Elmhurst Pints drawing big local crowds

The beer-focused Iowa franchise opened its first Illinois location in November, bringing the total number of Pints up to three. So far the Elmhurst spot has been a huge success, serving as a hangout for big local crowds.

Motif: The bar is lined with 14 flat-screen TVs showing sports, with two that can be seen from the windows to entice fans to step inside. The sound is turned on for any Chicago game and many Big 10 games. The space has only 13 tables and doesn't take reservations, so seating is at a premium. Football helmets, footballs and other sports memorabilia are displayed behind the large, long bar. Walls are decorated with illuminated beer signs and small plaques with text like “Do you want to talk to the man in charge or the woman who knows what's going on?”

Crowd: The space tends to be busy throughout the week, bringing in a good after-work crowd that fills all the tables. The bar was standing room only a little before 9 p.m. on a Friday night, and the crowd made it tricky to navigate through the space. Pints brings in an older demographic from around 3 to 10 p.m., with local college kids coming in later. Dress is casual, with most patrons sporting jeans and T-shirts or hoodies.

Service: Despite the crowd, a bartender immediately asked us for our order when we approached the bar. The servers do an admirable job moving through the space to take orders in a timely fashion.

Liquid consumption: Beer is the dominant focus, with 20 drafts and dozens of other brews available by the bottle. The taps change regularly depending on what's popular. Pints always features some craft brews including local favorites like Goose Island Matilda and imports such as Germany's Franziskaner Weissbier. Domestic drafts are $3 on Monday, an especially good deal since they're served in 20-ounce glasses. Other drink specials include $3.50 Miller Lite and well drinks Tuesday, $1 off all drafts Thursday and $4 Jack Daniels and Captain Morgan cocktails Friday.

Food: Other Pints locations don't serve food, but the owners thought it would work well in Elmhurst. The reception has proved them right. The $10 Irish pot roast nachos are the signature dish, with chips layered with sweet pot roast and cheddar cheese, drizzled with sour cream and topped with scallions and diced tomatoes. A generous cup of sliced jalapeño peppers is served on the side, and adding them to the dish produces a fantastic mix of flavors with the spice contrasting the sweet meat. The burgers are named for Big 10 teams and all feature 100 percent Black Angus beef raised and packed in Aurora and served on a pretzel bun. The bar plans to add lunch service soon.

Parking: It's easy to find free street parking within a few blocks of the bar.

Overall: A chill place to watch some college sports with a great beer.

Pints

114 S. York St., Elmhurst, (630) 833-4303

Hours: 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday