HAPPY HOUR DOWNTOWN (Loop Area) (Chicago, Lincoln: salons, hotels, home)

[extra300]

Anyone know any good places to go for Happy Hour in the downtown area.

-Good Crowd (mostly under 35)
-Good Drinks (Including Specials)
-Good Food (Including Specials)

I put including specials, because Ive been searching and finding places people call good happy hour spots, but these places have NO food or drink deals.

Guess they dont know what happy hour means. haha

Thanks for the info...

[Avengerfire]

There are State laws (effective Jan. 1st 1996) now against real "Happy Hour" specials. Even without the laws most places downtown do not have that good of deals anymore. This is because they know that most people that go to these places now will pay regardless of price.

You have to look for places that have specials by the day. Most places are going to have different specials from day to day or only a couple of days per week for specials. Thus, if you are the type to go to a bar everyday after work, the odds are pretty good you will have to go to a different bar every night to be able to take advantage of specials every day of the week.


http://www.state.il.us/lcc/happyhr.htm

http://www.state.il.us/lcc/HAPPYQA.HTM

[extra300]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

There are State laws (effective Jan. 1st 1996) now against real "Happy Hour" specials. Even without the laws most places downtown do not have that good of deals anymore. This is because they know that most people that go to these places now will pay regardless of price.

You have to look for places that have specials by the day. Most places are going to have different specials form day to day or only a couple of days per week for specials. Thus if you are the type to go to a bar everyday after work the odds are pretty good you will have to go to a different bar every night to be able to take advantage of specials.


Happy Hour

Happy Hour Q & A

ok, well how about at least 2 out of 3..

Food and Crowd

thanks

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

There are State laws (effective Jan. 1st 1996) now against real "Happy Hour" specials. Even without the laws most places downtown do not have that good of deals anymore. This is because they know that most people that go to these places now will pay regardless of price.

You have to look for places that have specials by the day. Most places are going to have different specials from day to day or only a couple of days per week for specials. Thus, if you are the type to go to a bar everyday after work, the odds are pretty good you will have to go to a different bar every night to be able to take advantage of specials every day of the week.


Happy Hour

Happy Hour Q & A

That pretty well sums it up. There are a number of sites that track the specials and post them online. Chicago Specials, City search, Chicago Drinker, etc...

[extra300]

Originally Posted by Attrill

That pretty well sums it up. There are a number of sites that track the specials and post them online. Chicago Specials, City search, Chicago Drinker, etc...

Yea, out of all those sites, only 1 place is downtown.

Think if there is anything downtown, it is more word of mouth..

any locals know anything?
thanks

[alwaystraveling25]

In addition to what others have suggested, here are some ideas (incuding one recommendation):

1) Check out Yelp - San Francisco Restaurants, Dentists, Bars, Beauty Salons, Doctors - They offer a ton of reviews of places AND a forum very similar to City Data that provides threads and other information regarding various aspects of the city...I'm sure if you search on there for "downtown happy hour" or some variation (such as "Loop Happy Hour") you will get some sort of results.

2) Read the RedEye - the print version specifically. They do a decent amount of target advertising for business/loop people, so they have a ton of ads for bars and restaurants all over the city, but mostly Loop/Lincoln Park/Lakeview.

3) Check out Metromix.com - they might not have what you are looking for, but it is a similar concept - lots of bars/clubs listings by area.

4) Check out the Sidebar Grille - My friend that works in Finance highly recommends it for an afterwork place to grab a drink...no idea what their daily special, but you can check it out yourself at Sidebar Grille
Sidebar Grille
221 N La Salle St
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 739-3900

Hope this helps!

[Lookout Kid]

I can think of a few different types of bars downtown (which really isn't known for its bar scene).

"Faux" yuppi-fied Irish Bars: Emerald Loop, P.J. Clarkes, etc.

Qualtiy Dive Bars: The Exchequer is my fave. The Billy Goat is divey, but touristy at the same time.

Brew Pubs: Rock Bottom is the only one I can name downtown.

Gastro-Pubs: Higher-end food and beer, like Publican, English, Hop Haus.

Cocktail Lounges: These places are everywhere, and tend to charge upwards of $10 for cocktails. China Grill, ReBar, J-Bar, etc. etc. etc. Hotels seem to contract out for these places.

Wine Bars: The Tasting Room is accessible by cab from the Loop, and has some good city views.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

There are State laws (effective Jan. 1st 1996) now against real "Happy Hour" specials. Even without the laws most places downtown do not have that good of deals anymore. This is because they know that most people that go to these places now will pay regardless of price.

You have to look for places that have specials by the day. Most places are going to have different specials from day to day or only a couple of days per week for specials. Thus, if you are the type to go to a bar everyday after work, the odds are pretty good you will have to go to a different bar every night to be able to take advantage of specials every day of the week.


Happy Hour

Happy Hour Q & A

That is super weird ... I had no idea that was a law here. Thanks for the links!!

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by aragx6

That is super weird ... I had no idea that was a law here. Thanks for the links!!

Yeah it is a pure regression to the temperance years. I think the real reason was to "spread the wealth around" though.

[snoylekim]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Yeah it is a pure regression to the temperance years. I think the real reason was to "spread the wealth around" though.

More for the 'temperance' angle..during the early '90s , I remember the manager of a downtown afterwork watering hole showing me a letter from one of the railroads asking to modify or put a lid on the '2 for 1' specials , because overindulgent commuters were causing problems on the way home .. ahh, for the days of 2 for 5.00 Long Island Iced Teas in BIG glasses .. Any train out after 7:00 on Wednesday - Friday were referred to as 'vomit comets' .. Also, many of these Happy hours went for 4 - 7 to accomodate the financial market closes ... Much milder these days