There's something to be said for neighborhood dive bars that call to mind Happy Days and good, relaxed times. Fortunately for Old Town Alexandrians, Rock It offers that nostalgic feeling with a contemporary twist, which includes seven TVs, a 40-foot bar and two always-busy pool tables.
Grab one of the daily specials -- they range from half-priced burgers to 30-cent chicken wings -- and try your hand at karaoke, offered every single day of the year for the bravehearts whose hilarious turns on stage make other patrons thankful they missed their callings as crooners.
The Mojo Lounge is a bar featuring an array of entertainment. Every Thursday night, local bands jam and karoake is held on Wednesdays. The Mojo Lounge also serves sandwiches, burgers, fries and other menu selections.
The White Tavern has been one of Naperville's oldest and friendly neighborhood fixtures for decades. Cool, comfortable and inviting—with a welcoming staff—it has two pool tables, dart boards, a TV and a variety of video games (including bar favorite, 'Golden Tee') to keep bar patrons constantly entertained. A long bar and tables throughout give visitors plenty of room to relax and enjoy an evening out. White's features daily drink specials, domestic and foreign beers and a fully-stocked liquor bar.
Little Joy is a local dive bar located on W Sunset Blvd in historic Echo Park. Opened in 1972, this grungy staple of the neighborhood attracts hipsters and older locals. The bar recently changed management though, so instead of playing obscure indie music they now play Top 40 pop and hip-hop, which has thinned out the tragically hip clientele. Sometimes they'll have a DJ spinning for the night and there is also a jukebox if you want to queue your favorite song when the DJ's not around. Drinks aren't too pricey for the area — you can get a Pabst Blue Ribbon or a shot for only a few dollars. While the artsy energy that once filled this spot has recently faded, you can still have a good time with friends and meet some interesting characters.
All Star Lanes is a very big, popular, clean and exciting bowling alley. It is on Eagle Rock Boulevard in between York Boulevard and Avenue 45, and it is adjacent to a popular Chinese food restaurant. Besides bowling, there is a bar, video games, televisions and pool tables. There are frequently live music performances as well. It makes itself available for private parties, and food can be ordered from the adjacent Red Dragon restaurant. It is open late, so bowlers can drink, eat, bowl and have a good time through the night. It is open every day of the week, and there is a large private lot adjacent to the building.
Cue Bar in Bayside is a pool hall providing food and drinks to its customers. With daily specials like Thursday Ladies' Night, when women enjoy an open bar from 9pm to 1am and play free of charge, and half-priced drinks for everyone during the daily Happy Hour, Cue Bar gives customers a reason to return. With a sleek, silver, curving bar, Cue Bar serves three-dollar domestic beers and Jose Cuervo Gold Margaritas on Sundays. Cue Bar makes a trip to the pool hall a fun, affordable, stylish night out. It does not allow those under 21 in after 9pm.
There might have been a real lemon tree here before, but now there are only stone masoned walls and a painting of a tree on the back of the door. A remnant of the historic Alameda hotel, which burned down in the 1920s, this is a locally owned and managed dive bar, where karaoke-lovers and back-in-the-day personalities meet. Rumor has it that even Marilyn Monroe was seen here in the bar's heyday. Today, Lemon Tree patrons know each other's names, the bartender is friendly and the draft is likely the cheapest in town — $2.50 for domestic beers and $3.75 for import brews. Come every second Saturday of the month for karaoke night and every third Saturday for live music. Food is not served, but customers may bring their own.