The best bars in Old Town and Goose Island

This is the Hopleaf of Old Town (if Hopleaf had TVs), and what it lacks in modesty it makes up for in accessibility: All 90 of the beers on tap are available in six-ounce tasting portions, and the beer menu is a veritable novel. On weekends and especially game nights, expect to wait and order something from the nearest tap handle—the bros come out in full force. But on a quiet weeknight, enjoy sitting at a high table and picking a flight of beers.

Serving alcohol since 1885, including during prohibition, Marge's Still is running strong. Even though the only thing remaining from its beginning is the bar, you can still step back in time and enjoy a drink or burger. Offering specials throughout the week, it's the perfect spot to go when you're looking for a place that embraces its history.

Among the framed drawings of regulars cluttering the wooden walls of this saloon-style staple are posters boasting that you’re in “le premiere dive bar” of Chicago. We don’t know where this place gets off speaking French, but it’s been around since 1958, so we’ll grant it bragging rights.

Dozens of bras hang from the ceiling inside, but the rustic, fenced-in beer garden at Weeds has a vibe all its own, with its covered gazebo and funky yellow lightbulbs hanging overhead. Don't be taken aback by the decor—this is a solid place to drink and stirke of a conversation with a colorful cast of regulars.

This offering from the owners of Salvatore’s has a mellow neighborhood vibe that stands in sharp contrast to the manic Weed Street club scene. The dark wood bar takes up the front room, and the back, outfitted with comfy couches, is a good spot to camp out and munch on gussied-up tots and chicken fingers while sampling the 20 draft beers.

This multipurpose venue (it also hosts recreational sporting events) is fond of booking everything from death metal to hip-hop to mainstream country—but it's also got spaces to watch games, a regular trivia night and plenty of other regularly scheduled events. Whatever night you go to Joe's, you'll probably find a little more than just your run of the mill bar, whether it's some kind of an event or plenty of twenty-somethings drinking the night away.

Who knew a respite of dignified drinking existed on this stretch of Wells? The cool beige interior with soft lighting and softer (but good) music offers up a lounge feeling, minus the snobbery and obscene prices. This basically guarantees the only fratness you’ll get will be a random howl from the neighboring bars.

On most nights, this cozy space is an after-work stopover for biz-caz yuppies escaping their Old Town high-rises. Brews, yummy comfort food and muted big-screen sports highlights abound. All those things happen on Tuesdays, too, with a little euchre thrown into the fold. League play occupies most of the tables, but you’ll always have a seat when those “really don’t feel like cooking” evenings roll around.