Fun place. Visited with friends after dinner and was truly impressed. Service is great drinks were…read moregood. Cozy and fun place to spend an evening. Can't wait to go back.

DOPPELBOCK 'N ROLL…read more This suburban brewery taps a solid, headbanging beer. I've always felt that a cold draft hits differently than a can or bottle. When the mood strikes me, I'll venture over to Garage Band Brewing on Des Plaines St in downtown Plainfield, next door to Station One Smokehouse (with whom they share a symbiotic relationship)​. Their brews have hard rock-inspired names, like 'Stout It Out Loud' (a play on the KISS song), 'Hop Shaped Box' (Alice in Chains), and 'Hybrid Th30ry' (a 30 IBU pale ale with a nod to Linkin Park). Last time here, I got 12oz of the 'Don't Harsh My Mellow' for $6. I dig the packaging wrap on their 16oz cans of Dizzy Up the Blonde; a Marilyn Monroe-esque lady sitting on a 55gal drum, suggestively tugging on her red high heel with one hand and holding a chalice of beer in the other. What's not to like there? They have a trio of pinball tables that get sporadically rotated out. Previously they had Foo Fighters and Star Wars, now they've got Stranger Things, JAWS, and a gorgeous Godzilla premium model​ at $1 per play. There's a digital jukebox too, if you wanna pick tunes for the venue. * TL;DR * I lack the time and expertise to brew my own beer, so I'm happy to leave it to the pros. Garage Band is a small operation with big dreams, and they already have a handful of solid brews in circulation. I check back every few months to see their new seasonal drafts, like a shandy in the summer and darker Oktoberfest-style beer in the fall. They're closed Mon-Tues. Beer and pinball are significant passions of mine, and since Garage Band has a nice selection of both, they get an easy 5*.

Great beer. Nice setup. Highly recommend Bam Ban Loves Pebbles (the related hot sauce is…read moreoutstanding as well).

Great brewery good beer. Plenty of options for food in the area. Bartenders are always pleasantread more

I had a great time at Mad Hatchet Brewing in Shorewood and highly recommend it! The taproom has a…read morecool, welcoming vibe with a fun horror movie theme that makes it stand out from other breweries. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, happy to chat about the beers and suggest flights. Family owned!

The new owners, new beers, outdoor area and new decor inside made this a pleasant experience for…read moreme. I tried their Octoberfest and went back for seconds. I wish the new owner many years of success!

We went here after a trip over to IKEA. We sat near a window in a booth. We had a few beers which…read morewere pretty good. We also had good service. A good pit stop while shopping.

My first visit to Skeleton Key! I decided on a flight consisting of:…read moreIn the Limelight - Lime Lager Migratory - Toasted coconut golden ale Luminous Monk - Belgian blonde Ale Instamatic Focal Point - Raspberry Wheat Ale All great tastes! There was a reading nook, event space, family den, and the main bar space. They also have outdoor seating available. Highly recommend a visit to support local!

I can't believe I have been missing out on this spot! I came here for bingo night and it was so…read moremuch fun! The atmosphere was really friendly. We were welcomed after we found a spot to sit with bingo cards! I like that they have nights where food trucks come and then you are also able to bring your own food. There are some small bites/snacks on the menu as well. The list of beer options are nice. I ordered the lil jug with mango and loved it! It was nice light fruit beer. There are other events that happen at this location & you can even schedule a tour of the brewery as well. I will definitely be coming back especially when it gets nicer out.

Best IPA maker in the Midwest. Love coming in to try something new but also love just drinking old…read morefavorites as well. Bartenders are great and the set up of the bar and tables is good for big groups or single patrons. Love the huge mural art next to the bar. Sets the tone for a good beer drinking experience. Love the beer here!

we had a wonderful experience at Khaos. We had a big group with lots of kids (youth baseball team)…read more We had Stephen, Adena and Rachel helping us. We were always checked on and Stephen greeted us as soon as we walked in, showed us around the games area and took our drinks order right away. Food was great and the kids had the best time! Jessica and Korey as the best!

Horrible treatment. We tried to go today at 2:30 today with 4 adults and 2 young children plus one…read morebaby. They refused to set us due to an upcoming party of THIRTY people in 30mins and then a party of 37 in an hr. When we asked the manager why that information was not posted online, she advised because the bar was still open. We said we cannot sit at the bar with a 6yr old, 3yr old and baby. She just stared at us. I said so you have a TOTAL of 67 people coming, so they have EVERY table booked? Yes? The manager confirmed that: yes. Every table. I replied so you're effectively closed as a restaurant and only open as a bar, and you informed NO ONE, when you're a family-friendly game playing restaurant. she again just stared. This was horrible. We walked out. And this was the second time something like this has happened.

