About
BOLTINI LOUNGE is the quintessential martini bar of Champaign. Located in the heart of downtown, Boltini offers a great selection of liquor, food, music and fun. It truly is the adult playground of downtown. Cozy round booths, leather sofas, dim candle lighting and a great vibe!
Liquor
The back bar of Boltini rises high above and is stocked with a great selection of distilled spirits. From small batch bourbons, single malt scotches, fine wine by the glass to a huge selection of vodkas and gins; an extensive martini list (nearly 100) has something for nearly every taste and an amazing selection of craft beers from around the world is ever-changing.
Food
Not your typical ‘’bar food.’’ Boltini has no fried foods at all. An impressive selection of small plates, sandwiches, salads, tacos, and desserts are available. Fan favorites include: the LIAR’S CLUB SANDWICH (seared ahi tuna with avocado, sprouts, and sriracha aioli on a tomato roll), BUFFALO WILD CUPS (sorta like boneless hot wings in a won-ton cup) and melt-in-your mouth CRÈME BRULEE…just to name a few. Chef Ken Carter and his staff pride themselves on serving delightful, hearty, feel-good menu options well into the late night, every night!
Music
Boltini has always been a great part of the downtown Champaign music scene. The area’s best DJ’s land a residency here. Boltini is truly the only place where you’ll get to hear DJs create their art in exactly the way they want to From house music to funk and soul…and everything in between. Big local names like djMERTZ, Randall Ellison, Ian Procell, and ReFlex all have nights at the deck. Former locals like J-PHLIP, ELISE, BOZAK AND SPINNERTY all make annual trips back for shows from their new digs in the San Francisco Bay area. Here’s a short list of other Champaign DJs that have held WEEKLY RESIDENCIES (not just one off apperances) at Boltini:
J Phlip
Spinnerty
Bozak
Impact
Limbs
DJ Belly
DJ Elise
Chris O
LegTWO
Lil Big Bass (aka Kayla Brown)
Disco Phil
Cool Miles Holt
Boltini has also hosted dubstep DJs like Substr8, Mobius, Lincoln Jones, and Geist, and
Techno DJ Mike Brankis from Chicago.
Fun
Boltini’s T-N-T Tuesday night trivia has a huge following. Trivia includes: 5 rounds of VERY COMPETITIVE TRIVIA with fun and witty host Cara Maurizi, prizes for each round, grand prize VIP treatment. Musicians, massage therapists, magicians and other local talent also surprise the audience with appearances. Recently, LIQUID COURAGE KARAOKE was added to the lineup, right after T-N-T. Choose from over 250,000 songs—and be a star!
Annual events
Each year on December 5th we celebrate the repeal of the 21st Amendment with a REPEAL DAY party—lots of flappers, gangsters, boas, fedoras, and moonshine (kidding). Live music, classic cars, period food, and an occasional police raid are things you can expect on this night. Our theme for the night: DRINK ‘CUZ YOU CAN!
BLACK PARTY is an annual leather-fetish party created by local hipster Andy Warfel. It is held on a Sunday in mid-January and features dj MERTZ spinning great deep house music in the sunken lounge.
Boltini opened in July 2000 and is located at 211 N. Neil St, Champaign IL
