After enjoying dinner at a restaurant in downtown Alton, I wanted something else to do. So I did…read moresome Yelp, FB and Google searches and found out that Bubby & Sissy's was having their 20th Miss Bubby & Sissy's Pageant. Watching that would be something else to do and it would be totally different. The crowd for this evening show was almost as entertaining as the contestants and guest performers. It was an excellent mix of diverse individuals. There were multiple M/F couples, senior citizens, Bachelorette Party and of course many members of the LGBTQ community. I even saw my waitress from the restaurant, when she got off work. The bartenders were hustling making sure everyone had a cocktail, as they enjoyed the pageant. Two of the bartenders I knew from other establishments in the community, but they work at B&S now, because we all know gays are good tippers. Don't judge Bubby & Sissy's for being a bar supporting the LGBTQ community. Just think of it as a dive bar supporting the local community. I've seen wild deer out on their patio. So if deer feel safe at B&S, you can, too.

This is one of the last bars with acclamation of a Gay Bar. The best is that the bartendWes George,…read moreTrish, David Roni, and Bubby welcome everyone and ensure they have a great and safe experience. highly recommended, Great Female impersonators and shows on the weekends. .

If you're a fan of their Grafton, IL location, you're going to love this one, too. It's way bigger…read moreand we all know, bigger is usually better. Having recently moved to the River-bend area, I am out exploring my new territory. I am on the search for great burgers, wings, pizza and other popular pub foods. Going home from my cousins, I was traveling a side backroad and as I was passing 3rd Chute, I quickly entered the second entrance. I was surprised that they had added a second location and became anxious to see their pub fare. The COVID restrictions had just been lifted today, so their was a mix of mask and non-mask wearers in the restaurant. The majority of the staff was mask-less and half the patrons like myself were still wearing one. I seated myself at the far end of the bar and I'd be damned if a young man didn't come sit next to me with only one stool between us. At first i was miffed, but when I looked, he too was a mask wearer. When I pulled into the lot, my intentions was to get wings or a burger. However, my mind was quickly changed when I found out what the special of the day was. Their special was Fried Catfish! It came with two fillets of fish and two sides. I'm a fan of catfish, so I was sold. They had signage up promoting Jayne's famous chili, so I went ahead and had a small bowl as one of my sides. It was very mild. I like some spice and heat to my chili, but I can see why a lot of folks may be excited about hers. For my other side I choose fries. They served up the thin shoestring type fries similar to a famous burger chain. They were extra crispy and only lightly salted, which I like. Then there was the catfish, the two fillets were larger then I had anticipated, but I managed to eat them all. They came with a thick slice of white bread, similar to Texas toast and a generous slice of white onion. I'd get this special again, if offered. Except I'd replace the chili with coleslaw a side dish that goes better with fried catfish. When in a pub, you gotta drink booze, so I enjoyed a, Love Gun from Heavy Riff. It was nice to see that they offered a good variety of local breweries from both sides of the Mississippi. Staff was friendly and attentive. My bartender checked in with me several times to make sure I didn't need anything and to make sure I was satisfied with my entree. The atmosphere and ambiance is a cross between a sports pub and country bar, but I found it to be very relaxing. Will I return? - They've got burgers, wings and pizza for me to try. When: October 10, 2020 10102020 Why: Meal of Day

Planned to meet friends with under-age kids here on a Friday night after a high school football…read moregame. Late-night food options in Alton are sparse. Had eaten here in the past, but apparently this bar/restaurant recently changed ownership. The once loud dance crowd was absent and few cars occupied the parking lot. The menu appeared the same. We ordered chicken wings, peel n eat shrimp and a burger. They only had cajun shrimp left, so after seeing the folks behind me being served the ribeye dinner, I changed my order. Wow. Great flavor, and served with roasted potatoes and fresh green beans. I was impressed. All that was missing was bread, but I didn't care much. I liked the quieter atmosphere and after a very drunk man made a huge scene and a fool of himself, the manager stopped by our table with an apology. Very good service. Excellent value for a steak dinner. Still a great place to eat. The entire meal was less than $30 for two drinks, burger/fries, and steak dinner!

