Superb selection of craftbeer; local, regional, and imported. Free popcorn. ☞ Cash only!
An eccentric and spectacular craftbeer (and rye whisky) bar. It can get crowded. If it occurs, the bar on the 2nd floor is a safety valve from the crush.
Three bars with a diverse selection of craft beers. I prefer the 'Beer School Bar' which is between the other two areas. The 3rd bar is closest to the patio.
The burger is very good. But you don't have to have it every time. Its craft beers are quite good. I can even urge you to go for the random "Butch's Beer Special" should you want to cheap it out.
One of two superb German-inspired taverns within shooting distance of each other. Mostly European imports. Here, you select your mug size [⅓ L, ½ L, 1 L].
The 2nd superb German-inspired tavern near Irving Park & Damen. Wider selection of beers. Same mug size selection [⅓ L, ½ L, 1 L].
A bi-partite restaurant with excellent craft beer selections, and below-average pricing.
A brewpub (this recommendation is for the brewpub) which struggled through the obstacles. It brews solid craftbeer in a variety of styles, although its preference is in the hoppier ones. ☞ Free wi-fi.
Eccentric & haunted venue. I prefer going on Sun-Thu. Supposedly different on Fri | Sat. Intruiging spectrum of draft beers. No telling what videos it will play on its TVs. Has a dance floor.
'Slashie' associated with the Lumpen organization. English pub atmosphere. Contemplative conversations. Studiously selected beers. Probably the best bar on the south side open to lay people.
Consider these two as an entry. Red Line Tap is the music & movie venue associated with the Heartland Café. Progressive political vibe. Discerning beer selection. Below-average pricing. ☞ Free wi-fi.
Other half of the entry. Restaurant area is larger. Separate bar area. If TVs are on, they'll show sports. Progressive political vibe. Discerning beer selection. Below-average pricing. ☞ Free wi-fi.
Care with that name! This is a fast service casual restaurant with a spectrum of craft beer selections. Watch out for daily beer specials. Food is above-average.
You can actually buy some of the art on the walls of the bar. Order something on tap.
This is the soccer bar with an Euro-centric atmosphere. It will show an MLS game, but prefers UEFA & EPL. Beers in English styles - not necessarily imported. ☞ Free wi-fi.
Tamale guy frequents this place since they do not serve food. Take advantage of his visits.
As it states- it's a dark, gothic-inspired bar with music, music videos, & dancing five nights a week until 4 am. People I know have DJ'd here. Obscure imports on draft here. ☞ Free wi-fi.
A bar with a keen selection of craftbeer, both on draft and in bottles & cans. It is one of the best for this neighborhood. {I messed up by not having this on here prior.}
A bar with a spectrum of craft beers. In the late 1980s, it was Chicago's 3rd modern-era brewpub (after Seiben's & Goose Island).
Just the it's NY counterpart - gives ya a free slice of pizza w/ a purchase of a drink! We love!
This brewpub has hit its groove. Weeknights are less crowded. Weekend afternoons aren't bad. Try the seasonals first. Pizza is also good. Realize 'New Haven' style is not Chicago style. ☞ Free wi-fi.
This was the late find of CCBW 2012. Of all the venues amidst Damen|North|Milwaukee, I wouldn't have gone here had it not signed up. Good tap selections, & an array of infrequently-seen packaged ones.
This was the 'unofficial' find of CCBW 2012. For a hipster venue (w| bartenders playing vinyl LPs!), there is no condescension toward outsiders. A good array of craftbeers also.
My favorite bar in Chicago. Cool decor. Low-key atmosphere. Good beer and drink selection. Awesome bartenders. Excellent food menu. The fish tacos and mac 'n cheese are outta this world.
Yes, yes, it is still good. Haven't tried the new menu yet. Haven't asked it to turn on a soccer game either. ☞ Free wi-fi.
From its appearance, you would not guess it is a craft beer bar. But it is. It occasionally gets a keg of a rare beer you would perceive should have gone to another bar on this list. ☞ Free wi-fi.
Offering patrons a laid-back spot that’s easy on the eyes and run by the same people behind Estelle’s and Easy Bar. Sample 20 beers on draft, flip though the jukebox, or just pound a few back. Read more.
Venue is stealthily increasing & improving its craftbeer roster. If craft cocktails tend to rack you up [they do me], view the list. Also a good place for jazz concerts [no cover charge].
friendliest staff in LS! cheap, strong drinks. chill atmosphere. live music. non-pretentious hipsters. i love cole's!
Oops. This should have been on here before. A spectrum of beers, both craft and otherwise. Average prices. You might even encounter a brewer here after work. ☞ Free wi-fi.
Many great venues amidst Ashland | Belmont | Lincoln. This gets mentioned for its willingness to do 'tap takeovers'. It did it frequently during CCBW 2012. ☞ Free wi-fi.
If you intend to use a credit card here; it will also ask you to give it your I.D. ☞ No wi-fi; which is probably intentional.
Go to Jerry's on Division and treat yourself to a great sandwich and beer. Excellent lunch place. Sit at the bar. The servers still need some improvement. Bartenders are always the best bet.
Couples in the photo booth, dog on the floor, tamale guy at the door,LPs spinning, the night's just beginning. -FS Read more.
