Getting My Slur On

I plan on doing some serious drinking this weekend with my friend. Does anyone have a good place to go (that also serves food, a plus) that's not pricey and is located just off an El line for stumble-friendly transportation?

Thanks!

Pie Lady,

Not familiar enough with the blue or purple line to make a recommendation, but I love the subject line!

Enjoy,
Gary

Matchbox/Silver Palm, located just across the street from the Blue Line Chicago stop.

Davis St. Purple Line stop. Among many within a few blocks, there's [url]The Cellar[/url] for wine, Merle's for honky-tonk atmosphere, Prairie Moon for beer, Pete Miller's for okay cocktails ... the list goes on ...

The Cellar
820 Clark St.
Evanston
(847) 425-5112

Merle's #1 Barbecue
1727 Benson Ave.
Evanston
(847) 475-7766

Prairie Moon
1502 Sherman Ave.
Evanston
(847) 864-8328

Pete Miller's Steakhouse
1557 Sherman Ave.
Evanston
(847) 328-0399

aschie30 wrote:Matchbox/Silver Palm, located just across the street from the Blue Line Chicago stop.

Pie Lady,

Just be aware that there's construction on the Blue Line between the Loop and Forest Park (may not effect you; still runs but bus shuttles instead of trains). At least the Chicago stop, my stop, will be open this weekend. See here for more CTA construction info.

happy_stomach wrote:

aschie30 wrote:Matchbox/Silver Palm, located just across the street from the Blue Line Chicago stop.

Pie Lady,

Just be aware that there's construction on the Blue Line between the Loop and Forest Park (may not effect you; still runs but bus shuttles instead of trains). At least the Chicago stop, my stop, will be open this weekend. See here for more CTA construction info.

Thanks, but I don't think that will be a problem—I'll be coming from Jefferson Park, most likely.

Any stop is fine with me, as long as it's in the city. My friend lives in Evanston, so getting there and back late at night could be a problem.

What distance do you consider stumble-friendly? If four-five blocks is within your range, go to In Fine Spirits and then pick up the Red Line at Berwyn.

In Fine Spirits
5418 N. Clark St.

Hellodali wrote:What distance do you consider stumble-friendly?

I'm not sure, I've never tried it! But this is definitely a possibility. After all, one of their menu items is "a pot of pickles."

If you're coming into town from Jeff Park on the Blue Line, then I'll second the rec for Matchbox. Standing in their doorway, you could throw a pint glass and hit the subway entrance.

My love for Tiny Lounge was reaffirmed on Wednesday night, when they had a Goose Island-sponsored five course dinner, with pairings. They have a real chef and a real kitchen making real food, including fantastic house-made desserts. Go for the mussels, the amazing soups, fries with tamarind ketchup, and duck confit empanadas. Drinks-wise, they're sort of the Bar DeVille (almost) of Lincoln Square. Great liquor selection and inventive cocktails, about 10 well-curated wines by the glass, and gotta be close to 50 bottles, with eight beers on tap.
Its a few blocks from Montrose, Damen, or Western on the Brown Line. If it gets too late, the Irving Park, Lawrence, and Western buses run all night.

Tiny Lounge
4352 N Leavitt St (at Montrose/Lincoln, hidden next to Bowman's)
Chicago, IL 60618-1710
(773) 463-0396

Between the Western brown line station & Tiny Lounge is The Grafton, a faux-Irish pub on Lincoln - I really liked the atmosphere there, and the gentleman tending bar the night we went had a way with Manhattans. I don't make it up to Lincoln Square often, but I would definitely consider popping into The Grafton for a Manhattan or two before continuing on to Tiny Lounge to drink the night away...now that's what I call a one-two punch

The Grafton
4530 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 271-9000

Depending on what you are looking for, there are a boatload of places just off the Blue Line stop at Milwaukee/North/Damen

If it's wine, I like Bin Wine Cafe, about a block south on Milwaukee.

http://www.binwinecafe.com

Bin Wine Cafe
1559 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 486-2233

I'm actually having a hard time coming up with an el stop that DOESN'T have a bar within a block of it.

South Blvd.

But St. Francis Hospital is nearby for your rehab.

If you had a time machine you could go to THUNDERCANS

Twisted Spoke is just off the Grand stop on the Blue Line. Of course (more pricey) The Violet Hour is near the Damen stop. But Twisted Spoke has quite a following!

DutchMuse wrote:Twisted Spoke is just off the Grand stop on the Blue Line. Of course (more pricey) The Violet Hour is near the Damen stop. But Twisted Spoke has quite a following!

Twisted Spoke is just a half block from Coalfire, which would make for a great one-two punch.

Pie Lady wrote:I'm not sure, I've never tried it! But this is definitely a possibility. After all, one of their menu items is "a pot of pickles."

I really like In Fine Spirits and would highly recommend it for drinks, but I have to warn you they're sweet pickles! Perhaps you're ok with this, perhaps not, but much like unexpected lard in a pizza crust, I happen to believe that sweet pickles should be disclosed.

-Dan

dansch wrote:

DutchMuse wrote:Twisted Spoke is just off the Grand stop on the Blue Line. Of course (more pricey) The Violet Hour is near the Damen stop. But Twisted Spoke has quite a following!

Twisted Spoke is just a half block from Coalfire, which would make for a great one-two punch.
-Dan

True, but neither is what I would remotely call "just off the Grand stop on the Blue Line". They're quite the hike away for a drunk.

dansch wrote:Perhaps you're ok with this, perhaps not, but much like unexpected lard in a pizza crust, I happen to believe that sweet pickles should be disclosed.

-Dan

I completely agree! Thanks for the tip, I wouldn't have liked them sweet!

Kennyz wrote:They're quite the hike away for a drunk.

Hey, hey, I'm a lush.

Kennyz wrote:

dansch wrote:

DutchMuse wrote:Twisted Spoke is just off the Grand stop on the Blue Line. Of course (more pricey) The Violet Hour is near the Damen stop. But Twisted Spoke has quite a following!

Twisted Spoke is just a half block from Coalfire, which would make for a great one-two punch.
-Dan

True, but neither is what I would remotely call "just off the Grand stop on the Blue Line". They're quite the hike away for a drunk.

Yeah, the Ashland stop on the Green/Pink line by Union Park is probably about a block closer.

another topic for Dutch and me to debate tomorrow:)