Pitchfork, and other awesome whiskey bars

I've become a recent (ahem, over the last few years) convert to whiskey, particularly bourbon, so I'm pretty keen on any bar that offers a decent bourbon selection. After a dinner with a friend, we were pondering where to go, and sent a text to another friend of ours who is particularly "in-the-know" about where to go. She directed us to Pitchfork, a new-ish bar / restaurant on Irving Park, just west of California.

The music selection was kind of blah - maybe I expected something a little more indie with a name like Pitchfork? Am I missing the point? Haha. But, the whiskey selection was pretty neat. I particularly liked the option to do a whiskey flight for $10 where you could pick 3 to try. They have over 25 different types of whiskey from what I understand - don't know if that's limited to bourbon / Tennessee whiskey, or what, didn't get that far into it - but I did enjoy the few that I tried. Will definitely go here again, but recommend coming earlier, as it had filled up with the neighborhood weekend crowd around 8:30 or so.

Bathrooms still have that new construction smell.

It is nice to find a place like this on the north side, especially considering that it's not ridiculous to find a parking space around here.

I'm also happy to have that void filled since Bourbon on Lincoln closed. Anyway, what are your go-to bars for serious whiskey selection?

Pitchfork: http://pitchforkchicago.com/ [warning: website has REALLY loud audio on intro]
2922 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL
773-866-2010

My current go to if I want whiskey is Big Star in Wicker Park, very good selection, fairly knowledgeable staff, and I like the vibe of the place. Plus it is within walking distance of my house, but it will be crowded, pretty much whenever you go, so be warned.

SSDD

Big Star -- LTH thread, mostly about food.
1531 N. Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
773-235-4039

Delilah's has around 400 whiskeys and was named one of the great whisky bars of the world by Whisky Magazine.

Delilah's
2771 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
773-472-2771

Pitchfork: http://pitchforkchicago.com/ [warning: website has REALLY loud audio on intro]
2922 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL
773-866-2010

I would add the warning that Pitchfork is just really loud. And has medicore food.

-Mary

The Twisted Spoke has a pretty fair whiskey/whisky selection (very good in bourbon in particular) and offers 1/2 off all whiskeys (of all types -- Scotch, Irish, bourbon, rye, Canadian, etc.) on Wednesdays. Good opportunity to try things you might otherwise not feel like making the cash outlay to try (like the 20 or 23 year Pappy Van Winkle) or otherwise just drink more cheaply.

Twisted Spoke
501 North Ogden Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 666-1500‎
twistedspoke.com

Fujisan wrote:Delilah's has around 400 whiskeys and was named one of the great whisky bars of the world by Whisky Magazine.

Delilah's
2771 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
773-472-2771

Duh, I haven't been there in so long I completely forgot! Absolutely a great bar.

If you are looking for scotch, you can head to Duke of Perth, another Great Whisky bar of the World by Whisky Mag.

SSDD

Duke of Perth
2913 N Clark
773 477 1741

Clark St. Ale House is another great place for whiskies, particularly Scotch. They have a wide assortment of standard releases plus some well-chosen independent bottlings. Above average beer selection, too. The bar seems like something of an anomaly in River North, but certainly one I'm happy for.

Clark St. Ale House
742 North Clark St.
312.642.9253‎

Wanted to add onto this thread as it seems that I became a convert to whiskey just at the right time.

Recently visited Fountainhead in Ravenswood / North Center --- great bar, awesome whiskey & beer selection. Did not try the food there, but according to viable sources, their food isn't half-bad, either.

Also had a visit to Longman & Eagle over the weekend. Their food has gotten high marks, but I wasn't so impressed; maybe I wasn't in the mood, I don't know. That being said, I did enjoy one of their whiskey flights. They have an unbeatable selection of whiskey, particularly bourbon, which is my drink of choice these days. Plus, more beards than you can shake your head at! (If you're into that sort of thing.)

Fountainhead
1970 W Montrose
Chicago, IL
773-697-8204

Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie
Chicago, IL
773-276-7110

This place is right around the corner from me. I want to like it. Heck, I want to think it's an only-slightly-below-average place to grab a drink and a bar sandwich. That would be enough to make me a regular. Unfortunately, the food at Pitchfork is horrible. Sweet, gloppy pulled pork on ultra-stale hoagie rolls, watery mac and cheese, old housemade biscuits that make me want to cross the street to KFC, skirt steak marinated in what tastes like Rose's lime juice and Triple sec.

Pitchfork. Don't count me a fan.