The fight between longtime Bridgeport staple Jimbo's lounge and landlords Ray and Donna DeGrazia took an unexpected twist when recent court filings indicated that the DeGrazias had reached an oral agreement to replace Jimbo's with a John Barleycorn. Barleycorn owner Sam Sanchez eventually backed out of the deal due to the continuing court battles and twists involving Jimbo's protracted eviction, which even owners Jimbo and Joyce Levato admitted is ultimately an academic conclusion. Still,......

All About Beer magazine (via) listed their "top 125 places to have a beer before you die" (a nice arbitrary number, by the way). Five local taverns made the cut: Hopleaf (#24), Clark Street Ale House (#43), Map Room (#47), Goose Island (#84) and John Barleycorn, which makes the cut ten spots from the bottom at #115. Our doppelganger in the Emerald City wholeheartedly agreed with the inclusion of Hopleaf and Map Room, although Map......

The ever-popular TECH cocktail is fast approaching, but don't worry about this one; unless you were one of the lucky 500 people to RSVP yesterday, you won't get in. Version 4.0 of the popular social event for Chicago's techbiz scene is being held Thursday, April 12, at John Barleycorn's in Wrigleyville, but because of the limited space upstairs, it sold out in less than 24 hours. They've since posted details on waiting lists and standing......

Usually, the divide between the sports community and the arts community is about as wide as Lake Michigan. You're about as likely to find some Chad wearing his Illini cap in Symphony Hall as you are to find an Art Institute board member watching a game at John Barleycorn's. Until the Bears make the Super Bowl, that is — that's enough to bring everyone together. Across the city, we find evidence of arts and sports......

College football season kicks off this weekend, and that means that across the city, fans will be flocking to countless bars to watch their favorite teams. Chicago is second to none when it comes to its school pride, as nearly every sports bar and neighborhood tap affiliates itself with some college team -- at least in Lincoln Park and Lakeview. If you're trying to find the hideout for a particular school, keep your eyes peeled......

While most Chicago Cubs players are spending the winter someplace warm and their fans are devoting time to the Bears, Bulls or Blackhawks while waiting for spring training, Wrigley Field has had a busy off-season. The stadium in well into its bleacher makeover that will be ready for Opening Day. The bleacher enhancements inlcude 1,702 new seats, an expanded concourse and a restaurant/lounge in the "batter's eye." Chicagoist wants to know if it true......