Pete's Lounge is a pretty cool dive bar. The food is good and priced well. The cocktails are strong…read moreand they have a good variety of beers. Their bartenders are friendly and so are the other patrons. Sitting at the bar, all conversations overlap and everyone participates. I've been back several times since my first visit. I mainly come for the Kobe Burger at lunchtime. A cold beer, burger and a basket of crisp fries always hits the spot. Their Friday and Saturday Steak Specials are pretty damn good, too. One visit I added, shrimp. A Caesar Salad, Steak with 3 Shrimp and a Baked Potato made for a great meal. I kept telling myself to try the pizza, so the next time I go for lunch, I will order pizza instead of my typical Kobe Burger.

Nice place lots of TV's burger and fries were very good. Good cold beer and a very friendly…read morebartender and patrons .

Morrison's Irish Pub - Alton, IL…read more We finally stopped into Morrison's and it delivered that cozy, old-world Irish pub charm you want when you walk through those doors. I had the Irish cheese sandwich, Justin went with the corned beef -- and both were genuinely good. Comforting, hearty, and exactly what you hope for in a pub meal. Now... the kitchen was moving a bit slow this visit. Was it noticeable? Yes. Was it worth the wait? Also yes. Because Sam -- the female bartender -- absolutely made the experience. Fun, engaging, and the kind of personality that makes you feel like you're already a regular even if it's your first visit. That kind of service turns a "slow day" into a good memory. The menu is packed with authentic Irish favorites, and honestly, next time we're absolutely going to lean fully into the classics -- because this feels like a place that does traditional comfort food right. One small wish: I really wish they made their own chips. The bagged chips were a little lackluster and felt like a missed opportunity next to an otherwise hearty, made-with-care menu. Overall: a great spot that was likely just having an off day -- and still absolutely worth your time. Don't leave without ordering the pear cider. It is absolutely fabulous. Bright, crisp, lightly sweet, and dangerously drinkable. We'll be back -- and we're coming hungry.

This was my first time and let me tell you...it will not be my last! The food was phenomenal! The…read moreservice was perfect and the staff were amazing! The vibe had me wanting to book a trip to Ireland!

We decided to make a whole day in Alton and Firehouse made the list…read more If you decide to make a day in Alton, this spot should be a must visit. They have a great indoor bar area and a fantastic outdoor bar area. I hope they market the outdoor area because it's perfect for summer and fall. The staff (we had Summer as a bartender-amazing) was great! We went right before Halloween and we learned the area always puts in a great Halloween parade.

It's a true "dive bar". It's a cash only bar. It's a heavy pour bar…read more When I moved to the Riverbend area, I thought it would be fun to visit all the local "dive bars". This one is located in downtown Alton just a few doors up from one of my favorite restaurants. I was picking up some bakery items across the street and also shopped at a new boutique next to the bakery. When I finished, I thought it was time for a cocktail and checking out another dive. The bartender was friendly and heavy on his free pour of my Tito's vodka. I use to bartender, so when they free-pour I watch and can tell if they go over or short a shot. My cocktail was refreshing. While I enjoyed my cocktail, it was interesting people watching. Everyone else in the bar knew each other and were buying each other shots. It was a beautiful day and the original garage door to the old firehouse was open. The other day drinkers were going back and forth from the patio and bar area. I am glad I got to experience another dive bar in my new hometown, but I can tell you, my neck is not red enough to return to this one. I truly stood out amongst this crowd. I didn't feel uncomfortable, but I was not a match for the clientele. When: March 27, 2021 Why: Dive Bar & Day Drinking

Omg. Our photos tell it all! We can't say enough about their food! I had the warm goat cheese…read moresalad. Ok, hear me out, I NEVER order thee kinds of foods, but I was feeling wild and crazy today and it paid off! It's probably one of the best salads I've ever had. I added chicken and it was perfect. My husband had the beef teepee which is one of their staple dishes and he LOVED it. We sat at the bar. Everyone was so friendly and attentive. And martinis are superb! Highly recommended! 11/10

When I think of martinis, I think of Bossanova and when I think of Bossanova, I think of martinis…read more The two of them, just go together. I enjoy a relaxing evening sitting at the bar at Bossanova, sipping a Martini. The music is played softly in the background at a level that makes it easy to enjoy and still have a conversation. When I get hungry while I am sipping my martini, I like to enjoy one of their flatbreads, perhaps an order of Salmon Rangoon or a bowl of French Mussels. They're all delicious and will satisfy my hunger pains. The reason I took a star away is, when I ordered my Extra Dry Tito's with a Twist and Make it Skate. The bartender did not know what I meant by, "Make It Skate". I had to explain to her what that phrase meant. She did fairly well, but it wasn't a true skate. I'm confident her eventually master that martini skill.

