When I lived in Kirkwood I would drive to this bar every weekend almost, to drink and have a great…read moretime with the locals. I met my now exgirlfriend there and won her over with a match of thumb wrestling. (she always won) The house Bday shot is the 3 wise men. I don't recall which nights but through the week they have $1PBR drafts, $5 PBR pitchers, and $2PBR bottles. Now don't start thinking I'm some South City Hipster. They serve this beer because it's cheap not trendy. The place is smaller than most would be used too. In the front it's just a bar with like 3-4 tables you can sit 4 people at each. With a bar you can fit maybe 15-20 people. The line for the bathroom works like clock work! The back room where the bands play is very large, while the stage is small, Singers usually on the floor in more than 3 piece band. They have a great Reggae night, as well as some great local bands that play as well. Muddy pub books a wide array of musical acts so there isn't really a set genre. The real action to me even now that I'm a non smoker, is out front of the muddy pub, nothing beats standing around the front door, talking to random people, and watching the people bar hop around the block of 3rd street Alton that is like a mini St. Louis Landing. One of my favorite all time bars for sure!

This is a bar I've been dragged to way too many times and for reasons I still don't understand. If…read moreit's up to me, I won't be back again. It has a basic problem that there's no good place to sit anywhere if you have a group of friends with you. Assuming there are seats open at the bar at primetime, when you most want to be out drinking (and that's a big assumption because there probably won't be seats open), your group is spread several people wide and not everyone can hear everyone over the music and other people. You want to be in that room because it's where the beer is, and where most of the people are, but it's hard to hang out in there because the space is too narrow and awkward. Then of course because you're having to stand behind your friend who's sitting at the bar, you're constantly moving out of the way of someone who's in line for the bathroom. The upstairs is never open (that I've seen), so forget about that. Then, on the ground level past the room with the bar and bar stools, you've got the big open room with ample tables and seating where they put bands. Whenever a band is there, the band usually sucks, so it's no fun to sit there then. Whenever no bands are there, the room is too dark and empty to hang out in and not feel like a weirdo. Or they turn on the light and then it's too bright. You're never in the sweet spot when you're in that room, with the right amount of lighting and non-shitty music. Ironically, the best place to hang out at Big Muddy is outside the back door of the bar. Sometimes you can get away with taking a drink out there with you, and it can be fun to stand there and look at what's left of downtown Alton's industry. But I find it funny and telling that the best place to hang out is not actually part of the business. It's just a place where people stand when they go to Big Muddy because the bar itself isn't much to speak of, and yet all your friends want to go there anyway, so you can't just leave without having a drink.

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

Great place! Cheap food! Frosty cold beer. I mean frosty! The beer glass is insanely frosted. A…read moreserver will come and take your drink order. (You have to at least order a drink.) You go up and order your food and pick it up when it's ready. Basket of fries for $3! The food is super cheap. They want you in there drinking and having a good time. The food will keep you in longer. NO KIDS! NO TO GO! It's a fun lace to hang out. They will have live music. There is a separate motorcycle lot. Drive a couple of minutes away to see the Piasa Bird as well as the ice cream joint called Shivers. Also, go see the Miles Davis statue. Make sure to drive up the Illinois River Road. Before you leave, grab some merch!

Cheap, good food, and great vibes!…read more My husband and I finished date night with food and drinks at Fast Eddies. This place is normally packed on the weekends especially when the weather is nice. I'm guess because it was later in the evening when we went they weren't as crowded. There's always live music playing, someone celebrating their 21st birthday and good vibes. Staff was friendly, welcoming and made sure we were doing good the entire time we were there. Ordering food is all self service at the food station. You place your order then wait for your number to be called. They sell burgers, chicken on a stick, steak on a stick, chicken sandwiches, shrimp, and fries. Your food is up pretty quick. We ordered burgers, fries, chick on a stick, big Elwood and shrimp. We also ordered two long islands and a beer. All in all we spent about $60. The food was delicious, seasoned well and plentiful. The drinks were made perfectly. No complaints from me. I'll be back!

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.

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!

This is my first time attending this place and it was for a food truck Event, which was pretty…read morecool. They had a nice amount of food trucks and everything was good that we tried. They had quite the variety and it wasn't overly crowded so I will definitely attend it again. It was family friendly and they had live music so that was nice as well.

