photo: Joey Dunne
Need another reason to drink? How about a full roster of them? Just when you thought you had tabs on all the places to get a wet one, another Golden Tee machine is ordered, more Tanqueray is stocked and a new bar opens it doors. Here are some recent scene-joiners to add to your to-drink list, plus some that are on the way.
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Grace Street Tap makes for a charming dive
Find great beers (Oberon, Dirty Bastard, Dogfish Head, Three Philosophers and more) and home-made cocktails at this dive bar with character in North Center.
Curio: The classiest basement bar around
River North hot spot Gilt Bar gets this underground cocktail lounge, which mixes up about 30 different (strong) concoctions.
The Belmont Lounge classes up the neighborhood bar
Part swanky lounge, part neighborhood bar, The Belmont offers up something for everyone in the former Touch (and Bungalow before that) location.
Blue Frog 22 keeps the party going
Kick back and have some fun at this River North spinoff of the popular Blue Frog Bar & Grill that looks more like a basement rec room. Board games and karaoke rule this bar.
The Boiler Room heats things up
It's all about beer and pizza at this spot from the folks behind Simone's Bar. Microbrews sit alongside old faithfuls like PBR. Specialty pies dominate the menu, like the namesake pizza, Boiler Room 4, which is topped with PBR meatballs, giardinera and oregano.
Jimmy Green's Bar & Grill takes it up a notch
This self-described "all-American sports bar" serves up everything from pizza to hummus in the South Loop. The beers are poured with care and food is a marked step up from your average bar fare.
The Vibe is right at Kingsbury Hall
This bar/music club hosts regular DJ events (including the Vibe on Saturday nights) in the old Crobar space.
Sports Corner is back and bigger than ever
The previously torn down Sports Corner gets new life on Addison and Sheffield, just steps from Wrigley Field. The three-story homage to all things baseball (and Cubs) will clear out after the games are over for a huge dance party.
Open up to The Vault
Perched atop Vivo, overlooking a glitzy patch of Randolph Street, sits an exclusive lounge coined The Vault. No secret combination is necessary; and with a reserve of bottled wines alongside a trove of interesting cocktails, West Loop residents so far seem just fine locked cozily away.
Take it outside at Pour Drinks & Eats
As heavenly as the idea of beer gardens sounds, so few places get it right. Joe Parra, the general manager of this Lakeview spot, took the garden concept up a notch with moody lighting, cozy seating, flat screens and a thought-out menu of affordable fares.
Fountainhead is a welcome addition
Expect better-than-bar food options from the menu of this gastropub on the border of Lincoln Square and North Center, and a quality beer list headed by Phil Kuhl, of Sheffield's "Beer School" fame.
Blue Star Wine Bar keeps a low profile
Nestled amidst the highway, a gas station, and a bevy of churches, Blue Star Wine Bar is either a hidden gem or a secret lair, depending on how you look at it. Get wine, microbrews and Mediterranean cuisine in the former Ark Cafe space in Noble Square.
Get dolled up at Beauty Bar
With locations in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas (just to name a few) it was high time for Chicago to join the ranks of this chic concept bar. The bar known for its "martinis and manicures" opens Sonotheque space, offering up chic cocktails for the mostly female crowd.
Beer comes out of the bottle
With a name like "Beer," odds are you won't be walking into a wine bar. Although the Wrigleyville establishment offers the usual array of alcoholic offerings found at most any bar, beer is the obvious focus here. While proprietor Chris Peckat also owns neighboring upmarket beer purveyor Risque Cafe, this bar doesn't discriminate: From budget friendly standbys like Milwaukee’s Best, to more highbrow choices, beer is king.
Vintage Lounge is an instant classic
With a vibe both hip and casual, this lounge caters to nearby medical students and UIC students. During the week, the scene is pool tables and bar food, with a focus on burgers and appetizers. On weekends, DJs are booked for a late-night scene that should see droves of college kids stumbling down Taylor instead of terrorizing Loop cabbies.
Barely Buzzed
The Pitch
It's soccer morning, noon and night at this three-level Lincoln Park sports bar, from the owners of Rocks and in conjunction with the Chicago Fire. Find the place open early for European matches and open all day, serving up quality bar food like burgers, wraps, wings and salads.
Benchmark
Four Corners Tavern Group unveils its latest offering, a summery Old Town bar with all the amenities. Expect a retractable roof on the outdoor patio and a bank of flat-screen TVs behind the bar that can be turned into one huge mega-screen.
Fedora Lounge
Head to this gangster-themed River North bar for a cocktail fit for prohibition, along with solid sandwiches and other bar food. Nighttime performances include burlesque shows and an open-mic night on Mondays.
Turtle Bar & Grill
Grab some cheap beers and wine, along with simple bar food options at this friendly Bridgeport pub.
The Bar 10 Doors
This Little Italy bar opens next to restaurant One. Six One.
Racine Plumbing Bar & Grill
No, it's not an after-hours plumber bar. It's a Lincoln Park sports bar, named after the owner's dad's plumbing company. Find plenty of beer and cocktails, complementing a menu chock full of sandwiches and other bar food. And don't forget to save room for a fried Twinkie.
The Curse
This Wrigleyville bar hopes to reverse the curse for the Cubs.
Illuminati
The former Vain spot re-opens as this three-story dance club in Lincoln Park with a VIP level on the third floor overlooking the rest of the party.
D.S. Tequila Company
Sip tequila and mahcine-made margaritas while you eat burgers and tacos at this new Boystown hot spot. The side patio is perfect for people-watching in the neighborhood.
Grami
Free of the kitschy Three's Company theme, Streeterville's Regal Beagle re-opens as this contemporary American bar/restaurant with a focus on beer and comfort. A dozen flat-screens show the sporting event of the day, and DJs take over at night on the weekends.
Dore Lounge
Sip specialty cocktails in style on plush black couches at this French-inspired River North spot, which features an entire wall painted gold. There is also a small menu of appetizers to nibble on.
Cork & Kerry at the Park
The popular Beverly bar opens a new location just a few blocks from U.S. Cellular Field in Bridgeport.
Still Sober
Chizakaya
Adding to the growing izakaya (Japanese small plates bars) trend is this Lakeview spot. Opening later this month, expect Japanese food without the sushi -- ramen, udon, yakitori.
Blokes & Birds
This British-themed bar in Wrigleyville plans to offer communal seating, 20-plus beers on tap (including many American craft brews), pool tables and more, beginning in August.
Moe's Cantina (River North)
The popular Wrigleyville bar plans to open a River North outpost in late September.
Exchange Urban Hang Suite
Head to this South Side for a night of bottle service or just to chill on the outdoor deck - beginning sometime this fall.
Leader Bar & Grill
This Avondale establishment (with thin-crust pizza as a specialty) from the owners of Uberstein and MaxBar is aiming for an October opening.
Haymarket Pub & Brewery
Rock Bottom brewmaster Pete Crowley is leaving his post to open this West Loop brewpub sometime in October.
Wolcott's
Grab a local beer or martini and order up from the menu full of comfort food favorites at this quaint Lincoln Square bar, opening sometime this fall. There will be TVs to watch the game and a patio coming soon after.
Tantrik
Get sensual at this new River West club, opening later this year.
Aviary
A new cocktail lounge from Alinea's Grant Achatz and his team will open in the former Fulton Lounge space in the West Loop, sometime this year. We think.
The folks behind Bull & Bear and Stone Lotus will be opening a similar spot in the former Redfish space at 400 N. State St., sometime in the summer.
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