Best Anti-Football Bars In Chicago
By Megan Horst-Hatch
If the idea of watching the Bears duke it out at Soldier Field on Sunday nights isn't your cup of tea, then a non-sports bar in Chicago just might be what you need for a night out on the town. Ranging from no frills to fancy, these sports-free bars offer everything except a crowd of rowdy fans yelling at a television screen. Offering a variety of cuisine and drinks—and often entertainment as well— there is sure to be one to appeal to every price point. The bars also offer plenty of alcohol-free drinks and food, too. The following are great non-sports bars in Chicago awaiting your visit.
DiSotto Enoteca
200 E Chestnut St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 482-8727
disottoenoteca.com
Located in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood just steps from the Magnificent Mile, DiSotto Enoteca is a celebration of wine. The softly-lit, brick-walled restaurant offers antipasti and bruschetta dishes, a selection of artisanal and farmhouse cheeses, desserts, coffee and tea. But it's the wine list that will appeal to oenophiles and anyone looking for a great vintage. DiSotto Enoteca's wine draws from the US, Italy, France, Greece, Australia and New Zealand.
B.L.U.E.S.
2519 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 528-1012
chicagobluesbar.com
What's Chicago without a trip to a blues bar? B.L.U.E.S. primarily features local artists and has been voted the best blues bar in Chicago's North Side. Previous performers at B.L.U.E.S. have included Demetria Taylor, Mike Wheeler, Pistol Pete and Big Ray. Doors open at 8 p.m. and music starts playing at 9:30 every night. Seats fill up quickly on the weekend, so it is advised to arrive early. Planning to drive? B.L.U.E.S. offers free parking with paid admission Sunday through Thursday nights.
The Redhead Piano Bar
16 W Ontario St
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 640-1000
theredheadpianobar.com
Considered a mainstay of Chicago's nightlife since it opened 50 years ago, The Redhead Piano Bar is for those who want a late night while listening to great music. Opening at 7 p.m., the bar features a stable of regular musicians until closing time, which is 5 a.m. on Saturday and 4 a.m. Sunday through Friday. While food is not served, the bar offers a wide range of wine and spirits, as well as cigars for sale. The Redhead requires business casual attire and athletic wear is not allowed.
Related: Chicago's Best Piano Bars
SOPO
3418 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 880-0100
sopochicago.com
Do you prefer your martini shaken or stirred? At SOPO, both are options as the bar offers more than 10 martinis. If not everyone in your group is a martini fan, no worries. SOPO also offers beer and wine. The bar has a restaurant that features standard fare like burgers, wraps, soups and salads. Located in Chicago's trendy Lakeview neighborhood, SOPO is just over half of a mile from Wrigley Field.
Tokio Pub
1900 E Higgins Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 278-5181
tokiopub.com
If you're looking for a venue in the northwest suburbs, consider Tokio Pub. The restaurant's menu includes dishes from Japan, Korea and Thailand with a Latin American twist. Salads, sushi and tacos are featured prominently at Tokio Pub. Its drink menu includes mixers, cocktails, wine and local and international craft beers, including Capital Supper Club from Wisconsin and Goose Island from Chicago.
The Linger Martini Bar
4142 W 167th St
Oak Forest, IL 60452
(708) 960-0481
thelinger.com
Located just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago, The Linger Martini Bar offers beer, 15 martinis and a variety of alcohol-free martinis so you can linger in the bar's oversized leather chairs. Sunday afternoons kick off with a jazz brunch at 3 p.m. with DJ Hi-Speed taking the reins at 7 p.m. with faster music. The bar's dress code does not allow sports attire so you definitely won't need to worry about running into a football fan.
Megan Horst-Hatch is a mother, runner, baker, gardener, knitter, and other words that end in "-er." She loves nothing more than a great cupcake, and writes at I'm a Trader Joe's Fan. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
