210 Live in north suburban Highwood was carved out of a bowling alley and retains a funky yet family-friendly vibe. Nestled among Italian eateries lining Green Bay Road, 210, established in 1949, presents what could be the North Shore’s widest repertory of live entertainment, with jazz, blues, retro pop, world music and comedy five nights a week, along with a full kitchen and bar. Beneath the spacious dining-listening-dancing space is a postmodern surprise: The basement contains a perfect facsimile of a circa mid-1970s suburban rec room, complete with a functional ping-pong table. (Hugh Iglarsh)
