Back in the 1920s, the Pumping Company in Edgewater supplied local fire trucks with water. Today, those trucks have been replaced with Loyola students and the water has been swapped out for beer; what once was a fire-engine fueling station is now a neighborhood sports bar.
The Pumping Company has all the obvious sports-fan fixtures: 11 flat-screen TVs, several beers on tap and lovely waitresses. But it also has a few things you might not expect. Take, for example, a two-top table next to a roaring fireplace and a menu that offers classic bruschetta, fried calamari and flank steak. Exposed-brick walls and red hues add to the charm. Come on a weeknight and this could easily be a great date spot, or bring your laptop and take advantage of the free wi-fi. Weekends here get slammed with herds of Loyola students and a middle-aged crowd nestles in on the off-nights.
While there are a few fancified items on the menu, the Pumping Company understands that some people just need a burger and fries with their beer. On Thursdays this glorious combination is only $4.99; add on a pitcher of Busch Light for $4 and call it dinner. The kitchen also serves up sports-inspired grub such as buffalo wings, pizzas and barbecue ribs. Check out the bar's website for a list of daily food and drink specials.
Centerstage Reviewer: Stacy Warden
