Conversation friendly beer bars?

I've been looking for a good beer bar (significant selection of craft beers) where you can also have a conversation without having to shout over the music or bar noise. I really like the beer and people at The Map Room but it's just too loud for an easy conversation with friends and really, when I drink good beer, the main accompaniment I'm looking for is conversation with good friends. (Also enjoyed the Hop Leaf but difficult to get a seat without buying a full meal).

I'm with you 100% on the conversation friendly part of your inquiry. However, I'm not much of a beer drinker, so I'm not sure my suggestion will totally fit your needs. As for conversation, I've found Guthrie's on Addison to be one of the most laid back, low key bars in the city. Very comfortable, warm and inviting, Guthrie's is my ideal setting for some good drinking and good company.

Buddy

Guthrie's Tavern
1300 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 477-2900

I like Guthries, but I wouldn't really call it a craft beer bar. Although, if you are looking for a place to drink and play triva persuit.. I highly recommend it!

I'd try Sheffield's. http://www.sheffieldschicago.com/

Prairie Moon has a decent, but not quite great, beer list, and with several rooms, so you can choose the most conversation-friendly. It's just a few blocks from the Davis St. stop on the Purple Line.

Prairie Moon
1502 Sherman Ave.
Evanston
847-864-8328
prairiemoonrestaurant.com

Have you tried Paramount Room? I was there last night, and it seems to fit all of your criteria. The music was at an unobtrusive volume, and I had no problems conversing with my friends. The beer list is quite good, as is the food.

GNR Thread
Site

Paramount Room
415 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 829-6300

Quenchers? I haven't been there in a while, but I don't remember it being loud, and they do have a great beer selection.

Quenchers
2401 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647-2011
(773) 276-9730

SSDD

I have always enjoyed Clark Street Ale House at Superior and Clark. They have a great beer selection and the noise level is reasonable, though it may be louder later in the night, I've never been there after 9PM.

turkob wrote:I have always enjoyed Clark Street Ale House at Superior and Clark. They have a great beer selection and the noise level is reasonable, though it may be louder later in the night, I've never been there after 9PM.

I really like Clark Street Ale House, too. I was there for an event a few weeks ago, and the place was full--far busier than I'd ever seen it--but the noise level was still very reasonable. I didn't feel like I needed to raise my voice at all.

happy_stomach wrote:

turkob wrote:I have always enjoyed Clark Street Ale House at Superior and Clark. They have a great beer selection and the noise level is reasonable, though it may be louder later in the night, I've never been there after 9PM.

I really like Clark Street Ale House, too. I was there for an event a few weeks ago, and the place was full--far busier than I'd ever seen it--but the noise level was still very reasonable. I didn't feel like I needed to raise my voice at all.

Ditto for Clark Street, I've been in there right after work and conversation wasn't a problem, but I've also been in there fairly late were conversation would be an issue.

Plus they get points in my book for letting people bring their dogs in. Though that can be a negative too, since I had a dog steal my ID one night...

SSDD

Not sure if you're looking for a chain or driving out to the burbs, but there are few places that offer a bigger selection than The Yardhouse in the Glen. 100+ beers on tap

The Yardhouse
1880 Tower Drive
Glenview, IL 60025

Are you looking in the city exclusively or are you willing to drive a bit west? Lunar Brewing in Villa Park might fit your criteria...lots of craft beers and very conversation friendly.

Lunar Brewing
54 E Saint Charles Rd
Villa Park, IL 60181-2434
(630) 530-2077

Quenchers? I haven't been there in a while, but I don't remember it being loud, and they do have a great beer selection.

Quenchers
2401 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647-2011
(773) 276-9730

There was a time when I was at Quenchers at least once a week. It was always my "quiet place", so I think it should fit the bill for you. They often have live music, but it's in an adjacent room so it's usually not a problem. There's around 200-300 beers there, and they hold numerous "fests" throughout the year, highlighting IPA's, stouts, and sour beers.

I would also venture a bar/restaurant for your query - Jerry's on Division. They've got a very, very extensive beer list, with a lot of rare 22oz and cool stuff on tap. They also do pitchers, which is a good volume-for-dollar proposition. Food is hit or miss, but I've never been disappointed with beer there. And, its definitely easy to hold a conversation there.

Jerry's Sandwiches
1938 W Division St
Chicago, IL‎
(773) 235-1006‎

grahamhh wrote:

I would also venture a bar/restaurant for your query - Jerry's on Division. ‎

Good call, when thinking about drinking beer I always forget about Jerry's, even though every time I go I am amazed by what they have.

SSDD

Jerry's can be conversation friendly unless they have live music going -- I was walking by last Sunday evening and something was blaring loud enough to be heard nearly across the street. And it wasn't exactly good music, IMO. That being said, Jerry's does have a great list -- and it's all domestic, too (or was, last time I paid attention)

Small Bar can also work (just west of Damen on Division). Unless there's a ton of people watching soccer, it can be pretty chill. They also have a great beer list.

Goose Island (on Clybourn) could also work, though they're more restaurant than bar.

I'd throw Village Tap into the mix. They have interesting beers and decent food. I'd also suggest the Edgewater Lounge which has always had a good Rogue selection.

Village Tap
2055 W. Roscoe, Chicago
773-883-0817

Edgewater Lounge
5600 N. Ashland, Chicago
773-878-3343

Jak's Tap, while not really a beer bar, tends to have a much better than average selection of beers. It has never been loud in my experience, though the waitstaff can be hit or miss some nights.

Jaks Tap
www.jakstap.com
901 W. Jackson
Chicago, IL 60035
(312) 666-1700

Just visited Shire Public House last night and believe it fits nicely into this category. Decent beer list and conversation friendly. They play music but it is at such a level that we never had to raise our voices the entire time were there.

Buddy

Shire Public House
3328 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657-1108
(773) 935-6391
http://www.theshirechicago.com

Anyone have a suggestion for a place near DePaul or along Halsted (south of Fullerton)?

jblth wrote:Anyone have a suggestion for a place near DePaul or along Halsted (south of Fullerton)?

Off the top of my head:

Black Duck Tavern
1800 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614
312-664-1801

The Local Option
1102 W. Webster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-348-2008

Tavish
1335 W Wrightwood Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
773-529-8888

Sterch's
2238 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-281-2653

These might not all be the nicest bars, and might not have the widest beverage variety, but I think they fit into the "conversation-friendly" category very nicely.

The Local Option
1102 W. Webster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-348-2008

A hearty second on that one. Really great beer selection, far under-recognized for their killer taps.
One thing you should be sure to be wary of is that the guys that run this place will crank up the metal REAL LOUD to piss off the Trixies and Chads when they wander in later on Friday and Saturday. I'd recommend coming in earlier in the night (grab some of their really good food while you're at it) or avoiding the weekend.

grahamhh wrote:

The Local Option
1102 W. Webster Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-348-2008

A hearty second on that one. Really great beer selection, far under-recognized for their killer taps.
One thing you should be sure to be wary of is that the guys that run this place will crank up the metal REAL LOUD to piss off the Trixies and Chads when they wander in later on Friday and Saturday. I'd recommend coming in earlier in the night (grab some of their really good food while you're at it) or avoiding the weekend.

Thanks a lot. I just need a place that is quiet enough to talk comfortably and a couple decent beers.

edit: Great place, exactly what I was looking for.