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Sun / May 19

Drinking in Chicago

Benchmark - Bar | Beer Garden | Restaurant | Rooftop Bar in Chicago.

Party Earth Review Boasting a double distinction as Chicago’s first rooftop beer garden and its first rooftop beer garden with a giant retractable roof, Benchmark draws a lively and amicable crowd of sports fans year round, whether to enjoy the sun and open air or to laugh at the snow on the other side of the glass. A polished and modern ... more

1510 North Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60610

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Kirkwood Bar & Grill

Bar / Beer Garden / Restaurant

Reviewed by Justin G.

"It’s easy to assemble Kirkwood’s with other young-twenties-bars like Mad River and Big City Taps, but Kirkwood’s has much more to offer. The kitchen p ..." more

2934 North Sheffield Avenue
Chicago, IL 60689

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Vines on Clark

Beer Garden / Restaurant

Party Earth Review With lots of glowing flat-screens beckoning to Cubs fans, daily specials luring the budget-minded, and a big seasonal beer garden perfect for open air drinking, Vines on Clark fits right into the Wrigleyville bar scene without being (entirely) about baseball. A long wooden bar with a mirrored back lines the right side ... more

3554 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60657

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Überstein

Bar / Beer Hall

Reviewed by Chris M.

"Uberstein is in the heart of Wrigleyville and it inherits all the traits of a Wrigleyville bar with Cubs fans, high energy crowded nights, and a relat ..." more

3478 North Clark Avenue
Chicago, IL 60686

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The Cedar Hotel

Bar / Beer Garden / Restaurant

Party Earth Review Set between the swanky shops of Rush Street and the wild bar scene of Division Street, The Cedar Hotel – a crime-riddled boarding house in the 1920s – now provides a bit of both worlds with its unique combination of historical architecture and energetic sports vibe. Popular with a party crowd of post-grads and sports fans ... more

1112 North State Street
Chicago, IL 60610

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Revolution Brewing

Bar / Brewery / Restaurant

Party Earth Review With treats like bacon fat popcorn, cheddar ale soup, and a lengthy list of freshly brewed beers, Revolution Brewing does little to incite rebellion – and a whole lot to fill the belly. The warehouse-turned-brewpub is easy to spot, both due to its size and the Communist Russia-era logo of a raised fist clutching ... more

2323 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

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George Street Pub

Beer Garden / Gastropub

Party Earth Review Despite its unassuming brick façade and location on a desolate stretch of North Halsted Street, George Street Pub has managed to garner a loyal following of area yuppies and affluent locals since opening in early 2011. Situated between the bustling neighborhoods of Lincoln Park and Lakeview, the upscale yet laid-back gastropub ... more

2858 North Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60657

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Crossing

Beer Garden / Restaurant

Party Earth Review Although a Jayhawks flag above the front door immediately announces Crossing’s allegiance to the University of Kansas, the cavernous rooms within have space for fans of all colors looking to snag a spot in front of one of the joint’s several dozen TVs. A polished wooden bar decked out in bobble heads and booze is usually ... more

2548 North Southport Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614

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Chicago Beer Experience

Drinking Activity / Tour

Party Earth Review Navigating a short stretch between Lincoln Park and Lakeview, the Chicago Beer Experience leads adventurous groups of friends and die-hard beer lovers along a half-mile hops-fueled adventure. Beginning in Lakeview at Vaughan's, a cozy Irish pub, the tour runs most Fridays through Sundays (regardless of the weather) and ... more

2917 North Sheffield Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657

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Moonshine

Brewery / Restaurant

Party Earth Review Dinner, daily specials, freshly brewed beer, sports, and DJs – Moonshine delivers it all under one roof. Except the dog-friendly patio – that’s outside. This neighborhood favorite draws a diverse crowd for bites, beers, and Da Bears, especially when the Chicago sun peeks through and the sidewalk ... more

1824 West Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622

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Bangers & Lace

Beer Hall / Restaurant

Party Earth Review One of the first stops along the hopping Division Street stretch, Bangers & Lace is a cozy, hops-focused bar popular with young beer lovers looking for craft brews and the savory sausages to go with them. An intimate lodge décor featuring landscape murals and dozens of taxidermy animals forms the backdrop for the young ... more

1670 West Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622

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Fatpour Tap Works

American Restaurant / Brewery

Reviewed by Christianna K.

"Any menu that begins with, “Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer” is a menu I want to try. Welcome to Fatpour. With 50 beers on ..." more

2005 West Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622

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All drinking in Chicago →

Chicago Drinking Overview

Drinking in Chicago isn’t just something people do – it’s a way of life, and with so many options outside the traditional bars, clubs, and lounges, it’s no wonder that the city is known for its many drinking traditions.

One of the best drinking activities in Chicago is without question The Chicago Beer Experience, which is a brew-lovers tour of classic drinking dens in the middle of the city. Starting off in Lakeview, the tour is a half-mile experience that takes visitors to multiple locations and teaches them about how beer is actually made.

Another great Chicago drinking spot is at Goose Island Brewery. Since 1988, this bar and brewery has been serving up original brews and bar food to Cubs fans who flock in to watch the game on the dozen or so TVs.

All over the city, drinkers can find classic beer halls and beer gardens as well, like Bangers & Lace in Wicker Park, Crossing in Lincoln Park, The Cedar Hotel in the Gold Coast, and George Street Pub in Boystown. All these establishments blossom when the weather gets warm and Chicagoans pile into the beer gardens for one-of-a-kind drafts and a little Vitamin D.

So if you’re looking for a drinking experience outside the norm, check out some of Chicago’s stellar drinking options for inside and outside boozy fun.