Mitchell's Tap
Neighborhood: Bridgeport

3356 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60608

Denise P. writes: Oh Mitchell's...the crowd, the bartenders, those comfy bar stools, the beer selection. What's not to love?

I never went to Puffer's so I can't have that "I miss Puffer's" bias going on. Although the bar itself is old-fashioned, the space as a whole…

CJs Central
Neighborhood: Bucktown

2400 N California
Chicago, IL 60686

Brett W. writes: I'm not prone to writing songs.  I was one of the few people you could meet in Nashville, TN who you could ask, "What do you do for a living?" and the answer would never be, "I'm a songwriter."  I have however, on occasion, penned a few novelty…

Marie's Golden Cue
Neighborhood: Irving Park

3241 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60686

Julia A. writes: I came here for the first time about a week ago and had a pretty good time. Marie's has the sights, sounds, and smells of a typical pool hall. It seemed to be a guys' kind of hangout -- of the 20 or so people there, I was the only girl. Prices were…

Marge's Still
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

1758 N Sedgwick St
Chicago, IL 60614

Kate B. writes: Tonight was the "soft opening" of Marges Still. Once known as a dive bar with shuffleboard and dogs allowed, it has taken a new turn in reviving an old neighborhood haunt.

The inside is simple, with a little touch of its rustic goodness - a long…

The Polish Bar
Neighborhood: Bucktown

near Western and Armitage
Chicago, IL 60686

Alz J. writes: This is the best bar in the whole world. The name and address are a mystery; you'll just have to find it if you believe in fun.

Sheffield Garden Walk
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

Webster and Sheffield
Chicago, IL 60686

Ellie B. writes: A street festival serving Blue Moon?  Splendid!

The U2 cover band, Elevation, was pretty good - however, the crowd just didn't seem to be feeling it.

This was also an educational experience.  I never knew that plaid shorts came in such a diverse array…

Old St. Pat's Block Party

Madison and Des Plaines
Chicago, IL 60686

Ellie B. writes: This is probably the best summer event I've been to thus far!  

For $35 in advance/$40 at the gate, not only were we privy to some great music but 5 drink tickets.  What a ridiculously awesome deal!  In addition, you could purchase extra drink tickets…

High On Fire at Wicker Park fest

60686

Steve R. writes: Wow! Holy crap!  Fan-freakin'-tastic!  Those guys brought the rock and then some, kicking ass and taking names with straight up irony-free metal.  Why don't more actual rock bands play street fairs?  They clearly had a pretty big draw.  The sound was…

Double Bubble
Neighborhood: Edgewater

6036 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60660

Allison Y. writes: There's nothing wrong with low expectations

When driving through Edgewater on Broadway, you wouldn't even notice the Double Bubble and that's the way it should be. With wood paneling walls, a heavily shellacked bar and no hint of natural light, the…

Cook the Vote

Chicago, IL 60608

Lauren H. writes: what a tasty way to participate in the political process!

Great food + great thoughtful conversation=great time.
Cook the vote is a supper club where you can enjoy a nice meal and talk politics.  A few weeks ago I went to one focusing on Obama, last…

Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket and Cocktail Lounge

645 Joliet Rd
Willowbrook, IL 60521

John F. writes: On a recent trip to Chicago my wife and I stumbled across this little slice of artery clogging heaven!  We ran in for a quick snack, and ended up sharing the Fried Chicken Dinner platter.  The meal starts with some butter milk biscuits that are top…

Chances Dances

2011 W North Ave, 2nd Fl
The Subterranean
Chicago, IL 60647

Sharlene K. writes: Every third Monday of the month around 11 pm, Chances Dances occurs. It's hosted by Subterranean on their 2nd/3rd floor. It's pretty much the best queer/LGBTIABCDEFGH dance event in Chicago.

