Best Chicago Beer Bars

There are just so many. I'm partial to Local Option, but others may not care for it for some reason (I think there are instances of some attitude from employees, but I haven't experienced that). Others are Hopleaf, Links, Haymarket, Fountainhead (I've never been) and Fischman, which is closing in July. You can also hit Goose Island Clybourn (as well as Binny's across the street that has it's own bar with good stuff usually available), Revolution, Half Acre, Lagunitas, etc.

 

Croush gave you a great starter list. My sole experience at Fountainhead left me wishing they had more hoppy beers but that was a one visit sample. If I were you I'd look into combos like the north side visit to HopLeaf and a brewery like Half Acre

 

Croush covered most of them. If I had to choose where I was going in June (in order): Fischman's, Hop Leaf, Fountainhead and Northdown Taproom. Fischman's is closing down in July so better hit that up before it's gone.

If you're looking for good beer and food (burger place specifically) combo, original Kuma's Corner is a place you want to look into.

 

I'm partial to the Map Room for a variety of reasons. I think their tap list is a nice combination of Belgians and local (Great Lakes) breweries that I may not be familiar with and the occasional highly sought after releases. It's a nice change up from the hoppier stuff I usually drink at home. Plus, it's just a cool, laid back, unpretentious (imo) beer bar. I stopped in there as a n00b one weekday afternoon with my dad who was visiting from KC and had a couple beers before his flight back home. Every time I stopped in after that I was asked how my dad was doing. Just the right combo of good beers and neighborhood-y setting for me.

 

I was going to mention this as well, but wasn't sure if OP was looking for more of a bar. But, if you want some food (in particular, a burger) with great beer, you will not regret going to Kuma's.

 

You might also went to tell us where you'll be staying, so that we can give you more specific local choices (if applicable). For example, I'd say hit up The Green Lady and/or Northdown Taproom if you're in Lakeview.

 

Local Option is my favorite, not just because it is right down the block from me but the tap list is top-notch, diverse, and always changing. The tortilla chips and steak tacos are also unreal.

Also awesome are Map Room and HopLeaf for beer bars

If brewery tap rooms are also being considered my order would be (1) lagunitas, (2) revolution, (3) half acre

 

On top of the places mentioned I'll add:

Quenchers
Maria's Community Bar
Duseks
Kaiser Tiger
Bangers & Lace
Smallbar

If I could only go one place, my fav is HopLeaf, followed by Local Option.

 

Another one that is not the best, but often overlooked and may be of interest, is the Green Eye literally right off the Western Blue Line stop. They frequently have Zombie Dust on tap and a fresh Pipeworks release on tap or in cans.

EDIT: $25 min on cards there.

 

My go-to has been Local Option for years. They always have great beer on, and I love the food.

 

Bad Apple is at the same intersection as Half Acre, and has a great selection of beers and awesome burgers.

 

Sheffields

 

What about bars (or craft beer bars with food) near O'Hare? Or bars in suburbs like Elmhurst, Park Ridge, Naperville, Hinsdale etc. I will be in Chicago on a house hunting trip in the burbs next month and looking for a couple good craft beer bars out in the burbs to relax in during my trip.

 

I won't bother to reiterate the good choices noted above, but I will add Clark Street Ale House as a good spot in the otherwise touristy area of River North. They have a solid and rotating list, and keep pretty up to date on beermenus

 

In the city proper. Many of the better options are already listed. Several of the breweries also offer taprooms. Without knowing specifics, we can send you all over the place.

 

Bavarian Lodge in Lisle has great food and a great beer list.

Tap House Grill is a chain with man suburban locations, and can be pretty good.

Shoeless Joe's is right by O'Hare and has pretty good food & beer.

 

In La Grange/Brookfield there is Wild Monk, Palmer Place, and Brixies. Between the 3, there is pretty good coverage of US craft beer in a small area.

 

Palmers carries BCBS Rare bottles for $125 per bottle.
Harry's Sports Bar in Countryside has a wide selection too. Heading there tonite for a Straight Jacket bomber.

 

Man, I remember when Harry's used to make the best pizza in Chicagoland, back when it was Alfredo's!

Burger Antics in Brookfield is totally worth your time. A dozen well-chosen taps and better burgers than Kuma's.