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insideman Jun 7, 2010 01:10 PM

Chicago Watering Holes

Hey gang,

Headed to your city this Thur.-Sun. for eats and a good time. I just realized the past few months have been so devoted to planning the food portion of our journey that I completely neglected the booze portion-WTF?

Any who. To get to the point what are the best watering holes in town? Looking for a place that may be a post-dinner destination with a good selection of spirits, wine and beer and hopefully a quality mixologist. What are some of the best spots to tip a few, have a convo and slink into the other half of the night?

Thanks in advance!
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›6 Replies . Latest Jun 9, 2010 by geg5150
  1. nsxtasy Jun 7, 2010 01:19 PM

    Cocktails - The Violet Hour - www.theviolethour.com
    Wine - Bin and Bin 36 - www.bin36.com
    Champagne - Pops - www.popsforchampagne.com
    Beer/Gastropub (downtown) - The Gage - www.thegagechicago.com
    Beer/Gastropub (north side) - Hopleaf - www.hopleaf.com
    Pub - Miller's Pub - www.millerspub.com

    You might also want to check out this discussion:

    Sunday night drinks - http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/709431
    ›5 Replies
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    1. re: nsxtasy
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       insideman Jun 8, 2010 05:40 AM

      The Violet Hour looks perfect! Many thanks in adavnce!

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      Violet Hour
      1247 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
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      1. re: insideman
        nsxtasy Jun 8, 2010 07:12 AM

        If you go there, be aware that it's designed to look like a prohibition-era speakeasy. There are no signs outside and the doorway is hidden in a blank facade. I'm sure a lot of people think they got the address wrong when they first go there!
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        1. re: nsxtasy
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           insideman Jun 8, 2010 01:38 PM

          Thanks for the heads up!
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          1. re: insideman
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             ms. mika Jun 8, 2010 03:02 PM

            Also just keep in mind, as they say on their website, it's on a first come first serve basis and if the seating is full, they take your name and cell phone and call you when an opening is available.
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        2. re: insideman
          geg5150 Jun 9, 2010 09:37 AM

          Yep, the Violet Hour is great! I was there again on Saturday and it really is perfect. It's recently been painted solid green with a paisley print. It's directly across the street from Big Star. The door is on the far right of the green wall. Please note that the Violet Hour can have waits and also communal seating when they're very busy. There was a 45 minute wait a few weeks ago on a Thursday night about 8 p.m. The time before that we were seated in the back room which is really tight/almost communal seating. My recommendation is to go before dinner. Sit at the bar and really interact with the bartender. Cheers!

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          Violet Hour
          1247 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
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