Need another reason to drink? How about a full roster of them? Just when you thought you had tabs on all the places to get a wet one, another Golden Tee machine is ordered, more Tanqueray is stocked and a new bar opens it doors. Here are some recent scene-joiners to add to your to-drink list, plus some that are on the way.
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Bottoms Up!
6 Degrees brings us all together
Away from the madness of the Wicker Park epicenter, this meetinghouse suits community-oriented folks preferring boutiques and eco-friendly businesses as neighbors versus the pop-up shops and hipster havens. The room is dim, not gloomy, rectangular and deep versus wide. Prettier than the average bar, attributes involve vases of fresh-cut flowers and a grand mirror netted with hardwood floors, French doors and cradling exposed brick.
Great views from Roof
Located on the Wit Hotel's 27th floor, Roof features an indoor bar and lounge clad in muted greys, whites and blacks, offset by an indoor fireplace and plush seating. If the indoor lounge is understated, it must be because Roof's view of State Street is the best you're going to get without a high-roller job, a helicopter trip or a pricey room in the Wit itself.
Square Bar & Grill fits in well
Giving new meaning to that age-old axiom "be there or be square," Square Bar & Grill is the place in Avondale for beer, burgers and baseball when you don't want to wait in line for 20 mintues (cough cough, Kuma's Corner).
Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery: Best "chestaurant" in town
When you're at a place where the card in the table tent has to remind you that "the food is good, too," your first priority probably isn't eating. This is most certainly the case at the Chicago outpost of the Tilted Kilt, a "chestaurant" more focused on serving an eyeful of cleavage and a gutfull of beer than a plate of haute cuisine.
Three Peas Art Lounge mixes art and booze
The South Loop's Three Peas Art Lounge is exactly what it sounds like: a small gallery that serves up cocktails and coffee to patrons as they peruse art. Founded to support up-and-coming visual artists and bring art collecting to the masses in a casual, comfortable way, Three Peas' small, cozy storefront cafe is lined with large paintings.
Good food, drinks on the way at Baza Sports Club
Once this Humboldt Park hang gets its liquor license, this will become the perfect tavern to watch the game and drink a cold one (it's currently BYOB). For now, the cuisine alone is worth the trip. Baza offers a global menu that includes Eastern European-specialties like borscht ($5), but also Asian items (pork pot stickers, $8) and comida Mexicana (mushroom-goat cheese empanadas, $7).
Foodies, winos unite at Rootstock Wine and Beer Bar
Webster's Wine Bar alums Tonya Pyatt, Johnny Hap and Jamie McLennan have joined forces with local foodies and winos to build this Humboldt Park bar on a mission to fight for sustainability, right that which is bland and serve all the best in beer and wine.
Get amped up at LaSalle Power Co.
The former Lalo's in River North has been refurbished by the owners of English as a tri-level trifecta of food, liquor and entertainment.
See the game and be seen at Market Bar and Restaurant
This snazzy West Loop restaurant and lounge with an outdoor patio, is partly owned by White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams, and the place is popular with Chicago sports stars (some live down the street) — as well as sexy clientele.
Keep it friendly at Social Twenty-Five
The former Moda in River North gets a makeover, with a sportier edge, but the same trendy designs and chic clientele.
Fill your music fix at 3116 Club
This Garfield Park music club showcases jazz, rock, R&B, funk, reggae, swing, Latin, pop and paintings in a 4,500-square-foot space and is BYOB.
See you at The CrossRoads Bar & Grill
It may resemble a typical sports bar, but the inspiration behind this new West Loop drinking hole — and the muse for the haunting painting behind the bar — is an age-old tale of temptation and fate, sin, music and booze.
Moo-ve on over to Cattle Call
The unassuming storefront of this Andersonville bar belies the flamboyant dance/party activities occurring therein. Seven nights a week, themed events like country dancing and drag shows, oldies and retro hold court; providing a neighborhood gathering spot and nightclub in one.
Avila is caliente!
Named for the province of Central-Western Spain, Avila heats up River North with customary Spanish flair. The three-floor space formerly occupied by Club 720 has been redone with Old World charm and New World amenities.
Barely Buzzed
Murasaki
The Gold Coast's Cafe Shino gets new life as a karaoke bar.
The Ledge Bar & Grill
A reasonably priced menu and straightforward drink list highlight this new Bucktown neighborhood hang.
The Shrine
South Loop club-lounge offers something for everybody.
Clutch
Casual bar and cafe opens in an old car repair shop in West Town.
Still Sober
The Rocking Horse
Beer is the name of the game at this Logan Square bar, which plans to open in early July. The place will have a dozen beers on tap and more than 50 more microbrew bottles.
Cedar Hotel
Summery Gold Coast bar in the old Melvin B's in early July.
The Red Canary
Expect a flashy decor and American-themed small plates at this River West lounge in the old Avenue M, expected to open in mid-July.
The Rec Room
An Andersonville microbrewery next to Hamburger Mary's, set to open in early July.
Division Ale House
Opening in mid-July, Division Ale House will feature a vintage Irish-inspired decor, a menu with Irish favorites and eight draft beers favoring Irish and English brews. You'll also be able to order individual 80-ounce table taps, good for groups.
Patty O'Fegan
This traditional Irish pub will open in the West Loop sometime in July.
Dirty
Ukranian Village's newest bar looks to clean up starting later this summer.
110 West
The beer's the thing here, with more than 100 of 'em on tap at this bar-lounge, set to open sometime this summer.
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