Best bars in Chicago

I am looking for really cool, well-balanced bars in Chicago: enough local feel, enough character, really (really) good pub food, but also a lot of fun and original things to do (games, promotions, bar snacks, events, etc.).

I'm also a huge sports fan, so a good number of TVs is a must; but I don't like super-loud places but rather well-managed sound. Oh, and if I can get a decent glass of wine once in awhile, it would be a huge plus.

Ideas? What kinds of places/things have you seen, forum?

These are the two best beer bars in the city:
http://www.maproom.com/ No food, but they've got TVs.
http://www.hopleaf.com Probably the best bar food in Chicago IMHO.

BEER!

really cool, well-balanced bars

a good number of TVs

At least to me, these two statements seem at odds, especially in the city proper, where bars are more valued for individual quirks - one achieves a "balance" by visiting multiple locations within a single evening.

Among my favorites: Kuma's, The Gage, Poag Mahone's, and even Laschet's all have top food, excellent beers, a glass of wine if you need it, and at least a single TV, but you would never go to any of these for the television, since it's too loud to hear anything and the vibe is at the table / floor / bar level. Hopleaf, Duke of Perth, and Map Room each used to have a single TV on the entryway side of the bar, but I believe all three have since removed the units. Other places I frequent (Club Bars like Metro, Empty Bottle, Schuba's, Elbo Room) have neither TV nor food, but great crowds, and can have their intimate moments before and after sets.

On the flipside, finding a sports bar ("good number of TVs") with an engaging, food, and quality brews and wines is tough. Other than the McPubs (Rock Bottom, Dave and Buster's, Seven Ten, Lucky Strike, dare I say one or more of the Goose Island / Cubby Bear locations), I think your best bet might be an independent like Gamekeeper's ( http://www.gamekeeperschicago.com/).

My most hated category of Chicago bars: white karaoke (Howl at the Moon, Trader Todd's).

I tend not to go to bars to watch sports on tv. If I did, though, one place I'd go is Piece.

They brew their own beer and make excellent New Haven-style pizza. There are plenty of tv's around the bar area (not as many around the restaurant seating area). No clue about wine there.

Piece
1927 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
http://www.piecechicago.com/

The Map Room still has the TV, they've got one on either end of the bar.
What if any neighborhood did you have in mind? Maybe we could be more specific.

Maproom is the best bar in Chicago for beer. That being said its not the best sports bar and they dont have food, aside from Mr. Tamales (The tamale man that makes frequent stops inside to slang some fairly good tamales). All that being said they still have TV's (more than one) and the owner is a big Chicago sports fan, so sports are always on, me and him have drowned our sorrow in more than a few cold ones watching the Misera-Bull's this year (would you believe the owner of the best beer bar always drinks Heineken?)

Glascott's groggery sounds like the type of spot you might be looking for. They offer food from Athenian Room next door. Great burgers and gyro's and such

http://www.glascotts.com/default.php

Pint, Lincoln Tavern, Bucktown Pub, Lotties, De Lux, Matchbox/ Silver Palm, although TV is rarely on.

Coq D'or, Four Seasons Lounge, Underground Wonderbar, Pump Room bar, Zebra Lounge(sans frat culture)

Quenchers. They have an excellent selection in bottles and rotate their taps regularly with some tasty microbrews and Belgians. I am usually able to find something by Great Lakes on draught there -- last time it was the Edmund Fitzgerald porter which is so thick, it never fails to remind me of soy sauce. I've been drinking a lot of Czech pilsners lately and fortunately, they have Staropramen on tap, an excellent example of the breed -- the epitome of crispness and balance. They typically also have an el cheapo bottle from some far flung corner of the world. I sampled an Indian brew (whose name escapes my beer-addled brain) for under two bucks that wasn't half-bad.

As for food, their menu is limited to what can be contrived in a toaster oven, albeit one with a conveyer belt. Good bets are the garbage nachos or tater tots. If you happen to be deep in your cups (and light in your pockets), may I recommend the polish sausage, which can be had for ~$3. It will provide you with some emergency ballast late in the evening. However, nothing in their repertoire could possibly compare with the smoky offerings of Honey 1 BBQ, a scant half-block away. They have live music on the weekends

WARNING: Cash bar only!

Quenchers Saloon
Fullerton & Western
773-276-9730

titus wong wrote:...Honey 1 BBQ, a scant half-block away

More like a half mile. Which could be an important distinction, depending on the weather and how much you've imbibed at Quenchers. If dry on both counts, it's a healthy but quick and pleasant walk.

titus wong wrote:Quenchers.
WARNING: Cash bar only!

