World Travel Guide Online

Guide to the Best Chicago Bars

First of all, a good website and THE premier paper for music shows and what’s going on in Chicago is the Chicago Reader.
For a map of the Chicago Train System, click here.

Music Venues

ROCK
Lounge Ax (2438 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-525-6620)
(El Stop-Fullerton Brown, Purple, Red)
A heavily alternative crowd hangs out here, and the music is played very loud – so loud that they even sell earplugs at the bar. The chance of seeing a breakthrough local band is very possible, but a lot of garbage comes through as well. One of the grittier places in touristy Lincoln Park.

Thurston’s (1248 W. George, 773-472-6900)
(El Stop-Diversey Brown, Purple)
Primarily high-quality bands come through here, and the atmosphere is very dark and seductive. Stage is upstairs while pool tables and seating is downstairs. Very hip place.

Elbo Room (2871 N. Lincoln, 773-549-5549)
(El Stop-Diversey Brown, Purple)
Right next door to Thurston’s, the Elbo Room boasts more high-profile bands, but the atmosphere is not as unique. However, the sound system is impeccable and you can meet cool locals here. The stage is intimate and in a cozy basement.

BLUES
Buddy Guy’s Legends (754 S. Wabash, 312-427-0333)
(El Stop-Roosevelt Green, Orange, Red)
They call it the premier blues club, and it is. Famous bluesmen like Otis Rush, Steve Cropper, Joe Louis Walker, and of course Buddy Guy himself have all played here and burned the house down. They also have some good New Orleans-style cajun food from the kitchen.

B.L.U.E.S. (2519 N. Halsted, 773-528-1012)
(El Stop-Fullerton Brown, Purple, Red)
This is one of the most intimate blues clubs in the city, and the atmosphere shows it. People commiserate and feel general goodwill as awesome local bluesmen wail less than 10 feet from your face.

Kingston Mines (2548 N. Halsted, 773-477-4647)
(El Stop-Fullerton Brown, Purple, Red)
If you can’t get enough of the blues late night, check out this place which closes at 4am! You won’t see great names here, but you will see some great local talent like Carl Weathersby and Billy Branch.

JAZZ
The Green Mill (4802 N. Broadway, 773-878-5552)
(El Stop-Lawrence Red)
This is THE place to see some good jazz. Al Capone used to hang out here, and the richly textured wood walls and 1930s-style furniture give this place a strong sense of Chicago history. A little pricey, but well worth the visit.

Dance Clubs

Mad Bar (1640 N. Damen, 773-227-2277)
(El Stop-Damen Blue)
Definitely go here on Thursday nights, when they have Brazil night with the Chicago Samba School. It’s the closest that you can get to Brazilian Carnaval in Chicago. At times they have feijoada (a good bean and rice stew) and other treats. Por que parou! Parou por que!

Karma (318 W. Grand, 312-321-1331)
(El Stop-Grand Red)
Located in a converted loft building, the club boasts a rapidly changing clientele and some really good dance music. Several dance floors give you different flavors.

Mint (820 W. Lake, 312-493-6468)
(El Stop-Clinton Green)
A good, dark, and gritty dance club with good music. Some decently good seating as well for hanging out and drinking. A young and non-trendy crowd (at least for now).

Restaurant/Grills

BW-3 (2464 N. Lincoln, 773-868-9453)
(El Stop-Fullerton Brown, Purple, Red)
For good, flavorful chicken wings and cheap beer, come here. A great place to hang out after a long day and just eat and drink and watch the game. They have many BBQ and hot sauces for even the most discerning wing connoisseur.

Beat Kitchen (2100 W. Belmont, 773-281-4444)
(El Stop-Paulina Brown)
For a bar, this place has top-notch food. The best is their goat cheese and sun-dried tomato pizza, and their sandwiches are also very tasty. Plus you can catch a good band, too.

Deluxe (1575 N. Milwaukee, 773-342-6667)
(El Stop-Damen Blue)
Located in bad-ass Bucktown, this place has some good casual dining and good food (but gets a little pricey). Feels more like a restaurant than a bar, but a good place for drinks nonetheless.

Watering Holes

Holiday (1471 N. Milwaukee, 773-486-0686)
(El Stop-Damen Blue)
A popular place with crazy guys and silly girls. A great place to not be yourself. Great place to meet people and talk about rocket science.

Vaughan’s Pub (2917 N. Sheffield, 773-281-8188)
(El Stop-Diversey Brown, Purple)
One of the best Irish pubs in the city (the bartenders still have their accents). They serve a mean pint of Guiness and the atmosphere is relaxed and warm. Don’t expect any TV or billiards – just good conversation.

Matilda’s (3101 N. Sheffield, 773-883-4400)
(El Stop-Belmont Brown, Purple, Red)
A cozy and hidden place in the north side with good drinks and even better bartenders. Intimate seating arrangements and no-nonsense people make this place very real and down-to-earth.

Leopard Lounge (1645 W. Cortland, 773-862-7877)
(El Stop-Armitage Brown, Purple)
I’ve never seen weirder martini combinations, but they have them here – and they’re tasty. Try the Dreamsicle Martini – a kid’s treat for adults. Colored red lights and cool furniture make this place very unique, hidden in a quiet neighborhood. By the way, you have to be 23 to get in.