Chicago has some of the best bars and taverns. Many are historic and have been open for many years. My favorite spots include:
A fun Lincoln Park spot is Tripoli Tap at 1147 W. Armitage. I went for the first time with friends who live across the street. It is a casual, neighborhood tavern with a menu of beer, cocktails, burgers, pizzas, sandwiches and salads. It has a fun casual atmosphere with a large outdoor patio in the rear. It is a place that features Boston sports and food favorites. Thus, the meaning of the sign on the front, “GOOD BAH FOOD!” I went back a second time and enjoyed their fried fish sandwich on the outdoor patio for lunch.
At 1102 W. Webster is the Local Option. It is a casual brewpub offering a large selection of craft and house beers along with a large menu of Creole-style and Mexican specialties. It has been featured in the NY Times and other publications as a great spot for beer. It has a fun atmosphere with a great staff.
Twin Anchors: Located at 1655 N. Sedgwick, since 1932, it is known for its great burgers and ribs. A favorite spot of Frank Sinatra’s, this is great place to go on a cold Chicago night. I recently went for lunch on a Saturday, which is a perfect time to go since there was no wait. I loved the barbecue pulled pork sandwich, which is my favorite item on the menu.
A block up the street at 1756 N. Sedgwick, is Marge’s Still, which is one of the oldest continually running pubs in Chicago having opened in 1885. After many years, I went back for lunch and enjoyed the food and atmosphere. They have a large menu of burgers, salads and entrees. It is now open for dinner only. I went back with a friend and enjoyed the mussels served on angel hair pasta. My friend’s pulled pork sandwich was also great.
Just north of North and Wells is the classic Corcoran’s Grill & Pub. Located across the street from Second City, they feature a large menu of pub food and drinks including burgers, sandwiches, salads. They have a large outdoor terrace in the back along with a large Back Room Bar. I really loved the brisket grilled cheese sandwich! I went back and enjoyed it again along with fries and tomato soup. The weekend brunch menu looks great, so I definitely want to go back.
Also located in Old Town, near Division and Wells, is Glunz Tavern, next to the House of Glunz, one of Chicago’s oldest wine merchants. Originally opened in 1888 by Louis Glunz, the popular neighborhood gathering spot sat vacant for more than 90 years following its closure just prior to Prohibition. It was reopened in 2012 by his family members. It is known for its selection of beer, wine and European influenced cuisine from the owner’s French, German, Alsatian and Austrian heritage. I always enjoy going with a group of friends. It has a casual, old-world atmosphere. The Old-World Tasting Room, behind the store, is a treasure trove of hand-carved furniture and drinkware from the neighborhood’s German past. Oktoberfest is a great time to go. 1202 N. Wells.
Neaby is another new find, the Old Town Pub at 1339 N. Wells. This is a cozy bar that has been open for over 20 years. It is a great spot for food, drinks and watching sports on TV. They have an extensive menu of burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, tacos, wraps and pizzas. I really enjoyed my pulled pork sandwich with cole slaw. My friends liked the classic BLT sandwich. They have indoor as well as outdoor patio seating in front.
Located at 678 N. Orleans, is the famed Green Door Tavern that has been there since 1921. It is known for its burgers, salads and sandwiches.
Thanks to a Prohibition Walking Tour I found The Drifter. It is in the basement of the Green Door Tavern and was the original speakeasy space from the 1920s. Today it is a dark, cozy space where you can have a great cocktail and see a fun show. The performers can be singers, Burlesque dancers, magicians or other acts. They open at 5pm and don’t take reservations, so go early to ensure you get a table. They are open Wednesday through Saturday. I highly recommend it. It was one of the most fun experiences I have been to in Chicago. 676-8 N. Orleans.
Old Town Ale House: This Classic Chicago neighborhood bar from 1958 is the perfect spot for a Manhattan or other cocktail. The music on the juke box is great. The art throughout the bar is painted by the owner and features such people as Donald Trump, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and Vladimir Putin in a pink tutu. Anthony Bourdain was a big fan and featured it on his television show Parts Unknown in 2016. 219 W. North Ave.
