Food, historic setting make The Beehive a honey of a place
Downtown St. Charles seems to have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to quaint, cozy taverns. The Beehive Tavern & Grille has its own unique charms, starting with its historic location. Add proximity to the river, good food and a fun beer-drinking bumble bee mascot, and The Beehive becomes a spot worth buzzing about.
Motif: Located at the site of the old St. Charles Hotel, former home of the bar Hoops, The Beehive opened in May 2005. You enter off Main Street into the bar area, complete with stools, a few tables and enough TVs to comfortably watch whatever game is on. A separate section holds a pool table as well as a couple video games. And yet another area separates those there for dinner - perhaps with kids in tow - from the bar crowd.
Owner Tom Castronovo saw plenty of Irish pubs in the burbs and wanted something different: an American tavern with patriotic decor. The walls are covered with old photographs - many from the World War II era - as well as flags, signs and quotations praising the troops.
It's not all victory and valor, though. The Beehive makes good use of its name as well. Mats and signs bear the image of a beer-mug-hoisting bee. And pink and blue beehive wigs - as in the old-style hairdo - sit behind the bar. Yes, you can try them on. Wear one for awhile and you might even have an appetizer sent your way.
Crowd: The Beehive draws a diverse crowd that depends on the day and time. Around 6 p.m., you'll find families there for dinner. As the night wears on, twentysomethings make the place their own, Castronovo says.
Service: Our waitress couldn't have been nicer. She was attentive, friendly and spot on with her suggestions. Though at a table, we could hear the bartender chatting with customers. She too seemed warm and knowledgeable.
Food: The Beehive is best known for its burgers. Other sandwich options include Italian beef, a BLT, grouper and grilled chicken. Salads, personal pizzas, fish and steak are also available.
If you're just there for appetizers and drinks, however, you will not be disappointed. Our waitress recommended the baked pretzel sticks, and we were glad she did. Four long, soft pretzel loaves about the size of hot dog buns arrived warm and covered with just the right amount of salt. They were served with a sweet honey mustard sauce and a rich cheese fondue. We also ordered some wings - half with hot sauce, half with barbecue - and enjoyed every one. They were meaty, moist and not at all greasy.
Liquid consumption: The Beehive has 16 beers on tap and a variety of specials. When the Bears are playing, for example, you can get Miller pints for $2.50 - and burgers for just $3.50. For those who want to go a bit more highbrow, the bar also serves wine and cocktails.
Sounds: You can tune into the games on the big screens or try to catch the music: quieter '80s and '90s tunes for the family crowd and top 40 for the late-night crew. The tavern is just getting into live entertainment.
Parking: There is a free parking garage nearby.
Overall: The Beehive could easily take the sting out of a tough or dreary day. This quaint tavern offers good food, cold beer and a warm, welcoming atmosphere - all attributes that make it more than worth a visit.
<p class="factboxheadblack">The Beehive Tavern & Grille</p> <p class="News">204 W. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-0800, <a href="http://www.thebeehivestcharles.com" target="new">www.thebeehivestcharles.com</a></p> <p class="News">Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday</p>