Brewery Profile

Side Lot Brewery

Since opening in 2015, Side Lot Brewery has occupied a defined role in Wauconda’s craft beer landscape: it is a brewery, but not only a beer stop. A visitor should expect a suburban bar setting shaped by a broader hospitality approach, with beer sharing attention with elevated casual dining and craft cocktails. The business is managed by restaurateur Brittany Barth and Phil Castello, whose listed credentials include Master Mixologist and Sommelier, and that helps explain why the beverage program is presented as more than a standard tap lineup. For someone walking in from out of town, the main impression is likely to be a multifaceted neighborhood venue rather than a production-focused brewery experience.

Travelers exploring beer in this part of Illinois often look for places that work for mixed groups: one person may want local beer, another may be more interested in cocktails, and others may choose the stop around food. Side Lot fits that kind of itinerary because its identity includes brewing alongside dining and cocktail service. The known information does not specify particular beer names or house styles, so visitors should avoid assuming a fixed focus such as lagers, hazy IPAs, barrel-aged beer, or sours. What can be said is that the brewery describes its approach as bringing higher-level technique into suburban bar culture, which suggests a visit built around the full menu experience rather than a narrowly defined tasting-room format.

For practical planning, the taproom is the place to confirm the day’s pours, current food options, cocktail offerings, and any service details not published in advance. Side Lot is in Wauconda, so it can fit naturally into a northern Illinois suburban brewery route, a meal-centered stop, or an evening visit where not everyone in the group is focused solely on beer. Specifics such as hours, reservations, outdoor seating, family policies, parking arrangements, and event schedules are not established here and should be checked directly before going. Visitors who want the most accurate sense of what Side Lot is serving on a given day should rely on the brewery’s current channels or ask staff when they arrive.

Side Lot Brewery, established in 2015 in Wauconda, Illinois, operates with a focus on world-class technique integrated into suburban bar culture. While producing beer, the establishment also emphasizes elevated casual dining and innovative craft cocktails, distinguishing its offerings in the local market. The operation is managed by restaurateur Brittany Barth and Phil Castello, who holds the titles of Master Mixologist and Sommelier. This dual focus on brewing alongside sophisticated dining and beverage service positions Side Lot as a multifaceted establishment.

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110 Slocum Lake Rd, Wauconda, Illinois, 60084-1883

Phone: (224) 642-BEER (2337)

Website: http://www.sidelotbrewing.com

Hours: Tuesday: 3pm - 10pm, Wednesday: 3pm - 10pm, Thursday: 3pm - 10pm, Friday: 11am - 12am, Saturday: 11am - 12am, Sunday: 11am - 8pm