Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Danny's Tavern
Located off the beaten Milwaukee/Damen path, Danny's
has become the neighborhood hangout of choice for Bucktown's original angry
young men and women, the ones who complain that an influx of yuppies is
ruining the area. Just finding Danny's takes insider knowledge: The only sign
out front flashes
SCHLITZ
in neon red. Inside, votive candles on the tables pro-
vide dim lighting; head to the back room to grab a seat on the leather couches
and chairs. Once there, you can revel in the fact that you're hanging with the
cool kids—just don't let them know you're a tourist.
1951 W. Dickens Ave. (at Damen
Ave.).
&
773/489-6457.
Subway/El: Blue Line to Damen.
Get Me High Lounge
If Wicker Park has a favorite late-night watering
hole, it's likely this compact, atmospheric spot, owned by nightclub impresario
and style-maker Dion Antic. Dimly lit with tealight candles hanging from the
ceiling and humming with R&B music in the air, Get Me High has a devoted
following, so get there early to claim one of the comfy couches in the back.
1758
N. Honore St.
&
773/252-4090.
Subway/El: Blue Line to Damen.
The Leopard Lounge
This cozy modern-retro bar has a cheesecake-and-
spice ambience that would make Bettie Page proud. Vintage pinup-girl illustra-
tions hang on the walls, and the lounge's seating is upholstered in (what else?)
faux leopard skin. The snappily dressed crowd comes for the bartenders' quality
cocktails.
1645 W. Cortland St. (between Ashland and Hermitage aves.).
&
773/862-7877.
Subway/El: Blue Line to Damen.
The Map Room
Hundreds of travel books and guides line the shelves of
this globe-trotter's tavern. Peruse that tome on Fuji or Antarctica while sipping
a pint of one of the 20-odd draft beers available. The Map Room's equally
impressive selection of bottled brews makes this place popular with not only the
tattered-passport crew, but beer geeks as well. Tuesday nights are theme nights
featuring the food, music, and spirits of a certain country, accompanied by a
slide show and travel tales from a recent visitor.
1949 N. Hoyne Ave. (at Armitage Ave.).
&
773/252-7636.
Subway/El: Blue Line to Damen.
Marie's Riptide Lounge
Nothing here looks like it has been updated since
the 1960s, and owners Shirley and Marie are long past retirement age. But their
personal touch and the retro-cool of the place have made it a hip late-night stop
on the nocturnal circuit. A jukebox stocked with campy oldies, a curious low-tech
duck-hunting “video” game, and the occasional blast of black light make Marie's
a hoot. The owners take great pains to decorate the interior of their little bar for
each holiday season (the wintertime “snow-covered” bar is not to be missed.)
1745
W. Armitage Ave. (at Hermitage Ave.).
&
773/278-7317.
Subway/El: Blue Line to Damen.
The Note
Located in the historic Flat Iron Building, The Note is a great after-
hours bar with the right after-hours music: a jukebox exclusively devoted to
blues and jazz. On weekends, this Wicker Park bar is packed until closing time
(4am; 5am Sat) with a cross-section of club crawlers who make this their last
stop of the night. Rock and funk bands play earlier in the evening; when the
late-night crowd shows up, the DJ spins hip-hop, salsa, and soul. It's got pool
tables, too.
1565 N. Milwaukee Ave. (at North Ave.).
&
773/489-0011.
Live music cover $5-$7.
Subway/El: Blue Line to Damen.
HYDE PARK
Jimmy's Woodlawn Tap
One of the few places to hang in Hyde Park,
Jimmy's survived neighborhood redevelopment in the 1960s that erased what
was once a busy strip of bars. Namesake Jimmy, who worked behind the bar into
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