This is one of the more relaxed breweries. Even when it's packed, it still feels calm and like a good place to hangout. They also have the BEST bar seats. None of that metal crap with no backs, these are comfortable. There's a ton of other tables around, but the bar is the best seating for sure. They don't have a kitchen, but they have a pretty good rotation of food trucks that I've seen come around. read more

Great place - lots of choices. Enjoyed the people and the atmosphere! Attended a wedding there and it was a great space. read more

Harbor Brewing - Great space for a wedding! - Breweries Near Me - Lake Villa, Illinois

Great place for local craft beers in Lake Villa, and a pretty chill atmosphere. Harbor opened another location in town, making it convenient for those not wanting to go all the way to the lakefront. It's not quite as fun as drinking by the harbor, but it's okay. A good thing is this one isn't as busy. There's still entertainment such as live music. Among the few good places to go in this town it seems, which has a few other bars. It's in downtown close to some other places. This is the brewery's second location, and while it's a little different, there's still most of the same beers though. It's about $7 a pint. Many styles are on tap. Last time I had the Jetboat. This is a New England IPA, crisp and smooth. Has many pretty good beers. It has no food except snacks like pretzels, but you can bring in something from one of the restaurants around here. There's live events listed on the website for music, trivia, and other things. read more

Harbor Brewing - Jetboat - Breweries Near Me - Lake Villa, Illinois

What a great place to just chill and enjoy a beer. My first time coming to this place and definitely won't be the last. Came here on a Friday afternoon and it wasn't too busy. They did have a couple of vendors outside that day but we ended up staying inside. The bartenders were very attentive and welcoming. No food sold here but they do have food trucks some of the days. So have to come back for that. The time that I went, they didn't have the flights so ended up trying the blueberry belly flop and Emily's ale strawberry blonde. They were both very good and would for sure get that again. read more

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Absolutely LOVE this place. The brewery is so open and airy inside, and the last time I was here, they had a live musician playing well-known popular songs. Doggos are allowed, and they have an outdoor patio that is off the water! When it comes to drinks, they have a pretty extensive list, which includes their own brand of beer, obviously, but also other brands. I really enjoy their Take a Seat Wheat and the Breakwater Hefeweizen. They have cocktails available, too! They're dangerous and I love them!! Every Sunday from noon to 3, they also have $5 mimosas and $7 bloodys! The brewery has many different events like bingo nights, trivia nights, and live music nights! I follow them on Facebook, so I'm always up-to-date. Sadly, I don't live close to the brewery, so I don't come as often as I'd like, but it's definitely a brewery I'll travel for. We like to meet family here since my sister lives in a neighboring area, and she and her husband come here all the time and were the ones who recommended coming. Service is great and everyone is friendly. I bought a long sleeve shirt from here, as well, and it's one of my favorite shirts. I can't wait to be back soon! read more

Harbor Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Lake Villa, Illinois

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Great place to take my dog and relax bartenders are all professional Different types of beer make a interesting choice Nothing changes except for the different types of beer Quite great people great conversations read more

Have been going with friends for Wednesday Bingo and tonight for the Family Bingo. I honestly can't say enough good things about the establishment. I absolutely love that Harbor Brewing loves supporting and collaborating with other businesses! Twice we have ordered pizza from Galati's next door and enjoyed it during bingo nights. Also love that they have food vendors on-site. The kiddie cocktail station for family bingo night was an awesome idea! Always well organized, friendly and outgoing staff! Matt is the very best bingo caller eva!! (Make sure to laugh at his jokes so he doesn't feel bad though! Kidding!) read more

Harbor Brewing - BINGO! - Breweries Near Me - Lake Villa, Illinois

The beer and service are amazing. So are their special events such as the vendor markets and book sales. It's family and pet friendly which is a plus. read more

Ever since I moved into the Round Lake Beach/Lake Villa area, I have been looking for a watering hole to call home, a place that serves excellent beers and feels like family when you walk in. I found it. I finally found it. The Harbor team has been brewing for years (up at Winthrop Harbor), but their Lake Villa location is just over a year old now. Between the large open windows, the beautiful exposed steel and wood, the massive yet clean brew tanks and work area in the back, and just recently the Barrel Room open for parties and events, there's a lot to take in and enjoy here. If you enjoy gaming, they have the latest in slots. Electronic darts, yep! Live music? A number of artists flow through each week. The staff are very friendly and it is just a terrific place to make new friends and be a part of a positive community. This is not to say HBC is perfect, it isn't. Music can be incredibly loud to the point of drowning conversation. The food trucks they bring in can be hit or miss (though Galati's next door is open pretty consistently with excellent pizza and cheese fries), and with just how busy it can get, you might be waiting a few to get a beer. But I think as long as you have a go with the flow attitude and exhibit even a modest degree of patience, the pros far outweigh the cons. My hope for HBC as it continues its ambitious expansion not only of the taproom, but of distribution of their beers, is that they take a "Day 1" approach from time to time with reviewing the quality of the things existing they are doing. Could the mug club be more engaging to a broader audience with some different special events? I think so. Does the main indoor seating area need a sound study and some acoustic paneling? Yes, 100%. I think that as long as they keep a mindset not just for growth, but increasing the quality of the existing experience, they will have a very long and successful future ahead of them. And if you haven't been to HBC, my goodness you need to, the beer and mixed drinks alike are ridiculously tasty! read more

