Must-see nightlife in The Great Lakes

  • Hotel Tango

    Indianapolis

    Indy's first distillery since Prohibition, Hotel Tango, owned by service-disabled combat veterans, sits in all its mountain lodge-like glory in Fountain…

  • Bar Pastoral

    Chicago

    Popular deli minichain Pastoral has a wine bar at its Lake View shop. Half-glasses are available for $5, meaning you can sample widely. The deli's awesome…

  • Hagemeister Park

    Wisconsin

    Fun riverside hang, with lots of local and craft beers on tap and a festive vibe in good weather. There's an extensive food menu as well, with some…

  • Big Chicks

    Chicago

    Despite the name, both men and women (queer and otherwise) frequent Big Chicks, with its weekend DJs, fun dance floor, art displays and next-door organic…

  • Sidetrack

    Chicago

    Massive Sidetrack thumps dance music for gay and straight crowds alike. Events take place throughout the week: drag-queen nights, movie-viewing parties,…

  • Intelligentsia Coffee

    Chicago

    This Monadnock Building branch of local coffee roaster Intelligentsia is styled to look like a traditional Italian espresso bar, with white marble and…

  • SoFo Tap

    Chicago

    SoFo is a normal neighborhood bar with a sweet dog-friendly patio. Then again, there are also raucous live game shows and rock and soul karaoke. And if…

  • Gold Star Bar

    Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village

    A century-old vestige from the days when Division St was ‘Polish Broadway,’ the Gold Star remains a divey winner, drawing a posse of bike messengers and…

  • Map Room

    Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village

    At this map- and globe-filled ‘travelers’ tavern – replete with flag-bedecked wallpaper – artsy types sip coffee by day and suds from the 200-strong beer…

  • Theo's Java Club

    Illinois

    This atmospheric downtown Rock Island coffeehouse decked out diner-style with banquette seating is chock-full of historic photos, artifacts and propaganda…

  • Lucabe Coffee Co

    Indiana

    All steel, glass and tin-plated ceilings, Lucabe is a modern coffeehouse with a sense of place. But striking architecture aside, it's one of Indiana's…

  • Sluggers

    Chicago

    Practice your home-run swing at Sluggers, a cheesy but popular bar and grill across from Wrigley Field. Sidestep the schnockered Cubs fans and giant…

  • La Colombe

    Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village

    Gas up on the way at this renowned coffee roaster's Wicker Park branch, tucked conveniently right beneath the L station at Damen. There are four other…

  • Duke of Perth

    Chicago

    The UK beers and more than 80 bottles of single-malt scotch are nearly overwhelming at this cozy, laid-back pub. After enough of them, try the fish and…

  • Mad Paddle Brewery

    Indiana

    Madison's first and so far only brewery whipped an abandoned feed mill space in the center of town into an inviting spot to sip on raspberry-milk stouts…

  • Colectivo Coffee – State St

    Wisconsin

    The University of Wisconsin branch of the popular Milwaukee-based coffee chain is a hive of activity. Students wander in to grab a cup and something light…

  • RoosRoast

    Michigan

    This small, high-energy spot roasts its own beans and cranks up the music. Join the cool crowd sipping nitro cold brews and coconut milk mocha lattes…

  • Brewery 33

    Ohio

    When you’re thirsty after a day of hiking or paddling, Brewery 33 has the cure, be it a mango sour ale, hazy wheat beer, double IPA or one of the other 15…

  • Whirlaway Lounge

    Chicago

    With threadbare couches and broken-in board games, this Logan Square fave has the homey charm of your uncle’s '70s rumpus room – if your uncle had loads…

  • Two James Spirits

    Detroit

    Booze buffs throng the round bar for a tonic in the distillery's rustic-chic tasting room. Try the Jitterbug Perfume, with housemade gin and beet and…

  • Puempel's Olde Tavern

    Wisconsin

    We challenge you to find a prettier tavern room than Puempel's in the heart of New Glarus. This atmospheric 'olde world' gem began life as a boarding…

  • Mad Capper Saloon & Eatery

    Minnesota

    Stop by simply to admire the beautiful historic taproom or, better yet, belly up to the bar yourself. In addition to a wide selection of beers and…

  • Biergarten at Olbrich Park

    Wisconsin

    Come to this hugely popular spot overlooking Lake Monona to indulge in some al fresco quaffing on warm summer evenings. Purchase some German-style brats…

  • Hopscotch

    Indiana

    Along the B-Line Trail south of downtown, this trendy speciality coffeehouse attracts caffeine aficionados for single-origin espresso ($2.75), drip and…

  • Grumpy's

    Minneapolis

    Grumpy's is the Northeast's classic dive, with cheap (but good local) beer and an outdoor patio. Check the website for special event nights, like trivia…

  • Closet

    Chicago

    One of the few lesbian-centric bars in Chicago, the Closet changes mood and tempo at 2am, when the crowd becomes more mixed (male and female), the music…

  • Saugatuck Brewing Company

    Gold Coast

    Locals like to hang out and sip the housemade suds in this comfy pub. IPAs, stouts and fruity seasonal specialties like the blueberry lemonade shandy fill…

  • Dollop

    Chicago

    Modern, sunny coffee-slinger Dollop fires up a mean espresso among its caffeinated arsenal. Local baked treats such as Hoosier Mama pies provide the sugar…

  • Roast & Toast

    Gold Coast

    The distinct coffee-cup mosaic doorway beckons you in to this longstanding cafe that roasts its own beans and serves terrific breakfast wraps, made-from…

  • Root Note

    Wisconsin

    This vintage, exposed-brick cafe is a fine place to soak up the river-town vibe. Linger over coffee, beer or a banana Nutella crepe while listening to…

  • City View Tavern

    Cincinnati

    The city sparkles out in front of you at this unassuming boozer in Mt Adams. Grab a seat on the deck, with a burger and cold brew in hand, and gape away…

  • Great Dane Pub

    Wisconsin

    Big, friendly and rambling like its namesake dog, the Dane is a popular brewpub cooking up some 14 beers on site. In warm weather, head to the ivy-walled…

  • Nick's English Hut

    Indiana

    Popular with students and professors from nearby Indiana University for 90 years, Nick's has also filled the cups of Kurt Vonnegut, Dylan Thomas and…

  • Colectivo Coffee - On The Square

    Wisconsin

    Good coffees, cakes and sandwiches right on Capital Sq. You'll find lots of tables inside (though this place can fill up) or you can take away.

  • Wilde Cafe

    Minneapolis

    This cafe features amazing baked goods, riverfront digs and a Victorian ambience worthy of its namesake, Oscar Wilde.

  • 7 Monks Taproom

    Gold Coast

    More than 40 taps flow with Belgian and Michigan craft beers, while a cocktail bar shakes 'em up in the basement.

  • 41 Degrees North

    Indiana

    41 Degrees pours a terrific regional beer selection in a cool 1881 building with 14 taps.

  • City Park Grill

    Gold Coast

    Toss back a drink at this bar where Hemingway was a regular.

  • Estereo in Chicago is open all day, serving coffee and pastries in the morning and turning into a bar at night.

    Estereo

    Chicago

    This triangular bar sets itself apart by functioning as a cafe by day – with pastries and locally roasted coffee – and a Latin American–inspired lounge by…

  • A few of the signs that adorn the walls of Bialystok Pub in Chicago.

    Bialystok Pub

    Chicago

    Named after a city in northeastern Poland, this divey, off-the-beaten-path neighborhood pub is marked by a sign featuring two frothy beer mugs. A long,…

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