Bars/Nightclubs, Chicago

We went to Schubas on my last night in Chicago. It served as a meeting/pre-funk, basically a staging area for our later Whirlybal hijinks. Schubas is kind of your typical frat bar...it reminds me of Taylor's in Eugene, but slightly better-I didn't see anyone drinking straight from pitchers.
They have a good selection of beers-and for all you malt liquor fans, they even have Schlitz. Another important feature, well important if you're an alcoholic, is the Jaegermeister tap at the end of the bar...I hate Jaeger, but that's beside the point.

Schubas also has a music performance space (in a room behind the bar) that draws quite a crowd. We never made it back there, but it has a pretty good reputation, so it's definitely worth checking out.

If any of you who read pages (6 people) ever go to Schubas, tell me if it gives you a compulsive urge to call everyone you know...for some reason that's what I felt like the whole time I was there, and finally succumbed and turned into the annoying person talking on their cell phone in a bar that's way too loud to be talking on a cell phone.

Dress Code: Pretty much whatever you want...jeans and baseball caps seemed to be the standard.

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Great location in Greektown. Wonderful ambiance, and the absolute best Chocolate Martinis (a great after dinner dessert drink)!!! In nice weather, the large windows are fully opened and it's as if you're eating outside. It's fabulous! They also serve casual Greek food here until 1am!!!

Dress Code: More classy than a regular bar, but no requirements.

This place has a few pool tables in the downstairs section and a steady clientele of locals. Its a very nice place, comparable with any other of the trillions of upscale Irish Pubs that have been opening in the last few years. Nice people, good food, and imported beers for $3 a pint, domestic for $2.50. I get a half pound cheeseburger with fries for $2.95, I recommend you do, too. They also serve up a mean steak for just over $5. The downside of this place, is that people just don't seem to socialize as much as they do at similar establishments. Or maybe I'm just ugly?

Dress Code: There is no dress code, but its not the kind of place you want to go looking like a slob.

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Excellent Belgian Tavern/Bar on N. Clark, with suberb range of beer selections - over 200 in all, with and abundant selection on tap. I was introduced to the Hopleaf in Febraury 2006, after a VT meet-up with Dabs and David, dlandt, "it's fun having fun," and my friends Gerard and Janet. We had a merry time tippling. A Talking bar: it's an excellent place to pass an afternoon with a convivial social group. I like how they follow tradition and serve the Belgian beers each in its own particular glass. A beer for every taste, I would think.

In all, there were about two dozen beers on tap. Ten Belgian, about the same number American micros, and the others German or Canadian. I recommend the de Konick, a lovely pilsener style ale, or the Leffe Brun (Brown) ale - though you can't go wrong with the aptly named Delirium Tremens either.

(Selected by the Beer Advocate as one of the Top 50 Places for a Pint in the USA: http://beeradvocate.com/acbw/2006/places)

They serve Belgian inspired food here as well, and there's a dining room in the back which is quieter and less beery than the very social front saloon. I'd like to try their mussels sometime.

Irish Eyes is probably Lincoln Park's most popular destination for weeknight fun and conversation, with live music on weekends - and sometimes during the week. They have a great selection of Irish beer on tap, with daily specials, and you can pass the time playing Golden Tee golf or a game of darts.

The best time to go is on a weekend, when they have live music- usually part of the Irish genre. But the musicians, like Mulligan Stew, Whitey O'Day and Gerry O'Connell that play are known for playing sing alongs, amusing tunes, and limericks set to music (which can be pretty funny.)

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We had nightcaps at Whiskey Blue the both nights we stayed at the W City Center. It was pretty quiet on Friday nigh but it was a little more crowded on Saturday. As with all things associated with any W Hotel, it was sleek, dark and very Euro. Not the kind of place I'd like to spend an entire evening at but it was a fun people watching spot!

We also had cocktails in the Hotel Lobby and at a little bar that's off the Restaurant. W Staff is always friendly and helpful and yes, the drinks are probably overpriced but the atmosphere's great and hey, we were on vacation!

Dress Code: Dressy is good.

I have collected the web sites for several clubs or sites that specialize in club events. You can get yourself on the guest list at a discount or for free. Some places offer free drinks, food, and dance lessons. Let me know if you find any deals I have not listed. ENJOY!

http://www.chicagorsvp.com/index.htm
http://www.club720.com/
http://www.excaliburchicago.com/
http://www.ginmag.com
http://www.rivegauchenightclub.com
http://www.thenightclubindustry.com/
http://transit.gogga.com/
http://www.urchicago.com/
http://www.v5online.com/
http://www.whitestarlounge.com/
http://www.zentranightclub.com/


Dress Code: No Jeans
No Sneakers
No Baseball Hats

You'll recognize Emmit's Pub from the Hollywood blockbuster Ocean's Eleven (the scene where George Clooney's character offers Matt Damon's character a job for his Vegas heist.) The building that houses Emmit's is situated on a triangular lot and dates back to the 1890's. During Prohibition it was the Italian Savings and Trust, a bank reputed to be a haven for the Mob. The large vault is now Emmit's wine cellar. Years later, the building became a bar called O'Sullivan's, a favorite hangout of judges and firefighters, and notorious for its dwarf-tossing contests.

In addition to Ocean's Eleven, scenes from the movies, "Uncle Buck" and "Backdraft," the latter a film about Chicago firemen, were shot here. It's a casual place that still gets its share of judges from the O'Sullivan's days, plus downtown businesspeople and a 25-45ish crowd at night. There is also a kitchen that serves up popular Irish style meals like shepherd's pie and Irish stew. It highlights local microbrews, plus a nice selection of scotches.

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It's good to know about this River North tavern - non-chain, non-scene, non-yuppie. It has a very good beer selection (25 on tap) as well as generous number of wines by the glass. It's also home to some serious drinkers - not the touristy type of Michigan Avenue, but the real "pros" who take advantage of the Ale House's late license. (They are open till 4 on weeknights and until 5 on weekends.)

Yes, it can be loud and raucous: but this is Chicago, remember!

So after my great dinner at Topo Gigio, I met a close friend from high school out on Wells Street for an after dinner drink. Little did I know I would be in for a *few* awesome beverages.

The Fireplace Inn is well known for its Vodka Lemonade, as well as some mighty fine ribs. They claim to be the best ribs in Chicago, but for right now I will not lay claim to that until I have sampled others. Back to the Vodka Lemonade however...

We all know that Vodka is odorless and tasteless by default, however when you add in a flavoring to that vodka and mix it with lemonade, there is a potential for disaster. Add it into a 32 oz cup, and serve iced in the summer, and it is a night to remember all built in!

I would highly recommend stopping in for a vodka lemonade, and bring your hunger if you want some of the ribs!

Dining Room Hours
Mon-Thu 4:30pm-12:00am
Friday 11:30am- 1:30am
Saturday 11:30am - 1:30am
Sunday 11:30am-12:00am

Delivery Hours
Mon-Thu 4:00pm - 10:00pm
Fri-Sat 4:00pm - 11:00pm
Sun 1:00pm -10:00