Hopleaf has made Andersonville a destination with good Belgian-style pub food and great beer — and no TVs. Owner Michael Roper offers a craft beer selection great enough to satisfy any beer nerd, but the interiors are comfortable enough to make any patron happy.

Famous for being Al Capone's former stomping grounds — complete with legendary subterranean pathways where the infamous mob boss used to run booze — the Green Mill in Uptown is a classic tavern for music and a stiff drink. They don’t make bars like this anymore with a rich interior that echoes the venue’s past. The bar has opened up its window, allowing patrons to sit on the sidewalk for outdoor seating.

After a two-year slumber, Carol’s Pub, returned to Uptown with a new owner, fresh interiors, and a bonafide food menu. The refresh proved controversial for the bar that continues to host live music. The bar still retains much of its charm, minus some of the smoke damage from years and years of cigarettes. Customers still dance the night away until 5 a.m. on Saturdays as live country bands provide the soundtrack.

Wrigleyville can be daunting during the summer with tourists and baseball fans crowding Clark Street making parking an impossible mission. Locals take the Red Line and stay away from the main drag, looking for shelter at bar like Nisei Lounge, which has spent nearly seven decades in the shadow of Wrigley. They were the first dive bar to be on Tock, the reservation system used by fine dining restaurants. Don’t let that association fool you — the bartenders service up shots, beers, and this might be the best place to enjoy malört. There are pool tables, friendly faces, and a mix of people who care about baseball and those who couldn’t care less.

There are few reminders left of Chicago's legendary blues scene, with Kingston Mines in Lincoln Park perhaps the best. Open until at least 4 a.m. every night, stop by with a group of friends, park at the communal tables or stand by the stage, and listen to Chicago musical history while downing beers and Southern food.

There was a time when Guinness was the only option for a craft beer option in a town with draft handles dominated by big beer companies. The Map Room, when it opened in 1992, was a refreshing change. With a “traveler theme” — the shelves are full of travel magazines like National Geographic, the beer list includes selections from all over the world. As American breweries gained traction, management weaved local options in as well. 

Originally known for its gin focus, Scofflaw was at the forefront of the current Logan Square bar boom for a variety of reasons: fantastic cocktails at affordable prices, standout upscale bar food, and great crowds. Don’t forget about those late-night cookies.

A den to counter culture, the Hideout is hidden between Lincoln Park and Bucktown in the area what developers are calling the Elston Industrial Corridor. It’s a civic-minded bar with a performance venue for concerts, stand-up comics, and newsy talk shows. Late night, find 20-something hipsters dancing the night away. Earlier, find the colorful, older customers lamenting the times when they had youth on their sides. Beer and simple drinks reign here as ownership hopes the looming Lincoln Yards development won’t kill tradition.

This hidden drinking destination is widely credited with kicking off the mixology renaissance in Chicago and is a must-visit for Windy City newbies. It thrives on quiet sophistication (do read the house rules), a fantastic ever-changing menu, and is a breeding ground for local talent. Look for a massive mural outside — there's no sign — as well as a line on the sidewalk.

Rootstock in Humboldt Park has been on the cutting edge for wine in Chicago, providing a unique and intimate atmosphere. No matter if you’re craving a natural wine, Austrian, or something with bubbles, this space is great for dates and get togethers. It’s also got an underrated burger.

Sportsman's Club is a template for a new wave of reborn neighborhood dive bars with cocktails and beer selections that rival some of the country's best. Do take a shot from the in-house amaro machine while chatting up the chef and industry crowd, or play a game of chess on the boards built into the tables, or relax on the expansive backyard patio.

From the owners of Alinea, the Aviary takes chef Grant Achatz’s approach to molecular gastronomy and applies it to beverages. That might be off putting to dive bar lovers, but the result is a bar with vintage spirits, unique cocktails, and prices that make the well-to-do feel like they’re spending their money on something worthy. For pure cocktail fans, the presentation, glassware, and whimsical approach to beverages is worth scoring a reservation. There’s also a more exclusive space, the Office, located downstairs.

From a national perspective, Chicago sometimes gets ignored for its innovative side. There’s plenty of talented people creating culinary cool, and Julia Momose and her team at Kumiko are the forefront. A sibling to Oriole, a two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant, Kumiko takes inspiration Japan (Momose is Japanese American), with a deep whisky list. But the highlights are the cocktails, carefully prepared and with top-notch ingredients. When the bar reboots for indoor service, Momose will once again offer her drink flights where bartenders create custom cocktails for customers. It’s like watching a story unfold, and something drinkers can’t find anywhere else in the country.

This Irish stalwart in prime real estate downtown is where it's at for people in the Loop or walking down Michigan Avenue. Impeccably run with a beautiful design, the Gage is always a massive hit for after-work drinks and great Irish food, and a mix of tourists, professionals, and people taking in downtown attractions.

Legendary musician Buddy Guy opened this club in 1989 in the South Loop and it’s become one of the most venerable places to hear blues and jazz in the country. It serves Cajun and soul food, and a beer named after Guy: Buddy’s Brew. Celebrities are known to show up to jam or even quietly take in a show.

South Loop is a neighborhood that has yet to hit its stride when it comes to carving out a unique identity. But M Lounge, which has been around since 2006, has stood out with martinis, live music, and a come-as-you-are vibe. 

Skylark is the prototype for the modern Chicago dive. The aesthetics, with its dim-lit atmosphere, give off a “we’re not trying too hard” vibe that provides a welcoming experience. The beer list is full of local craft breweries, the sandwiches — while simple — are tasty. This bar has legions of fans who will take issue if you say something negative about their watering hole, and in the end, that’s the best endorsement.

Osito’s Tap is an outgrowth of Moreno’s Liquors, a family-owned store in Little Village. The bar offers a deep beer list with plenty of rare releases to satisfy craft fans, and the cocktails push the envelope using techniques and ingredients that prove that mixologists at upscale downtown bars aren’t the only ones who can’t enjoy a fancy drinks.

Maria’s has served Bridgeport well in various capacities. It’s a small liquor stores with a mighty beer selection. Walk by the cashier and pass through two bars with old-school charm. Find a deep beer selection, classic cocktails, and even beer from the owners’ brewery, Marz. Food comes from Kimski, the Ko-Po fusion spot the meshes Korean and Polish, and Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream.

Locals still tell friends to meet them at “Jimmy’s” the name of the the bar’s former owner (Jimmy Wilson died in 1999). Regardless, this tried and true dive bar has provided a meeting point for generations of college students, professors, and Hyde Park residents. Pitchers of beer are popular here as are the burgers. An affordable spot that caters to the University of Chicago’s community.

Chicago’s oldest LGBTQ bar resides on the South Shore. Since the 1960s, Jeffery Pub has serve patrons bright-colored cocktails while giving them the space to cut loose. Look for DJs and other entertainment at this venerable venue.