Come Home To Nick's
By Hanna Aronovich in Food on Apr 20, 2006 1:28PM
Chicagoist is all about trying new bars. Whether it be a just-opened hot spot or simply new to you, variety is the spice of life. But, even the most adventurous of us grow weary on the hunt for a good time. Everyone needs a Plan B, and most often, that backup plan involves heading to the comforting embrace of your neighborhood bar.
For Chicagoist, when all else fails, we find ourselves at Nick’s Beer Garden. At 1516 N. Milwaukee, we roll into Nick’s when we need to see some familiar faces. As one Nick’s frequenter puts it, “It feels like home to me! I love having a place where people know you – a sense of community.”
We’re not sure if Nick’s qualifies as a dive bar, and we’re certainly not going to label it as such because we know the kind of debate such terms can cause. But with dirty tiled floors and ultra-thick smokey air, we think it counts.
Aesthetically, Nick’s is nothing outstanding. It’s got some wacky décor: the random pineapple on display and surfboard on the wall. A dark wooden bar, a scattering of tables and bar stools, a pool table in the middle room and a beer garden all the way in back, Nick’s is fairly nondescript. But it’s the patrons that give it character. Show up often enough, and you’ll undoubtedly make a few friends (while you’re at it, say hi to Chicagoist – we’ll be the ones dancing inappropriately by the pool table).
Nick’s is open until 4 a.m. on Friday and 5 a.m. on Saturday. A line tends to form outside after all the other neighborhood bars shout “last call.” And inevitably, someone in line complains, “Why are we waiting in line for Nick’s?” But if you know the guy at the door, he’ll nod you through.
Nick’s is more than just a late-night spot. It’s got a solid variety of beers on tap, and draws a respectable after-work crowd. It also hosts live music every Friday and Saturday night.
The beer garden will be opening soon, and you can bet you won’t be able to hear a thing if you try to use your cell when the Blue Line roars by. There’s also a Nick’s Uptown on Sheridan, but it’s just not the same. At least not to us. Because really, that’s what a neighborhood bar should be: well-worn and fitted like that irreplaceable favorite pair of jeans. We've got ours. What’s yours?