I wish I could understand this. Quenchers would have plenty more of my hard-earned dollars if I could run a CC tab. I'm sure they have their reasons, but they escape me.

whiskeybent wrote:

titus wong wrote:Quenchers.
WARNING: Cash bar only!

I wish I could understand this. Quenchers would have plenty more of my hard-earned dollars if I could run a CC tab. I'm sure they have their reasons, but they escape me.

For what it's worth, they had an ATM in the bar last time I was there (over a year ago, so YMMV).

JimInLoganSquare wrote:

titus wong wrote:...Honey 1 BBQ, a scant half-block away

More like a half mile. Which could be an important distinction, depending on the weather and how much you've imbibed at Quenchers. If dry on both counts, it's a healthy but quick and pleasant walk.

What?

Quenchers is at 2401 N and Honey 1 is at 2241 N, so a block and a half. Not half a block, but pretty damned close. Certainly nowhere near half a mile, and a trivial walk.

Not to perseverate, but walking from 2400 to 2241 would be a round-trip of two-fifths of a mile.

Ed: Yes, it's more like a quarter mile, not a half mile. But the phrase "scarce half block" makes it sound like Quenchers and Honey 1 are essentially next door to each other, which ain't the case, particularly so in winter. So I just wanted to make that idea clear; my sense of distance is obviously off by a factor of two, but three short blocks is not a half block dash.

gus: Thanks for pointing out that, if you want your Honey 1 IN Quenchers, you do have a hike of 0.4 miles to pencil in.

JimInLoganSquare wrote:...makes it sound like Quenchers and Honey 1 are essentially next door to each other, which ain't the case, particularly so in winter.

Because they ARE closer together in nice weather?

leek wrote:

JimInLoganSquare wrote:...makes it sound like Quenchers and Honey 1 are essentially next door to each other, which ain't the case, particularly so in winter.

Because they ARE closer together in nice weather?

Most certainly!

I'd say if you're eating at Honey 1 and drinking at Quenchers you can probably use the 3 block (round trip) walk.

thefoodsnob wrote:I am looking for really cool, well-balanced bars in Chicago: enough local feel, enough character, really (really) good pub food, but also a lot of fun and original things to do (games, promotions, bar snacks, events, etc.).

I'm also a huge sports fan, so a good number of TVs is a must; but I don't like super-loud places but rather well-managed sound. Oh, and if I can get a decent glass of wine once in awhile, it would be a huge plus.

Ideas? What kinds of places/things have you seen, forum?

Is this a challenge? I don't get it. There are dozens of bars in the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods that may fit (albeit parts) this description. However, I'm not sure when the last time I sat down with a nice Cabernet and a high quality meal, while I played Scrabble, with both really cool, hip locals and the neighborhood characters, all the while watching March Madness. Just doesn't click.

Bars are such a personal thing though. The bars mentioned here (hopleaf, map room, quenchers) are my type of bars - great (great) beer selections, limited tvs but may have a pertinent game on, and enough of a local flavor to know that you're in the know. If you're looking at theme bars (pretending to be bars) like the Boundary, Schoolyard, Gaslight and the like; you shouldn't have a problem finding them. Most of those will have dozens of tvs, decent burgers, a golden tee machine, and another local flavor - and you may be able to grab a glass of wine (from a very limited selection) while you're at it.

Now, although I favor the former type of bar, I have spent my fair share in the latter type. Again, just a personal preference. If you can steer us down one of these paths, I'm sure we can help you further.

BTW, my new favorite kind of bar is the kind with great American microbrews, hard to find imports (Belgian, German, Scandinavian, Asian), decent food, and an absence of a frat crowd. Good music helps too. Bars that come to mind are Small Bar, and Bluebird (no music). Heck, I even head to Jerry's on Division for a quick sandwich, just to drink from that menu. I like this trend...

This all makes me think of Goldstar in Wicker Park, we watch a lot of cubs games there, though no huge tvs and no promotions. It's one of the only bars we go to with tvs in it. To us, generally good bar and tv don't go together.

This is a subject near and dear to my heart. Some of my favorite bars/places to drink include:

-Kasey's (701 S. Dearborn) - Great neighborhood pub with decent tap beers, but an excellent bottle selection. Lots of TVs (perhaps a bit too many). No food other than frozen pizza.

-Hackney's (733 S. Dearborn) - Surprisingly good beer selection. Above average bar food. TVs in bar.

-Gage - (24 S. Michigan) - Good drinks. Great food (upscale). Not sure about TVs, but I think they have them.

-Cal's - (400 S. Wells) - Dive bar. Good atmosphere. Bike messengers and lost traders. Live, dirty rock n' roll on weekends. No food.

