The Penny Road Pub is often traveled to by northwest suburban clubbers. As one of Barrington's hideaway venues for the last 20 years, it's become a favorite outpost for bikers, live music and sports fans, allowing for a night of live entertainment, brew and a complete menu of classic pub grub appetizers ($5-$12) and specialty sandwiches and pizzas, gourmet salads and wraps between $4-$14.

Getting there can be somewhat tricky if you don't see the slightly faded wooden sign with a large red arrow on Penny Road and Route 59 guiding you to its location on Penny and Stanton roads. Miss that and you'll have to circle back around.

But once you're there you'll find a place where you can catch a classic rock tribute or cover band, an up-and-coming local band or a national act of the metal, rock or power pop variety on either of the two stages. Working with Empire Entertainment, it showcases new talent and national touring bands from all over the country and can even boast as having hosted Vanilla Ice’s rap-metal experimentation project alongside its average of 70 plus bands a month.

And after the first trip most Penny Roaders race to sign up to become a "Roadie" via the website to get newsletters and performance schedules.

Centerstage Reviewer: Chris Catania