Bar Guide: music venues
THE ABBEY | IRVING PARK
After appearing on an embarrassing episode of the obnoxious reality TV program Bar Rescue, this once- proud if shabby venue underwent a generic Hard Rock Cafe-style remodeling. But at least there’s a respectable whiskey list, and the Irish breakfast, curry fries, and trashy-good shepherd’s pie (declared shite by some bozo consulting chef) remain. — MIKE SULA 3420 W. Grace, 773-463-5808, theabbeychicago.com.
BEAT KITCHEN | ROSCOE VILLAGE
A staple for Chicago concertgoers, the Beat Kitchen i s known for i ts l i ve shows that feature national touring acts and local bands alike. Fewer are aware of its stand-up shows, though Chicago Underground Comedy has called the Beat Kitchen home for damn near a decade. Fewer still may be aware that the Beat Kitchen has really stepped up its food game in recent years—maybe it’s the limited seating and the fact that it’s mostly known as a concert venue. But many of the menu i tems, particularly the smoked chicken pizza and the catfish sandwich, are well worth your time. In the summer, a decent-size patio enables quality day drinking that leads to sloppy night drinking— and by that point, the evening’s bands will just be getting started. Cheap $2 beers ensure it’ll be the best show ever, no matter who’s playing. — DREW HUNT 2100 W. Belmont, 773-2814444, beatkitchen.com.
BURLINGTON | LOGAN SQUARE
Removed from the well-populated bar village sitting j ust east on Milwaukee Avenue, the Burlington— which had a hefty stake in the neighborhood’s realm of hip prior to the recent gold rush—reinvented itself by adding a well-booked, acoustically sound backroom music venue (donation usually requested). And the low-key, dimly swank bar portion of the space has certainly benefited from the addition, because if you go to a rock ’n’ roll show, you’re drinking. The beer selection is modest but satisfactory, with ten beers on tap and a selection of microbrewed bottles. No worries, though, cans of PBR are available for only two bucks a pop. Locals and regulars are almost always the ones spinning records, which adds a cool sense of community and camaraderie to the spot (even if the Lite-Brite tells you that there are “No requests”). — KEVIN WARWICK 3425 W. Fullerton, 773-384-3243, theburlingtonbar.com.
DOOR NO. 3 | WICKER PARK
When you’re coming down f r om a r eall y good show, i t sort of sucks to get the l i ghts- on- everybody-out bum’s rush from the guys who, granted, just want to sweep up your mess and go home. Double Door has eased the transition from crowded rock show to cold lonesome streets by opening Door No. 3, a subterranean “speakeasy.” Don’t let that terminology fool you into thinking it’ s another Violet Hour—this is a place tog eta shot and a beer because you don’t have to go home and you can stay here. — GWYNEDD STUART 1551 N. Damen, 773-489-3160, doubledoor.com.
WHISTLER | LOGAN SQUARE
Part storefront art i nstallation, part eclectic music venue (and record label), mostly craft-cocktail mecca, the Whistler is a Chicago destination, forget about neighborhood spot. Once tended by cocktail savant Paul McGee, the bar continues on with a seasonal menu of fanciful concoctions like the doubleglassed Verdita— one glass contains cilantro, mint, pineapple juice, lemon, jalapeño, and habanero, while the other is filled with Don Fulano Silver tequila. The beer selection is solid and relatively upscale, but in bottles only. Low-key rock, improv jazz, thump-thump dance, or whispery folk will likely be occupying the intimate stage at some point throughout the week. The bartenders move with careful deliberation, so be patient and wait your turn. — KEVIN WARWICK 2421 N. Milwaukee, 773-227-3530, whistlerchicago.com.