Bannerman's Sports Grill
Beer, food and sports: It's a winning combination that Bannerman's Sports Grill in Bartlett puts to good use.
Motif: Bannerman's is located in the Bartlett Commons Shopping Center in … Bartlett. The bar is fairly large, complete with a hostess up front and oodles of dining and bar space, not to mention 74 televisions covering the walls, two projection screens, pool, darts, a claw machine, Golden Tee, and tons more beer and sports memorabilia on the walls. Oh, and all of the tables happen to mimic sports-themed shapes like baseball fields and hockey rinks.
Bannerman's may have indirectly put more emphasis on its grill by placing their large bar, with seating available, in the very back of the room. There's also a small stage for cover bands off to the side, usually populated on Fridays and Saturdays. Looks like Bannerman's signed up funk-rock band Planet Groove to play in May.
On top of all of this, Bannerman's has a private VIP room, called the Skybox, with leather recliners to relax in while enjoying the game and some drinks.
Crowd: The early-evening hours tend to attract the family dinner crowd and sports-fan bargoers alike. The families don't stick around all night, though, and the crowd tends to become mixed with those who came to cheer on their team, others who just want to have a drink, and those wanting to socialize and play some pool.
Service: Not much to complain about, service-wise. Dressed in referee uniforms (and shorts and tube socks), the waitresses were on par with other friendly, precise servers in the sports-bar business. If there was anything to complain about, I'd say it's the lack of referee whistles. You know, in case there is a "party foul." I hate that term.
Food: Large menu with burgers, wings, pizza, chicken, sandwiches, ribs, seafood and dessert. Also: Props to Bannerman's for their delicious waffle fries.
Liquid consumption: Bannerman's supplies a full bar with 18 brews on tap, as well as some great specials throughout the week. Foster's Oil Cans cost $3.50 and margaritas are $4 on Fridays, and Saturday features $3.50 Jack Daniels and SoCo mixers for the sports lover who likes their drinks mixed.
Sounds: Expect a variety of cover bands on Friday and Saturday evenings. When no band is playing, you'll hear sounds from either an online jukebox or the main game on TV.
Parking: Plenty of parking in the strip-mall lot.
Overall: Bannerman's delivers the usual ingredients that make sports bars successful, but it manages to mix things up a bit with a nice amount of beers on tap, good drink specials, live music, a claw machine and an above-average menu. The sports bar formula hasn't necessarily been changed by Bannerman's; it's been refined in its own special way.
Bannerman's Sports Grill
858 S. Route 59, Bartlett, (630) 213-2400, bannermans-sports-grill.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday and Monday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday