Oasis Micro-Pub

SpdKilz

Illinois

3.91/5  rDev -9.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

So, I have heard about this bar and had to try it out for myself. I have heard they have decent taps (at times) and was, honestly, a bit disappointed when I was there. I will not write this bar off by any means, however, it was a bit of a letdown. We tried to walk in the front door but I guess they lock it due to bums trying to come in. We had to get in via the side street entrance. Walking in I felt like I was warped back to the late 80’s. The bar, in my opinion, needed a drastic revamp. Very dive bar like. While the draft list was “solid” per-say, there was absolutely nothing that stood out. Perhaps I am becoming too accustomed to having crazy beers on tap, but I was somewhat dismayed that the best beer they had was Stone Subliminally Self Righteous. In addition, a few of the beers they had that were worthwhile were out. The service was quite nice, and the waitress was great. I didn’t buy food while here, so I can’t comment on that. As for the atmosphere, it seemed there were quite a few locals there and they sort of rolled their eyes as my brother-in-law and I walked in because we didn’t “fit the part” if you know what I mean. Again, not writing this bar off, and I will be back there soon (they do get some good beers [i.e. KBS] but obviously none when I was there). Cheers!

11-06-2011 03:59:20 | More by SpdKilz

KFBR392

Illinois

4.44/5  rDev +2.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | $

Atmosphere: A small, very relaxed feel. No TVs, just an atmosphere where you have to enjoy the beer your drinking or chat with follow patrons. Is usually pretty quiet overall which is nice.

Quality: High quality with the brews they offer. I've enjoyed KBS and many other quality brews here. They recently tapped a 2010 Nemesis keg they had been storing. At any one time they will have a few gems on the menu.

Service: Always pretty good, its a small place so two people are usually working the whole place. Friendly and get you your beer in a timely fashion.

Selection: Like I said, always have some gems on the menu and many solid mainstays. Mainly US products, but when I'm complaining about that, I'm really getting picky. Any drinker can find something to enjoy here.

Food: They do serve food which comes from the establishment across the street which is called Uncle Nick's. They do have good food but I've never had it while at Oasis so I'll withhold judgement.

Value: Always running specials and can always get a great brew for about $3. Not going to find much better then Oasis.

Overall: My favorite bar to drink at in Rockford. It is tough to talk my non craft drinkers to coming since there are no TVs or macro beers they can drink but in a way that makes this place better. No doubt worth stopping in some time for a beer by yourself or with a group.

05-23-2013 20:58:16 | More by KFBR392

1beerqueer

Illinois

4.85/5  rDev +12.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $

This is the best selection of craft beer you will find in Rockford. Not only is the beer cheap ($3+), but the staff is friendly, the atmosphere is warm & cozy, and the crowd is usually pretty interesting. I enjoy coming here at least once a week for the constantly updated beer menu.

01-26-2013 07:27:12 | More by 1beerqueer

Trifecta1

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $

I've been going to Oasis about once a week (sometimes once every two) for the past 2 years. I love this place. The bartenders are extremely nice, and always willing to chat. The place has an old 60s-70s tavern feel, with Don Quixote paintings lining the walls. 26 craft beer taps, with ONLY craft beer. They're all the cheapest I've seen in the Rockford area by far, and they rotate selection every week. No Guinness (usually) and never PBR.
However, this does not deter the hipsters from running amok in this place on weekend nights. Hipsters are why I can't rate the service and atmosphere higher; they come in fleets, talking about how the new Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs album is so understated, how they made their own scarves from hemp, and their new fixie bikes are organic.
All this aside, they deliver delicious gyros and BBQ fries from next door for cheap, or you can take a nice drunk stroll over to the gyro shop (open til like 2 AM) and chuckle at the antics of Rockford degenerates that come out of hiding when the sun goes down. Either way, it's a great time, and a great place to drop in.

