CP NEWS: Top 5 Open Bars in Chicago

[ddm-news]

-Sarah Dahnke, Editor of Chicago's MyOpenBar

At the height of Prohibition, Chicago had an estimated 10,000 illegal speakeasies, and Al Capone reportedly took in $60 million in 1927 and had half the city's police on its payroll. Popular culture glamorized bootleggers like Chicago's Capone, who served as the model for the central characters in such films as Little Caesar and Scarface. In rural areas, moonshiners became folk heroes. The fashion of the flapper, dancing the Charleston in a short skirt, was incomplete without a hip flask.

Nowadays, alcohol in Chicago is legal – and in more places than one thinks – free. The founders of myopenbar.com were aware of this, and decided to share their wealth of knowledge with the city of Chicago.

The site has prompted upscale bars and clubs to provide open bar hours, and concerts and art galleries to do the same, which is in turn reshaping the bar culture and its crowd.

Top Five Open Bars on the Scene in New York City this week, as picked by myopenbar.com Chicago editor Sarah Dahnke:

1. Knob Creek Bar Crawl:

That's right, free Knob Creek Bourbon. Seriously, what else do you need? How about $3 Guinness pints and $3 Irish Nachos. Still need knocked in the head? At 11 a bus will take you over to Delilah's for more free Knob Creek. If you're not on your way to Cobra Lounge right now, we don't know you.

2. Upstairs at Schuba's:

During the month of September, Threadless and Extratasty.com were buying everyone who attended this event a free drink. Matt Roan was the resident DJ, and he blows up the dance floor every time. Schuba's is just a great venue with incredible sound and a friendly vibe. Needless to say, dancing is inspired often.

3. Smartbar:

Some people claim Sunday is the beginning of the week but not the gang at Smartbar. For them Sunday is the end. Their monthly Industry party is becoming pretty hype, and tonight is no different. WNUR, James Lauer and Funky Couture mix with free Heineken Light for utter debauchery on the day of the Lord.

4. Delilah's:

We encourage anyone and everyone to arrange a party upstairs at Delilah's. This place has an amazing rock 'n roll/punk jukebox and a killer pinball machine. They have great daily beer and whiskey specials as it is, but you can set up a private two-hour party for you and as many friends as you wish upstairs. Starting at $10 per person at the door, you can get unlimited beer, wine and liquor for everyone. I've attended several of these, and I don't remember most of them, if that tells you anything.

5. Wet:

If you have been hesitant about rolling into Wet, this might be the night to try. Friday nights will bring out more the typical stock trader crowd for a lingerie show, but with local clothing lines like Offset in the house on some nights, the atmosphere should be more real, while still rowdy. Before the fashion show catch an open bar from 9-10:30.

For more open bar tips in Chicago, check out ch.myopenbar.com

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