Rockford Bars: From Country to Karaoke
Rockford bars run the gamut from country saloons to live music venues. To help narrow your choices, here are some of the most popular Rockford bars:
Kryptonite Bar
This lively downtown bar specializes in original live music on weekends and some Wednesdays. It fills out the other nights with karaoke and trivia nights. Its self-described "industrial meets garage sale" atmosphere attracts an eclectic crowd. In addition to the live music, the bar's other main attraction is nearly 50 craft beers, including lagers, ales, stouts, porters and wheat beers.
Mary's Place
Mary's claim to fame is being the oldest bar in Rockford. It's also a hot spot for live entertainment. Open stage nights are a tradition at Mary's Place and attract more than just musicians. Open stage nights also feature poetry, comedy, performance art and just about any other form of entertainment. Still, the bar is a magnet for local musicians and they come together Tuesdays and Thursdays, which often turn into jam sessions at the bar.
Carlyle Brewing Company
The Carlyle Brewing Company is the Rockford region's only brewery. Owner Don Carlyle learned to be a brewmaster by traveling extensively and he brings time-honored traditions and standards of the masters to his operation. The brewery has a wide variety of fresh-brewed beer styles to sample. Customers can use it to wash down pub-style foods such as brats and hot pretzels. And if it's a family outing, there's even homemade root beer available in a tall glass or as a root beer float for the little ones.
Boonies Roadhouse
If you're looking for a place to break in a new pair of boots, Boonies Roadhouse is an old-fashioned country-western bar replete with line dancing. The bar is located along the Rock River between Rockford and Byron. Customers can hear country music every night and on weekends, the bar features live music from both country and rock bands. Plus, Boonies has a simple menu, offering such things as burgers, pizza and wings. Other special events include open stage nights and karaoke.
Rascals Bar & Grill
Rascals is a neighborhood place that strives for a "Cheers"-style atmosphere where friends gather for good times. There are 11 high-definition TVs scattered throughout the interior, making it a good place to catch a game. And when a game isn't on TV, customers can play their own from a selection of pool, darts, shuffleboard, golf and bags. There's an outdoor patio area for smokers and the menu offers a variety of food from wings to quesadillas.
Leave a comment below and tell us what your favorite Rockford bar is.
Posted on Oct 7, 2011 by Brian Bixler
