Regulars at Chicago bars

[Kalleh1]

There was a good article in the Chicago Tribune today about regulars in bars, though I couldn't find it online. Sorry! It was entitled, "Regulars: Every Bar Has Them." While it didn't address beer at all, it did talk about neighborhood bars, and the Map Room was mentioned, along with Richard's (at Grand and Milwaukee), Skylark (Pilsen), Metro Bar and Grill (Union Station), Gibson's (Rush Street), The Boss (Hubbard and Clark Streets), Twin Anchor (Old Town), and Wise Fools Pub. Apparently Frank Sinatra once strolled into the Twin Anchor, leaving a tip of $400, and Mick Jagger jammed with James Cotton at the Wise Fools Pub. BTW, does anyone know Jim Becker (Be-Bop) who frequents the Map Room? He apparently is a "veteran" of Chicago's bar scene.

Interestingly, the article says that bars are disappearing from Chicago. In 1947 there were 7,000 bars, and now there are 1,267. Does anyone know why?

[Erin W]

I'll be in Chicago 4-1 over the weekend, and I'll be more than happy to support a local pub. Any recommendations along Michigan/downtown?

[neelyjr1]

So it looks like there are plenty of good places to get good beer in Chicago. I am moving there at the end of April and now all of my worries are gone.

[brewcrew76]

Originally posted by Erin W
I'll be in Chicago 4-1 over the weekend, and I'll be more than happy to support a local pub. Any recommendations along Michigan/downtown?

Although it is a chain, I recommend Rock Bottom (1 West Grand Avenue). Pete's specialty brews (the ones that aren't common at all RB's) are fantastic. They usually have 2-3 bourbon aged beers on tap that are very good if you like bourbon beers.

Clark St. Ale House (742 N Clark St) is also another good choice.

Basically with the CTA you could hit anywhere in the city fairly easily from downtown.

[brewcrew76]

I am surprised there is such a difference since 1947. It seems like there are bars everywhere in this city and new ones are popping up constantly. I would sacrifice if we could get a few more brewpubs in the city.

[Kalleh1]

I agree, Brewcrew.

Erin, what kind of beer do you like? Where will you be? Will you have a car?

I don't happen to like the Rock Bottom, but I suppose that's just taste. I agree with the Clark Street Ale House, though. Everyone here seems to love the Map Room, though that would be a drive (or a cab). There is a great Scottish pub that my husband adores and another with great Belgium beers. If you like cask conditioned beer, Mac's is probably the best, though it is a burger joint. Then there's always Goose Island, which is great. Most of these, though, would be a cab or a car ride from Michigan Avenue downtown.

Steve?

Neelyjr1, welcome to Chicago! It is a great city. I travel a lot, and there are a lot of great cities out there, but Chicago is up there with all of them.

[chazwicke]

Clark Street has a good feel to it. Not to mention when I was there they had Bells Two Hearted on cask and batch 6000 on tap.
The company I was with made it all the better.;)

[hops99]

I liked Clark Street too. Good selection, dark wood, nice ventilation.

The Map Room could have been great, but it was so damn smoky in there that my asthma flared up after about 20 minutes, and I had to leave.

[Kalleh1]

I agree with you about the Map Room. We were there on a Saturday night, and it was so crowded and smoky. However, Steve has said that it all depends on when you're there. I guess Saturday or Sunday afternoons are delightful there, and I must go back at that time.

BTW, the law will soon change in Chicago and there will be no smoking in bars. Does anyone know when that goes into effect?

[choreboy]

Originally posted by Kalleh1
BTW, the law will soon change in Chicago and there will be no smoking in bars. Does anyone know when that goes into effect? [/B]

The smoking ban in already partially in effect. You can only smoke in bars and restaurants with attached bars- no smoking in all other public places (stadiums, taxis, malls, airports...). These places have until July 2008 to install hard core ventilation systems- after that- no ventilation system, no smoking.

[Kalleh1]

I knew it was partially in effect, but I wasn't sure about bars. Thanks!

It will be a relief when that law goes into effect.

[brewcrew76]

Originally posted by Kalleh1


I don't happen to like the Rock Bottom, but I suppose that's just taste.