Look, I seen them in 2014 @ Bellville's free outdoor concert for the city's Centenial celebration…read more Now I seen them again in Alton @ Ampiteatre outdoor in the rain.We did have our umbrella & hat, as it lighly rained all night on & off. They opened w/ my wife's favorite song,Do It Again, & they closed w/ Fun, Fun, Fun w/ all 4 of their # 1's in between. They did all their fan favorites.They can still rock! My highlight of the night was a tribute to George Harrison by Mike called Pisces Brothers. I personally love this venue for music & look forward to seeing further acts outdoor by the Missippi River in Alton, IL.

A Fantastic old theatre that has been brought back to life, right smack dab in heart heart of…read moreUptown Collinsville! A lot of hard work and countless hours have been poured into this place over the past few years to bring it back to this beautiful place. We attended a great concert there recently, which was a Def Leppard Tribute band. It was a great show. We can't wait to get back! They have a full lineup of shows heading into fall. There really aren't any food or snack options, at least not yet. There are plenty of drink choices, including water, soda and wines and seltzers. They also take credit card payments.

From the owner: Historic Miners Theater in Uptown Collinsville is a live performance venue featuring Music,…read moreTheater, Comedy, and hosting of private events.

We had dinner here for the first time & it was very good & reasonably priced…read more We had the fried tacos, fried chicken & chicken stir fried. It was all great!

First... the patio was amazing once the bartender/waitress shut the music off. Despite the patio…read morebeing in the shadow of the Pontoon Rd overpass, it was comfortable and allowed for a nice evening outside. Not easy to find in a public setting in GC. Bring your smokes, all appeared welcome. The food... I'm certain would have been delicious after 10-15 beers. The Special Turkey Melt was not so special. Turkey was dry, old, and tasted like a dirty grill, the bacon was under cooked and full of chewy fat, and the cheese was generic food product previously wrapped in cellophane. Those combinations with the overpowering rye bread left the sandwich 1/4 eaten on the plate. The crinkle cut fries were overcooked to perfection with the cheapest catsup money can buy. The Bacon Cheeseburger bun was stale. (Hint: Grilling a bun can bring it back to life) The bacon was cooked perfectly and ruined by the generic cheese food product. The burger patty was an a typical frozen Sysco burger cooked on a dirty grill. Nothing to destroy their 5 star rating over, but nothing to make us want to eat there ever again. If I return it will be for the patio to smoke cigars and drink whiskey with GC locals.

The best coffee for miles around. A separate pizzaria and juicery too. the food is ok. it is…read morelittle over priced for what one gets but mostly tasty! It is very comfortable, cool looking (in a converted post office) and the staff are fabulously nice. Highly recommended !

Stopped by Post Commons for the first time on my way to Pere Marquette State Park! Wow this place…read moreis awesome, seriously a HUGE coffee shop, it makes sense it used to be a federal post office. Lots of different seating available from couches, comfy chairs, tables, bars by the window, you name it. I ordered a banana bread latte and the lunch special which were the steak tacos. Both were great! Steak tacos were spicier than expected but it had good flavor. Lots of parking too which is a plus.

Oh, Daddy. I like Catdaddy's…read more Catdaddy's recently went under new ownership. It's a new partnership that is mainly women. They are promoting themselves as, "A female owned space where women can let their hair down and have fun...We've got your back." They're promoting a safe place for ladies to have fun and not have to go it alone when feeling uncomfortable. The entire crew will have your back. It's a safe place. I met two female friends here for Happy Hour this past Friday. I thought I'd arrive early to secure a table, when I did the bar was already packed and it was just 5PM. I was greeted by a male bartender, who poured a good and refreshing Tito's with Seltzer. Pricing for a call brand was cheap. Not sure if it was a HH deal or not. I'll update that on next visit. The best way to describe, Catdaddy's is that it is an upscale dive bar. Its crowd was a good mix of ages, sexes and diversity. We were still there during the bartender change and the young lady who came on duty was also, attentive and friendly. There's no full kitchen, but they do offer bar pizzas, if you need a nosh to cut the liquor. I had fun, so I know I'll be back.

Really cool place in downtown Alton. Came here with my family and we had a great time. Very lively…read moreand well decorated place. I would recommend coming here to anybody who's looking for a fun bar experience. Service was quick and everything is great. Nice big space and plenty of parking in the area. I'm looking forward to coming back in the future, surprised I've never been here before as an Alton native.