Downtown Chicago for one afternoon

Haymarket I don't think is too far. But, Monk's has amazing food and always a great selection of beer overall.

 

I'm always a big proponent of Haymarket, since they have excellent beer (their own) and food.


You could also hit Au Cheval, which, while not a bar (it's a diner) has a great beer list and is consistently said to have one of the best burgers in the country (get there at 11 am if you want to get a seat, though).

 

You could also try Centennial. The selection is not otherwordly, but has some ok options and usually a few local selections (can usually find 3 floyds, half acre, revolution, off color, etc.), and the food is good.

 

Haymarket is probably a 15 min Uber ride from your hotel. If you go there you can walk down Randolph and check out Cruz Blanca as well. Green Street Smoked Meats is also a block away and they usually have some interesting stuff on tap. Also, Lone Wolf opens at 4pm and they always seem to have some good Three Floyds stuff on.

For closer options, Timothy O'Toole's, Monk's Pub, and Miller's Pub are all within a 10-15 min walk.

 

second this. centennial's beer list is getting better and the food is 10x better than monk's.

ironside also has better than average pub fare with a very solid beer list.

 

If you want to easily walk somewhere from that location, I'd chime in with the others suggesting Centennial. O'Toole's will probably have a deeper beer list, but the food is not the greatest.

 

I have liked O'Toole's food actually, so I might recommend that. I would've said Monk's, but it sounds like the tap list isn't that good now. I'd say Haymarket is also a good choice.

 

To be fair, the Monk's tap list is good. But not for what he is looking for (local friendly).

 

The Randolph/Fulton market (where the Hay market is)is the best place overall. I would recommend Green Street Smoked Meats. GREAT BBQ, some eclectic brands of beers. They play full vinyl records.
Very cool.