The new gin-focused bar boasts a great cocktail menu (including some other spirits, for the gin haters) and a gargantuan monster-sandwich. more ›

You don't need an overnight stay to enjoy Amuse in the renovated lobby of Swissôtel more ›

The single, unthinkable thing that could salve our wounds from McGee's departure from The Whistler has actually happened - a brand new tiki bar in Chicago. more ›

This evening marks bartender Paul McGee's last shift behind the stick at the Whistler. more ›

There has been many a night we have bellied up to the bar at one of our favorite Bucktown haunts Danny's. Cheap drinks, great DJs, dancing and just enough light to get an outline of the person you'll be gracing with your best walk-of-shame the next day usually makes for an interesting evening to say the least. Stephen Sowley, a six-year-veteran in his humble station as doorman at the bar has probably seen it all. After all, mixing young people, massive amounts of booze and perhaps some less than savvy judgement calls can make for some intriguing stories to say the least. more ›

Vermouth has been a central part of Sable's bar menu since the restaurant opened, but this takes it to a whole new level. more ›

$5 cocktails, a secret password and Templeton Rye. Why aren't we drinking right now? more ›

Hire a professional to help you learn to mix and stock your home bar. more ›

The new bar will impress any cocktail connoisseur. more ›

The Scout may be exactly what the South Loop needs - a comfortable, upscale bar. While we're not huge fans of the scads of big-screen TVs, sports watchers will love it. And we are definitely partial to the beautifully-renovated space, the reclaimed wood bars, the wonderful natural light and the huge beer list. The Scout took over the space that formerly housed Opera, the Jerry Kleiner-designed temple to over-the-top red velvet and mosaic tiles. The new owner, Chris Bravos, has done such extensive re-building that even Opera fans will hardly notice that it's the same space. more ›

- Bleeding Heart Bakery, everyone's favorite punk rock pasty location, is opening a new location in the suburbs. According to their facebook page, they will be opening a new location in Elmhurst by the end of the summer. The new location will be supplied by their new, huge home bakery in the city which will hopefully open in the next few weeks - the opening has been delayed several times already. In any case, suburbanites rejoice, as you won't have to drive all the way into the city to taste their baked goodies. more ›

In today's absurd celebrity news: Rosie O'Donnell apparently is on a one-woman crusade against underage drinking. Or, if you believe Celebslam, was trying to get some tail. According to the National Enquirer, Rosie accosted two women drinking in a bar at O'Hare. Problem? They were 24 and 27. more ›

It's not been a good couple of weeks for Chicago restaurants. 8 days after Kith and Kin closed unexpectedly, another shocker - Bistro 110, the Michigan Avenue French mainstay, is shutting down on August 4th. According to Chicago Magazine, Tony Mantuano, the Italian food impresario behind Spiaggia and Terzo Piano, will be revamping the property into an Italian bar, with "good espresso, homemade pastries, gelato to go, a mozzarella bar" and small plates. more ›

A standing-room-only crowd descended on WaterShed Bar Monday night for its inaugural stint as host of the monthly cocktail series Shift Drink. Held on the first Monday of each month, Shift Drink pairs a chef with a mixologist and charges them with devising a creative menu of cocktails and serving them up for the event. This month Sepia's chef, Andrew Zimmerman, and head bartender, Josh Pearson, collaborated on a cheeky menu of four signature drinks that turned a favorable light onto some of cocktail history's dimmer nooks. more ›

Chicagoist got a tip on Friday from a loyal reader named Diana who got to drink at the not-yet-opened Aviary, Grant Achatz's newfangled cocktail-gastronomy concept on W. Fulton. They were wandering around the area, looking for a bar and saw a likely looking spot. Turned out it was a dry run for servers at The Aviary, and the staff let them stay and try a drink! We checked, and the liquor and restaurant licenses for Next were issued on Friday, so it was even nice and legal. Full details post haste. more ›

Derek Alexander and his colleagues minding the bar at Logan Square's Longman & Eagle are unveiling a stunning set of new cocktails as part of a broader overhaul of the beverage menu. Not to worry, L&E's cherished whiskey collection isn't going away; the menu change - apart from the new drinks for spring that will be tagging out some of the hot winter cocktails - is largely textual in nature. more ›

The Burlington -- where some Chicagoist editors hold their weekly Tuesday "strategic sessions" -- is by far one of our favorite watering holes in the city. more ›

Logo Online has released a feature, “The Best Gay Bars in America.” And two local stomping grounds have made the list. more ›

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We just learned that tickets to ALL Metro and Smart Bar shows are only available through their websites, or the Metro Box Office. There will still be service fees for tickets bought online, though we believe they will be much reduced due to Metro handling all sales internally, and there is still never a service fee for tickets bought at the Box Office. more ›

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The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association wants us all to “Feel Magnificent,” and this month apparently that means knocking back the bubbly. Throughout February, businesses on the Magnificent Mile and its surrounding area have been serving champagne to diners and shoppers all along the Avenue, which means we have T minus 7 days to score some free (or reduced) sparkling goodness. The Mag Mile web site can fill you in on everywhere that’s filling flutes, but here are our suggestions on where to stop along your own personal “Champagne Crawl.” more ›

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The City is running low on de-snowing dollars. We've already plowed through over $14 million of an $18 million budget. [S-T] more ›

Some say that all great works of art are inspired by something or someone: the ever elusive muse. For many, the muse is a real person, be it someone to impress or just someone to one up. Many times these people are the stories behind the story, which is why "For Whom" is the theme for tonight's reconstruction room reading. more ›

Who needs a drink after this year's primaries? Don't worry, with both Mardi Gras and Super Tuesday today, there's plenty going on around town where you can get your drink on, and watch the election returns. more ›

So how's the smoking ban going so far? Y'know, other than cold? Well, Helen's Two Way Lounge on Fullerton nabbed the coveted title of First Bar to be Cited by a City Inspector. (The bar owner got off on a technicality.) But maybe people would be more willing to step outside if bars has "smoking shelters." more ›

We chronicled our Saturday night earlier this week, and we need remind no one that it was colder than a witch's tit in a brass bra all day long. more ›