An ideal place to meet friends for a good drink, live music and fresh artwork. The crowds can pack this place quickly on weekends; weekdays are better and there is usually a beer special. The... More

An ideal place to meet friends for a good drink, live music and fresh artwork. The crowds can pack this place quickly on weekends; weekdays are better and there is usually a beer special. The people working here are generally nice. The volume is usually turned up too high to have great conversation. A punky, bikerish type of place, with plenty of brews to choose from. And unfortunately, they have taken down the wooden, English pub-style sign with a portrait of a woman on each side.
Less

Delilah's on Lincoln Ave is a far cry from the nearby Wrigleyville hipster locales. It's dark, kind of seedy, a little smokey, and has a fabulous tap selection, backed up by a great off-tap beer... More

Delilah's on Lincoln Ave is a far cry from the nearby Wrigleyville hipster locales. It's dark, kind of seedy, a little smokey, and has a fabulous tap selection, backed up by a great off-tap beer variety, and numerous quality liquors. In the times I've been there, the TVs have shown bizarre FAKK cartoons and Dean Martin movies, but it's all good background ambiance. During the warmer months, they open the windows wide and its a great place to enjoy a strong beer with friends.
Less

This is a dimly lit and macabrely decorated bar with rotating musical themes and good drink specials. I was pleased that I could pretty much choose how much to pay for a drink, because they had... More

This is a dimly lit and macabrely decorated bar with rotating musical themes and good drink specials. I was pleased that I could pretty much choose how much to pay for a drink, because they had cheap things for cheap, all the way up to expensive, nicer stuff. For some reason, this is really rare. We had a long conversation with our bartender, who rocked. There was a framed picture of Laura Palmer up behind the bar.
Less

If there were ever an “official” punk rock bar of Chicago, it would be Delilah’s. For one, the bar plays punk rock music exclusively—the more obscure, the better. Second, it has a disproportionate... More

If there were ever an “official” punk rock bar of Chicago, it would be Delilah’s. For one, the bar plays punk rock music exclusively—the more obscure, the better. Second, it has a disproportionate number of patrons that sport tattoos or are looking to form new bands (this is a common meeting place for respondents to punk-oriented “Musicians Wanted” ads in the Reader). Third, it has a rep (thanks to the first two points) as a post-show watering hole for punk acts touring through Chicago (including some big names that have dropped by). Nevertheless, the best part of Delilah’s is that no one really cares whether you’re “punk” or not—you go in, you drink, you chill. If you know or recognize other people from the “music” scene, you can say hi (and more importantly, offer to buy them a drink) if you’re a fan. Otherwise, if you don’t bother anyone, no one will bother you. The worst thing you could do here is stick out like a sore thumb by being obnoxious or a poser (or both). It’s the perfect anti-social bar, where you go to drink with friends rather than be seen, and if you have ever been a fan of punk rock, you will soak up Delilah’s atmosphere without incident.
Less

This bar along the busy, trendy strip of Lincoln Avenue is the anti-yuppie spot. The TVs might show the Cubs game when it's on, but afterwards it's the odd B-flick drowned out by the punk/rock... More

This bar along the busy, trendy strip of Lincoln Avenue is the anti-yuppie spot. The TVs might show the Cubs game when it's on, but afterwards it's the odd B-flick drowned out by the punk/rock jukebox. Live performances throughout the week. Upstairs is another bar and a pool table. A friendly, laidback crowd, a good if LOUD alternative to the typical hangout.
Less