Headed to Chicago next week...any recommendations?

Easily accessed from the CTA:

local option will have some high quality, highly overpriced beers on tap you might want to check out.
Goose Clybourn, Monks Pub
Warehouse Liquors

 

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/search/32037081/?q=chicago+downtown&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=9

 

Definitely head to Revolution Brewing, http://revbrew.com/ Both the food and the beer are awesome. And it's less than a 5 minute walk from the California stop on the CTA Blue Line.

I definitely recommend Warehouse Liquors. Great Scotch selection also. The owner, Gene, is a serious Scotch aficionado.

BTW, it's Magnificent Mile, not Miracle Mile.

 

Don't support Local Option.

 

If you have enough time, like almost an entire day, take the South Shore train into Indiana (unless you have a car) and get an Uber or cab to drop you off at FFF; worth a trip. You could also stay on the train and take it to the Miller stop. Short walk to 18th street brewery.

 

Bypass FFF if you're gonna go to Indiana. 18th Street is way better. But why waste time in Indiana when you're in Chicago?

Bad Apple, Half Acre, Begyle, Corridor, Empirical are all within walking distance or right off two brown line stops. Get yourself a ventra card and go nuts. Cheapest and easiest way to get around the city.

Don't waste your time in the loop. Stick to the neighborhoods. Capones, Beer Temple, West Lakeview and Bottles & Cans are the bottle shops. They are also right around each other.

 

You can't possibly be serious.

 

Eh, regardless "but why waste time in Indiana when you're in Chicago" is a pretty solid point. There's too much shit to do in Chicago if you're only here for a few days. A week or two, alright, give FFF a shot.

 

To debate this would get way off point and not help OP, but yes, I am serious.

 

Not going to debate, but if this is legitimate sentiment felt by many, it explains to some extent why folks line up time and time again for a modified milk stout with <insert whatever makes this release different from the last one here>.

 

I'm fairly new to Chicago. Is there a story behind this?

 

That, I do not understand. I'm simply saying for the beer, food and service. I'm over FFF's attitude.

 

I disagree wholeheartedly with this statement. Local Option has one of the best beer lists in the city and has pretty good bar food. Also, unless you only go during events, the bar is never really packed. They definitely play a lot of metal, but the servers are all great.

To get back on topic, I recommend the Half Acre/Bad Apple combo. Grab a burger at Bad Apple then walk the 75 feet over to Half Acre's tap room for small pours of everything in tap. I also recommend the Map Room combo if you want some Chicago style pizza. Head over to the Map Room (one of the best craft bars in the city... cash only though) and order some deep dish from My Pie, which is only 2 blocks from the bar. You can eat inside of Map Room as well; especially if it's during non-rush hours. That bar does get packed at night, however.

As for brewpubs, Piece (fantastic pizza), Haymarket, and Revolution are all top notch. Goose Clyborn and Dryhop are also good. In fact, Piece makes New Haven style pizza which may be relevant in your case. It is also within walking distance from the Map Room.

 

Everything Yarni28 said!!

 

Drucifer's last post is spot on. The Half Acre/Bad Apple combo is a must. Piece's combination of pizza and beer is the best in the city.

Near the Paulina stop on the Brown Line are both Green Lady and Northdown. If you head over to Wicker Park/Bucktown (where Piece is), Bangers and Lace has top notch stuff on draft.

I think people have covered everything else. More info on your end (how long you're staying, whether it's for vacation or work, etc.) would help us give more direct/detailed advice.

Cheers!

 

There are way too many people on this bandwagon. Nothing against 18th St, but in the past two years, people in the area have put them on a proverbial pedestal that I've never fully understood.

 

Kuma's Corner (original location), if you're looking for some solid burgers with a good beer selection. "Metal" feel to the place.

FFF is totally worth it, in my opinion, if you have a rental and about half a day. I've been there dozens of times and I've not experienced once the 'attitude' issues spoken off. Plus, their food is also good.

If no rental, pass up on FFF this time and head on to Half-Acre (try Space IPA, only available on draft or if you want to bring a growler, you can get it filled).

If you're looking for fancy steak dinner with a good beer selection, check Side Door. It's one block off of Michigan Ave. on Ontario.

 

If you go the Piece Pizza route, Liquor Park a couple doors down is a legit bottle shop and Links around the corner on Milwaukee has some impressive taps.

 

Piece is worth the visit as mentioned above and Links Taproom (around the corner), usually has something good on.