Ravens Bar

Lincoln Park, Chicago –

When other drinking dens dim the lights and lock their doors, patrons migrate to Ravens, a late-night bar that caters to young revelers with enough reserves to keep the party going.

But the ability to drink till dawn isn’t the only reason folks fly to this Lincoln Park dive. Weather permitting, a small beer garden attracts festive frolickers from the neighborhood’s namesake park, along with anyone else looking to sip budget-friendly beers in the sun.

Past the stone entryway lies the sunken interior, where bartenders ring up orders on vintage registers and casual locals sample $4 drafts over whatever happens to be on the TVs.

Lots of tired wood paneling, beer ads, and even an odd device called a pay phone put the venue squarely in the no-frills zone, though the free popcorn machine is a big hit, especially in the later hours.

Bar stools and tables on one side of the room are usually teeming with groups from nearby DePaul University, who stop in to mingle, watch an intense game of Jumbo Jenga, or play one of the retro arcade machines in back.

Fairly staid early on, the place sees drunken throngs start piling in by 2am, shouting and dancing as they pluck tunes from the digital jukebox and share pitchers till last call.

It may be almost hidden underground, but with its late nights and fully stocked toy box, it’s no wonder guests are constantly knocking on Ravens’ chamber door.