EZ Inn — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

Ok, I'm guilty. I'm guilty of not knowing most of the bars around here existed, much less EZ Inn. I would drive through this area DAILY at one point, only stopping, really for Lockdown (during the day mind you). Friday night I told my date, "There's nothing around this area." We park our bikes to explore MIND BLOWN

We walked into EZ Inn and I immediately dug the decor. It looks like a refurbished neighborhood corner bar from the 70s and 80s where my dad and other working class dudes from the hood would go. It's softly lit, there was music going, but not loud, and there were seats at the bar....score!

They have a pretty decent beer list and they have cocktails too. What I liked about this bar was the diverse crowd. Yes you had hipsters, but there was an older couple (in their 50s) next to us that looked to be from the neighborhood. The atmosphere was chill. There was booth style seating in the back, where most tables were taken. The chairs at the bar were comfy and that's where we spent the rest of the night.

All in all, really cool vibe at EZ Inn. One awkward moment, was when I went up to the DJ playing, on my way from the bathroom, and commented that I liked that he played one old school Chicago house song. I think he mistook that as me requesting more, and he kinda got snippy with me saying that he needs to play a variety of music and tried shooing me away. WEIRD.

Seriously worth...

I wasn't sure how this place was going to be before I came, and ended up being pretty cool. I wasn't sure about the crowd, either, and when I stepped in, there were nothing but positive vibes running all around, at least the particular night I was there (and at bars, there's usually least a little negative energy from a few people, being that alcohol is involved). I didn't see too much diversity from the crowd, but everyone seemed to be having a good time. EZ Inn was cool enough to be hosting a group of people throwing a going away party for someone, and the group was allowed to bring their pizza and candy to the tables in the back. Staff was really nice, too, which I think it's hard to find bar staff actually that nice somewhere- like it was packed, and the bartenders were actually nice when having to get through the sea of people for things (as opposed to the visual, I-hate- people-face you normally see staff at other bars, having to get through people...but the crowd was nice and cool, so maybe that helped). Prices were pretty inexpensive. They have some unique concoctions there, can do those fancy whiskey cocktails that-you-stir-for-25-revolutions type of deal (i.e. Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, ect.), plus they're not too stuck up to serve real American beer, like Old Style, Coors Banquet, and...

The night starts out relaxed. Groups at individual booths, quiet conversations under warm lights, subdued music. As the night continues the place starts to fill up, the conversations louder as patrons get to their second or third drink and the music picks up steam. By 10:30 the night is in full swing as DJ’s set has begun, people are up boisterously laughing and dancing. The transition from intimate to fun is so smooth and gradual, you hardly notice till it’s past midnight.

At EZ Inn they’ve gotten the night out experience down to a science. Where other bar/clubs try to overdo an experience, EZ Inn picks a simple but timeless formula that goes at a human pace. The drinks are good but inexpensive, and the layout leaves room for both private socialization and communal fun. I couldn’t recommend...