Chicago
The punk-rock jukebox, large, eclectic beer selection, and pierced-and-tattooed patrons make the GMan wonderfully different from the surrounding sports…
Must-see nightlife in Illinois
Chicago
It's a Cubs game prerequisite to beer up at this well-loved, historic watering hole, only steps away from the entrance to Wrigley Field’s bleacher seats…
Chicago
This snug basement bar has a speakeasy-meets-ski-lodge vibe. All of the beer and spirits hail from the Great Lakes region (hence the name) and staff…
Chicago
Classy cocktails are Billy's thing. Spiced kola nut, rhubarb sherbet and pineapple bitters are among the ingredients shaken and stirred into the high-end…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
The Wormhole is pretentious in an endearing way. Consider drinks such as 'cool but rude' (a latte with fresh ginger and curry sauce) or the peanut butter…
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery
Chicago
Maplewood looks sexier than most taprooms with its heavy chandeliers and high-back seats, but that doesn't deter bearded brewer types from lining up for…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
The interior is a restored late-1960s beauty salon from New Jersey. ‘Martinis & Manicures’ is the shtick; get your nails done for $20 on Saturday (to 1am)…
Chicago
The Clipper's retro linoleum and Naugahyde decor hasn't changed much since it opened in 1937. Guys in bowling shirts and ladies in thrift-store dresses…
Chicago
This award-winning Wisconsin roaster has branched out to Chicago, bringing its fair-trade, single-origin coffees to three locations across the city. This…
Chicago
Revered chef Rick Bayless opened this quirky West Loop brewery inspired by beers people were drinking in Mexico City in the 1860s. Quaff fanciful…
Illinois
The best of Springfield's downtown microbreweries in beer quality, the excellently named Buzz Bomb marries an original 1930s pressed-tin ceiling with…
Chicago
Frank Sinatra and Bette Davis were among the celebs who used to swirl martinis in the old Pump Room, which recently got a modern rebranding as Booth One…
Chicago
An old-fashioned, four-lane bowling alley with hand-set pins hides inside this busy neighborhood bar and grill. Those who prefer to shoot stick can chalk…
Chicago
Late Bar is off the beaten path on a forlorn stretch of Belmont Ave surrounded by auto-repair shops and Polish bars, though it’s easy to get to via the L…
Chicago
This whimsical, Bavarian-looking tea shop is a great place to get some work done over an exotic beverage. Grab a maté latte (South American–style tea with…
Chicago
A hodgepodge of funky light fixtures dangles from the ceiling, and paintings hang on the exposed-brick walls so the room resembles a salon. Settle in to a…
Chicago
From the Hamm's beer sign over the door to shots of Malört (Chicago's infamous, vile-tasting liquor) and mounted fish on the wall, Archie's has all the…
Chicago
Many of the geniuses of our age have killed brain cells right here in the Woodlawn Tap (also known as Jimmy's for the longtime owner). The place is dark…
Chicago
There's much to admire at the Cove: the worn swivel chairs at the bar, the jazzy jukebox, dart games and literary conversations. Add in the decent craft…
Chicago
The beauty of Miller's isn't to be found in the dark-wood furnishings, stained glass or nostalgic sports photos adorning the walls, but from its late…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
Lush is a local mini-chain that is part wine shop and part wine bar, specializing in smaller vineyards and organic wines. Buy a bottle on one side, then…
Chicago
A pocket-sized cocktail bar decorated with gilt-framed mirrors and Toulouse-Lautrec posters, Marty's is known for its various takes on the classic martini…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
The center for Chicago’s indie elite during the week, the boxy, dark-wood 1930s Rainbo Club has an impressive semicircular bar and one of the city’s best…
Chicago
Dressed up like a misplaced hunting cabin, the Lodge hasn't changed a mote since 1957. It has a bit more polish than most of its neighbors on Division St;…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
Test your joystick skills at this large bar filled with '80s and '90s standup arcade games – everything from Donkey Kong to Tron to NBA Jam – as well as…
Chicago
Many bars in this neighborhood are annoyingly trendy and uppity. Henry's is refreshing because it's not: it's welcoming, laid-back and relatively cheap…
Chicago
The Near South Side has been begging for a leafy patio like the one at Spoke & Bird. Bonus: it's surrounded by several cool old manors in the Prairie…
Chicago
This warm, dark-oak pub is ground zero for English soccer and rugby fanatics, since it shows all the international league games on satellite TV. It even…
Chicago
Once your eyes adjust to the dark of Rose’s, the eclectic bric-a-brac, drop ceiling and groovy jukebox make it an odd duck among Lincoln Park’s cocktail…
Chicago
Pay homage to Lincoln Square's German roots at the stalwart Huettenbar. The kitschy, wood-paneled ambience is straight out of the Black Forest. So are the…
Chicago
A local chain, Big Shoulders offers high-quality, no-nonsense coffee, with specialty flavored lattes like vanilla, cardamom, caramel, marshmallow and the…
Chicago
The 1970s are back, complete with furry couches, a trippy LED dance floor and glittery mirrored balls spinning from the ceiling. Disco pays homage to its…
Chicago
Roscoe's has been bringing in the Boystown crowd for more than three decades. Different parts of the venue have different vibes: a casual bar in front, a…
Chicago
Intelligentsia is a local chain that roasts its own beans and percolates good, strong stuff. The modern, industrial coffee bar makes a good fuel stop…
Chicago
A local institution and the perfect neighborhood hangout, Guthrie’s remains true to its mellow roots even as the Cubs-fueled neighborhood goes manic…
Chicago
The low red light, paper lanterns, floral wallpaper and carved peacock mirror give Wang's a Chinese-opium-den vibe. It's mostly guys sitting around the…
Chicago
Vice is a favorite gathering spot for neighborhood residents. The large, mod-industrial taproom is just right for a pint of black IPA or English-style…
Chicago
Its ace jukebox, affordable food menu and kindly staff make this unpretentious gem an easygoing place to spend an evening in the Avondale neighborhood…
Chicago
The giant windows of this industrially fitted-out corner shop afford an excellent vantage for people-watching over an espresso or cold-brew coffee. It's…
Chicago
Climb the stairs that lead above Sayat Nova Armenian restaurant, and voilà, you've arrived at a friendly gay dive bar that most people don't even know is…
