1908 Draught House is everyone’s house

One of Johnston’s newer hangouts is popular for a reason: The spacious, baseball-themed establishment is perfect for the watching your favorite MLB team, celebrating a girl’s night out or even just taking an hour away from the office for lunch.

The baseball-themed 1908 Draught House in Johnston is a great place to enjoy lunch or get together with some friends after work for drinks and food.

Although if you do have to go back to work, it might be in your best interest to wait to try one of the $6 cocktails, which are a mix of different liquors and flavors that make one strong — and tasty — beverage. You’re better off choosing one of the 20 beers on tap, as was the common practice during one Thursday afternoon visit.

Couples, groups and coworkers alike filled the bar and patio. Even with only one waitress on duty, food orders were taken and delivered faster than most places, which makes it “an easy place to have on a lunch break,” according to one nameless patron who also enjoyed an electric blue cocktail with his burger.

It’s classic bar food at standard prices, and as long as you don’t mind a little grease (and if you’re ordering things like breaded cheese curds and half-pound burgers on Texas toast, you probably don’t), you’ll have the same reaction as the customers: “Delicious.”

Collin Caffrey opened the first 1908 Draught (pronounced “draft”) House in November, and just by looking at the TVs and the baseball bats used as door handles, you can tell he loves the sport. “I’m a big Cubs fan,” he said, “and 1908 was the last year the Cubs won the World Series.”

Flat screens showing every baseball and softball game you could ask for line the walls inside and out, but the wood-and-brick walls, wooden barrels and exposed rafters give it more of a rustic look than the average sports bar.

A seat at the bar will grant you front-row access to more than just the taps and bartender when the patio is open. The top half of the wall opens up like a concession stand with chairs outside and TVs above it so neither section is separated completely. With seating for 65 inside and 70 on the patio, both sides are spacious enough for large groups, without feeling as if you’re on top of the strangers next to you.

But strangers might not be the right word for Draught House, because everyone there — patrons and bartender included — is friendly and welcoming. Ask a question and you’ll be answered promptly with a “sweetie” or “hun” at the end. As the lunch crowd poured in, a constant buzz of conversation hovered between groups.

 Conveniently located just off N.W. 86th Street, the Draught House offers a clean, fun environment from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. On weekends, you can pull yourself out of bed a little bit earlier for brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come in for Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, for a dollar off every drink on the menu. That means the already-affordably priced margaritas, beer, martinis, cocktails and wine are an even better deal. CV