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The Mystic Celt is one of those typical Irish watering holes that’s extremely popular precisely because it is not too popular—in other words, it’s packed on weekends but not so much that you have to...
The Mystic Celt is one of those typical Irish watering holes that’s extremely popular precisely because it is not too popular—in other words, it’s packed on weekends but not so much that you have to wait in a long line to get in. This bar and restaurant (although I haven’t eaten here yet—just drank) is quintessentially Wrigleyville, complete with the type of twenty- and early thirtysomethings (think the cast of “Friends”) who lounge around, drink, dance/jiggle a little (if it’s not too packed), and try to converse with those of the opposite sex as the night wears on—and the Mystic Celt works well to encourage such behavior. The interior itself is very crisp and inviting, and the usual suspects are included: TVs showing SportsCenter and popular music pumping in the background. On a few occasions, I’ve seen a new-girlfriend-encounters-ex-girlfriend hissing contest, which makes for a nice diversion, but for the most part the patrons remain cocky but tame.
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Normally, La Bella in Oak Park is a tad too “rich” (in terms of style and Italian cuisine) for me to go there on a casual night out on my own or with friends. However, if you’re single and looking...
Normally, La Bella in Oak Park is a tad too “rich” (in terms of style and Italian cuisine) for me to go there on a casual night out on my own or with friends. However, if you’re single and looking for an Italian restaurant that puts you in a favorable light on that all-important first date, La Bella is the ticket. They have a wide and impressive selection of Italian dishes, and the slightly refined atmosphere is lively but not deafening during the dinner hour (great when you and your date have stuff to talk about, and great for cushioning the impact of any awkward silent moments). The chicken pasta dishes are safe (but tasty) choices, and while the place is definitely a notch up from casual, it’s not too rough on the wallet.
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I happen to enjoy D’Agostino’s because it has this cool Swiss utility knife thing going on: Half of it is a relatively well-lit restaurant (dinner only) that excels at serving up tasty thin crust...
I happen to enjoy D’Agostino’s because it has this cool Swiss utility knife thing going on: Half of it is a relatively well-lit restaurant (dinner only) that excels at serving up tasty thin crust pizza, the other half is a standard bar that’s good for lounging about if you’re just hungry for drinks (they have a good enough beer selection). My sister once lived a block from this place, and my co-workers (we work nearby) frequently gather here for relaxing late-night libations and the promise of good pizza—so I must admit that I might be biased in recommending this spot. Still, it’s friendly, relaxing and just quiet enough to have a good conversation without getting drowned out by music. A final note: During the summer, the restaurant opens a little outdoor seating area on Addison, which is great if you’re a people-watcher (or people-flirter) hoping to check out who’s heading to the bars closer to Wrigley Field.
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The appeal of Johnnie’s is perplexing as it is undeniable. At any given point in time, this old-school fast-food shack will have:
a) A gigantic line of customers streaming out of the building
b)...
The appeal of Johnnie’s is perplexing as it is undeniable. At any given point in time, this old-school fast-food shack will have:
a) A gigantic line of customers streaming out of the building
b) A line of cop cars parked out front on their lunch or dinner break
c) An assembly of teens and/or twentysomethings socializing by their cars nearby
d) All of the above
Why is there such great demand for a place that—let’s face it—isn’t the prettiest eatery around? I’m not sure, but I can venture a good guess. What I do know is that Johnnie’s has excellent Italian beef and great Italian ice, and in an area with a good dose of Italian lineage, that’s a winning formula. Again, the Italian beef is arguably the best in the Chicago area. Johnnie’s is also unique in that it’s got a bit of Seinfeld-esque “Soup Nazi” thing going on, because when the line is long, you better know what you’re ordering and not hold up the line (both regulars and employees will give you evil looks for any unwarranted delays). I presume this efficient, direct service only adds to the place’s vintage appeal. If I had out-of-towners looking for the best Italian beef in Chicago, this is where I would take them.
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Rosa’s Blues Lounge is a legendary blues joint that is a bit off the beaten path for out-of-towners, but it’s worth a visit if you’re a fan of blues, and it’s especially recommended if there’s...
Rosa’s Blues Lounge is a legendary blues joint that is a bit off the beaten path for out-of-towners, but it’s worth a visit if you’re a fan of blues, and it’s especially recommended if there’s someone you want to see playing on a given night. The friendly and boisterous atmosphere inside the lounge belies the somewhat quiet and rather non-touristy neighborhood it sits in. It’s a compact and intimate interior, with the bar on the left side, tables scattered about, and a small stage in the back—in other words, you’ll definitely get to slide up close and enjoy the music. Yes, the cover charge is sometimes steep depending on who’s playing, but the payback is that the performances feel much more raw and unfiltered (including in some cases lyrics not meant for children, if you get my drift)—just the way the blues was meant to be heard. After midnight, the band(s) of the evening often “loosen up” their set lists, engaging in lots of improvisation as well as jamming with musicians from other blues clubs who’ve popped into Rosa’s for a late-night visit.
