Amici's Clubhouse a well-rounded addition to South Elgin bar scene
When it comes to bars that are influenced by a specific country, Ireland is the first that comes to mind. There is no shortage of Irish pubs to be found in the suburbs. But what about Italy? Would an Italian bar just have pasta and wine? Thankfully, an Italian bar like Amici's Clubhouse in South Elgin offers much more than your typical Italian fare. In fact, Amici's is a welcome departure.
Motif: The bar features a large room with plenty of booths, tables and chairs for patrons. The color scheme somewhat reminds me of a pub with tan and brown walls, wood paneling and some brick walls. Above the long bar, there are a few televisions for watching whatever sporting event may be on. There are also other televisions, including a large projection screen, scattered throughout the room. One of the most Italian-like aspects of Amici's has to be the wood lattice wine rack that sits behind the bar. In another corner, Amici's has a respectable stage for when bands come around throughout the week. And, believe it or not, I spotted a disco ball dangling above the stage. Beer memorabilia hangs throughout the room as well. Sure this is an Italian-themed bar, but that comes across more so on the menu than the overall sports-leaning decor.
Service: The service at Amici's is cordial and friendly. The waitstaff is happy to discuss the many Italian items on the menu as well as the large wine, specialty drinks and beer selection. Not sure exactly what some pastas are? No worries, as this hospitable staff has you covered.
Crowd: Amici's has the power to draw a wide range of people. When you have good food, you'll get families coming in for Italian offerings. With a nice drink selection, you will draw in bargoers of all ages. The atmosphere of Amici's is welcoming to folks of any drinking age, whether you just want to have a drink with friends, catch some music, watch sports or enjoy a plate of pasta.
Liquid consumption: The drink menu at Amici's is just as large and detailed as the food menu. There are a variety of specialty drinks to choose from, such as the mango margarita, sparkling sangria and much more. As mentioned previously, Amici's has an excellent wine selection. Guests can sample many different whites and reds from pinot grigio to pinot noir. Also, don't forget the beer as Fat Tire, Stella Artois, 312, Guinness, Blue Moon, Bud Light and others are available on tap. If that's not enough, there's a $2 Miller High Life draft or a $3.50 Jaeger bomb special every day of the week.
Food: Amici's food menu is primarily focused on Italian fare. The selection of pastas is vast with such choices as fettuccine Alfredo, linguine, rigatoni, spaghetti, tortellini and more. On the entree side, you can choose from other Italian-themed dishes like chicken parmesan, chicken Marsala, pizza and meatball sandwiches. Getting away from Italian food, you can indulge in barbecue ribs, burgers, sandwiches, wings and chicken strips.
Also, take advantage of Amici's food specials. On Tuesdays, there are half-price half-pound burgers, and on Wednesdays, the bar offers half-price pizza.
Sounds: Check the event calendar on Amici's Web site for the music schedule. A couple of times a month, the bar holds open mic nights on Tuesdays with the Jim and Steve Band. Don't be surprised if you come upon a live band over the weekend as well. Rest assured that there will always be tunes to hear, as the bar has a digital jukebox awaiting your fantastic DJ skills.
Parking: Don't fret over finding a spot at Amici's as they have their own parking lot.
Overall: Amici's is an excellent balance of a lot of things: Italian food, live music, welcoming atmosphere and top-notch liquor choices. This spot is a well-rounded addition to the South Elgin bar scene.
Amici's Clubhouse
456 Redington Drive, South Elgin, (847) 531-8820, www.amicisclubhouse.com
Hours: 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m Sunday