Chicago is a city that knows how to have a good time, and its bar scene is no exception. In this blog category, we’ll take you on a tour of the city’s best bars, dives, and cocktail lounges, showcasing the unique drinks and atmospheres that make Chicago’s drinking culture so special. From classic taverns and speakeasies to trendy rooftop bars and craft cocktail joints, we’ll explore the diverse range of options available for anyone looking to raise a glass and enjoy a night out in the Windy City.
Emporium Arcade Bar fuses retro with modern in a harmoniously entertaining way. Some of you may have been born slightly too late to remember the days when arcades were a place that you wanted to go almost as badly as you wanted to go to Disney World (those commercials...
Chicago is an epicenter of the music scene in this day and age. Any band worth their salt knows that if they’re going on a nationwide tour they need to get to the Windy City at least once. Chicagoans are a diverse musical crowd and there are plenty of places...
There seems to be more and more bars catching onto the notion that sometimes it’s nice to do more at a bar than just drink. Below, we have listed a number of bars with outdoor games in Chicago. Pretty much all of these options are only available spring through fall–...
Wine is good, beer is even better, but sometimes nothing quite does it like a quality crafted cocktail. Fortunately, there are plenty of fantastic cocktail bars Chicago can choose from. Chicago is equipped with venues of ultimate sophistication and class, to dive bars...
Chicago breweries produce some of the best and most unique beer in the land. Beer is a nectar that has the power to not only tantalize tastebuds, but also to bring people together. These breweries produce some of the most popular in Chicago. While not all of them are...
The Spirit of Italy is a group of Italian liquor producers made up of Amaro Lucano, Cocchi, Luxardo, Distillerie Moccia, Distilleria Nardini, Pallini, Toschi and Distilleria Varnelli. They feature a diverse selection of high quality Italian liquors, some of which have...
Bloody Marys are one of those drinks that can made in many different way– which is why people have such split reviews on bars and restaurants that serve them. Some like it spicy, some mild and don’t get me started with garnishes. Every place listed is notable in their...
When you combine the Chicago Beer scene with the equally phenomenal Coffee scene– great things happen to your mouth. Some coffee infused beers are served year ’round, such as Aquanaut Brewing, but most tend to be seasonal and available in the colder months of the...
With its rusted metal exterior and a revolving skeleton motorcycle rider atop a ‘garden’ of motorcycle parts, Twisted Spoke may seem a little intimidating upon first glance. While biker-themed, the bar attracts a wide range of customers to its easily...
Chicago’s craft beer explosion is showing no signs of slowing down with more and more breweries opening every month. The days when Goose Island was nearly the only game in town are easy to remember, but in just a few years it’s nearly impossible to keep...
The World Cup is not something to take lightly – it is for worldwide bragging rights after all. The right venue can make all the difference, much like lucky underwear. The Chicago soccer bars are just as stoked about the World Cup as you are! If you are wandering in...
St. Patrick’s Day is a big event in Chicago, and to help you celebrate, the Luck of the Irish in Chicago, we’ve assembled a Top 10 list, with a little something for everyone! From authentic, to affordable, this list has it all! Top 10 Irish Pubs Chicago...
When thinking of Illinois, you may think craft breweries and distilleries– but probably not wineries. You have been missing out. To get the full experience you must go beyond just wine tasting Chicago areas– the best experiences are at the actual Illinois wineries. ...
It’s clear with a name like “Coconutz” the owner’s of the Gold Coast’s newest bar don’t take themselves too seriously. Taking influences from traditional Tiki Bars, which has made a major comeback in recent years– and the Caribbean, Coconutz promises fun and the...
From the hustle and bustle in the city of Chicago, we all need a little caffeine to keep us going. From an extra perk to get us through the day, to a latte to warm us up, to using a coffee shop as a get-a-way from our normal routine. These are the top Chicago coffee...
Memorial Day in Chicago is the perfect time to kick off summer. The weather is typically on the up and up, the beaches are open and the parks are freshly green. If you find yourself hungry, thirsty or in need of some entertainment this Memorial Day weekend, these...
Let me start off defending the article title. I am aware that there is such a thing as decaf coffee. However, when I began writing this article at 6:30am after pulling an all nighter, decaf was the furthest thing from my mind. Without further ado. Coffee Fest Chicago...