I don't like the atmosphere at RB and the service is horrible unless you sit at the bar which is always crowded anyway. The only reason I go is because the specialty beers they have can hang with any brewer in the city. I had a raspberry bourbon stout there that was excellent.

[choreboy]

Their roof top deck is pretty awesome in the summer.

[Ghost_of_Winter]

Originally posted by Kalleh1


Interestingly, the article says that bars are disappearing from Chicago. In 1947 there were 7,000 bars, and now there are 1,267. Does anyone know why?

The reason is the current Mayor. There is a little known law on the books that allows the local area to 'vote' on if they want to keep a liquir license for a bar. The problem is that most areas are changing from the ethnic conclaves they used to be where if you wanted to socialize, or find a job or whatever you went to the corner bar.

The corner bar has turned from a social place to what some consider an eyesore. Nevermind the fact that the mayor made it publiclally known that he was going to do his best to close down many of what he considered too many bars in town.

[choreboy]

It also seems to matter what the social and economic character of the neighborhood is- if it is a poor, minority neighborhood too many bars is a sign of blight, but if it is a wealthy neighborhood, lots of bars is a sign of redevelopment and growth.

[Erin W]

I'll be staying at Michigan and Wacker. Sounds fun already! Strictly relying on public transportation since I'm flying in. Just staying the weekend.

[hops99]

I'll be staying at Michigan and Wacker.

Sounds like the Hyatt Regency - that's where I always stay when I'm in town. The glass bar upstairs is actually pretty cool, and has had a decent beer selection in the past.

[choreboy]

Whenever I have folks visiting, we usually end up going to the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the Hancock building (near Chicago and Michigan). The drinks are a little pricey but the view is awesome. Also- the bar at the W on Michigan (Wiskey Blue I think) has a great view. Neither of these places is necessarily a good place to go for beer...but they are near where you are staying.

[Prankasaur]

Erin-

If you take the CTA's Blue Line (That is the line that runs out to O'hare) you could stop off at the Damen Stop. Piece Brewery is right at that stop. And once you have a couple beers there, you can walk to the Map Room (5-7 minute walk, maybe).

I highly recommend the Map Room; friendly people and an awesome selection of beers.

If you are downtown, the ride to the Damen stop is about 15 minutes.

[Kalleh1]

Erin,
I work in offices at Wacker and Michigan! When are you coming again? I will be in Milwaukee this weekend and Baltimore next weekend...but otherwise I'll be around.

[Ill hophead]

BTW, does anyone know Jim Becker (Be-Bop) who frequents the Map Room? He apparently is a "veteran" of Chicago's bar scene. I met Be-Bop at the Map Room one afternoon when there was only 3 people at the bar. That dude is a character! He was drinking cosmos or martinis and telling these outrageous stories. The only one I remember was about him going on a panty raid in New Orleans back in like 1965. He got busted for it and was banned from the state of Louisiana. LOL! I don't think anything he said was true but he sure made it a fun time. We stopped by the Map Room on Sunday and I saw him in the window right by the front door drinking a martini but the bar was crowded because of the NCAA tourney on TV and he was just sitting off in a corner by himself.

Kalleh, have you met Be-Bop? Any good stories?

And to anyone else thinking of visiting the Map Room, definitely go in the afternoon. The bartenders are really cool and you can have a great beer experience when they're not busy. At night, it's one of Bucktown's hot spots and it's filled with smoke and Lite drinkers. Although International night on Tuesdays is a fun experience too.

[chazwicke]

Kalleh, When in Baltimore go to Wharf Rat (On Pratt) there are actually two - but you will find cask ale there for certain. Very good too. British style beers are their specialty. Max's on Braodway in Fells Point will too and that is within walking distance of the other Wharf Rat.

http://www.thewharfrat.com/


http://www.maxs.com/

[steveh]

Originally posted by Prankasaur
If you take the CTA's Blue Line (That is the line that runs out to O'hare) you could stop off at the Damen Stop. Piece Brewery is right at that stop. And once you have a couple beers there, you can walk to the Map Room (5-7 minute walk, maybe).

And you could meet Prankasaur there and he'll buy beer & pizza for everyone - then disappear! ;) DUDE! I still owe you a few, where you been?

