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What Jake and Elwood Blues wrought back in 1980 is a boon to the suburban music scene at this edge of the 21st century. Open in fall 2007, the Blues Bar pays homage to the film that starred not only Belushi and Aykroyd but legendary musicians like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and James Brown. In addition to a van load of live music, blues and otherwise, you'll be treated to American traditional cooking and a Mount Propect police car on the second floor akin to the one used in the movie. You can't miss the property's unique copper-colored turret immediately when exiting the Metra train station. The bi-level space has a rustic look with common brick walls, while the upstairs room is lit with blue neon and lamps resembling martini glasses. Tabletops feature embedded mirror mosaics, with the theme carrying over to the bathrooms. A shiny, natural wood floor with stand-up tables are the focus downstairs, but you can dine anywhere in the space including the 40-foot main bar complete with beer towers chilling drafts.

The hurried lunch crowd gulps panini, salads, pasta and other quickly-served dishes, but the mood slows at dinner with crooners entertaining before 9 p.m. The menu has few surprises, but the kitchen turns out well executed versions of appetizers such as crab cakes, calamari, shrimp cocktail; entrees like filet mignon, Kansas City Strip, surf 'n' turf, French cut pork chops, ribs with a distinctive homemade sauce and plenty of seafood choices. Finish your orange whip (also in the movie) or chocolate lava cake before the volume gets turned up. Signature drinks include a blue-colored Blues Bar martini served up with dry ice for a mysterious effect. Watch Sunday football games via a 9 by 16-foot TV, plus HD monitors throughout the space; the state of the art sound and video system are getting nods from electronically inclined patrons.

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Mount Prospect bars, Music bars