Crystal Lake nightclub focuses on music
Buzz opened in October, but it just started taking off with the launch of live music in December. The relaxed spot has made music its focus, bringing in a variety of local acts, working on booking bigger bands and providing a place where you can dance or just lounge and listen.
Motif: Buzz features a black bar top on one side and lounge-style seating with small tables and pillow-strewn couches on the other. The middle has flower-topped high tables with black leather seats. The space is dimly lit with multicolored lights along the walls. There are currently no TVs, but some will likely be added soon. The posh women's bathroom features a vanity with cushioned chairs if you want to freshen up or find a quiet spot to gossip.
Crowd: The bar can get nearly full on weekends, though bad weather tends to thin things out. Most customers are in their mid-20s to 40s, but the demographics can skew older. Dress is casual, dominated by jeans and T-shirts.
Service: The bartender was very friendly, introducing himself with a handshake as soon as I stepped up to the bar. He was great at making cocktail recommendations, and when he wasn't working on orders he spent his time chatting with customers. Guest flare bartenders come in some weekends, and the regulars are also prone to showing off their skills. When the performing musician called for a round of shots, the bartender mixed together three different drinks in six martini shakers and connected them, allowing him to pour a line of brightly covered bombs into a stack of glasses with only a little spillage.
Liquid consumption: Martinis are the focus, with favorites including mango, pomegranate, strawberry-chocolate and white chocolate raspberry. The mango martini, mixed with mango purée, mango vodka and cranberry juice, was especially good, striking the right balance between sweet, fruity and strong. The bar also offers nearly 20 wines by the glass and bottle. Glasses range from $5 to $9, and the menu is conveniently ranked from light to full-bodied so novices can pick out something to suit their tastes. Drink specials include $5 Smirnoff martinis Wednesdays and $3 Jager bombs on Fridays.
There is no food served.
Music: Buzz offers live music most weekends, with performances including '80s cover bands, acoustic acts and dueling pianos. When I was there, a musician was playing solid acoustic covers of The Beatles, Stealers Wheel, Billy Joel and others, bantering between songs with an enthusiastic crowd. The volume was never too loud to talk over.
The bar is working on bringing in more DJs and bands like The Spazmatics and Barefoot Fred that have their own followings. Bands set up at a sizable stage in the back and tables can be moved aside to create dancing space. Cover varies with the band.
Parking: There are plenty of spots in the free parking lot.
Overall: A laid-back spot to sip a drink while listening to some tunes.
<b>Buzz</b>
<b>5831 Northwest Hwy., Crystal Lake, (815) 444-6889, buzzcrystallake.com
Hours: 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday</b>