Crowds embrace Metropolis Bar in Hoffman Estates
Metropolis Bar & Grill has been bringing in solid crowds since opening in December in Max & Erma's former space. The sports bar offers 26 sets that can each be tuned to a different game, providing plenty of options for sports fans looking for a new spot to eat, drink and watch.
Motif: The graffiti-style Metropolis logo is displayed both inside the bar and on its brick exterior. Each of the bar's 16 booths has its own television set, which diners control. Big games are screened on 120- and 150-inch HDTVs. Barrels sit on an elevated space above the booths, and the bar's rooms are separated by brick walls with windows. The bar area features a large wooden bar and booths, and there are two rooms, equipped with their own TVs, that can be used for private parties or spillover seating. A patio will open up this summer.
The space has four electronic dart boards, and dart tournaments are in the works along with trivia nights. Competitive types can also play Golden Tee. The bar's official grand opening Saturday, Jan. 29, will feature a DJ and drink specials including $2 you-call-its and $4 shots.
Crowd: The bar has been particularly packed for lunch and dinner, giving way to a 20s-to-30s crowd later in the evening dressed on the nice side of casual.
Service: Metropolis has been a little unprepared for the turnout, occasionally understaffed and still working out the kitchen speed. Still the staff does a good job, not only dishing out food and drinks but helping customers change channels on their TVs. I was greeted quickly by a host and received attention as soon as I stepped up to the bar.
Liquid consumption: Drinkers on a budget will find daily deals including $1 Miller Lite, MGD and Coors Light drafts Friday and Saturday, $5 martinis Thursday and $6 domestic pitchers Sunday. The drink menu includes bottles of craft beer such as Bell's Seasonal and Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen. Cocktail fans can order a specialty martini like the $8 Aphrodite, mixed with Absolut Vanilla, Midori and strawberry liqueur, or one of six types of margaritas.
Music: The bar plans to regularly bring in DJs and host karaoke nights. A giant TV can be rolled up and tables moved away to provide room for bands. The goal is to bring in party groups that will inspire guests to dance around.
Food: Metropolis' lunch specials have proved incredibly popular, offering diners a choice of six dishes for $5. The top choice is the root beer barbecue pulled pork sandwich — pork tenderloin simmered in root beer and barbecue sauce, topped with provolone and red onions and served with a side of steak fries. Burgers, steak sandwiches and tacos are also in demand. The brand new spot is still experimenting with dishes. They were auditioning their taco pizza the night I was there and it should be a keeper. The slices had a crispy crust and were covered with flavorful chunks of ground beef, shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes.
Parking: There are plenty of spots in the large free lot. It's fine to park overnight in case you wind up needing to take a cab home.
Overall: Metropolis gives you the same level of control you'd have watching the game in your living room without having to deal with cooking or cleanup.
<b>Metropolis Bar & Grill</b>
2475 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, (847) 884-2500, <a href="http://www.metropolisbarandgrill.com" target="_blank">metropolisbarandgrill.com</a>
<b>Hours:</b> 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday and Monday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday