Pippin's Tavern Bar / Tavern

Gold Coast, Chicago –

Despite its proximity to the lavish shops and restaurants of the Magnificent Mile, Pippin’s Tavern has been drawing in one of the most eclectic and diverse crowds in Chicago since 1973 from wealthy shoppers and young businessmen to college students and foreign tourists.

The weathered façade, which looks like a gingerbread house gone awry, is brightened by large colored lights and the glow of Downtown Dogs, the adjacent hot dog joint that provides greasy bar food to hungry Pippin’s patrons.

Wood-paneled walls, a tiled ceiling, and an old-fashioned wooden bar give the place a warm old-world feel, while kitschy lamps add a pop of color and a huge collection of old photographs of employees, celebrity guests, and Chicago sports teams give patrons something to look at while they wait for their pints.

Middle-aged locals park themselves at the bar to watch the game or scout out an eager newcomer with whom to chat, as businessmen chill out over one of the many beers on tap.

Weekends see an influx of young hipsters and clubbers stopping in on their way to or from neighboring venues, while game nights draw herds of burly Midwesterners and frat boys in their favorite team attire looking to get rowdy and yell at the televisions.

Casual and funky in every respect, Pippin’s Tavern is diverse enough to make it a popular spot for everything from hanging out with locals to washing off the work day or sharing rounds of shots with party girls and the club set after a night of dancing.