Beer and Bears

I am a first time poster after learning about LTH from ErikM whom I met at Andy's on Division when he overheard me asking if they had whole roasted chickens. He was very helpful.

My partner and I are relatively new to Chicago (having moved here from Seattle) and last year began a pasttime we enjoy very much: Exploring Chicago's neighborhood taverns one beer and Bears game at a time. So far we've been to the Mutiny (grill outside, potluck inside), Four Moons, Village Tap, Charleston, Mickey's, and a place on Leavitt near McLean that has "art" or "gallery" in its name.

As you can probably tell we live in the Bucktown, Logan Square neighborhood but are willing to go further afield. We'd love advice on where to find little bustling taverns (with TV's) that serve good beers on tap and do special food when there's a Bears game on. Extra points for bars where customers are allowed to bring their dogs! (We're enchanted by the fact that you're allowed to bring a baby into a bar here and that the places often have a resident cat or dog. It's so much different from Seattle's uptight rules.)

Thank you for whatever suggestions you can provide.
Lynn

Lotties
1925 W. Cortland
(773) 489-0740

Dannys
1951 W. Dickens
489-6457

VFW
1344 N. Greenview
(very interesting place smack in the middle of residential housing) The young guys in there are just trying to keep the place open) donated big screen TVs and cheap beer.

Welcome to LTH Forum, Lynn. I'm sure you've circled November 18th on your calendar. The question is, will you be rooting for Da Bearccc or the Seahawks?

Danny's is a great bar. It's one of last no-attitude bars left in an area that has become incredibly trendy (and I'm not complaining, just comparing.) I didn't know they have TV's, though.

I'll add Piece, which is a pizza restaurant with a bar, and perhaps not what you are looking for. They brew their own beer and it's quite good. They do New Haven style pizza and it's excellent. And the place is littered with tv, so I'm sure they'll have the Bears' game on.

Piece
1927 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 772-4422

Darren may be right, call ahead.
also:
Beachwood Inn
1415 N. Wood

Lemmings
1850 N. Damen Ave.,
(773) 862-1688

In the vein of neighborhood place/dive bar with funky atmosphere, a TV and beer in cans, one can always enjoy the smoke filed air at the L & L which Kenny calls "the last neighborhood bar in the neighborhood"

It is a bit far afield from Logan Square/Bucktown but easily accessible from the red line.

L & L
3207 N. Clark
Chicago

Thank you for these great replies! I'm going to make a bee-line for VFW. It's intriguing. I'm imagining and hoping it's in one of those old VFW lodges.

When we first moved here we got into the habit of going to Danny's during our exploratory walks of the neighborhood. We'd wind up there around 5:30 or 6 in the evening and were so welcomed that we didn't notice much that we were always the only customers. We found out later that the place doesn't even open until much later and that the young bartenders were just being nice to us old people, letting us in for our own private Early Bird Special. The owner finally told us to come back later. Now we go to the Charleston all the time for our n-hood brewski.

VFW has finicky hours, because it's all volunteer, but Wed and Thur are good nights, and most Saturdays in the day time, not this one cause the bartender is out of town, but always open football Sundays. It's truely a gem , and you'll see some bartenders from the matchbox there at times.

nicinchic wrote:VFW
1344 N. Greenview
(very interesting place smack in the middle of residential housing) The young guys in there are just trying to keep the place open) donated big screen TVs and cheap beer.

It's not really a VFW, is it? Do they make you say the pledge before you drink?

lynnbasa wrote:My partner and I are relatively new to Chicago (having moved here from Seattle) and last year began a pasttime we enjoy very much: Exploring Chicago's neighborhood taverns one beer and Bears game at a time. So far we've been to the Mutiny (grill outside, potluck inside), Four Moons, Village Tap, Charleston, Mickey's, and a place on Leavitt near McLean that has "art" or "gallery" in its name.
Lynn

That would be the Gallery Cabaret. God that place sucks. But in a good way. Kind of. Their open mic nights are legendary (in my mind, at least) for their badness.

In Logan Square, one good corner/neighborhood bar is the Whirlaway. After 10 it is descended upon by Art Institute students, but before that it is a pretty good place to watch a game.

There is a bar at the corner of Augusta and Levitt that friends (for reasons unknown to me) have dubbed the "Secret Squirrel." Perhaps because it is one of the most nondescript/undercover bars around. There is no signage (other than one neon beer sign). For years I thought it was a private club. It's not. It's actually a decent neighborhood bar. And for the record, it is officially called the J&M Tap.

Near Horner Park, a favorite of mine is the Montrose Saloon. The have a periodic bluegrass night, a great beer garden, and, I believe, really good beer specials for football (particularly on Monday nights).

Another dive/corner bar up north that is a good place for a game is Ricochets in Lincoln Square.

Another place that I've heard good things about, but never been to is the Chipp Inn in East Village.

There are many, many more.

Whirlaway
3224 W. Fullerton

J&M Tap
959 N. Leavitt

Montrose Saloon
2933 W. Montrose Ave

Ricochets
4644 N Lincoln

Chipp Inn
832 N. Greenview

Our bears crew has established ourselves at the Four Treys on Damen.

My brother bartends during Bears games - the beers there are not good (but Franziskaner does us well - we actually got that stocked there)

But I will tell you that you'll be watching the Bears game with the best bears fans in chicago.

Also, on most days we do a pot luck buffet. People bring in chips, salsa, italian beef, hot dogs, chili, etc and you just throw whatever money you want into a jar and eat all day.

On special occasions i'll smoke a couple shoulders and do pulled pork.

Also - dogs are allowed in the bar.

Lastly, and this turns people off, but it's Bears day. You wont find much chatter/talking, grab ass in the bar - the game is on and everyone is tuned in. 'tis a good time.

Four Treys
3333 N. Damen

SCORE!! This is it! Bears and beer mecca at the Four Treys. The funny thing is I biked by that bar a couple of times a while ago but forgot it's name and where it was. I've been trying to find it ever since. I kept thinking it was on Roscoe (which is how we found Four Moons). It's been haunting me ever since. My Great White Whale of n-hood taverns. I knew it would turn up again some day. All that and dogs, too. This is great.

Never go there on Saturday nights.

Other 'n that, you'll see us there during the weekdays on many weeknights.

My roommate bartends there on Monday nights, my brother on Wednesday and Sunday.

A handful of years back it used to be me and my brother sitting there watching the games on Sunday by ourselves

But now - it's a wonderful, wonderful Bears crowd and we'd be more than honored to add a few new ones!!

Hope to Bear Down with you guys this year.