New Rookies sports bar measures up to its namesake
Rookies itself is no rookie on the sports-bar scene. Recently opened in The Grove in Elgin, Rookies also has a location in St. Charles. Can this newest entry in the sports bar arena stack up against the original?
Motif: If you're not immediately struck by the number of televisions hanging on the wall when you enter the large sports bar, then you will definitely be overwhelmed by the smell of popcorn. One of my favorite features at bars has to be (free) freshly popped popcorn. Anyway, a lot of televisions and projection screens at Rookies (even one in the bathroom!) show a lot of sports.
There's a large four-sided bar with plenty of seats, surrounded by loads of booths, tables and chairs. A few patrons hang out on the patio, but most head indoors where it's warm. Inside, the walls are decorated with sports memorabilia (helmets of every NFL team) and neon beer signs. There's Golden Tee, a claw machine and a few other arcade games.
Crowd: Rookies is primarily a sports bar, and sports fans are definitely out representing their teams. Families turn up during the dinner hour, but the bar is popular with 20-somethings.
Service: Rookies' service was excellent. And I'm not just saying that because the (possibly inebriated) couple next to me at the bar warned me to be kind to the bartender or he'd rough me up. The bartender laughed it off, but I did give him a good stare down to let him know I was not messing around. OK, maybe I didn't, but I walked away unscathed.
Food: Rookies' food menu is large and focused on American fare, with burgers, wraps, gyros, Italian beef, Reubens, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, pizza, prime rib, New York strip steak, chicken fingers, quesadillas, tacos and a whole lot more. Sure, I went with my fail-safe choice - yes, another Reuben. I was more than satisfied. Also look out for the excellent food specials of $1 burgers and hot dogs.
Liquid consumption: At a large sports bar like Rookies, you better believe they have a decent amount of beers on tap, including Guinness, Sam Adams, Boddingtons, Hacker-Pschorr, Miller Lite and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Rookies also has a decent bottle selection such as Fat Tire, Pacifico, Budweiser, Heineken and Corona. Besides beer, Rookies offers a full bar with wine and special mixed drinks (you get to keep the glass). Perfect - a souvenir for you to show off how much you can take down.
Sounds: Not much music during my visit, though I did notice an online jukebox sitting by itself in the corner. Be sure to check out karaoke at 10 p.m. Thursdays, when all of Elgin comes out to belt a tune. Well, maybe not all of Elgin - I'm taking their word on that.
Parking: There are spots all around the building and overflow parking at nearby shops.
Overall: If you don't know what to expect by now from a sports bar, then you probably never will. With Rookies, you've got your sports, beer, food, sports, games, popcorn and sports, all wrapped up in a fancy new package in Elgin. Did I mention sports? Seriously, just go.
Rookie's
Location: 2486 Bushwood Dr., Elgin
Web: www.rookiespub.com
Hours: 11 a.m. - 3 a.m. daily