We decided to make a whole day in Alton and Firehouse made the list…read more If you decide to make a day in Alton, this spot should be a must visit. They have a great indoor bar area and a fantastic outdoor bar area. I hope they market the outdoor area because it's perfect for summer and fall. The staff (we had Summer as a bartender-amazing) was great! We went right before Halloween and we learned the area always puts in a great Halloween parade.

It's a true "dive bar". It's a cash only bar. It's a heavy pour bar…read more When I moved to the Riverbend area, I thought it would be fun to visit all the local "dive bars". This one is located in downtown Alton just a few doors up from one of my favorite restaurants. I was picking up some bakery items across the street and also shopped at a new boutique next to the bakery. When I finished, I thought it was time for a cocktail and checking out another dive. The bartender was friendly and heavy on his free pour of my Tito's vodka. I use to bartender, so when they free-pour I watch and can tell if they go over or short a shot. My cocktail was refreshing. While I enjoyed my cocktail, it was interesting people watching. Everyone else in the bar knew each other and were buying each other shots. It was a beautiful day and the original garage door to the old firehouse was open. The other day drinkers were going back and forth from the patio and bar area. I am glad I got to experience another dive bar in my new hometown, but I can tell you, my neck is not red enough to return to this one. I truly stood out amongst this crowd. I didn't feel uncomfortable, but I was not a match for the clientele. When: March 27, 2021 Why: Dive Bar & Day Drinking

Oh, Daddy. I like Catdaddy's…read more Catdaddy's recently went under new ownership. It's a new partnership that is mainly women. They are promoting themselves as, "A female owned space where women can let their hair down and have fun...We've got your back." They're promoting a safe place for ladies to have fun and not have to go it alone when feeling uncomfortable. The entire crew will have your back. It's a safe place. I met two female friends here for Happy Hour this past Friday. I thought I'd arrive early to secure a table, when I did the bar was already packed and it was just 5PM. I was greeted by a male bartender, who poured a good and refreshing Tito's with Seltzer. Pricing for a call brand was cheap. Not sure if it was a HH deal or not. I'll update that on next visit. The best way to describe, Catdaddy's is that it is an upscale dive bar. Its crowd was a good mix of ages, sexes and diversity. We were still there during the bartender change and the young lady who came on duty was also, attentive and friendly. There's no full kitchen, but they do offer bar pizzas, if you need a nosh to cut the liquor. I had fun, so I know I'll be back.

Really cool place in downtown Alton. Came here with my family and we had a great time. Very lively…read moreand well decorated place. I would recommend coming here to anybody who's looking for a fun bar experience. Service was quick and everything is great. Nice big space and plenty of parking in the area. I'm looking forward to coming back in the future, surprised I've never been here before as an Alton native.

My wife and I ate at the Town Club. It was perfect. The food was great. I had the sizzler and my…read morewife had a hamburger. The bar was quiet. We were able to have a conversation without shouting. The owners Mark and Laney were very personable.

If you're on Facebook, be sure to follow Town Club. That way you'll be kept up to date on what…read moretheir daily specials are. You'll eventually find your own personal favorite and will not want to miss out on enjoying it. I'm a huge fan of their smash burgers, but the other day they had a Grilled Chicken with Pepper Jack Cheese and Bacon as a special. It was served with Crinkle Fries and a Little Cup of Ketchup. Crinkle Fries are a favorite of mine, I like how the ridges hold on to the ketchup. I also like that a dive bar serves the ketchup in an individual cup. It's a better presentation than a bottle. Plus the fact it's more sanitary. Service is always friendly and attentive. I love how all the guest, know each other and add to each other's conversations. They'll even include the non-regulars in their chit-chat. Town Club is kinda off the beaten path, but it's on Broadway the main drag through Alton. So I highly recommend that you check them out when you're in the Riverbend area.

After enjoying dinner at a restaurant in downtown Alton, I wanted something else to do. So I did…read moresome Yelp, FB and Google searches and found out that Bubby & Sissy's was having their 20th Miss Bubby & Sissy's Pageant. Watching that would be something else to do and it would be totally different. The crowd for this evening show was almost as entertaining as the contestants and guest performers. It was an excellent mix of diverse individuals. There were multiple M/F couples, senior citizens, Bachelorette Party and of course many members of the LGBTQ community. I even saw my waitress from the restaurant, when she got off work. The bartenders were hustling making sure everyone had a cocktail, as they enjoyed the pageant. Two of the bartenders I knew from other establishments in the community, but they work at B&S now, because we all know gays are good tippers. Don't judge Bubby & Sissy's for being a bar supporting the LGBTQ community. Just think of it as a dive bar supporting the local community. I've seen wild deer out on their patio. So if deer feel safe at B&S, you can, too.

This is one of the last bars with acclamation of a Gay Bar. The best is that the bartendWes George,…read moreTrish, David Roni, and Bubby welcome everyone and ensure they have a great and safe experience. highly recommended, Great Female impersonators and shows on the weekends. .

Great place! Cheap food! Frosty cold beer. I mean frosty! The beer glass is insanely frosted. A…read moreserver will come and take your drink order. (You have to at least order a drink.) You go up and order your food and pick it up when it's ready. Basket of fries for $3! The food is super cheap. They want you in there drinking and having a good time. The food will keep you in longer. NO KIDS! NO TO GO! It's a fun lace to hang out. They will have live music. There is a separate motorcycle lot. Drive a couple of minutes away to see the Piasa Bird as well as the ice cream joint called Shivers. Also, go see the Miles Davis statue. Make sure to drive up the Illinois River Road. Before you leave, grab some merch!

