Depends on what you are looking for. Do you want wings and sports? Jake Melnick's is a pretty solid place right off the mile (pricey, but the wings are great), or Timothy O' Toole's. Those two aren't earth shattering, but they get the job done. Monk's is also good for a cool atmosphere (but it can be crowded). Villain's is supposed to be good, haven't been there though. There's also the Clark Street Ale House, and in a pinch, Rock Bottom off Grand is in River North. Make sure you hit Haymarket if you are going to be down that way and haven't already. It's not far west out of the loop.
Miller's Pub is an old-school place, but has great food and a solid draft/bottle/can list. www.millerspub.com
Villains is awesome and I highly recommend. Very cool vibe and fantastic beer list. the burgers are outstnading as well. Farmhouse is right around the corner from my office and I go there frequently, but it's not a standing bar so if all the seats are being used you are kind of out of luck. Again, great food and all the beer is from the Midwest. There is a new joint that opened up on Clark in River North called Stout Barrelhouse and while it is very trendy with expensive food they usually have decently priced good craft beers (BCBS on tap for $8 10oz. pour a couple months back) Hope that helps!
Villains has shut down following a dispute with their landlord, unfortunately. I live in California not Chicago, so if somebody has more current information feel free to correct me. I hope they can find a new space. Always enjoyed the food and the beer selection there, and it was one of the few craft beer options in the South Loop.
Yep, Villains closed about a month ago. I, too, heard about a beef with the landlord. More like assholelord.
Twisted Spoke has a great tap list and often some good big beers. at grand and Ogden or the Publican, who is having a bunch of special tappings this coming week. I'll be there for Against The Grain on wednesday. You can hit them in the same trip as the Haymarket. all close Just
