Bar of the month

Seven Ten Lounge
2747 N. Lincoln Ave.

 

The Basics

Where you’ll find it: Where you’ll find it: 2747 N. Lincoln Ave., just south of Diversey. www.SpareTimeChicago.com. (773) 549-BOWL.

When it’s open: 5 p.m.-midnight Monday through Wednesday; 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday and Friday; noon-3 a.m. Saturday; noon-midnight Sunday.

Peak time: Things tend to get busy around 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, so it’s a good idea to make bowling reservations a few days in advance for the weekend. Parties are best arranged a few weeks ahead of time to assure the time slot you’re looking for.

What you’ve heard: Affordable bowling and good food in a classy establishment. … Great place to host private parties.

History in short: Formerly called Lucky Strike, the bar was remodeled about a year and a half ago. After a city-wide naming contest, it re-opened on its 10th anniversary as the Seven Ten Lounge under the same ownership of SpareTime, Inc., which also has the Riverview Tavern in Roscoe Village, Daily Bar & Grill in Lincoln Square and Southport Lanes in Lakeview, among others.

Visual Aids

First impressions: This place exudes class from the moment you step inside, taking on the look of an art deco-inspired lounge. It’s divided into four separate rooms: the main bar, a lounge area and pool room to the left, and two bowling rooms to the right with plenty of seating and four lanes each. There are two full bars, seven TV screens, a couple of video games and seven pool tables as well as a combination of booths, tables and couches and plenty of vintage posters and lighting to add an upscale feel.

The atmosphere: The vibe largely depends on when you’re there and what room you’re in. Saturday and Sunday afternoons can play host to families and birthday parties, while later on weekend evenings, a youthful side can come out of 20- and 30-somethings while bowling. Overall, it’s generally a laid-back atmosphere, but there is an upbeat feeling because of the activities available.

What you’ll tell your friends: “Thumbs up for sure. I suck at bowling, and I got a lot of lane practice without feeling rushed because we had it reserved all to ourselves. It’s definitely an easy place to have a good party. Everything was so organized. We didn’t do anything except show up and have a good time.”
— Melissa

“It’s great. You can be secluded off to the side with all your friends or mingle. The food is great, and a great variety, and it’s kind of close to everything, so a cab ride is never bad. Beer, friends, the servers are great and you’re bowling. How much more fun can it be?”
— Morgan

What the manager thinks: “It’s a friendly, chill place where you can strike up a conversation with anybody. We’re definitely a destination bar, where you can get up, walk 20 steps and hang out in a completely different environment.”
– Greg Esenberg

The Experience

At your service: “We treat everybody well so that they leave with a smile,” says Greg, the manager. “It’s not pretentious, not snobby.” With two full bars and waitresses flying about between the pool area, lounge and other rooms, you never have to wait long for a beverage, and each individual party gets the help of a bartender and one or two waitresses.

Get your drink on: Where we do start? How about 15 beers on draft, with favorites like Fat Tire, Goose Island, Bass, Newcastle and Point Pale Ale, or the more than 20 varieties of bottled beers. Wine? They’ve got it by the glass or bottle. Plus specialty and classic martinis and a full bar for any cocktail of choice.

Menu variety: Think what a normal bar offers in terms of grub, or a bowling alley. Now completely erase it from your mind, because the Seven Ten is nothing close. Everything is made fresh, and you get quality over quantity for sure. New patrons are always surprised by the portions and the extensive menu, which includes (but is hardly limited to) fresh calamari, seven-layer taco dip, quesadillas, an assortment of salads (like Asian chicken or Greek), BBQ chicken pizza, specialty sandwiches like a chicken Florentine or hot n’ spicy turkey, a number of different burgers, chicken pot pie and fish and chips.

Daily specials: Everyday: $3 Coors Light and Tecate. Monday: $3 Bud and Bud Light bottles, $3 Jager shots, $5 Jager bombs; Tuesday: $3 select drafts, $4 Effen vodka drinks, $6 Effen bombs. Wednesday: $3 select drafts, $4 Ketel One drinks; Thursday: $3 well drinks and shots; Sunday: $3.50 Bloody Marys, half-price pool and bowling; During Sox games: $1 hot dogs, $2 cheese dogs, $3 soft pretzels and $4 baskets of corn dogs.

Who you can expect to see there: Like the atmosphere, so much depends on when you’re there. Families are prevalent on weekend afternoons for bowling, but it’s a 25-to-35-year-old bar crowd that rolls in during the evening for the most part, according to management. “We have a pretty diverse, mature crowd,” according to Greg, the manager. “People that like to have a good time, hang out with friends and can handle their liquor.”

It’s a good spot to … “catch White Sox and Cardinals games, but not the Cubs. … throw bags or sit outside in the sidewalk café during the summer months. … host a party with a great combination of a variety of food and drinks, bowling and pool. … come and spend a night in a cool atmosphere, even if you’re not a bowler.”

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