Ever wonder where the closest watering hole is to your favorite museum? In this CMB special you will find out where the closest and best watering holes are including dive bars, jazz bars, and just plain ol’ sport bars! All you have to do is read on! Let’s start on the Northside and end of course in Hyde Park at the Museum of Science and Industry.
Swedish American Museum
If you are looking for a more neighborhood bar and local hot spot head to the Swedish American Museum in Andersonville on North Clark Street then to a few bars afterwards. To begin your taste of Andersonville head to:
Hopleaf
5148 North Clark Street Chicago, Illinois 60640 (773) 334-9851
Known for American and Beligian Microbrews on Tap. Ask to go out on the back patio for some summer fun!
Simon’s Tavern
5210 North Clark Street Chicago, Illinois 60640 (773) 878-0894
A mainstay in Andersonvile the only Swedish bar and speakeasy!
Marty’s Martini Bar
1511 West Balmoral Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60640 (773) 561-6425
Original and tasty martinis with an open-air lighted terrace.
Carol’s Pub
4659 North Clark Street Chicago, Illinois 60640 (773) 334-2402
If you are still wanting to party after 2:00 A.M. this bar is open till 4:00 A.M. The bar features a traditional country music band think Conway Twitty and Willie Nelson no Rascal Flatts or Toby Keith. American classics on tap here!
Chicago History Museum
If you are looking for a more trendier hang out where Chicagoans and tourists go look no further than Lincoln Park. At the intersections of North Avenue and Clark Street you will find the Chicago History Museum. After visiting the museum, riding the first “El” car, and shopping at Marshall Field’s you can head to Second City.
Second City
1616 North Wells Street Chicago, Illinois 60614 (773) 337-3992
Chicago’s Second City has had more comics than fingers and well the city is pretty proud of that; so proud in fact that we have our very own comedy show dedicated to Chicago’s history which includes Bicycle Cops and the Bean! To check out The Second City’s History of Chicago visit the website!
After catching a show at Second City walk south on Wells to these finer establishments!
O’Brien’s
1528 North Wells Street Chicago, Illinois 60610 (312) 787-3131
Salpicon
1252 North Wells Street Chicago, Illinois 60610 (312) 988-7811
Fine Mexican restaurant fair, but even better wine selection!
Declan’s
1240 North Wells Street Chicago, Illinois 60610 (312) 642-5522
Irish experience but without the trip to Ireland!
Then walk south a few more blocks on Wells turn left on Division Street heading due east towards the lake. Here you will find the bars at Clark/Division streets. The scene is mostly 20 and 30-somethings hanging out for a good time, but you will find the older gentlemen and cougars there as well.
Some well known here are:
Butch McGuire’s Irish Pub
20 West Division Street Chicago, Illinois 60610 (312) 787-4318
The Lodge Tavern
21 West Division Street Chicago, Illinois 60610 (312) 642-4406
Finn McCool’s Irish Sports Pub
15 West Division Street Chicago, Illinois 60610 (312) 337-4349
Leg Room
7 West Division Street Chicago, Illinois 60610 (312) 337-2583
McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon
1206 North State Parkway Chicago, Illinois 60610 (312) 475-9450
Museum of Contemporary Art
Browsing art at the Museum of Contemporary Art requires a more refined taste of the downtown social scene. Therefore, the Gold Coast and Streeterville neighborhoods will certainly have your mouth craving a very dry martini shaken not stirred!
After exiting the MCA you will want to visit these bars:
Westin – The Grill on the Alley
909 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60611 (312) 255-9009
Slightly more expensive for your regular American classics and well drinks, but good people watching!
John Hancock Signature Lounge
875 North Michigan Avenue 96th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60611 (312) 787-9596
Great cocktail menu and awesome views place for taking your loved ones for a romantic view of the setting sun, cityscape at the night, or a great way to take the kids for a snack during the day. Tasty desserts and let the kids look outside while the adults take a breather! Best view of the city is the women’s bathroom sorry guys!
The Lobby at the Peninsula
108 East Superior Street Chicago, Illinois 60611 (312) 573-6760
Check out the chocolate bar and the champagne menu here! The chocolate bar is lover’s paradise with chocolate cover strawberries, chocolate with mint, gnash, cherries, and even includes a chocolate fountain! For $30 per person might seen a little steep but definitely worth it!
Tavern on Rush
1031 North Rush Street Chicago, Illinois 60610 (312) 664-9600
Great drinks and good people watching, and lots of drama!
Art Institute
Now to the loop for some art appreciation at the Art Institute!
The Gage
24 South Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60603 (312) 372-4243
Family friendly and a place to hang out for happy hour!
Potter’s at the Palmer House Hotel
17 East Monroe Street Chicago, Illinois 60603 (312) 917-3404
The hotel was built by a financial magnate and his socialite wife with a flourish of French Impressionism. A historical and lively spot then and now. Potter’s has a substantial wine, beer, and cocktail list, but the atmosphere gives the bar its true personality! If beer and spirits are not your taste try the afternoon tea!
Miller’s Pub
134 South Wabash Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60603 (312) 645-5377
Great microbrewery for a change of pace from the regular American classics!
Elephant & Castle Pub
111 West Adams Street Chicago, Illinois 60604 (312) 236-6656
Traditional English Pub!
Museum Campus
Museum Campus is out on a peninsula and a bit on the dry side for our summer drinking special, but take a short cab ride down into the loop for a tour of the best blues and jazz bars in Chicago!
Buddy Guy’s Legends
700 South Wabash Chicago, Illinois 60605 (312) 427-1190
The best blues in Chicago!
M Lounge
1520 South Wabash #2 Chicago, Illinois 60605 (312) 447-0201
Jazz Showcase
806 South Plymouth Court Chicago, Illinois 60605 (312) 360-0234
Reggies’s Music Joint
2105 South State Street Chicago, Illinois 60616 (312) 949-0120
The Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry being in the old Fine Arts Building of the World’s Colombian Exposition of 1893 is pretty huge and after walking around you will be pretty thirsty here are a few places to wet your whistle!
Seven Ten Lane
1055 East 55th Street Chicago, Illinois 60615 (773) 347-2695
Bowling and drinking always a good combo!
Cove Lounge
1750 East 55th Street Chicago, Illinois 60615 (773) 684-1013
Classic dive bar!
Lee’s Unleaded Blues
7401 South Chicago Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60619 (773) 493-3477
Named one of the best blues bars in Chicago!
Woodlawn Tap (Jimmy’s)
1172 East 55th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 (773) 643-5516
Favorite neighborhood dive bar!
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