$1 tacos, $3 Reggie’s vodka cocktails, half-price drafts
Food specials are dine-in only.
Hambingo
Drag diva Velicity Metropolis calls out numbers at this R-rated bingo night which benefits a rotating roster of charities.
Burkauskas’ Burger Class
Executive chef Mike Burkauskas demonstrates how to prepare the bar’s signature beef, turkey and veggie burgers. Includes sliders and beer.
Brand-New Bars
Pour Drinks & Eats
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!
Take it outside at Pour Drinks & Eats
As heavenly as the idea of beer gardens sounds, so few places get it right. Joe Parra, the general manager of this Lakeview spot, took the garden concept up a notch with moody lighting, cozy seating, flat screens and a thought-out menu of affordable fares.
Fountainhead is a welcome addition
Expect better-than-bar food options from the menu of this gastropub on the border of Lincoln Square and North Center, and a quality beer list headed by Phil Kuhl, of Sheffield’s “Beer School” fame.
Punk and porn at The Shady Lady
Those that know comeback nightlife impresario Dion Antic (Iggy’s, Harry’s Velvet Room) shouldn’t be surprised with this latest rock-sideshow project, curtained in tasseled lamps and vintage porn. The punk-themed bar takes over the former Garrett Ripley’s space.
Spring break every day at Dos Gringos Trailer Park
The party scene in Wrigleyville gets a Mexican flavor at this colorful new bar in the old Houndstooth Saloon spot. Expect the shots of tequila to flow before and after Cubs games, as this bar’s motto is “Where Wrigleyville meets Cancun.”
Fly away at Wrigleyville Wild Wings
The former Fly Me To the Moon has morphed into this wings-and-beer bar in the heart of Cubs territory. Beers are plentiful and dining options are pretty straight-forward: Get the wings.
Blue Star Wine Bar keeps a low profile
Nestled amidst the highway, a gas station, and a bevy of churches, Blue Star Wine Bar is either a hidden gem or a secret lair, depending on how you look at it. Get wine, microbrews and Mediterranean cuisine in the former Ark Cafe space in Noble Square.
A slice of Ireland at The Temple Bar
Named after a popular pub in Dublin’s nightlife quarter, Lakeview’s Temple Bar just may prove itself to be as infamous as the original. A vibrant red exterior beckons passersby and a bustling 90-seat outdoor patio makes for a tempting spot to kick back with a cold one. During the winter months, a dark-wood interior is just as inviting, with long high-top tables that seat six, and cozy two-person booths tucked way in the back.
It’s a great year for Vintage 338
Father-and-son team Tom and Christopher Barkulis fashioned their Lincoln Park wine bar after the small venues they visited during their worldly travels. The space, which seats about 30, echoes that of a quaint European restaurant and offers just as much charm.
Get dolled up at Beauty Bar
With locations in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas (just to name a few) it was high time for Chicago to join the ranks of this chic concept bar. The bar known for its “martinis and manicures” opens Sonotheque space, offering up chic cocktails for the mostly female crowd.
Achtung! Uberstein opens in Wicker Park
The popular Wrigleyville bar gets a second location on North Avenue. Expect the same German beer offerings (in liter and half-liter steins) along with an expanded menu that goes beyond the sausage and pretzel offerings of the original.
Live music rules Club Blujazz
Nightly performances highlight this Wicker Park music lounge, run by guitarist Greg Pasenko and his wife, violinist Diane Delin, who are behind the Blujazz record label.
Sake rules at Masu Izakaya
This Japanese-style after-work bar opens in the former Minnies space in Lincoln Park. The izakaya is a traditional place for Japanese businessmen to unwind after work. This place stays true to that, offering Sapporos and sake to go along with small plates and sushi to eat.
Houndstooth Saloon gets even more southern
The popular Wrigleyville spot moves a block south — fitting since it’s probably the only Southern-themed bar in the neighborhood. Country music dominates, but Cubs fans feel right at home with plenty of TVs, beers and bar food options.
Clear your conscience at Gilt Bar
Brendan Sodikoff’s simple, fun restaurant in the old Aigre Doux space opens in River North. Chandelier lighting gives the place an old-timey feel, and compliments the cocktail and martini list.
Sip and sample in Lakeview at Cuna
Sip signature cocktails while noshing on an eclectic selection of flatbreads (don’t miss the sausage, grapes and goat cheese version), soups and salads, and “small bites” to share in Lakeview.
Harry Caray’s takes over Navy Pier
It’s a meeting of the minds for two of the biggest tourist attractions in the city, as the venerable bar opens up shop along the boardwalk at Navy Pier. Sip on a Budweiser while watching the Cubbies and dining on Harry’s famed burger bar.
A bigger version of Small Bar in Lincoln Park
The third outpost of popular bar hits Lincoln Park. Order off the same extensive beer menu as the other locations, and head upstairs to the picnic table-style seats to get a bird’s-eye view of the crowd.
Barely Buzzed
Jimmy Green’s Bar & Grill
This self-described “all-American sports bar” serves up everything from pizza to hummus in the South Loop.
Kingsbury Hall
This bar/music club hosts regular DJ events (including the Vibe on Saturday nights) in the old Crobar space.
Beer
Guess what this Lakeview bar (in the former space of short-lived spots like Purple Haze and Purgatory Pizza) serves?
The Vault
This “upperground lounge” above Vivo offers cocktails, personal pizzas and more in an old bank vault.
Sports Corner
The previously torn down Sports Corner gets new life on Addison and Sheffield, just steps from Wrigley Field. The three-story homage to all things baseball (and Cubs) will clear out after the games are over for a huge dance party.
Blue Frog 22
Kick back and have some fun at this River North spinoff of the popular Blue Frog Bar & Grill that looks more like a basement rec room. Board games and karaoke rule this bar.
Still Sober
Vintage Lounge
Expect a pool table, weekend DJs and a menu full of burgers at this Little Italy bar, opening late May or early June.
The Boiler Room
It’s all about beer and pizza at this spot from the folks behind Simone’s Bar, opening in Logan Square in June.
Moe’s Cantina (River North)
The popular Wrigleyville bar plans to open a River North outpost in June.
Exchange Urban Hang Suite
Head to this South Side for a night of bottle service or just to chill on the outdoor deck - beginning sometime in June.
Cork & Kerry at the Park
The popular Beverly bar plans to open a new location just a few blocks from U.S. Cellular Field in Bridgeport, in June.
Chizakaya
Adding to the growing izakaya (Japanese small plates bars) trend is this Lakeview spot. Opening in June, expect Japanese food without the sushi — ramen, udon, yakitori.
Blokes & Birds
This British-themed bar in Wrigleyville plans to offer communal seating, 20-plus beers on tap (including many American craft brews), pool tables and more, beginning late June.
Wolcott’s
Grab a local beer or martini and order up from the menu full of comfort food favorites at this quaint Lincoln Square bar, opening early summer. There will be TVs to watch the game and a patio coming in the summer.
Haymarket Pub & Brewery
Rock Bottom brewmaster Pete Crowley is leaving his post to open this West Loop brewpub sometime this summer.
The Bar 10 Doors
This Little Italy bar opens sometime this summer.
Tantrik
Get sensual at this new River West club, opening later this year.
The folks behind Bull & Bear and Stone Lotus will be opening a similar spot in the former Redfish space at 400 N. State St., sometime in the summer.
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