Docks' new deck worth a visit this summer
Most suburban bars' beer gardens/patios/decks tend to be comfortable, large and relaxing. Very few, however, offer great views - unless patrons prefer people-watching to soaking in great scenery.
Now comes Docks Bar & Grill, located in the heart of Wauconda, with its brand new 660-square-foot deck overlooking Bangs Lake. Now that's a view I could enjoy with a brew.
Motif: Docks is an extremely nice bar to visit, no matter what the weather is like outdoors. Most residents may remember Docks from its previous life as Mer's, but new owners have come through and completely overhauled the building. The bar's interior is sharp and very welcoming. Docks' Director of Operations, Mike Curcio, describes the remodeled bar as being "casual upscale." Large black booths align the walls, and black tables and wooden chairs make up the room. Televisions are mounted on the walls, and there's a bar (of course) for people to grab a drink at. There is also a fireplace, but let's not discuss the days that we'll be needing to use it.
Enough with the interior; let's talk about the exterior. Docks' newest addition is a 660-square-foot patio, referred to as Docks on the Rocks. The tiki-themed patio, on a bluff overlooking Bangs Lake, has plenty of seating, along with an excellent view of the lake. Curcio boasts it's "the nicest deck in Chicagoland."
"People come from all over the place just for the view," he adds, "even people from Lake Geneva visit because they don't have a view as great as the one here." Guests can eat and drink on the large patio as they enjoy the weather as well as live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
Service: The service at Docks was extremely friendly and convenient. The staff was attentive, even on the crowded deck. The waiter was also very helpful when recommending items off the menu.
Crowd: The crowd at Docks is typically made up of those in their 20s and 30, with families enjoying the nice weather during the day. Yes, families deserve to bask in the glory that is a 660-square-foot deck.
Liquid consumption: In keeping with the tropical theme, Docks goes all-out with their drink selection. The variety of margarita flavors is nothing to scoff at with such choices as vanilla, watermelon, sunburned, Cadillac Escalade and so on. Other fruity drinks include coladas, lots of martini flavors and teas (alcohol-included).
If you're not up for a fruity drink, don't worry as Docks has such bar beer mainstays as Miller Lite, Bud Light, Corona, Hacker Pschorr and Stella Artois. Also look out for promotional parties on the deck with companies such as Corona, Miller and Bacardi.
Food: Docks may be located on a lake, but you can still expect plenty of seafood on this bar's menu. Selections include shrimp, sea scallops, glazed salmon and more. The rest of Docks' menu is more of the usual bar offerings - sandwiches, burgers, chicken, steak and many appetizers.
Docks' impressive daily specials deserve a paragraph of their own. Three days a week, the place has all-you-can-eat specials: prime rib on Monday, crab legs on Tuesday, tilapia on Friday. Wednesday has a special on burgers, and there are more.
Sounds: Docks has booked plenty of events for the summer, both out on the deck and inside the bar. You can find an act to enjoy Friday through Sunday. Shows on the deck typically start early afternoon while concerts inside begin later in the evening. Music ranges from solo-acoustic acts, Caribbean-influenced jams, rock/classic rock and country. Check Docks' event calendar and plan your visit accordingly.
Parking: Docks has its own parking lot.
Overall: For the most part, if you want to enjoy scenic water views, you have to head to the ocean, or at least Chicago. The suburbs deserve the same views, and thankfully that's where Docks comes into the picture.
Docks Bar & Grill
Info: 313 E Liberty St., Wauconda, (847) 526-3625, www.docksbarandgrill.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday