Bar entertainment in Chicago
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Jimmy’s Woodlawn Tap
Some of the geniuses of our age have killed plenty of brain cells right here in one of Hyde Park’s few worthwhile bars. The place is dark and beery, and a little seedy. But for thousands of University of Chicago students deprived of a thriving bar scene, it’s home. Hungry? The Swissburgers are legendary.
reviewed
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B
Hungry Brain
The kind bartenders, roving tamale vendors and well-worn, thrift-store charm are inviting at this Roscoe Village staple, which hosts sets of free live jazz from some of the city’s best young players on Sunday nights. Cash only.
reviewed
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C
Cubby Bear
To enter the eye of the hurricane in Wrigleyville, elbow into the famous Cubby Bear, where the can beer is expensive and the whooping fraternity boys can get downright unruly. This is a good place to try some cornhole, as in small corn-filled bags (aka beanbags) that participants toss into a sloped box with a hole in it. It started as a bar game but vaulted into the big time in 2007, when the First Annual Windy City Cornhole Classic took over Soldier Field (yes, the football stadium). Cubby Bear has leagues and tournaments. Check www.chicagocornhole.com for other locations.
reviewed
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D
Weeds
This place has the tenacity of its namesake flora, sticking to its beatnik-meets-bohemia roots for years while the neighborhood gentrified around it. If the walls – or the bras hanging from the ceiling – could talk, you’d hear some strange yarns from the motley crew who work and drink here. Weeds hosts open-mic poetry (Monday), comedy (Tuesday) and sometimes live music, and you can quaff in the laid-back beer garden.
reviewed
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E
Hamburger Mary’s
This is Chicago’s outpost of the campy San Francisco–based chain that bills itself as an ‘open-air bar and grill for open-minded people.’ Yes, they serve well-regarded burgers and weekend brunch in the downstairs restaurant, but the action’s on the rowdy, booze-soaked patio. Mary’s Rec Room next door brews its own beer and turns on the HDTVs for sports fans. The Attic lounge upstairs hosts cabaret, karaoke and DJs.
reviewed
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F
Chicago Brauhaus
Unlikely as it may seem for a bar, the oompah soundtrack, rosy-cheeked staff and early last call give this spacious Bavarian-themed joint the all-ages appeal of a Disney ride. Dinnertime is best, when the ‘world-famous’ lederhosen-clad Brauhaus Trio starts bumping, and steaming plates of schnitzel seem heaven-sent. Bring your dancing shoes, too – there’s polka action nightly.
reviewed
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G
Delilah’s
A bartender rightfully referred to this bad-ass black sheep of the neighborhood as the ‘pride of Lincoln Ave,’ a title earned by its underground rockers for the heavy pours and the best whiskey selection in the city. They know their way around a beer list, too, tapping unusual domestic and international suds (though cheap Pabst longnecks are always behind the bar, too).
reviewed
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H
Richard’s Bar
The younger of the two main bartenders in this timeless dive is in his 70s. The bar – with its tall, humming refrigerated coolers for to-go orders and a strange mix of Rat Pack and Saturday Night Fever on the jukebox – feels like something out of a Jim Jarmusch movie. Hang around long enough and the owner may bring out a huge platter of food for everyone.
reviewed
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I
Simon’s
An Andersonville mainstay that has been around since 1934, Simon’s is a dimly lit musicians’ watering hole. The jukebox rocks an eclectic menu ranging from Robert Gordon to Elastica to Television to The Clash. In winter, in homage to its Swedish roots, Simon’s serves glogg (spiced wine punch). A giant neon fish holding a martini glass marks the spot.
reviewed
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J
Bluebird
Rustic Bluebird’s candlelit bar, oak tables and exposed brick walls give it a casually romantic, good-for-a-first-date ambience. The lengthy, well-curated beer list focuses on small-batch and global pours, and there are several wines available by the glass. To quell the stomach, order a cheese or charcuterie plate or perhaps a Belgian chocolate waffle.
reviewed
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Harry Caray’s
Across from Wrigley Field and named after its famed announcer, this outpost of the local Harry Caray’s chain caters to pre- and post-Cubs-game guzzlers a bit more demurely than its neighbors. If something feels familiar, almost gamelike, while you’re bellied up to the 60ft-6in bar, well, that’s the distance from the pitcher’s mound to home plate.
