"Where the good bars are"

So I got this email (a few identifying details deleted) from an ad biz colleague:

got a favor to ask you (okay, that was fairly obvious. nevermind. it's friday)

a very good friend of mine - is moving to your lovely city from hong kong. she's brilliant and sweet and funny and born and raised in northern ireland (how did she get to hong kong? it's a long story).

clearly, the only folks she will know in chicago are the people in her office, and while i hear the folks at [monolithic ad agency in north Loop] are nice enough, we all know how far that will take you. not far indeed.

i've already informed her of the dire situation facing the cubbies. but i'm stuck here on the shores of the atlantic and can't do the important stuff - like show her where the good bars are, for example. or where any bars are, actually. anything you can do will be much appreciated by all and sundry. i'm sure she has a big expense account.

Anybody feel like they have a couple of answers to these questions, which I, long since removed from the bar scene frequented by people at that ad agency, have no clue how to answer?

You know, there are many "bar scenes" in Chicago. It kind of depends on what she's interested in. Plus she may not want to go out to bars on her own! Is she into dancing? Rock? Blues? 33 different kinds of "martinis"? Beer? How old is she? What are her hobbies? There are also all sorts of clubs for young single folks to meet each other based on non-alcohol-centered activities

My hubby is in the ad biz (small Michigan Ave agency) and his dad worked for said monolithic company for many years. Having said that, I think the Chicago ad world is way too big and diverse for the industry to have dedicated watering holes.

But I have a few suggestions of place to start:

Bin 36 is a huge wine bar/restaurant in the North Loop that should cater to a variety of tastes.

Martini Park on LaSalle is quite the hot spot right now for "the pretty people scene". Lines stretch all the way down the block to pass the velvet ropes at this place on Fri & Sat nights.

Or she may feel most comfortable finding a spot in her neighborhood. Lots of downtown workin younger folks, head home first, change, and visit their local haunts.

winediva wrote:Martini Park on LaSalle is quite the hot spot right now for "the pretty people scene". Lines stretch all the way down the block to pass the velvet ropes at this place on Fri & Sat nights.

Second.

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=14794

If they want a scene, then the Martini Park sounds like the right call. But if they're into classic cocktails and concoctions, nothing, at least in my mind and at this point, beats the Violet Hour. Great noshes as well (chorizo croquetas, deviled eggs).

My favorite swank cocktail experience in Chicago is the bar at the Peninsula Hotel.

If they're interested in getting off the beaten path, Weegee's is a great slightly hipster westside neighborhood bar where they take their cocktails damn seriously. Thoughtful and precise.

Of course, the old reliable is the Matchbox. Great personality as well as being able to mix super cocktails.

Lately, I've been enjoying Friday happy hour (5-7) at the Green Mill with Hammond organist Chris foreman. The room is one of the best in the city and Foreman keeps the usually small crowd happy. No cover.


Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave
(773) 252-1500


Weegee's
3659 W. Armitage Ave.
(773) 384-0707


Peninsula Hotel Bar
108 E Superior St
(312) 337-2888


The Matchbox
770 N Milwaukee Ave
(312) 666-9292


Green Mill
4802 N Broadway St
(773) 878-5552

If she's old - then yeah, send her to the places mentioned above.

Otherwise:

Thursdays - RiNo, Reserve, Bon V

Fridays - Crobar, Spybar

Saturdays - Underground, Manor, Vain, Spybar

I'll speak to the Irish part of the bar scene.

Downtown, The Kerryman and Celtic Crossing are the two best traditional pub type places.

Going north you've got Gingers Ale House for a bit younger crowd and great football (soccer) and rugby coverage. The Atlantic on Lincoln is a new favorite of mine that feels like it's been around for years. Galvins by Narraganset on Lawrence is out of the way but has a nice homey feel.

The Abbey on Grace at Elston and Chief O'Neills a few blocks south on Elston are mainstays in the Irish community and have good music but I just dont go there much anymore.

While the Celtic Knot is my local and I know the owners very well, they dont get a huge expat population in there. That said it is comfortable and laid back with some decent food as well.

Octarine wrote:I'll speak to the Irish part of the bar scene.

Downtown, The Kerryman

Kerryman also has the advantage of decent chow; not great, but way better than most bars.

Hey, Pigmon, now that you have your orders to gather up your ear trumpet and lorgnette and head off to the nearest ice floe, I volunteer to go with you: at least I know the conversation there will be witty and informed, the wine selection plentiful and inspired.

Gramps

I'd join you as well, but my lumbago has been acting up and I can't remember where I put those damn mustard plasters.