|
|
|
Forest Park a nightlife oasis |
|
|
|
Written by VINCE GIANDONATO and NICK POWILLS / Photos by LINDSEY PEARL and CHRIS POWILLS
|
|
Thursday, 04 May 2006 |
Looking for an alternative to Rush Street Bars? Tired of paying 5 dollars for a domestic draft? Wanna go someplace where you don't don't have to squeeze in? Forest Park is the oasis you've been looking for! Surrounded by a few dry towns (Oak Park, River Forest), The Madison Avenue Strip is a chorus line of great bars that you've probably never heard of and won't soon forget. Better yet, it's all just a short train ride out of the city! Take the blue line to Harlem/Circle Avenue and walk over the bridge to a little slice of heaven.
Doc Ryan's
7432 W. Madison
(708) 366-2823
Bar Hours:
Sunday - Thursday -11AM-2AM
Friday - Saturday - 11AM-3AM
Sun. 11AM - 2AM
Kitchen Hours:
Mon-Wed 11AM - 11PM (serving pizza only after 10PM)
Thurs-Sat: 11AM-Midnight (serving pizza only after 11PM)
Sun. 11AM-10PM
This Forest Park institution, lovingly referred to by patrons as “Doc's,” is equal parts nightclub, restaurant, and neighborhood bar. For eleven years, Doc's has graced the southwest corner of Burkhardt and Madison. Always bustling with something, the place really gets packed on the weekends and for the occasional sporting event (You should have seen this place when the Sox were in the series). The crowd ranges from “Average Joe” to “Just a bit Fratty” but most everybody seems friendly enough. Doc's has two stories of fun, including a small arcade and a rooftop deck offering up a surprisingly moving view of downtown Forest Park. You can play “Beanbags” any night of the week and sing Karaoke on Wednesday night, or if you'd rather have somebody else play the music, Saturdays offer up Live Music with No Cover. It seems as if there is a different special every night, so check the website before going and pick your poison, but feel safe in knowing there is always a large cheese pizza with a pitcher for $12 each and every day of the week.
Molly Malone's
7652 Madison St.
(708) 366-8073
Hours: Sun-Thurs 3PM-2AM, Fri and Sat 3PM-3AM
Kitchen Open until 1AM Daily
Molly's is a bit like reaching a mountain peak, it's a bit out of the way but great once you get there. Occupying the far West end of the Madison strip, Molly's continues to offer the Irish theme, but with a more cozy feel. Warm woods and murals soften the interior and make this joint seem like a real Irish public house.
Also, the kitchen is open until 1AM, making this a great spot to grab some grub and sober up before heading home. Molly's has a stage that features a great diversity of acts and an open mic night with great local bands. Molly's is generally a bit more subdued than the other bars on Madison, but that makes it a great place to take a date or catch up with friends because you can actually hear yourself think in here. The bar has ample selections of beers from all over, including domestics for the unadventurous, but the vast selection also means Ol' Molly isn't the cheapest dame in town, you do however get what you pay for; if you want a high quality stout, this is your place.
O'Sullivan's Public House
7244 Madison St
708-366-6667
Mon. 3 p.m.-2 AM Tues.-Thurs. 11AM-2 AM
Fri. & Sat 11-3AM Sun. 11AM-2AM
O'Sullivan's is phenomenal, one of the best-kept secrets in the state. Seriously, this place is just about everything a bar should be; Cold Beer and Big Burgers at reasonable prices in an inviting atmosphere. Built in a renovated 1890's roadhouse with tin ceilings, marble floors, and a beautiful wood bar, this place is definitely easy on the eyes. Try their pitcher specials while in mid-stride on a bar crawl, on the nights I've been there, they have had THE COLDEST BEER and man did it hit the spot. So without gushing, I'll leave it at this: If you want a place to drink cold beer, eat good American food in comfort, this is your place.