-Clark St. Ale House (742 N Clark St) - One of the city's top beer bars. Best in River North. No food, but lots around.

-Silver Palm/Matchbox (Chicago/Ogden/Milwaukee intersection) - Sister bars. Matchbox if you are feeling lonely, Silver Palm if you want to breath. Good food. TV intrusion is minimal.

-Chip Inn (832 N. Greenview) - Divish, but one of the better spots in River East/East Village. Decent beer selection for a dive, but I always seem to find my self drinking Lacross City Lager from a can. No Food. TVs abound.

-Jerry's (1938 W. Division) - Not a bar per se, but my new favorite spot for American craft beers. They always are among the first to get new stuff when it hits town. The food is also excellent. Creative sandwiches and sides. No TVs.

-Piece (1927 W. North Ave) - The brew their own beer. It's pretty good. Also, they have a good selection of "guest beers." Food is pizza. I like it. Lots of televisions. Games are always on.

-Small Bar (2049 W. Division St or 2954 N. Albany Ave) - Two of the better beer bars in town. I prefer the Division location for beer and the Logan Square location for atmosphere. The food is average at best. They play sports, but more often then not it's soccer.

-Map Room (1949 N. Hoyne) - Awesomeness previously discussed.

-Whirlaway (3224 W. Fullerton) - Great neighborhood spot if you live in Logan Square. Beer is fairly standard. No food unless someone brings some or orders a pizza. Games are usually on. I like going here for the sense of community. It's a family-run place. People generally seem to know and like each other.

-Burlington (3425 W Fullerton) - A newist spot. Probably not for everyone. It's dark, fairly small, and gets crowded with Art Institute students on the weekends. But I really like the front windows. They look like eyes. The beer is slightly above average. There is a giant TV that I have never seen on. But I assume it works. No food.

-Weegee's (3659 W. Armitage Ave) - A bit off the beaten path, but that makes me like it more. Service can be a bit surly until the owner warms up to you, but thats ok. They serve some excellent drinks. I like the room and the music. No food or TVs.

-Quenchers (Fullerton and Western) - This place has made a big comeback in my mind. There were some dark times for Quenchers after they were shut down for capacity violations in the wake of E2. But they are back. If you like beer, they have an excellent (and affordable) selection of bombers (750 ML bottles of strong beer).

-Kuma's (2900 W Belmont Ave) - As much as I love Kuma's I can no longer recommend it to people. The wait, even for a seat at the bar, has gotten too long. Maybe when the patio opens up. Still, I love everything about the place. The food, beer, attitude, loud music, room. There are TVs, but they don't play games often. Only the big ones.

-Jake's Pub (2932 N. Clark St) - A small neighborhood bar I randomly stumbled upon one day and happened to love. Far above average beer selection for a corner bar. TVs. No food. Would recommend it if you are in the area.

-Delilah's (2771 N. Lincoln Ave.) - I don't get here enough because the location is not convenient, but whenever I do I am reminded how much I like it. Great booze all around. Great room, great music. No food. TVs, but they will more often than not be playing soccer or obscure videos.

-Laschet's (2119 W Irving Park Rd)/Resi's (2034 W Irving Park Rd)/Hansa Clipper (4659 N Lincoln)/Huettenbar (4721 N Lincoln Ave) - You could probably add Brauhaus to this mix of German bars in the greater Lincoln Square area. Resi's and Laschet's serve food. Hansa and Huetterbar don't. They are all just a little bit different and excellent in their way. Laschet's has the best food. Resi's has the best beer. I get Hansa Clipper and Huettenbar confused, but one is a dive and the other is nicer. Both are fun. No food at the latter two. TVs all around.

-Long Room (1612 W Irving Park Rd) - Another one the better beer bars in the city. A bit underrated in my opinion. Nice room, good bartenders. No TVs.

-Ten Cat (3931 N Ashland Ave) - I like this bar. Don't come up to this neck of the woods much, and when I do I go to Long Room. Still, I like the place. They have a great patio in the summer, some nice pool tables, and a great juke box.

-Gingerman (3740 N Clark St) - The only really tolerable bar near Wrigley. It's not even that bad on game days. Decent beer. No food. TVs (at least one).

-Hopleaf (5148 N Clark St) - Awesomeness previously discussed.

-Simon's (5210 N Clark St) - Down the street from Hopleaf. A fine bar in it's own right. More neighborhoody. No food.

-Edgewater Lounge (5600 N Ashland Ave) - For a small place, they have both good beer and food. A small, bad television.

