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Bar 145 turns up the volume on Mount Prospect nightlife

Bar 145's sign pledges burgers, bands and bourbon. And I got a chance to sample all three at the new Mount Prospect location, which opened in January.

<b>Motif:</b> The Mount Prospect spot is Bar 145's seventh location, and the first in Illinois. As for the name, 145 refers to the temperature of a perfectly cooked medium-rare burger.

Bar 145's decor leans toward industrial chic. A stage for live entertainment is at the front. Booths and tables provide plenty of seating, with more on the second floor. Red backlighting adds flash to the bar area, and the walls boast art reflecting the emphasis on music. TVs, tuned to sports, hang over the bar. Bar 145's tagline is red Chucks, white china so servers move about in brightly colored Chuck Taylors.

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  Bar 145 opened in January in Mount Prospect. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com

Food:</b> For a starter, we went with our server's recommendation and tried the pretzel bites. The soft, warm, plump nuggets were paired with a cheese fondue sauce so tasty I added a bit to my black bean burger, which came topped with a flavorful red pepper aioli and Gouda.

  The Balsamic Bleu Burger comes with truffle fries and red pepper aioli at Bar 145 in Mount Prospect. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com

Burger options abound. You can go with one of Bar 145's signature burgers or mix and match a long list of cheese, sauces and toppings to create your own favorite. We opted for the Kobe burger and loved the sauce - an inventive black truffle aioli. The fries were a hit as well; they were perfectly seasoned and not greasy.

<b>Liquid consumption:</b> Bar 145 offers more than three dozen bourbon selections. Our server made several straight and mixed-drink bourbon recommendations for the beginner. I opted for the Newly Fashioned, a bracing, refreshing mix of Basil Hayden's, simple syrup, bitters, soda, cinnamon and an apple slice. There's also a selection of beer on tap and by the bottle, as well as cocktails and a small wine list.

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  More than three dozen bourbons are available at Bar 145 in Mount Prospect. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com

Service: </b>Our server was pleasant, friendly and spot-on with suggestions. She clearly knew the menu well, and spoke knowledgeably about the drink options. The only glitch was in timing. Though we ordered our pretzel bites appetizer with our drinks, and several minutes before our burgers, everything came out at once. We wanted the pretzel bites as something to nibble on while we enjoyed our drinks, not as a companion to burgers and fries.

<b>Crowd:</b> Bar 145 draws a mix of ages, depending on what bands are playing. So you might find groups of 20-somethings alongside middle-aged couples.

<b>Music: </b>The bar hosts bands Friday and Saturday and acoustic sets Wednesday and Thursday, with open mic and karaoke nights as well. We thoroughly enjoyed the music when we went midweek, and the volume still allowed for conversation.

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  Singer Keith Semple performs at Bar 145 in Mount Prospect. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com

Parking:</b> There is street and lot parking nearby.

<b>Overall:</b> Bar 145 delivers an all-around evening out: drinks, dinner and the chance to listen to local bands.

Bar 145

2 W. Busse Ave., Mount Prospect, (847) 873-1855,

www.bar145mountprospect.com

Hours: 4 to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sunday

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