When it comes to refreshment, Rugan's in Antioch pours it on

Antioch overflows with beer bars, those places where neon signs flash in the windows and guys sporting baseball hats sip Miller High Life as an unknown trio covers the Allman Brothers Band and Van Morrison. These places borrow rustic decor from north of the border or pick up a water fun theme from the lakes and rivers that draw tourists in for recreation.

And then there's Rugan's. For the past few years, Rugan's has provided an oasis in Antioch's quaint downtown for those seeking refreshment of a different sort. Billing itself as the place "where friends meet," Rugan's offers a winning trifecta of contemporary cocktails, New World wines and craft beers.

Motif: Rugan's sits a block off Antioch's main drag and, frankly, the stark white exterior does nothing to hint at what's inside. A few tables on a sidewalk overlooking the parking lot count as alfresco seating and could be improved by a small fence or pots of pretty flowers.

That said, don't judge this bar by its front door. Rugan's interior exudes warmth and class: a beautiful bar rimmed with deco pendulum lights and backed by wine racks and illuminated liquor bottles anchors the space. High-topped tables, standard tables and a comfy couch corner provide seating options for any size group. Oh, and there's also a curtained area for getting cozy with your significant other or keeping your party private.

Service: Our waitress helped us narrow down our choices from the almost overwhelming cocktail menu (more on that later) and steered us toward favorites on the tapas-style menu.

Liquid consumption: Overwhelming might be an understatement, but then I'd rather have too many choices than too few. Whatever you're in the mood for, Rugan's has it. Want a martini? Choose from more than two dozen elixirs like the refreshingly bubbly Flirtini with raspberry vodka, pineapple juice and a splash of Champagne or the orange-infused cocktail with a swirl of cream that captures the taste of summer.

Feeling like wine? The options range from glasses, bottles and build-your-own tasting flights. The wine list leans heavy on California and other New World regions, with France, Spain and Italy making occasional appearances.

Craft beers from the around the region and around the globe will make the hop fans in your group happy. Bottles from Chicago-born Goose Island and Indiana's own Three Floyd's Brewery share cooler space with imports including Germany's Trumer Pils and Belgium's Delirium Tremens. Less adventurous drinkers will appreciate Bud Light and Miller High Life.

Food: The food menu mimics the global tone of the beverages with a large selection of flatbreads, salads and other shareable nibbles.

The fusion-inspired Tuscan quesadilla married Roma tomato, oregano, basil, roasted garlic, mushroom, spinach, fontina and chives with a flour tortilla for a pleasantly filling plate. Other appealing appetizers include pot stickers with peanut sauce, a trio of sliders and Rugan's signature butternut squash soup with crumbled blue cheese.

On the sweet side, there's chocolate fondue with a variety of dippers and a decadent looking turtle cheesecake.

Crowd: Because of its wide-ranging menu, Rugan's attracts a wide-ranging crowd. On the Saturday I popped in we spied fashionistas sipping Cosmos, couples sharing wine and tapas and a group of T-shirt-clad guys clicking bottles.

Sounds: Early in the evening the soundtrack is contemporary music piped in overhead. From 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, musicians perform acoustic folk to modern rock in the front corner.

Parking: Free parking is available in a lot out front and on adjacent streets.

Overall: Rugan's diverse beverage and food menu hit the right notes with me and is worth a visit whether it's a destination all its own, or one in a string of stops during a Chain O' Lakes excursion.

Rugan'sInfo: 921 Toft Ave., Antioch, (847) 838-0011, rugans.comHours: 4 to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and SaturdayFalse20001335Whatever you're thirsty for, Rugan's has it. Choose from La Fin Du Monde beer, a lemon drop martini or a glass of Newton Chardonnay.Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff PhotographerFalse