BTW - the bar at the W does have a great view, but it's so pretentious that it's bound to float into the nether regions soon... JMHO

S.

[Kalleh1]

Erin, you can always take cabs, too. They aren't that expensive. I'd take one to the Clark Street Ale House, if I were you. You'll like it there, unless you want to eat. They don't have any food. You might walk to the Rock Bottom first, eat, and then take a cab to the Clark Street Ale House.

Thanks Chaz! I will be there next Friday, and I definitely will go there. The last time I was in Baltimore (September, I believe) no one seemed to know where to go. I appreciate the suggestion!

Kalleh, have you met Be-Bop? Any good stories? No. I have only been to the Map Room twice. What about you, Steve? Have you met him? I just read about him in that Chicago Tribune article.

[Erin W]

Getting on the plane tomorrow afternoon and coming back Monday Kal, and thanks to all for the good advice. I got a CTA pass from one of my regular lunchers, and tons of recommendations from lots of other regulars.

Kalleh, email me if you're going to be around.



Prost!

off subject, I'll be watching NCAA this weekend I had the good fortune of drawing George Mason! WOO HOO:D

[Ill hophead]

Be-Bop is an older guy, maybe 60-65 years old, w/ grey hair and a thick grey moustache and a martini glass sitting in front of him. Keep an eye out for him at the Map Room and find a seat near him if possible.

[Erin W]

Originally posted by Ill hophead
Be-Bop is an older guy, maybe 60-65 years old, w/ grey hair and a thick grey moustache and a martini glass sitting in front of him. Keep an eye out for him at the Map Room and find a seat near him if possible.

Keeping an eye peeled...

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Erin W

off subject, I'll be watching NCAA this weekend I had the good fortune of drawing George Mason! WOO HOO


Ah my old Alma Mater. Brings a proud tear to my eye.

GO PATRIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Ah my old Alma Mater.

Are you being redundant, or over descriptive? ;)

No Kalleh, I haven't had the "pleasure" of meeting Be-Bop, though IllHopHead's new avatar adds about 20 year's on him - maybe he's auditioning as the new Be-Bop? :-D

S.

[Kalleh1]

I wish I knew this site better. I don't know how to find email addresses, Erin. I will be in town on Saturday, but in Milwaukee on Sunday. I'd love to meet you for a beer tomorrow night, and we'd be happy to drive you somewhere. Email me at ewein1@hotmail.com if you get this and we'll see if we can arrange something.

If not, enjoy our fine city! (I just wish we weren't 1,000 posts behind those Easterners!)

[Ill hophead]

IllHopHead's new avatar adds about 20 year's on him - maybe he's auditioning as the new Be-Bop?Nah, that's just my winter coat, happens naturally to all mammals during the winter months. I shed it a couple weeks ago, as soon as the weather got up to 60 degrees.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Kalleh1
[B! (I just wish we weren't 1,000 posts behind those Easterners!) [/B]


;)

[Kalleh1]

I know we aren't supposed to care about that anymore...I got that message. But the fact is, the first thing I do when I access this site is to see how many posts we midwesterners have, versus those mean old mid-atlantics. As my dad used to say, "You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl." ;)

[Kalleh1]

Unfortunately, Erin and I weren't able to connect. However, Ken and I decided to try, once more, the Map Room. We went a little earlier tonight, and indeed it was wonderful. Ken ordered a stout, and I had the cask conditioned Hop Back Summer Lightning, which was exceptional. I have heard about it from this board, but have never had it. Another thing that I hadn't noticed about the Map Room previously is that they have only good beer, and their customers know about good beer. They didn't even have Bud or Miller's on the menu.

I have no idea why this happened, but after we ordered our beer, the bartender said that we had a secret admirer who was buying our beers. I saw no one there I knew (looked for you, Steve), so I don't know what that was. The bartender wouldn't tell us who it was. Perhaps it had something to do with being April Fools Day, I don't know.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Kalleh1
and I had the cask conditioned Hop Back Summer Lightning, which was exceptional. I have heard about it from this board, but have never had it.

That must have been a treat!

[Richard English]

Cask-conditioned Summer Lightning is not all that common even in the UK. The bottled Summer Lightning is, though, quite excellent (bottle-conditioned, of course).

