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Lakeview is a suburban neighborhood in the North Side of Chicago city. Located around 7 miles from downtown Chicago, it borders Lincoln Park, Uptown, Park West, and North Center neighborhoods.
The neighborhood is known for its convenient walkability, laid-back atmosphere, and picture-perfect shoreline. People looking to be close to the city but also have extra space and a quiet atmosphere will love it here. Despite being close to the city, Lakeview is private, quiet, safe, and one of the best places to live in Chicago.
Many young professionals live here, where they enjoy a vibrant feel and an excellent beverage scene. Lakeview bars are famous for their exceptional services and offer a wide variety of drinks. If you’re considering moving to Lakeview, Chicago, or meeting friends for drinks, here are some of the best bars in Lakeview.
Table of contents
Wine Bars in Lakeview
- Figo Wine Bar
- Barrel Cheese & Wine
- Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Figo Wine Bar
Address: 3207 N Sheffield Ave
Figo Wine Bar is an Italian wine bar offering a traditional Italian menu and foreign cuisines. Their beverage menu includes craft/classic cocktails and an extensive wine list with a sommelier selection to provide a new and exciting experience.
The menu also includes several varieties of classic negronis, including a Bulleit bourbon version. The place is frequented by different people who love the ambiance it affords them, great food, and a wide variety of drinks, including Italian wines. There’s outdoor/patio and counter seating where you can enjoy your drinks while chatting.
Barrel Cheese & Wine
Address: 2831 North Broadway, Chicago
For a great ambiance and relaxing experience, check out Barrel Cheese and Wine. Located in East Lakeview, this new spot is perfect for date nights. They have a great wine list (try the Farmhouse Red blend), special cocktails, and delicious food.
In addition to the ambiance, there’s a fireplace, seating nooks, and great music. You might even be lucky to find a violinist playing great modern and classical music! There’s also outdoor seating, a full bar, and a happy hour special. Overall, this new spot is perfect for people looking to spend their evenings enjoying charcuterie boards and great drinks.
Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Address: 3358 N Paulina St, Chicago
For unmatched hearty pasta, specialty pizzas, and an extensive wine list, visit Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Lakeview Bar. Located in Roscoe Village, it has become the neighborhood spot for families and friends to meet and enjoy a good time.
This Italian pizzeria and wine bar has an inviting atmosphere with wood tables, comfortable leather banquets, and large retractable windows. They serve delicious wood-fired pizzas, rigatoni gigante, and Italian sausage pizza with sauteed onions.
Frasca has an extensive selection of wine, offered by glass or bottle, and a variety of cocktails and beers. Oh, and wine bottles are half off on Mondays, which is an excellent reason to make you feel better driving there after work. The Elks National Veterans Memorial is less than 2 miles away.
Rocks Bars in Lakeview
- Farmbar Lakeview
- Lincoln Tap Room
- Rocks Northcenter
Farmbar Lakeview
Address: 1300 W Wellington Ave
Farmbar is a contemporary American restaurant offering traditional Midwestern fare. Their menu is simple, with seasonal dishes from locally grown and sustainable ingredients.
Their bar menu has a variety of beverages with Midwestern craft offerings, including signature cocktails, fresh ciders, and draft beers. Its ambient bar atmosphere makes it a perfect spot when you’re craving comfort food or just nibbles and a few drinks.
For wine lovers, the bar runs the Farm Bar Wine Club, which gives members access to hard-to-find wines from independent winemakers, upcoming producers, and established estates. This spot makes for an excellent go-to place for great cocktails after a stroll at the North Avenue Bridge.
Lincoln Tap Room
Address: 3010 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
Lincoln Taproom considers itself Chicago’s Number 1 Steelers Bar. And if, according to them, “…dozens of beers on tap and bottles and cans, enough whiskey to keep surly Chicago musicians and artists as happy as schoolchildren, and more flavored vodkas than you could ever possibly want to try…” is anything to go by, they might just be right.