Cheap, good food, and great vibes!…read more My husband and I finished date night with food and drinks at Fast Eddies. This place is normally packed on the weekends especially when the weather is nice. I'm guess because it was later in the evening when we went they weren't as crowded. There's always live music playing, someone celebrating their 21st birthday and good vibes. Staff was friendly, welcoming and made sure we were doing good the entire time we were there. Ordering food is all self service at the food station. You place your order then wait for your number to be called. They sell burgers, chicken on a stick, steak on a stick, chicken sandwiches, shrimp, and fries. Your food is up pretty quick. We ordered burgers, fries, chick on a stick, big Elwood and shrimp. We also ordered two long islands and a beer. All in all we spent about $60. The food was delicious, seasoned well and plentiful. The drinks were made perfectly. No complaints from me. I'll be back!

I've been numerous times since I moved to the Alton area and just realized, I've never updated my…read morereview in six years. I think it is time to do so. A couple of my visits have been parties for graduation, retirement and a thirtieth birthday. Food was good, beer was cold and the cocktails had a heavy pour. Sometimes I dined alone and enjoyed a hot chicken sandwich, a cheeseburger, wings and catfish. All of them satisfied my hunger and were better than average pub grub. For a while they served breakfast, but that's a thing of the past. When they did, the chicken and waffles were good. The bartenders and servers are always attentive and friendly. Alton Sports Tap is one of the better sports bars in the Riverbend area.

Referred to Alton tap house by a family friend. Immediately met with great service and through…read moresmall talk Ellen recommend their Nashville hot sand which. My partner and I tried the horseshoe chicken and the Nashville hot and wow! What a flavor. I will by pass the fast Eddie's and Mac's to trek my way here. Good service and great food. You have earned a customer.

Nicer than you would expect for an Alton dive bar and the bartender was super friendly showing off…read moretiny samples of shots. Plus this is the eternal home of Mondinband!

A bowling alley bar and grill is just like a dive bar. They have a down home feeling and they seem…read moreto know all the regulars. I gotta come back at night time when there is a bustling bunch of bowlers in the bar area. I was the only one in the grill at lunch time, so the bartender was busy stocking and the cook had to come out and do double duty as a waitress. I will say, my beer was cold and the frosted glass gave it an extra chill. I had a cheeseburger that was a hand patty. My garnishes were onion and lettuce and I had a side of fries. It was all served hot, but not as quickly as I would have thought being the only diner. I think with the workers do side and prep work made things a little slower. That is why I'll return and give them a second try.

This place is like an oasis in the middle of a vast desert. The Christmas lights on the outside of…read morethe building pull you in like a strange unexplainable magnetic force. Once inside, you'll be exposed to one of the most expected but savory bar menus. You'll be able to wash down your mozzarella sticks, nachos, philly cheese steak and chicken wraps, with some of the best local IPA's and traditional beers you know and love. Once your belly is full, you'll be able to enjoy some of the best bowling this side of the Mississippi!! Whether you're out with some friends, on a first date, or celebrating your 25th wedding anniversary, this place is the only establishment to go to. You'll never have a bad time at Spectators!

When I moved into my new subdivision, I meet one of my new neighbors while walking our dogs. After…read moreour greet and meet, he commented he had to go pick-up wings for a party. Being a lover of wings, my ears perked up and I asked him where he was getting them. He told me, Sunset Bar and that they were the best in the area. Moving to my new home right before the holidays and during a pandemic, it took me awhile to finally go and check them out. He is right and so is Sheila T.. For a dive bar, this wings were killer. They had just enough sauce, so your fingers didn't get too messy and just enough spice make your lips burn. If your fingers do get messy, they give you a roll of paper towels to wipe your hands. Also, a double shout out to the kitchen crew. First, I like that my order had the same amount of drums and flats. It burns me when they are uneven. I know it doesn't affect the flavor, it's just my quirky personality. I want the numbers to match. Second shout out, is for the creative way they folded foil to seperate the wings and fries. It kept the extra sauce underneath the wings and not mixing and running underneath my crisp fries. The staff/bartender was friendly as were the other guest who were strategically spaced out around the bar following COVID guidelines. Several of them shared their favorite menu items and were genially interested in my opinion of the wings. It was also fun chatting with a group of day drinkers that were out bar hopping up the Riverroad. They truly were my type of people. When: February 6, 2021 Why: Checking out their wings.

I have only eaten here once , but it was great! Fried taco, you only need one. Big parking lot…read more Gaming and music.

It was a day of craving fried chicken, so off to FEFC for an inexpensive lunch. As I've said…read morebefore, my go to is the White Box. It contains, two side breast and one center breast. I always thought a chicken breast was a chicken breast. Until I started eating here at Fast Eddie's, I didn't know there was a difference. To be honest, I still really don't know the difference. The reason I don't know the difference is because I am too busy enjoying my crispy crunchy chicken. I like how their chicken is simply seasoned with salt and pepper. Also, it's never overly greasy. The outside is thin and crispy and the inside is moist, tender and hot. All boxes come with a side of crinkle fries. They're fried crisp and the crinkles catch the ketchup, making them a perfect side. There's no dining in. It is walk-up to a window and order your food to go. The staff is friendly and hustle to get your order out to you as quickly as possible. When: January 5, 2026 Why: Craving Fried Chicken

They are the best!!! Love their wings!!!!! Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Best part is…read moreyou can call ahead and they'll have it ready soon after you arrive.