Went for the first time a couple weeks ago for the comedy night. It must be a company that does the…read morecompany part and the comedians come to town and a bar hosts them. Hands down worst bar ever to host them. I think the signs said the bar does this weekly or something??? How? Size/ atmosphere- This place is TINY. If you're going to go you better get the whole party there extremely early for a seat because you aren't really going to be able to save seats and it's the only way you will be able to see the comedian. The set up is awful at this bar. You can sit on a crumby house couch up close next to the stage, grab chairs directly in front of the front door in the aisle that everyone's purses will be hitting your head with as they walk by, attempt to grab a round table with 6-7 chairs and most have terrible views, or attempt to sit at the bar with your back to the bar. The building structure poles or beer equipment and area completely block the view so for 85% of the comedy show myself, friends, and other guests were staring out the random store front windows or looking down just listening to the show because I could not see the front / comedian. There was no where to move to since they packed the house. Until 2 people left the bar we got up and sat there and let two friends scoot over so they could maybe attempt to lean over and see. Only have 2 bathrooms which are coed but that's fine it's small. The line though for them was longggg. Drinks/ service/ show- Small options available and only local craft that were okay. Get some freaking food or apps besides over charged crappy frozen pizza. Ciders that they sold were disgusting- like not edible. The drinks are as decor on the wall and kinda confusing to know if that's on draft, only beer available, all beer they make/ sell, etc. We all had issues with the stupid QR code menu and the website was cut off on half the groups phones and wouldn't show everything. Limited selection. No cocktails or mixed drinks is what I was told and then saw people drinking cocktails. No domestic. They only had 2 tablets yet only would use one and only have 2 bartenders the whole show. The lines for drinks from before the show started to after were constant. Bartender tripped over the rug, couldn't figure out where or what drinks they had, used the wrong beer glasses each drink. One was super rude and almost avoided people. I think one or both were possibly the owner. Then after the intermission as the headliner was starting and until almost the very end of her set the couple at the bar WOULD NOT STOP TALKING. A huge problem besides the view and size of this place was that they did NOT use or know how to use their speakers or volume. The microphone might as well been off. Not a damn person could hear anything in there unless you were up front really. This couple would not stop talking and I'm not sure if it was the owner and a patron or what but listening to their convo, not by choice, they did not know each other and she was not here for the show. Everyone from the other side of the bar, in front of the bar, across the room was staring and looking back at the couple to stop talking. A man at the end of the bar asked the bartender to tell them to tone it down and he said yeah ok and then continued avoiding the situation until he weaseled his way in and they still did not stop talking. She eventually left thank god but please do NOT go to a bar with an event if you can't read the room holy shit. I did really like the mom juice box from another brewery. I had a couple of the sweet and sour beer from Nik & ivy or whatever beer and it was good. The comedians were all young and funny. Main show was pretty intense as far as her opening up for her set (suicide, cutting, eating disorders, sex, etc) but that's literally their choice and how comedy works but I know a bunch of people made comments about how deep and too much it was. There was also 2 woman that ruined basically the entire show. The comedians were even over it. They were WASTED when the show started at 730 or 8. The older woman was a local teacher, she willingly shouted to the entire room the entire show, hitting on the comedian and would yell out loud and interact the whole time. Ok first one was funny but after 50 f'ing times get it together and grow up. The comedians were getting annoyed and the bar owners should have stepped up. They were making a scene in the bathroom and holding everyone up also. I'm all for girls night and letting loose but you should have boundaries and that's a liability for a bar owner also. I won't be back.

POPPIN' PILSNERS…read more This Lockport brewery has a decent number of rotating taps, but it's not my favorite place to grab a drink. Nik & Ivy is a small brewery on State St in downtown Lockport.  As with most places of this ilk, there's no food on-site and it can be tough to find parking.  Your best bet is a side street (and keep your visit brief). Last time here, I was disappointed they didn't have any wheat beer or amber ales on tap.  I understand that it's winter and some beers are seasonal, yet all I saw was heavier stouts, IPAs, and a few oddball brews. I got an Italian lager that tasted like a Peroni, which wasn't bad, though it was definitely a compromise.  The west coast lager was a bit better, but in retrospect, I should've gotten a pint of mead instead. My go-to - a Hefeweizen - is likely a springtime beer, so it was nowhere to be seen. They have a trio of pinball tables on your right as you walk in--their current lineup includes Star Wars, Godzilla premium, and Foo Fighters ($1/ea).  Just like with their beer taps, they cycle through pins periodically so I'll check back in a few months to see if anything got swapped out. * TL;DR * If there's a place that serves beer and has more than 1 pinball table, I'm gonna find it. Nik & Ivy is a pretty typical brewery that shares a lot in common with Orange & Brew in downtown Downers Grove, as well as Black Horizon in Willowbrook.  I've only ever seen one guy behind the counter, but he's easy to talk to. I'd recommend and will likely stop in again.

Really liked the Chicago location a few years ago, so we decided to try their Naperville location…read more Even though they're advertised on several online sources as dog friendly, they're not. Not their fault, but the management should make it clearer that they only allow dogs on their patio. Finding the entrance was tricky, despite the solemn oath signs in the back. It didn't seem very obvious how to get in. Their beer selection is what was what really gives them the number of stars I'm giving. I'm going from memory here, but they mostly offered IPAs and some ales, and very few of any porters or stouts. It's February- you should have some more wintery type beers on tap this time of year. Maybe they're not the brewmaster's favorite styles, I dunno. Still, I'd definitely return, but I will read their menu before making the trip next time.

The bar area was small and only allowed six or seven patron sitting. There were a couple of stools…read morebut counters facing the wall. The bartender was mostly friendly and helpful unless he had a regular to help. The booth we sat in was large and was nice to sit in.

Very nice open space restaurant. Lots of good choice of food and beers obviously…read more A good / safe option in Lockport. Will return.

Terrible service. Waited forever to be served. We did have a large group and expected a wait. We…read morehave been to their location in Ottawa and LOVED it. But this place is horribly managed. They were out of many items on the menu. I ordered my meal and about 25 mins later was told that too was out. The beer we had tasted way off to what I'm used to from their brewery. I'll stick to their other location. This location is horribly ran.