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Spectrum Bar & Grill

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GB from Devizes
GB from Devizes
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
4
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Editor Pick

Blues and Beer at the Spectrum Bar & Grill

  • October 20, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by GB from Devizes from Devizes, United Kingdom
Blues and Beer at the Spectrum Bar & Grill

Carole had enthused about this joint, affectionately referred to by her as the “dive bar”, whilst we were dining at the Venus and suggested we pay a visit for a few beers after eating. This sounded like a good idea, especially as the place was just a few minutes walk away.

The entrance was lit up by an orange neon sign and my first impression was “this looks like my type of place”. The interior was dark and smoky with a U-shaped bar surrounded by tall stools, and several wall-mounted tables down either side, also equipped with stools. The beer “menu” was extensive by UK standards and as well as the standard fare, there were several continental ales on offer. The waitress was very polite and took our order which materialised within a couple of minutes, just the bottles, caps off, exactly how it should be without a glass in sight.

As with everywhere else we’d been, the beer was ice cold, seemingly a pre-requisite in the States but rarely found in the UK where in most places “luke-warm” suffices for “cold”. The beers slipped down a treat, with the joint rapidly filling up.

The area immediately in front of the window was set up with drums, keyboards and two propped up guitars, one a Gibson lead, the other a Fender five-string bass. With just the barest of introductions from the barman, the “Chicago Blues Rebellion” launched into a supercharged Buddy Guy-type number which had feet tapping and hands playing table-top drums within ten seconds flat. These guys could really play, with the lead guitarist making forays into the darkest recesses of the bar area, eye-closed in musical ecstasy as he plucked his 6-strings in a fashion very reminiscent of the late, great Albert Collins, one of my blues heroes. In true 12-bar blues style, each vocal verse was followed by an instrumental solo, with the lead guitar, bass and keyboards swapping licks in a way that made it look so easy. The drummer was no slouch either, and used every drum and cymbal on his kit to maximum effect on every fill-in.

More beers were heading south and what with the atmosphere in this place and the wonderful music that was right up my street, the alcohol started to have the desired effect, particularly considering the amount of wine that had gone down during our meal at the Venus.

The band continued for another 30-minutes or so before halting for a break, well-deserved judging by the perspiration that was coursing down the guitarist’s face.

We had another beer or two before somewhat reluctantly deciding to bid farewell to the Spectrum, and head for the next “dive”, just along the street. This place rocks, the beer was great, music superb, and you could have eaten your lunch from the washroom floors, such was the cleanliness throughout the bar. Do yourself a favour and check this place out.

The Spectrum sits at 233 S. Halsted Street, telephone (312) 715-0770

From journal A Brit hits the Windy City - the 2006 Igougo get-together

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