In this month’s issue, GQ named Chicago the best drinking city in the entire US. Chicago’s food scene has been getting a lot of attention over the past decade, and it’s nice to see our bars are finally catching up with some exposure of their own.
“Look, we know: Chicagoans have been drinking—and drinking like champs—for generations. (See: The Blues Brothers, Polish immigration, winter, et al.) But the Second City has hit its boozy stride. Right now, at this very minute, there isn’t a city in America better suited to our favorite pastime,” writes GQ.
Which bars made the cut?
- Bar DeVille (701 N. Damen Ave.) and Maria’s Packaged Goods (960 W. 31st St.) were overall favorites.
- The magazine stipulates that the revolution in high-quality drink-making was started when the Violet Hour (1520 N. Damen Ave.) first opened in 2006.
- Scofflaw (3201 W. Armitage Ave.) got a shoutout as the quintessential gin bar in Chicago.
- When it comes to breweries, Goose Island (3535 N. Clark St.) and Half Acre (4257 N. Lincoln Ave.) made the cut, mentioned alongside up-and-comer whiskey distillery Few Spirits (918 Chicago Ave., Evanston).
- Sportsman’s Club (948 N. Western Ave.) won best outdoor patio, and Happy Village (1059 N. Wolcott Ave.) was mentioned for its always-ready ping pong table.
- Finally, US Cellular Field beat out both Wrigley Field and Soldier field for best beer selection at sporting events, which is sure to be a point of contention with many Chicagoans.
See who else made the cut, at GQ’s “Best Drinking City in America”.
