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• This week, buzz takes a look at Crane Alley

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The Crane Alley beer garden. Photo by Maria Surawska. (Maria Surawska, buzz photographer)

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Beer Garden Rating

Beer Selection — 5: Amazing selection of beers, most likely one of the best in the Champaign-Urbana area.
Atmosphere — 4: Cozy, not overbearing, lets you focus on good conversation.
Noise Level — 3: The beer garden and restaurant were quiet during lunch, but because of the number of tables, noise level could increase by nightfall.
Ambience — 4: Very relaxing with a good selection of drinks.
Service — 5: Our server was polite, quick to serve and very knowledgeable about the food and drinks.

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Crane Alley »
Address: 115 W. Main St. Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 384-7526
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Crane Alley,located at 115 W. Main St. in Urbana, has a beer garden nestled between it and the neighboring brick building. Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Crane Alley is the perfect gathering place for friends. Popular during the summer class sessions, Crane Alley serves both lunch and dinner and a wide variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees. There is a different drink special for every day of the week, including specialty drinks, wine and beer. Crane Alley is also known for their selection of more than 200 different beers, featuring 16 on tap daily, which rotate frequently. If you’re not sure which beer to enjoy, Crane Alley offers beer flights, a beer tasting where you can get four 5-ounce glasses of any beer on tap for six dollars. In addition to their variety of specialty beers, Crane Alley also has a fantastic martini menu with many different types. The restaurant also features delicious coffee drinks.

In terms of the garden itself, it feels removed from busy Main Street, with lights strung above for a warm, glowing effect. There’s a European cafe vibe to the garden. The décor is simple, providing a calming, chill vibe throughout the restaurant, and newly planted greenery accents the brick walls well. The beer garden can be accessed with or without entering the restaurant, making it welcoming to all who want to enjoy a summer evening outside.

“A sunny day, cute tables and a perfect place to have a drink with a friend. I highly recommend their french fries that came with my sandwich, and I will definitely be back and making all my summer roommates come with,” said Emily Langhenry, a first-time Crane Alley customer.