May 28, 2008
Looking for a Bar in Wicker Park or Nearby?
The Violet Hour UPSCALE LOUNGE 1520 N Damen Ave 773-252-1500 theviolethour.com The extravagantly upscale lounge, colored in a serene blue and gray palette, features crown molding, crystal chandeliers, and high-backed leather chairs that designer Thomas Schlesser created especially to provide a private experience. When it comes to the delicious cocktails, no detail has been overlooked. […]
The Violet Hour
UPSCALE LOUNGE
1520 N Damen Ave
773-252-1500
theviolethour.com
The extravagantly upscale lounge, colored in a serene blue and gray palette, features crown molding, crystal chandeliers, and high-backed leather chairs that designer Thomas Schlesser created especially
to provide a private experience.
When it comes to the delicious cocktails, no detail has been overlooked. The bartenders have eight kinds of double-filtered ice on hand (each for a specific purpose), and mixologist Toby Maloney makes his own bitters from more than 30 herbs and botanicals.
A seasonally changing innovative snacks menu—including curry Rice Krispies squares; cheddar-walnut icebox crackers with spiced nuts; broiled duck meatballs with green-apple mostarda; and a fried peanut butter, banana, and bacon on brioche with wildflower honey—completes the experience.
Debonair Social Club
DANCE CLUB
1575 N Milwaukee Ave
773-227-7990
debonairsocialclub.com
Located in Chicago’s Flat Iron Arts Building, this lively nightclub celebrates art, music, and food. World-renowned DJs and musical acts make Debonair Social Club a fun place to dance, and a menu of
Italian bar fare is served until 2 a.m. Reservations can be made for table service.
The design evokes a classic social club updated with an artistic edge that expresses itself in founding partner and designer Vincent Haycock’s bimonthly artist series and the venue’s interior elements. On one wall
is a mural while others feature video installations that make for kinetic wallpaper. These visually vibrating walls explore imaginative reality using moving images, making for a unique shifting atmosphere.
Twisted Spoke
FAMILY BIKER BAR
501 N Ogden Ave
312-666-1500
twistedspoke.com
A skeleton riding a motorcycle welcomes patrons from above at this “family biker bar,” opened by two brothers in 1995. The bar now attracts a mixed crowd of friendly people looking for good food and good times. Decorated with antique motorcycle parts and memorabilia, the bar also features a rooftop patio—one of the few to be found in Chicago.
There’s an impressive selection of bourbon, and Jim Beam is on tap. Bloody Marys come with enough garnish to make a small salad, and you can purchase a bottle of Twisted Spoke’s renowned signature
Bloody Mary mix to re-create the experience at home.
Wine Café
WINE BAR
330 N State St
1559 N Milwaukee Ave
binwinecafe.com
The sister space to BIN 36 offers a seasonably inspired menu that includes thin-crust pizzas and flights of wine and cheese.
Beachwood Inn
PUB
1415 N Wood St
773-486-9806
This casual pub has a great selection of board games, a pool table, video games, and a jukebox packed with hits.
Cans Bar and Canteen
BAR
1640 N Damen Ave
773-227-2277
cansbar.com
Relive your misguided youth with an extensive collection of canned beers, old-school video games, and classic movies.
Charleston
BAR
2076 N Hoyne Ave
773-489-4757
charlestonchicago.com
This café becomes a lively bar with free live music at night.
Club Foot
DJ BAR
1824 W Augusta Blvd
773-489-0379
A beautifully carved bar and high ceiling are juxtaposed with pop-culture memorabilia.
Danny’s Tavern
DJ Bar
1951 W Dickens Ave
773-489-6457
The Sunday-night dance party is legendary at this longstanding neighborhood spot.
Double Door
MUSIC VENUE
1572 N Milwaukee Ave
773-489-3160
doubledoor.com
A great place to see live music.
Easy Bar
LOUNGE
1944 W Division St
773-227-4644
easybarchicago.com
DJs and a great jukebox combine to make Easy Bar a fun place to hang out.
The Fifty/50
SPORTS BAR
2047 W Division St
773-489-5050
thefifty50.com
A sporty pub featuring burgers, barbecue, beer-based cocktails, and 40-ounce brews.
High Dive
DIVE BAR
1938 W Chicago Ave
773-235-3483
The great indie rock jukebox, fantastic bar food, and velvet booths make High Dive a classier dive.
Jünbar
LOUNGE
2050 W Division St
773-486-6700
junbar.net
A laidback neighborhood lounge with Zen-influenced décor and delicious eats.
Lava
LOUNGE
1270 N Milwaukee Ave
773-342-5282
lavachicago.com
Designed by Suhail to evoke lava, the bar features more than 30 bottled beers and a rotating cast of DJs.
Lemming’s
BAR
1850 N Damen Ave
773-862-1688
Lemming’s displays work by local artists, and has a great selection of beers and a pool table in the back.
Liar’s Club
BAR
1665 W Fullerton Ave
773-665-1110
This edgy bar has DJs spinning hits from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, as well as an upstairs room with couches and a pool table.
The Map Room
BAR
1949 N Hoyne Ave
773-252-7636
maproom.com
Café and bar with wooden bookcases full of atlases and travel books, plus free WiFi.
The Note
MUSIC VENUE/DANCE CLUB
1565 N Milwaukee Ave
773-365-9000
This music venue hosts rock bands every night, and then transforms into a dance club until 4 a.m.
Ohm
DANCE CLUB
1958 W North Ave
773-278-4646
ohmnightlife.com
This nightclub features international DJs, a 6,000-square-foot dance floor, and five bars.
Piece
BREWERY/PIZZERIA
1927 W North Ave
773-772-4422
piecechicago.com
A lively pizza joint and bar in a former garage.
Phyllis’ Musical Inn
MUSIC CLUB
1800 W Division St
773-486-9862
Wicker Park’s first music venue showcases rock and jazz.
Plan B
DJ BAR
1635 N Milwaukee Ave
773-252-2680
planbchicago.com
A laidback bar with minimalist décor, delicious cocktails, and great music.
Rainbo Club
TAVERN
1150 N Damon
773-489-5999
Affordable neighborhood tavern with great music, comfy booths, and a photo booth.
Small Bar
SPORTS BAR
2049 W Division St
773-772-2727
thesmallbar.com
This tiny bar that caters to soccer fans has a huge selection of beers and pub fare.
Swig
BAR
1469 N Milwaukee Ave
773-384-1439
An artsy bar with great food and outdoor seating.
Vintage Wine Bar
WINE BAR
942 W Division St
773-772-3400
A sophisticated neighborhood spot with more than 50 wines and champagnes, plus a menu of cheeses, appetizers, and entrées.