-Three Floyd's Pub - Not it Chicago proper. While I have been increasingly disenchanted with the availability and pricing of their beers locally, there is no denying that Three Floyds makes good stuff. I recommend going straight to the source: The brewpub in Munster. To boot, they have really good food.

Gage has TVs

Giallo-

Quite a comprehensive list. I would agree with you especially as it rates highly the Silver Palm/Matchbox and Hopleaf.

I am a tad surprised to see the Chipp Inn (sp?) on your list. It's a pretty unique place - kind of like drinking in your Grandma's basement. It must have somewhat hit on people's radars now as when I drove by a few weeks ago, I was surprised to see someone jumping out of a cab and going into there ("someone cabbed it to the Chipp Inn?"). But I recall a story where a friend of mine (female) walked in there once to see the all-male-populated bar enraptly focused on the TV, which was playing (at high volume) a bonafide porn video. After the bartender saw the two females walk in, he quietly grabbed the TV remote and hit "off." My friends thought it was funny at the time.

This thread has digressed a bit but I do love a nice bar...
Get a gimlet or at least a cocktail at Matchbox, they do a nice job with freshly squeezed juices....
Also as far as neighborhood/dives go Beechwood (1415 N Wood) and Skylark (2149 S Halsted) are nice, dingy, friendly little joints. And of course Rainbo Club (1150 N Damen Ave) is always fun if you go early and grab a booth, the last time I was there I realized how cheap it is too...there is and always has been a strange collision of art students and yuppies as the night wears on that I enjoy - and they've got a photo booth. Supposedly Nelson Algren used to booze it up there. I just might beat you down on the free ping pong tables at Happy Village (1059 N Wolcott), if the Korean national team isn't holding court.

I have come to think of Rainbo club as being good for only seeing where a scene of High Fidelity was filmed. Other than that there are cheaper, better dives with great free stuff all over that area. Goldstar being a little bit more chill and you can actually hear a conversation inside. Beachwood Inn is a lot more pleasant too.

If it wasn't for the hipster contingent, the square space, the incredibly loud crappy music, and the unfriendly folks inside Rainbo might be a fun place

jpschust wrote:I have come to think of Rainbo club as being good for only seeing where a scene of High Fidelity was filmed.

exactly, yes. uh, but rainbo is real, and actually cool, even thought it might be in some movie...

jpschust wrote:If it wasn't for the hipster contingent, the square space, the incredibly loud crappy music, and the unfriendly folks inside Rainbo might be a fun place

hmmm...i guess you're sorta right, they do play records (lps, vinly, u dig?), which means you have to listen to the bartender's choice for a half hour or so...but a few rare times i've seen some good bands play there impromptu and heard plenty of interesting music. it is kind of a strange place, but imho it is so chicago. you gotta go early to rainbo if you want to have a quiet drink.
Innertown Pub (1935 W Thomas) is another close, quieter neighborhood dive that I like.

That was my way of saying, I've been to Rainbo a bunch of times and just can't stand the crowd. The bar could be cool if it wasn't for the crowd that hangs out there which tends to be rude and annoying. I'll take Goldstar or Beachwood Inn for my beer and shot bar instead.

Hi, new to the board! My favorite dive has no name as far as I can tell. It's next to Frankie's Salon on Western (1014 N?). Barbara is usually working and the nicest lady. I'll third(fourth) Matchbox. The only place I can reliably get a solid dirty martini.

jmc wrote:

jpschust wrote:I have come to think of Rainbo club as being good for only seeing where a scene of High Fidelity was filmed.

exactly, yes. uh, but rainbo is real, and actually cool, even thought it might be in some movie...

jpschust wrote:If it wasn't for the hipster contingent, the square space, the incredibly loud crappy music, and the unfriendly folks inside Rainbo might be a fun place

hmmm...i guess you're sorta right, they do play records (lps, vinly, u dig?), which means you have to listen to the bartender's choice for a half hour or so...but a few rare times i've seen some good bands play there impromptu and heard plenty of interesting music. it is kind of a strange place, but imho it is so chicago. you gotta go early to rainbo if you want to have a quiet drink.
Innertown Pub (1935 W Thomas) is another close, quieter neighborhood dive that I like.

"(lp's, vinly -sic-, u dig?)"

that's where Rainbo loses me

I get it...Chicago's cognoscenti/cabal of (in 2008) johnny-come-lately incestuous hipster (s)cum musos drink there...

...yawn...

maybe a decade ago it was worth putting up with that poseur bs

but, you know...there were always cooler bars...like Sweet Alice...

Geez...I didn't realize Rainbo was so polarizing....it is a hipster bar, I'll give you that. I like that they put on records because vinyl to me represents a way of listening that seems extinct now, it requires more investment from the listener.