Nightlife Best: Beer Gardens

nightlife
best: Beer Gardens
Samantha Crafton
Casey Moran’s
3660 N. Clark
caseymorans.com
for reservations call
773.755.4444
With the Cubs right next door,
bars of its own. Weather a lit-
patio Hours:
the bars of Wrigleyville have
tle iffy? Not a problem. Casey
Please call for hours of
more beer gardens than any-
Moran’s rooftop is climate-con-
operation for beer garden
where else in the city. There’s
trolled for those potentially chilly
rooftop patio
nothing like spending the day at
Windy City evenings. Visit on
SCENE Weekly Pick:
the ballpark, but if you can’t snag
Saturdays and Sundays (week-
a seat in Wrigley Field, the roof
ends the Cubs are away) and
garden at Casey Moran’s is the
participate in the Beer Olympics,
next best thing. Located across
with events including bags, beer
the street from Wrigley Field,
pong and flip cup! It’s no won-
Casey Moran’s offers two differ-
der that Casey Moran’s is a fan
ent outdoor venues. The ground
favorite and will be for seasons
level patio has a retractable roof
to come.
and full bar, while the rooftop
beer garden features two full
72
SAT-SUN Casey Moran’s
special is $5 Brunch Menu,
$15 buckets of Corona and
Dos Equis.
Zella
1983 N. Clybourn
Zellachicago.com
for reservations call
773.549.2910
The patio at Zella has become
outstanding specials five days
known as one of the best loung-
a week. One of their best bar-
ing patios in the city. The multi-
gains is Thursday night’s coun-
Sat 11 am-3 am
level outdoor sanctuary is scat-
try barbecue which was voted
Sun 11 am-12 am
tered with black wrought iron
the top Thursday night special
SCENE Weekly Pick:
furniture while also allowing for
in Chicago.
THURSDAY BBQ Night at
adequate standing room. The
with the rest of the Zella clan
Zella! $2.50 Miller Light,
full-service wooden bar is cov-
and get $2.50 Miller Light and
Coors Light bottles and drafts
ered with a black awning, which
Coors Light bottles, $3.50 you-
matches the walls that enclose
call-it drinks and $4 house wine.
the beer garden. Beautiful flow-
You can also shimmy up to the
ers and a few large trees that
outdoor grill for $2 hotdogs, $4
canopy over into the space
burgers and $5 chicken sand-
make this a great summer hang-
wiches, all include chips.
Barbecue outside
patio Hours:
Mon-Fri 5 pm-2 am
along with $2.50 well drinks
and $3.50 call drinks are
available.
out. In addition, Zella’s features
73
nightlife
best: Beer Gardens
Samantha Crafton
John Barleycorn in Lincoln Park
658 W. Belden
Johnbarleycorn.com
for reservations call
773.348.8899
Unique decor, fabulous ame-
outdoor patio the perfect place
nities and prime location make
to watch the Cubs, Sox or any
the beer garden at John Bar-
other sporting event. By night,
Sat 10 am-12 am
leycorn in Lincoln Park one of
the beer garden becomes a hot
Sun 10 am-12 am
the best venues in the city. Built
nightlife destination that attracts
SCENE Weekly Pick:
in 1890, the building has hosted
a lively crowd of locals, subur-
WEDNESDAY “Wine & Dine”
several saloons before becom-
banites and college students.
deal is a perfect date night.
ing John Barleycorns. Since
Open until 3 am on Saturdays
Priced at $45 for two people,
its introduction into the social
and 2 am every other night,
scene, it has become a neigh-
Barleycorn offers additional out-
borhood standby. By day, the
door seating on the patio to the
beer garden is a great place
north of the building; perfect for
to catch some sun and catch up
a relaxed dinner al fresco fea-
with friends. Two large projec-
turing phenomenal pub grub.
tion screens makes the spacious
74
patio Hours:
Mon-Fri 5 pm–11 pm
it includes one bottle of wine,
one appetizer, two entrees
and one dessert.
nightlife
best: Beer Gardens
Samantha Crafton
The Cedar hotel
1112 N. State
for reservations call
312.944.1112
76
Nightlife veterans Michael Bis-
planks. Patrons can order a spe-
bee
Kaulentis
cialty cocktail from one of The
(RiNo and Manor), and Greg
Cedar Hotel’s 24-ounce keeper
on patio hours.
Mohr and Scott Weiner (The
cups. The neighborhood bar and
SCENE Weekly Pick:
Fifty/50) have partnered up to
eatery will make the most of the
Weekday afternoons.
revive the historic The Cedar
property’s large outdoor patio
One of the major appeals at
Hotel.
featuring
televisions,
the newly opened Cedar
home of Melvin B’s and Cactus,
plenty of seating, a full-service
Hotel is clearly their 150-
the iconic Gold Coast building
bar and American casual cui-
will undoubtedly be a destina-
sine. Located in one of the live-
tion spot for locals this summer.
liest areas of the city, the side-
The gut-rehab of the property
walk beer garden at The Cedar
transformed the entire space by
Hotel is prime location for some
incorporating soft leather bar
great people watching, both day
stools and walls lined with cedar
and night.
and
Michael
Located in the former
multiple
patio Hours:
Please call for information
person patio. Enjoy the
people watching along the
Viagra Triangle.
