11/20/09
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44th Ward Dinner Party
(3542 N Halsted St, 773-857-2911)
Take a shot of Kuma’s genius approach to burgers (subtract the burgers and metal, add grilled cheese) and one part Rockit (minus the burgers and chooches, plus some more grilled cheese), add a clubby twist and the tiniest drop of Sidetrack and serve in hipster Victorian style.
Bar DeVille
(701 N Damen Ave, 312-929-2349)
Start with one part old Lava Lounge (the semihidden back room, not to mention the Damen address), add two parts the glammed-up “dive” look of Empire Liquors, a splash of Violet Hour and finish off with a jigger of Rainbo Club (hipsters, photo booth).
Fuel
(1725 W Division St, 773-782-6034)
Start with InnBar’s backlit bar, add a (crammed-in, Lumen-esque) DJ booth, then sprinkle with café-style tables and chairs à la Starbucks and pretend it’s a restaurant.
Crocodile
(1540 N Milwaukee Ave, 773-252-0880)
Add ¾ part Crust to one part rodan and one part Design within Reach. Stir, and garnish with a sprinkle of soup kitchen (it serves free pizza, after all).
Bull & Bear
(431 N Wells St, 312-527-5973)
To three parts Chicago Stock Exchange, add two parts McGees, a couple of cougars and a garnish of the future (whereby servers will be replaced by tableside beer taps).
Tiny Lounge
(4352 N Leavitt St, 773-463-0396)
Mix 2½ parts original Tiny Lounge with three parts of a great comeback movie, ¼ part Adam Seger (for the thoughtful tequila cocktails) and a dash of Green Mill.
Simone’s
(960 W 18th St, 312-666-8601)
Muddle three parts recycling center with one part Small Bar (solid beer list, tasty pub grub), one part Danny’s (the rotating music lineup) and two parts every bar with a sidewalk patio.