Club Shotz trying out new menu, focus
In September, the management of Playoffs revamped the bar's menu and redecorated the space, reopening as Club Shotz. With the addition of video gaming in December and plans to add pool leagues in February, the spot — located at 720 E. North Ave., Carol Stream — is aiming to draw people looking for a win for themselves or their favorite sports team.
Motif: The sports bar offers plenty of TVs playing games with the sound on, providing a view of the action basically anywhere you sit. The billiards area has four tables with red stools and tables around the perimeter. It has its own bar and five TVs, with framed jerseys decorating the walls. If pool isn't your game, there's also an electronic dart board.
The video gambling area is tucked away on the other side, with five slot and poker machines and a couch where you can relax with a drink while waiting for a play since people can be holed up there for a while. There's also a vending machine in case you need a quick snack to fuel a lucky streak.
Crowd: Club Shotz tends to draw some very enthusiastic spots fans, who dress in jerseys and baseball caps and scream or cheer at the screen depending on the plays. Ages range from 20-somethings to seniors, with the biggest crowds coming out on the weekends, though it was pretty sparse when we were there Friday night.
Food: The new menu has some higher-end options like fried jumbo shrimp and the very popular 12-ounce New York steak. Burgers are also a hit, with the half-pound freshly ground beef offered in different forms like the pizza burger with mozzarella and pizza sauce or the patty melt, which tops the meat with melted cheese and serves it on rye bread with grilled onions. The menu also offers plenty of bar food standards like nachos, wings, potato skins and chicken fingers.
Liquid consumption: The drink selection is pretty basic, with no cocktail menu and beers limited to standards like Miller and Budweiser, with Goose Island's 312 as the new highlight. Daily specials include $5.50 bombs Fridays, $4 Absolut cocktails Saturdays and $15 domestic buckets Wednesdays.
Service: Our server quickly greeted us and checked in regularly. While she initially forgot to deliver a draft of 312 with the lemon we requested, she made up for it by bringing a whole glass filled with wedges.
Music: The bar hosts karaoke Thursday and DJs spin Top 40 and hip hop every Friday and Saturday night, with the center of the bar cleared as a dance floor. Otherwise music comes from an Internet jukebox.
Parking: The large free lot offers plenty of spots.
Overall: Club Shotz lets locals unwind by trying to win some money, challenging their friends to a game of pool or just shouting out their encouragement or frustration at the games on TV.
Club Shotz
720 E. North Ave., Carol Stream, (630) 260-1515; <a href="http://clubshotz.com">clubshotz.com</a>
<b>Hours:</b> Noon to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday; noon to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday