The 10 Best Bars In Springfield Illinois

Springfield, the capital of Illinois, has plenty of bars and pubs serving everything from locally brewed craft beers to creative cocktails. Whether you’re up for a wild night out with live music or a quiet night enjoying a drink in a beer garden with friends, the Springfield bar scene has you covered. Here are the top 10 bars Springfield has to offer.

1. Craft Beer Bar

Bar, Pub Grub

Craft Beer Bar, located in downtown Springfield, is dedicated to serving great beer. Craft Beer Bar has 200 bottles and 14 drafts that are hand selected and on rotation throughout the seasons. If you think you don’t like the taste of beer, let the ‘beer whisperers’ match you up with a craft beer that you will love. They also have a full service bar serving traditional cocktails and domestic beers. Craft Beer Bar offers firkin nights, pint nights, and low key craft beer classes to add a little fun to your week and to help customers explore the world of craft beer.

2. Driftwood Cocktail & Eatery

Bar, Cocktail Bar, American, Cocktails, Beer

Driftwood Cocktail & Eatery celebrates the Central Illinois farm and beverage community by providing local and farm fresh fare. As a cocktail bar, their cocktail list is extensive, complete with old-fashioned and whiskey-based cocktails. They also offer a long list of beers by the bottle, wines, whiskey and bourbon, and scotch whiskey. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed looking at the drink menu, just ask their warm and friendly bartenders to make a suggestion on where to start.

3. Floyd's Thirst Parlor

Bar, Beer

Floyd’s Thirst Parlor is located in downtown Springfield. The bar offers a long list of draft and bottled beers along with a good selection of libations including whiskey, rum, vodka, gin and a small list of wines. At Floyd’s, guests will find plenty of bar games upstairs to keep them entertained, including pool, darts, air hockey, foosball, and skee ball. A happy and friendly staff of bartenders makes Floyd’s Thirst Parlor a great place for a Friday night out on the town.

4. Boones Saloon

Bar, Beer, American, Pub Grub

Located on the outskirts of downtown, Boones Saloon has been a Springfield hub for generations. Situated just a block away from the Illinois State Capitol, Boones Saloon has played host to many legislative types throughout the years. Boones features a granite bar with 12 beers on tap and an incredible beer garden that is perfect for enjoying a glass of beer in sunny weather. With friendly and attentive staff, Boones Saloon is a great weeknight hangout spot.

5. Club Station House

Bar, Nightclub, Pub Grub, Beer

Club Station House is Springfield’s upbeat gay dance club and cocktail spot that offers plenty of dancing and laser shows. Club Station House has a neighborhood bar feel on the weeknights, but on the weekends, it transforms into a big city nightclub perfect for letting loose. Owner Ryan Bandy does his best to make the club as inviting as possible, from the large drinks list of cocktails and beers to the friendly service to the overall atmosphere. Club Station House welcomes anyone who is looking to dance and have a good time.

6. Arlington's

Bar, Pub, Restaurant, American, Beer, Contemporary

Arlington’s is a restaurant and bar situated in an old factory building that was built in 1917. This casual pub offers friendly and welcoming service and colorful, modern art decorations throughout the space. Arlington’s blends the frame of the old factory with beautiful timeless décor, creating a comfortable spot for having drinks with friends. Their drink menu features 12 beers on tap, a solid craft beer selection, a list of hand crafted creative cocktails, and a selection of wines.

7. Celtic Mist Pub

Bar, Pub, Pub Grub

Open seven days a week, 365 days of the year, Celtic Mist Pub is a relaxed Irish bar housed in the historical Nelson Building. Originally constructed in 1897 and named for John Nelson of Co. Sligo, the building was first opened as a saloon and has served multiple purposes since. It has come full circle back to its original use as an Irish bar, combining the building’s nostalgia with a modern atmosphere. The pub offers a long list of craft and domestic beers with some seasonal and a standard list of core drafts. Celtic Mist Pub also doesn’t disappoint in their selection of Irish and scotch whiskeys.

8. J.P. Kelly's Pub & Package Liquor

Bar, Pub, Beer, Pub Grub

J.P. Kelly’s Pub & Package Liquor is a friendly and casual Irish-themed neighborhood pub. During football season, J.P. Kelly’s Pub is your Green Bay Packers Headquarters. J.P. Kelly’s offers a unique menu of drinks, from their famous Bloody Mary bar every Saturday from 10am to 2pm, to their cooler loaded with imported beers. The cozy interior features wooden tables and exposed-brick walls. J.P. Kelly’s has a friendly staff, making the pub a comfortable and inviting local hangout.

9. Capital City Bar & Grill

Bar, American, Beer, Pub Grub

Capital City Bar & Grill is a successful dive bar located in a strip mall. This hole-in-the-wall bar and grill offers plenty of TVs for watching a game, a good selection of beer, and Guinness served in pitchers at a very reasonable price. Their almost overwhelming number of TVs means that they have no problem getting the game on a TV screen in front of you. Capital City Bar & Grill has a friendly and attentive staff that makes the spot a warm and welcoming neighborhood sports bar with a lively atmosphere.

10. The Barrel Head

Bar, Pub, Irish, American, Beer

The Barrel Head is a friendly neighborhood Irish pub serving Springfield favorites and plenty of craft beers. The Barrel Head is the perfect place to watch a game or have a drink with friends after work. The bar has a happy hour and also offers free chips, salsa and popcorn. They have 31 beers on tap including domestic, imported, and craft beer selections. The Barrel Head also features a beer garden with five video game machines.

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