Side Lot Brewery
American restaurant
4.5 (309 on Google)
About Side Lot Brewery
Side Lot Brewery is a neighborhood pub and soccer bar in downtown Wauconda, on Slocum Lake Rd. Local owners Phil Castello and Brittany Barth founded it. It is best known for its SmashBurgers.
The beer list rotates and highlights Illinois breweries. The pub stopped brewing in October 2022, and it occasionally teams up with local breweries on re-releases of Side Lot Brewery beers. The bar also shakes up seasonal cocktails and serves wine.
Kids are welcome if they stay at their table, and there are plenty of non-alcoholic and soft drinks. Well-behaved dogs can join you in the Backyard in spring and summer, when the tent is open-air. The entrance, parking lot, restroom and seating are all wheelchair accessible.
The Backyard also has curling for players 12 and older. Groups of 10 to 120 people can book events.
From Side Lot's own website and its Google listing, read November 1, 2026.
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Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Map
Questions people ask
Does Side Lot still brew its own beer?
No. The pub stopped brewing in October 2022. It pours a draft list of Illinois craft beers and occasionally collaborates with local breweries on re-releases of Side Lot Brewery beers.
Are kids allowed at Side Lot?
Yes. Kids are welcome, and they are asked to stay at their table for the whole visit. Curling is for ages 12 and older, and an adult must supervise players under 18.
Can I bring my dog?
Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the Backyard in spring and summer, when the tent is open-air. Dogs are not allowed in the taproom or in the enclosed winter tent. Trained service dogs are allowed everywhere.
Can I bring outside food or drinks?
Food from Slyce Coal Fired Pizza is allowed in the Backyard. Outside drinks are not allowed.
Which breweries are close by?
Roaring Table Brewing Co. in Lake Zurich is 5.2 miles away. Phase Three Brewing in Lake Zurich is 5.3 miles away, Wild Onion Brewery & Banquets in Lake Barrington is 5.5 miles away, and Cary Ale House in Cary is 6.2 miles away.
Answers come from Side Lot's website and its Google listing, read November 1, 2026.
Breweries near Side Lot Brewery
Before you visit Side Lot
Expect a pub with a kitchen, not a production brewery. Burgers are the draw, and the tap list leans toward Illinois beer. Outside drinks are not allowed.
Check thesidelot.com for the current beer list and the match day schedule. The kitchen closes before the bar does, and the pub is closed on Mondays.
Roaring Table Brewing Co. in Lake Zurich is 5.2 miles away, and Phase Three Brewing is 5.3 miles away. Wild Onion Brewery & Banquets in Lake Barrington is 5.5 miles away, so a small tour of taprooms is easy to plan.