Granite City

Alright, so this one was a grey area bar.  This place is hands down a restaurant first and foremost.  However, two reasons we included it on the list...number 1, they brew their own beers, that makes them very important.  Number 2, they do have a bar in the restaurant, and it does stay open until 2 AM most nights.  I will not pretend this is a place that we would ever go drinking in a bar situation, however, based on the beers, and the atmosphere, everyone has to go here once.  The food is pricey, but it is amazing.  The service is pretty good, I have been here so many times it is hard to say its perfect, because every now and then you get a bad one.  They let you sample their beers for free, and they have seasonal beers they brew on the premises.  Pretty cool.  You can also see the fermentation tanks from the dining area.  If you do decide to make this a regular restaurant stop, keep a couple things in mind...although the parking lot may be packed, they are insanely good at seating people quick.  It can look packed and still only have a 15 minute wait on a Friday night.  Also, if you frequent this place often, sign up to be a mug club member, if you do it on a Monday I think, its only like $10 to join, its a lifetime membership, you get 10% off every meal, every time, and you get upgraded from a 20oz beer to a 25oz beer for free, and the beers are a dollar less than the regular price or somethign crazy like that.  I mean how can you go wrong with that?  I have never been disappointed with this place, and I recommend everyone give it a try, despite, the fact that it is not a *bar* in the traditional sense.