John Barleycorn: Grand Central for Yuppie Drinkers
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Well, if you’re looking for a yuppie/college age meat market, this is arguably ground zero in Chicago (the location in Wrigleyville is gaining steam, however). Here’s what springs to mind when I think of my way-too-numerous visits to Barleycorn:
1. A long line to get in, highlighted by a number of guys (during cold weather) shivering because they didn’t wear their coats (dude, we’re just taking a cab to the bar, no coat needed)
2. A packed interior with people wriggling about to get to a bartender or friends across the room (I’ve also been witness to the drink-order-by-cell-phone, which actually is not a bad idea when the place is jammed tight)
3. Lots of beautiful people acting a little ugly thanks to the power of alcohol
I’m not trying to bad-mouth the place—just the opposite. If you’re single and looking for college-aged hotties and/or new graduates (this location happens to be a big DePaul magnet), you’ll have your pick of the inebriated litter here. Now, is it worth waiting in the long line that undoubtedly forms outside Barleycorn every Friday or Saturday night? Well, that depends on how desperate you are to get inside. So if you go, beat the crowd to reserve a table and some chairs.