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Best pre-theater and post-show food/drink spots

1. Cooper's

1232 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL
Bar · Lakeview · 28 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Even though former Joffrey Ballet dancer Sam Franke took over this neighborhood joint in June 2008, the goal of original owners Craig Fass and Mandy Franklin to have a pub with good grub remains.

Bin 36 is one of Best pre-theater and post-show food/drink spots.

2. Bin 36

339 N Dearborn St (at W Kinzie St), Chicago, IL
Wine Bar · Near North Side · 53 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: A post-work, loosened-tie set love to happy hour at this River North wine bar that side-saddles the House of Blues.

Wilde Bar & Restaurant is one of Best pre-theater and post-show food/drink spots.

3. Wilde Bar & Restaurant

8.4
3130 N Broadway St (at W Briar Pl), Chicago, IL
Pub · Lake View East · 148 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Once inside this sprawling space—which has separate areas for eating pub grub, watching the game from the bar and even reading (in the cozy "library")—you just may find yourself wanting more.

Red Line Tap is one of Best pre-theater and post-show food/drink spots.

4. Red Line Tap

6.7
7006 N Glenwood Ave (at W Lunt Ave), Chicago, IL
Dive Bar · Rogers Park · 23 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Adjacent to the Heartland Café and claiming the same delish kitchen, the Red Line Tap books small-time but usually endearing rock, folk, country and punk bands.

The Glenwood is one of Best pre-theater and post-show food/drink spots.

5. The Glenwood

7.2
6962 N Glenwood Ave (at Morse Ave), Chicago, IL
Gay Bar · Rogers Park · 38 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: This place looks like your typical yuppie sports bar, but the vastly male clientele, plum and ochre walls and Kylie Minogue soundtrack reveal it to be Rogers Parks straightest-acting gay bar,

Chief O'Neill's Pub & Restaurant is one of Best pre-theater and post-show food/drink spots.

6. Chief O'Neill's Pub & Restaurant

8.7
3471 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL
Pub · Northwest Side · 45 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: You’re supposed to eat fish and chips in a musty pub for ultimate authenticity, right? Not come summer, and not when this Irish mainstay has a patio that’s a dead ringer.

Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro is one of Best pre-theater and post-show food/drink spots.

7. Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro

7.0
3905 N Lincoln Ave (at Byron), Chicago, IL
Irish Pub · North Center · 46 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: Soda bread? Black-and-white pudding? Not so much. This Irish bistro serves food you’d find in modern-day Dublin, which means Guinness isn’t just on the epic beer list.

Silver Palm is one of Best pre-theater and post-show food/drink spots.

8. Silver Palm

768 N Milwaukee Ave (at N Ogden Ave), Chicago, IL
American Restaurant · River West · 26 tips and reviews

Time Out ChicagoTime Out Chicago: If you’ve been in a train’s dining car recently, you know the menu ranges from Doritos to Ruffles and most of the clientele is passed out with cans of Bud Light at their feet.