The Taproom has a funky, dark, laid-back vibe, making it a favorite for an indie-rock crowd. This joint keeps it real with Schiltz and Hamms in cans, an old-school photo booth, darts, rock n’ roll, pool, and gigantic TVs. If you want a beer and don’t mind people clad in bowling shirts, try the Tap.
Rocks Northcenter
Address: 4138 N Lincoln Ave
Planning a party or just an after-work drinks session with colleagues? Rocks Northcenter is the perfect place for parties, end-of-season gatherings, fantasy drafts, and whatever excuse you need to drink.
Chicago’s home for whiskey, beers, and burgers is the place you need in your life. This neighborhood bar will quickly become your favorite joint, from great food like signature burgers, sandwiches and amazing salads to 100 different whiskies.
Need to spice up your night? Try your hand at pool, darts, shuffleboard table, claw game, and even UFC and WWE (according to their Twitter). Dine on their sidewalk patio and enjoy live acoustic music. And if you love a good challenge, why not try your hand at the ROCKStar Burger Challenge?
It attracts diverse crowds, from families to lovers of good burgers and whisky. There’s a lot to do and drink here; go see yourself.
Rooftop Bars in Lakeview
- The J. Parker
- Vines On Clark
- Deuce’s Major League Bar
The J. Parker
Address: 1816 N Clark St, Chicago
For the most spectacular views of Chicago’s skyline and Lake Michigan, while enjoying your favorite drinks, none comes close to The J. Parker. This rooftop bar sits at the top of Hotel Lincoln, giving you unobstructed views of the city.
The rooftop has a 55-seat indoor lounge and an outdoor terrace with 140 seats. The atmosphere here is cool and ambient, with modern minimalistic decor and a perfect mix of basket chairs, lounge sofas, and bar stools. And guess what? It has a retractable roof in case it rains.
Their dining menu features seasonal small plates and farm-to-table dishes. The beverage menu features a good selection of signature cocktails, craft beer, and wine. Unfortunately, they don’t have reservations, and seating space is on a first-come-first-serve basis.
This is a perfect spot for pre-dinner cocktails with even better views.
Vines On Clark
Address: 3554 N Clark St
Vines On Clark is a casual and classy sports bar with a wood-trimmed interior offering American treats just across from Wrigley Field. It attracts people from all walks of life who enjoy an active nightlife and popular comfort food.
Recently voted as one of the top summer patios on the North Side, it features an expansive rooftop deck in a modern city setting. Relax and enjoy delicious cheese curds, sandwiches, burgers, and a variety of pizzas.
Enjoy alpine-inspired cocktails over a chat with friends by the indoor fireplace or on the covered patio by one of the fire pits. Their drink menu also features beer, wine, and spirits.
Deuce’s Major League Bar
Address: 3505 N Clark St
If you’re looking for a joint offering an ultimate sports bar experience, Deuce’s is the place. It has an open-air balcony with direct views of the Wrigley Field and a bi-level resto-bar.
With an all-out wall-to-wall decor and an over-the-top menu that’s big on chuck burgers, seasonal sashimi, and oyster dishes, it’s one place you shouldn’t miss out. They have a full bar with a great beer and wine selection and a beverage program featuring happy hour specials, 20-ounce cocktails, martinis, and all-you-can-drink sessions.
DMLB has a rectangular reflecting pool surrounded by their cabana-lined outdoor patio. Their annual Halloween-themed three-story haunted house is a must-see
🏳️🌈LGBT Bars in Lakeview Chicago
- Meeting House Tavern
- Sidetrack Chicago
- Roscoe’s Tavern
Meeting House Tavern
Address: 5025 N Clark St
The Meeting House Tavern offers all its guests a safe and welcoming space. Unlike anywhere else, it offers unparalleled entertainment and hosts events daily; play board games, pool, shuffleboards, Skee-Ball, and darts.
