You could stay up all night debating the merits of rock bands (Who rocks more, AC/DC or Metallica?) and get absolutely nowhere. A battle between rock bars, however, is a clash that can be won.
After three weekends of warming up, Lincoln Park spot Faith & Whiskey is set for a Friday grand opening. The Whistler, a music-heavy Logan Square spot, became a fast favorite after opening this past fall. We can’t help but ask the obvious question: Who really rocks?
The Whistler
2421 N. Milwaukee
Ave. 773-227-3530
Faith & Whiskey
1365 W. Fullerton
Ave. 773-248-9119
Tunes
The Whistler
Live music? Yes. Several nights a week, from garage rock to jazz covers of Nirvana to improv jams bringing together a dozen musicians from different bands.
Faith & Whiskey
Live music? No. The perpetually upbeat soundtrack kept us bobbing our heads, even though songs such as Toto’s “Africa” and Everclear’s “Everything to Everyone” aren’t the first to come to mind when we think of rock.
Advantage: The Whistler. Not just because live music almost always trumps canned, but because playing pre-recorded rock music at a bar is hardly a novel concept.
Crowd
The Whistler
You’re most likely to spot actual musicians from the local scene in this crowd of Urban Outfitters model look-alikes. Most popular accessory: Dark-rimmed glasses.
Faith & Whiskey
You’re most likely to spot someone you went to DePaul with among the wall-to-wall dude crews and primped ladies here. Most popular ensemble: The zip-up sweater and collared shirt combo.
Advantage: The Whistler. Unless you’ve seen Axl Rose at Faith & Whiskey, then we’ll gladly adjust the score.
Nightlife Cred
The Whistler
Though this is their first bar, owners Robert Brenner and Billy Helmkamp run an indie record label also called The Whistler, which puts out 7-inch vinyl for punky a cappella group The Blue Ribbon Glee Club and others.
Faith & Whiskey
Though owner Hunter Cannon’s music background is limited to building the bar’s playlists, he ran the space’s previous concept, Ta’Too, and is a partner at West Loop nightclub Bon V.
Advantage: Tie. The Whistler guys pull ahead in the music department, but Cannon has more nightlife experience.
On the walls
The Whistler
Artsy posters for upcoming performances, a rotating site-specific art display in the front window and a funky photo mural assembled from more than a dozen frames.
Faith & Whiskey
Guitars and flat-screen TVs mounted inside gilded frames, a massive tattoo-style mural bearing the bar’s name and two big ol’ motorcycles perched above the bathrooms.
Advantage: Faith & Whiskey. We gotta give this place props for setting itself apart from Lincoln Park’s glut of generic neighborhood bars with in-your-face decor.
Whiskey standout
The Whistler
The pleasantly sweet, slightly spicy Royal County Down cocktail ($8) made with Jameson, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur and Angostura bitters.
Faith & Whiskey
The Backstage Pass ($8), a fruity mix of Maker’s Mark, peach and mango vodkas and pineapple juice.
Advantage: The Whistler. We’re still thinking about this perfectly balanced, smooth-sipping drink.
The winner
While Faith & Whiskey is filled with things that are iconically cool, The Whistler has cool running through its veins.
———-
lmarnett@tribune.com
