A friend of mine invited me out one Saturday afternoon and I was hooked. We spent an afternoon sampling all their draft offerings (we had someone drop us off and pick us up) and had a blast, as you would imagine. Very friendly staff and clientele. I came here with my wife a few days ago since she had never been here. We were planning on just having 1 then moving on. We started talking to some guys we were sharing a table with and ended up staying for 3 hours. All kinds of beer offerings here. Everyone of them has been good (so far). They have a wasabi beer that I'm a little leary of but will probably try. Great place. 4/20/16: I just noticed on their beermenus.com listing (which they keep up faithfully, BTW!) that they now offer half pours on everything on tap. Not all tappings were available in flights at times so having the option to get a half pour allows more samples without the headache, if ya know what I mean. read more

Plank Tap Room, in one visit (after a previous attempt) has easily become one of my favorite suburban beer spots. I could spend time talking about how good the beer selection is....but that's to be expected. There are plenty of other reviews on here, but simply put....this place is not your $2.50 Miller Lite bottle specials place. And I love that! What I do want to talk about are the people, and the location. The minimalism behind this bar is perfect for those that want to enjoy a great beer selection. I say that because there are no TV's, decorations are to a minimum, and the table setup kinda forces you to sit with just whomever is already there. And that....is awesome. You meet other people and maybe talk about beer, or just the daily grind, or family, or friends...whatever. No need for dart or a pool table either...board games are available and can easily help break the ice. Or, you can sit there and just enjoy a fantastic beer. Now, what (IMO) makes this place 5* is the people. We arrived at about 8pm on Saturday and got to know Teresa, the bartender on duty that night. She was great to talk to, not only educating my wife and I on which beers we would like based on our tastes, but just shooting the shit with us as well. Alan, the owner, came in a little while later after our arrival and is by far one of the most personable owners I've had the pleasure of meeting. He truly wants people to a) enjoy their beer, and b) understand their beer. He's constantly having events, and I can tell you that my wife and I are VERY excited for the next one. I have the price at $$ only because the beer they serve isn't the $2.50 miller lights if the world. Their beer selection necessitates the price point they have it at, and it is exactly where it should be; good pours and very affordable. Tap Room will easily become our "weekly tradition". So...if you enjoy great beer, great people, clean/inviting location this is your place. Put away your cellphone, order a flight, then order your favorite, make some new friends, and be safe. And if it's on tap...I highly recommend Absence of Light by 4 Hands... read more

Plank road tap house Such a great tap house. I'm not much of a beer drinker but they were awesome and recommended a cider that I loved and really enjoyed. I've participated in two of their painting nights hosted by Vino Van Gogh and I was exceedingly pleased at both events. read more

This was our first time trying Plank Road Tap Room and we were really glad we dropped in. The atmosphere was quaint and cozy, and the bartender was so cool and knowledgeable about the beers. He made great recommendations. We spent the evening bellies up to a modern industrial picnic table with a group of 8 and had great conversations and laughs. It's like a coffee house for beer drinkers! read more

We go to Plank Road often, great beer and great place to hang out with friends. They also host Beer Choir from time to time which is also a blast! read more

Awesome place to stop for great beer, can't go wrong with 15 beers on tap!! Great selection. Bartender Jeremy knows his beer ask him for a recommendation. Five star + read more

I've been coming out here a bunch with the lady and friends, and have neglected to leave a review! The bartenders are always very nice and extremely knowledgeable of the beers on tap and in the cooler. The selection is phenomenal, and I've found so many new brews I love!!! Their food truck relationship is a great idea, along with the encouragement to bring your own food. The atmosphere is always friendly and warm, and always fun to crack open one of their board or card games they keep on hand. I highly recommend this place if you're looking for a solid established craft beer venue, with a new yet rustic feel. They recently added an outdoor patio with more seating, to accompany their awesome log cabin front porch seating. read more

This is an amazing place. Warm, cozy, and needless to say, the beer selection is exemplary. The staff is always friendly and courteous and did I say the beer selection is exemplary? The entire place has a warm good vibe to it. There is no way you can be in here and not be in a good mood. I love this place and everything about it. read more

Enjoyed a Perennial's Abraxas, an imperial stout with ancho chillies, cacao nibs, vanilla beans and cinnamon sticks. The staff was great . Also enjoyed a peach butter stout which was also excellent. It was our second visit. read more

Plank Road Tap Room - Perennial's Abraxas - Bars Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

Great idea for a Taproom with continuously rotating CRAFT BEERS. I put that in capitals as they typically do not have any wimpy beers on tap. My opinion- it seems that they are Hop-Heads as most of the 14 taps are Hop-forward beers. Sours are now hitting their mix as well. Please get a few more malt, stout, lager .... style beers. The have a mug-club that is limited in membership that often takes over the place (closed-private event!) for special trappings during what would be normal operating hours for patrons which is frustrating. I have been turned away twice! Not cool! It is quite small and has limited parking. It is nice to sit outside as they provide adequate tables and areas for playing bags. It is a BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) establishment that occasionally brings food trucks on site. It is a Hipster place full of Cicerone wannabes and many trending "collectors". The best thing is the continual rotation of truly CRAFT BEERS! read more

The other reviews seem to be missing the facts that the seating and lighting are those from a cafeteria lunch room. Awkwardly bright for a bar. I do like the craft beer selection but that's about it. The place is tiny, beaming with bad light and offers wooden picnic benches and tables (only 4) to the people not sitting in the 8-9 barstools. What about 6-10 high top tables and maybe a tv? Not that you need tv for a bar to be cool, but it would provide a nice distraction from the picnic tables I think. read more

"Ale houses" are popping up seemingly in every burb, serving anywhere from 5 to 25 brews. This one, however, has some REAL INDEED rare stuff the others do not have. This is more of a BEERSTER place than a HIPSTER place, despite what the other reviewer said. Very comfy, no frills, no screens, no games. Just beer and conversation and maybe a Food Truck if you're lucky. My bro and I were there 2 hours, tried 5 awesome draft brews and were out $35. Not bad, considering I just dropped a $20 on a 6 pack of 3 Floyds bottles at the hidden liquor store that was, 3 months old. read more

Refreshing atmosphere! Great beer. Definitely looking forward to watching this place grow!