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To be honest, all the trendy dance clubs downtown give me a mild headache—way too much posturing, dress coding and see-and-be-seen pretension for my taste (except when I’m in the mood for being...
To be honest, all the trendy dance clubs downtown give me a mild headache—way too much posturing, dress coding and see-and-be-seen pretension for my taste (except when I’m in the mood for being pretentious, of course). Enter the Smart Bar (located underneath the Metro), which offers the same cool club beats with a bit less snobbiness. Sure, you’ll get your share of hipsters (it is in Wrigleyville, after all), but for the most part, people are there to drink and dance first rather than look pretty. It has the typical “walk down a basement into a dark club” ambiance, and the music is smoothly custom-crafted by very good DJs who as a general rule avoid any tracks that might have gotten Top 40 airplay. This is the bar revelers congregate to after other bars nearby close at 2 a.m., so expect a very late-night rush around that time (in other words, try to get there before 2 a.m. to beat the line).
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House of Blues will always hold a dear place in my heart, namely because I got a black eye from a guitarist who was bodysurfing the crowd during his show (I got booted in the head accidentally as he...
House of Blues will always hold a dear place in my heart, namely because I got a black eye from a guitarist who was bodysurfing the crowd during his show (I got booted in the head accidentally as he was trying to get back on stage). Like the Metro (see my other review), it is a great place to see big bands live—especially if you are standing in front of the main stage. It has an excellent sound system (I’m admittedly biased because I knew one of the sound wonks there) and a fairly intimate atmosphere that’s a bit less gritty than the Metro. Unfortunately, I’ve never eaten there (too touristy) nor have I tried the back porch area (where acoustic acts play). However, if you plan to see a band there that you truly like, get there early in line to grab a prime standing spot in front of the stage—and get ready to be pushed around later…
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Oak Park’s Lake Theatre is a local landmark, and understandably so once you walk inside. The theaters have been remodeled/restored and evoke all the feeling of what they might have been like in the...
Oak Park’s Lake Theatre is a local landmark, and understandably so once you walk inside. The theaters have been remodeled/restored and evoke all the feeling of what they might have been like in the “glory days.” I wouldn’t go see a visual-effects epic here—there’s neither stadium seating nor gigantic projection screens—but that’s not its selling point. Rather, it’s the ability to see a new movie in a smaller (in some cases, much smaller) room—a more cozy yet inviting experience for the less visually intense movies (i.e. date movies) that get released. Of course, expect to pay steep prices for non-matinee tickets and food, but at least the popcorn refills and toppings are free.
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I love the Brew & View. I love the concept (big screen movies + food + beer = fun) and I love the execution (cheap beer, cheap tickets and great atmosphere, especially once everyone’s buzzed). This...
I love the Brew & View. I love the concept (big screen movies + food + beer = fun) and I love the execution (cheap beer, cheap tickets and great atmosphere, especially once everyone’s buzzed). This is a great group outing, especially if you’re seeing a movie that encourages audience participation and/or is raunchily fun to watch (think “American Pie” or some variant thereof). It’s also one of the few movie places where you can talk back to the screen and not get yelled at. The only negative is that they generally show “new” movies only after they’ve been in other theaters for a while—but it’s hard to complain about that when the cost of entry is rather low. Moreover, if you get there early, you’ll get to catch two or three different movies (generally at 8 p.m., 10 p.m. and midnight)—it’s a great price bargain overall. A secret tip for those strapped for cash: Now I’ve never done this … but in theory you could sneak in some hard liquor in a flask and get drunk/enjoy the movies in a more cost-efficient manner.
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Normally, I frequent Doc Ryan's in Forest Park. However, a co-worker invited me to check out its sister location in Elmhurst, claiming it was a rockin’ location during the weekends. I refused to...
Normally, I frequent Doc Ryan's in Forest Park. However, a co-worker invited me to check out its sister location in Elmhurst, claiming it was a rockin’ location during the weekends. I refused to believe it: Elmhurst isn’t exactly a party-riffic community. Nevertheless, I met him at the bar, which is a bit smaller than the location in Forest Park. In the hours we spent there, the place grew increasingly packed with clean-cut good-looking suburbanites in their 20s (I suspect they were all either locals still living at home or students from nearby colleges). I was shocked – shocked! – to see this level of frenetic bar activity in such a quiet location. If you are young, single, living in the west suburbs and looking for some "hotties"—but are too lazy to drive to Chicago to do so—this isn’t a bad substitute. A final tip: You can order pizza across the street and bring it back into the bar to munch on (they don’t mind).
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