Quench Your Thirst

Quench Your Thirst on a Friends Getaway to the Elgin Area

With so many venues and locations offering entertainment and flavors, the Elgin Area offers a great opportunity for a couples getaway or a friends weekend. Gear your weekend around the flavors your crew enjoys the most!

Craving a casual pint, a refined cocktail, or a night out with live entertainment? Look no further than the Elgin area! The local establishments offer a delightful range of experiences, from intimate cocktail lounges to lively music venues. Cheers to discovering your perfect spot!

Day 1
Discover New Craft Beers

Spend a weekend in the Elgin Area experiencing some of the flavors brewed in the area. After you check into your hotel, choose from the following businesses and plan to stop at one or two locations:

Black & Gray Brewing Co., East Dundee: This microbrewery focuses on classic craft beer styles. Explore the brewery’s impressive 26 taps in a spacious taproom and enjoy the views from their patio overlooking downtown East Dundee.

Emmett’s Brewing Co., West Dundee: This downtown West Dundee brewery is known for its upscale casual fare and award-winning hand-crafted beer.

More Brewing Co., Bartlett: A must-visit for craft beer lovers, More Brewing Co.’s downtown Bartlett location offers an extensive beer selection alongside a tempting kitchen menu.

While there aren’t breweries directly in Elgin, Plank Road Tap Room offers a vast selection of craft beers on tap,  focusing on bringing unique and quality brews to the area.

Day 2

Where Mixology and Mood Mix

On Day 2, start your day enjoying a coffee at Viator Coffee Co. in downtown Elgin then stroll along the Fox River to enjoy the trails that tie several communities together and make up 40 miles of hiking and biking trails.

If you would rather enjoy some retail therapy, stop by shopping at Rediscover Records, What Not and Whimsies or State Street Market Shops in Elgin.  Check our events calendar for other daytime fun or community festivals planned for this weekend.

When you are ready to enjoy lunch, the cocktail hour or planning where to stop for dinner, select the perfect cocktail stop! We have a wide variety of great mixologists for you to try:

Martini Room, Elgin: Step into a world of expertly crafted concoctions at Martini Room. This dedicated cocktail lounge is a haven for creative martinis and stylish sips, perfect for after-work elegance or a sophisticated late-night rendezvous.

Buckingham’s Steakhouse and Bistro, Elgin: Located within the Grand Victoria Casino, Buckingham’s offers a fine dining experience with a sophisticated lounge area to enjoy signature cocktails, premier wines, and a wide selection of spirits.

Bleuroot, West Dundee: This farm-to-table restaurant in downtown West Dundee also boasts an impressive menu of stylish and innovative cocktails.

martini flight

Martini Room

No Manches Mexican Grill, Carpentersville: This restaurant serves up both classic and modern cocktails, alongside an authentic and lively dining experience.

The Distance Social, East Dundee: The menu here boasts signature handcrafted cocktails alongside an impressive collection of whiskeys and other spirits. You’ll also find a curated selection of wines, beers, and tempting snacks to complement your drink.

Hampshire Social, Hampshire: Enjoy a selection of craft beers on tap and a variety of wines sourced from a local winery in a relaxed atmosphere. For those who appreciate a classic cocktail, be sure to try the Smoked Old Fashioned or opt for your favorite spirit served simply “On The Rocks.”

Mott’s Lounge, Burlington: This establishment offers up an inviting atmosphere where you can enjoy a diverse selection of cocktails and beers. Don’t miss the legendary “Swamp Water” – a signature drink that has been a Mott’s legend for generations. What’s in it? You’ll have to discover that for yourself.

The Distance Social

Factor In Live Music Where the Night Comes Alive

With so many venues and locations offering entertainment and flavors, the Elgin Area offers plenty of places for live music. As you plan your getaway, consider all of these locations for a live music stop.

Old Republic Kitchen + Bar, Elgin: Every weekend, Old Republic is a hub for brews, bites and live music.

Danny’s Pizza, Elgin: Danny’s believes great food is best enjoyed with great entertainment, which is why the establishment often hosts live music and special events.

Dutch Inn West, Elgin: One of the oldest continuous bars in Elgin, the Dutch is a go-to spot for a night filled with live music.

Old Republic Kitchen + Bar

Rookies Rochaus, West Dundee: A premier live music venue, the downtown West Dundee space showcases a main floor designed for a lively standing audience with some seating available, as well as a spacious stage and impressive bar area. An upstairs balcony provides an alternative viewing area with additional seating.

Bannerman’s Sports Grill, Bartlett: This sports-themed restaurant and bar provides a lively atmosphere where patrons can enjoy delicious food and drinks while being entertained by local artists and bands.

The Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin: Located in the Center City area along the banks of Elgin’s award-winning Riverwalk, this intimate 1,200-seat theatre is a favorite venue for seeing stars up close.

Rookies Rochaus

Day 3

Relax the Day Away

All the early birds can kick off Day 3 with a round of golf on one of our many courses. Check out our list of courses and call ahead to set a reasonable tee-time.

If that is too much activity, spend the morning sampling home-made bakery goods at Sugar & Rhyme Coffeehouse in Elgin or Elder+Oat in West Dundee. Then take a leisurely stroll along the Fox River Trail in Elgin and behind Elder + Oat in West Dundee. If a spa day sounds like the perfect end to your weekend, book a hair, nails or skin treatment at Spa Bleu, which serves women and men.

Enjoy a lunch at any of the restaurants listed above to sample some delicious food and cocktails as you close out the weekend. We especially recommend the Sunday brunch at Mockingbird Bar + Garden in East Dundee.

Looking for a last afternoon of fun? Consider reserving time at Paintball Explosion, the Polar Dome for a free skate time or Santa’s Village Amusement and Water Park for some old-fashioned fun. All of these experiences are located together in East Dundee.

Randall Oaks Golf

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