When my parents first moved to Park Ridge, it was a dry town. Then in 1980, something amazing happened; Park Ridge would no longer be dry!
In the past 38 years since then, it has been a slowly evolving process to get where we are now. How would 1980 Park Ridge officials feel if they knew that we’d be able to buy a drink at the local Farmers Market?!
In the past 5 years especially, Park Ridge has made positive progress in the way of food, drink, and entertainment. You no longer have to leave town to enjoy a happy hour with coworkers, or a night out with friends.
Keep reading to learn about the best places to grab a drink in Park Ridge!
1. Beer on the Wall
I’ve decided to start with my personal favorite spot, Beer on the Wall (BOTW). Barely open for two years, BOTW has made a big impact already with beer enthusiasts traveling from all over Chicagoland area to try out the 12 rotating beer taps.
Don’t like what’s on tap? Grab one of the hundreds of cans or bottles to enjoy in the shop, or at home.
Not a beer lover? Don’t worry, they have you covered with an assortment of wine and liquor options as well. The knowledgeable staff is happy to help no matter your drink of choice.
In case the drink options aren’t enough to hook you, come for the atmosphere. In this cozy and colorful setting, you’ll find tables and chairs, along with bar seating and comfy couches. Take a seat and grab a board game or a Nintendo controller and you’re entertained for hours.
Need a bite to eat? Grab a local carryout menu and bring in a meal to enjoy with your beer; perfect for a group of friends who can’t agree on where to go for dinner!
Beer on the Wall, 106 Main St – (312) 720-3732
2. Holt’s
While you’ll also find Holt’s on my list of Park Ridge Restaurants, it has to be mentioned on this list of Park Ridge bars as well!
Opening in the Fall of 2015, Holt’s was the restaurant/bar that started an exciting new food and drink scene in Park Ridge. The following Spring, the new restaurant/bar added a 28-seat patio for al fresco dining, complete with beer-garden style lights. The floor to ceiling windows of the restaurant also opens up for an urban, airy atmosphere, even inside.
As for the bar itself, it spans all the way from the front to the back of the restaurant.
The menu includes an impressive selection of craft beers, along with dozens of wines, and tempting signature cocktails. And, what’s better than a bar that has stellar food (especially pizza!) when hunger strikes?
You can enjoy this food and drink variety until 11pm during the week, and as late as 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.
Holt’s, 43 S Prospect Ave – (847) 720-4484
3. The Harp and Fiddle
You guessed it: this is the Irish joint on the list, although you certainly don’t have to be Irish to enjoy it!
Like Holt’s, The Harp and Fiddle boasts yummy meals, so you’ll find it on my list of favorite restaurants; however, it cannot be overlooked as a great spot for a drink as well!
A highlight of The Harp and Fiddle is the live music. You’ll find solo artists and full bands on the regular, making it a great evening hangout with friends or family. While enjoying the music, you can grab a drink from a large menu, which includes Irish favorites, Guinness and Harp.
Another reason to hit up Harp and Fiddle is the killer weekend brunch. Along with your meal, you can enjoy diving into the bloody mary bar, or sipping on bottomless mimosas.
Like most Park Ridge hot spots, you can enjoy this bar with your kiddos, or an adults-only night out.
The Harp and Fiddle, 110 Main St – (847) 720-4466
4. Shakou
Yep, one more gem from my restaurant list! Not only is Shakou known for its upscale, Asian cuisine, but it’s also getting quite the reputation for the cocktail menu as well. One notable cocktail is the “Scarlet Night” which includes bourbon and cinnamon-infused hibiscus syrup. Yum!
Of course, if cocktails aren’t your thing, they offer an extensive wine and beer selection as well, including Japanese favorites Sapporo, Kirin, and Hitachino.
The atmosphere separates itself from most Park Ridge spots as well. When Shakou opened, the idea was to give suburban folks an urban experience. To do that, Shakou boasts floor to ceiling windows that open up in the warmer months, modern Asian artwork, and cool colored lights.
If you’re looking for a sophisticated, trendy spot in Park Ridge, this is it!
Shakou, 130 S Prospect Ave – (773) 441-9900
5. WineStyles
You heard about the best spot for beer fanatics, but how about wine lovers?
To me, there’s hardly a tasty treat more perfect than some chocolate and a glass of red wine. For that, I present you WineStyles Tasting Station, where you can “taste, learn and enjoy”.
At WineStyles, they know that your favorite wine is not always the most expensive, so they’ll help you find the wine that suits your taste and budget.
Technically, I am cheating by adding Winestyles to our list, as the Park Ridge location became so popular that WineStyles recently moved to a larger space, in nearby Norwood Park. The new space allows them to include “stations” for not only wine, but beer, cheese, chocolate, and gifts.
Find WineStyles at local events, including the Farmers Market and Taste of Park Ridge!
WineStyles, 6182 N Northwest Hwy – (847) 518-9463
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Well, there you have it. Five awesome places to grab a drink (and probably a yummy bite too). You can’t go wrong with this list, so try one or try all. And, feel free to leave me a drink at Holt’s or BOTW for my next visit!
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