Fitz's a blend of food, drinks and entertainment
Two years after the owners of Fitz's Pub in Elmhurst took over Seven Ten Lanes' space, the spot is still a destination for a full night of entertainment under one roof. With live music, bowling, games and a full menu of food and drinks, Fitz's Spare Keys has become known as a hangout for people of all ages and a place for parties.
Motif: The massive 24,000-square-foot space includes 14 bowling lanes, seven pool tables, two party rooms and more than 30 flat-screen TVs. Bowling and pool tables are always open. The vintage lanes require you to keep your own score. Pool tables are positioned near the windows so you can do some people-watching between plays. The bar offers indoor bags leagues Wednesday nights, set up in the stage area. Walls are lined with a mix of retro alcohol ads, black-and-white photos and oddities like a map of the damage caused by the Great Chicago Fire. The bar area features a large wooden bar and a mix of large booths and small tables, while the loungelike stage area has couches and candlelit tables.
The building was once a bomb shelter, and the basement floor now is equipped with eight bowling lanes, its own bar, couches and space for a DJ to set up. It's primarily used for gatherings like charity benefits and high-school reunions, though it can be opened to the public on busy nights. Outdoor seating will open Sunday, May 1.
Crowd: Families come in to bowl during the day on weekends, while the crowd gives over to the 21-to-50 age range Friday and Saturday nights. The college crowd takes over the bar area Wednesdays. Dress is casual, with most people sporting jeans and either T-shirts or button-down tops.
Service: The bartenders were very friendly, offered good recommendations and were quick to pour drinks and take orders when our glasses were getting low.
Liquid consumption: Fitz's Spare Keys offers daily drink specials including $4 bombs Wednesdays, $5 martinis Thursdays and $3.50 Coors, Miller and Bud Light drafts Friday and Saturday. The beer selection includes Leinenkugel Summer Shandy, Harp and Smithwick's. The bar has a small menu of signature martinis like the holiday apple pie with vanilla vodka and brandy and the Spare Keys Extasy with grape vodka, Blue Curacao and grenadine. Bartenders seem to have their own off-the-menu creations. Ours recommended a mix of Three-O berry vodka and passion fruit served with a sugar rim and a slice of lime that proved to be a sweet and refreshing sipper.
Food: Fitz's serves up plenty of standard bar fare like wings, nachos and burgers, but in April the bar also expanded its menu to embrace some higher-end fare. Selections now include $10.95 pork chops, $9.95 Asian stir fry and a $13.95 boneless rib eye served smothered with sauteed mushrooms.
Music: Cover bands perform Friday with a lineup including groups with big followings like Hairbangers Ball and Too White Crew. Many shows are free, though some bands charge covers. Acoustic musicians play cover songs in the front bar area Wednesdays. Saturday is dueling pianos starting at about 9 p.m. depending on the crowd. Fitz's Spare Keys also plans to add live bands the last two Thursdays of the month.
Parking: Street parking is hard to come by, though there's a free public lot just a few blocks away.
Overall: Fitz's Spare Keys provides a one-stop shop for food, drinks and entertainment.
Fitz's Spare Keys
119 N. York Road, Elmhurst, (630) 379-5007, fitzssparekeys.com
<B>Hours: </b>4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday