Esquire Lounge Inc

Um....Nope!
This place is in DESPERATE need of John Taffer. Bar Rescue is needed. (even though they are busy on the weekends- it saddens me that they could be making SOOO much more money.

Cleanliness- NONE! I get the peanut shells on the floor, that's one thing- Many places do this just fine and it doesn't come off as gross as it does here. I went on a Saturday night- about 9pm... about half full of people  the bar top was full of used napkins, straws, and empty glasses with ice and drink remnants, and everything was wet. oh and fruit flies- (in Winter!) fruit flies, fruit flies!! Strike 1.

Bartenders- I sat at the bar for about 12 minutes before anyone came and asked if I wanted anything, offered a menu, or anything. When the sloppy dressed schlub did come over he said- "What do you want?" (there is no uniform for employees- which is confusing for customers. No shirt that says Esquire or anything- just a guy. I ordered a Blue Moon... A freaking TAP beer. as easy as you can get- When he returned with it, he just placed it in front of me on the wet bar- no napkin/coaster, the beer was flat, and contained a FREAKING lemon. Not an orange- a lemon. Boo. (Flat beer usually means dirty pipes or an old keg!) He just asked for money- didn't ask if I wanted a tab, or if I was ordering food, offer a menu...(which was my intention, but was never offered) was never approached again- about 15 minutes, drank my beer- and met friends at a different bar. I was sitting in this place for 27 minutes- and spent under $5- if you had a good bar staff- that would have easily been about $20 with an app. and another beer- and I would have asked my friends to come to Esquire.... and they would have spent money too.  
Customer service was crap. Strike 2.

The Look- is mismatched, ply wood, random cheap bar decorations. That Screams Dive Bar. I don't know how much this bar makes- but they could easily stand to spend 2-3 grand and do a minor upgrades so that at least everything matches. extremely unappealing- so many better options on the same street!  Strike 3.  

Yeah- not going back. Clean your place before someone get's sick!

Horrible bartenders.
I work on Neil so I'm constantly looking for a quick lunch on my break. A friend said to try esquire because they have diner food and a bar. Ect.
NO. Walking in I was asked at the bar "what do you want??"(angrily). Well hello how are you? Oh I'm fine never been here. Yeah none of that. I told the lady I would like to sit at the bar and she said okay and walked away. No drink order no menu. Nothing so I waited for fifteen minutes trying to make eye contact with both bartenders and wave them down. Finally I got the guys attention and asked if I could eat there. He handed me a menu and waiting to take my order. I felt rushed so I hurried and picked the BLT with fries. I asked for no tomato and to add mayo. He said it comes on the side. And we were done.
Another ten minutes later a nice guy from the kitchen hands me the food. 1 little pack of mayo on the side. I wait for a bartender to come by so I can ask for more mayo. Nothing. I ate my fries, drank all my coke. My sandwich got cold all while waiting for a freaking pack of mayo. Finally I just gave up and ate it minus mayo. Never was asked how the food was or if I would like another drink. Nothing
Ten minutes after I finished the man bartender came to me and said "ya ready to go?" I said fine and figured they didn't have deserts and I could go somewhere a little more welcoming. I normally tip well but they did nothing for me. They didn't deserve half if the tip I gave them.
I get that they've been there a long time and I look young but every person that came in there was older and got service and refills.
NEW FLASH: old people tend to tip 15%, servers tend to tip 25-30%.
Just throwing that out there.It's* it just might be there a few days after Christmas and close to my work but I won't expect much and I won't recommend it. Ever.

This will be a review down memory lane.  I grew up in this bar, much like Jackie H's review.  One of the bartenders was my little league baseball coach, then I played on the bars soft ball team.  Even though I have not lived in Chamaign for about 10 years, I can still find people I know, and bartenders that remember me.

When I was little I would order kiddy cocktails from the bar, then get change to play on the only pinball machine.  Then stomp on all the peanut shells on the floor.  I have seen expansion many times.  Originally from one bar and a few booths, to a wrap around bar, then finally to the pool hall and extra bar area that you see now.  I have met U of I basketball coaches here, there are pictures of former Cubs players kissing my Mom (wait, what).  My parents originally met here.  It is safe to say my family has a mullti generational history here.

Anyway, beyond the nostalgia, it is one of the best pubs to visit in the downtown area.  Just a great place to relax and have a few drinks.  Along with the evolution of the bar, so has the menu.  Now there is a mix of pub grub like burgers, fish sandwiches, etc.  Which I don't think are that great.  Though the various pizzas are very good.  As are the wings, which I am not typically a fan of.  Though these are baked, not fried and battered like most.  The Asian Dumplings are great as well.  The service can be hit or miss.  Depending on the time you come, and where you order.  Bar service is pretty good, but the waitresses can be a bit confused when trying to find you after you place the order.  Though they work hard, and always take care of anything that might be wrong.

Drinks are pretty standard.  There are a handful of good micros on tap.  Usually something from Two Brothers or Dark Horse as the main micros available on tap.  A bit more extensive selection in bottles.  The rest is typical drinks for a neighborhood bar.

Overall, not perfect.  Though the goods far out way the bad.  An institution in the downtown Champaign area, and a place I will always love.