Bordel
Nestled in Chicago’s bustling Wicker Park neighborhood, Bordel is a speakeasy-style retreat with a hint of '60s and '70s nostalgia. The red velour sofas and mismatched teacups suit the throwback theme,…
- story: Sophie Wirt
Chop Shop
A butcher shop that makes room for a restaurant with solid drinks, Chop Shop is Wicker Park's catchall neighborhood institution. Aside from the piles of sausage and house cuts, it’s a…
- story: Leslie Pariseau
Bangers & Lace
This sausage (the bangers) and beer (the lace—a term for the doily of suds left after drinking down a beer) place comes with its own cicerone, who curates the rotating…
- story: punch_intern2
Big Star
A little slice of Austin in Wicker Park, Big Star is about as country as Chicago gets—which is to say, not very. Vintage neon and a vinyl soundtrack are the…
- story: punch_intern2
Violet Hour
Not much has changed at the Violet Hour since it set the standard for Windy City cocktailing in 2009. In fact, after six years, the bar's speakeasy entrance, smooth jazz…
- story: punch_intern2
Pub Royale
Rarely are food and drink so well married as they are at this spot from Heisler Hospitality (Sportsman’s Club, Estereo). Modeled after an Anglo-Indian pub, the food walks a fine…
- story: Chloe Frechette
Estelle’s
Long, narrow and always packed, Estelle’s is an after-hours go-to thanks to its prime location in the heart of Wicker Park and Bucktown’s Six Corners and its 4 a.m. liquor…
- story: Bianca Prum
The Tapster
Perhaps the most unique user experience in Chicago’s bar scene, Tapster is a pour-your-own beer bar with a timely mission: “Freedom of choice is the American way, and we at…
- story: Bianca Prum