#barscore

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RAM

Rating: 

Address: 700 N Milwaukee Avenue Wheeling, IL 60090

Hours: Monday - Sunday | 11am - Close

Website: http://www.theram.com/

Review: This bar/restaurant/brewery turned out to be quite the watering hole when my girlfriend and I were looking for a place for a quick drink. We stepped in to find a gorgeous establishment that made me worried we had walked into a place too classy for my hooded sweatshirt and red shoes that shout “Look at how not dressed up I am.” The large bar, padded booths and live music would be enough to impress me, but the top shelf liquor was impressive, not to mention how high the shelves really went.

This place was crowded, and I mean with a real crowd. The bar felt like a party we had walked into with an energy that would make you think the attendees were far younger than they looked. We ended up sitting at a less crowded side bar where we received excellent service. This bar was also amazing to the eye and I was concerned that my fears of overly classy might ring true and I’d have to almost warn you readers to dress up. But then my beer sampler arrived and I saw it. The thing that made me realize this place had attitude. SPUNK even. Their amber ale was titled quite simply: “Butt Face.” You read that right. This classy well decorated brewery named one of their beers something your kid sister probably named you in kindergarden. If I had worn a tie, I’d have loosened it at this moment.

The beers were great. I’d give just about all of them another go and most likely will for my beer review section. Overall this place is a great experience and you could do far worse. The beers are very reasonably priced and you aren’t drinking run of the mill stuff. I’d definitely suggest this place as a stop for anyone looking for a fun and classy not trashy place.

Cheers.

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BlackFinn

Rating:

Address: 1001 Haxall Point #100,        Richmond, VA 23219

Hours: 11:30am –2:00am                     Sunday thru Saturday

Website: http://www.blackfinnrichmond.com/

Review: I'm obligated to say right off the bat that during my most recent visit to BlackFinn (yes there is no space and two capitalized letters, stay back grammar nazis) I was invited to be a VIP host and as a result was privy to a lot of special treatment. That being said I've been to BlackFinn numerous times as a RP (Regular Person.) 

So in the name of full disclosure, obviously my VIP session made me enjoy myself much more. I got an amazing table and booth a free plate of hors d'oeuvres, which weren't that impressive except the chicken blasters served on crackers those were amazing, a free bottle of champagne, which I'm not sure was completely filled when presented to us or even chilled, and discounted drinks. Now besides the discounted drinks the other perks were mostly "meh" for lack of a better expression. The champagne was served in plastic cups, when I heard that I and my friends would be enjoying champagne upon arrival I expected us to look classy, not like the cheap college kids we are.

Now complaining about how your free champagne is served is really just looking a gift horse in the mouth. The discounted drinks were not only well made but generous. I ordered a whiskey coke and it came in a tall cup, not a short glass like you normally receive from a server or bartender. This was a pleasant surprise to all of us. 

Okay now breaking away from my VIP experience. Whenever I go to this self titled saloon, I really enjoy myself. The crowd is great and crowded. The staff is simply beautiful and you feel like you're in a classy joint right when you walk in the door. However that classiness comes with a high price. Literally, expensive drinks are what you pay to be amongst what feels like the young elite. If you have it to spend your in the right place. If not? Hope your lucky and a few friends will help you out. Like I was frankly. Even though I was in the VIP I wouldn't have had enjoyed nearly as many car bombs and drinks if my group wasn't so generous to me.

The entire place is clean and beautiful throughout. The bathrooms have TVs so youdon't miss a second of your game, as do the booths. I could go on and on about how classy this place is but I do have one large criticism that keeps me from giving this location a complete sterling review. If you are going somewhere to meet new people, this is not the place. The crowd while attractive, well dressed and active on the dance floor is not one where I have ever seen open socializing. We even tried to get a rise out of a bachelorette party by giving them our free bottle of champagne. They simply said thank you and walked away. My mom says I'm handsome.

The location is far from VCU but its location is lovely with a parking garage next door, the drinks are expensive and they didn't even come in glasses. However its a gorgeous place with upscale dining and the drinks truly were terrific. This place is definitely worth going to if you have the crowd and can afford it.

Cheers,

-AA

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Baja Bean

Rating:

Address: 1520 West Main St.           Richmond, VA 23220

Hours: 11:00am - 2:00am                    Sunday thru Saturday

Website: www.bajabean.com

Review: I once recall hearing someone say that all of Richmond's best bars were downtown, anything near VCU's Monroe Park Campus was a dive. Whoever said that must have stopped too soon on Main Street because Baja Bean is far from a disappointment.

The main part of the bar and restaurant is located inside a basement. It has cheap pool every night and a handful of arcade games peppered throughout. Their website has a calendar showing their events and specials including, Karaoke, live music, poker night etc. The indoor bar offers a variety of good beers all at reasonable prices and the friendly staff made several interesting drinks for us when we asked. For instance, when we tried to get an apple pie shot the bartender introduced us to apple sauce shooters which were delicious. The entire crowd was a perpetually friendly group whether we were playing poker, pool, corn hole or just watching the game.

Eventually we went outside to enjoy the good weather. If you can make it to Baja Bean while its warm, make it happen. The patio is arguably the best in Richmond with the theme of friendly service and patrons continuing outside. While the drink selection is understandably less at the outside bar, the service still stepped it up by serving us terrific drinks when we simply asked to be surprised.

The bathrooms are spacious but seems to double as some sort of storage space. They're not exactly the prettiest sight. Some of the stalls have had the doors removed in the men's room but its not a major gripe. Still if the bathrooms were in better condition, the entire experience would seem cleaner and the place would arguably get a perfect score. However, saying that the bathroom isn't stellar is a weak complaint at a bar that consistently proves to be a good time.