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

How did Stagger Inn fly under my radar for all these years and I do mean years. Stagger Inn opened…read morein 1974, the year I graduated from high school and I am now just discovering them. If it were not for the Illinois 66 Passport, I still may be oblivious. The Illinois Passport is promoting 66 businesses on the first 301 miles of the original historical Route 66. The businesses start in Chicago and come all the way down the state to Collinsville. After visiting the business, you get a stamp in your passport just like your travel passport. Stagger Inn is definitely a historical neighborhood dive bar. It's 52 years old and still going strong. It has an old wooden bar, two rooms for dining and drinking and you can see into the kitchen from a large window. The staff was friendly and provided great service. I sat at the bar and ended up chatting with all the servers as they picked up drinks for their tables. When reading the menu, I was impressed that they hand-cut their fries and hand batter the onion rings. I am definitely going back for the onion rings. This visit I did the fries as a side and they were crispy and still had the skins on the potatoes. When they placed my plate in front of me, they informed me they do not season the fries. The bartender recommended that I salt them while they were hot. Preferring pepper, I gave mine a shake of black pepper. I liked that they didn't salt the fries, since I'm trying to reduce my sodium intake. My Stagger Burger was incredibly delicious. I added, Pepper Jack Cheese and Jalapeños. They were generous with the jalapeños and left the seeds in, so the burger had a little burn to it. For me, this burger was top-notch. Stagger Inn, thanks for the stamp in my Route 66 Passport. I'll be back for Chicken Wings and Onion Rings. See you, soon.

I've never left a negative review before. I work in marketing for local food businesses in my home…read morestate, so I know how much a review can affect a business. But after three separate interactions with this bartender, I don't want anyone else wasting their time or money here. Our group stopped in after a wedding. We were friendly and patient from the moment we arrived, but the bartender was rude from the start. A couple sitting next to us even warned us, "Don't even try with him--he's just not friendly." The first interaction was when my husband tried to order two Old Fashioneds. The bartender said we were ordering too slowly, walked away, and started taking someone else's order. It was so strange that we wondered if he was joking. The second was outside, when my husband tried to make friendly conversation and mentioned that we were visiting from out of state. The bartender said he hated the state we were from, then abruptly got up and left. We let it go. The third was when we went back inside to order a second round, roughly 20 minutes after arriving. He told us our entire group was cut off. We hadn't done anything to warrant that, so we left and went to another bar. The bartenders there happily served us and couldn't understand why we'd been cut off. Three interactions, and every one of them was unpleasant. I've never experienced anything like it at a bar. Save your money and go somewhere else.

Don't let the fact that this had been a bar forever deter you from going here for food. Menu has a…read moreplethora of options and best tasting bar menu type food around. They usually are running with one or two servers and their feet don't stop moving.

A lot of trucks and this place can get BUSY..testicle festival was yesterday and it was so packed…read more I enjoy the place more when the garage doors are open...good place for a beer.Tell pokey I said "hi". 1/2/23..

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 .

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.

A must try. Perfectly assorted boards, lots of variety. Mood lighting, decor, and service.read more

Visited this spot multiple times while in town. There's street and lot space available. They have…read morean outside patio and two inside spaces, one a little more lax than the other chic place with a bar. I enjoy being served by the nice people of this establishment and have sat at the patio and the bar twice. The service is always good and the food is perfect for a stop right after work.

Am wondering if these folks who opened The Harp have ever been to Ireland? Because EVERYWHERE I…read morewent there had 2 or 3 different ciders available. I must admit, at least they've got Strongbow, but still... Oh, they've got a cider from Urban Chestnut also. There's so many other good ones out there! The layout and way they remodeled it is fantastic, but what they serve (or don't serve) is more important IMO. I can't speak to the service because we were there for their St. Patrick's Day celebration, so it was craaazy!

Assume quiet peaceful always happy I came here with friends mike n Rhonda my buddies they said…read morecome with us Karen I said ok I was here Saturday I love it no fighting no loud people up the street from my house bus stop is in front state main bus in a couple of months they will have food you know I'm going exciting news band music on Friday you want a safe peaceful bar n great place experience come hang out here you won't be disappointed I'll be back love you guys they also have snacks on the table n Irish beer hope to see everyone soon thank you

Come to Copper fire for brunch! I bet you had no clue they did offer that. Most know it for dinner…read moreand live music.( unless you're local you wouldn't know) They have many events throughout the year. They are also doing mimosas flights for a seasonal treat. ( we did not partake today) maybe sometime soon! My friend had their avocado toast which looked amazing. ( I personally do not eat avocado) her boyfriend had the breakfast pizza which is personal pan size. I on the other hand went big or go home. I had the breakfast poutine. Which did not disappoint! Their homemade sausage gravy was to die for!! It's loaded with potatoes and fried cheese curds. I added eg for $2 additional. Talk about food coma! We just drank coffee and water. The ladies taking and brining out our orders were very kind. I don't think they were prepared for the crowd after the gingerbread run. It wasn't too bad. They did kindly inform us if we did want the mimosa flight it may take a bit to come out. Copper fire you outdid it this time on the food!!

Garbage food. Overpriced. Rude management. This is the place you go for a terrible service, and…read moreoverpriced drinks. There are literally five other bars that are better, have better food and service, that are easier on the wallet. Update: Instead of listening to what I said. The owner Renee, talks down to people. See her response below. Absolutely gross. This is why you shouldn't go here.