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Old Jun 7th, 2004 | 12:14 PM
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Chicago - Wine bars?

I hear there are some nice wine bars in Chicago. Are there many? Where are they located? Can anyone recommend? Thanks.
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Old Jun 7th, 2004 | 12:44 PM
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Yes, there are many. Go to Metromix.com. Click under bars and then select the type "Wine Bars" You will get a whole list with reviews.
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Old Jun 7th, 2004 | 12:54 PM
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I can think of 3 off the top of my head that I've been to. Bin 36 is downtown, right by the House of Blues (300 block N. Dearborn). Flights and good food/wine pairings.

Cru, on N. State (around 1000 block)--nice selection by the glass, more "european" in that it seemed like there were more people hanging out, reading, playing board games, etc., not just drinking/eating.

Last is Webster Wine Bar on Webster Street in Lincoln Park, and I must say that it didn't leave much of an impression--younger, yuppiesh crowd.

HTH,
Racy
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Old Jun 7th, 2004 | 12:56 PM
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Don't know how to edit--Cru is at 888 N. Wabash, so I was off by a block in both directions. I guess that's the downside of being a pedestrian...

Racy
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Old Jun 7th, 2004 | 01:12 PM
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The Tasting Room at the Randolph Street Wine Cellars is also very nice (1415 W. Randolph).
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Old Jun 7th, 2004 | 02:18 PM
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Thanks everyone. Since I do not know Chicago, are these wine bars concentrated in one area or are they all over? Thanks again.
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Old Jun 8th, 2004 | 05:16 AM
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Bin 36 and Cru are about 1/2-3/4 miles apart, just West of the Mag Mile area (Bin 36 just north of the River; Cru in the Gold Coast).

Webster Wine bar is a bit farther north and west, (like you wouldn't want to walk), but could be visited in conjunction with the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Randolph Street is a bit out of the way--that area is developing and I don't know what's really over there, other than a bunch of loft buildings. There are a TON of restaurants on Randolph around Halsted (800 west), but I think 1400 west is getting toward the seedy strip club section (although the city is gentrifying so quickly I can't swear. It's about 6 blocks (3/4 mile) West of Greektown.

HTH,
Racy
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Old Jun 8th, 2004 | 05:40 AM
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wouldn't call the area right around Randolph Wine Cellars seedy - it
is actually pretty nice, right by one sixtyblue, a very good restaurant. I wouldn't walk much farther west of there at night, however, but walking east is fine. And, if you happen to have a car, they have something that is a true rarity in Chicago - free parking. That being said, I love Bin 36 as well - it is very centrally located and I think the food is very good. Just offering options if you want to hit the Randolph Street restaurant row (Blackbird, Marche, Vivo, Azure, Red Light, Sushi Wabi, Starfish, etc...).
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Old Jun 8th, 2004 | 12:43 PM
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I was looking for a few places near each other (walking distance) since we won't have a car (the more wine we can drink). Thanks.
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Old Jun 8th, 2004 | 05:03 PM
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Kal
 
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Better listen to Alex...the gal knows her booze!
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