Bars+Lounges : USA : Chicago : Hopleaf Bar
Bars+Lounges : USA : Chicago : Hopleaf Bar
The secret is out: one of the best neighborhood taverns in Chicago is not in Lincoln Park, Bucktown or even Lakeview. It's in the far north Chicago hamlet of Andersonville, and its name is Hopleaf Bar. Locals know it simply as "Hopleaf" and desperately try to guard its eroding anonymity from those bar-hopping further south. Even though the weekend crowds pack the place, Hopleaf remains true to its design as a cool neighborhood joint that draws a loyal and increasing following from its laid-back vibe, tasteful decor, eclectic music, the best steamed mussels in the city, a most pleasant outdoor beer garden, and one of the best hop selections in the city with 41 beers on tap—mostly of the Belgian variety, including multiple trappist ales—and over 260 craft brews and imports in bottles. If that wasn't enough, Hopleaf is also one of the first gastropubs in the entire country when it opened its kitchen in 2003, helping to spur the Gastropub Revolution?
Since the idea was conceived in the early 1960s, Andersonville has quietly become one of Chicago's most popular neighborhood enclaves. The area is clean, gang-free, easily accessible to the Loop (thanks to Lake Shore Drive and Clark Street buses), and has a unique character due to its Swedish roots and recent influence of older gay couples migrating from Boystown further south. The result is an interesting mix of kitschy boutiques, excellent restaurants like the original location of both Ann Sather's Restaurant and Reza's (Mediterranean), and notable imbiberies that include Simon's and Konak.
Opened in 1992, Hopleaf is located near the corner of Clark and Winona Street, just south of Foster Avenue. To find it, keep your eye out for the modest, hand-made Hopleaf sign depicting the three-leafed hop plant, or the smallish red neon Hopleaf sign both above the wooden door with plate glass. The best way to get there is via cab unless you don't mind a long walk from the Lawrence El stop on the Red Line or the slow boat to China, otherwise known as the Clark Street #22 bus. If you cab it, don't worry. Just because it's way up north you'll be able to find one going back south, which makes it easy to head directly over to the Lakeview Lounge, Carol's Pub or Nick's Uptown for some late-night action. (Read More http://www.chibarproject.com/Reviews/Hopleaf/Hopleaf.htm)
Hopleaf Bar Review By Benjamin L. : Andersonville, Chicago, IL
Hopleaf is the best bar I've been to in Chicago, period. Let's start with the beer. It's a bar, after all. The beer selection is large and excellent: my wife loves Belgians and I'm a big fan of saisons and IPAs, so we can always find something new and fun to try. On top of that, with the expansion the seating is almost always plentiful, especially if you're not expecting 8 seats on Friday night at 9 p.m. Go in with reasonable expectations and you won't be disappointed. The ambience is consistently great - the music levels are lower than at almost every other bar in town, which allows people to converse and enjoy themselves. The lighting is dark, but not so dark that you can't see the people around you. I'm always impressed by the warm, inviting atmosphere.
The food is outstanding, given that this is, after all, a bar. It's not your typical burgers and fries. You get real variety with some new twists on old standards, and some extremely well-prepared favorites. The steak frites and wonderful, and for everyone who tried the CB&J and didn't like it - try something else! While it's true that the CB&J isn't my favorite either, the rest of the menu has been a real treat to explore. I hope this place stays open for a long time to come!
Contact Hopleaf Bar
Address 5148 N. Clark St., Chicago, Illinois 60640 | Phone (773) 334-9851
Contact Chicago Bar Project
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