Hangouts, Bars & Saloons – IL
Illinois
Check out these suggestions for bars, hangouts and saloons in Illinois that are biker friendly. Ride on!
Fast Eddie’s Bon Air, Alton, IL
About this hangout:
Plenty of bikers in the summer, ranging from hardcore to newbie’s. Beer is reasonably priced, decent looking women – mainly on Friday and Saturday nights. Usually live music on Friday and Saturday. Plenty of parking, safe.
General Directions:
Easy to miss if you’re not familiar with area. 1530 E. 4th St. Website.
Cave Inn, Byron, IL
About this hangout:
Warm beer and cold food!!! Best damn bugers and steak sandwiches in northern Illinois.
General Directions:
Just a burnout south of Rockford, IL, off Rt. 2 in the loop, downtown Byron. 111 W. 2nd Street.
Double Deuce, Cahokia, IL
About this hangout:
Various leagues and great pizza and beer.
General Directions:
Less than 10 mins from St. Louis over the Poplar Street Bridge. Route 3 South to Jerome Ln. and right on Falling Springs Rd. 615 Falling Springs Road.
Broken Oar, Cary, IL
About this hangout:
Boats and bikini babes coming in on one side. Bikes (many custom) coming in the other side. In the middle a bar, food and a band on summer weekends. On a good weekend there will be a couple hundred bikes there.
General Directions:
Out of the Chicago suburbs go north on Rt59 through Barrington. Turn left on Roberts Rd. Go a couple of miles and turn left on Rawson Bridge Rd. 614 Rawson Bridge Rd. Can’t miss it.
Cedar Inn, Cedarville, IL
About this hangout:
This is the only bar in Cedarville. If you stop here, you won’t have to stop in the next sh***-hole town (Freeport Il.) or if you are going north you won’t have to stop at Monroe, WI (next town).
General Directions:
Illinois Hwy 26, 13 miles south of the Wisconsin border. 4747 Il Route 26 N.
Club Belmont, Chicago, IL
About this hangout:
Great owner who rides, good people, clean establishment, reasonable prices.
General Directions:
On Belmont Ave, East of Cumberland/Thatcher, west of Harlem Ave.
Crazy Tammy’s Tap, Crest Hill, IL
About this hangout:
Great jukebox. Pool. Darts. ABATE bar. Cute bartenders and waitresses. Very bike friendly. Closed Sundays.
General Directions:
On the west side of Broadway (IL-53) just before Theodore.
River Front Bar, Elizabethtown, IL
About this hangout:
The Riverfront Bar welcomes all bikers and Poker Runs. Pool tables, jukebox, kareoke, and cold beverages.
General Directions:
13 W 1st St in Elizabethtown.
Crossroads, Elmhurst, IL
About this hangout:
Nightly drink specials, pool table, good beer selection, some of the best food around. Thurs and Sat all you can eat crab legs, awesome ribs! Beer garden, live music weekends. Also, they organize poker runs and go on big trips to rallys etc.
General Directions:
Located just off Rt. 83 and Rt. 64 (North Ave) Exit I-290 at Rt. 83 south and hang a left on North Ave. (first light) It’s right there on your left.
Rieck’s Roadhouse, Erie, IL
About this hangout:
Rieck’s is the place for great food and spirits! Awesome menu from 1/2 lb burger baskets, 1/2 lb tenderloin baskets, 2-piece broasted chicken dinners, pizza, pasta bakes, deep fried Italian turnovers, and more! $2 beer, $1 drafts, etc.
General Directions:
Exit 18, just of I-88, 914 Albany St.
Ballyhoo Lounge, Franklin Park, IL
About this hangout:
Great bar for after work or watching sports and a great night-out place to go. Everyone from out of town always returns on every trip back. The owner and customers make everyone feel at home.
General Directions To:
10424 Grand Ave. Corner of Grand Ave. and Mannhiem Rd., about 2 1/2 miles south of OHare airport in the strip mall N/W corner.
Uncle Paulie’s Bar, Glen Ellyn, IL
About this hangout:
Best biker bar around. Great food, awsome bartenders and always good poker runs. May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) is the anniversary party that kicks off summer. Always a good time with karoke on Friday nights and live bands on Saturday nights.
