New sports bar a place to 'Hang Out' in Elgin
When Chicago Bears star Devin Hester returned that punt for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers Monday, the cheering was heard all the way out in Elgin.
As in "The Hang Out," a downtown sports bar that recently underwent a name and theme change.
Formerly known as Mad Maggie's, The Hang Out closed for renovations in mid-September and had a soft opening just before the Elgin Pub Crawl last weekend.
Sean Davis and Ted Kuriata opened Mad Maggie's in summer 2008. Kuriata bought out Davis' share with the help of new business partners, Evelyn Ferry and Larry Herman, both Elginites.
"We have a sports theme now," said Ferry, the general manager. "We really feel that this kind of venue is something that downtown Elgin doesn't have."
Ferry said The Hang Out has a whole new staff, a television with a 10-foot screen and recently bought a pizza oven.
She also said one specialty is baby back ribs, the menu is expanded and prices are cheaper.
"We have a smoker, which is unique to most businesses around here," Ferry said.
The lower level has been dubbed "The Underground" and will feature punk rock, live bands and standup comedy. On Fridays, the lower level will covert to a teen dance club for kids 17 to 20 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Ferry said the beer list has been expanded to more than 30 brews. They also hope to carry Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts.
Tonya Hudson, executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, visited The Hang Out during the pub-crawl. She said it was packed, the music was loud but not enough to drown out conversations and overall she was excited about the new look.
"(Mad Maggie's) seemed to be a lot of different things all at once. I think the owners of The Hang Out are moving in the right direction," Hudson said. "The owners of downtown bars and restaurant are always re-evaluating what they can offer that's different and unique. They're willing to change it up."
For more information about The Hang Out, call (847) 531-583 or visit sporthangout.com.