Hungry Brain

Roscoe Village’s quaint pub remains one of the best bars in the city not only because of its warm, charming décor (the stage, dotted with couches and a community table is a nice touch) but also because no one is ever there. You’ll rarely, if ever, have a difficult time finding a seat for you and your friend(s) at a table or at the bar itself, and the music, while always agreeable, is kept at a safe distance from your conversation. So talk politics, talk art, talk relationships and, best yet, talk at a normal volume, and do so while taking down a Guinness, because for some reason it tastes especially good here.

2319 W. Belmont
(773)709-1401

Audience choice
(Tie) Danny’s, 1951 W. Dickens, (773)489-6457; Violet Hour,
1520 N. Damen. (773)252-1500.

Best of Chicago 2008

Twisted Spoke

The spoke’s Road Rash Mary, featuring a chocolatey kick of Guinness, a Lake Baikal’s worth of vodka and spicy tomato juice, is topped off with a virtual antipasto of pepperoncini, olives, pearl onions and salami.

501 North Ogden
(312)666-1500

Audience Choice
Twisted Spoke

Best of Chicago 2007