Duke of Perth Pub / Restaurant

Lakeview, Chicago –

With virtually no competition in its category, Duke of Perth’s self-professed declaration as “Chicago’s Scottish Pub” is as unflinching a battle cry as any William Wallace would dare to make.

Inside the shadowy space, two rooms sport dark crevices full of hardwood chairs and church pews, all familiar to the buns of long-nosed connoisseurs who come to enjoy the seventy-plus selection of malts.

Secretive lovers cozy in by the two fireplaces with their Speyside scotches and Wee Heavy chasers, as post-show theatergoers from the nearby stage and cinema enjoy traditional shepherd’s pie or themed burgers like the Sean Connery (broiled, not sh-tirred).

With nary a TV in sight, midday barflies strike up conversation with stray Cubs fan avoiding the vortex of pre-game Wrigleyville, as happy expats use the free Wi-Fi to write Momma and tell her they’ve found a spot with proper room-temperature ales on tap.

Half of Chicago seems to file in on Wednesdays for all-you-can-eat fish and chips, a crowd only surpassed by the one that shows up when the same dish is served on Fridays. And even when the seasonal beer garden nearly triples the bar’s capacity, weekends still find everyone squeezed tighter than a bagpipe by sundown.

No matter the season, the owner is usually there, filling pints and calling folks by name, proof that a friendly neighborhood bar like Duke of Perth may take your money, and it may take your liver, but it will never take…YOUR FREEEEEEDOOOOMMMMM…to become a regular.