Bar entertainment in Great Lakes
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A
Danny's
Danny's comfortably dim and dog-eared ambience is perfect for conversations over a pint. A poetry-reading series and occasional DJs add to the scruffy artiness.
reviewed
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B
Clark Street 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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C
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
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D
Bernice’s Tavern
A motley assemblage of local artists and neighborhood regulars haunts this workaday Bridgeport tavern, where the eclectic calendar includes weekly metal DJs and a folkie open mic. Order a Starka, a honey-flavored liqueur every bit as Lithuanian as the owners.
reviewed
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E
Sterch’s
‘No Corona. No foolish drinks. Limited dancing, ’ reads the sign in the window at this otherwise convivial dive. Those rules invite a genial older crowd of writers and grizzled neighborhood types, as does a jukebox stocked with Coltrane and the Stones.
reviewed
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F
Yak-Zies
The covered outdoor patio and reasonable prices make Yak-zies one of the best places in Wrigleyville to cheer on the Cubs. Many a greasy high-five has been exchanged over heaping piles of chicken wings and Tang Chicken Pizza (a buffalo chicken covered pie).
reviewed
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G
Slippery Noodle Inn
Downtown's Noodle is the oldest bar in the state, and has seen action as a whorehouse, slaughterhouse, gangster hangout and Underground Railroad station; currently, it's one of the best blues clubs in the country. There's live music nightly, and it's cheap.
reviewed
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H
Skylark
The Skylark is the place to end a long night after exploring the southern reaches of the city. It’s a bastion for artsy drunkards, who slouch into big booths sipping on strong drinks and eyeing the long room. It’s a good stop after the Pilsen gallery hop.
reviewed
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I
Whirlaway Lounge
With threadbare couches and broken-in board games, this neighborhood fave has the homey charm of your uncle’s ’70s rumpus room – if your uncle had loads of hip pals with an insatiable thirst for Pabst. Sweetheart owner Maria Jaimes is downright saintly.
reviewed
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J
Ed & Jean’s
It’s one of the city’s classic dive bars, where the wood paneling, kitschy knickknacks and ‘shot-ana-beer’ orders impart authentic Chicago character. There’s no phone number, and the hours are at Ed and Jean’s whim, so it’s good to have a backup plan.
reviewed
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K
Small Bar
Its ace jukebox, affordable food menu and kindly staff make this unpretentious gem an easygoing place to spend an evening in the neighborhood. The mirror behind the bar dates back to 1907. Two sister Small Bars pop up in Lincoln Park and Wicker Park.
reviewed
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L
Rose’s Lounge
Once your eyes adjust to the dark of Rose’s, the eclectic bric-a-brac, drop ceiling and dollar brews make it an odd duck amongst Lincoln Park’s yuppie lounges. The ultracheap beers are the big draw, bringing in a motley set of spendthrift regulars.
reviewed
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M
Innertown Pub
A cigar-smoking moose and a bronze bust of Elvis overlook the crowd of artsy regulars playing pool and drinking cheap at this lovably divey watering hole. Order a Christmas Morning, a delightful shot of hot espresso and chilled Rumplemintz.
reviewed
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N
Murphy’s Bleachers
Getting well lubricated before the big game is the prerogative of Cubs fans at this well-loved, historic watering hole, only steps away from the entrance to Wrigley Field’s bleacher seats. They jam this place like sardines on game day.
reviewed
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O
Beer Bistro
This bar near United Center fills with Bulls and Blackhawks fans, and it even runs a shuttle to the arena on game days. Ninety global beers (most in bottles) comprise the swill, and TVs flashing the requisite games circle the big room.
reviewed
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P
Kelly’s
DePaul students and fans can get elbow to elbow at this classic pub that’s been family owned and operated since the day after Prohibition ended. It’s directly under the El, so hold onto your glass when a train goes by.
reviewed
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Q
Gold Star Bar
A vestige from the days when Division St was ‘Polish Broadway,’ the Gold Star remains a divey winner, drawing a posse of bike messengers – and people who dress like them – for cheapie libations and a great metal-and-punk jukebox.
reviewed
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R
Fireside Bowl
In the not-so-distant past, the Fireside Bowl was a premiere venue for up-and-coming rock, punk and hardcore shows. The remodeled bar remains a great place to enjoy the time-honored marriage of frosty pints and clattering pins.
reviewed
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S
Charleston
The resident cats curl up on your lap at this laid-back favorite of Bucktown locals. When the occasional folk and bluegrass acts set up in the middle of the narrow room, it gets crowded, but it’s definitely worth it.
reviewed
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T
Gentry
This stately, brick-walled piano bar serves as a welcome respite for 30- and 40-year-old gay men, weary of the pounding house beats of Boystown’s clubs. Live cabaret music nightly.
reviewed
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U
Closet
One of the very few lesbian-centric bars in Chicago, the Closet changes mood and tempo at 2am, when the crowd becomes more mixed, the music gets louder and things get a little rowdier.
reviewed
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V
Seven Ten Lounge
The truly sporty bar-hoppers might opt for activities where you have to put the beer down, like bowling a few frames at the slightly yuppified Seven Ten Lounge.
reviewed
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W
Blind Lemon
Head down the passageway to enter this atmospheric old speakeasy in Mt Adams. It has an outdoor courtyard in summer, with a fire pit added in winter, and there's live music nightly.
reviewed
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X
Honest John's
There really is a John and he's a Detroit classic, as is his unassuming bar where cops, nurses and other local workers toss back a cold one postshift.
reviewed
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Grumpy's
Grumpy's is the Northeast's classic dive, with cheap (but good) beer and an outdoor patio. Sample the specialty 'hot dish' on Tuesdays for $1.
reviewed