Bars TK
Performing Arts TK
Parks & Recreation TK
Kasey’s Tavern The erstwhile charm of this old Printers Row neighborhood joint, currently in the midst of a radical remodeling, seems to have been sucked away by the solid line of flat-screen TVs now installed above the bar—slack-jawed patrons stare silently upward as if at a shuttle disaster. But the imported beer selection is good, you can order food from Hackney’s, and the microwave popcorn is still free. aSat noon-3 AM, Sun-Fri 11 AM-2 AM, 701 S. Dearborn, 312-427-7992. —MS
Sky Ride Tap Named for the Otis Elevator exhibit at the 1933 Century of Progress Expo, this gem is tucked under the el tracks, technically north of our South Loop boundaries but meriting inclusion regardless. Extraordinary in its casual midcentury lack of pretension and approachability, it’s a comfortable dim-lit relic of a long-gone Loop, haunted by decompressing CBOT traders and Metra commuters waiting for the next train home. There’s a small selection of domestic beers and midshelf liquors and a menu of chili dogs, Polishes, and salami sandwiches. aMon-Fri 7 AM-midevening, 105 W. Van Buren, 312-939-3340. —MS
Wabash Tap Owned by the same people who run the Chicago Firehouse and Grace O’Malley’s, Wabash Tap serves PBR in big, frosty pimp goblets, has delectably greasy snacks like tater tots and chili-cheese fries, and offers complimentary neon yellow popcorn (and free peanuts in the shell on Tuesdays). There’s a selection of 12 domestic and imported beers on tap and a good mix of rock ‘n’ roll on the digital jukebox, but the bar’s primary charm is that it’s not trying to be anything other than what it is: a casual neighborhood place. The kitchen stays open till 1 AM. a Sat 11 AM-3 AM, Mon-Fri 10 AM-2 AM, Sun 11 AM-2 AM, 1233 S. Wabash, 312-360-9488. —BJ
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The Chicago Firehouse This sprawling three-story restaurant in a 1905 firehouse retains some of the building’s original character with fire poles, tin ceiling, and firebrick walls. Huge semicircular, brass-studded red leather booths line the perimeter of the bar’s dining area, while the carpeted main dining room is outfitted with candelabra and fabric-lined walls that give it the feel of a suburban country club. Dishes tend to be hearty—starters include seared sirloin, French onion soup, and prosciutto rolled with cream cheese and asparagus. Main courses take their cue from home cooking—pot roast, panfried rainbow trout, barbecued pork chops with whipped sweet potatoes. a Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner daily, 1401 S. Michigan, 312-786-1401. $$$ —Laura Levy Shatkin
