Any must hit bars downtown Chicago?

Goose island wrigleyville has some awesome fried cheese curds. I prefer the clybourne one, but its worth a stop.

 

get on the bus/train and get out of downtown.

 

Beer Bistro on Madison, West Loop, not too far from downtown.

Au Cheval on Randolph, also West Loop right by Haymarket.

Howells & Hood just opened on Michigan Ave. 360 taps, supposedly the most in the US and possibly the world.

Farther from Downtown I enjoy:

Quenchers
Maria's Community Bar

 

Twisted spoke is probably the only bar near downtown worth going to for craft beer. Everything else is etiher horribly over priced or uninteresting.

 

Small Bar (on Division) generally has really good beer for decent prices (maybe $1-2 more than I would but I'm turning into a cheap bastard these days). Food is good, but the dinner menu is way over-priced. Their brunch menu is great, though -- so I'd go for lunch, or plan on eating dinner elsewhere. Bangers & Lace, a few blocks east on Division, has good beer and food (though the food menu isn't much more than assorted sausages -- not that there's a problem with that). Big Star only has a few taps, but they're going to be good. Tacos are good enough -- and the people-watching is the best in the city.

But, really, the Revolution brewpub is going to be your best bet (IMO) for great food and beer, in one stop. Alternatively, you could grab take-out from Kuma's or Hot Doug's and bring it to Revolution's production brewery (they don't serve food at the production brewery but they have the full line-up of Revolution beers available in a very nice taproom).


Vas Foremost (near the Revolution brewpub) is a good store, even though prices run a $1-2 higher than what you would find at the Lincoln Park Binny's. There are several other liquor stores throughout WP/BT, but the selection can be spotty and the mark-ups egregious. But if you don't want to spend too much time traveling - Evolution (1704 N Milwaukee Ave), Zen Wine & Spirits (1803 W North Ave), Life's a Cabernet (1937 W North Ave) and, hell, the giant Walgreens right at Milwaukee/North/Damen.

 

Agree with all of this. Also, I love Smoke Daddy's on Division. Great Barbeque, semi decent beer list with some local options and they have live bands most nights. I think they are expanding right now though, so I'd call to see if they are under construction.

Here's a link to their beer menu.

http://www.thesmokedaddy.com/menu.php

Plus good luck on the early May Cubs game! I've become a total wimp and refuse to go to one before June. I'm tired of being cold at Wrigley.

 

Reminds me that I need to go back for their twice baked potato pizza, it's been too long

 

Yes, I've come up for the April/May Cubs-Reds series the past two years. The covered stands are freezing and the bleachers may be under the sun but aren't always a hospitable place for opposing fans.

I appreciate the Wicker Park-specific recommendations from you and danimalarkey. I wouldn't have learned of those places otherwise.

 

I'm suprised Map Room only had one or two mentions. I love that place, but the bartenders tend to throw me out for not looking hipster enough (gross overstatement, but sometimes I think thats the reason) The beer is great, but the attitude of the employees can be downright rude. It's sad really, because I love this place...but so many times I leave pissed off because of the actions of some (NOT ALL) of the people working there.

Having just come from the west coast after spending time in the great beer bars in San Francisco and Portland (Toronado, APEX, Bailey's Tap Room, Russian River Brewery, etc, etc, etc.) I am left with a feeling that the attitude of workers at Map Room has room for improvement. I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but that is just my humble thoughts. I still love Map Room though.

 

Not to hijack the thread, but my wife and I are going to be in Chicago Monday April 1st. We're going to see Nick Cave, but I'd like to hit Piece late afternoon or early evening for dinner. Should I expect a crowd? Also like to hit something after the show, I think it's at the Chicago Theater, maybe Haymarket is the good choice? Anything close to the venue for a beer before the show? Staying in North River are, and we'll probably be riding the metro. Does this sound fairly doable?
/thanks

 

I'd echo Farmhouse and Fountainhead. And add the Northdown Cafe and Taproom as well as Owen & Engine. Both are ridiculously good and I don't think they've been mentioned.

 

Piece is very doable on public transit from river north. It doesn't get super busy there until 6:30-7pm. Monk's pub is probably the closest bar to Chicago Theater with a decent craft brew selection.

What hotel are you staying at? I work on Mag mile/River north, so I can probably give a ton of suggestions for things to do in the area. Send me a message if you'd like.

 

Sheffield's in Lakeview

 

We're staying at the Howard Johnson's, mainly because it saves us $50 for parking. Looks like Revolution is not far from Piece, maybe hit both on the way in, the show starts at 8pm, then Haymarket after. I'd prefer to drive as little as possible, but don't want to get knifed on the subway either, ala The Warriors or some shit.

 

You won't get knifed on the subway. Chicago is not as dangerous as the media makes it seem. Don't go further south than 35th street though (street numbers get bigger as you go south, so don't find yourself on 95th).

Driving around Chicago isn't really bad at all. Parking meters are ridiculously expensive: $2.50-$6.50 per hour, but they take credit cards. You have to walk to a pay box and leave the receipt on the curb side on your dash. Finding parking around Revolution is easy, parking around Piece gets really difficult after 7pm (or all day on weekends) and there is no parking in a ton of places in Chicago between 4 and 6pm for rush hour (look for no parking signs on the whole block- there only has to be one per block).

There will be no where to park around Haymarket after your show, so take a cab because I don't recommend taking the green line at night, which I believe is the closest train to Haymarket.

 

Howells & Hood has 360 taps
http://www.guysdrinkingbeer.com/howells-hood-yeah-they-have-360-taps/

 

I noticed that Haymarket was offering valets the last time I was there (end of January) so if the really really small parking area in front of the place is full (and I guarantee that it will be) you should be able to have them park your car for you.

 

Jesus, taking the Green (or Pink) Line to Clinton or Morgan (for Haymarket) is considered dangerous at night? Y'all need to deal w some high-level urban anxiety, for real.

 

hit up the aviary tomorrow night if you dont mind dropping some cash. 95 bucks for 10 courses each paired with a different barrel aged evil twin beer. the beer (and the 10th barrel) are both mysteries, lots of people guessing (hoping) its westy, but I have no idea.

 

Green or pink line could be sketchy at night for an out of towner.