General Directions:
2N030 Mildred Avenue, off of RT 42, Medina, Ohio, considered Lafayette Township. MySpace page
Sweet Water Saloon, Golconda, IL
About this hangout:
Cold beer, pool tables, good food, kind of dark. The ride to the Sweet Water is great from whatever direction approached: generally follows the Ohio River, great little two lane roads, scenic vistas, etc. A true destination for area bikers, although I’m not aware of formal seasonal events held or sponsored. You’ll always be able to talk bikes with another bro at the bar.
General Directions:
Located in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. Take I-24 south to intersection of Illinois Hiway 146. Travel east 25 miles on 146. 111 E Main St.
Fatman Pizza Pub Sports Bar, Gurnee, IL
About this hangout:
Great bar…flat screen TV’s thru out. Good looking female bartenders. Good food. Pool tables. Long established biker bar with a friendly, regular clientele. Lots of parking. Outdoor dining and volleyball tournaments.
General Directions:
State Hwy 41 and Milwaukee Ave (RT 21) Tricky to get into the parking lot from the north. Lots of high speed truck traffic on Rt 41. Be careful. 36309 North Skokie Highway. Website.
Jammerz Roadhouse, Joslin, IL
About this hangout:
One of the best biker bars on any ride. Wednesday night is bike night. from 6-8pm. $100 gift certificates from Wookmans HD in Rock Falls Ill. win a chance weekly for the Custom Paint job done by Big River Customs. Drink specials Jagermeister and Captain Morgan, $1 Bud & Bud Light drafts. The food here is also great.
General Directions:
Right outside the Quad Cities on Rt.92. Old Rt 2 & 92 Joslin exit. Facebook page.
Softails Bar and Grill, Ladd, IL
About this hangout:
Great old time atmosphere with good food and bartenders that treat you right. Fantastic pork tenderloins that you will come back for. Every Thu. Fri. and Sat. we serve dinner from 5:oo ’til 9:00; Lunch 11:00 till 2:00.
General Directions:
Ladd Softails is right off of Rte. 80 west of Peru. 246 N. Main Ave.
Softails Bar and Grill, LaSalle, IL
About this hangout:
We have “2″ Softails Bar and Grill. The first is located on Main Ave. in Ladd and the newest location is on Rt. 6 in LaSalle. Come try our fabulous “homemade” pork tenderloin. Daily specials available for lunch Mon.-Sat. from 11AM-2PM. Serving corned beef and cabbage all day (11AM-8PM) on St. Patty’s Day.
General Directions:
Take RT. 251 S., to the LaSalle exit (RT.6). 3 3rd Street.
Uncle Richie’s Place, Lockport, IL
About this hangout:
This is a small bar in downtown Lockport. On most nice days there are Harley’s on both sides of the road. On days when the sun ain’t so nice, you may still see a bike or two out side. It’s a biker bar small and friendly where you can meet some good bro’s and have a cold one for the road. No pool table but the juke box has some great music. They make THE BEST BLODDY MARY’s. You’ll notice when you come in for just a bit everyone orders them. The bar-tendresses are nice gals too.
General Directions:
Uncle Richie’s Place in in downtown Lockport just off of state (IL 171) and IL 7. 112 East 9th Street. It is near the Des Plains River. Just down state is Vince’s Custom Cycles, if you need a wrench.
The Feed Store & Watering Hole, Malden, IL
About this hangout:
Great food, cold beer, great bloody mary’s, poker runs. Two-wheel Wednesdays, Hawgs & Hot Rod Sundays.
General Directions:
I-80 to exit 56, State Rt. 34 north 4 miles to Malden Rd. two miles east. 212 West Main Street. (815) 643-2549.
State Street Pub, Marengo, IL
About this hangout:
Mon: $1.50 dometic bottles & free pool. Tues. – Sun $1.75 domestic bottles. Wednesday’s w/Joy- $1.25 16oz domestic pints. Sunday’s w/Sue $1.00 bloody Marys. Kitchen open daily, serving the best 3/4 lb burgers in town. Friday night fish fry – your choice of cod, perch or walleye made to order & hand dipped in our own homemade pub beer batter. Karoke/DJ Friday nights.
General Directions:
From I-90 go west on Rte 20 to Rte 23, turn north. Pub is located 1 block on right. Plenty of Main Street parking for bikers. 207 S State St.
Possum Pub, Melrose Park, IL
About this hangout:
Some of the best country Karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights in the neighborhood. Try the special “AppleJack” drink. Everyone is friendly and when you walk in, you feel like you’ve been going there for years!