Bull & Bear
431 N. Wells
bullandbearbar.com
for reservations call
312.527.5973
While it’s known for its state-of-
fresh guacamole, vine ripe salsa
patio Hours:
the-art drink technology in per-
and housemade tortilla chips.
Mon-Sun 11am–11 pm
sonal table taps, Bull & Bear will
For an entrée, sample the Dou-
SCENE Weekly Pick:
soon be known for its outdoor
ble Cut Grilled Pork Chop ($26)
Weekdays from from 3
venue. Surrounding the street
with apple fennel salad and car-
pm–6 pm. Half priced ap-
corner on which the bar sits, the
melized sweet potatoes. If you’re
sidewalk patio has the same feel
just interested in libations, Bull &
of the sports bar’s interior with
Bear doesn’t disappoint. Try the
exposed brick and lantern light-
Brokers Breakfast – Bull & Bear’s
ing. The Wells Street Journal and
version of a traditional Bloody
Liquid Assets menus are avail-
Mary. Or, sample the Vallarta
able outdoors and are served
with blackberry-infused Patron
until closing time. For starters,
silver, Patron Citron, sour and
sample the Nacho Index with
blackberry syrup.
petizers and half price mini
sandwich trios are available
Monday - Friday. Please call
312.527.5973 for details and
membership information.
slow cooked organic turkey chili,
77
nightlife
best: Beer Gardens
Samantha Crafton
Rockit Bar & Grill
3700 N. Clark
Rockitbarandgrill.com
for reservations call
312.645.4400
Making its debut this spring, the
ing the varied beer selection and
patio at Rockit Bar & Grill has
the award-winning cuisine (such
already proven to be a wel-
as the acclaimed Rockit Burger).
1130 am-10 pm
come addition to the Wrig-
Seating is limited so make sure to
fri 1130 am-11 pm
leyville neighborhood. The rus-
get there early to stake out your
sat 1030 am-11 pm
tic decor, upscale bar menu and
spot, especially on game days,
sun 1030 am-10 pm
lively atmosphere have kept
for great people watching in the
SCENE Weekly Pick:
the crowds coming since Rockit
midst of the city’s largest array of
SAT-SUN Rockit’s brunch
opened its doors to their second
Cubs fans. If there are none to be
location on the corner of Clark
had on game day, dine al fresco
and Waveland. During the sum-
during Rockit’s Sunday brunch.
mer months, the big draw will
undoubtedly be the restaurant’s
sidewalk café, where patrons
can soak up the rays while enjoy78
patio Hours:
mon-thurs
menu is complemented by
a build-your-own Bloody
Mary bar and build-yourown Mimosa bar. Or, try
the $5 mimosas, $10 St.
Germain cocktails and $5
Bacardi mojitos.
nightlife
best: Beer Gardens
Samantha Crafton
Stan’s US 66 Patio
and Lydon’s Overproof Bar
324 S. Racine
Stanleyskitchenandtap.com
for reservations call
312.433.0007
80
In the West Loop, located a
shade from the grueling Chi-
block off the historic Route 66,
cago summer heat. A juke box,
stands Stan’s US 66 Patio. The
foosball table and stripper pole
Sat 11 am-2 am
venue has recaptured some of
add additional entertainment to
SCENE Weekly Pick:
the magic of Melvin B’s truckstop
the patio scene, which is open
SUN For $12, Sunday brunch
with its roadhouse decor and its
until 11 pm nightly. In the eve-
is legendary. The buffet
carefree 5 o’clock somewhere
nings an adjacent parking lot is
offers the usual suspects and
vibe. Sample some of their sig-
closed off and becomes an out-
Southern specialities like fried
nature cuisine, including the old
rageous adult playground fea-
fashioned burger, hummus and
turing a basketball hoop, beer
Southern fried chicken. The large
pong tables and a dunk tank. If
fenced-in patio features both
you enjoy local amateur enter-
high tops and traditional patio
tainment, pop by on Wednes-
seating, with oversized umbrel-
days at 9 pm when Stanley’s
las for those who want a little
features open-mic-night.
patio Hours:
Fri 11 am-11 pm
chicken, biscuits and gravy,
and macaroni and cheese.
Joe’s Sports Bar
940 W. Weed
Joesbar.com
for reservations call
312.337.3486
Most Chicagoans know that
line up that includes Pat Green,
patio Hours:
Joe’s Sports Bar is the place
Corey Smith Montgomery Gentry
Mon-Fri 5p -12am
to be on game day. What they
and Lady Antebellum. In addition
Sat 12 pm-12 am
may not know is that it’s spectac-
to these concert, Joe’s is sponsor-
Sun 2 pm-12 am
ular beer garden also makes it
ing several giveaways through-
SCENE Weekly Pick:
the place to be this summer. A
out July including their Billy Joel/
5,000 square-foot patio features
Elton John giveaway on July 10
two full-service bars, a 30-foot
and their Hawaiian trip give-
HD projector, two 60-inch tele-
away on July 31. If you’re a pet
visions and a brand new par-
lover, bring your canine friend to
tially enclosed heated bar. The
the patio Wednesdays through-
patio has seating for 150 peo-
out July for Joe’s Unleash Your
ple and capacity for 250 people.
Dog Doggie Happy Hour. For
This summer Joe’s is set to have
details on ticket information, visit
an especially impressive concert
Joe’s website.
TUES Quarter beer nights at
Joe’s. Arrive before 9 pm and
you can also take advantage
of half price pizza.
81