Best Chicago Beer Bars

$125 is stupid, but put it at $100 and I bet it moves. I still haven't been to Harry's but I've seen the beer list pop up and it surprised me a bit.

I agree. Their burgers are awesome and I've pulled a couple of great beers there before. In fact, they got me in the door the first time because they had Prairie Bomb! on tap.

 

Thanks! What about beer bar suggestions in/around Mt Prospect and Arlington Heights?

 

In that area I'd recommend Bigby's Rolling Meadows near Golf & Algonquin. They are on beermenus too.

 

Link's Taproom

 

Not a "beer bar" per se though they had some 3 Floyds on, but the game room at the Chicago Athletic Hotel is amazing.

 

Monks downtown and Lone Wolf are great

 

If you're stuck downtown then I would say: Monk's (already mentioned but seconded), Howls and Hood, Villains, Hackney's, Haymarket, Jake Melnick's, and Elephant & Castle are solid choices. Certainly not the best places in the city, but since all the hotels are down in that area those are all decent to great places that are easy to get to.

 

Check out Southport Lanes in Lakeview for a surprisingly fantastic rotating beer list

 

I'll piggyback on this thread instead of creating a new one. I just found out on a work call that I will be in Chicago in mid-July, staying at the Virgin Hotel. Are there any must hits in a reasonable distance from there (bars/breweries/etc.)?

Thanks in advance!

 

Timothy O' Tooles and Monks Pub are the two best options close to there. Clark Street Ale House is also pretty good.

If you want to hit a brewery that is close I would go to Haymarket. Au Cheval is across the street (great beer and burgers), and so is Lone Wolf (always have multiple 3 Floyds drafts).

If you are willing to travel a bit further then Local Option is a good choice.

 

Anyone been to Compass Bar yet? I was riding my bike around the lakeshore path and saw it located on Diversey near the lake. It had a nice outdoor patio and said "Craft Beer and Artisanal Pizza" or something above the front door. BeerMenus says they have some One Trick Pony, Dark Horse, Central Waters, Temperance and others

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/compass-bar-chicago

In addition to everything above I like Gideon Welles too. They usually have some of the less available craft breweries on: MiddleBrow, One Trick Pony, Aquanut, and others (in addition to FFF, Half Acre, etc..)

 

Headed to Chicago in June. Thanks for all the help. I'll be mostly in the Loop/Magnificient Mile area. Any help on family Friendly places? Or other way around - places to definitely avoid with kids in tow? Thanks!

 

You could do Haymarket, Jake Melnick's (just took my kids there for lunch today, although the beer selection wasn't anything crazy good, they had interesting choices), Monk's, Elephant & Castle and Hackney's. With all that said, if I were coming here, even with family, I would venture out to other areas that would allow you to experience some better places. Take the train up to North & Clybourn (or Uber) and walk up to Goose Island Clybourn (it is definitely family friendly), or Uber down to Lagunitas. You'll get to see a different part of the city than just the regular tourist areas, and you'll get a better beer experience.

 

Loved Delilah's when we were there last July in addition to many of the others. The green eye mentioned above was also great

 

One more option is The Village Tap in Roscoe Village. Great beer list, friendly atmosphere, and a fantastic beer garden.

 

Yeah Delilah's is known as more of a whiskey bar, but it is also a great beer bar. That made me remember another great whiskey/beer bar: Twisted Spoke.

 

Staying in Roscoe Village (homeaway) for the second time in June. I've been to the Village Tap before and am looking forward to returning. Love that area in general.

 

tons of good spots within a mile or 2 of there as well.

 

Yeah, lots of stuff around there, and lots more within a 10-15 minute drive (kind of like michman said). Check out Riverview Tavern on Roscoe and Damen while you're there; extensive taplist, and a nice place with good food.

 

Great deck on a nice day, too.