Page 170 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

168  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

Taverns, Nightclubs, and more laidback dance scene,
Live Music try Danny’s in Bucktown.

Chicagoans have a reputation for working hard and playing Jazz
hard. Nowhere is the latter more evident than in the city’s Jazz Showcase is Chicago’s
night life. The blues are a Chicago institution, but jazz, longest­running live jazz club.
country, folk, and rock music thrive here as well. Acts both big It has changed location many
times, but the quality of the
and small play almost nightly, and many music venues are performers remains high. The
open into the early hours of the morning. Chicago night-life Green Mill may not be
establishments tend to be clustered together. Singles’ bars are impressive from the outside,
gathered at the corner of Division and State streets, bars and its Uptown neighborhood
frequented by the college crowd abound on Lincoln Avenue. may be slightly run­down, but
it is one of the city’s coolest
Clark Street near Wrigley Field, on Chicago’s Near North Side, jazz clubs.
has numerous sports bars. The gay scene is concentrated in Andy’s is one of Chicago’s
the Lakeview neighborhood; Wicker Park offers a variety of most respected clubs and has
alternative-music nightclubs. been going for over 25 years.

Bars and Taverns Blues
sports bars near Division,
Bars and taverns are tucked into Dearborn, and Rush streets. Major blues acts play at the
every neighborhood of Chicago. Summer in Chicago is a House of Blues, a 1,500­seat
Some are rather basic drinking great time to sit outside, enjoy venue with superb acoustics.
places, but others offer a glimpse a drink, and people­watch. More intimate blues venues
into neighborhood life. Most bars There are several good beer include B.L.U.E.S., a small,
in Chicago have limited food gardens and patios in Lincoln busy bar with a friendly
choices. Taverns, on the other Park. John Barleycorn’s and atmosphere that offers live
hand, are serious about food. The Small Bar are good bets. music every night of the week.
American version of European Castaways, which is located on Kingston Mines also features
pubs and bistros, taverns are North Avenue Beach, opens for nightly live blues on its two
relaxed places where locals go to summer and is an escape from stages. Both stay open into
eat, drink, and socialize. the city for a young, lively the early morning hours.
The most venerable of the crowd. Goose Island Brewpub Buddy Guy’s Legends
downtown taverns is The sells brews made on the brings the big­name acts
Berghoff. This establishment premises, some of the finest downtown. Guy himself
was the first in Chicago to in town. plays here each January.
be issued a liquor license
once Prohibition ended. A Nightclubs Folk and Country Music
casual dining spot, it features
signature German dishes and Chicago offers a variety of The city’s leading venue for folk
beers. Two other notable nightclubs: there is sure to be music is the Old Town School
downtown pubs are Monk’s one to suit your taste. Expect of Folk Music. The Abbey Pub
Pub and Exchequer Restaurant to pay an admission charge, features local and touring
& Pub. Both succeed in though some clubs may impose groups, favoring Irish bands. It
maintaining a neighborhood a drink­order minimum instead. also offers barn dancing every
atmosphere while catering Castle Chicago is perhaps the Monday night.
to a good number of tourists. most mainstream club in the Heartland Cafe is a throwback
Near the Magnificent Mile is city. Pool tables and video to the 1960s. It is a healthfood
Disotto Enoteca, a cozy sub­ games fill the first floor; the restaurant that also presents
terranean wine bar. Or head to dance floor is upstairs, where poetry readings, storytelling,
Pippin’s Tavern for American retrospective music is played. and live music. Schubas is
sports on the screen, a range of The Hideout, a true Chicago a neighborhood gem show­
beers on tap, and a jukebox. institution, is located in a casing live folk, country music,
Butch McGuire’s has a 100­year­old balloon frame and rock.
major presence on the bar­lined house behind a CTA bus Although most of the line­
block of Division Street near refueling station. Rock, folk, dancing and two­stepping
the Gold Coast. Its atmosphere country, and just about anything action is in the suburbs, it
is pub­like, and the food is else can be heard here. surprisingly can also be found
good (especially the brunch). The Underground, located in the city, at Charlie’s. A gay bar
When the city celebrates near Mag Mile, hosts serious about country music,
a sports victory, fans celebrate international DJs and the Charlie’s always welcomes
in the many singles and city’s varsity scene. For a straight folks.

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
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Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm