Nightlife in Fox Lake

Revelers gather around Lizard's Liquid Lounge's antique mahogany bar and intimate tables for open-mic nights, clothing swaps, burlesque shows, and darts and pool-league games. Three widescreen televisions draw gazes to tiny men engaged in sporting spectacles, while local and imported brews such as Rogue, Three Floyds, and Smithwick's whet palates. Homage Street Food's chefs operate out of a kitchen space adjacent to the lounge, where they craft dishes ranging from curry chips to char-grilled-beef sandwiches and chicken curry. Glossy oil paintings by Polish artist Tomek stand out from two-toned walls, and live music incites ears to waltz in 3/5 time on Friday and Saturday. Lizard's Liquid Lounge is a dog-friendly establishment.

Rittergut Wine Bar Restaurant & Social Club crafts the perfect wine, seafood, and steak experience, with seating that overlooks the Chicago River. Wine by the glass and bottle from the vineyards of Spain, Austria, France, and Italy complements charcuterie and imported cheese plates stocked with wild boar salami or herb-laden garrotxa goat cheese, much like the contents of an enophile's personal bomb shelter. The tasting bar and private wine rooms set the stage for uninterrupted swilling, while dining rooms bathed in amber light host feasts of lamb burgers seasoned with Moroccan spices. Arched ceilings draw the eye downward to exposed brick walls and hardwood floors indoors, and a riverside patio with dark wicker booths and wooden tables perch patrons over ebbing crests and bottled messages that implore you to try the salmon.