Category Archives: boozeworthy

My obsession with neon signs continues as I simultaneously rejoice a new cool bar in the ‘hood from the guys behind Empire Liquors and Angels & Kings. I had heard rumblings of Bar Deville coming to East Village/Ukie Village for some time, and I finally checked it out over the weekend. It was on the early side and I don’t know how crowded the place gets late night, but I imagine the plush antique couches and chairs nestled into groups in the back room fill up fast. Gritty brick walls give the back area a cozy, cavernous feel, while the simple front room has a speakeasy vibe with a refurbished art deco bar, large wooden booths, small tables and dim lighting unmarred by beer signs or large plasma screens (there are two subtle ones above the bar). So glad it won’t be ruined by cigarette smoke or Golden Tee, and I loved that they had a Dark and Stormy drink special. 701 N. Damen Ave., 312.929.2349

OK, don’t get me started on the grammatical errors all over this sign, but I’ve always wondered about the hard-boiled eggs sold at Richard’s Bar at Grand and Milwaukee. I pretty much only end up here if I’m waiting for my table at neighboring La Scarola, but it’s an awesome Sinatra-themed dive bar where someone is always dancing in front of the juke box, there’s a “rooms for rent” sign behind the bar, and another sign above the pay phone that says “keep calls to 10 minutes” (if only that was a cell phone rule). Even with the smoking ban, decades of cigarette and cigar smoke seem soaked in just about everything throughout the tiny woooden space, which pretty much kills any craving for a hard-boiled egg. But I’ll take them up on the cheap beer specials. Richard’s Bar 491 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312.733.2251

Oh Hitachino, why are you so hard to find and why don’t you come in a 6-pack? If you haven’t tried this fantastic Japanese beer I highly recommend, both for its flavor and cool owl label that looks lifted from a 1970s crochet project. They offer a variety of beers (like Amber, Red Rice and Pale Ale), but I love the sushi-and-seafood-friendly light white ale, which flaunts the bold flavor profile of Blue Moon, but without the heavy wheaty orange notes, and almost pulpy texture often perpetuated by, well, an orange. Actually, I’ve spotted Hitachino on more and more on beer bottle lists, but has anyone ever seen it on tap?

While I still mourn the loss of some of my favorite Chicago bars of my past (1056 freestyle-Saturday nights anyone?) I have recently rediscovered some of my other more high-end favorites around town, like The Peninsula Bar, a perfect stop when I am dressed up for some reason or am already downtown (hence not having to schlep there from Wicker Park). It’s got a fireplace which is an instant bonus, lots of overstuffed chairs and couches, wasabi peas in the nut mix, a nice Riesling by the glass, a chill vibe and surprisingly good music. But..it’s when we walked out of the bar and into the hotel’s gold-adorned Lobby that I rediscovered what truly may be my new favorite bar in Chicago. The Chocolate Bar. Not new but still decadent, it’s the ultimate dessert spread for those in the mood for everything from lollipops to crème brûlée (in spoons!). Along with live jazz quartet, it’s spread out in all of its Wonkaland glory every Friday and Saturday night, and is $33 worth of yum (the price of 10 beers at 1056, but these days I could handle the sugar, the beer notsomuch). If we weren’t so dang full from dinner we would’ve for sure gotten all Augustus Gloop on that buffet.

Chocolate Dessert Bar set up on Friday and Saturday nights.