Chicago After Dark - Chicago 2005 - page 271

Late-Night Bites Tips

Chicago's not much of a late-night dining town; most restaurants shut
down by 10 or 11pm, leaving night owls with the munchies out of luck.
But if you know where to go, you can still get a decent meal past mid-
night. Here are a few spots that serve up real food until real late.
In the Loop, your best—and practically only—choice is Miller's Pub
(p. 276), 134 S. Wabash Ave. ( & 312/645-5377 ), which offers hearty
American comfort food until 2am daily. Many late-night visitors to this
historic watering hole and restaurant are out-of-towners staying at
neighboring hotels.
The acknowledged star of the late-night scene is the dark, moody
Iggy's (p. 279), 700 N. Milwaukee Ave. ( & 312/829-4449 ). It's a bit off
the beaten track (although an easy cab ride from nightspots in River
North or Wicker Park), but the cool crowd descends here for pastas
and breakfast items until 4am.
In River North, food is available until 4am at Bar Louie (p. 165), 226
W. Chicago Ave. ( & 312/337-3313 ). The menu is a good step above
mozzarella sticks and other standard bar food: Focaccia sandwiches,
vegetarian wraps, and salads are among the highlights.
After a night out, Wicker Park and Bucktown residents stop by North-
side Café (p. 165), 1635 N. Damen Ave. ( & 773/384-3555 ), for sand-
wiches and salads served until 2am (3am Sat). In nice weather, the
front patio is the place to be for prime people-watching.
The bright, welcoming atmosphere at Clarke's Pancake House, 2441
N. Lincoln Ave. ( & 773/472-3505 ), is a dose of fresh air after an
evening spent in dark Lincoln Park bars. Yes, there are pancakes on the
menu, but plenty of other creative breakfast choices as well, including
mixed skillets of veggies, meat, and potatoes. Clarke's is open 24
hours, if you need to satisfy a really late-night craving.
When the Lincoln Park bars shut down at 2am, the action moves to
the Wieners Circle, 2622 N. Clark St. ( & 773/477-7444 ). This hot-dog
stand is strictly no-frills: You shout your order across the drunken
crowd and the only spots to sit are a few picnic tables out front. Open
until 4am during the week and 6am on weekends, the Wieners Circle
is the center of pre-dawn life in Lincoln Park—and I know people who
swear that the greasy cheese-topped fries are the perfect hangover
prevention.

and crannies for groups to sit and chat. Vision prides itself on offering some of
the best turntable talent in the city—the club's owners even bring in interna-
tionally known DJs. 640 N. Dearborn St. (at Ontario St.). & 312/266-2114. www.vision
nightclub.com. Cover $10-$20. Subway/El: Red Line to Grand/State.
White Star Lounge Love it or hate it, White Star Lounge has become the
see-and-be-seen spot for Chicago's beautiful people. Decorated Miami-modern
style in cool tones of blue and silver, the scene is all about gathering on the sofas
that surround the dance floor, or crushing against other thirsty souls around the
bar. The music is designed to be accessible to the high-maintenance crowd,