What you can’t find in downtown Urbana almost certainly rests in Champaign. We’d give you the bar per block frequency if we weren’t so busy buyin’ the booze inside. No matter what night you’re free, there’s a deal and an atmosphere for fraternizing over delicious drinks and food, too.
What: Destihl
Where: 301 N. Neil St, Champaign
When: Monday-Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Extended hours Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
»Atmosphere: When you think of Destihl, think contemporary industrial meets luxury. Its lofted ceilings and rough-around-the-edges bar and brewery areas are perfectly balanced with spacious, comfortable booths and cozy tables. The service is timely all while never making you feel rushed. Partners with local produce and dairy marketers, Destihl’s dishes are quality, fresh and unique. The well-lit restaurant boasts tasteful décor and in the center of the bar, a huge focal point: brewing machinery. All beers are brewed in house and have recently been purchased for distribution by a number of Chicago restaurants. This is the perfect place to come if you’re looking for a bite to eat with a cool, urban feel.
»Busiest Days: Saturdays and Fridays
»Quietest Days: Mondays
»Best Deals: Technically drink specials aren’t offered very often, but there are 4 oz. glasses of beer for $1.25, giving patrons the opportunity to create an inexpensive flight that’s completely their own.
» Most Popular: Champaign Blonde
»Best non-drink item: A crowd favorite is the stuffed poblano peppers served with ancho rice and beans with a roasted red pepper sauce.
-— Catie Manganelli
What: Seven Saints
Where: 32 E. Chester St., Champaign
When: 11-2 a.m. daily
»Atmosphere: With its dark lighting, rustic wooden booths, velvet drapes, ornate carvings and extravagant décor, Seven Saints is a sleek, slightly modernized, yet cozy local bar with an impressive array of liquors, wines and drafts. On a typical Friday or Saturday night, the bar is filled to the brim, packed with students and locals chatting under the dim light; it gets noisy and expect a wait of 15-20 minutes for a table. The bartenders are experienced, friendly and give solid drink recommendations. On top of a prime drink selection, Seven Saints offers delicious, classic bar food. From the country fried chicken salad to their signature sliders, it’s one of the top places in Champaign to grab some dinner with your friends and chill out.
»Busiest Days: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
»Quietest Days: Monday
»Best Deals: Wine Mondays, half off all wine bottles. Tuesday Brewsday, half off all drafts. Whiskey Wednesdays, half price off any whiskey
»Most Popular: Whiskey, for their impressive and extensive selection
»Best non-drink item: Cheese curds and Bavarian pretzels. The cheese curds are fried to perfection and ooze out all over your plate. The pretzels are giant and buttery and are served with jalapeno cheese sauce and Boulevard Pale Ale Mustard.
— Amirah Zaveri
What: Emerald City Lounge
Where: 118 N. First St., Champaign
When: Tuesday-Saturday 5 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.; Sundays 10–2 a.m.
»Atmosphere: Classy and chic, the unassuming brick exterior doesn’t do any justice to the decked out bar inside. Although the bar got its name by happily and intentionally adopting the “friend of Dorothy” euphemism from the forties, Emerald City isn’t just a gay bar. It’s a swanky, all-inclusive, drama-free scene that is a great place for large crowds and serves up delicious, deceptively strong drinks.
»Busiest Days: Fridays and Saturday nights, there’s a weekly drag show on Saturdays.
»Quietest Days: Weeknights
»Best Deals: They have $2 draft beers and most shelf liquors clock in at $5. Fridays have $2 U-Call-It well cocktails. Don’t miss out on their $2 Long Island iced teas.
»Most Popular: Their decadent Good Witch martini; you can’t go wrong with vanilla vodka, rumchata and Frangelico.
»Best non-drink item: An awesome brunch spread on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a Tuesday taco buffet from 5-9 p.m.
-— Jasmine Lee
What: Jupiter’s Pizzeria & Billiards
Where: 39 Main St., Champaign
When: 11-2 a.m. daily
»Atmosphere: The tables and booths, along with the the brick walls, create the traditional pizzeria setting, while the giant flat screen TVs and six billiard tables make for the classic sports bar feel. The environment is laidback, and the service isn’t very speedy. Because of the constant noise coming from the TVs, cheering fans and billiards games in progress, as well as the nonchalant attitudes of the servers, it’s the perfect place to hangout with a group of friends.
