BEST WINE SELECTION

Friar Tuck 2930 Constitution Drive, 698-1116 With as much floor space as a supermarket, Friar Tuck’s has room for lots and lots of alcohol, and they do, indeed, have lots and lots of alcohol, ranging from cognac to moonshine. Wine doesn’t get short shrift, with aisle-upon-aisle groaning under the weight of offerings from all corners of the planet. Found the perfect Pinot Grigio but it’s room temperature and the party starts in 45 minutes? Not to worry. Friar Tuck’s will happily chill any wine they have in just a few minutes.

Runner-up: The Corkscrew

BEST PLACE FOR A GROWN-UP PARTY BEST BAR TO NETWORK

Floyd’s Thirst Parlor Even grown-ups like to play games. That’s a major part of why Floyd’s Thirst Parlor’s second floor, remodeled in 2009, is such an asset. Besides the usual dartboards, Floyd’s offers air hockey, skee ball and pool, served up within walls of exposed brick, behind a window adorned with a touch of stained glass and among a large collection of Mike Manning prints.

Established in 2002 as Floyd’s Thirst Parlor, the building used to be a clothing store, also dubbed “Floyd’s” – a fun fact for a future Floyd’s rendezvous. Floyd’s ratio of one-part classy to twoparts fun makes it both the best place in Springfield for a grown-up party and the best bar for networking.

BEST CHICKEN WINGS BEST BAR FOR SPORTS

Buffalo Wild Wings 2808 N. Dirksen Parkway, 670-0048 4420 Wabash Avenue, 546-9453 Walk into Buffalo Wild Wings and there’s not a seat in the house from which you can’t see a TV or two – or five, for that matter. With athletic competition broadcast from every angle on big screen TVs, it’s hard to beat Buffalo Wild Wings in the sports department. But this year’s best bar for sports isn’t just a sport sanctuary; it also whips up some excellent food. While the boneless wings are delicious, it’s even worth the trouble to invest in a basketful of traditional wings, savory and smothered in your choice of 16 sauces and four different seasonings.