Updated at: 18-11-2023 - By: John Lau

Chicago is a city known for its vibrant beer culture, offering a plethora of options for beer enthusiasts.

From classic neighborhood pubs to trendy craft beer bars, the city boasts a diverse array of establishments that cater to every beer lover’s preferences.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, exploring the best beer bars in Chicago is an essential part of experiencing the city’s rich brewing heritage.

The city’s beer scene is characterized by a wide range of establishments, including traditional beer bars, taprooms, and brewpubs, each offering a unique atmosphere and an extensive selection of craft brews.

In this article, we will explore some of the best beer bars in Chicago, highlighting their distinctive features and contributions to the city’s thriving beer culture.

Top 16 Best Beer Bars Chicago

The Beer Temple

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The Beer Temple is a craft beer shop located at 3173 N. Elston Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618.

It was founded by Chris and Margaret Quinn in 2013 and has a diverse selection of hard-to-find brews, along with daily tastings and free parking.

In 2017, they opened a taproom expansion to offer a unique drinking experience.

Additionally, The Beer Temple now serves food, offering a variety of dishes that pair well with beer, while maintaining a laid-back and working-class environment.

For more information, you can visit their official website at www.craftbeertemple.com or contact them at (773) 754-0907.

Hopleaf

Hopleaf is a Belgian-focused bar located in Andersonville, Chicago, that has been serving craft beer and chef-inspired dining since 1992.

It offers a carefully selected, ever-changing menu of better beers, fine wines, spirits, cocktails, cider, and meads on 62 taps and in bottles, which pair well with their seasonal food menu.

The bar has 68 draft lines dedicated to the finest beers from local, regional, national, and global brewers.

Hopleaf is an adults-only venue and offers limited reservations through Tock, but most tables are available for walk-ins.

The bar is open from noon to 10 PM and offers lunch and weekend dinner menus.

Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar

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Maria’s Packaged Goods and Community Bar is a hybrid liquor store and neighborhood tavern located at 960 W 31st St, Chicago, Illinois 60608.

It is known for supplying a large rotating menu of rare craft beers. The bar has received positive reviews on Yelp and has a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 based on 399 reviews.

It is also active on Instagram, where it shares photos and updates about its offerings. Maria’s Packaged Goods and Community Bar has been featured in publications such as Condé Nast Traveler and TimeOut.

Beermiscuous

Beermiscuous is a beer-oriented spot in Chicago, specifically located at 2812 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657.

It offers a wide selection of craft brews, with over 300 local beers available, making it one of the bars with the largest selection of local beer in Chicago.

The space has a hip, rustic atmosphere with a cafe vibe and free WiFi. The bar is known for its cozy and open space, with a large local selection of beers and friendly staff to assist customers in finding their preferred brews.

Additionally, Beermiscuous has a rewards program for regular customers, offering benefits such as free swag, discounts, select bottle reservations, and exclusive events to its members.

The bar’s hours of operation are Monday to Wednesday from 1 pm to 10 pm, Thursday from 1 pm to 11 pm, Friday from 1 pm to 12 am, and Saturday from 1 pm to 10 pm.

For more information, you can visit their website at [beermiscuous.com](http://www.beermiscuous.com) or contact them at (773) 698-6824.

The Map Room

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The Map Room is a bar located in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood. It was opened in November 1992 with a travelers’ theme, and features maps, National Geographic magazines, travel books, and more.

The bar is known for its extensive selection of over 200 global beers, and is decorated with maps lining the walls.

Visitors can browse travel books while enjoying their drinks. The Map Room is located at 1949 North Hoyne Avenue, at the corner of Hoyne and West Armitage.

Fountainhead

Fountainhead, a bar and restaurant located at 1966 W. Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, was known for its fine food and drink offerings. However, it has closed permanently.

It was a pioneering North Side gastropub that offered craft beer and whiskey. The establishment was also known for its rooftop bar.

Although it is now closed, it was recognized for its English pub-like ambiance and high-quality food.

Monk’s Pub

Monk’s Pub is a long-standing bar located at 205 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60606. The bar is filled with German and Old English antiques such as vintage books and wooden barrels.

They serve food, including Chicago Poutine, fries, Italian beef, beer cheese, hot giardiniera, and au jus.

The kitchen is open from Monday to Friday from 11 AM to 10 PM, Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM, and closed on Sundays.

Bitter Pops

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Bitter Pops is a bar located at 3357 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657. It offers a variety of beverages, including coffee, craft beer, wine, hard seltzer, hard kombucha, and hard cider.

The taproom features 20 taps, highlighting local craft beer and limited releases. The coffee bar serves items such as Pumpkin Spice Latte and Coffee Bar Slushy, made with Bitter Pops Hirundo Coffee, oat milk, sugar, and vanilla, available both hot or iced.