Great intimate place to watch a Chicago Fire game or matches from around the world. Daily specials with great food and beer selection! Make sure to try a Daisy Cutter!
I've been too harsh on this venue. Try all the floors to learn which you like best. Craftbeers are present. (It is rough for me to be on this block and not want to go to SmallBar next door.)
This is a venue which _should_ be classified as "gastropub". I know no other venue in the entire metropolitan area with *4* craftbeer handpumps. Food is astounding as well. ☞ Free wi-fi.
Always cheap, always a good time! Chuck, the owner, is amazing, friendly, and likes great tunes. Play TETRIS...you will NOT regret it!
Good craftbeer selections. This venue (& the next) are off the beaten path. So they don't get swarmed.
Beer selection here isn't as vast as High Dive [across the avenue], & taps are 14-oz pours. But, this venue will put the soccer game on one of the TVs if you ask.
Neophytes like to gripe that this place isn't as good since Pete Crowley left (for Haymarket). There's no satisfying some twits. Seasonals are solid. Stick to them. Food is OK. ☞ Free wi-fi.
A venue which was one of the 1st to adapt to craftbeer (in the mid-1990s). It will have numerous beers which everyone in your assemblage will enjoy. ☞ Free wi-fi.
A solid, sincere bar whose backbone was Belgian styles, but which has since expanded to the entire spectrum of craft beer; both U.S.A. & imported. ☞ Stunningly, it now has wi-fi [ComcastBusiness].
The route #50 Damen bus is the ‘side door’ to get here from the near northwest side. ☞ You could connect to another venue's wi-fi network.
For atmosphere to go with your craftbeer, this venue is superb. But, it can get crowded. So prepare to wait. Head to the west end of the “B”-shaped bar for a better shot at getting a seat.
Hamburger Mary's is a chain. This is only outlet that brews craftbeer. Progressive sexpositive vibe. (Prudes & conservatives should probably skip here.) Bottom {oops} line: Beers & burgers good.
Low key venue which gets Rogue's XS limited release beers on draft. Below-average prices. ☞ You could connect to another venue's wi-fi.
The bar is a standing testimony to the depths which neo-prohibitionists will stoop in order to re-criminalize beer. Trying to vote the precinct dry by claiming this would be a 'gay punk metal bar'?!
Good venue in a patch on Lincoln Ave. where there are many lesser venues. ☞ Free wi-fi.
This is a bar & package store making a significant move into craftbeer. Browse its current selections on Beermenus.com. Be alert for tastings in its small parking lot in the rear. ☞ Free wi-fi.
This venue has been a tavern since 1927. Nationwide Prohibition was from 1920-33. Hmmm. I think the statute of limitations has expired; so it should be OK to mention.
A keen venue with infrequently-seen craftbeers in the collar suburbs. Two blocks from the Blue Line “L”'s Oak Park Ave. station. ☞ Free wi-fi.
This was the venue for a Thursday after-work sex-positive people's munch. That's where my check-ins were accumulated (& why I forgot about it until now).
Its characterization above is incomplete! It will get limited-edition craftbeers on tap here.
Literally the best beer selection in the area, one of the only places in Oak Park to get a drink, period!
A double-header. The 'fat' musicians get most of the applause, but this is a solid venue for craftbeers. Its biggest problem? It is four long blocks away from the Blue Line “L”. (The walk is safe.)
Check its craftbeer selections on BeerMenus. Nice decor. ☞ Free wi-fi. Read more.
Did you read that third sentence above? This is the venue which it fits. (But it has craftbeer options.) I messed up big time not having this on here.
This venue has seemingly deduced how to attract customers on a Tuesday: ① Price all draft beer @ $2.00; ② Have a DJ playing hip-shaking soul and funk music in the back room. ☻
This is more known {although still obscure} as a cocktail bar. But the beers on offer are solid. I classify this as a good 'first date' venue.
Dim, intriguing pub with below-average craftbeer pricing, liquor take-outs, tasty food, free wi-fi, & (if you're lucky) nudie bar dancers between shifts from the Pink Monkey Club next door.
The ‘cheezborger’ gets incessant airplay to this day; but it has evolved to good craftbeers on offer, & its house drafts are a superb value for the money. And it will turn on the soccer game.
Here's a brewery which still isn't on most beer maps. Beers are solidly to style. UP North Line trains are two blocks west. If this was 1962, North Shore Line electric trains would get you here.
This was 1st brewpub to open in Lake County, IL. Brewmaster Greg Browne puts out consistent beers in a spectrum of styles. Amber Ale 12-oz. cans now in stores. Venue moving across Church St. in 2013.
Avatar photo of me was taken by me (using a mini tripod) here on a day when I didn't initially intend to come here. Missed a UP NW line train by 4 minutes; had 6 mins to catch a West line train.
They serve food and they are open till 1a and they are walking distance form the La Grange Road Metra station so you don't have to drive there. Their burgers are to die for!
For new beer drinkers. Ask for a paddle of beer and try all of there fine beers at once.
Even if you don't drink the old train depot building is worth a stop. So cool
This venue is worth buying a 10-ride ticket for Metra Electric trains to get here from Chicago. 3=)
