Headed to Chicago next week...any recommendations?

Also Bangers & Lace and Jerry's, although weird at times, does tend to have some good stuff. Emporium (Beercade) is right there as well. Do yourself a favor and get a taco from Big Star (cash only) or Antique Taco if you're in the area.

 

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/chicago-trip.352726/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/advice-on-some-brewery-visits-chicago.362546/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/breweries-in-chicago.351007/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/chicago-trip-advice.339394/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/chicago-recommendations.337960/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/chicago-visit.335643/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/chicago-area-beer-trip.325628/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/trip-to-chicago-for-the-4th.309193/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/communi...o-for-a-long-weekend-what-must-we-hit.306912/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/chicago-beer-suggestions.306264/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/chicago-illinois-trip-does-my-list-look-good.301992/
http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/bar-brewery-advice-in-chicago.292012/

 

Map Room started taking cards last year sometime, FYI.

All of the recommendations so far have been really great. There's so much to do that you'd need a pretty long trip to fit it all in, so you might want to choose based on geography.

Hopleaf remains my favorite beer bar in the city objectively, though Map Room will always be my sentimental favorite because it's really where I developed my love for beer.

If you go to Hopleaf, though it's no beer mecca, the Green Mill is really worth a stop for any out-of-towner.

 

Don't hold your breath, but I've had OG Vanilla, Bramble and some other amazing things at Jerry's in Andersonville which is a block or two north of Hopleaf. Hopleaf is mostly Belgium stuff, but still solid beers and amazing mussels.

 

Also, next week will be Half Acre's first full week of serving food. Slipping in for a pint or a flight could take more time than before the kitchen opened.

 

Local Option is hosting an event on Sunday. Good chance there will be some solid leftovers for you to feast on early in the week. Keep an eye on the beermenu: http://localoptionbier.com/beer/

Here is the event listing: http://www.beeradvocate.com/events/info/77473/

Enjoy your stay in Chicago.

 

Many good recs here, I'm gonna throw the west loop option in the hat.

All sharing one intersection you've got Haymarket (great brewpub and maybe the most underrated/underhyped beer in Chicago), Au Cheval (one of the best burgers in town and a decent-to-good tap list) and Lone Wolf (bar next to Au Cheval which always has Zombie Dust and other FFF on tap - in case you're looking to try that). If you want to get an early start, Little Goat is also right there and has a great brunch. Within a couple blocks of those you've got Green Street Smoked Meats (good but not great BBQ), Avec and The Aviary (both similar - a little swanky, good for an app/cocktail), The Publican (fantastic dinner spot - great food and always a good beer list). Then a little further there's the new Goose Island on Fulton where you'll likely find some type of BCS variant on tap.

You can easily spend an entire day just within those couple blocks without ever getting bored, drinking great beer and eating great food. It's one of my go-tos when friends from out of town are visiting.

Regardless of what you decide, there's really no way to have a bad time vacationing in Chicago unless you actively try to be miserable. Hope you enjoy the trip, cheers!

 

Some great ideas here.

Chicago's a city of neighborhoods and Drucifer's post gets you to a couple of areas with a solid return on investment of time in getting there.

 

Just FYI, Lone Wold often, but not always, has Zombie Dust. The last two times I have been, it has not been on. But Lone Wolf is fun, always has several FFF beers, and as you note is located super well for other spots. It's also right by Haymarket, who makes really solid beer and also often has interesting guest stuff on tap.

Hopleaf is the only bar I've seen that seems to have Zombie Dust on all the time, though there may be others I don't know about.

 

Go to Maria's in Bridgeport. I don't normally advocate going anywhere where hipsters are, but Maria's is worth it.

 

Also a great spot, but a little far from all the other craft spots. If you are able to make it down to Maria's, it should be mentioned that Pleasant House next door has pretty damn good food and will walk it over to you at Maria's. Maria's also has a liquor store attached to it, but the prices are a little high.

 

Why do you feel that way? Not saying I agree, or disagree, just curious.

 

The amazing thing about Maria's being in Bridgeport is it can be less of a cluster than other spots. Amazing place.

 

Loads of great advice here - I'll be in the city next month for a couple days. 10/17-10/20. I'll be downtown (don't know what else to call it) in a hotel near 200 S Wacker Drive. My girl has to be there for work, so I'll have all day to myself. I don't know the city at all. Just found out we're going and I'm dipping my toes in the water. Was hoping I could catch a Cubs game - but I don't know how post-season is going to play out. Hope I'm close to a lot of great stuff. Cheers!

 

Good luck with Cubs tix during that time as that would be the NLCS and tickets will be VERY expensive!! Good thread below about the area you are staying in.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...weekend-what-must-we-hit.306912/#post-3801061

 

Thanks for the help, man! I got a couple "why don't you search old threads you lazy fuck" posts in other forums. I hate that shit. If you don't want to help, don't help. But don't put me down for asking. I'm in Charlotte, close to Asheville - our brewing scene is world class. I never tire of answering questions because I'm proud of my part of the country and I like turning folks on to good beer. Okay - stepping down from the soapbox now.

As for tix - yeah - I'm sure they'd be obscene - but I've never been in the stadium, and it's storied, and what a way to see it for the first time. Plus - saw the Sox play the Yanks a few years back at Fenway. Paid way too much - but they won the world series that year. The Cubs need me! Seriously though, if the tix are too much - is there a famous Cubs bar nearby I could venture to, to be part of the experience?

Again - thanks for the help!!!!

 

The whole area surrounding Wrigley (and inside Wrigley itself) is pretty much a famous Cubs bar. Murphy's, Cubby Bear, Sports Corner, Slugger's, Bernie's, and probably 10-15 more. The bars are literally everywhere around the stadium.

 

Interesting. I was sitting here on Monday debating these two places, but the last time I went to 18th the food was not good, service sucked and the beer was just okay on a dead Sunday afternoon...so I chose FFF for lunch since I hadn't been there in awhile.

Boy, was that the right move! Had to wait a bit to get a seat at the bar, but they had me stand at a table and a gal brought over a beer for me. Seated shortly thereafter and order the hot chicken sandwich and I still can't stop thinking about it! To top it off, they had Dark Lord on tap. And I've not ever seen the "attitude" at this place that others frequently see.

My overall beef with 18th, outside of the poor service/food last time is that they tend to have 90% IPA/PA/IIPAs on tap, a couple of Sour/Gose and maybe one other type of beer (porter, stout). Fine if you're into various PAs or Sour/Gose, but I'm over them at the moment or not ever into them (sours).

My point, if choosing between the two, the food and beer selection is far superior at FFF.

 

there are actually a couple of options near your hotel that arent terrible. Check out Jackson Tavern at 216 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60606. Also Franklin tap is literally a block away from there at 325 S Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606. You will find some good beers at both and they are a 5 min walk from your hotel. otherwise you are close to the west loop with a bunch of options. haymarket, au cheval, publican, green street meats.

Wrigleyville in itself is probably the "famous" bar you are looking for. if you pop in any of the "bro" sports bars around there you will get the picture/vibe. i have lived in the area for over a dozen years and honestly wouldnt say one really stands out. maybe murphys or cubby bear or sluggers. i dunno. they are all the same. you are better off taking a 10 min walk south on sheffield and go to Sheffields at the corner of school st. IMO one of the best beer bars in chicago and has a great little outdoor space if you can get in there on a game day. they have a cask handpull, tons of taps and bottles. also very passable BBQ.

have fun in chicago.