Butch McGuire’s is a long-time staple on the Chicago bar and restaurant scene since 1961. They have a good brunch with excellent sandwiches and burgers. Their Reuben was really great, so I went back again recently to have another one! The decorations at Christmas are not to be missed. 20 W. Division.
Located in the Loop is the popular Miller’s Pub at 134 S. Wabash. It has been a Chicago institution since 1935. I went back after many years and enjoyed a great turkey Reuben for lunch before a matinee of the Joffrey Ballet. I really enjoyed the traditional atmosphere, the excellent service and the great food. The menu features a large selection of sandwiches, salads and burgers. They are also known for their BBQ ribs. The rooms are decorated with autographed photos from many of the celebrities from Frank Sinatra to Marilyn Monroe, who have dined there over the years.
A block south of Miller’s Pub is the Exchequer Restaurant & Pub at 226 S. Wabash. This is an historic bar and restaurant that opened in 1969. Prior to them taking over, it was The 226 Club in the Roaring 20s and frequented by Al Capone, the Wonder Bar and Brown’s. It is known for its pizza and ribs. They have a large menu of soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and entrees. I had a great Reuben sandwich with cole slaw. I loved the historic articles and pictures on the walls featuring people like Al Capone and Frank Sinatra. I enjoyed talking to the owner’s daughter who filled me in on the history. Their new Club X Speakeasy is an upscale bar, that they added next door in late December 2024 with a retro-mod design.
Another great new find is Lottie’s Pub at 1925 W Cortland St. I have driven by it many times but had never been. On May 17, 2024, I heard on WGN TV that this historic bar was celebrating the 90th anniversary of its opening in 1934, so I went a week later for lunch. It started as a grocery store and bar by Lottie Zagorski who transformed it into a full-service bar with a speakeasy below during prohibition.
According to their website, “Zagorski’s soon became a place of anonymity for public officials and gangsters. The rathskeller was a concealed spot where horse betting, gambling, stripping and plenty of other vices thrived. Backdoor deals between city officials and mobsters were also a daily occurrence at this neighborhood spot. Zagorski’s rathskeller became an escape from Mayor Kelly’s fight on crime.”
It has a fun atmosphere with a menu of drinks along with a food menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, tacos, burgers, Venezuelan arepas and pizza. I enjoyed the Chicago Med Turkey Burger with cheese that was named after the NBC television show, Chicago Med, which was filmed at the bar past seasons. They are also a place where you can watch the University of Kansas basketball and football games, along with other events from Team Trivia, Chicago Cubs Game Day specials, Chicago Blackhawks Game Day specials and the Kentucky Derby.
Not to be missed is O’Shaughnessy’s Public House which currently occupies the historic Pickard Building located at 4557 N. Ravenswood at Wilson. This is a casual Irish tavern featuring pub food. They have a large outdoor patio as well. Here you can enjoy bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie and curry chips plus a long list of Scotch and Irish whiskey. I enjoyed a bourbon old-fashioned and a fish sandwich. The sandwich was made with cod loin dipped and fried in their famous beer batter and served on marble rye bread with melted Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and tartar sauce.
I recently went back again with friends and enjoyed a perfect maple old-fashioned made with barrel aged maple syrup with curry chips which are fries along with a traditional Irish curry sauce for dipping. They have a lovely outdoor patio during the warmer months.
In Roscoe Village is the Four Moon Tavern, a casual, local bar for burgers, bar food, beer and billiards in a classic pub setting with a jukebox and patio. Having been high on my list to try, I went on a beautiful Sunday in September 2024 for brunch and had a great omelette on the patio. I really liked the food, my server and the vibe. 1847 W. Roscoe St.
