Martini Room

Martini Room has been the cocktail bar of downtown Elgin since 2004. The lounge sits at 161 E. Chicago Street, a few doors from the Fox River, and the menu runs past 100 martinis and house cocktails, with a seasonal martini flight that changes each month. The calendar is the draw as much as the drinks: Latin Night on Tuesdays starts with a dance lesson and runs to midnight, Friday brings live music from local players, and drag shows and Margarita Tuesdays fill out the schedule. There is no kitchen, and the bar encourages people to bring in dinner from restaurants on the block.

What to know

• The lounge opened in 2004 and is at 161 E. Chicago Street in downtown Elgin.
• The cocktail list runs to more than 100 martinis and signature drinks, plus a monthly martini flight.
• Latin Night is every Tuesday with dance lessons followed by social dancing; live music is every Friday.
• There is no food service; the bar is bring-your-own-food from downtown restaurants.
• The lounge books private parties and sells gift cards and cocktails to go.