[zoom6zoom]

I wish I knew this site better. I don't know how to find email addresses

For future reference - just click on the "profile" button at the bottom of a member's post. If they have included an email addy in their profile, there will be a link to send them mail.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Kalleh1
I have no idea why this happened, but after we ordered our beer, the bartender said that we had a secret admirer who was buying our beers. I saw no one there I knew (looked for you, Steve), so I don't know what that was.

Wasn't me. I was having a cozy dinner with a nice bottle of Syrah! Another board member, perhaps? Maybe it was even Erin!

So, you went all the way to the MapRoom and only had one beer each? I don't think I could have contained myself to one Summer Lightning.

S.

[Kalleh1]

Yes, it's a long way to go for 1 beer, I agree. Neither Ken nor I really can tolerate more than 1 beer though, especially when we are driving. Besides, Ken's stout was 10% alcohol.

Unfortunately, Ken didn't like his that much, and the last time he was at the MapRoom he had a bitter that we now think had gone bad. So, Ken still doesn't like the MapRoom that much, but he will in time, I know. He just needs to have a good beer there. He loved mine. I have to say, the MapRoom is very close to the Clark Street Ale House for me now.

I doubt that it was Erin, as we don't even know each other. I looked around and recognized no one. What a great treat that free beer was, though.

[Erin W]

Originally posted by Prankasaur
Erin-

If you take the CTA's Blue Line (That is the line that runs out to O'hare) you could stop off at the Damen Stop. Piece Brewery is right at that stop. And once you have a couple beers there, you can walk to the Map Room (5-7 minute walk, maybe).

I highly recommend the Map Room; friendly people and an awesome selection of beers.

If you are downtown, the ride to the Damen stop is about 15 minutes.

.....minus the brewery that is exactly what we did...thanks for the direction and directions...No, sadly it was not me who bought your beers,Kalleh, we were there Sunday afternoon around 2-3 or later...though I would have...the Northside Bar and Grill has a wicked cute bartender (and pretty good beer too) Bell's E.S.B...panhandling is a lucretive venture in Chicago (though I chose not no enble the unemployed)...and BEST of all the beautiful and bountiful ways to enjoy beer.
The CTA is so user friendly, (the blue line and it's colorful counterparts), yet it has a small side-effect where passengers sometimes get really sleepy and the attendants have to "remind" them of their stops.
I found myself drinking lots of Belgian beers, and Hefes and other wheats...I need like a thousand more weekends to even scratch the surface!
I look forward to going back- it was really an awesome city.

E

[Snoochies]

There's also some good brewpubs in Chicago's suburbs. Typically when I get out of work at 7 am, Thornwood Bar and Grill is the only one open so that's where we'll stop occasionally. They've got a few good beers on tap (Hoegaarden, Becks, etc), and lots of other decent beers. has anyone been to Emmitt's in Palatine?

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Erin W
[BI look forward to going back- it was really an awesome city.

E [/B]

My sentiments about Chicago too. I'm pretty sure I'm swayed by the good company I kept on my last visit. (Kalleh & Ken, Steveh and Bruno)

Kalleh....Do try to hit the Wharf Rat on Pratt when you are in Baltimore this coming weekend. They will have cask.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Snoochies
has anyone been to Emmitt's in Palatine?

Yes, it's very nice - just like the other 2 Emmett's in Downer's and Dundee, but also has it's own character. One of the best Helles' I've had from a brew-pub.

S.

[Kalleh1]

Do try to hit the Wharf Rat on Pratt when you are in Baltimore this coming weekend. They will have cask.

Will do, Chaz. In fact, I can't wait!

Erin, did you try the wonderful Hop Back Summer Lightning on cask at the Map Room? I thought it was exceptional.

Glad you had a good time, Erin, and yes, do come back!

P.S. Chicago is adding a "Pink Line" to its list of CTA lines, much to the distress of some in the city. After all, some say, aren't we the city of Ditka's Grabowskis? ;)

[Kalleh1]

I loved the Wharf Rat on Pratt! I had a great cask conditioned beer. It's a very nice English pub, with 3 beers on cask. We don't have anything similar in Chicago that I know of. Thanks, Chaz!

[chazwicke]

Try Maxes on Broadway at Fells Point