What are your favorite and least favorite bars in Chicago? (Lincoln: cabinets, price)

[ERS-One]

Originally Posted by Jandur

You sir, are awesome.

That place is great. I unfortunately usually only can go at peak times when it's cramped, because as you said it's like someone's small house, but if you can get there when it's a bit slower....good times!

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Bars with lines mean bars with no open tables. I like to sit and drink my beer with good friends. Standing with a drink all night is one of my least favorite things.

Another bar I loved in Chicago was Beachwood -- divey as they come, but great jukebox.

I agree, it just depends on what you want at the time. Many times I want what you want, but sometimes I want something else.

[jwaiter]

Originally Posted by ERS-One

That place is great. I unfortunately usually only can go at peak times when it's cramped, because as you said it's like someone's small house, but if you can get there when it's a bit slower....good times!

I still like Danny's (listed it in this thread as a fave) but when we used to go there back around the late 80's it was really fun. The upstairs used to be a vacant apartment, with a complete kitchen (empty drawers and cabinets) and a big friendly dog was always around. There was also the church room on lower level with large stained glass windows. It always seemed everyone was cool and it was easy to start conversations with anyone else. Felt like a house party.

Now it's a bit of a club atmosphere on weekends with bumpin dj's and an active dance floor. The upstairs is now half the size, and has a lounge feel. I still like it, but it was way better.

[ERS-One]

Originally Posted by jwaiter

I still like Danny's (listed it in this thread as a fave) but when we used to go there back around the late 80's it was really fun. The upstairs used to be a vacant apartment, with a complete kitchen (empty drawers and cabinets) and a big friendly dog was always around. There was also the church room on lower level with large stained glass windows. It always seemed everyone was cool and it was easy to start conversations with anyone else. Felt like a house party.

Now it's a bit of a club atmosphere on weekends with bumpin dj's and an active dance floor. The upstairs is now half the size, and has a lounge feel. I still like it, but it was way better.

I can imagine, sounds awesome!

[Irishtom29]

I like neighborhood taverns with a long bar, just one TV and where I can get a bottle of Old Style and pour it into a small beer glass and chase it with a shot of VO. I don't like pool tables and loud music. I like joints that don't care if you smoke even if they do keep the door locked.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

I like neighborhood taverns with a long bar, just one TV and where I can get a bottle of Old Style and pour it into a small beer glass and chase it with a shot of VO. I don't like pool tables and loud music. I like joints that don't care if you smoke even if they do keep the door locked.

Sounds like heaven.

Seriously

[ChiGuy2.5]

I think the time of day has a lot to do with whether or not I enjoy a bar. For example, McFaddens on a Wednesday or Thursday around 7pm or during a bulls game is usually a great time. I really try to avoid it though after 10pm or on weekends since that is when it becomes douchey.

If I am going out at night on a weekend, I always enjoy Linons Head or Wise Fools. I will give an honorable mention to Burton Place for their second floor bartender. Shes a very fit short woman who serves THE BEST drinks I have ever had in Chicago. She even warned my girlfriend and I that our drinks would kick our ass. As she handed it over, she gave us a pitcher of water which was much appreciated later. I can always appreciate a good bartender no matter what bar I am going to.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

I think the time of day has a lot to do with whether or not I enjoy a bar. For example, McFaddens on a Wednesday or Thursday around 7pm or during a bulls game is usually a great time. I really try to avoid it though after 10pm or on weekends since that is when it becomes douchey.

If I am going out at night on a weekend, I always enjoy Linons Head or Wise Fools. I will give an honorable mention to Burton Place for their second floor bartender. Shes a very fit short woman who serves THE BEST drinks I have ever had in Chicago. She even warned my girlfriend and I that our drinks would kick our ass. As she handed it over, she gave us a pitcher of water which was much appreciated later. I can always appreciate a good bartender no matter what bar I am going to.

Agreed. I've had some bartenders/servers I wanted to shrink down and carry around in my pocket so they could serve me everywhere I go.

[mjtinmemphis]

I thought that I would chime in and give a gay black male perspective.

Spins has been a good option for me on friday nights. Good shower shows. Friendly unpretentous clientelle. Everyone is there to have fun. Good staff as well.

Sidetraxx on sundays have show tunes where they play music and scenes from broadway musicals. Awsome time. Once again good staff. Clientelle is not as sociable as you would think for a gay bar but a great place to go with friends.

Lucky Horseshoe is horrible. Its a gay strip club with anorexic men marching in place licking their tongue out and calling themselves looking sexy and dancing. Its a disgrace. smh!!!

Roscoes is great on kareoke nights. Good mix of gay and straight. One night they have live band kareoke wed nights its just regular kareoke. Anyway always have had a good time with friends or by myself. Once again unpretentous clientelle and good staff.

My favorite is club escape off stoney island and 74th. One of a handfull of black gay clubs in the state but ive seen sraight white females have a good time also. Awsome staff awsome clientelle. The dj is the best in chicago. If your looking for a place to dance your but off and meet people and dont mind the smaller club, then club escape is the spot.

[NorCal Dude]

Any bar that has a critical mass of rude Cubs fans.