Hotshots Saloon Offers Neighborhood-Bar Vibe

Hotshots Saloon is a quaint sports bar with a western theme and friendly neighborhood vibe. The downtown establishment opened Aug. 27 and was the idea of Palatine neighbors Tim O'Brien and Dave Conforti.

"Once we nailed down our idea, it all came together quickly," O'Brien said.

O'Brien and Conforti's goal was to open Hotshots' doors at 53 W. Slade St.before Palatine Street Fest when thousands of visitors arrive downtown. They were able to hit their mark and business was booming.

"We ran out of a lot of liquor," O'Brien said. "And now a number of people have been exposed to our name."

O'Brien is enthusiastic about the Hotshots menu. He and Conforti teamed up with friend and chef Jim Parker, who boasts more than 25 years of culinary experience. Parker designed the menu, which features distinct options such as upside-down pizza pot-pie and homespun Texas egg rolls.

Hotshots Saloon is open daily from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Replete with digital dartboards, a pool table, a private room for party rentals and a shiny bar made out of pine, O'Brien and Conforti are eager to get their business going.

"We should do fine," O'Brien said. "Palatine needed a neighborhood bar. Everyone will know everyone's name. We have a good thing."

After doing government work for more than 30 years, O'Brien was ready for a change. Conforti was excited to enter an industry that differed from his experience in construction.

Conforti's knowledge in building has served the duo well, however, as he and O'Brien designed and built Hotshots themselves, along with the help of family, friends and several volunteers.

"You gotta work with people you trust," O'Brien said. "Otherwise [the business] won't work."