Morrison's Irish Pub - Alton, IL…read more We finally stopped into Morrison's and it delivered that cozy, old-world Irish pub charm you want when you walk through those doors. I had the Irish cheese sandwich, Justin went with the corned beef -- and both were genuinely good. Comforting, hearty, and exactly what you hope for in a pub meal. Now... the kitchen was moving a bit slow this visit. Was it noticeable? Yes. Was it worth the wait? Also yes. Because Sam -- the female bartender -- absolutely made the experience. Fun, engaging, and the kind of personality that makes you feel like you're already a regular even if it's your first visit. That kind of service turns a "slow day" into a good memory. The menu is packed with authentic Irish favorites, and honestly, next time we're absolutely going to lean fully into the classics -- because this feels like a place that does traditional comfort food right. One small wish: I really wish they made their own chips. The bagged chips were a little lackluster and felt like a missed opportunity next to an otherwise hearty, made-with-care menu. Overall: a great spot that was likely just having an off day -- and still absolutely worth your time. Don't leave without ordering the pear cider. It is absolutely fabulous. Bright, crisp, lightly sweet, and dangerously drinkable. We'll be back -- and we're coming hungry.

This was my first time and let me tell you...it will not be my last! The food was phenomenal! The…read moreservice was perfect and the staff were amazing! The vibe had me wanting to book a trip to Ireland!

Omg. Our photos tell it all! We can't say enough about their food! I had the warm goat cheese…read moresalad. Ok, hear me out, I NEVER order thee kinds of foods, but I was feeling wild and crazy today and it paid off! It's probably one of the best salads I've ever had. I added chicken and it was perfect. My husband had the beef teepee which is one of their staple dishes and he LOVED it. We sat at the bar. Everyone was so friendly and attentive. And martinis are superb! Highly recommended! 11/10

When I think of martinis, I think of Bossanova and when I think of Bossanova, I think of martinis…read more The two of them, just go together. I enjoy a relaxing evening sitting at the bar at Bossanova, sipping a Martini. The music is played softly in the background at a level that makes it easy to enjoy and still have a conversation. When I get hungry while I am sipping my martini, I like to enjoy one of their flatbreads, perhaps an order of Salmon Rangoon or a bowl of French Mussels. They're all delicious and will satisfy my hunger pains. The reason I took a star away is, when I ordered my Extra Dry Tito's with a Twist and Make it Skate. The bartender did not know what I meant by, "Make It Skate". I had to explain to her what that phrase meant. She did fairly well, but it wasn't a true skate. I'm confident her eventually master that martini skill.

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

When I lived in Kirkwood I would drive to this bar every weekend almost, to drink and have a great…read moretime with the locals. I met my now exgirlfriend there and won her over with a match of thumb wrestling. (she always won) The house Bday shot is the 3 wise men. I don't recall which nights but through the week they have $1PBR drafts, $5 PBR pitchers, and $2PBR bottles. Now don't start thinking I'm some South City Hipster. They serve this beer because it's cheap not trendy. The place is smaller than most would be used too. In the front it's just a bar with like 3-4 tables you can sit 4 people at each. With a bar you can fit maybe 15-20 people. The line for the bathroom works like clock work! The back room where the bands play is very large, while the stage is small, Singers usually on the floor in more than 3 piece band. They have a great Reggae night, as well as some great local bands that play as well. Muddy pub books a wide array of musical acts so there isn't really a set genre. The real action to me even now that I'm a non smoker, is out front of the muddy pub, nothing beats standing around the front door, talking to random people, and watching the people bar hop around the block of 3rd street Alton that is like a mini St. Louis Landing. One of my favorite all time bars for sure!

