Chicago's Best Neighborhood Bar

Longtime Lincoln Park tavern attracts both new and old neighborhood patrons.

Reviews:

• “Great place ruined!”
• “Quintessential Neighborhood Bar!”
• “Totally lame bar”
• “Fun and friendly staff!”
• “go somewhere else”

Tips: While the bar doesn’t serve traditional bar food, frozen pizzas are cooked up in a toaster oven for those in a pinch.

Burwood Tap

Cheap but artsy bar that caters to creative types and jazz fans.

Reviews:

• “It’s hard to describe”
• “Comfy Cool”
• “white trash basement”

Tips: If you’re looking to hear some live licks, stop by on Sunday nights after 10pm, when a variety of bands set the mood with artistic improv jazz.

Hungry Brain

Select brews and a popular patio define this Lakeview Garden of Eden.

Reviews:

• “Good stuff! Chill place with nice staff and tasty food…”
• “Kick A$$ Beer Selection”
• ""
• “fun place, expensive beer”
• “Great Beer Great Staff”

Tips: On weekday afternoons when the weather is nice, expect the patio to fill by 6pm or 7pm. But there’s a constant ebb and flow, so you may not have to wait long to score an outside seat.

Sheffield’s Beer and Wine Garden

Convivial Lincoln Park hangout with a welcoming 30-something clientele as well as upscale food and drinks.

Reviews:

• “They take care of their patrons”
• “Manager”
• “Tremendous food”
• “You can’t go wrong here”
• “Great group place”

Tips: All appetizers are half-price from 5pm to 7:30pm Monday through Friday.

Four Farthings Tavern and Grill or email Four Farthings Tavern and Grill

Friendly Irish-flavored tap on the South Side.

Reviews:

• “best home town pub on the southside”
• “Great place to Go”
• “not for everybody”
• “Come for the beergarten”
• “Santa says ‘Oh Yeah!’”

Tips: Stop by after 5pm on Fridays, when free appetizers—including ribs or shish kabobs—are available to the hungry masses.

Cork & Kerry

Expansive microbrew selection draws varied crowd at this friendly bar.

Reviews:

• “Great Drink Specials, Friendly Service.”

Tips: When the Cubs are at home, the bar opens at 11am.

The Ashland

Elegant North Center restaurant creates imaginative upscale fare by tweaking Irish standards.

Reviews:

• “Consistently Good Food, Great Atmosphere”
• “irish food ? "
• “snvolt is a liar”
• “Ireland would not approve!”
• “A perfect 10! Excellent food, service, and atmosphere! "

Tips: The gorgeous bar, crafted from African teakwood, is worth a separate visit as much for its congeniality as its great draft and bottled beer choices from Ireland, Britain, Belgium and various American microbreweries.

Mrs. Murphy and Son’s Irish Bistro or email Mrs. Murphy and Son’s Irish Bistro

This River North spot draws a Merchandise Mart crowd for salads, sandwiches, steaks and after-work cocktails.

Reviews:

• “ATTENTION ALL CARNIVORES… STEAK ALERT …..STEAK ALERT…..”
• “This is a Steak House????”
• “Just Another Steak House”
• “Our New Favorite Place!”
• “Totally Average!!!”

Tips: Party rooms and customized menus are available for large groups, as well as office catering. Call the event coordinator (312) 543-4405 to set something up.

Kinzie Chophouse or email Kinzie Chophouse

Gold Coast hangout glams up dive-bar style.

Reviews:

• “Great Thursday night discovery”
• “Cool place, very smoker unfriendly ibn the wintertime”
• “Rude and Pretentious”
• “Packed”
• “unpretentious”

Tips: A variety of drink packages and catering options are available for private parties of up to 200 people.

Elm St. Liquors or email Elm St. Liquors

This Lakeview bar offers a menu with American comfort food favorites, fireplace seating and games room for serious pool players.

Reviews:

• “Bar that knows their beers”
• “Good hangout”

Black Rock Pub & Kitchen or email Black Rock Pub & Kitchen

This Texas roadhouse theme bar in Ravenswood comes with barbecue, Lone Star beer and live country music.

Reviews:

• “Tuesday Night Delight”
• “Wings and Beer”
• “Yeee Haww!”

Tips: On live music nights, you’ll hear what’s happening on stage everywhere; even the bathrooms have speakers.

Horseshoe

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