Healy's Westside Tap
Bar Hours
Mon thru Thurs 3:00pm - 2:00am
Fri and Sat 11:30 - 3:00am
Sun 11:30am - 2:00am
Kitchen Hours
Mon-Wed 5PM-10PM
Thurs 5PM-11PM
Fri-Sat 11:30AM-Midnight
Sun 11:30AM-10PM
Irish immigrant Mike Healy opened the doors of this family owned pub in 1954, just down the street from where his sons (Dick and Terry) continue to own and operate the business. While the current Healy's doesn't look much like the original, they have managed to adapt to the changing atmosphere in Forest Park while keeping the good beer and grub they sported previously. This place is huge, and even with a large crowd the space doesn't seem to be over-stuffed. The chow is good, but seems to take forever, probably because the staff seems a bit shorthanded. Drinks are reasonable and even better when sticking to the specials. Just remember, even with the train fare, its cheaper than drinking in the city. If you do choose to drive there (as a DD of course) you'll find ample street parking and a lot across the street with meters.
Cocina De Los Lobos
7321 W. Madison
708-366-2767
Holy Margarita! The owners of Healy's decided to open up a Mexican themed restaurant next door, though its an odd mix, and the food is more Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican, it's still enjoyable. Plus the margaritas are damn good and don't cost a barrel of pesos. A great place to bring friends and family for conversation fueled by good food and stiff drinks. I have to admit, it does remind me of the cheesy Pepe's or Chi-Chi's décor, but if you're stopping in before a night out on the town, it wont matter because you wont remember that fact later. Cocina de Los Lobos is not my number one pic for Mexican cooking, but it does offer a refreshing alternative to the Pub fare that is plentiful on the Madison Strip. The staff is very friendly and the food service is much faster than neighboring Healy's.
Duffy's Tavern
7513 Madison St.
Forest Park, IL
708.366.3887
Weekdays - 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Weekends - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Read review!
Duffy's has quickly gained popularity as one of the top hot spots for returning college students, as the extremely young crowd usually provokes a high school reunion. However, the karaoke and drink specials are definitely an added bonus to the comfortable and entertaining bar.
Duffy's is unique because it is a college town bar in a town that doesn’t have a college. Iit's definitely worth a visit, even if it’s just for one beer on your night of hoppin’.
Horan's Snug
7218 Madison
Forest Park, IL
708.771.5190
Weekdays - open until 2 a.m.
Weekends - open until 3 a.m.
Read review!
Horan's is definitely known for it's older crowd, however, it has one of the better beer gardens on the strip. The only problem with the beer garden, law makes it shut down at midnight, while the bar stays hoppin' far into the night. On Saturday's, Forest Park's worst singers definitely try their renditions of Madonna's “Material Girl” (um, I've heard the worst), but that's also one of the more attractive entertainment features of this bar.
Zambonie's
7522 W. Madison
Forest Park, IL
708.366.8782
Read review!
Serving as the FP strip's best sports bar/restaurant, Zambonie's is the perfect place to begin your night. Food items are served and drink prices are moderate. The only warning - Zambonie's is a Forest Park police hang out, so, don't try to get away with drunk driving at this hot spot (ehem, begin the night here, don't end it).
Murphy's Pub
4114 Madison
Forest Park, IL
708.366.3008
Weekdays - open until 2 a.m.
Weekends - open until 3 a.m.
Read review!
On Thursday nights, this FP hotspot is the happening place for karaoke, as regulars always have Thursday night circled on their calendars. The drink prices are fair and you can usually find a beer special. There are multiple big screen TVs with the top sporting events proudly being aired and several video games and dart boards for even more extracurricular activities.
Submarine Tender
200 Des Plaines
Forest Park, IL
708.366.4690
Weekdays - open until 1 a.m.
Weekends - open until 3 a.m.
Read review!
If you are local to this area, you damn well know this is the hot spot and perfect fast food late option for drunk food after a night on the town, as Sub-T (as it is known to regulars) has world famous (perhaps and slight exaggeration) butter and garlic fries - yum. The subs are incredibly delicious and fairly priced.Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
