Apr 26, 2017
Claire Volkman | April 24, 2017 | PASTE
It may not hold a flame to Brooklyn or Portland in terms of sheer volume, but Chicago certainly has its share of flannel wearing, beard-donning, ironic mustache grooming hipsters. However, unlike a few years ago, that term no longer comes with a heavy hand of spite or negativity. In fact, these hipsters are the ones who are helping revitalize some of Chicago’s newest “it” hoods, like Logan Square and Bridgeport, for example. And, as appreciators of small-batch liquors, craft beer and locally distilled spirits, they’re also inspiring a new wave of bars in the Chi-town area – ones that boast unique and mismatched decor, innovative cocktails made with egg white foam and aromatic bitters and playlists that sound like they belong in Garden State. If you’re tired of penning your screenplay or need a break from running your digital agency, hop on your scooter, unicycle or $3,000 bike and head to one of these quirky watering holes. And, even if you’re not identified as a hipster, don’t fret – these bars have plenty of appeal for the regular folks too. Plus, can you get any better people watching?
Emporium Arcade Bar
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of (or at least seen) the new wave of arcade bars sweeping the country. Tapping into millennial nostalgia, bars like the Emporium Arcade Bar in Logan Square and Wicker Park offer a slew of vintage arcade games for patrons to play completely free of cost. Emporium’s location in two of Chicagoland’s most hipster hoods plays well to its advantage, and you’ll find this bar filled with an eclectic array of people any day of the week. With Mario Cart inspired murals painted on the wall, exposed brick, wood-paneled bars and a vintage bus slanging food cart fare (in the Logan Square location), there’s plenty to gaze at while the familiar chorus of a pinball games decorate the air. The beers are a plenty, and both locations offer a hearty draft selection with even more locally brewed beers in bottles and cans. Note, they only serve food at the Logan Square location, but the bartenders encourage you to BYOF to the Wicker Park spot. All of the games, except for the pin ball, are free if you drink.
Three Dots and a Dash
Part secret speakeasy, part Hawaiian tiki bar, Three Dots and a Dash is a far cry from the other bars and restaurants that line the swanky Gold Coast/River North area. Paying homage to the original tropical bars like Trader Vic’s and Don the Beachcomber, the bartenders in this basement-level bar all rock Hawaiian shirts and serve up original tiki cocktails, like the Aloha Felicia (Caribbean rum paired with coconut cream, pineapple and Thai basil) in hipster-approved ceramic mugs. The décor is just as you’d imagine any subterranean, Polynesian bar to have – like vintage tikis, colorful globe lights hung from the low ceilings and a thatched grass roof overhanging the bar (white sandy beaches and mint-hued water sold separately). If you find yourself a tad inebriated on too many Treasure Chests (a giant pitcher of rums, pineapple, guava and Dom Perignon), order a few nibbles from the food menu. The burger and pupu platter are crowd favorites.
Simone’s
Located in the still-blossoming neighborhood of Pilsen (penned to be the next Ukrainian Village or Bucktown), Simone’s bleeds hipster charm. Eco-friendly mismatched enough to look like the basement in Stranger Things, Simone’s fits right in Pilsen’s main commercial drag. With a décor that’s described as upcycled and eclectic, you’ll easily spot old arcade game shells, a submarine tracking device, vintage ice-cream parlor stools and reworked chess tables just on your walk to the bar. Along with recycled finds, the bar touts an art gallery-esque collection of graffiti painted by local artists. The bar’s passion for sustainability doesn’t just show itself in the décor, but also in the actual building. The rooftop dons a hearty herb garden that’s used to add fresh pizzazz to the fare and the roof is thatched with banks of solar panels to bathe the area in that hazy grey natural light Chicago is famous for. Drink wise, you’d be remiss not to partake in their seasonal beer list (that changes monthly) and features brews from all over the country. For food, their pizzas pair well with any of the brews (PBR tallboys included), and their appetizers, like the fried ravioli or tempura vegetables, offer just enough carbohydrates to help you successfully order yourself an Uber at the end of the night.
AceBounce
Who didn’t spend many of their Saturdays in college playing aggressive games of beer pong (where more beer ended up on your shirt than your mouth)? AceBounce, the hip, Dave & Busters style bar in downtown, celebrates those long-forgotten college Saturdays in a slightly classier atmosphere than the fraternity basement you’re used to. Unlike college, patrons take their ping pong seriously here, with tables renting out days in advance. If you can’t get a table right away, order a signature cocktail – like the Gin soaked Night Harvest served with Aperol, Cider Noir Tea and Spanish cider – and gaze up. The entire ceiling is covered in glow-in-the-dark graffiti. You’ll also find a neon-lit Chicago Bulls head over the bar and quirky figurine lamps on both bar tops. As you’d expect from any bar downtown, the prices can skew high, so head over for a hipster happy hour and order a $5 Ketel One Dutch Mule paired with a hearty pepperoni slider or grilled chicken thigh kebobs. If you’re in the mood for more elevated cuisine, hop over the rails to the 1901 restaurant, which is framed by bright red subway tiles. The food here is reflective of Chef Rick Gresh’s love of simple, but inspiring food. Opt for the fried oysters to start and savor the red quinoa tacos or the pappardelle with melt-in-your-mouth braised short ribs for the entrée.
Full Article
Apr 21, 2017
By Elizabeth Atkinson, Morgan Olsen and Time Out Chicago editors | April 18 2017
It’s easy enough to know about Chicago’s hidden speakeasies, but just how easy is it to actually get in? We snuck into some of the city’s most secret bars to share the tips and tricks we learned along the way. From cocktail hangs and Japanese izakayas to Irish pubs and college bars, here’s how to access top-secret bars all over Chicago.
