Tell us what neighborhood or area of the city you'll be staying in, AA.

Probably should have mentioned that! Staying just south of lincoln park, and will have a car.

What sort of vibe do you want for your cocktail bar?

would prefer a speakeasy/casual type place, and something that has lots of good whiskey/brandy on hand.

Curio, the downstairs speakeasy of Gilt Bar sounds like a good spot for you.

Its cash only.

Is anyone interested in a reservation for 4 at Next this Sunday (8/7)? If so, please contact me.

Went to a party tonight across the street from Wrigleyville and bootlegged the McCartney concert...dude played for more than 3 hours and it sounded great. Fireworks during the 3rd encore were solid, lots of people hanging in front of their buildings just enjoying life.

Cocktail bar: The Violet Hour. Very loungy. There's always a line, but it's the only way to keep the place comfortable, as you can always have a comfortable space there.

Wine bar: Rootstock and it's not even close. Again, very comfortable space. You may need to wait a bit, but it isn't difficult to get a seat at the bar while you wait and the service is top notch.

Both places I suggest are dark'ish, with great service. They're also both on the pricier side, but reasonable for places that don't cram their space with standing idiots.

Sounds awesome

look no further than longman and eagle


for dinner, I would fully recommend the bristol in bucktown on damen. They don't take reservations, so be aware of that if you go in there are 8ish and expect a wait

While the Violet Hour is great and is "a speakeasy" and has lots of great whiskey on hand, it's really not "casual" at all. I haven't been to L&E, but have never heard anything about their cocktails (their whiskey collection, yes, but cocktails, no). I'd probably trust KDawg on this, though. It's also only a couple blocks from The Whistler, which has fantastic cocktails and brown liquor selection. I don't know anything about seating for drinking at L&E, but if weather is nice, the patio behind The Whistler is great.

I want to like Rootstock but I just can't. It's in the middle of nowhere, the wait is absurd, it's wildly overpriced, and it just flat out didn't impress me. Place in Chicago definitely get a dark mark in my mind because Avec is technically a wine bar and everyplace else that calls itself same is wildly overpriced and has **** food.

If you're a serious whiskey nut, Lady Gregory's in Andersonville has ~300 on the menu, and has tasting notes for all of them. Available in 3 sizes of pours.

I'll post some other thoughts soon.

i was just mostly focusing on his wanting a great whiskey selection

For places with tons of different beers on tap is The Map Room the best option? Everyone seems to recommend it, but I haven't been there yet.

map room is its own thing. I love and hate it at the same time. The bartenders can be real ****heads when they feel like it for no reason whatsoever. I mean ****, I don't exactly look like a Chad and I certainly don't order Chad beers, and yet I continually get **** service from them(most notably the bartender with the nearly shaved head, glasses, and long beard. He's a real ****). The beer ends up being the reason I put up with it, but I have been going there less and less over the past 14 months.

I'd say its a good place to stop in and get some awesome belgian beer, but not as a place to spend time at. Quenchers has a very deep list and its much easier to get a beer from

I'm with KD. My experience with service at Map Room has been pretty much the same. There are so many other places with nice big beer lists.

One of the newish English places is supposed to have an absolutely ridiculous draught list. I want to say Blokes and Birds, but I'm not sure. In terms of beers in bottles available, it's hard to beat Quenchers, though every time I'm in there I want to knock the teeth out of people drinking PBR.

Blokes and Birds had a pretty solid list when I was there in feb, but to me it seemed like they weren't sure whether to make it a higher end place with cocktails and dinner or have it be a pub, so its a weird mish-mash of both

I just graduated college and am strongly considering moving to Chicago. I was there on a university trip a year ago and loved the city. The sports, art, and nightlife were all great. Winter shouldn't be a problem as I'm from Pittsburgh and am used to it. I have family and friends out there who could help me get situated.

My questions are: Best neighborhoods for a 23 year old? I've heard Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville so far.

Is $600-$700 reasonable for rent in a nicer area (probably will share with 1 or 2 roommates)? I'm not really picky about housing as long as its decent and clean.

I have a car and not really sure whether to bring it or not. Is there parking in the Northern neighborhoods?

is anyone familiar with the russian/jewish community in chicago. are there particular areas where they live and hang out?

skokie would be my best guess

Blokes and Birds had a decent draught list when I was there in April, you must be thinking of another place because it wasn't that great.

You should be able to get a place for 600-700 with 1-2 roommates if you aren't picky about your place or the exact location in lakeview/LP (though at this price options would better in lakeview I think). If you don't live too far east, you should easily be able to get street parking with a permit. At your price point, I also think you'll have more options being a bit further west.

Check out like craigslist or domu to get an idea on prices. I've never lived with randoms (not sure if that's what you're planning), so I'm not really sure how that process works. Also, Chicago is awesome and can't be anything but a great choice for a 23yo.

Went to one of the rooftop's. Concert was great. It's amazing how well he did in 90 degree weather on stage for 3 hours straight. He has to be pushing 70, too. Was on the ledge of the rooftop (on sheffield) and the sidewalks were packed with people laying blankets and hanging out. Seemed like people were drinking booze as well, and cops didn't care.

+1



I can't believe how much Friday lolla tickets are going for. Seems like $150 is the going price on craigslist. I remember in past year usually only paying in the $100 area. No Muse for me.

I just moved to Chicago 2 days ago for a new job with a prop trading firm.

I start work on Monday, but as of now I don't know anyone in the city.

Wanted to see if anyone here wants to grab food or drinks and do something this weekend.

I've met up with a few 2p2ers in Vegas before, fun times.

PM me if you are willing to hang out before I start work and actually meet some people.

Maybe West Rogers Park too? Check out this page: http://www.hillelsaroundchicago.org/.../83350_851.htm


Mamba, what firm?