Brand-New Bars
Need another reason to drink? How about a full roster of them? Just when you thought you had tabs on all the places to get a wet one, another Golden Tee machine is ordered, more Tanqueray is stocked and a new bar opens it doors. Here are some recent scene-joiners to add to your to-drink list, plus some that are on the way.
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Bottoms Up!
Get wild and crazy at The Zoo
The latest incarnation of what were once Twisted Spoke and Brody’s on Clark is an animal house of red neon lights, booze and beats - a happy medium between the countless sports bars and the trendy dance clubs that dominate Wrigleyville.
The music’s the thing at The Whistler
It’s a bar! It’s a music venue! It’s an art gallery! It’s a record label! It’s Logan Square?s latest addition to the local music and art scene, courtesy of Whistler Records founders Rob Brenner and Billy Hellenkamp. Kind of like an arty neighborhood bar, the Whistler’s atmosphere is hip but not quite hipster.
Grab a cocktail and Stay for a while
Chicago A-listers flock to the new late-night hang atop Manor, partly for the chic look and see-and-be-seen vibe and partly because of the strict no-pictures policy. Hi-Tops finds a new home
You may remember Hi-Tops as a sports bar/nightclub that brought Division and Rush Streets to Wrigleyville. Well, just like the girls you may have witnessed celebrating birthdays by grinding one another on elevated platforms, the bar grew up, relocating near DePaul in a much smaller site; the old space since became Harry Caray’s Tavern.
It’s good to be king at Club Royale
If the VIP-only entrance doesn’t make you feel downright regal, the drink menu will. Specialty cocktails like the Crimson Pear (Absolut Pears, Pama pomegranate liqueur and simple syrup garnished with a lemon twist) appeal to your sweet tooth, while a strong glass of Energy (Corzo Silver tequila, Midori, pineapple juice served with a generous dose of “G” Energy) keeps you going whether you’re dancing or issuing decrees.
Keep it simple at The Publican
The chic and spacious design that is a staple of this group’s other ventures (Blackbird, Avec) left the New York lights behind for a metropolitan tavern with a European feel. Wide windows, high loft ceilings and large open space balance with heavy tavern benches and standing room beer tables. There is something to crowd around, as the Publican bar serves more than a dozen beers on tap with a hundred more on the menu.
Take it to the top at Vertigo
Afraid of heights? Then you may want to avoid Vertigo, the sexy lounge perched atop the Dana Hotel and Spa. But you’d be missing out: this sky-high watering hole offers strong cocktails, breathtaking views of the city, and waitresses in skintight catsuits.
Beer up at Old Oak Tap
West Town residents and bar mavens, partners Chris and Susan Ongkiko and Amy Teri, have unveiled their latest development, and it’s filled with craft brews and ski-lodge-meets-castle decor.
Go back to the future at Redline Cafe
Iggys3 is officially no more, although it really hasn’t changed too much, despite the new name. Expect casual decor (no monkeys), a soundtrack full of rock and dance, plus tasty burgers, sandwiches, pasta dishes and salads.
Dive meets class in perfect harmony at Cat’s Meow
A neighborhood hang plops down on Chicago Avenue; whether you’re seeking food or booze, DJs or a jukebox, conversation or dancing, you can probably find it here.
Get your sport on at Logan Bar & Grill
Planned in the mold of the popular Northside Bar and Grill (which is owned by the same group), Logan brings an air of sportiness rarely seen in the Logan Square ‘hood. Debate the merits of the Square’s need for a sports bar, but you can’t argue against solid burgers and sandwiches and specials like New York Strip steak and asiago cheese-tossed linguini.
Get your fix at Addiction Sports Bar & Grill
In the space of the former Rushmore comes a brand new sports bar, one of only a few in West Town.
Sports and Irish mix at Sully’s House Tap Room & Grill
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: An Irish/sports bar in Chicago. But this one does it up right, and right in the middle of Old Town.
Have a beer on Bukowski at Chinaski’s
Don’t judge a book by its cover ? Chinaski’s is a work in progress. Resurrected from the grave of Whiskey Road, the newly opened bar keeps its doors open for the popular, cholesterol-laden all-you-can-eat bacon and movie nights on Mondays, open mic literary readings on Wednesdays and open mic stand-up comedy on Thursdays.
Find yourself some Religion in River North
Religion is ready to take its aim at the thriving pop and bottle service River North scene. They’ve got all the elements to compete with the established clubs: special guest DJs from LA and Vegas, a mostly female, seductively dressed clientele (if you’re not on someone’s guest list, cover is $10 for ladies and $20 for guys) and a 4.a.m. closing time.
Life is better on the rocks at Rocks Lakeview
A surprisingly solid food lineup can be had at this Lakeview spot, but the star of the show is the drinks. Pages of beers, wines and whiskeys steal the show. And you know how to drink your whiskey here: (wait for it) on the rocks.
Go Mediterranean in Lincoln Park at Aperitif 21
Looking for a casual yet classy place to get a few drinks and an appetizer without being bombarded by huge crowds or televisions everywhere you turn? This Euro-style bar and restaurant provides that escape among Lincoln Avenue’s busy sports-bar scene.
Go back in time at 1914
Red Ivy is behind this modern-day speakeasy. Well, more accurately, 1914 is actually behind Red Ivy (the only way into this hush little spot is through Red Ivy’s back door).
Rock out at Angels & Kings
Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz bring his upscale-dive concept home with a spot that’s twice as large (and appealing) as the original location on New York’s Lower East Side. Along with celeb mug-shots on the walls, there’s a DJ set six nights a week and a bunch of instruments on hand in case any rock stars decide to drop by.
