This bar, located 20 miles southwest of Chicago in Willow Springs, is just off Interstate 294, not far from its junction with Interstate 55. A popular feature, at least in nice weather, is the outside Tiki Bar. And CC’s is not only a place where bikers can come for steaks, beer and other liquid refreshments, but it’s also a gathering place for cyclists who join together in charitable events throughout the year, including helping out with the annual Toys for Tots drive.
CC’s Grove Inn
8258 S. Kean Avenue
Willow Springs, IL 60480
(708) 839-1959
ccsgrove.com
Housed in a building originally constructed in 1921 by Anheuser Busch as a company-operated drinking establishment, the Bon-Air is located in Alton, which is on the eastern banks of the Mississippi, 24 miles from St. Louis. Anheuser Busch sold the property 10 years later when new laws were enacted to prohibit breweries from owning bars. Another big change came in 1981 when Eddie Sholar (Fast Eddie) bought the bar and began turning it into a haven for bikers. The Bon-Air still serves plenty of beer and such popular menu items as boiled shrimp, grilled burgers, shish-kabobs and bratwurst.
Fast Eddie’s Bon-Air
1530 E. 4th Street
Alton, IL 62002
(618) 462-5532
fasteddiesbonair.com
Urban bikers flock to this bar, which is only a stone’s throw from the Chicago River, north of center-city Chicago. It could be the challenge of riding the club’s mechanical bull, or maybe it’s the many drink specials and attractive female bartenders. Whatever the reason, Hogs & Honeys is a very popular biker destination.
Hogs & Honeys
901 W. Weed Street
Chicago, IL 60620
(312) 804-1459
hogsandhoneys.com
Located in northwestern Illinois in the Mississippi River town of Savanna, Poopys bar and restaurant is part of a larger complex that includes a tattoo-piercing parlor and a store selling bike gear and custom bikes. A big draw at the bar-restaurant is the nightly All-You-Can-Scarf special that offers unlimited portions of a selected entree for a fixed price.
Poopys
1030 Viaduct Road
Savanna, IL 61074
(815) 273-4307
poopys.com
This bar, located in Willow Springs, 40 miles northwest of Chicago, carries its owner’s childhood nickname and has evolved from humble origins as a three-car garage. Skeeter has also done a lot of work to create an outdoor patio bar and beer garden that covers more than an acre in area. To keep her clientele coming back, she schedules nightly events and/or drink specials that range from Monday night’s blind draw dart tournament to Wednesday’s Bike Night and Thursday’s Girls' Night Out.
Skeeter’s Saloon
1691 Elgin Road (Rte. 25)
Carpentersville, IL 60110
(847) 428-4595
skeeterssaloon.com
