Alton Sports Tap — Restaurant in Alton

If you’re looking for a spot in Alton to catch a game, enjoy mouthwatering food, and soak up an electric sports atmosphere that could easily fuel your volleyball fever, Alton Sports Tap is the place to be. This local gem on College Avenue has quickly become my go-to for a fantastic night out, blending top-notch pub grub with a vibrant, sports-loving vibe that makes every visit a winner.

Food: A Game-Changing Menu

Let’s start with the food, because Alton Sports Tap’s kitchen is serving up dishes that score big points. Their menu is a playbook of classic American bar fare with a few creative twists, and everything I’ve tried has been executed with flair. The Buffalo wings are a standout—crispy, perfectly sauced, and available in a range of heat levels from mild to “call the fire department.” I went for the medium heat, and the balance of tangy spice and juicy chicken had me licking my fingers clean. A basket of 10 wings for about $12 is a steal, especially with their house-made ranch that’s creamy and packed with flavor.

The loaded nachos are another crowd-pleaser, piled high with melted cheese, jalapeños, seasoned beef, and a generous dollop of sour cream and guacamole. It’s the kind of dish you share with friends while cheering on your team, and at around $10, it’s perfect for a group. For something heartier, the Tap Burger is a must-try. This half-pound behemoth comes stacked with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and your choice of cheese, served on a toasted bun that holds up to the juicy patty. I added bacon for an extra $1.50, and it was worth every penny—crispy, smoky, and the perfect complement to the burger’s charred goodness. Pair it with their crispy fries or onion rings, and you’ve got a meal that hits all the right spots.

For lighter options, their grilled chicken wrap is a surprising delight, packed with fresh veggies and a zesty chipotle mayo that adds just the right kick. Vegetarians aren’t left out either—the black bean burger is flavorful and satisfying, with a nice smoky undertone that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. The drink menu complements the food perfectly, with ice-cold draft beers (local brews included!) and cocktails that are poured with a heavy hand. Their happy hour deals, which I’ve caught a few times, make the experience even better with discounted apps and drinks.

The only slight hiccup is that during peak game times, the kitchen can get a bit backed up, but the staff are great about keeping you updated, and the food is worth the wait. Every dish I’ve had here feels like it’s made with care, not just thrown together, which elevates Alton Sports Tap above your average sports bar.

Volleyball Vibes: A Sports Lover’s Paradise

While Alton Sports Tap doesn’t have its own volleyball court, it’s the ultimate hangout for sports enthusiasts, including volleyball fans like me. The bar is decked out with big-screen TVs everywhere you look, ensuring you never miss a moment of the action, whether it’s NFL, NBA, or even college volleyball matches when they’re on. The atmosphere is electric, with fans cheering and high-fiving, creating a sense of camaraderie that feels like you’re part of a team. I’ve been here during volleyball season, and when a big match is on, the energy is contagious—perfect for getting hyped up before or after hitting the court yourself.

The location in Alton makes it a great stop before or after local volleyball games. Nearby spots like Gordon Moore Park or the facilities at Alton High School often host community volleyball leagues or tournaments, and Alton Sports Tap is just a short drive away. I’ve stopped in after playing pickup games with friends, and it’s the ideal place to refuel. Their energy drinks and protein-packed snacks like the chicken tenders or loaded potato skins are perfect for post-game recovery. I grabbed a basket of tenders (around $8) after a particularly intense volleyball session, and they were crispy, juicy, and just what I needed...

Don't go here, don't even bother. Especially if you're thinking carryout, I mean how harmless can it be to get carry out from a small town sports bar it can't be that bad right? Wrong. If you, however, like to assemble your own food (taking some really nasty tortilla chips and putting them in a box and throwing a handful of COLD shredded cheese on it does not nachos supreme make) and for places to get your order wrong then sure, I guess this is the place for you. But it wasn't the place for my family. The nachos seriously are a joke, were just as I described in this review, oh, and two tomato chunks also thrown into the box and a little thing of sour cream in the bottom of the bag. Hungry and wanting to make the best of it, I took them out of the box made them up on a plate, put actual salsa on them, tried to doctor them up a little and at least make them where they were edible, but nothing can save these things. They don't ask how you want your burger cooked if you order one, which not all places do, but again, substandard food. My wife ordered the philly cheese steak just meat, cheese, and mayo. NOT COMPLICATED. Okay well apparently it was too complicated for them, seeing as they left off the mayo and the bun was rock hard. It wasn't one of those buns where the outside was supposed to be hard either, a regular hoagie bun, except the bottom was grease soaked and like the rest of it, rock hard. If even our St. Bernard doesn't eat it, its pretty bad, considering he licks his own butt. Save yourself the time and don't go here, least of all order carryout. We got hung up on two times on the phone before our order was placed, the person (apparently a manager) on the phone was very abrupt and rude. We tried to call and let them know of the problems that apparently the kitchen staff was having, not wanting a refund or new food (God forbid, we are NOT eating at that place again) just wanted to alert a supervisor of a problem, but again got hung up on. Curious as to why since all I did was call and ask for a manager then the same lady who answered when we ordered said she was the manager then click, she hung up. How...

We came here on 5/7/23. Our receipt says 11:07. We were at table 19.

This was our 4th time here. We brought out-of-town guests because we have really loved the food previously. Not so much today. My husband ordered the pot pie special, which we have had before. Today, it was almost burnt and not a lot of ingredients. A Marie Calendar's pie made in the microwave would’ve been better. He only ate half of it. My son ordered the chicken quesadilla and he said it was bland… Not any better than what he would just make it home. His girlfriend ordered a salad, and it seem to be OK. I ordered the whitefish because the menu stated it was one of their specialties. There was not much fish…mostly batter. Not very flavorful. And my sweet potato fries were over done and tough. I asked the server if the slaw was vinegar-based or mayonnaise-based. Her reply was, “well it depends on who makes it back there— but I think it is vinegar.” When she brought it, it was mayonnaise-based. Not my favorite. The kids chicken tenders meal was mostly batter and over cooked as well. Anyway, it made us sad because now we’re doubtful that we will go back. With a total bill of $78, it seems like we should’ve had a good experience. The atmosphere was unchanged, so that was fine. And the server was kind, but over worked. She had way too many tables to care for, but that seems normal for all...