Hidden Shamrock
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2723 N Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60614

Rob L. writes: This is not the greatest bar in the world... no sadly it is not. The crowd can get very meat markety on Fridays and Saturdays nights. It can get loud, drunken people packed in this dark bar. It is very much a call to the college days if you will,…

Bar Louie
Neighborhood: Hyde Park

5500 S Shore Dr
Chicago, IL 60686

Vamsi V. writes: Service is slow but the food is OK. Your typical bar food. They used to have $2 burgers on tuesdays, not sure if they still do that. The drinks can be a hit or miss. A good place to hang out, overall.

Vintage Wine Bar
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1942 W. Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622

Katie H. writes: I know more about the various flavors of Kool-Aid than I know about wine.

Like most uncultured swine, wine falls into two categories for me: Red and White. (I could include Rose I guess, but I've only ever seen grandmothers drink that stuff. Omitted)…

Meztiso Latin Bistro & Wine Bar
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River North

710 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60686

Catherine R. writes: We had a nice, average dinner here with a bunch of girlfriends.  The restaurant had a good atmosphere, and getting a little loud was no problem. Friendly service and a nice birthday dessert for the birthday girl.

Spin Night Club
Neighborhood: Lakeview

800 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Arnab M. writes: I was here last night with a friend of mine from college after we had watched the season finale of Project Runway and it seemed like a perfect G-A-Y evening. Started out with dinner with the gays, followed by Project Runway with the gays and…

Plush
Neighborhood: Near West Side

1104 W. Madison Avenue
Chicago, IL 60610

Abigail T. writes: UPDATE:  I've since been to Plush on a thursday for 1/2 priced sandwiches.  There is big selection of sammies (I always get the burger) and their fries are REALLY good!  The buffalo chicken sandwich is HUGE.  and oddly, tacos are included in the 1/2…

The Grand Central
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

950 West Wrightwood
Chicago, IL 60610

G S. writes: Rolled up in here the other night with a couple of my boys.

We were here for a party for some Doctor friends of ours.  We were not warned ahead of time that this party was going to be for the Blonde Doctors Society, Chicago Chapter.

Crazy.  Never in…

Player's Bar and Grill
Neighborhood: Noble Square

551 N Ogden Ave
Chicago, IL 60610

Stacey A. writes: Decent place to watch a game and grab a beer.

I went after midnight, and the kitchen closed at 11 (I think?) but some people were still eating their onion rings, so I sat and salivated for the duration of my time there.

Not a shithole by any stretch,…

Timothy O' Toole's Pub
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River East

622 N. Fairbanks Court
Chicago, IL 60611

Julia B. writes: Good happy hour, afternoon type bar. It is a usual pub atmosphere with great beers on tap and darts, tv's and pool tables. Not a place I would go on a weekend night though.

Tin Lizzie
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2483 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60686

Dee W. writes: I got lucky and showed up here for a friend's birthday - not only did we get the whole back section for the first hour and half but they had this really cool armchair that was probably 12 feet tall or something.  It was something straight out of…

Thirsty McCarthy's
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

1301 W. Schubert Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657

Colleen B. writes: This place has amazing bar food !!! Was very impressed with the HUGE beer selection also. The wine I had with dinner was so reasonably priced at $7 a glass, yet tasted like something that would be in a fine steakhouse.
I highly recommend the beef…

G-Cue Billiards
Neighborhood: Near West Side

157 N. Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60610

Skazoo M. writes: Hipster pool joint with decent tables.

I got here around 8 pm on a Saturday night and had no problem finding parking right outside.  The staff was quick to set us up with a table and our first round of drinks but was then rather inattentive, even…

Margie's Pub
Neighborhood: North Center

4145 N Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60686

joel b. writes: I went here to see a band. They started an hour and a half late. I fancy meself a bit of a beersnob at times, and I-I-I-I.... wellllll, I ordered some German beer they happened to have in bottles. The guy didn't know what the hell it was and everyone…

Cork Lounge
Neighborhood: Lakeview, Roscoe Village

1822 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60613

Nancy K. writes: I saw a review that this place was closed.  I called and got the message from the phone company that "at the customers request the number is temporarily disconnected".  I went to their website and found the info below.  Construction and working with…

