Public House

River North, Chicago – Beer lovers in search of a new hangout will make a new home at Public House, a ten-thousand-square-foot gastropub that pours more than 120 labels, including its own seasonal brew produced in collaboration with Chicago’s Goose Island Brewery.

Split into two distinct rooms by a grand stone entryway, the restaurant also boasts a dozen specialty booths, each featuring its own personal beer and liquor taps that dispense libations at the push of a button. Even the cocktail menu takes a beer-centric approach, with each specialty drink crafted to imitate a particular style of beer, from the Belgian tripel-style “Monk-y Business” to the classic Bavarian-style “The Weiss Guy.”

Lunchtime sees the place crowded with business people from the nearby Financial District looking to relax over tiger shrimp burgers and lobster pot pies before heading back to the office.

Lines start forming as early as 9pm on busy nights, however, as eager beer fanatics and affluent couples hope to snag a place at the grandiose bar in the eastern room, where streams of natural sunlight are eventually replaced by the flickering light from a bank of flat-screen TVs.

Across the hall, groups of friends and young professionals enjoy dinner or drinks in a room reminiscent of a ski chalet in the French Alps – save for the windows looking out onto busy State Street – complete with hefty wooden beams, gothic chandeliers, and leather booths.

Ideal for a classy afternoon lunch or a barley- and hops-fueled night, Public House has something to offer whoever walks through the doors…as long as that something involves beer.    ← read less