Do you love large breast? If so you need to visit Castelli's and have their fried chicken dinner…read more The breast they serve, are the largest I have ever seen and the accompanying pieces are impressive as well. Thick meaty thighs, curvaceous legs and wings that look as if the chicken has been pumping iron at the local gym. Big pieces, crispy flavorful coating and juicy meat. I primarily do carry-out and the quality of their take out is equally as good as when dining in the restaurant. Pick-up is smooth and fast, as they have a separate entrance and room for take-out. The staff is friendly and very professional. The service has that family owned business feel. If you're a fan of Onion Rings, I recommend enjoying an order as an appetizer. Their rings are super big and made in house. I do not like onion rings that come from a bag. When ordering my sides, I like mashed potatoes with white gravy. They also offer brown gravy, if that is your thing. My other side is always green beans. They make their green beans with bacon and onion. It reminds me of my momma's. With those two sides, it is a true Sunday Chicken Dinner on any day of the week. I've been coming to Castelli's my entire life. I started coming here as a child when it was called, Moonlight. Many of the locals still call it, Moonlight and no-one will correct them, because we all know where they are talking about. Service in the carry-out room is always speedy and friendly. So if you're a fan of fried chicken, I recommend ordering on-line for a pick-up. Or, treat yourself to a night out and dine in the restaurant. Remember to order the onion rings.

Casual yet upscale vibe to this Italian restaurant. Came for lunch and ordered from the lunch…read moremenu. Full menu available. Fried chicken is king, but he pastas, pizzas, fish, salads. Service was fast, professional. Nice surprise!

Really good food and drinks. Jimmy, Al, and Donnie play great music on a Wednesdays. Everyone needs…read moreto come check this out to break up week day rat race.

Great bar/restaurant. Has side for families and side for bar. A pool table and tvs for ppv events…read moreand sports.

I love me some, Flock. It's a food truck park with a kick ass bar…read more The bartenders are masters of their skill. They can make you a classic cocktail, a simple liquor and mixer drink, or one of their specialty cocktails. My personal favorite from the specialty menu is, "I'll Have What Phil is Having". Imagine a cocktail if an, Old Fashioned and Manhattan could have a baby. It's taking the best of each of those classic cocktails and combining them into one. Thursday nights are for Trivia. This past Thursday, I thought they were too easy, but they got harder and harder as the rounds progressed. I still did okay, but some had me saying, What? Who? and Where? Occasionally on the week-ends you'll be lucky to catch live music. It's all outside, don't you don't have to worry about it being too loud. Listening to local musicians, helps the cocktails go down smoothly. The Brydies food truck is always there and at times you'll see a guest food trucks offering more variety. As stated earlier, the bartenders are awesome. However, sometimes I worry about myself, because a bartender at a food truck park knows my name and what I drink.

We came over from Missouri to check this spot out for Father's Day - mostly because my nephew loves…read morespace and we were excited for the space ship food truck but alas....they have weird hours. The bar is awesome, love that it's locally owned. The drinks were SO GOOD. I wanted to keep drinking!! We ended up at the truck with the different types of loaded fries and woahhhhh so good. The hardest part was trying to figure out which flavor profile we wanted because all the options seemed so delicious. Such a cool spot in a great location. We will definitely be back.

I've been numerous times since I moved to the Alton area and just realized, I've never updated my…read morereview in six years. I think it is time to do so. A couple of my visits have been parties for graduation, retirement and a thirtieth birthday. Food was good, beer was cold and the cocktails had a heavy pour. Sometimes I dined alone and enjoyed a hot chicken sandwich, a cheeseburger, wings and catfish. All of them satisfied my hunger and were better than average pub grub. For a while they served breakfast, but that's a thing of the past. When they did, the chicken and waffles were good. The bartenders and servers are always attentive and friendly. Alton Sports Tap is one of the better sports bars in the Riverbend area.

Referred to Alton tap house by a family friend. Immediately met with great service and through…read moresmall talk Ellen recommend their Nashville hot sand which. My partner and I tried the horseshoe chicken and the Nashville hot and wow! What a flavor. I will by pass the fast Eddie's and Mac's to trek my way here. Good service and great food. You have earned a customer.