They also have regularly scheduled events and theme nights, such as karaoke, pub crawls, networking events, trivia, and non-profit events. As for drinks, their beverage scene features draft beers on tap, cocktails and mules, Chicago handshakes and shots, daily specials, and happy hours. In this tavern, you meet, play, and drink here. How cool is that!
Sidetrack Chicago
Address: 3349 N Halsted St
Sidetrack Chicago has been named the best gay bar in Chicago and the US. This behemoth gay club draws a diverse crowd from different communities.
Established in 1982, it expanded from a tiny room pub to a multi-level complex that can host over 1000 guests. It features a main bar, a front patio, a rooftop deck, and a neon NorthBar.
Try their world-famous Frozen cocktails, sing along to a unique mix of music, and attend weekly parties like Trivia Tuesday and regular theme parties for a fantastic night.
Roscoe’s Tavern
Address: 3356 N Halsted St
Roscoe’s Tavern has been a neighborhood gay bar since 1987, offering weekly events like amateur drag contests, karaoke, and great dance music.
It attracts a diverse, lively crowd. During weekends, it’s packed with gay, young professionals in the front bar and an equally crowded dance floor. Enjoy craft beers and cocktails, margaritas, a variety of wines, beer by the bottle and cans, and non-alcoholic drinks.
They also have pool tables and outdoor space. However, guests must be 21+ and show a valid ID.
Bars in Lakeview, Chicago, IL: Local Choice
The Gingerman Tavern
Address: 3740 N Clark St
The Gingerman Tavern has a comfortable atmosphere and primitive tavern decor. This cash-only joint has a spacious room with large windows, a back room with board games and pool tables, and a great beer selection. They also host various events and live music.
Rocks Lakeview
Address: 3463 N Broadway
This corner place has great food and friendly service. Rocks Lakeview is famous for its excellent wine and beer collection, whiskey, and signature cocktails.
L & L Tavern
Address: 3207 N Clark St
L & L Tavern is one of the city’s most exciting dive bars because of its storied dark past. It is rumored that Jeffry Dahmer (clad in a full clown suit) and John Wayne Gacy frequented this tavern. Order a PBR and sit in the corner by the window where the serial killers sat. Or just go because beer is cheap.
Jake’s Pub Chicago
Address: 2932 N Clark St
Visit this classic family-owned pub that has remained in the same place, under the same name for four generations. If you love bars with rich character and history, try Jake’s.
Headquarters Beercade, Lakeview Chicago
Address: 213 W Institute Pl
This beer arcade bar has a full bar and an excellent beer collection. With its infused cocktails, pinball games, a classic arcade, a gourmet food menu, and an unmatched craft beer scene, HQ Beercade is a favorite spot for beer lovers and gaming enthusiasts.
AJ Hudson’s
Address: 3801 N Ashland Ave
AJ Hudson’s is a classic neighborhood pub. It’s described as Chicago’s original soccer pub and offers fine food, including cheese and charcuterie, superior cocktails, and over 100 beers and craft beer. It’s a perfect place for when you want to catch up with a soccer game over drinks with friends. There’s also an outdoor patio.
Sheffield’s Wine & Beer Garden (For Younger Audience)
Address: 3258 N Sheffield Ave
Sheffield’s Wine & Beer Garden is a favorite joint for young people; it’s not uncommon to see college reunions on weeknights in summer. It features four bars, two fireplaces, and a storied beer garden.
Try their in-house smoked BBQ, beef brisket, baby back ribs, or their extensive beverage menu that includes craft beers, cocktails, and a vintage beer collection. They also have a smoke room and a beer school.
Find an Apartment in Lakeview
Lakeview is as interesting as it can get. From classic bars offering craft beers and cocktails to a wide variety of beers, and great food, you can never go short of joints to visit.
Living here (or in nearby neighborhoods) is perhaps the best way to experience this community and everything it offers. If you’re looking to move to Chicago, June Homes can help you find an apartment for rent easily and in a great neighborhood. All you need to do is contact us, and we’ll find you an apartment of your choice.