reviewed
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K
Big Chicks
Uptown’s Big Chicks has an enjoyable split personality. During the week, the bar is a cozily sedate place for gay and straight to socialize beneath the sizable collection of woman-themed art. On weekends, though, gay men pack the stamp-sized dance floor and boogie until all hours. Every Sunday, Big Chicks hosts a legendary free barbecue brunch.
reviewed
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L
Matchbox
Lawyers, artists and bums all squeeze in for retro cocktails. It’s as small as – you got it – a matchbox, with about 10 barstools; everyone else stands against the back wall. Barkeeps make the drinks from scratch. Favorites include the pisco sour and the ginger gimlet, ladled from an amber vat of homemade ginger-infused vodka.
reviewed
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M
Deja Vu
Open until 5am (!) on Saturdays, Deja offers more than just a deliriously late last call. The decor at this friendly place is a mix of opulent Middle Eastern and garage sale art deco, with free pool thrown into the mix. Between Thursday and Saturday, music is served up by live bands or DJs, sometimes asking a modest cover.
reviewed
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N
Happy Village
The sign boasting the ‘happiest place in the east village’ seems like an understatement on a summer evening when a strolling tamale vendor appears on the vine-covered patio here – then it’s happiest place on Earth. Don’t get too sauced before entering the table-tennis room adjoining the bar; the competition is fierce.
reviewed
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O
Ola’s Liquor
This classic ‘slashie’ – the term for a bar–liquor store combo, where the bar is stashed in the back room – has hours catering to third-shift locals and the most indomitable night owls. Order the advertised zimne piwo (Polish for ‘cold beer’) and blast some tunes on the juke in the same language.
reviewed
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Lodge
Dressed up like a misplaced hunting cabin, the Lodge has a bit more polish than most of its neighbors on Division St. A Wurlitzer jukebox spins oldies, and the bowls of salty peanuts complement the abundance of beers on tap. The crowd of mostly 40-somethings drink like they mean it, sometimes until dawn.
reviewed
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Q
Blue Frog Bar & Grill
There’s fierce competition, but the city’s best board-game action is at the Blue Frog Bar & Grill. This haven for retro games resounds with the shouts of triumph and moans of defeat as players hunch over cardboard battlefields of yesteryear like Sorry! and Operation.
reviewed
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R
Rainbo Club
The center for Chicago’s indie elite during the week, the boxy, dark-wood Rainbo Club has an impressive semicircular bar and one of the city’s best photo booths. The service is slow and the place goes a little suburban on weekends, but otherwise it’s an excellent place to hang out with artsy locals.
reviewed
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Cal’s Bar
The bartenders serve plenty of ’tude with the drinks at this family-owned dive bar and liquor store, which serves as a lone oasis for scruffy hipsters who find themselves lost among suits in the Loop. On weekend nights, punk-rock bands with names like Broadzilla and Johnny Vomit take the stage.
reviewed
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Schaller’s Pump
Schaller’s is Chicago’s oldest continually operating tavern and is conveniently located across the street from the 11th Ward Democratic offices. It’s a fine place to toast the city’s infamous politicos (both Mayor Daleys have imbibed here) or the White Sox, whose ballpark is a short toss away.
reviewed
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U
Ginger Man
A splendid place to pass an evening, this spot features a huge and eclectic beer selection, which is enjoyed by theater types and other creative folks. It offers respite from the Cubs mania of the rest of the strip by playing classical music and jazz during home games. Pool is free on Sunday.
reviewed
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V
Danny’s
Little Danny’s is a hipster magnet, featuring a comfortably dim and dog-eared atmosphere and occasional DJ sets of Stax 45s. Blessedly TV free, Danny’s is a great place to come for conversation early in the evening, or to shake a tail feather at an impromptu dance party on the weekend.
reviewed
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Clark St Ale House
With one of the best beer selections downtown, the Ale House has a rotating assortment featuring several Midwestern microbreweries. Work up a thirst on the free pretzels, order a three-beer sampler for $5, and cool off in the beer garden out back. This place is tops in the ’hood.
reviewed
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X
L&L
The dim, inviting L&L is one of the few places on Clark St where ordering Sex on the Beach might get you 86ed. Instead, relax with $2 Pabst or a sip from the impressive assortment of Irish whiskey. It’s an excellent dive bar in which to duck the Wrigleyville madness.
reviewed
