Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
is welcoming—there always seems to be room to squeeze in one more person.
3258 N. Sheffield Ave. (between Belmont Ave. and Roscoe St.).
&
773/281-4989.
Subway/El: Red
or Brown line to Belmont.
Tryst
When you need a break from the surrounding sports bars, this trendy
lounge offers a stylish alternative. You won't find a Cubs logo anywhere—just
exposed-brick walls, sleek banquettes, and stainless-steel finishes. You don't have
to dress up to fit in—you'll see plenty of college T-shirts and jeans—and
although the drink list is heavy on martinis, no one will sneer if you order a beer.
3485 N. Clark St. (at Cornelia St.).
&
773/755-3980.
Subway/El: Red Line to Addison.
WICKER PARK & BUCKTOWN
For an alternative scene, head over to Wicker Park and Bucktown, where slack-
ers and some adventurous yuppies populate bars dotting the streets near the con-
fluence of North, Damen, and Milwaukee avenues. Don't dress up if you want
to blend in; a casually bohemian getup and low-key attitude are all you need to
fit in. While you can reach most of these places relatively easily by public trans-
portation, I'd recommend taking a cab at night—the surrounding neighbor-
hoods are what I'd call “transitional.”
Bar Thirteen
West Division Street—just south of Wicker Park—is the
newest hotspot for trendsetting young Chicagoans. Tucked among the quirky
boutiques and artsy coffeeshops, Bar Thirteen is the neighborhood's coolest
hangout. The stools, couches, and fireplace surrounding the long oak bar create
a retro-modern living-room-feel. The attractive crowd sips high-priced martinis
while a DJ spins tunes on Wednesday through Saturday (but you won't have to
struggle to be heard—the music is more background than dance-club). While it
can get crowded on weekends, you'll find a chilled-out, relaxed scene after work
on weekdays. 1
944 W. Division St. (at Damen Ave.).
&
773/394-1313.
Subway/El: Blue Line
to Division.
Betty's Blue Star Lounge
Wicker Park scene makers have made Betty's, an
unpretentious, low-key neighborhood tavern just south of Wicker Park in
Ukrainian Village, a trendy late-night destination. Part local watering hole, part
biker bar, it's your typical pool-table and darts joint earlier in the evening, but
Thursday through Saturday the bar transforms into a jam-packed venue for local
bands and DJs. The action is in the back room, equipped with a stellar sound
system and lots of mirrors.
1600 W. Grand Ave.
&
312/243-8778.
Bus: 65 (Grand Ave.).
The Bucktown Pub
The owners' collection of groovy 1960s and 1970s
rock-'n'-roll posters and cartoon art is phenomenal. However, most Bucktown
patrons are more interested in nursing their pints of imported and domestic
microbrews than gawking at the walls. Other Wicker Park/Bucktown bars try to
come off as gritty; this is the real thing, where attitude is firmly discouraged at the
door. The psychedelic- and glam-rock-filled jukebox keeps toes tapping, and com-
petition on the skittle-bowling machine can get quite fierce. Credit cards not
accepted.
1658 W. Cortland St. (at Hermitage Ave.). No phone. Subway/El: Blue Line to Damen.
The California Clipper
Located a bit off the beaten path in Humboldt Park
(just south of Wicker Park), the Clipper is well worth seeking out. For the past
couple of years, this beautifully restored 1940s tavern, with its gorgeous Art Deco
bar and red walls bathed in dim light, has been colonized on the weekends by the
young and terminally restless. Friday and Saturday nights feature live music,
mostly rockabilly and “country swing.” 1
002 N. California Ave.
&
773/384-2547.
www.californiaclipper.com. Subway/El: Blue Line to Damen.
Value
