Hüettenbar Bar

Lincoln Square, Chicago –

Located along a busy stretch of Lincoln Avenue called Karl Laschet Straße, Hüettenbar is a popular bar in a neighborhood known for its rich German-American past.

Featuring murals of the homeland, plenty of grumpy regulars named Klaus, and a large selection of beers – most with umlauts in their names – the venue is also one of an ever-dwindling number of brauhauses that survived the baby stroller-pocalypse of yuppie-heavy Lincoln Square.

Wide-open windows that make up the bar’s chalet façade shed little light on the dark front room, itself relatively bare save for a scattering of landscapes, crowd scenes, and the requisite portrait of a waitress holding frothy mugs.

Young professionals make “The Hoot” a regular meeting place during the week, for both the relaxed daytime atmosphere and the raucous beer-soaked vibe that pervades after the sun sets. A small alcove in the front room gives lower-key patrons a place to chat, while the bigger but windowless back room draws couples and ever-louder groups who gather around the plethora of high-top tables to share a pitcher or two.

Language skills come in handy when tackling a brew list with names like Köstritzer and liqueurs like Christkindlesmarkt Glühwein, yet despite the authentic booze selection, the venue attracts a diverse clientele ranging from hipster beer lovers to khaki-clad condo owners.

With little kitsch and a lot of craft, Hüettenbar is a perfect spot to talk to old friends or meet some new ones over ice-cold steins.