This place is aptly named because for me it's a small bit of paradise in the middle of the miserable desert that is Rockford, IL. This is going to be a long review. Where do I even begin with this place?
Well, first of all don't come here if you want to drink anything besides good craft beer, because that is pretty much all they have (though they generally always one good hard cider on tap too). They do have a very basic selection of spirits, but that isn't why you come here. Also, if you only like bud, miller, or coors products, sorry... you're out of luck. Unless you are looking to branch out and expand your taste in beer, which if that's the case, Oasis is the perfect place to do that.
Why this place is awesome:
1) You won't find a bar with better prices on craft beer in town. Hell, maybe not in all of northern Illinois. Oasis focuses solely on craft beer on tap, nothing else. That's why they are able to sell it cheaper than other bars. There are always at least a few beers on their menu that are only $3, the same price that a lot of bars usually sell their watered down light beers on draft. Not only would you be paying the same price for a better tasting beer, but they are also generally higher in alcohol. That's what I call value. Most of their other beers are 4 or 5 bucks each, sometimes more if it's a rarer or more expensive one. But most of them are still around a buck cheaper than other places that are selling the same beer. Even if you're just looking to get drunk, the price to alcohol ratio you get by drinking their big imperial stouts or double IPAs beats most bars in the area.
2) Their selection is great. They generally have about 25-27 craft beers on tap. They also have a huge selection of take home bottles that are also reasonably priced. The only thing is, you can't drink the bottles there because that would require them to pay for an expensive licence which would cause them to have to raise the prices of all of their beer. For me this is a more than reasonable trade off. The only place in town with a better selection would be The Olympic Tavern who does let you drink from their bottle selection, but as a result their prices are higher all around. For that reason, I still prefer Oasis.
3) The staff is always super friendly and gives you fast service. They are also, pretty good at recommending beers based on your tastes. I'm never disappointed with the service there.
4) Uncle Nick's is delicious, and you can order food from them without having to leave the bar. Oasis is owned by the same guy who owns Uncle Nicks so they work together and can walk your order across the street to you.
5) The place is really small but that just adds to the cozy atmosphere. There's definitely nothing fancy about this place, but it doesn't have the loud music, douchey decor, neon signs, or other obnoxious qualities most small bars have. Just a few interesting paintings on the walls and a nice little fireplace that is on during the colder months.
Whether you are a beer geek like me, or someone looking to expand your beer horizons, or just want to have a chill night out, Oasis the best place to go. read more