For years, Rush Street and Division Street in Chicago’s swanky Gold Coast neighborhood has been a popular hangout for all sorts of crowds, especially on the weekends. On any given night, you can count on plenty of partying alongside college kids, bachelor and...
Some traditions require you to sit in the exact same spot on your couch if you want your team to trump the competition’ others require one of the Chicago sports bars packed with familiar colors. Many bars are equipped with NFL Sunday Ticket, which will expand...
Open since 2012, Municipal Bar + Dining Co is a sports bar and restaurant located in Chicago’s River North, not far from Merchandise Mart. While the area already has its share of sports bars, Municipal is a bit more upscale than its rivals, quite spacious, and does...
Wandering through the boutiques that make up LuxeHome (website), on the first floor of Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, you didn’t know what you’d find. Tucked away in model bathrooms, kitchens with Wi-Fi ready refrigerators, and next to paint...
Holidays in the city are nothing short of pure entertainment’ that of course includes a Chicago 4th of July weekend! Celebrate this grand country’s independence at any (or all) of these locations around Chicago. Whether you are looking to eat and drink inside or...
Going out for a night on the town is what most people look forward to all week. The only thing better than that is a night out above the town! Chicago’s summer weather should be enjoyed to the fullest while it is around. Outdoor seating with a skyline view can really...
My best friend and I went out last night to a small pub I had wanted to visit for a long time. It’s classic, cozy, and even haunted! The Red Lion Pub in Lincoln Park is full of Chicago history and is a must-see for history buffs and ghost-seekers. There are several...
Some days nothing kickstarts you like a hearty meal accompanied by a little champagne and orange juice. That means that one of the bottomless mimosas Chicago brunches is literally calling your name! There are a handful of solid options that will help you get your fix...
On May 16, 2015, Bucktown neighborhood bar Lottie’s Pub celebrated an incredible 81 years in business. While the sports dive now seems like an outlier in the gentrified neighborhood, the pub was packed with people enjoying .81 cent burgers and beers and generally...
Super Bowl is always a bittersweet event. The entirety of a season’s battles, trash talking and celebrations come down to this very day. It can be joyous, even if your team isn’t in the running for World Champions. It’s the perfect day for camaraderie. On the flip...
Chicago distilleries are at the forefront of micro-distillation. With establishments ranging from very traditional to modern influenced, each and every distillery has something unique to offer. On top of just enjoying their bottled spirits, the majority of the...
I’ve been traveling outside of Chicago quite a bit lately. That is precisely why I felt the need to tap back into the city a little when I returned from my hiatus in December. I’m that guy that orders friends a shot of Malort if they’ve never had it before– heck, I...
As I approached Tradition, I thought to myself ‘oh no, not another sports bar.’ Not that there’s anything wrong about sports bars, but they can be very similar: sports memorabilia, dozens of flat screens, and pretty good burgers. Fortunately,...
It was a brisk winter morning when I found myself wandering down a sidewalk in River North on the way to meet up with a buddy that I hadn’t seen in years. I had been running on Starbucks drip-coffee for days because of the convenience factor, but I was starting to go...
Hot days spent on the beach, water, wandering downtown, or bbq’n is what many Chicagoans look forward to the most each year. It is hard to deny that when thirst comes into play, a good brew satisfies like nothing else. With many breweries in the area, Chicago beer...
Many times when travelers are visiting Chicago and staying in hotels near O Hare Airport or the Rosemont Commercial District, they wind up visiting bars either at the airport, in their hotels or the commercial district very close by. They never venture out to...
If you closely skim this article, you may notice that it is listed under the Entertainment category. That is because Jeppson’s Malort is not traditionally used for any other reason than as a tool to make your friends cringe (and potentially vomit) while everyone else...
Up a secretive set of stairs at Little Goat, the casual sibling restaurant of Girl & the Goat, lies a gorgeous private dining space featuring a sleek, modern kitchen, a homey and bright dining area, accompanied by a rooftop area with a gorgeous view of the...
Whether headed to the office or coming into town for a day of sightseeing, most Chicagoans get by with a cup, or five, of coffee. With temperatures this summer regularly reaching 90 degrees, it’s definitely iced coffee season. However, if you’re in the River North...