Patio party

Located just past the outdoor bar at Bandito Barney's in East Dundee was a banner declaring that I was currently standing in the "Best Beer Garden in the World."

That's a pretty heavy statement. I've been to quite a few beer gardens in my time, but could this possibly be the best … in the world?

Motif: Bandito Barney's beer garden really is the star of the show here. The inside bar itself is located in an older pink and purple house straight out of 1894, literally, but if the day is nice, odds are you will be led to the beer garden.

Walking up to the entrance of Bandito Barney's, I felt like I had a walked into an empty tiki joint.

The wooden bar decorated with fish tanks on the sides was not being manned. The darts weren't being played, and the televisions were not being watched. After a quick walk through, it was apparent that every single patron was sitting outside at the beer garden -- and for good reason.

The garden boasts several bars to get a drink at with seating throughout.

The main bar is located on a porch connected to the building. It almost feels like you stepped out of someone's house who just remarkably converted their whole back yard into a beer garden.

While sitting outside on either the porch or the yard-like area, you just feel comfortable, as if you're enjoying a drink in your friend's amazingly intricate back yard. There are fountains, lights, beer signs, televisions and even a basketball shooting game at your disposal.

Also check out the recently built New Orleans-style courtyard attached to the beer garden. Keep your eyes open for an old elephant relic. It was once located at Santa's Village in East Dundee.

Cinco de Mayo: Bandito Barney's Cinco de Mayo celebrations spans over five days. Kicking off the celebration on May 1, Q101 and the Coors Light Girls stop by the bar from 6 to 8 p.m. with giveaways.

Expect other community events like a blood drive throughout the long weekend and DJs on Saturday.

Sunday hosts the main celebration, featuring Corona drink specials, the band Storm Crow, food specials and more.

Show up to these events early because Leo Shales, Bandito Barney's Manager/Promo Director, expects at least 700 to 1,000 people in attendance.

Also be on the lookout for Bandito's 30-year anniversary celebration June 16 to 22. Sure, there are going to be giveaways, but the real draw here is that beer will be its original price when Bandito's opened up back in 1978. Seriously, how cool is that?

"This is going to be huge," Shales says in regard to the anniversary, and it's hard to disagree with that presumption.

Crowd: A fairly mixed crowd that gets along quite well. You can have both young and old sitting right next to each other at a bar enjoying a drink as groups of 20-somethings sit in a booth right next to adults old enough to be their parents.

Service: Quick and friendly service from the tie-wearing staff. It's true, they were all wearing ties. For what reason, I am not sure.

Food: Don't be fooled by the name. Bandito Barney's is not a Mexican restaurant. Their menu consists more of sandwiches (burgers, BBQ pork, chicken breast, po' boys) and wraps (gyros, turkey and bacon, chicken). There are plenty of appetizers, including shrimp, egg rolls, chicken tenders, buffalo wings and nachos (There's your Mexican dish).

Liquid consumption: Bandito Barney's features a full bar for a summer's day. Hacker Pschorr is on tap and was the perfect beer to enjoy on a warm day. And in case you were thinking of getting a mixed drink, they'll give you your beverage party-style, in a plastic cup.

While a red Solo plastic cup would scream "house party," Bandito's sturdier light-blue plastic cups do the trick.

Sounds: There's a sweet online jukebox, the sounds of which found their way outside to the beer garden. If live music is more to your liking, Bandito Barney's has bands playing every Sunday at 2 p.m.

Parking: Parking is available along the street, but depending on when you show up, there is a good chance most nearby spots will be long gone.

Overall: Shales is right on the money when he says, "Bandito's is not your average tavern. … No one does the stuff that we do." With a huge and homey beer garden, an elephant from Santa's Village, a well-mannered crowd and two irresistible upcoming events, Bandito Barney's has a lot more going for it than your average bar. "Best Beer Garden in the World" is still quite a bold statement, but it's hard to argue against Bandito Barney's.