Harbor Brewing - Oktoberfest Beer 2023, very well balanced! - Breweries Near Me - Lake Villa, Illinois

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Literally everything is 5/5. We're here every single weekend because the beer is excellent, the service is great and the vibes are immaculate. Could not recommend more. read more

This place is a joke! The beer is average at best. Extremely disappointing ambience. The staff is less than favorable. In the overwhelming smell of is not exactly enticing. read more

Such a great addition to Lake Villa. I love this spot, they have a variety or beers on tap or cocktails available. They often have food trucks outside on the weekends as well as live music. The building is very nice and updated. It's a great spot to hangout, even great for families too bring a game a have a drink. Dogs are allowed as well. They have a patio with outside seating. Service is great too! This place is awesome. read more

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No service, insufficient staff, no one came to take drink orders, you have to go find someone if you want something to drink and then wait your turn while you move closer to the bar in a very long line. Theres no food served here, you have to bring in your own from elsewhere. Played Trivia there, first time (last time), very packed place, very loud with music playing during the game so couldn't hear much of anything. The Trivia caller only gave a question every 15 or 20 minutes. We left because it was dragged out SO LONG, and left early, life's too short!! Guess they're doing good business-wise though. Never did get a beer. Won't go back. But if you like this kind of atmosphere, you should definitely go. read more

Here on opening weekend and I'm impressed with the space! Cool aesthetics, super clean bathroom, a fun band, and a good selection of beers; what more can you ask for? Good amount of seating as well, and although no food menu, you can bring in food from outside. We will definitely be back. read more

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Great place! We go to both their Lake Villa place and the beer garden on the lake front. Super nice people and great beer! We love the environment there and will keep going back. read more

A pretty chill spot, big venue. It's hard to get a drink here, and their beer is pretty good. You don't have to be a big beer drinker to enjoy something on their menu. Pizza is pretty good. It's not a knock to their servers, the system is just set up really strange and it makes it challenging to get a drink. read more

Loved the Harbor Brewing in Winthrop Harbor and this one is fun as well. The Blueberry Blonde is so good!!!! Downtown Lake Villa. read more

Harbor Brewing - Live bands! - Breweries Near Me - Lake Villa, Illinois

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I stopped in today to see the new location for Harbor Brewing in Lake Villa; they,are also hosting 9th Hour Brewing beer & this is their opening weekend offering their beer at this location. While I thought the Winthrop Harbor location was ok, it felt more like a bar. This, which is much more spacious with kids running around, felt like a craft brewery with a more family-oriented atmosphere. My blonde bartender was very friendly and served me my flight right away. I liked my flight which included a sour, a wheat, a stout and an ale. The variety is good, including the 9th Hour beer and the guest taps. read more

Harbor Brewing - Spacious taproom. - Breweries Near Me - Lake Villa, Illinois

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This place is a gem! The beer is delicious, the space is large and welcoming, the live music is a fun addition. We will be back again! There is also cocktail options for those who don't like beer and a great outdoor space. read more

Great Beeer, Great Service, but do not come here when they have live music. the acoustics are terrible and you have to scream to your friends over the music keep a conversation going. i would happily stay here for 5-6+ beers if I didn't have to shout at the top of my lungs for a simple conversation. read more

If you like Deli line waits for service this is your place. Staff ignores new people and serves regulars. Alot of children running around, strange for BAR with no restaurant or food guess Illinois laws have changed. read more

My friends and I have been attending a monthlong bingo night, we love coming here to catch up with great drinks. The environment is fun and I enjoy the choice of indoor and outdoor seating. My only wish was food options. read more

4.5/5. Excellent beer selection with a good atmosphere. Went when they had live acoustic music. Singer was amazing. Only problem was a couple annoying patrons but you can't really blame the place for that. Unruly customers were eventually removed via the police. Great place other than that read more

We held a 70th Surprise Birthday Party in Lake Villa, the last weekend of March 2022. I cannot say enough about how everything turned out. Not having hosted an event at a brewery before, turning such an important event over in unfamiliar territory was a bit unnerving. However, fretting was a total waste of time, as well as, energy and definitely not needed. The event turned out so fabulously, everyone in attendance was in awe. Alyssa and her crew were so amazing, The event space is large, but inviting at the same time. The service was impeccable, considering we had 45 in attendance, there was another party and the brewery was packed, on a Sunday afternoon, to boot ! What a great place. We can't wait to go back when we are in the area. read more

Beers are very good. Staff are great and get your order quickly even when crowded. Music was way too loud Sunday evening but we stopped for 1 beer and headed to Galaţi's for dinner. We headed here on Friday night too and lucked out with some seats at the bar. read more

Had a blast there! Amazing selection on the brews! Being able to taste test before committing is a huge thumbs up!

Have been there a few times and really liked it. They have great bands and the atmosphere is great too. We definitely recommend!

If you like to yell at your friends while having a beer with them then you will enjoy. My wife and I were hoping to be able to enjoy a beer here but the music was ridiculously loud. We walked out immediately. read more

Great place to unwind. Great beer and staff. Super friendly and knowledgeable. Staff is very attentive. They have many events going on. Check their website. Dog and kid friendly. A must try! read more