• Wauconda features three popular night spots.bar image by daniel sainthorant from Fotolia.com
  
  Located on the shores of Bangs Lake in the Chicagoland area, Wauconda provides a great Lake County setting for a night on the town. The city, though, has limited options when it comes to the bar scene. Thus, you need to do your homework before heading out to have a drink. Essentially, the city offers three primary watering holes, and each has its own niche.
  
  

Lucky D's Sports Bar and OTB

• Lucky D's is a relative newcomer to Wauconda's bar scene, and it provides a unique twist. At Lucky D's, you can enjoy a night out and also tap into the horse track scene with off-track betting. Lucky's is one of only 14 locations in Illinois where you can enjoy the beverages, food and gambling that an OTB offers. The bar opened in 2008 in the former Metropol Billiards and Café. The facility now features 10, 65-inch TVs displaying top sports programming. Many of the TVs are placed above the bar to provide multiple sports programming from one spot. Lucky D's seats more than 50. It opens daily at 11 a.m. and closes daily at midnight.
  
  Lucky D's Sports Bar and OTB
  421 W. Liberty St.
  Wauconda, IL 60084
  (847) 487-7572
  Illinoisotb.com
  
  

Docks Bar and Grill

• This bar and grill is located along Illinois Route 176 on the shores of Bangs Lake in the center of Wauconda. It offers both indoor seating and outdoor seating on a large wooden deck. Both spots provide views of the lake. The deck is referred to as Docks on the Rocks. Live entertainment is available on Friday and Saturday nights inside the bar. During the summer, the sound goes outdoors on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The bar and grill is open daily. It opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. during the week. On Friday and Saturday, it stays open until 1 a.m. Docks closes at 9 p.m. on Sundays. A boat dock is located less than 100 yards from Docks, and some boaters tie up before tying on a night at Docks.
  
  Docks Bar and Grill
  313 E. Liberty St.
  Wauconda, IL 60084
  (847) 526-3625
  Docksbarandgrill.com
  
  

Murphy's Pub

• Located in the heart of Wauconda on the southwest corner of Bangs Lake, Murphy's serves typical bar food and plenty of beverages from its location on Slocum Lake Road. The bar has been a part of the community for more than 25 years and serves a blue-collar crowd. Live music is available most weekends.
  
  Murphy's Pub
  110 Slocum Lake Road
  Wauconda, IL 60084
  (847) 526-1431