The coffee bar operates from Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM, and Saturday to Sunday, 8 AM – 2:00 PM.

The taproom hours are Monday to Wednesday, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, and Thursday to Saturday, 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM. For more information, you can contact them at 773-857-7677.

SmallBar

SmallBar is a neighborhood pub located at 2956 N Albany Ave, Chicago, IL 60618.

It is a narrow, salvaged-chic corner bar with over 200 beers on the menu, pub grub, and patio seating.

The bar is open from Monday to Friday from 4 pm to 2 am, and on Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 2 am.

Sheffield’s Beer & Wine Garden

Sheffield’s Beer & Wine Garden is a neighborhood bar located at 3258 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657.

It has been known for pioneering the Chicago craft beer movement and more recently for its authentic in-house smoked BBQ.

Sheffield’s features four bars and two fireplaces flanking its storied beer garden, which was recently ranked one of “America’s Best Beer Gardens” by Food and Wine magazine.

The bar serves craft beers on draft, over 100 in bottles, and a huge Vintage Beer collection. They also serve BBQ, bar food, and daily food and drink specials.

Sheffield’s Beer & Wine Garden has been voted one of Esquire Magazine’s “Best 100 Bars in America”.

The bar has implemented many things to help its patrons during the pandemic, including no ability to store strollers, no children allowed after 7 pm, and minors must be accompanied by a parent.

Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery

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Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery is a craft beer-focused gastropub located at 733 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654.

It offers a selection of 36 rotating craft beers, as well as a curated selection of wines and spirits from mostly craft producers and distillers.

The restaurant also features a chef-driven kitchen with a menu that pairs modern bar fare with craft beers and spirits. The establishment has received positive reviews for its outstanding beer selection and friendly staff.

It is known for its chic, bi-level tavern setting and is a popular spot for beer enthusiasts and food lovers alike.

The restaurant also offers special German dishes and hosts events such as the Chicago Marathon Weekend with promotions like the Hobrau Stein Special and free drinks for medal holders.

Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and more information about their menu and offerings can be found on their official website.

Life On Marz Community Club

The Life on Marz Community Club is a brewery and social club located in Chicago’s Logan Square at 1950 N. Western Ave.

It is described as part not-so-secret society clubhouse, part distribution center for various elixirs, potions, and ales, and is inspired by Eastern European workers’ clubs, VFW halls, and 21st-century listening lounges.

The club offers various cultural programs, events, and activities, and its taproom hours are Tuesday-Thursday 4pm-11pm, Friday 4pm-Midnight, Saturday 2pm-Midnight, and Sunday 12pm-8pm.

The space is known for its stylish decor, art, and a menu of sausages featuring selections from Bridgeport’s own Makowski’s Real Sausage.

It is described as part brewery, part social club, part art project, and all fun.

The Perch

The Perch in Chicago is a neighborhood restaurant, bar, and brewery located in Wicker Park. It offers a straightforward American menu featuring a wood-fired grill and house-brewed craft beer.

The establishment is known for its trendy industrial-chic setting and elevated bar bites. The Perch also provides a variety of beverages, including craft beers, cocktails, and a selection of wines and spirits.

It is a partnership between 4 STAR Restaurant Group and Finch Beer Co., offering exclusive beers on tap to be paired with seasonal dishes from the wood-fired grill.

The Perch is open for lunch and dinner, and it also serves brunch.

The address is 1932 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622, and the contact number is (773) 486-2739. The operating hours are Monday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm.

Green Lady

The Green Lady is a relaxed bar located at 3328 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, Illinois, in the Lakeview neighborhood.

It offers an extensive beer list, including many craft brews on tap, and hosts weekly trivia and open-mic nights.

The bar also has drink specials and special events, such as beer releases and competitions with prizes like Green Lady gift cards.

If you’re in the area and looking for a laid-back spot with a wide selection of beers and regular events, The Green Lady might be worth a visit.

Kaiser Tiger

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Kaiser Tiger is a bi-level gastropub in Chicago’s West Loop, offering a wide selection of beers on tap, hearty eats, and a large seasonal beer garden.

The establishment provides indoor and outdoor dining options, including a heated outdoor beer garden with a louvered roof for all-weather seating.

Additionally, Kaiser Tiger offers games such as bags, bocce, and curling, with the curling season anticipated to begin around November 20th.

The venue also hosts brunch on weekends and has a late-night menu available from 10pm to 11pm.

Kaiser Tiger is known for its cashless policy, accepting credit cards only, and offers a complimentary shuttle to and from Bulls and Hawks games at the United Center, as well as select concerts.

Dogs are allowed on the seasonal front patio, and reservations can be made for dining and curling experiences.

The drink menu features a variety of beers, including the Great Central Hefeweizen. The lunch and dinner menu includes items such as roasted red pepper hummus, meatball appetizers, veggie chili, quesadillas, and bacon-wrapped dates.