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Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar

Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar Chicago United States 41.899023 -87.696883
4 4

Bar / Restaurant / Wine Bar

Review

Ratings:

Lucas

Adriana

Jonah

Emma

Party Earth Review: Immersed in the gritty, working-class neighborhood of Humboldt Park, Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar is a rare area outpost for carefully crafted organic dining and specialty drinks. Housed in a simple brick building, the one-room venue consists of a small bar and a hodgepodge of funky furniture, with mismatched antique chairs sandwiched between chipped round tables and shoddy pine bookcases. Reddish-brown walls get a lift from a collection of postmodern paintings, under which young hipster couples sip craft beers and savor paired plates of fine meats and cheeses, while businessmen and young entrepreneurs park themselves at the bar in the dim glow of orange burlap-covered lamps. Small-batch wines flow freely throughout the night, with brief histories of each vintner detailed in Rootstock’s menu, while beers range from local favorites to rare European batches brewed with bananas and cloves, and an organic menu offers late-night options to patrons with the munchies. In the summer, the small front patio provides some additional bench seating where easygoing friends gather to enjoy the brief Chicago warmth. Despite the seeming disorder of its mismatched furniture and tableware, Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar manages to create an atmosphere of calm and tranquility that makes it easy for young hipsters and older couples alike to completely relax and forget about the outside world.

... read full review

Neighborhood:

Humboldt Park

Address:

954 North California Avenue
Chicago IL 60622
Get Directions

Phone:

773-292-1616

Links:

Official Website

Hours:

M–F 5pm–2am, Sa 5pm–3am, Su 11am–4pm; Kitchen open M–Sa until 1am

Recommended as:

 Night Spot
See Address and Hours See Ratings and Summary

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Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar Review

Tip from Jonah:

“Though Humboldt Park is a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood, its namesake park up the street has a sizable gang problem at night. Don’t venture too far north of here unless you know where you’re going.”

The Scene

Immersed in the gritty, working-class neighborhood of Humboldt Park, Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar is a rare area outpost for carefully crafted organic dining and specialty drinks.

Humboldt Park, Chicago – Immersed in the gritty, working-class neighborhood of Humboldt Park, Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar is a rare area outpost for carefully crafted organic dining and specialty drinks.

Housed in a simple brick building, the one-room venue consists of a small bar and a hodgepodge of funky furniture, with mismatched antique chairs sandwiched between chipped round tables and shoddy pine bookcases.

Reddish-brown walls get a lift from a collection of postmodern paintings, under which young hipster couples sip craft beers and savor paired plates of fine meats and cheeses, while businessmen and young entrepreneurs park... read more →

Crowd

Young neighborhood hipsters and blue-collar workers, older couples, local business owners, and entrepreneurs, mid-20s to mid-30s.

Entertainment/Music

Playlist of mellow alternative and indie-rock tunes.

Food/Miscellaneous

Organic gastropub fare, including paired meat and cheese plates, mussels, and burgers. Vegetarian and gluten-free options also available.

Prices

Appetizers $5–$8, charcuterie and cheeses $4.50–$6.50, entrées $9–$14. Beer $5–$12, wine $7.50–$12/glass or $30–$150/bottle, whiskey and liqueurs $5–$18. Seasonal menus can affect prices slightly.

Dress

Anything goes: hipster casual, a few suits, skinny jeans, sundresses, flannel shirts, Vans, flip-flops.

Hot Nights/When to Go

Weeknights for dinner and drinks, or Fridays and Saturdays for energetic crowds (and potentially long waits).

Close By

The California Clipper (1002 North California Avenue) is a retro lounge with live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and provides easy access to a few cocktails while waiting for a table at Rootstock.

Tags:

Alternative MusicAnything goesBeerBlue CollarBurgersBusiness TypesCasualCharcuterieChillCouplesEasygoingFlannel ShirtsHipsterHipster StyleIndie RockLate Night FoodMid 20sMid 30sPatioSandalsSeafoodSkinny JeansSneakersSpecialty BeerSpecialty CocktailsSuitsVegetarian FoodWine

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