Oak Park Brewing Company

Neighborhood bar style where everyone is your neighbor and a friend. A long bar on the left fronts about a dozen tap pulls with being a full range of in-house styles and 4 guest taps. The bar seats a dozen or so. The remaining space seats about 40 and is filled with high tops (I don't like the stools), and cozy nooks, including 2 large barrels halved and fitted as private booths. There is also a semi-private room that seats 8 or so for dinner or drinks. The back of the public space seats another 30 guests on a long bench with tables facing 5 high-top booths backed by the glass enclosed brewhouse.

Very impressed with the roasty London Britches Porter, the Aww Schucks Oyster Stout, and the Mary Hoppins IPA. I heard no complaints from my friends about the Helles Lager and the guest taps which included their Oak Park neighbor Kinslagher.

Lots of tv's facing every direction for sports or movies. Music available as well. They had table toppers advertising weekly bar trivia and they are connected within to Hamburger Mary's a semi-burlesque/vaudeville showplace with comedy and karaoke nights. There's plenty to do even if it is reading a book.

Service is attentive, not pushy, knowledgeable, well trained, and personable.

We didn't explore much of the food menu, but the pretzels and tots were great with the beer cheese.

Overall a nice local option in an understated part of downtown Oak Park.

 

Check out the comedy show on Thursdays! Good beer variety and great burgers!