The first place we checked out was a wine bar, below our hotel called "SixtyFour - A Wine Bar" (123 Water St #105a). They have 64 wines on tap, but it's set up where you serve yourself. They give you a card (kind of like at the casino) and you insert it into one of the machines, choose your wine and how much you want (1oz, 3oz or 6oz). Put your glass under the spout and remove your card after it pours. If you watched my story I posted how it works on Saturday. When you are ready to tab out, the card has kept track of what all you drank; you can also take note cards (displayed above the spouts) that tell the name of the wine, its aromas, notes, etc.
We did some 'bar hopping' bc that's part of what my Blog is all about, observing and recommending different travel towns for you guys! I honestly can't tell you the last time I set out specifically to go bar hopping but when you are in a new city it's always fun to see as much as you can. Everyone was very friendly in Naperville so we had a lot of information and recommendations of where to go next. We watched football at "Empire" for a bit. It's a fun rooftop bar, that has a greenhouse feel. The thing I liked about all of the places we went, was that they all sit on the water. It made me wish we had a gondola or something and could bar hop down the river.
We next visited a line of bars on Chicago Avenue, near the corner of Washington Street. "Lantern" (8 Chicago Ave # 1) is on the corner. The bars in this line, had their large front windows open, almost like a balcony so you could see the inside and it kept the folks inside the bar cool from the breeze.
"Features" (10 Chicago Ave.) was a few doors down. There was a dance area in the back but it was still early so not many people were there yet. They had a bunch of TVs and the bar was a pretty good size We watched some more football had one drink and left, but I can imagine at a later point in the evening that bar would be hopping!
At "Potter's Place" (29 W Jefferson Ave.) We sat at the end of the bar and saw people walking upstairs. The bartender said there was a dance club up there, open to everyone. So we checked it out.
"Two-Nine Martini Lounge" was the name of the dance club upstairs. On my story Saturday you heard some of the music and saw some of the action. Definitely recommend it if you are in the mood for Mexican food and dancing!!
"Peanuts" (22 W Chicago Ave) was recommended by the folks who worked at Lantern. We like the 'locals only' type bars and this was a great place to sit out on the patio and watch the water (as were most places in Naperville). It also had a 'arcade area' with all the old video games!! We were sitting inside when a man came up to Mike and said "you're in my seat" he looked rough so we quickly got up. We stood there talking to him and he was actually friendly, he recommended "Rosati's" pizza for a late night snack since Lou Malnati's (my favorite pizza in life) was closed. It was a local deep dish pizzaria, no Lou M.'s but very very close second!
Side note: the man at the bar also told us that bars close in Naperville at 2am HOWEVER they will not let people in after 1pm. So if you visit, find your 'last call bar' before 1pm. (I recommend Peanuts).
"Karma Cigar Bar" (850 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410) was not in Naperville (obviously) but it was a fun find on our drive home. It's off Highway 65, exit 153 in Indiana. If you enjoy cigars definitely check this out!
Have a great week everyone!! Go out and see Naperville and tell me what you think!
Naperville is not at all a college town. Yes there is a college in the downtown part but the downtown part takes up a very small percentage of the actual land mass. This “little town” houses over 147,000 residents, 3 high schools, a plethora of businesses and industries, and is in 2 different counties. But I am happy to hear you enjoyed yourself.
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