Hungry Brain

North Center / Roscoe Village, Chicago –

Named after the bar in the 1960s Jerry Lewis film Visit to a Small Planet, Hungry Brain is a relaxed neighborhood dive that’s as quirky as Lewis himself.

Patrons enter through what looks like a derelict storefront and into a large open room full of random sofas and chairs, from cracked leather davenports to plastic cafeteria stools.

A circle of plush couches sits on a worn stage near the entrance, where groups of affable hipsters sink into the cushions with their PBRs in hand and flannel shirts strategically semi-tucked so as to look accidental.

Local art, band posters, and beer paraphernalia line the pale walls, while brain sculptures and a bizarre assortment of B-movie bric-a-brac appear hastily dumped behind the bar.

Despite the bar’s incongruous design, a surprisingly good selection of craft beer coexists with the bare-bones domestics, enticing vintage-clad friends and discerning old-school rockers to pull up one of the mismatched stools to enjoy the punk and indie hits blaring from the jukebox.

Sundays see the stage make room for jazz acts and Mondays usually host a mix of open mic or comedy, but the rest of the week at the Brain looks a lot like someone’s poorly decorated living room party, full of loud conversation and louder music.

It probably won’t blow anyone’s mind, but with lots of drink and loads of grunge, Hungry Brain offers plenty to hanker for.