Trip to Chicago - any help is appreciated

Jazz Record Mart is walking distance from where you'll be staying.

http://jazzmart.com/

 

Jake Melnick's is probably the only bar in the area with a decent beer list. I work in the area and there's honestly not much for craft beer lovers around here.

 

Yeah, Melnick's is one of the better options right there. Another option is Stout Barrel House (http://stoutchicago.com). Just don't go there after dark. It turns into a shitty douchebag bar. But not bad for a bite to eat after work.

 

Clark St. Ale House and Farmhouse might disagree.

And for pure novelty, I'd suggest Howells & Hood -- 360+ taps under one roof! Some of them even qualify as craft.

The L has several stops near your hotel. If you're looking for efficiency, though, take the blue line to Wicker Park -- Reckless Records and Dusty Groove would be good stops (there's also a Reckless in the Loop). Then continue along the Blue line and visit Revolution (@ the California stop) or stay in the area and visit Piece, Map Room, Bangers & lace, SmallBar or Jerry's Sandwiches.

 

Mostly looking at cabs from where you're staying. You could head over to Goose Island Clybourn and walk to Local Option from there. Atlas Brewing is new but very good and is 1 mile from Local Option. Another good duo that is close to one another is Revolution Brewing and Maproom as is Hopleaf and Acre. Those are a little further from where you are staying, though. Haymarket is kind of by itself but worth a trip if you have more time.

 

don't forget permanent records too. it's a bit more of a walk from damen or division stops, but if you want a good chicago record store, reckless (the 3 city locations), dusty, and permanent are pretty much the holy trinity.