Poitin Stil - New bar in Rogers Park

Having seen that it was recently mentioned in the thread on Gruppo di Amici – I thought I’d offer the curious an overview of this new bar on Jarvis. Yes. I said bar. Not pub. This is not an Irish pub (although the name and the heritage of the owner would lead you to think otherwise). That said, it is still worth a visit. A couple reasons…

Apparently the owner was left the property by his grandfather (who was Irish and who loved Rogers Park). If the story I was told is correct, they own the entire strip of shops on Jarvis and it was the life-long goal of the grandfather to improve the quality of life in Rogers Park by offering its residents local places to eat, drink and be merry. The young owner is doing his best effort to fulfill his grandfather’s dreams. Now I don’t know about you, but I’ll drink to that!

The space is nice enough. Clean and with door length windows opening up to the sidewalk offering a view of the laundry mat across the street and a nice breeze when mother nature is feeling generous. The actual bar fills the east end of the room with a handful of highboys accompanied by two bar stools each completing the west side of the property and in front of those big windows. Window seat, nice breeze…I’ll drink to that.

Behind the bar you will find your usual suspects along with a good selection of imports, handcrafts and micro-brewed. I can’t remember the entire range they offered, but it did include Stella, Guinness, Hacker Pschoor, 3 Floyds and Blue Moon on tap – and bottles included Fat Tire. On my visit the draft beers I sampled were perfect. Not too cold. Crisp. Not over carbonated. Clean and tasty. Good beer, good pour…I’ll drink to that. (Side note: for my fear of an improper pour – like I said, this place does not resemble an Irish pub - I did not order the Guinness.)

With the lack of low tables and couches - and the addition of TVs and a radio – it does not even come close to a traditional Irish public house. But, it is what it is – and that’s a much needed place to enjoy a good beer. Overall – it is a great addition to Rogers Park and I’ll drink to that!

Poitin Stil
an Irish Pub
1502 W. Jarvis
Chicago IL 60626
773.388.3285

clb wrote:Behind the bar you will find your usual suspects along with a good selection of imports, handcrafts and micro-brewed. I can’t remember the entire range they offered, but it did include Stella, Guinness, Hacker Pschoor, 3 Floyds and Blue Moon on tap – and bottles included Flat Tire.

You mean FAT Tire, of course.
Fat Tire = good.
Flat Tire = bad (esp if you don't have a spare. Then you really need a Fat Tire).

Yesterday, out of curiosity from the posts on the Gruppo posts, I decided to see what it all looks like. I saw the bar but I didn't go in, but definitly plan to, perhaps post pizza once its being served next door. That block is sure sprucing up now, with the restaurnt, this bar and, next to the bar, a coffee shop.

Although I was sad to see the charmingly deco Charmer's disappear (formerly Pepper's, Chicago's oldest continuously operating gay bar), I think the Poitin Stil (pronounced poochin still) is still a great place to hoist a few. The bar itself has nowhere near the well... charm of the old Charmer's, but it is still very pleasant, and much more inviting than the somewhat sinister looking predecessor. The front of the place is an entire wall of floor to ceiling windows that can be opened on warm days. They look out onto the street and the el tracks, really making the place feel like part of the neighborhood. Each time I have gone there, I have had an interesting time, and ended up staying longer than I had intended. The fact that they have 3 floyds alpha king on tap, doesn't hurt either. They also have pool. On weekends, there is live music which tends to mostly be from one-man bands and duos covering folk rock classics (hey, it's Rogers Park). The performances range from appalling to contagiously poppy, depending on how many pints you have consumed. Poitn Stil does not serve food, but they are OK with people bringing food in or having it delivered. In fact, some day soon, you should be able to get a wood-fired pizza from right next door .

BTW, If you want to see parts of the fantastic deco decor from the old Charmer's, it has been carefully preserved and incorporated into the new coffee shop just to the east (not coincidently also named Charmer's).

Charmer's Cafe
1500 W. Jarvis Ave.
773-743-2233

JoelM wrote:
You mean FAT Tire, of course.
Fat Tire = good.
Flat Tire = bad (esp if you don't have a spare. Then you really need a Fat Tire).

Yes. Of course I did. A flat tire is no good at all and most certainly, even without the air, would not fit in a bottle. I edited the post to correct!!

Yes, yes, yes; these are all fascinating responses. The real question is, do they in fact serve their namesake, Poitin (actually pronounced pah-TCHEEN according to my well read, Gaelophilic wife). This tasty homemade liquor, the Irish equivalent of Moonshine, while banned in Ireland, is actually available for import here in the States.

So, do they?

Buddy

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:Yes, yes, yes; these are all fascinating responses. The real question is, do they in fact serve their namesake, Poitin

Dunno. Does Cafe Absinthe in fact serve Absinthe?

d4v3 wrote:

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:Yes, yes, yes; these are all fascinating responses. The real question is, do they in fact serve their namesake, Poitin

Dunno. Does Cafe Absinthe in fact serve Absinthe?

Of course not...tho' they do offer a tasty, traditionally-distilled Pastis equivalent. Sans wormwood, sadly.

d4v3 wrote:

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:Yes, yes, yes; these are all fascinating responses. The real question is, do they in fact serve their namesake, Poitin

Dunno. Does Cafe Absinthe in fact serve Absinthe?

Dunno. Never been to Cafe Absinthe. On the other hand, unless I'm seriously misinformed (been known to happen) absinthe is outlawed in this country while poitin is not.

So, do they?

Buddy

P.S. Alfred Jarry was a well known absinthe and ether junkie leading to his death in 1907. Just a little fun fact from your pal, BuddyRoadhouse

B.

Does Cafe Absinthe in fact serve Absinthe?

Closest you're going to get (legally in the States, that is) will probably be at the L&L Tavern. They'll serve you some "Absenthe" (absinthe tasting goop without the hallucinogenic tendencies--get it?) , and add in some sort of "wormwood" to it.

It's twelve bucks, been on the blackboard above the bar for years and I've never seen anyone order it. I would but I prefer my cheap High Life and if I want something that tastes terrible, I'll stick with Malorts.

L & L Tavern
3207 N. Clark St., Chicago