I do not think the bar scene in Chicago is much better than anywhere else for the most part.

When I go places, I seek out what is unique about them. In Chicago, that would be, for me directing a visitor, certain museums, theater, restaurants, classic food like deep-dish/hot dogs/Italian beef, Wrigley Field, jazz/blues clubs, lakefront, Michigan Ave shopping, Frank Lloyd Wright houses, Millennium Park.

Though in the case of the OP, he and his friend are craft beer fans. Many craft beers don't make it to bars far from their hometowns. So the beer selection at Map Room, for example, could be dramatically different from the selection at a spot known for craft beers in the OP's hometown.

I would only partially agree with this. One of the fairly unique things about Chicago is the neighborhoods and the way people gather in neighborhood bars and restaurants, rather than at the fancy places downtown. And there are more of those neighborhood type places than just about anywhere else I've been in the US. Whether that's better or worse is an opinion.

The OP was coming in too late to enjoy the museums and theater, and many of the other things you list, which I agree are great things to see in Chicago.

Personally, I would never direct a tourist to a deep-dish pizza place, with maybe the exception of Pequods. Much more of a Chicago experience to eat the square-cut pub pizza.

Exactly and the Map Room fit that bill perfectly. There were very few beers that we see in the NY Metro area. Even one from Sierra Nevada that apparently makes it to Chicago but not New York. It was a quiet low key spot. I enjoyed it there. That's why I am so glad I came here and got so many good ideas. We didn't get to a bar we didn't like until stopped following the advice here. :cool:


Yeah I mean with a short overnight layover it's hard to squeeze in any city. We would have handled things differently if Chicago was the destination. I probably would have even booked different flights. My friend wasn't joining me when I initially booked, so I had no idea that I would have to slide in trying to soak in Chicago. Had I been by myself I doubt I would have even left the airport.

If you liked the Map Room, consider Hopleaf next time also. Several really good brewery/brewpubs around including world-class Three Floyds in Munster, Indiana. The place is run by jackasses, but they make Zombie Dust, likely the best pale ale in the world. People travel there from Europe on pilgrimages.

Any places specific?

Is the Map Room still cash-only? I've never been there, and if that's still their policy, unfortunately never will go.

Division and Damen/Ashland in Ukrainian Village is actually a pretty cool neighborhood. Red Square, Bangers & Lace, some new hipster Scone place, etc. There must be some other part of Division - I certainly would never equate anywhere in Chicago with Bourbon Street.

Both excellent suggestions!

Hmmm, I'll need to think on that one. It's a pretty common thing in Chicago, outside of the downtown area. Any bar that serves pizza does it this way, unless they are some kind of specialty place (NY style, Napoli, etc.), and probably everyone in Chicago has their favorite neighborhood place...and the dive bars tend to get some of the best word-of-mouth reviews. In my neighborhood, I've heard Side Street Saloon is excellent, but haven't tried it yet. I tend to order delivery from Art of Pizza. We probably should start a Chicago thread on where to get the best pub-style pizza!

Pretty sure the OP went to Division & Rush. Not quite Bourbon street, although on any Friday night you will see drunk people falling down and vomiting in the street.

I like Ukie Village more during the week than weekends, but maybe if I think about it, that's true for most local bars. I agree there are a few good places there.

That's a good start and good idea for a thread. I also need a list of "good" bars that open at 11am. Side Street works for that and the pizza!

LOL. Googling "Chicago bars that open at 11 am" works. But it gives you opening times of exactly 11 am, I'm sure many are earlier, and quite a few are open for breakfast/brunch on the weekends. And some open early for events...St. Patrick's, Cubs games, Soccer (The Globe), etc.

If you're looking for something in particular, help narrow it down to a specific area, and I'm sure you'll get some ideas from several of the people reading this thread. Chicago has thousands of bars, and many are open before noon.

Side Street, by the way, is in a very nice neighborhood, but is definitely a slightly shady dive bar. Totally safe, anyone is welcome, but may not be everyone's style.

One of the classics is Vito and Nick's in Ashburn. Way south on Pulaski.

It must not be too bad, it doesn't get complained about at the neighborhood meetings like the place at the other end of the block. (we're clearly neighbors and I need to try Side Street)

If you try it post back here. I've heard it from several people but haven't tried it yet. And it's been from people I work with, so I don't have a good sense of whether they're just as happy eating at Cubby Bear :).

Oh, and for the out-of-Towners, try sausage and giardinera as toppings. A lesser-known Chicago secret, and not everywhere will have it. I even converted my friend who is originally from Texas...

How do we define pub-style pizza? The mister loves Flo & Santos, which is in his old hood (13th & Wabash), but I hate their pizza. He's trying to find something comparable up in Lakeview, which leads to conversations like this:

Him: We should get pizza when so-and-so comes over.
Me: Panino's and Coalfire are great.
Him: No, those are lousy. I'll ask the neighbors. They'll recommend someplace good.
Me: Um, those plus Pizzaria de Nella and Spaca de Napoli are the local places that are good. I don't think you're going to get what you're looking for if you ask for general pizza recommendations.

(Seriously, his reaction to almost any pizza place that isn't Flo & Santos ranges from "meh" to "that's the worst pizza I've ever eaten.")

That's a funny story! The one moral to that story is Chicago people really aren't deep dish pizza lovers like the rest of the country thinks. There are far more pizzerias serving Italian style (Coafife, Pizzeria de Nella, etc.) and Chicago-style thin crust (which is what I refer to as pub-style), than deep dish places.

Flo & Santos is more akin to that Chicago style...thin crust, heavy on toppings, if I recall correctly.

We really need a Chicago pizza thread! :)

I think that's an accurate description of Flo's pizza. I'm really not a fan of Chicago-style of any sort, though I will have Malnatti's thin crust in a pinch. Give me a yeasty dough a la Pizzeria de Nella any day!

If you have any suggestions for the pizza in Lakeview that the boy might like, please let me know. He keeps finding excuses to head to the South Loop.