General Directions:
1 Block south of Fullerton, on Mannheim Road, on the west side of the street, next to Sorrento’s pizza. 2324 North Mannheim Road.
Last Chance Saloon, Millington, IL
About this hangout:
Norm & Cathy’s place – good people, good food, good drinks. Very biker friendly!
General Directions:
South of Sandwich & Route 34. Address is 102 South Church Street, Millington, IL. Facebook page.
Bluff City Landing, Mt.Carmel, IL
About this hangout:
Live bands,lots of parking, lots of cute young college girls.
General Directions:
I-64 to exit 130, go north on Rte. 1 for 22 miles to Mt. Carmel. At the 2nd light, turn left and the bar is on the left.
Club 51, New Milford, IL
About this hangout:
Hard-core riders(very few “R.U.B.’s), Bring yer bike in the bar and smoke the tire off.(If you’ve got the guts.) Good food. Great place to B.S. with other bikers.
General Directions:
1/2 mile N of New Milford on Hwy 251. 1 mile S of Rockford,IL on Hwy 251. Bar located on west side of road. 6021 11th Street.
Hogdaddys Saloon, Old Shawneetown, IL
About this hangout:
Only biker bar in Old Shawneetown. Live bands,pool tables and lots of cold beer. One of sponsors of Hogrock rally in the spring and fall.
General Directions:
Take Hwy 109 out of Harrisburg about 23 miles to New Shawneetown. Keep going until you see the bridge over the river. Turn left then take a right and follow into town. Website.
Ronnie’s Tap, Ottawa, IL
About this hangout:
All kinds of different specials during the week and on weekends.
General Directions:
Off of RT.80. Go down to the town of Ottawa. The address is 518 Madison St. Phone: 815-433-4055.
Eagle Rock Saloon, Ottawa, IL
About this hangout:
Cold beer – free peanuts – throw the shells on the floor. Poker runds – camping – music – ABATE member. Zillions of bikes on the weekend – located in the middle of Starved Rock state park.
General Directions:
South of the Illinois River between Utica and Ottawa on Rte. 71.
Stroker’s, Pekin, IL
About this hangout:
Biker friendly. ABATE member friendly, live bands every weekend
General Directions:
From I-474 go south on Rte. 29 into Pekin. Turn right on Derby St., one block on left-hand side accross the tracks. 251 Derby Street.
Kelly’s Tavern, Quincy, IL
About this hangout:
Good food & biker friendly! Across street from Hot Bike of Quincy & Extreme Custom’s Motorcycle Shop. Kelly’s is a fun place to eat & drink.
General Directions:
Scenic Hwy 79 from St. Louis area, thru Hanibal, MO, or coming from the north, Hwy 99 in Iowa, or scenic ride down IL river roads through Nauvoo, IL, down Hwy 96. 2902 Broadway, Quincy. (217) 222-5579.
Maine Street Tap, Quincy, IL
About this hangout:
Best selection of alcohol in this town I ever saw, cheap. Clean bathrooms, great service, great set up. Very busy place and they are expanding. Always looking out for the little guy.
General Directions:
Located in Quincy IL at 621 Maine Street. Between N 6th St/S 6th St and N 7th St/S 7th St. Open from 8PM to 2:30AM. Yahoo! Places page.
Boone’s Firehouse, Rankin, IL
About this hangout:
Biker friendly, daily drink specials.
General Directions:
Take I-57 to exit 261 (Ill. Rte. 9). Go 13 miles east to Rte. 49, go north. Boone’s is a half mile on the left. 104 S Main St. Phone: 217-397-9995.
R & R Crossing, Russell, IL
About this hangout:
Sunday steak & burger cookout. Live bands on Sunday. Party starts at 3:00 p.m.
General Directions:
Take I-94 to Russell Road exit East about 1.5 miles to the bar. 14827 Russell Road.
Longbranch Saloon, San Jose, IL
About this hangout:
Biker friendly. Good bar.
General Directions:
Corner of Rte. 136 and Rte. 29 in central Ill. 37947 US Highway 136. Phone: (309) 247-3747.
Iron Horse Social Club, Savanna, IL
About this hangout:
Usually has the owner’s Knucklehead or (real) Indian Chief parked out front. Classic bar with beautiful back bar, pressed tin ceiling and a motorcyle museum in the back. If owner Jerry is there, he’ll be glad to show you around.