Star and Garter Burlesque Review
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3220 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Mark B. writes: OK, I'm updating this again:
My buddies and I enjoy a couple of burlesque venues in Chicago and because this has so many positives attached, it's great. But they've moved on to who-knows-where and with a $60 book out, i'll guess that this is a…

Butch's Tap
Neighborhood: Pilsen

1801 W 19th St.
Chicago, IL 60608

Gringo J. writes: Despite what Erica A claims, Butch's Tap is not a racist bar.  On the contrary, it's far from it.  Maybe it's a little bit older in its clientle, the kind of place where elderly gentlemen stuck in their ways go for a quiet drink, and perhaps wonder,…

Jokes & Notes
Neighborhood: Grand Boulevard

4641 S Dr Martin L King Jr Dr
Chicago, IL 60653

Syretta H. writes: I went to Jokes & Notes for the first time on Saturday night. There were two shows, one at 8 and one at 10:30 PM. It was pretty funny, for the most part. There were three comedians, plus a host (who was the funniest). If you ever watch Comic View on…

Fox & Hound

370-410 W Army Trail Rd
Bloomingdale, IL 60108

Steve G. writes: I've been here twice, so don't go changing your plans for tonight based on this. But let me know if I'm wrong if you do go, okay?

First of all, the outside of this place is deceiving. The place is huge. Besides the bar/restaurant seating up front,…

Cafe Nine 17
Neighborhood: Chatham

917 East 79th Street
Chicago, IL 60619

Nanette G. writes: The atmosphere is pleasant during breakfast and lunch.  They are culturally active, book signings, jazz band, poetry nite, etc.
They are known for their Homemade Cheese Burger Soup that they make in house, they prepare their own ranch dressing which…

Swirl Wine Bar
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River North

111 W Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60610

James K. writes: This pimpin' addition to River North opened briefly in the summer of '06, totally won me over with its eclectic selection of thoughtful wines and yumilicious bites in a cozy, relaxed, and unpretentious loft, then closed in a flash, driving me into a…

Ronny's
Neighborhood: Bucktown

2101 N California Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Jenny R. writes: I felt very comfortable here wearing an XL sweatshirt, boots, and no pants. There's not many places I would feel comfortable not wearing any pants. Four stars.

Skybox

16700 S Halsted St
Harvey, IL 60426

Jacob J. writes: In comparison to the strip clubs we've got in Chicago. It ain't bad.
Might not be 4 stars, but its alright.

I think this is the sister club to Heavenly Bodies of Elk Grove Village.

Same in all senses except fully nude entertainment.  This club from the…

Lottie's Pub
Neighborhood: Bucktown

1925 W Cortland St
Chicago, IL 60622

Jess S. writes: Its down the street from me (good). I've been there for the cheap burgers (good), I've met local friends for a drink (with apps - good) and I even took out-of-town sports enthusiasts here to watch the Rose Bowl and I'll admit it was a blast.

But I was…

Q Billiards & Sports Bar

8109 S Cass Ave
Darien, IL 60561

Mark S. writes: In addition to being a pool hall, foosball is played here!  Serious Foosball tournaments are held here with cash prizes for the highly talented.  But even if you don't know a snake shot from a pull shot, this place has a bunch of Tornado Foosball…

Nick's on Wilson
Neighborhood: Uptown

1140 W Wilson Ave
Chicago, IL 60640

Lori L. writes: I happen to lose my cell phone, my job, and get robbed in just over a week's time.  I was tired of the coffee house scene for free wi-fi, so nothing brightens up the worst week ever than beer and free wi-fi.

Nick's on Wilson to the rescue.
Being my…

115 Bourbon Street
Neighborhood: Morgan Park

3359 W 115th St
Chicago, IL 60689

Judith m. writes: Great neighborhood sportsbar / nightclub/concert venue/ restaurant/outdoor restaurant seating and beer garden  , all under one roof ...This place is big as Home Depot..Lots of big screen tvs to watch the gamesssss.
One side is the so-so  quiet part  …

Nick's Billiards
Neighborhood: Albany Park

4445 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60689

erik m. writes: on a certain weekday at a certain afternoon time, there's a group of elderly nisei that frequents this place. because it's cheap. and has lots of tables. case you don't know, nisei's second generation japanese american. they're old. been through the…

