Batavia's River's Edge taps into love of beer and bluegrass
New owners took over O'Brien's Pub and Grill in May, transforming the Batavia bar into River's Edge Bar & Grill. With a focus on bluegrass music and craft beer, the spot has become a bustling hangout for locals.
Motif: Walls are decorated with beer signs, and a white board by the bar shows the draft list. The space's six TVs are typically tuned to sports. The dining room tables are moved away to make room for bands when they play, leaving just a few tall tables in the bar area. The spot also features a bowling game and a machine that plays a few classic arcade games. Exposed bulbs hang over the bar while the dining room features a ceiling fan set with multicolored lights. A beer garden, which hasn't opened for the season yet, has its own bar and hosts music acts during the summer.
Food: The half-pound, hand-pressed hamburgers and large wings are the most popular menu items, buoyed by specials such as half-price wings Mondays and $7 burgers and fries before 6 p.m. on weekdays.
Liquid consumption: River's Edge offers 10 beers on tap, with IPAs like Wild Onion Hop Slayer and Lagunitas IPA being especially popular, though there's also PBR if you're looking for something cheaper and lighter. German beer Franziskaner Weissbier is always on tap, but otherwise you'll see new beers pop up once a month, with favorites rotating back in. The list expands in the summer since the outdoor bar has its own taps. The bar is also sensitive to drinkers with celiac disease, offering plenty of ciders and gluten-free vodka and beer. Weekly drink specials include $2 Bud and Bud Light bottles on Sunday and $4 Shock Top drafts Wednesdays.
Crowd: The tiny spot was absolutely slammed when we visited at 9 p.m. on Saturday with people in their 20s to 50s sporting jeans, jerseys and flannel shirts. It's a friendly group, and we wound up chatting with strangers while waiting for a drink and even getting a high-five from an excited guy on his way out. The spot tends to attract a mix of locals, bluegrass fans and bikers coming off area trails. When music's playing, the crowd largely migrates toward the stage, leaving the bar area free if you're just looking to drink and chat while more passively enjoying the good music coming from the next room.
Service: Despite the massive crowd, we were able to get service quickly at the bar. All of the employees from the bouncer to the bartender were friendly and helpful.
Music: The spot brings in live bluegrass music at least once a week on Friday or Saturday, occasionally hosting bands both nights. Since Batavia has a midnight sound ordinance, bands will sometimes migrate inside during the summer to keep going later. Tuesday is an open mic night.
Parking: There's street parking and a free lot nearby.
Overall: Having a good time seems to be contagious at River's Edge Bar & Grill, which keeps things simple to produce a welcoming place for locals to spend a night out.
Rivers Edge Bar & Grill
12 N. River St., Batavia, (630) 406-9200
<b>Hours:</b> 3 to 9 p.m. Monday, 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday