Experiences & Events
The Bartender's Table
🍸 Pull up a seat at The Bartender’s Table for a one-of-a-kind cocktail omakase. Like a chef’s table—but for drinks—this intimate experience puts you face-to-face with our house Mixologist & Sommelier Phun Phil Castello as he guides you through a hand-crafted progression of unique cocktails, each poured, explained, and served with a dash of storytelling.
Expect bold flavors, experimental techniques, and playful surprises as every glass unfolds a new chapter of the night. No two tables are the same—Phil creates each tasting on the fly, inspired by the season, the spirits, and the moment.
With only a handful of seats available at our outdoor bar, The Bartender’s Table is designed to feel personal, immersive, and unforgettable. Think of it as your own chef’s counter… but instead of sushi, it’s pure cocktail artistry.
✨ Limited seats. Maximum interaction. 100% Side Lot magic.
$55 per person - Maximum of 4 guests per party
Prost & Pairings: An Oktoberfest-Inspired Tasting Menu
Raise a glass and celebrate the season with Prost & Pairings — a six-course tasting experience inspired by the flavors of Oktoberfest.
This isn’t your typical beer hall feast. Bavarian traditions meet Side Lot creativity with dishes like pretzel gougères with mustard espuma, trout with brown-butter spätzle, cider-braised pork shank, and a decadent Black Forest reimagined for dessert. Each course is paired with a German-inspired pour or cocktail, from a crisp Märzen welcome to a Doppelbock-Manhattan hybrid.
In true Oktoberfest fashion, seating will be communal — so bring your friends or make some new ones as you share in the food, drink, and spirit of the season.
Expect bold flavors, playful pairings, and plenty of seasonal magic. 🍂
Event Details
📅 September 26th @ 7:00 pm
📍 The Side Lot, Wauconda
🍴 Six courses + pairings
💲 $ 70 per guest | Limited seating
✨ Prost to good food, great beer, and an unforgettable night at The Side Lot!
🍹 The Dry Run: An Alcohol-Free Pairing Dinner
Introducing The Dry Run → a 5-course tasting dinner paired with chef-level mocktails that prove you don’t need alcohol to have an unforgettable night.
🥂 Think bold flavors, colorful pours, foams, fizz, smoke, and all the fun you expect from our bar program—just zero proof.
🍽 Five creative courses, each matched with its own handcrafted mocktail.
💡 Inspired by the fact that more people than ever are choosing N/A options when they go out.
This is a one-night-only event—but don’t worry, our year-round Mocktail Menu means the fun doesn’t stop here. And if this sells out (spoiler: it probably will), we’re planning more Dry Run dinners soon.
🎟 Grab your spot now and let’s get weird… without the spirits.
Event Details
📍 The Side Lot – Wauconda, IL
🍽 The Dry Run – Alcohol-Free Pairing Dinner
🗓 Friday October 3rd. 7:00 pm
💲 $55 – includes 5 courses with mocktail pairings
The Side Lot Experiences
Step into the exhilarating and unpredictable world of "Phun" Phil Castello, The Side Lot's Sommelier & Master Mixologist, with The Side Lot Experiences. Prepare for a culinary adventure where creativity knows no bounds! Choose your path to delicious discovery:
* 🍽️ The FULL Side Lot: Start off with a welcome cocktail, then immerse yourself in a four-course culinary symphony, each course artfully paired with a handcrafted cocktail.
* 🥃 Reserve Scotch or Tequila Experience: Discover the depth and diversity of scotch or tequila through a guided tasting of select reserves, complemented by delectable small bites.
* 🍾 Sparkling Experience: Elevate your palate with a celebration of effervescence. Savor a curated selection of Champagne and sparkling wines, accompanied by exquisite small bites.
* 🍳 The Art of Brunch Experience: Forget the standard buffet. Our culinary team meticulously designs a multi-course brunch menu, where each dish is intentionally paired with a beverage. Think beyond mimosas!
Choose whichever tasting fits your fancy, and we’ll handle the rest.
Prepare for an all-bets-off evening that will leave you stunned (and stuffed! 😋)
Each Side Lot Experience is priced per person and promises a fully guided tasting. Every course and drink is expertly prepared and presented, ensuring a memorable and engaging culinary escapade.
