Drinks near Union Station

Hi all - I have a friend stuck at Union Station for the next few hours. We want to meet up for cocktails before his train leaves, but I'm not too familiar with that area for bars. He has a whopper of a suitcase that he's toting around, so doesn't want to go too far.

Any suggestions on a place to go that more resembles a local bar/pub rather than a restaurant?

Thanks
Sharon

Boston Blackies on Riverside Plaza has a nice bar. (and good burgers) He can walk a block north along the river or on canal street

One of the bars right there in Union Station is not half bad (the one just off the Great Hall upstairs). A couple of blocks north, the bar associated with the Mexican restaurant in the Presidential Towers atrium is remarkably nice for that type of place and good for conversation, but it may be farther than your friend would want to lug a large suitcase.

Right around the corner on Clinton Street is Dylan's, a decent typical neighborhood bar. And they have pretty good snacks too if you're inclined. I would also second Blackie's...they're pretty good too.

leesh wrote:Any suggestions on a place to go that more resembles a local bar/pub rather than a restaurant?

To the extent you don't mind deviating from this restriction, I would agree with kafein and rosie's recommendations of Blackies and Dylan's. Blackies' bar is segregated enough from the restaurant that you can almost pretend you are in a tavern; Dylan's not so much (and both can be kind of noisy). There is also the sports bar that took over the space formerly occupied by Bennigans at Presidential Towers; the bar is also segregated enough from the restaurant that it might do the trick.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Rivers Restaurant in the Merchantile Exchange building, which is one block North of Union Station has a great outdoor patio right on the Chicago river if you are there at the right time.

Great martinis with stuffed olives. The Corn Chowder and Tortilla soup are great as well. Very good bar menu.


Rivers
Corner of Wacker and Monroe
30 S. Wacker Dr.
312-559-1515

we ended up just sitting in the very cool and comfortable bar in union station. cold beer and good company made for a fine evening while my friend was stranded here.

thanks for all the suggestions!

Hi,

I'm hosting a large out of town group for a meeting near Union Station. After the meeting ends around 6 pm on a Monday, I'd like to take them to a local watering hole within a 10 to 15 minute walking distance from Union Station. The spots I'm currently contemplating are:

[*] Jefferson Tap & Grill on 325 N. Jefferson St
[*] Berghoff on Adams near State

Beer prices at the Berghoff are a bit high due to the downtown tourist surcharge, but the atmosphere is nice in their wood paneled Bierstube. Jefferson Tap hosts events regularly on their upstairs area and has a really nice beer selection.

The aim is to be not too fancy, but have a decent microbrew selection on tap with solid food options in the vein of a good gastro pub.

Any and all suggestions within that walking perimeter are welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Taiga

Not precisely what you describe but well worth considering is Prairie Fire.

Right next to Prairie Fire is the New Line Tavern. More bar than restaurant, but they do have good bar food.

New Line Tavern
201 N Clinton
Chicago, 60661
312-212-5463

taiga wrote:Hi,



The aim is to be not too fancy, but have a decent microbrew selection on tap with solid food options in the vein of a good gastro pub.

Any and all suggestions within that walking perimeter are welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Taiga

Jaks Tap has an extensive selection of both domestic and foreign beers on draft. I've never had their food but it looks OK when I see it brought out to others. At 2 blocks west of Halsted it's relatively close to Union Station. Only caution would be to verify whether the Bulls or Blackhawks are playing that night as it can fill up with folks stopping there for a pre-game drink/meal.

Jaks Tap
901 W Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60607-3023
(312) 666-1700
http://jakstap.com/

Kman wrote:

taiga wrote:Hi,

Jaks Tap has an extensive selection of both domestic and foreign beers on draft. I've never had their food but it looks OK when I see it brought out to others. At 2 blocks west of Halsted it's relatively close to Union Station. Only caution would be to verify whether the Bulls or Blackhawks are playing that night as it can fill up with folks stopping there for a pre-game drink/meal.

Jaks Tap
901 W Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60607-3023
(312) 666-1700
http://jakstap.com/

For the last five years I've worked down the street from Jaks. It has always fallen on the slightly disappointing side of the spectrum. Drinks are overpriced, food nothing to write home about, although they do have gigantic chicken wings. Service is slow in general. Not nearly as good as Hackney's on Dearborn or South Loop Club, where the school used to be.