The next time you go on a bender, don’t make one of your friends the designated driver or blow half your drink money on cab fare. Instead, consider exploring bars located right along the Red Line. Public transportation has never been such fun! Just think of it as a sloppy way of supporting the CTA.
Loyola
Bruno & Tim’s Lounge and Liquor Store, 6562 N. Sheridan Rd. 773-764-7900.
You might think that mostly students hang here, given this bar’s location across the street from Loyola’s Lake Shore campus. Wrong. This
quintessential dive bar cards hard, keeping the college quota low and the neighborhood character high. Bottles only, nothing on tap.
Tip: Check metromix.com for information on rotating $2 beer specials.
Lawrence
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, 4802 N. Broadway, 773-878-5552.
Everyone should experience the Green Mill, one of the best spots in Chicago for nightly live jazz. If you’re into old-school cocktails, it’s worth it to stop here for a “neat” scotch or dry martini–labels range from top-shelf to bottom-of-the-barrel.
Tip: Arrive before 9 p.m. and there’s a good shot you’ll snag a booth.
Clark/Division
Dragonfly Mandarin, 1206 N. State Pkwy. 312-787-7600.
DJs spin house, hip-hop and reggae nightly. Stop into this swanky Asian-inspired lounge and take in the red and gold interior while sipping a Dragonfly (Absolut Mandrin, blue
curacao, and pineapple and orange juice.
Tip: If you’re hungry, the crispy sesame chicken and honey walnut prawns are exceptionally tasty.
Morse
Heartland Cafe’s Buffalo Bar, 7000 N. Glenwood Ave. 773-465-8005.
Start off at this Rogers Park institution. Pull up a stool under the bar’s mascot–a scruffy buffalo head hanging on the wall–and try one of 30-plus import and domestic beers. There’s live music Thursdays through Saturdays.
Tip: Heartland Cafe’s kitchen closes at midnight on weekends, so arrive early and fill up on veggie burgers and hummus.
Thorndale
Ole St. Andrew’s Inn, 5938 N. Broadway, 773-784-5540.
Pay a quick visit to this pub, where the booze is cheap and the golf-themed decor is, frankly, pretty weird. Get there before the kitchen closes at 10 p.m. for steaks, chops, burgers and chicken wings.
Tip: Don’t stay too long; word has it the joint is haunted!
Addison
Sports Corner Tavern & Grille, 952 W. Addison St. 773-929-1441.
The antithesis to the Green Mill’s chic, old-school vibe, this rowdy Wrigleyville sports bar features a pool table and plenty of Cubs paraphernalia. It’s a favorite pre- or post-game destination.
Tip: Drink specials–mostly beer–every night of the week, except when the Cubs are playing in town.
Chicago
Pippin’s, 806 N. Rush St. 312-787-5435.
Since this bar is close to Loyola’s downtown campus, students are known to drop by after night classes. For the fidgety, there’s a pinball machine.
Tip: Free popcorn at the bar.
Grand
The Rock Bottom Brewery, 1 W. Grand Ave. 312-755-9339.
Located steps from the “L,” this is an obvious but worthy choice. Try one of six house-brewed beers in a “Big-Ass” glass, preferably on the roof deck. We like the Brown Bear Brown and Walleye Wheat.
Tip: Avoid this place around happy hour, when it’s packed with tourists and the post-work crowd.
Harrison
Kasey’s Tavern, 701 S. Dearborn St. 312-427-7992.
This Printers Row tap poured its first beer in 1889 (you read that right), so there’s a good chance your great-great-grandparents drank here. Stop into this cute, friendly spot for a pint and carry on the tradition.
Tip: A bar menu offering light bites–think soup, tacos and quesadillas–kicks in after 7 p.m.
Sox/35th
Schaller’s Pump, 3714 S. Halsted St. 773-376-6332.
Sox fans dig this place, a casual Bridgeport hang with daily drink specials and a mean corned beef and cabbage.
Tip: Avoid wearing anything with the word “Cubs” on it.
