HBO Actor Calls Joe’s on Weed ‘the Worst Bar in America’

—Dis alert: One comedian believes that longtime Lincoln Park country music and sports bar Joe’s on Weed is “the worst bar in America.” Timothy Simons, who stars on HBO’s “Veep,” made the claim while recounting his experiences working at the bar years ago during an appearance on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” this past Friday night. The Tribune first noticed the dis, in which he also said “it’s awful, don’t go there.”

—Some Pitchfork Music Festival attendees will have a special treat this year: Food and drink from Land & Sea Dept. restaurants and bars. Pitchfork +PLUS is a new ticket tier and area where people will be able to eats and drinks from Parson’s Chicken & Fish, Lost Lake, and more, according to a rep. Specifics are few at this time but generals on the festival itself and tickets are available on its website. Three-day GA ticket-holders can upgrade for $195 more.

—Ravenswood has become ground zero for breweries in the city, and thus the chamber of commerce has branded the corridor as “Malt Row.” A new website includes a map of the six breweries (Band of Bohemia, Begyle, Dovetail, Empirical, Half Acre, and Spiteful), the neighborhood’s one distillery (Koval), events, neighborhood guides, and more. It’s not quite the Kentucky Bourbon Trial, but the breweries in the hood are definitely a draw.

—In more beer news, 2017’s Chicago Craft Beer Week kicks off tomorrow, May 18. Hop heads should be in heaven with hundreds of beer events to choose from, starting with the annual beer under glass event tomorrow night at Garfield Park Conservatory, as well as a myriad of specials, tastings, meet-and-greets, and more at bars, breweries, and venues around the city. Emporium Logan Square’s event venue, which was previously Branca Bar, will even rebrand as “Pdubz Pipedream” through May 27 in a collaboration with local stalwart Pipeworks Brewing.

—Amy Morton’s The Barn, her second smash hit restaurant in Evanston, has a new chef de cuisine. Amanda Barnes, who many may know from her previous stints at Mindy’s Hot Chocolate, Celeste, City Tavern, and Packing House, collaborated on its new spring menu with executive chef Nicole Pederson, according to a news release, which includes lighter dishes for the meat-centric restaurant.

—BenjYehuda has closed its Lincoln Park location at 2485 N. Clark St. The signage is down for the fast-casual Israeli restaurant, known for their french fries. The restaurant lasted three years at the address. The closure is a bit perplexing, given the chain’s announcements of an expansion.

—And finally, Billy Dec is getting into the podcast game. The Rockit Ranch CEO will chat with actors, celebs, restaurateurs, and chefs about “stories surrounding a life-changing meal experience” on his podcast “The Meal of Your Life.” Announced guests include David Schwimmer, Nick Kokonas, Sarah Grueneberg, and Ed Asner. The first episode debuts on May 22 via iTunes and Dec’s website.