Just north of Roscoe Village is Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro. Located at 3905 N. Lincoln Ave., this is a casual Irish pub, with good pub food, an authentic atmosphere and live Irish music. I just went for the first time and really liked the vibe and the music. I also enjoyed my shepherd’s pie and an old-fashioned cocktail made with Jameson Irish Whiskey. They have a large food menu along with Irish beers and whiskeys.
I also recommend the classic Red Lion Pub at 2446 N. Lincoln Ave. Opened for over 40 years, this is a traditional pub with a full menu of cocktails, wine and beer. They also have a full food menu of starters, soups, salads, sandwiches and main dishes. I went back after many years with a group of local friends. I had a great old-fashioned cocktail along with some traditional fish and chips with fries. The cheeseburger also looked good. It has many photos and drawings on the walls along with bookshelves throughout which are lined with books about British history. I enjoyed learning about the history from the owner Colin Cordwell. I look forward to going back. Their Sunday brunch menu looks very good.
Located at 1935 N. Damen Ave. is TRUCE Coffee + Cocktails that opened in May 2024. This is a neighborhood bar that opens in the morning for creative coffee and tea drinks along with bites including overnight oats, bagel sandwiches, pastries and wraps. I enjoyed a latte along with a bagel with cream cheese and a smoked salmon spread. In the afternoon and evenings, they have other bites along with wine and cocktails including several made with coffee. I look forward to going back and trying one of their creative cocktails. I initially went in February 2025 after reading that they were named a Semifinalist for the 2025 James Beard Awards for Best New Bar which is a major accomplishment for such a new establishment.
Another new find is the Map Room at 1949 N. Hoyne Ave. at W. Armitage Ave. I went after reading that this popular bar is open during the day for coffee drinks and pastries. It has a warm atmosphere filled with globes, maps and travel books for reading. It was packed with people working remotely on their computers. At night it is open for beer and cocktails. It has a large menu of over 200 craft beers to try. I recently went back for a travel group function. I loved the old-fashioned. They also have nice outdoor patio.
Located in Bridgeport is Maria’s Packaged Goods and Community Bar at 960 W. 31st St. This is a neighborhood bar serving cocktails and over 40 craft beers and ales. You can visit the old bar or the new taproom with an outdoor patio. They also have beer and liquor for sale in front.
Also in Bridgeport, make sure to stop in at Shinnick’s Pub at 3758 S. Union St. This is a popular neighborhood Irish pub since 1938 with a fun atmosphere and a bar built in the late 1880s.
The day after Thanksgiving 2024, I went to Hopleaf Bar in Andersonville after reading several great reviews. The New York Times rated it as one of the best restaurants in Chicago in August 2024. This is a local gastro pub, since 1992, with a large menu of Belgian bottled beer and beer on tap. It also has a Belgian-inspired food menu. I had to try the mussels and fries cooked in wit beer. They have several spaces including an outdoor patio during the warmer weather. I highly recommend the experience. 5148 N. Clark St.
One of my favorite spots is Chief O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant at 3471 N. Elston Ave. Since 1999, this pub and restaurant features traditional Irish food and music. They have live music a few times a week, so make sure to check out their website. I always love eating on the large outdoor patio. They also feature a buffet Sunday brunch. In December 2024, I went back during the Christmas holidays and really enjoyed the brunch and the decorations.
Northwest of Rockwell on the River is Kuma’s Corner at 2900 W. Belmont Ave. This is a popular neighborhood tavern, opened in 2005, that is known for its hamburgers. I went for lunch and decided to try their pulled pork sandwich instead. It was a great choice. It has a fun, funky atmosphere and very nice staff. They have two other locations in suburban Schaumburg and in Indianapolis, IN.
Located in Lincoln Park is the second location of The Bad Apple at 658 W. Belden Ave. which opened in July 2024. It took over the former John Barleycorn pub space which had been closed for several years. I went for lunch on the third week it was opened. It is a fun, casual spot with a large menu of burgers, salads and sandwiches. It is more of a sports bar, with many TVs both inside and outside on their large patio. I was glad that I could watch some of the Summer Olympics from Paris.
I hope you enjoy my recommendations.