General Directions:
On the Mississippi River between Dubuque and Clinton, IA, junction of US Hwy 52 and Illinois 84, right on Main St. 314 Main Street. Phone: (815) 273-2600.
Poopy’s Bar, Savanna, IL
About this hangout:
A cool little downstairs hide out of a bar! It’s across from the Iron Horse social club in Savanna.
General Directions:
About 30-some miles from Galena Ill. 1030 Viaduct Road. Website.
The Olde Tyme Inn, Sandwich, IL
About this hangout:
Awesome 9 oz. burgers. Daily specials on beer or drinks… very cool people here. Owners ride. Cathy is a great bartender who easily makes everyone smile – and her husband is a new rider too. Very biker friendly.
General Directions:
109 South Main Street. Just north of Route 34 (Ogden) on Main Street (between 34 & the tracks, on the west side) – right in the middle of “downtown” Sandwich.
Rambo’s Bar and Grill, Somonauk, IL
About this hangout:
Good food. Good drinks. Good atmosphere. Good people.
General Directions:
Right on Route 34 (Ogden Ave) towards the west end of Somonauk. 140 West Market Street. Website.
Penny Road Pub, South Barrington, IL
About this hangout:
Live bands. Great food. Open until 4AM. Gathers quite a crowd after 11pm… Always a good time.
General Directions:
I-90 to Rte. 59 north – West on Penny Road. (1 light north of Rte. 72.) 28w705 Penny Road. Phone: (847) 428-0562. MySpace page.
Sudden Stop Saloon, Spring Valley, IL
About this hangout:
Bike night every Friday night;Live music, rock& Roll, Country, Karaoke, poker runs, toy runs, bike & car shows. Bar is full of Harley-Davidson history. “GOOD LOOKIN BAR TENDERS”!
General Directions:
209 E. Saint Paul St. Phone: (815) 663-2020. Map.
Knuckle Heads Bar, Springfield, IL
About this hangout:
Joe and Karen are owners of this biker bar. Never a cover. (Unless Lincoln Land Chapter of ABATE of Illinois, Inc, is holding a fund raiser.) Live music on weekends and lunches served daily.
General Directions:
2000 N. Peoria Road (Rte. 55) South of State Fairgrounds. Phone: (217) 789-1488.
Newts Raceeway, Springfield, IL
About this hangout:
A great biker bar. Cold beer, plenty of parking and Stag for $1.00 every day… Stop in on the weekends for live music and be sure to come in during the mile!!!
General Directions:
4232 Peoria Rd., just north of the fairgrounds. MySpace page.
Palms the Tavern, Sterling, IL
About this hangout:
One-stop motorcycle shop with killer customs. Enough eye candy to send you to the dentist! Jamie is a one of a kind master builder. Located in a beautiful riding area. Events during summer and fall.
General Directions:
Interstate 43 South. Exit Highway 164 North to ES (National Avenue) East 1 mile. 1209 East 4th Street.
Hinks Bar and Grill, Sycamore, IL
About this hangout:
Great food, The owner is a cool dude with a couple of really nice bikes. They also put on a few rides a year. There are always a couple of bikes out front but on a good weekend there can be 100.
General Directions:
1/2 block south of the White Hen on Rte. 64 in downtown Sycamore. 123 South California Street.
The Hide Out Tavern & Grill, Woodstock, IL
About this hangout:
This bar is formerly The Rushmore Inn, Woodstock and under new management and still a biker-friendly/people friendly bar. The menu has been upgraded but not altered as they are still serving the BEST burgers around! A good place for a stop-over on a Wisconsin or a Northern Illinois road trip.
General Directions:
On Rte. 120 & Rte. 14 in Woodstock IL. If heading west on Rte. 14, turn right on Rte. 120 and The Hide Out is on your right. 14801 Washington St.
These Illinois state biker-friendly bars, hangouts and saloons are based on first-hand observations submitted to HD Open Road. The next time you’re in the area, go check ‘em out. Do you have any suggestions of your own for good places to go in Illinois? Leave a comment with enough info on the place and we’ll try to work it in to the list!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
how can i ad my biker friendly bar to your site
thanks
shawn
224-441-0766
Shawn:
Just include some details in your comment here. You can see the listings for the type of info we’re looking for.
Thanks!