How To Sneak Into Chicago’s Most Secret Bars
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
Chicago Alderman Seek Control Over All City Licenses In Their Wards
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.
The Most Legendary Dive Bars In Chicago
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
Chicago’s Best Bars To Drink Like A Local
March 31, 2017 | Chicago, Food and Drink, North America
When visiting a new city, you can tackle it in one of two ways: as tourist or traveler. As a tourist, you can hit all the popular attractions and stick to larger, well-known chain restaurants. But where’s the fun in that? If you want to dig deeper, approach the city as a traveler and discover where locals like to go for fun, dinner, and drinks. These spots are often found deep inside neighborhoods, away from the main tourist drags. Here, we present six options to drink like a local in Chicago, a city that always finds reason to celebrate.
The Gage
Steps off Millennium Park on Michigan Avenue, The Gage is a perfect respite from the throngs of people hitting Pritzker Pavilion, the Art Institute and other attractions along the Cultural Mile. This upscale pub, awash in moss green subway tile, a long wooden bar and plenty of locals packing in for lunch and after work, offers a refined menu including P.E.I. mussels vindaloo, fish and chips and a deliciously stacked venison burger. As for drinks? They have a wide selection of beer and cider, but the rare whiskey collection and “Somm Treasure Chest” featuring unique wines at accessible prices are can’t-miss.
Plymouth Restaurant & Rooftop Bar
Whether you’re ducking into the restaurant for lunch or hitting the lively rooftop at dusk, the Plymouth is one of the best haunts in the Loop. Frequented by workers escaping the office, the Plymouth is a laid-back place to grab pub grub with a shot and a beer. The ground-level bar is always welcoming, but it’s the year-round rooftop bar that’s the real draw. Overlooking Harold Washington Library, the rooftop is a special spot in the heart of the bustling Loop to gather with friends or coworkers. Inexpensive daily specials like $6 martinis or $4 Blue Moon pints will keep you coming back for more.
Only One Irish Bar In Chicago Ranked Among Top 50 In The U.S.
By Ariel Cheung | March 22, 2017 11:59am | DNAinfo
AVONDALE — There’s no denying that Chief O’Neill’s is about as Irish as it gets.
From its namesake Chicago police superintendent to the menu stocked with Irish staples, the Avondale bar has been steeped in Irish tradition since it opened in 1999.
And as it turns out, it might just be the best Irish bar in Chicago.
The online “Travel + Leisure” guide has named Chief O’Neill’s among the top 50 Irish bars in the United States — the only Chicago spot to make the list.
The list pulled data from Yelp, ranking Irish establishments by ratings and the number of reviews.
Topping the list are The Celtic House Irish Pub just outside Washington, D.C., Florida’s Celtic Ray Irish Pub and Erin Rose in New Orleans.