The Drifter
Green Door Tavern is one of the oldest bars in the city, giving it some serious street cred in the history department. Thankfully, the bar’s basement speakeasy, the Drifter, is a cocktail haven that only requires a little patience to find. Here’s what you’ll do: Walk into Green Door, head to the back of the bar and hang a left to go down the stairs as if you were going to the bathroom. At this point, you may encounter a line for the Drifter. If not, look for a knickknack-adorned door at the bottom of the stairs. Once inside, you’ll be handed a few tarot cards, which double as the cocktail menu. It’s all luck of the draw. —Elizabeth Atkinson
DIFFICULTY: Easy
Fifth Province Pub
Irving Park’s Irish American Heritage Center houses a library, a museum, an art gallery, an auditorium and a banquet hall, but you can also stop by for a drink at its authentic Irish pub. It’s easy to get into—just walk in through the building’s main entrance (it’s open to the public) take a left and you’ll soon find yourself in a bar called the Fifth Province. You can order a pint of Guinness, sip on some whiskey or dig into a giant basket of steak fries. It’s a popular destination for Irish tourists and musicians playing traditional Irish music—if you’re lucky, you’ll overhear someone speaking with a genuine brogue. —Zach Long
DIFFICULTY: Easy
The Library at Gilt Bar
If you’re looking to hole up somewhere dark and cozy for the evening (no, we’re not talking about your couch), try your hand at finding the Library in River North. The sexy subterranean bar is located just below Gilt Bar, but chances are you’ll need some serious help finding the hidden doorway. Before you go, there are a few things you should know: The space is only open Thursday through Saturday starting at 6pm, and they take reservations (hallelujah). When you arrive, let the host or hostess know that you’re heading down to the Library and someone will happily show you the way. Once you’ve completed your mission—err, gotten inside—you’ll be rewarded with plush red banquettes, candlelight, classic cocktails and Gilt Bar’s full menu. —Morgan Olsen
DIFFICULTY: Medium
Full Article
Apr 14, 2017
Austin Berg | ChicagoNow | April 4, 2017
Chicago’s 50 aldermen hold near-despotic control over commercial activity within their wards. This has lead to an unrivaled culture of graft, greed and corruption within Windy City municipal government.
But instead of taking steps to roll back extraordinary powers, some aldermen are dead set on expanding them.
Under an ordinance introduced March 29, not only would city departments be required to alert aldermen of each license application a person filed in his or her respective ward, but also aldermen would effectively have the power to deny that license. The ordinance would apply to new licenses as well as renewals.
Right now, the power to approve or deny a license rests primarily with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, or the Buildings Department, depending on the type of license. But if the proposed ordinance passes, aldermen could choose to veto a license for any reason within a 20-day review period. The ordinance simply requires them to submit “reasons for the denial.”
In essence, this ordinance expands the system of aldermanic discretion already seen in areas such as zoning, signage approval, sidewalk café permits and mobile food vendors to all other forms of city licensure. That includes anything from a license to work as a crane operator or a plumber; operate a shared kitchen, bicycle messenger service or any other small business; or hold a raffle.
Aldermanic control of these administrative tasks begs for bribery from individuals seeking special treatment. It also empowers aldermen to exact revenge on contrarian constituents.
Full Article
Apr 7, 2017
Elizabeth Atkinson and Morgan Olsen | TimeOut
Chicago has no shortage of well-established bars, but it’s fair to say that city dwellers have a special place in their hearts for Chicago’s many dive bars. We’ve picked the most legendary, as decided by our editors, from a spot to grab a burger while rubbing elbows with local journalists to a South Side classic with craft beer and community feels galore. Here’s to the dive bars that define Chicago.
Billy Goat Tavern
This subterranean haunt has had its home under the Tribune Tower since 1934, when Billy Sianis founded it. It’s best known for being the inspiration behind the Olympia Café Saturday Night Live sketch starring John Belushi. Chicagoans know it best not for its “Cheezborger” (which is quite good, actually), but as an old journalists’ bar, where reporters from the nearby Chicago Tribune would come for beers and grub. The place still retains its character, with customers bellying up to the bar to grab a drink or lounging next to the “Wall of Fame”—filled with yellowed newspaper clippings from bar regulars. And let’s not forget, there’s also the whole thing with the Billy Goat. —Elizabeth Atkinson
Cove Lounge
This low-key Hyde Park dive might remind you of your grandparents’ basement—if your grandparents had a massive mural of Barack Obama in their home. Cheap beer and strong, no-frills drinks dominate the bar, where you can saddle up on stools and people watch the night away. Blue-collar regulars mix and mingle with students from nearby University of Chicago, creating one of the best crowds in the city. It’s the kind of place you feel warm just walking into—even when the temps dip below zero in Chicago. Plus, they accept credit cards—a huge bonus in our book. —Morgan Olsen
Rossi’s
If you’ve come to Rossi’s expecting to be coddled, you’ve come to the wrong place. Longtime bartender Desiree is a no-bullshit kind of gal. The dive itself is a rarity in River North; it’s a cash-only spot that’s been around for decades, which is evident as soon as you walk in the door (no offense). It’s the kind of locals-only establishment that doesn’t register on tourists’ radar, which is fine for the dedicated post-work crowd. Don’t leave without checking out the row of refrigerators in the back, where you’ll find packaged beer to take home. —MO
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