Patton Alley Pub - Springfield

I was visiting from out of town and wanted a relaxed spot for drinks and food, and I found this place to be fantastic. The staff were friendly, the atmosphere was inviting, there was a nice selection of beers, a variety of food options, and the music was enjoyable.

This place boasts one of the largest selections of draft beers in town, featuring local favorites like Mothers and even some from my hometown in Boston, including the classic Sam Adams. The bar is spacious, ensuring there's always enough room for everyone, complete with pool tables and ample seating. The after-work crowd has a completely different vibe compared to the late-night high school reunion crowd in Springfield. It’s a fun dive bar, especially if you’re looking for a good beer on tap.

I went here on a Tuesday night and had a pitcher of beer and wings with a couple of friends. The beer we got was Three Blind Mice which is brewed at Mothers brewery not too far from there. We also ordered Wicked Wings and they were just the right amount of spicy! The server brought us bone-in instead of boneless at first but then when we told her we said boneless, she ended up getting us the boneless while leaving the bone-in for us to eat if we wanted. The way she handled the situation is a big reason why this place deserves a 5/5. The wings were decent but I mean it's a bar, it's not a wing stop or BWW. The outside patio is great for socializing and the vibe of the bar is nice!

While I was waiting, a man sitting next to me, who was drinking Miller Lite, ended up having his drink applied to my tab. To make things worse, a group of people crowded the entrance to the stage area behind me, all puffing on e-cigarettes. This was somewhat tolerable, but the constant bumping into me became quite annoying. Around 9 PM, a doorman came around to collect the cover charge. I mentioned that I had been there since 6 PM and wouldn't be staying all night. He informed me that if I wanted to stay, I needed to pay. I watched as he gave wristbands to a group of girls who hadn’t paid. Thankfully, I knew someone in the band who helped me get in without paying a cover, despite never actually entering the band room. During my hour there, I ordered five cans of beer, most of which took 15-20 minutes to arrive, even with three bartenders now working. I also asked for a shot of MO Spirit House bourbon, but no one had heard of it. To top it off, I visited one of the most unpleasant bathrooms I've ever encountered—just one stall, one urinal, one sink, and no soap. For a venue of this size and with these prices, renovations are definitely needed. At 11 PM, I decided to leave, but my exit was blocked by dozens of smokers. I wasn’t sure whether I was leaving or waiting in line for a new venue. There were outdoor seating options to the left and right, but everyone had gathered directly in front of the entrance, which seemed illegal. If you enjoy overpriced drinks, mediocre bar food, and lackluster service, this may be the place for you. This hipster and college bar is one I likely won't visit again. The only reason I’m giving it 3 stars is that the owner made an effort to reach out and offered a free meal to address my concerns. It might also be a good idea for them to post the cover charge before each event and inform early patrons about any cover fees later in the evening. This was my biggest issue; there’s nothing more frustrating than spending $40 only to be told it’s another $10 to stay.

Great outdoor seating in the front of the building. Great people-watching. Lots of beer choices. Comfortable pub atmosphere. Drawback is the cover system on music nights. You can't sit outside without paying the cover. What's up with that?