The reason I like it so much is because:

1. It's not off the…

The Log Cabin Inn

346 Potter Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016

Chris M. writes: One of the nicest fix ups of an older bar I have ever seen. The owner, Lester, is a woodworking master, and not only desgined the motorcycle made of wood outside of the establishment, but he redesigned the entire inside of the bar. The new place…

Countryside Saloon

2501 E Ballard Rd
Des Plaines, IL 60016

Tara M. writes: Okay, bar food is not always that great, but this place has terrific burgers!  And you want a little, out of the way, neighborhood joint to watch a game... tonz of TVs, whatever you want is on.  The Bartenders are great, pretty attentive to their…

Central Park Athletic Club

4225 Naperville Rd
Lisle, IL 60532

Emily C. writes: Tired of the chain gyms and having sports supplements shoved down your throat? Give this little gym a try.  They were recently purchased by LifeStart and are revamping the whole club, the prospects look nice and I would join now to lock in the great…

Standard Club
Neighborhood: The Loop

320 S Plymouth Ct
Chicago, IL 60604

Alan R. writes: I just attended a wedding here last night.  I thought the food was a bit too pretentious.  The staff was good, but could have been more helpful,  At the Sunday brunch following the wedding, the staff member had absolutely no clue how to put the high…

The Baton
Neighborhood: Near North Side

436 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60610

Amy R. writes: I heard this was the place to see and be seen for bachelorette parties, so I booked it for my friend's 'last night out.'  

Cons:
-We had to book in advance because we were visiting on a popular weekend.  This involved trying to get RSVPs from almost 20…

Rick's Bar
Neighborhood: Tri-Taylor

939 S Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60612

seth n. writes: Rick's is my new favorite bar.  I moved into the neighborhood a few months ago, and at first I went to Simpson's all the time, but the scene there gets a little shady sometimes, so I moved up a block north to Rick's, where I found a nice group of…

The Copa
Neighborhood: DePaul

1637 N Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Caroline A. writes: Came here with girlfriends to start our night.  The decor could use a lot of help, but the drinks were great and the music was even better!  Interesting crowd, young and ecclectic, but pretty hip.  I would definitely come back with a group of…

Belair Hotel

424 W Diversey Pkwy
Chicago, IL 60614

Jon J. writes: The Belair Hotel Lobby Bar.

How's that grab you for a nightlife destination?

Imagine this - 4 barstools at the bar, 6 barstools at the table along the wall, and 2 beers on tap - including $3 pints of Guinness.

It's the definition of an out-of-the-way…

Savemore Liqrs
Neighborhood: North Center

4060 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

mary-claire r. writes: I went here with some friends because the place had a sign in the window for Bikini Karaoke. None of us could comprehend what that might be so we went. Wow. If you like dive bars (which you probably should) this place is for you. The front is an old…

Bossman's Blues Club
Neighborhood: East Garfield Park

3500 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60624

Me, Myself and I. writes: A very cool and Authentic West Side Blues Lounge if there ever was one.  Don't expect to see Buddy Guy or anyone of his status performing at this easy to miss corner place underneath the EL tracks.  However, it's genuine, from the patrons, to the…

Gateway Bar & Grill
Neighborhood: Rogers Park

7545 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60626

Ren H. writes: This is a great restaurant in Rogers Park!  The prices are reasonable and they've got a huge menu.. everything is good.. one of my favorite snacks is the fries with feta cheese, awesome!  They also have live jazz on the weekends which is fun!

New Polonia Club
Neighborhood: Belmont Central

6101 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60634

Mark S. writes: My friends warned me about this place:

"The guys there take foosball too seriously, they don't know how to have a good time."

How could I stay away?  My buddy and I where craving some hardcore foosball competition, and the warnings from our friends…

Club 6601
Neighborhood: Chicago Lawn, Marquette Park

6601 S Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60636

Mark S. writes: Been a few years since I visited this place... despite being listed as "Club 6601", the sign outside calls it the Sexty Sex Lounge.  Don't let that name fool you- it's at sexty sex 01 S Western silly- nothing too dirty going on inside!

