Chicago After Dark - Chicago 2005 - page 278

Webster's Wine Bar It's a bit off the beaten track—on the western fringe of
Lincoln Park—but Webster's low-lit, sophisticated decor is an alternative to the
usual beer blast. The waitstaff can help you choose from a list of dozens of wines
by the bottle or glass, or you can hone your taste buds with a flight of several
wines. There's also a tapas-style menu for noshing. Step back into the library area
to light up a cigar and recline on the couch. 1480 W. Webster Ave. (between Clybourn and
Ashland aves.). & 773/868-0608. Subway/El: Red or Brown line to Fullerton, then a short cab ride.
WRIGLEYVILLE, LAKEVIEW & THE NORTH SIDE
Real estate in Wrigleyville and Lakeview is a tad less expensive than in Lincoln
Park, so the nightlife scene here skews a little younger. You'll find a mostly post-
collegiate crowd partying on Clark Street across from Wrigley Field (especially
after games in the summer). But you'll also discover some more eclectic choices.
Chicago Brauhaus Lincoln Square—a few miles northwest of Wrigley
Field—is the heart of Chicago's German community. Traditional delis and Euro-
pean shops (including a terrific old-fashioned apothecary stocked with homeo-
pathic medicines and cosmetics) dot Lincoln Avenue from Wilson to Lawrence
avenues. For a dose of Oktoberfest at any time of year, stop into the Brauhaus.
German bands perform on weekends, when the older crowd puts the youngsters
to shame on the dance floor. The Erdinger, Spaten, and BBK flow freely, and the
kitchen serves up big plates of wurst, schnitzel, and sauerkraut. 4732 N. Lincoln Ave.
(between Leland and Lawrence aves.). & 773/784-4444. Subway/El: Brown Line to Western.
404 Wine Bar One of the most inviting bars in the city, 404 Wine Bar makes
you feel like you've been invited to a party in a private home. A series of cozy,
low-lit rooms are filled with tables and soft leather couches; the laid-back vibe
attracts groups of friends and couples rather than on-the-prowl singles. The wine
list features more than 100 labels from around the world, all fairly reasonably
priced. Order by the bottle, glass, or flight (the selection changes every 2 weeks).
404 Wine Bar also adapts wonderfully to the changing seasons: In the summer,
tables are set up in an outdoor courtyard; in the winter, fireplaces fill the rooms
with a warm glow. 2852 N. Southport Ave. (at George St.). & 773/404-5886. Subway/El:
Brown Line to Wellington.
Ginger Man Tavern Ginger Man definitely plays against type in a row of
predictable sports bars across the street from Wrigley Field. On game days, the
earthy bar has been known to crank classical music in an attempt to calm
drunken fans—or at least shoo them away. Pool tables (free on Sun) are always
occupied by slightly bohemian neighborhood 20-somethings, who have more
than 80 beers to choose from. 3740 N. Clark St. (at Racine Ave.). & 773/549-2050. Sub-
way/El: Red Line to Addison.
Irish Oak Owned and staffed by folks from the Old Sod, this is one of
the city's nicest Irish bars. The bar's handsome woodwork and collection of
antiques give the tavern a mellow, laid-back feel. Irish bands perform once in a
while on weekends. There are plenty of whiskeys, stouts, and ales to sip, and the
kitchen offers shepherd's pie and other Irish fare. 3511 N. Clark St. (between Cornelia
Ave. and Addison St.). & 773/935-6669. Subway/El: Red Line to Addison.
Sheffield's Beer and Wine Garden A popular neighborhood gathering
spot for years, Sheffield's main claim to fame is its large beer garden, furnished
with what has got to be the only outdoor pool table in the city. The bar boasts
a selection of more than 80 beers, including one featured “bad beer” of the
month. Sheffield's can get jammed with a young, loud crowd, but the attitude

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