Pierce Tavern in Downers Grove Pairs Well with Bubbly

Lucky for Bubbly Side of Life, Pierce Tavern on Main St in Downers Grove is our next door neighbor offering such good food that obviously pairs well with sparkling wine.

When you think of Pierce Tavern, you might immediately think of bourbon, cocktails, and beer. And I would agree.  I have certainly taken advantage of their full bar to enjoy a bourbon or vodka cocktail and my favorite, the specialty moscow mule!  But I also have gone to enjoy a tavern burger and glass of bubbly at the bar while enjoying a game and catching up with a friend.

History of Pierce Tavern

Named for the founder of Downers Grove, Pierce Downer, Pierce Tavern really is your Neighborhood Hideout as you will see once you walk in.  The rustic bar vibes make you want to just kick back, savor your drink, and soak in the warm, inviting atmosphere.

Pierce Tavern is located at 5135 Main Street.  The building was built in 1872 and was actually the first bank in Downers Grove that lasted until the Great Depression.  Back in the 1800s you could also visit the library, a room located on the second floor.  In 1895, the space also housed the post office and newspaper offices.  

And Bubbly Side of Life is right next door, but it was actually an addition to the building in the 1940s.  

​Menu Items

I have eaten at Pierce Tavern on multiple occasions, but this time, we decided to choose all items off the menu that we thought would pair well with sparkling wine.  

Sparkling wine pairs well with fried, salty, fatty foods because of the high acidity in the bubbly.  And the best part, is the bubbles in the sparkling wine act as a palate cleanser leaving you ready for the next bite. 

I love a soft pretzel and in fact, we have done a pretzel and bubbly pairing multiple times.  So, of course, we had to try their Wood Fired Pretzel Twist served with pimento cheese, honey mustard and 3 cheese queso.  The pretzel on its own was delicious, and we loved the 3 cheese queso and honey mustard the best.  

Next up had to be the Cauliflower Bites.  We did try the buffalo and the parmesan cauliflower bites, but the parmesan were our favorite pairing perfectly with the crisp bottle of prosecco.  

Of course, we had to order Chicken Crispers because fried chicken and champagne is a classic pairing.  And this did not disappoint!  It was definitely one of the best pairings.  

Sadly, the Crispy Fried Pickle Chips with dill ranch are no longer on the menu and I don’t even like pickles, but this was one of the best pairings!  

Because I have ordered Wood Fired Artichoke Dip served with pita and tortilla chips many times with a bottle of bubbly, we didn’t get it this time, but I can confirm, it pairs perfectly with bubbly.  

And obviously, you can’t go wrong with their Clock Shadow Cheese Curds served with a crushed tomato sauce and southwest ranch when you have a glass of sparkling wine on hand.  Fried cheese + sparkling wine = happiness.  

If you know me, you know I love dessert, although I don’t love sweet drinks.  But the key to pairing sparkling wine with any dessert is to make sure the wine is sweeter than the dessert.  

This particular day we enjoyed a peach cobbler that pair perfectly with a fruity sparkling rosé they had on the menu at the time. While the bubbly wasn’t very sweet, it was bursting with red fruit flavors which complemented the peach flavor perfectly.

Next time you’re in search of an amazing time and good food on a Friday night, head to downtown Downers Grove, pay a visit to Pierce Tavern and come say hi to us next door.  

Follow Us

Don’t miss out on any of the excitement happening on the corner of Curtiss & Main. Follow Pierce Tavern and Bubbly Side of Life on Instagram.