»Busiest Days: Tuesdays
»Quietest Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
»Best Deals: Half price large pizzas on Wednesdays and half price Miller Lites on Tuesdays. Large pizzas are only $10 on Fridays and Saturdays after 10 p.m.
»Most Popular Drink: Craft Beers
»Best Non-Drink Item: Specialty pizzas and grinders.
— Leila Shinn
The Blind Pig Brewery. Champaign,IL. Photo by Megan Swiertz
What: The Blind Pig Company
Where: 120 N. Walnut St., Champaign
When: 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily
»Atmosphere: If your grandfather was wealthy enough to have a tavern, this might be its rustic yet hip counterpart. A bit on the dimly lit side, the “Big Pig” appeals to those looking for an intimate place perfect for an intense intellectual conversation. The pub-like ambience seems fitting for the unsung geniuses looking for a well done beer on tap. Strung up with Christmas lights year round and hosting a row of beer bottles atop every roof riser, The Big Pig seems less rowdy and relaxed. The patronage seem thirsty for decent conversation with friends rather than an all-hours, fist pumpin’ party. Those led to the Big Pig might find solace in its lovable “lived-in” feel perfect for the hipster at home or at heart.
»Busiest Days: Wednesdays during their drink specials, Friday and Saturday
»Quietest Days: Happy hours from Sunday until Tuesday
»Best Deals: Bartender Stacey recommends the Mini-Tap Takeovers on Wednesday, considering that the Blind Pig Co. was rated 26th in the country for its unprecedented 27 draft beers. The bar will feature a different specialty tap every Wednesday at a discounted price.
»Most Popular: IPA seems a crowd favorite, but Big Pig also carries local Illinois beers like 5 Rabbits.
»Best non-drink item:This is a drink-only bar, besides the standard pretzels and nuts. While the Blind Pig Company doesn’t offer food, the bar does encourage patrons to order in and even provides menus for nearby restaurants.
— Sherry Yuan
Memphis on Main. Champaign,IL. Photo by Megan Swiertz
What: Memphis on Main
Where: 55 E. Main St., Champaign
When: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily
»Atmosphere: Located on a quiet street in downtown Champaign and owned by a young husband and wife, Memphis on Main prides itself on creating an inviting, fun environment that appeals to the whole community. From live music on Friday and Saturday to trivia Tuesdays, comedy Wednesdays, karaoke Thursdays, and even Sunday poetry nights, the bar makes a conscious effort to attract patrons and keep them coming back. Service is warm and helpful, while the creative mason jar drinks offer a rustic feel that complements the wooden accents of the bar. Look for a mix of locals and students of well-varying ages.
»Busiest Days: Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
»Quietest Days: Mondays
»Best Deals: $1 domestic drafts on Mondays and $2 rail drinks on Wednesdays.
»Most Popular: “The Loose Tap,” a 32 oz. mystery beer that only costs $3.
»Best non-drink item: BACON. Free bacon treats on Mondays provide the perfect salty snack to wash down with a beer.
— Paul Angelillo
What: The High Dive
Where: 51 E. Main St., Champaign
When: Monday, Wednesday-Saturday 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. (Closed Tuesday and Sunday)
The High Dive does open its doors early for performers and audiences — check their website, http://thehighdive.com, for more information regarding scheduling.
»Atmosphere: The High Dive is like a chameleon in atmosphere in that it changes depending on the event. For a more relaxed, alternative or indie band, you’ll find bar goers nestled into the dimly lit booths, or in larger groups at tables sipping on drinks, enjoying the music and good company. On a night when a DJ plays, the scene instantly transforms into a fast paced, almost club-like environment. You’ll find the floors packed with hundreds of people dancing and partying. The crowds drawn to the High Dive are as diverse as the music. Guests old and young alike can enjoy themselves here. The dimly lit room, exposed industrial piping and bare brick walls make the High Dive an eclectic place to come with friends for a fun night out.
»Busiest Days: Fridays
»Quietest Days: Tuesdays
»Best Deals: For certain parties, they offer $1 wells and $1 domestics. On a regular night, the steal of the evening would be their $5 long islands.
»Most Popular: Long Islands
»Best non-drink item: While The High Dive doesn’t serve food, they host a slew of concerts and events, making the best non-drink item a ticket!
— Catie Manganelli
What: Wedge Tequila Bar and Grill
Where: 415 N. Neil St., Champaign
When: Sunday-Tuesday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday 11-2 a.m.