This is a bar I've been dragged to way too many times and for reasons I still don't understand. If…read moreit's up to me, I won't be back again. It has a basic problem that there's no good place to sit anywhere if you have a group of friends with you. Assuming there are seats open at the bar at primetime, when you most want to be out drinking (and that's a big assumption because there probably won't be seats open), your group is spread several people wide and not everyone can hear everyone over the music and other people. You want to be in that room because it's where the beer is, and where most of the people are, but it's hard to hang out in there because the space is too narrow and awkward. Then of course because you're having to stand behind your friend who's sitting at the bar, you're constantly moving out of the way of someone who's in line for the bathroom. The upstairs is never open (that I've seen), so forget about that. Then, on the ground level past the room with the bar and bar stools, you've got the big open room with ample tables and seating where they put bands. Whenever a band is there, the band usually sucks, so it's no fun to sit there then. Whenever no bands are there, the room is too dark and empty to hang out in and not feel like a weirdo. Or they turn on the light and then it's too bright. You're never in the sweet spot when you're in that room, with the right amount of lighting and non-shitty music. Ironically, the best place to hang out at Big Muddy is outside the back door of the bar. Sometimes you can get away with taking a drink out there with you, and it can be fun to stand there and look at what's left of downtown Alton's industry. But I find it funny and telling that the best place to hang out is not actually part of the business. It's just a place where people stand when they go to Big Muddy because the bar itself isn't much to speak of, and yet all your friends want to go there anyway, so you can't just leave without having a drink.

Food and service never disappoints. Sandwiches or trash pizza, you cannot go wrong. Nice selection…read moreof beers as well.

I had to check this bar out since I was in the area and this seems to be one of the more popular…read moreplaces in a small town. It was Sunday and I could tell you that this place was packed! The beer here is pretty cheap, if you're paying by card there is a $10 minimum. I didn't have any of the food but the menu I saw online looked really appetizing. Staff here was pretty young but the crowd here was more middle-aged than anything. It's in a pretty busy intersection too. They have Gaming Machines too. They have an outdoor area but it was too cold to be over there. In the far back room they have basically a Four Seasons room but they have a heater so it doesn't get too cold over there and boy does it feel like it could get to 90° over there like you're in a senior center or Florida! Overall I was pretty satisfied with a visit here though it was pretty short .

Took the family to Grafton, Illinois via car ferry and was recommended 3rd Chute Bar and Grill was…read morea favorite spot to enjoy food/drink when visiting. We visited on a Saturday afternoon and 3rd Chute was packed. They do have multiple bars and places to sit on the 3 levels and was able to find some seating. Servers were pretty busy and took a minute to get menus, are drink order and listen to the specials. 3rd Chute does have live music on weekends which was very good. 3rd Chute is a pretty cool place, Lots of great decor everywhere you look which gives the place that cool bar and grill feeling. We started with some mini corn dog appetizers and some Mac and cheese poppers, a fried blend of macaroni and pepper jack cheese fried to perfection. We also ordered a classic cheeseburger with fries, pork tenderloin sandwich, pulled pork sandwich with fries and a grilled hot dog with fries. It took a few minutes to get our food with how busy the place was. Our server did check up on us to make sure our drinks were topped off. Food was cooked to order and was a good portion for those with a hearty appetite. There are several other bar and grills in close proximity to 3rd Chute. Most other places had more seafood options, which unfortunately we had allergies to. 3rd Chute's menu had all the classic food options a great bar and grill usually has available. 3Rd Chute Bar and Grill was a cool experience and highly recommend if you're visiting Grafton and looking for some good food with reasonable prices. We'll be back!

Everything about 3rd Chute is amazing. Food is awesome. Bartenders (especially Dusty) are fabulous…read more Atmosphere is great

Great place, great people, an iconic bar in Alton, stop in there and have some fun and exciting…read moretimes

Awesome place to go have a drink! Heard it was a Biker bar only, not true! Nice bartenders,…read morereasonably priced drinks , and I even had a drink with the owner! Hell of a guy! Check it out on your next bar crawl through Alton!

Norb's is a neighborhood dive bar and that is a good thing. Norb's has pool tables, dart boards,…read morejukebox, cold beer and strong cocktails. Best of all, it has Sammi's Sandwich Shop attached next to it. If you order a sandwich at Sammi's, you can go sit at the bar to enjoy an adult beverage and they'll bring it over to you. I got mine to go, but if I wanted to eat it there, the bartender had paper towels for me to use. With the pool tables, darts and good music, Norb's a fun dive bar in North Alton. My bartender was cool and the way she was interacting with the others seated at the bar, I'd say they were regulars. It gave it a Cheers feel, because she knew all their names.

Norb's a favorite of local alcoholics, I think they still have 75 cent beer nights. It used to be…read morenickel beer nights back in the day. They do offer free chili sometimes. There's also a pretty good sandwich shop next door.