Redder
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3417 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Maria N. writes: Went to this place not long after they opened last year and it was so aweful.  It's not a huge place, but it's really nice inside, so it was a bummer that the food was nasty.  My boyfriend had a tuna steak that was fishy and I had a pulled pork…

MCM Pub and Eatery
Neighborhood: Portage Park

3906 N Cicero Ave
Chicago, IL 60689

molly c. writes: very very interesting place.

so, it's behind a liquor store....behind as in you walk through the liquor store to get to the bar...and it's a really nice bar! not the typical tap room...if you know what i mean...and you should...if you don't know what…

Bogie's Ale House

303 E. Kensington Road
Mount Prospect, IL 60056

Jacob J. writes: ALE HOUSE!!  It was a pleasant surprise to find out that they have a lunch buffet available from 11am-3p and its $7.95, salad only $5.95.  Buffet consists of salad bar, pizza bar (5 varieties) and a changing theme portion.  I.e. Mexican food, Fish…

Sheridan 'L' Liquor
Neighborhood: Lakeview, Wrigleyville

3944 Sheridan Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

Colleen C. writes: Yeah, wow. I've been here more times than I care to admit...but let's be frank and honest here, this guy has a goldmine. He is surrounded by 4 pretty darn decent BYOB places (Pizza Rustica, Rick's Cafe, Katachi, TAC Quick). SO I've made several…

Girlie-Q Variety Hour
Neighborhood: South Loop

31 E Balbo Dr
Chicago, IL 60689

Mark B. writes: CLOSED but intent on reopening!

I try to get out with my buds at least twice a month and Sunday nights generally were not in the picture until we hit the Girlie-Q show.

A lively live burlesque show at the HotHouse on Sunday nights is both easy to park…

Paulie's Place
Neighborhood: Pilsen

1750 S. Union St.
Chicago, IL 60689

molly c. writes: sharon and tilly are off the chain.

great bar.

i will be back. for sure!!!!!!!!

- - - - - - - - - -

i think i need to edit this review.

this is a great dive bar at 18th and union that vidya b. and i found when we were coming home from dim sum. cheap…

The Krash Inc.

7122 S. Harlem
Bridgeview, IL 60455

Michelle H. writes: This place is not too bad when crowded with people after a Chicago Fire game lets out down the street, and patrons from different areas are mingling.  But on any other given night this place is what would be classified as a really big dive.  Not that…

Base Bar
Neighborhood: The Loop

68 E Wacker Place
Hard Rock Hotel Chicago
Chicago, IL 60601

Krys J. writes: Admittedly, I have never stayed at the hotel but I do like to frequent this bar. The bar itself is small but patrons can choose to sit in the array of plush couches, chairs and ottomans scattered throughout the entire lobby.

The Base Bar is great…

Vine Tastings

123 Main St
Roselle, IL 60172

Sara B. writes: Unexpected gem in Roselle!!!! This place is amazing if you are into the wine scene! Actually, even if you aren't it can be a lot of fun! Live music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Staff was amazingly friendly and super helpful, made the wine…

Tailgater's

9256 S. Cicero Ave
Oak Lawn, IL 60453

Dave S. writes: Upon first glance I really thought that I was not going to be all impressed with this place.  It is located on a very busy stip of South Cicero Ave and if you blink you are going to miss this place.  It is located just north of SW Highway.

This is a…

Local Wine Events

Chicago, IL 60827

Tom Z. writes: Local Wine Events .com - website for wine events everywhere!

Hey all!

Lots of times I am asked about where to find a wine event besides what we create monthly at the Chicago Wine Council.

This question especially comes up when someone is traveling or…

Kenny's Irish Pub

917 B W 55th Street
Countryside, IL 60525

Andy M. writes: Went to go see a friend of mine do a Elvis/Frank/Dean Martin gig here. when I first walked in I thought I walked through a magical 1983 doorway. mullets were flying around with metallica and hawaiian shirts under them. I thought for sure we walked…

Checkerboard Lounge
Neighborhood: Hyde Park

5201 S Harper Ct
Chicago, IL 60615

Claire E. writes: We went to Checkerboard lounge last night and loved it. It's got a really laid back feel and a crowd that seemed mostly local. Our waitress was friendly and fun, but she took a long time with the drinks. Cover was $10 on a Saturday and the cocktails…