Los Angeles may be full of glamour and New York might have it too, with a little bit of added grit; but Chicago for many, is the city that has it all. It is impossible not to be awestruck by the spectacular skyscrapers, including the Willis Tower, with its highest observation deck in the entire country, all overlooking the stunning shoreline of Lake Michigan and its fabulous beaches. Then there is the Magnificent Mile, possibly the greatest shopping street outside of Europe, together with all manner of museums, monuments and galleries. Add to that the sprawling Grant Park with dramatic fountains; plus glorious cruises up and down the city’s river and it already equates to a remarkable place to visit.
After all the sightseeing and retail therapy, to really clinch its position as top destination, the options for entertainment also take some beating. There is a large theatre presence, with many of the leading shows making regular appearances, and eating out has experiences from all over the world to sample. When it comes to having a good night out with a few beers, or glasses of wine, there certainly are plenty of Chicago pubs Downtown.
Downtown is actually the area referred to as the Loop. Set amongst wonderful architecture, there is a real buzz about the place and a real diversity in establishments to choose from. Some have been operating for decades and indeed thrive on their history, whereas others have sprung up more recently and attract a different age group. Many of the pubs are located along Wabash Street and around Lake Street, creating a really good vibe, which benefits them all.
Although drinking is the number one draw to these places, many also serve food, earning reputations for monster burgers, mega racks of ribs and speciality corned beef hash. Sports bars are very popular, with huge TV’s and screens ensuring that none of the local teams action is ever missed. It is not unusual to find ping pong tables and there is opportunity to shoot some pool around every corner. Chicago pubs Downtown is extremely lively, particularly on a weekend night, when the whole city seems to come out for a good time.
In the summer months some of the best places to hang out are the rooftop bars, which offer unbelievable views sweeping across from the lake into the heart of Chicago. The cocktails tend to flow and as some of these bars are in excess of 20 stories up, they attract visitors from not just other cities within the States, but from all over the world.