Party saloon-style at The Pony
Belly up to the newest saloon in town. Unlike the Wild West, you’ll be surrounded with flat-screen TVs anywhere you turn. And don’t worry, they don’t actually serve pony here?just the biggest grilled cheese you’ll ever see.
A room with a C-View
Located on the 29th floor of Chicago’s newly renovated Affinia Hotel, this place offers something most hotel bars in the area don’t. That something is a killer view of the city’s skyline. And just in case you forget where you are the bar shakes up a cocktail to remind you. This signature “29th floor” tipple is mixed just as elegantly as the lounge’s posh crowd. But don’t be thrown-off by those donning ties and button-ups; it’s likely that they just haven’t had time to change before heading over for a post-work libation.
Crocodile
Faux-croc skin booths highlight this Bucktown hangout.
Alexandria Lounge & Grill
Taking over the former Starfish spot is this Middle Eastern-themed bar that will have DJs on weekends, a bumping dance floor all of the time and the potential for belly dancers. Consider us sold. Good times at Bar DeVille? Oui
Think French dive bar in the middle of West Town.
Wild Pug a toast to Oscar Wilde
The owners of Crew Bar + Grill expand their venture to open this dance pub in Uptown.
Still Sober
Edge
A great place for groups opens in Ukrainian Village this week.
Madpoison Ultra Lounge
This West Loop spot takes the “iBar” concept to the extreme, and opens sometime this winter.
Dirty
Ukranian Village’s newest bar looks to clean up starting later this fall.
Tiny Lounge
The North Center fave, which closed its doors when the CTA started its Addison Brown Line renovations, will re-open sometime this winter.
Loft Six Ten
Open late and with lounge-style seating, this Wicker Park spot will cater to everyone from decked-out nightcrawlers to local regulars when it opens this fall.
Bull & Bear
The owners of Stone Lotus bring an upscale sports bar to the River North neighborhood. Watch the game inside, or watch the people walking by on the spacious sidewalk cafe. Set to open this fall.
110 West
The beer’s the thing here, with more than 100 of ‘em on tap at this bar-lounge, set to open in January.
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With fall under way, it’s time to trade in your 312s for brewskis with a little more heft. Gourds, fruits, nuts?fall is the season when everything is in play; breweries up the ante on alcohol content, paying homage to grandma’s recipe box and churning out tiny harvests of artisan beer. Yet, despite the abundance of finely crafted autumnal brews, cooler temperatures bring with them hordes of college kids loading up on Busch and Bud multi-packs?a perversion that leaves true beer-lovers sorrowfully tearing up like the Native American in that old Keep America Beautiful ad. Let ‘em have their mass-produced swill?that means there are more of these seasonal gems for the rest of us.
Dogfish Head Punkin Ale (Delaware) at Hopleaf
To the bored youth of the least-remarkable state on the eastern seaboard, fall has always meant chilly nights of drinking beer and smashing pumpkins (hey, it beats cow tipping). Maybe this is how Delaware’s rebel brewery got the idea for Dogfish Head Punkin Ale ($6). Actually steeped in a blend of mashed-up pumpkins, this golden amber ale packs one hell of an aromatic punch. Brown sugar balances the spicy notes of clove, nutmeg and cinnamon, a mix that accounts for Punkin?s liquid-pie-in-a-bottle profile. Hefty enough to drink on its own, this brew also pairs well with slow-cooked foods, so hit up the Hopleaf menu for some robust lamb stew, roasted chicken or slow-roasted, bacon-wrapped rabbit leg.
Ska Buster Nut Brown Ale (Colorado) at Kuma’s Corner
Don’t worry if you can’t manage to string the words “buster” and “nut” together without a pornographic slip; the laid-back peeps at Kuma’s won’t mind. After all, any bar that shuns Budweiser for the true working man’s beer?PBR?isn’t going to judge you. When you crave a darker beverage, but aren’t quite ready for a stout, the full-bodied Buster Nut Brown Ale ($4) is your best friend. This dark brown brew is dominated by a nutty aroma and a toasted, saccharine-malt taste. Lively carbonation makes it the perfect match for Kuma’s trademark burgers; the apples, cranberries, bacon and walnuts that top the Judas Priest patty play up the fall flavors nicely.
Jolly Pumpkin Maracaibo Especial (Michigan) at Sheffield’s
If you want something a little more aligned with the cider-side of fall, but aren’t into the sweet stuff, Jolly Pumpkin’s got you covered. The first thing you’ll notice about this heavily carbonated libation is its zesty, sour aroma. Orange peel presides over low notes of baker’s chocolate and oak, making Maracaibo Especial drink more like a cider. Light enough to pair with any of Sheffield’s BBQ specials, this brew works as well for unseasonably warm nights as it does for crisp ones. This special dark brown ale comes in a 750-milliliter bottle, so bring a friend. For a cheaper option, Sheffield’s keeps a few goose-headed taps on hand, and Goose Island Harvest Ale ($3.50) doesn’t disappoint.
Lakefront Pumpkin Lager (Wisconsin) at Clark St. Ale House
Yeah, I know, I know, another pumpkin beer, but, hey, drink ‘em while you can. Lakefront’s Pumpkin Lager ($5) is a docile blend of the requisite spices (nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and clove), pumpkin mash and caramel malts tucked under a foamy, whipped head. The brewery helped spearhead the pumpkin-beer movement when co-owner Russ Klisch stumbled across a homebrew recipe of Thomas Jefferson’s. That was in 1989, when pumpkin beer hadn’t been around since before Prohibition, so Klisch brought it back, and it?s the only pumpkin lager made today?all the others are ales. The resulting smooth, light taste doesn’t overpower; you smell the pumpkin a whole lot more than you taste it.
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Repeal Day Party
Celebrate the 75th anniversary of Prohibition’s end indulging in ’20s and ’30s cocktails and menu items.