It's just a…

Stardust Bowl of Addison

37 E Lorraine Ave Ste 1
Addison, IL 60101

Dave S. writes: This place is huge with its 84 lanes of bowling.  this place is also very old as it has been open for 50 years.  From looking at its current decor I think it received it's last face lift in 1978.  Although the place has dated itself it is in good…

Bamboo Room

614 E Golf Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Jacob J. writes: 4 Stars only because some nights, the music is excellent and so is the crowd.
Parking is a joke, get there early so you can park in the lot. Otherwise its valet, I don't trust alot of the valet guys there.
One night last winter, I drove around back…

Bally Total Fitness

1020 N Meacham Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Justin W. writes: Great space and open area for working out.  They have a great layout, but it ---really--- ticks me off that they don't have more drinking fountains around.  They have a lack of natural lighting, but at least the high ceilings make up for any…

Secrets

14112 Chicago Rd
Dolton, IL 60419

Eric P. writes: i mean. it's a ghetto spot. but endearingly ghetto.

cats come in with their freshest bright blue suits and the chicks will wear they lil red one piece getup with the breast tattoos out.

they'll buy a bottle and drink it. smoke newport 100s and juke…

Jake Melnick's Corner Tap
Neighborhood: Near North Side

41 E Superior St
Chicago, IL 60611

Rocky B. writes: Pretty cool bar. I like the fact that they have high top tables in the bar that seat about 12 people. Great place to bring a group. It's ail dark woods and they also have a nice cozy fireplace which was an added plus considering the temp outside.

A…

Industrial Strip

3626 S Calumet Ave
Hammond, IN 46320

Jacob J. writes: Everything you've ever heard is true.

Two words.  Grind. & Touch.  Is why Industrial has always made money and will always stand above the rest.  Sucks that they don't serve alcohol.  But, that is a good thing.  I've seen some unruly nights had at…

Johnny's Tavern
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3425 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Mark S. writes: This is the kind of place I wouldn't have written up a year ago- it was a friend's top secret favorite place.  But, Timeout wrote it up, I see it written up on other sites, I hear Jonathan Brandmeyer mentioned it on his show, and the last time I was…

Dugan's
Neighborhood: Near West Side, Greektown

128 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60661

Nish N. writes: So after a swell time at Venus, our dimiNishing group wanted to go out for a nearby nightcap. In Greektown, that ironically meant an Irish pub down the block, by the name of Dugan's.

It's sort of what you'd expect, a bunch of broguish characters,…

Grand Billiards
Neighborhood: Montclare

7110 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60707

Odysseus .. writes: You want to play some pool? I used to love to play pool; unfortunately I haven't had the time recently. I was just reviewing Chris's, when I remembered playing here too. While not as famous as the other pool hall, they have a nice place to get your…

Riverdale Marina

13100 S Halsted St
Riverdale, IL 60827

Dane K. writes: Outdoor restaurant/bar right on the river...  decent enough food, nothing exciting.  I hear it used to be a lot better.  It's OK though..  Good place for drinks and sightseeing if nothing else.  

131st and halsted, to get to the bar/restaurant go down…

Suburbanite Bowl

201 W Ogden Ave
Westmont, IL 60559

Kris G. writes: It all depends how much you like bowling - b/c really that is the core of the experience. However, I would have to say this is a pretty popular bowling alley with a technological edge... it's own web site! Who would have thought. Anyway, it's popular…

Manhattan's Bar
Neighborhood: The Loop

415 S Dearborn St
Chicago, IL 60605

Hannah B. writes: Ok, I have a slight bias when I talk about Manhattan's because of my warm, fuzzy memories there.   I've been to Manhattan's several times and had a lot of fun hanging out with friends.  The singular best time I ever had was watching the Chicago White…

Mystic Blue Cruises
Neighborhood: Near North Side

401 E Illinois St
Ste 425
Chicago, IL 60611

Jenny R. writes: A friend of mine won a raffle at work for a dinner cruise on this boat. The only boat we knew of was the Odyssey, in which you have to dress in formal wear, so naturally we dressed in formal wear. Too bad we were completely over-dressed. I guess…