Rizzo's Naperville

Next in my trip through Downtown Naperville comes my experience with a bar that has definitely left me with some high tabs and crazy experiences.  Through my postgrad experience, I have seen few bars with better specials and more interesting dynamics than that of Rizzo's in downtown Naperville.

Not the place that I would choose driving, Downtown Naperville bars are some of those that I do not frequent.  However, when I can secure a DD or indulge in a two stop train ride, my first choice in bar is that of Rizzo's; especially for Mondays or Thursdays, in which dollar drafts or $5 buckets bring in some of the craziest times fueled by blatant disregard for societal norms.

Mondays have a special meaning to me, especially at Rizzo's, as this is the location where I witnessed the Chicago Blackhawks score two goals in 17 seconds to take the lead in game 6 of the Stanley Cup Championships.  Whereas not an "Official Blackhawks Bar," Rizzo's features a few TVs and will turn on sound for important games, so long as there is not a DJ or live music.

Thursdays feature $3.99 burgers (any variety), a DJ and the downhill excursion that is $5 buckets of Miller or Coors.  Many a night this summer have I indulged in the craziness, and look forward to trying this location during the school year; as the dynamic seems to change when North Central is in session.

From what I've heard, Wednesdays are the best night to partake if you are looking to enjoy liquor.  With no cover and prices that match or beat Saddle Up, Rizzo's has the best potential for increased performance on Wednesday nights.

Unfortunately, as with every Naperville bar, weekends are crowded with blatant tryhards, more Ed Hardy than a South Jersey shopping mall, and the high prices that match the demand.  This is nothing against Rizzo's, as the entire city of Naperville can charge as it sees fit, and people will go.

All in all, with free overnight parking in Naperville on weekends; I believe that visiting this location could make for a crazy experience.  Naperville features a plethora of taxis (as opposed to St. Charles), and once the money is there (along with the 9-5 M-F job), I feel that I will be indulging in these nights a bit more often.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a bar in which you can get drunk on weeknights relatively cheaply, dance to decent DJs, or listen to acceptable live music; look no further than Rizzo's Naperville.  Also, I recommend that you try the VeeV shots/drinks/pitchers.  Rizzo's has an exclusive partnership with the company, and has drinks made especially for the bar.

PS. The posters highlight $1 pints on Mondays... You get 12 oz. cups. This is an issue I look to bring to the attention of Euclid Beverage (Their distributor who made the poster)

Kane County Cougars Games, Bringing Back My Youth

If you are like me and grew up in Suburban Chicago, especially the western suburbs; you remember the great times going to Elfstrom Stadium (now Fifth Third Bank Ballpark) to watch a low-A baseball team attempt to make it big and get promoted up the ladder.  Whether it be a scout trip, youth baseball outing, or just going with family; tickets to the Kane County Cougars have always been cheap, and the games fun to watch regardless of the outcome.

After the recent acquisition of the Cougars from the Cubs, this team is going to be part of the rebuilding process that will (hopefully) see a World Series victory within the next few years.

The Cougars have always had great promotions, and this year offers some great theme nights and specials.  My personal favorite, Thirsty Thursdays, offers $1 beers, soda, and hot dogs.  Half-Priced Mondays offers $5 tickets for reserved seats.  How about that for a cheap night in the suburbs?  Even tonight (8/9), for you country fans, is their Country Music Night with fireworks and contests.

I have been to many a ballpark, but this stadium always brings me back to my youth.  I remember seeing greats like Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Gonzalez, and Ryan Dempster, before they were big.  If that doesn't excite you, the greatest name in the MiLB (2012), Rock Shoulders, is playing first base/designated hitter.

Where Are the Cheap Nights?

Let's face it, you may be like me, broke on a Saturday night.  You're a few months out of graduation; rent is due, student loans need to be paid on Tuesday, and your bank account is looking more similar to a start-up tech firm's IPO than you would like.  Such is the lifestyle of being Postgrad in Suburbia.

The real question, what can you do?  It's still a bit too cold for a bonfire, and doing something like that definitely takes you back to your awkward high school days, without the entire sneaking alcohol in backpacks.  Plus, your apartment complex (or parents if you are in the unfortunate situation that many of us live) frowns upon or flat out bans fires, no matter how controlled.

You could go to a bar, and enjoy the dearth of specials, winding up dropping a few dollars more than you would like for a bottle of beer that you need to wait 10 minutes to acquire.  Don't get me wrong, I love the bar scene.  I just cant afford to go out with my unemployed/underemployed friends, because their tabs somehow find their way onto my credit card.

You could follow my advice and go to Pride of the Fox Riverfest.  It's mostly free, it's this weekend, and you at least can get a good start to your night.  That will at least get you out of your house until 10 pm.

So now what? Do you hit up your local Steak and Shake, feel far too old when you see class of '13 shirts, and slowly delve into your plate of fries thinking about how easy kids have it these days? Well, if that's the case, I can meet you on Monday at a cash-only bar at 5:30 pm for a glass of whiskey on the rocks.  We can shake our canes at the skater kids in unison.

Okay, enough complaining.  This is a little bit of saying what you could do this weekend for cheap, and asking any of my readers: What do you do in Suburban Chicago if you don't want to spend a lot of money?