»Atmosphere: If you’re looking for great Mexican food with a chic atmosphere this is where you want to go. Inside there’s a full bar and plenty of seating. The colors are warm and rich, just like in Mexico. They stock 150 different types of tequila which line the walls of the bar. Some of the tequila includes house infused flavors such as pineapple jalapeño, cilantro lime and grapefruit. Along with the inside Wedge also has outdoor seating available. The patio is warm and inviting with strings of lights overhead to set the mood.
»Busiest Days: Friday and Saturday nights
»Quietest Days: Monday-Thursday, especially during lunch
»Best Deals: Sundays are a great day to go because they have $4 margaritas and $2 tacos. This deal ends after October 31.
»Most Popular: Margaritas! Spicy pineapple, strawberry basil and sparkling blood orange are the most ordered margaritas on the menu.
»Best non-drink item: Mango pomegranate guacamole. This twist on the classic avocado side dish is incredible. It’s the perfect amount of sweet and spicy on their delicious, warm, house made chips.
— Kate Fox
Esquire Lounge. Champaign,IL. Photo by Megan Swiertz
What: Esquire Lounge
Where: 106 Walnut St., Champaign
When: 11:00-2:00 a.m. daily
»Atmosphere: Since 1975, The Esquire Lounge, a well-known casual sports bar, has been known for their great food and beer. Esquire Lounge resembles the bar from well-known television show Cheers with their dimmed lighting, smooth brick walls and wood countertops. The eye automatically is attracted to the wide range of beer bottles stacked up behind the two main bars. Although the bar is 21+, you can find several U of I graduates in the area. Those roaming around the downtown Champaign area can enjoy the outside seating on Walnut Street or the outdoor patio on Chester Street. Patrons are encouraged to come in, eat free peanuts and toss the shells on the floor. Esquire is known for their large pool tables that help liven up the social scene. There are also several booths lined up against the walls with moderately loud music filling the atmosphere.
»Busiest Days: Fridays
»Quietest Days: Weekdays during the early afternoon hours
»Best Deals: All day Sunday, Esquire Lounge offers Pineapple Tequila and Pabst Blue Ribbon for only $2.
»Most Popular: Homemade pineapple tequila
»Best non-drink item: Esquire specialty pizzas. Guest are welcome to try their greek pizza, chicken bbq, pesto, hawaiian, garden and white garlic pizza.
— Yele Ajayi
What: Soma Ultralounge
Where: 320 N. Neil St., Champaign
When: Wednesday to Saturday 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
»Atmosphere: When first entering Soma Ultralounge you immediately feel overwhelmed with the cool attitude from warm lights beaming down on the dance floor. Whether you’re going out for a night on the town to dance or just hang out with some friends over a few cocktails, Soma is a must for the Champaign Bar Scene.
»Busiest Days: Thursday, Friday and Saturday
»Quietest Days: Wednesdays
»Best Deals: Thursday nights at Soma with DJ Belly spinning all your tunes. $1 PBR, $2 specialty shots, $3 Jameson, $4 RedBull Vodka.
»Most Popular: Soma has almost every drink that comes to mind. Among them are a variety of bottled and malt beverages, different bourbons and cocktails, cognacs, gins, cordials and liqeurs, rums, scotch, champagne, sparkling wines, tequila, vodka, whiskey, wines and a few non-alcoholic drinks.
»Best Non-Drink Item: The live performance from DJs that perform every weekend. Go to www.somaultralounge.com for their weekend DJ performances.
— Mia Reggi
What: Cowboy Monkey
Where: 6 Taylor St., Champaign
When: 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. every day
»Atmosphere: This is a great hang out because of its laid back atmosphere and live music. Daily themes add to the fun with Sunday trivia nights, retro DJ nights on Mondays, open mic nights on Tuesdays and tango/salsa DJ on Wednesdays. Thursday through Saturday, different bands and DJs come to perform live. The inside has a big wrap around bar with plenty of open space for music and dancing while the outdoor area is lit up with string lights and heat lamps for the colder months. With all the variety, there’s something for everyone.
»Busiest Days: Friday and Saturday
»Quietest Days: Sunday and Monday
»Best Deals: $1.50 domestics and $2.00 wells on Monday
»Most Popular: The cocktails, especially the margaritas such as the El Diablo
»Best non-drink item: Cowboy nachos loaded with queso, salsa, guacamole and your choice of cilantro lime chicken or steak
— Kate Fox
Is your favorite bar missing? Be sure to head to readbuzz.com for the full guide!