Favorite Bars

[Attrill]

For good beer you can't go wrong with Map Room, Hopleaf, or Quenchers.

[Drover]

I want to like the Hop Leaf, but ever since they started serving food you can barely squeeze yourself into that place. Adding food has also substantially boosted the douchebag quotient among its patrons. And finally, I can't stand bartenders who act like their customers are an annoyance rather than the source of their income. A bare hint of gratitude that I just paid $7 for a glass of beer would be nice. Even when I lived in Andersonville I couldn't bring myself to go to that place any more than a couple times a year.

[Lookout Kid]

I recently went to the Hopleaf with my wife and inlaws and it took us 2-1/2 hours to get a table. This was at 7:00 on a Saturday night mind you, but that's still ridiculous. I like to go there over a holiday when everyone leaves town or during a blizzard. Otherwise it's ridiculous. And I'm always a bit skeptical about their "seating list". I wouldn't be surprised to see the hostess pulling favors for her friends or for those who "grease" her.

But the food an beer does make up for it at the end of the night... "Muscles Plate for Two" is something I crave regularly. So I'll be waiting until the Bears are in the Superbowl, Christmas Eve, or the Great Blizzard of '08 to head there again.

[katmoney]

Smallbar in Logan Square or the Smallbar down on Division/Damen.

Lava Lounge and Smartbar for good music.

[pianogal34]

if you want a bar where you can dress/act anyway, and have a HUGE variety of people, go to Jacquelines on Broadway & Roscoe. Its my fave neighborhood bar. No food, just drinks, but the people are very diverse and friendly. They have a great jukebox too. Greg & Ted, the main bartenders, are awesome. Great place to just chill out with a beer.
And very few "young-ins"

[via chicago]

How about the other end of the spectrum..one of my fav dives: Johnny's (Lincoln Ave)



Its run by an old Czech guy who opens the place when he feels like it. Theres no signifying marks on the building, just a creaky, sunbleached Hamm's sign. The windows havent been washed in 20 years. Theres an iron gate in front of the door, which is always locked. If you didnt know better you'd think the place had closed decades ago. You have ring a bell to be admitted, and IF he's in the mood, he might open it up for you. Its kind of creepy but cool...in a David Lynch sort of way. Unfortunately as the area gentrifies these classic Chicago dives are falling by the wayside for $10 martini bars. But he's refused to sell and it will likely remain until he passes on.

Johnny's Lounge Review by Sean Parnell

[Drover]

Ha! I saw Johnnie's yesterday as I rolled past it on the train and I was just thinking to myself, "I wonder if that joint is still open..."