10-26-2012 17:49:06 | More by Trifecta1

Darkstar

4.58/5  rDev +6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $

We love this place! It's quaint, cozy and the beer selection is awesome. If you can appreciate a nice craft beer, then this is the place and they have something for every palate. They rotate their kegs after a couple of months so the beer selections are as fresh as possible. The chairs are comfy and the overall atmosphere is warm and inviting, especially in the winter next to the fireplace! You don't have to worry about trying to talk over loud music, which can also be a plus if you are in he mood for a quiet evening out. The bartenders are very friendly and know their beer. This is THE place to go if you are into craft beer in Rockford, just don't even think about asking for a domestic beer because they don't serve them here.

05-06-2012 22:39:58 | More by Darkstar

bertram

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -14.4%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | $

This place is a hidden gem. You wouldn’t know to look at it from the outside...and if you find your way in you wouldn’t know it from first glance inside...but this place carries some quality beers from brewers like Founders - and at incredibly great prices. It’s decor is like the Regal Beagle but the great craft beers selection is definitely this century.

Food is available from the owner's restaurant across the street, and there is a selection of carry-out beer as well (may take a few minutes for them to get for you, so enjoy a beer while you wait).

12-16-2011 18:15:34 | More by bertram

ZenAgnostic

Texas

3.78/5  rDev -12.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Inexpensive if you buy to go (at or near retail). Somewhere around twice as much if you drink at the bar (typical).

Decent selection, though they were out of many of the beers on their menu. The to-go menu was much larger, and had lots of beers you couldn't drink while at the bar. To-go is sold by the 6pack unless otherwise specified as 4packs. They had Founders Breakfast Stout when I went.

Food was pretty legit. Prices were generally good.

Service was snarky but nice. Apparently the guy who owns/runs the place does it as a labor of love more than as a business, so that's why the beers are so near to retail. At least, this is according to the bartendress.

They let you buy 5oz samples of beers for usually $1, but sometimes $2. Maybe even $3 for the really top shelf beers.

A little too dim for rating appearance, but that is just all too common these days.

09-20-2011 06:42:28 | More by ZenAgnostic

kevin7912

Illinois

4.88/5  rDev +13%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This is a GREAT place for a variety of craft beers. I had a couple of mugs of Founders KBS last night.. What a smooth beer on tap. Nick has recently had CBS on tap also. Being a Stout person, the selection is awesome with at least 4 to choose from this week. Stone Arrogant bastard, Founders Breakfast Stout Rogue Nitro Stout along with a couple of brown ales including Smuttynose Old brown Dog. I believe they have 16-20 beers on tap right now.

Very friendly people at this small 70s looking micro pub..

04-06-2011 14:32:52 | More by kevin7912

Contagion

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -8.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3 | $

This is a great little secret in Rockford. It's a good bar with a wide selection and great prices. On draft they have a lot of the local and/or popular craft beers. Their selection rotates, but usually only to other local/popular craft beers. You hardly ever see one that isn't a staple in any of the local liquor stores. (Bell's, Founders, Dark horse, Avery, Flying Dog, Rogue, Two Brothers, etc) They also have some imports.

Service is hit and miss. Sometimes I'm served quickly, other's it's a slow long wait. This place is a night ender. With the average beer having a higher ABV than what most people are used to, you don't hit this place early unless you want to get thrashed.

Prices are amazingly cheap for what you are ordering.

02-19-2011 20:13:02 | More by Contagion

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -12.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$

This is a regular place that I like to hit up in Rockford. They have a fantastic selection of craft beers on tap. Atmosphere is kinda dark, but the fire place in normally going! Price are the best i have ever seen for craft beer & great selection too. Had some really impressive beer here. KBS on draft, Nitro Rasputin, Lots of IPAs, any beer that a beer geek could love...its here. Food is order-in from a place called uncle nicks which the bar owner happens to own as well. Don't eat the foos very often, but comes in handy when the beer munchies hit you hard!

02-09-2011 23:27:41 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT