December 2001
In the Hood -
Lincoln Avenue has a reputation as one of Chicago's busiest barhopping
clusters. While many of the names have changed, the sheer number of bars
in this few-block radius has remained the same - a
stellar strip for the freewheeling and free-spirited.
Lincoln Avenue: Dickens to Diversey
The Four Farthings and John Barleycorn
have been Lincoln Park staples for decades, so
we're beginning this pub crawl at the 2200 block
and head south, stay with me as long as you
can, every place is open till the wee hours.
At the upscale Bacchus, a Roman-inspired club named after the Roman God of
wine and revelry, two floors and a third-floor loft offer optimal space for
dancing to the tunes of two spinning deejays, and
the first floor holds a posh, clubby lounge. Monday
is Martini Night featuring about breeds - of course these babies are served
seven nights a week. Don't miss "The Orgy," as the menu says, "decadent and
uninhibited, dripping with innuendo," Stoli Vanil,
Razberi vodka and Godiva White. Yes, foreplay
in a glass.
Over at Alumni Club, traditional sportsbar
flavor hails. Fifteen televisions are strategically positioned for the best
possible viewing of any number of pro or college games. The loft upstairs opens
in the evening for grooving to favorite dance hits.
Wise Fool's Pub is the place for all fools who like hearing live bands, the
Freddie Jones' Band is a regular, and you can see live music any night the doors
are open.
Heading toward Fullerton...After taking in a show at the Biograph, Three
Penny, Victory Gardens
or Apollo, or grabbing a quick bite at the nearby Chipotle, Zig Zag Kitchen,
Potbellies or Clarke's diner, take in a game of pool at the friendly watering
hole Lincoln Station. If you're a Michigan native or a graduate of University of
Michigan or Michigan State, the Gin Mill is the place to mingle with your
cronies. Every game played by a team hailing from the great lake state is
broadcast here. At bw-3, b is for buffalo - the Colorado Buffalos - that's the
team flavor, but
if you like spicy buffalo wings, they favor that too.
Lucille's, a respite from the sports-craving crew. The martini menu is
extraordinary with more than 30 vodkas. Try a pickled mushroom, olive with goat
cheese and jalapeno or a frozen grape slain across your glass. The chocolate is
a fave, with Godet White and Godiva Dark. Then there's the food. Must have's
include tuna tartar with wasabi mascarpone, grilled pork loin, peanut-crusted
catfish and homemade chocolate terrine (wet fudge with raspberry sauce.) And the
kitchen's open until 1 a.m.
Bordo's Eatery & Sauce also features fine fare. The chicken Vesuvio and
Chicago steak sandwich
are specialties of the house. While the hottest thing dished up is the Lavicka
Special, Absolut Mandarin with splashes of 7-Up, cranberry and Redbull. Don't
try to drink a martini from the glasses that adorn the bar. These bowls are
reserved for the fruit chewies, gumballs and lollipops that keep orally-fixated
girls occupied while the boisterous boys whoop it up.
Boutique Break: if you're on the strip during gametime, girls leave the boys
by the telly and do a bit of shopping at Tribeca. The shop carries the full line
of Michael Stars tees, as well as Big Star jeans, vintage-looking knit caps,
scarves and other
hipster garb.
Next door, the Wildflower Garden stocks fresh flowers and candles with
character. And at 2448 North Lincoln, a high-end boutique that is just too cool
to have a name.
And there's even more on
Lincoln Avenue - Irish Eyes,
Déjà Vu, Delilah's and
Lincoln Tap Room are toward
the Diversey intersection.