A few of the upcoming posts will hopefully touch base on some decent alternatives to dropping a $50 spot at a bar.  I look to be visiting Sky High Sports in Naperville, a trampoline site with dodgeball available by the hour; a few local hookah bars (North Aurora Hookah Lounge, Exhale Hookah Lounge, Oasis Cafe, and Mr. Shesha); and maybe I'll even check out the Cascade Drive-In over in West Chicago, hopefully with a date.

Pride of the Fox, A St. Charles Tradition

I have already talked about Swedish Days, the Geneva festival that has drawn a crowd and is something of which I can speak highly due to my personal experiences.  However, as festival season opens in the suburbs, another long standing tradition, Pride of the Fox, is opening today in St. Charles.

Already making local news, Pride of the Fox opened last night amid controversy between The St. Charles Festival Committee and Pride of the Fox LLC.  A well written article by Tim Schnell of the Geneva Patch (2 St. Charles Groups Clash over Pride of the Fox Riverfest) touches base on the arguments provided by both sides, along with the growth that each claims to have provided. Pride of the Fox LLC ultimately provided information allowing it to gain reinstatement an run the festival yet again.

The festival itself opened last night with a carnival, one that runs all weekend long, at the corner of IL Route 31 and Cedar.  Including many free events throughout the weekend, such as the Kane County Swat Team performing an explosives demo on Friday behind the Riverwalk and various concerts sponsored by the Arcada Theatre.

The artists performing on the Main Stage on Friday include last year's Battle of the Bands Winner, The Skelters, performing a funk blend; 28 Days, providing both covers and originals; and Modern Day Romeos, a Chicagoland band with a long history.  Saturday evening's concerts include the Battle of the Bands (winner plays Pride of the Fox 2014), 1 Sam 10, The Hat Guys, and Mike and Joe.  Closing it out on Sunday will be On Tap, The Homewreckers, and Billy Croft & the Five Alarm.

Among the music; there will be bags challenges, food offerings, line dancing lessons, and a beer garden each night.  Furthermore, additional games will include Bingo with a Twist and Trivia with a Twist.

Personally, I have not gotten a chance to indulge in the Pride of the Fox in years past, but with the offerings available; I feel that there will be opportunities to check out a few local artists, drink some beers, and close out my night at Beehive Tavern or River Rockhouse

Warren's Ale House

One of the last things I think when I go through Wheaton is the Wheaton bar scene.  After one of my interviews in the Oak Brook area, I had some time to kill before heading home for the night; so I decided to stop at a Starbucks in the Town Square Shopping Center on the way back to Aurora to apply for some jobs and waste a Friday afternoon.  While sitting there and wasting my day accomplishing nothing besides deciding to create this blog, I noticed a sign of a newly added bar directly next to my location, Warren's Ale House.

After a bit of research on the bar, I learned it was opening on the 14th of January, and the owner had spent a lot of time updating the location and completely building the bar, updating Facebook followers every step of the way.  Needless to say, the company had amassed about 1,100 followers before it was even open; and was going to have an impressive selection of microbrews.

By 7 pm, I had become sick of sitting at Starbucks, and decided to enter the location for a beer.  When I went in, the restaurant portion was packed (it was a soft open, so I was quite surprised).  I found a spot at the bar, and was helped immediately by a knowledgeable bartender who immediately provided me a beer list and offered a recommendation. As I sat there, I was greeted by each bartender as well as the owner himself, who welcomed patrons to the bar before rushing off to help the staff.

Originally entering for just one beer, I was quickly taken into the environment; staying for two more as well as an appetizer: The Ale House Poutine.  The beers were well poured (I got a Bourbon Barrel Ale, The Two Brothers Northwind Stout, and a Black IPA), and the poutine was a bacon covered version of the Canadian classic (what can I say, I spent the last 3 years within an hour of Canada, I've become a fan of the dish).  The appetizer was everything I wanted out of the product, and I definitely became a fan of the bar.

All in all, I expect great things from this bar, and if I do make it back to Wheaton, I will definitely make it back to this location.  They have taken social media by storm, becoming one of the first bars in the area to use beermenus.com (http://www.beermenus.com/places/6297-warren-s-ale-house), and updates their page to include changes.  Check out their facebook page for a better definition of their product offering.

Postgrad In Suburbia

What does it mean to be postgrad in Suburban Chicago?  Well, it could mean a lot of things.  You could have been here the entire time or just returned from a college halfway across the US. You could have your own house or apartment, or be stranded in your parents basement while you wait for that big-boy or big-girl job to get you out.  Hell, you could be new here because you wanted to live for a lower cost than the city, and have no clue what happens here.

Needless to say, you're stranded in one of the most seemingly boring places in the Midwest, if not the United States.

So now what? Do you sit home and think up interesting money-making schemes like blogging on Friday nights? Do you go out to the same bar you've been frequenting since your 21st birthday? Or do you actually go out and try to do something out of the ordinary?

There are apparently many benefits of living in the suburbs, or else our ancestors never would have moved here in the first place.  This blog will cover some of the random happenings in suburban Chicago: Including bars, restaurants, pool halls, concert venues, and coffee shops.