Great place. You gotta check it out! The owner is extremely knowledgeable about beer. The atmosphere is perfect. Cheers! read more

Plank Road Tap Room - G - Bars Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

Great little spot for some amazing beers in Elgin. Taps change all the time so always something new to try. Love all the events they do if you follow them on Facebook you can see all their events. The food trucks they bring in all have delicious food. The patio area is super nice in the summer to relax and have a cold one outside. Would definitely recommended to anyone! read more

Great place, good beer, but most of the bartenders are unfriendly, especially the one on Saturday nights. Dustin was awesome.

Small bar inside of a new log cabin building. Food is available outside under a tent provided by an outside vendor. Come early as the parking lot is small. read more

An awesome beer drinking experience. Like dropping by someone's home for a great beer.

I wish this was what my house looked like. Log home with a nice selection of beers on tap. Though the inside is small it is meant to share in conversations. No food but they usually have a rotating selection of food trucks. There is a selection of board games available if so inclined. I wish I went there more often. read more

Nice little beer bar... Nice rolling menu. Clean, casual, unassuming . Bring your own food.

Great beer selection. For the prices, however, I expect a full pour. Last time I was there I was extremely disappointed. A terrible pour for a $3.00 beer, and this was a $6.50 beverage. Need to improve on that. read more

Plank Road Tap Room - Terrible pour for a $3.00 beer, let alone a $6.50 beverage. Come on, PRTR. Improve on this! Not the first time. - Bars Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

WARNING...before you make the trip to this place, just know that there is very limited parking. My wife and I traveled 45 min to attend an event. No parking available. The tap "room" was over crowded. I finally parked along Plank road and was warned my vehicle would be towed if I didn't move it. I then moved it across the street into an empty parking lot. I was again warned I would be towed. A very snarky attitude. When I asked about a place to park I was told, "it is not our problem." So I quickly downed my warm beer and left. I won't go back there again. read more

A beer drinkers nirvana, where you wouldn't expect to find one. Great selection of 14 craft beers on tap, of which the owner, Alan, keeps rotating to keep selection fresh. Alan, Jeremy, and Theresa are very beer knowlegable and will pair you up with the beer that suits your taste. Atmosphere is great and patrons are very friendly, come by yourself or come with friends, you can't help but have a good time while expanding your taste in beer. read more

This is our favorite bar! We love the beer selection and how often it changes. It's also pretty great when they have food trucks on the weekends. read more

Coolest little tap room with a very nice selection if craft brews. The atmosphere and the staff are great. In the summer, we take our pups and sandwiches and make an afternoon out of it. One the best places yet out here. read more

Best spot to grab a drink in the Elgin area. Wife and I frequent this spot quite a bit, constantly rotating their taps with the latest and best local and statewide craft options, bartenders are knowledgeable. Even though they don't carry their own food, they often have food trucks there on weekends. Great outside seating when the weather is warm. read more

Unique, simple bar to get micro brews. Has a great outdoor space. Definitely not a place for a mixed crowd as they truly ONLY have beer and a couple ciders. read more

I was very disappointed in this place. They have no food, the bartenders have very little beer knowledge, the selection is limited and there is not enough seating! read more

What a treat to have a place this special so close to home! My husband and I went for a drink (stayed for two) last week and brought dinner with us from Maciano's down the street since they intentionally don't serve food here. The selection at PRTR was awesome and the staff knew the beers intimately and made great recommendations. It's tiny inside but we had no problem finding table space (think communal tables with board games if you're so inclined). Very enjoyable can't wait for the warm weather to try out the patio! Oh and they have food trucks on the weekends! read more

This is by far the best place for craft beer you will ever encounter, they never disappoint. Their selection is is unbelievable and the staff is super friendly. Don't miss out pay them a visit. read more

Seriously love this place, BUT I specifically checked the website to make sure you are open on Monday's, and it says you are. So I made plans with friends to meet there tonight, bought food and showed up at 5:30 and the place is locked up and dark. No note, nothing. Not cool. read more

Recently went back to this place. What a find. If you enjoy beer and hanging out with great people this is a must go.

One of our favorite spots! Have had a blast with a group of friends or date night with my husband. Great selection and always something new! Thanks for bringing the cabin back to life! read more

I've been to Plank Road Tap Room a few times now, and really like it. I should probably mention that I'm not a beer snob type. I like beer, but don't actually know much about beer. I also don't care for very heavy or dark beers. Last time I was there I got a blonde ale that I really liked, and I also enjoy their Oktoberfest beer. Honestly, my favorite thing about this place is its ambiance. I love sitting outside and being able to just have conversations with the people I'm with. I like the whole food truck idea. I like that it's not a loud sports bar with idiot 22 year olds in it. I read a review that said the owner and bartenders are rude, but I haven't found this to be true at all. The same guy has been working behind the bar every time I've been in - I don't know if he's the owner or not - but he's been super nice every time I've been there. I've recommended this place to a few people, and I'm sure I'll be back soon! read more