The Village Tavern

Settled right in the middle of the historic district of Long Grove, the Village Tavern has been continuously operating since 1847.

Long Grove, a few miles north of Chicago, was a small village of German settlers in the 1840s, named Muttersholz (Mother’s Wood) at that point. John Zimmer, one of the relatively older residents, decided to open a tavern in his wagon shop next door to his house. The goal was to provide refreshments to travelers who would stop by to grab a drink while their horses and wagons were tended. The year was 1847, and it was called The Zimmer Tavern and Wagon Shop.

Almost two centuries, a Civil war, and two world wars later, the tavern still exists. It has only changed ownership three times (presently, it’s owned by the Ulrich family). The tavern still holds a few 19th century relics, like a grandfather clock from the 1893 Expo, and the massive bar from McCormick place.