Hopleaf Bar ★ 4.7
$$Andersonville{'monday': '12:00-23:00', 'tuesday': '12:00-23:00', 'wednesday': '12:00-23:00', 'thursday': '12:00-23:00', 'friday': '12:00-00:00', 'saturday': '12:00-00:00', 'sunday': '12:00-23:00'}
Hopleaf in Andersonville has poured Belgian beer on Clark Street since 1992, with 62 taps, 200 bottles, mussels and frites and a conversation-only no-TVs house rule.
Tip: Open 12:00 to 23:00 most nights, 24:00 on Friday and Saturday. Kitchen runs through to 22:00 or 23:00. Limited reservations via Tock, walk-in usually fine.
Innertown Pub ★ 4.5
$Wicker Park / Bucktown{'monday': '17:00-02:00', 'tuesday': '17:00-02:00', 'wednesday': '17:00-02:00', 'thursday': '17:00-02:00', 'friday': '17:00-02:00', 'saturday': '15:00-03:00', 'sunday': '15:00-01:00'}
Innertown Pub on West Thomas has poured cheap beer in Ukrainian Village since 1983 with free pool, darts, a Tom Waits jukebox and a back room of taxidermy and rummage art.
Tip: Cash preferred, kitchen-free. Open to 02:00 weeknights, 03:00 Saturday. The crowd shows up after 22:00 and the booths fill last.
Nisei Lounge ★ 4.5
$Wrigleyville / Lakeview{'monday': '17:00-01:00', 'tuesday': '17:00-01:30', 'wednesday': '17:00-01:30', 'thursday': '17:00-01:30', 'friday': '11:30-01:30', 'saturday': '11:00-02:00', 'sunday': '11:00-01:00'}
Nisei Lounge in Chicago opened 1951 as the oldest tavern in Wrigleyville, two blocks south of Wrigley Field, with pool tables, board games and a wall of infused Malort.
Tip: Game-day mornings open at 11:00, regular open at 17:00. The Malort wall has six flavors poured neat; the dart boards are free.
The California Clipper ★ 4.5
$$Humboldt Park{'monday': '18:00-00:00', 'tuesday': '18:00-02:00', 'wednesday': '18:00-02:00', 'thursday': '18:00-02:00', 'friday': '16:00-02:00', 'saturday': '16:00-03:00', 'sunday': '16:00-02:00'}
California Clipper in Humboldt Park has run a 60-foot mahogany bar and a tiny stage since 1937, reopened after a two-year pandemic hiatus with cocktails and live country.
Tip: Closed-ish Sunday, opens 16:00 Friday and Saturday. Saturday runs to 03:00. Live country and rockabilly bookings most weekends, no cover.
Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar ★ 4.6
$Bridgeport{'monday': '17:00-00:00', 'tuesday': '15:00-00:00', 'wednesday': '15:00-00:00', 'thursday': '15:00-02:00', 'friday': '15:00-02:00', 'saturday': '13:00-02:00', 'sunday': '13:00-00:00'}
Maria's Packaged Goods in Bridgeport opened 1986 and pairs a working liquor store with a bar that shares a wall with Polish Korean restaurant Kimski next door.
Tip: Thursday through Saturday run to 02:00. Walk between the bar and Kimski with the same drink; the cocktail program goes deep on Malort.
Smartbar ★ 4.9
$$Wrigleyville / Lakeview{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': 'closed', 'wednesday': 'varies by event', 'thursday': '22:00-04:00', 'friday': '22:00-04:00', 'saturday': '22:00-05:00', 'sunday': '22:00-04:00'}
Smartbar in Chicago opened beneath Metro in 1982 and built the city's house and techno scene with Frankie Knuckles and Derrick Carter residencies.
Tip: No dress code, no bottle service, no VIP. 400 capacity on a Funktion One rig; Sunday's Queen! party is the long-running queer dance night.