Hi Alex,<BR><BR>Hey thanks for all of your help, that is very cool of you to do! I really appreciate the help. Jim there is no need to give Alex a hard time, she has been of great help. Thanks to everyone else for the help also. Sounds like those pubs are fun. <BR>

You're welcome - I hope you have a great time in Chicago.

Olivia: Where are you staying in Chicago? If it's the north side, you will need a car to get to the Cork & Kerry (and a designated driver). Please also get good directions - you will be driving thru some rather sketchy neighborhoods.

Where do mid 20's to early 30's hang out? Lincoln Park? I have been there quite a bit but we always get stuck in State and Division bars or Wrigleyville.<BR>

Pat,<BR><BR>The north side of Chicago is where we are staying.

Olivia: I really wouldn't bother going to the south side if you're only here for a few days & are staying on the north side. Trust me....the Cork & Kerry isn't that big a deal. That said, do NOT go to Rush Street - strictly tourists. Go to the bars on Lincoln Avenue, Armitage Avenue & Halsted Street in Lincoln Park. <BR>

I didn't always live in what you call a sterile charmless highrise. We rented a small apartment on Oakdale which was an older walk up style before we bought our condo. I never realized that it was transplants only who lived in highrises. We love our building because it has indoor valet parking garage, swimming pool, tennis courts and basketball courts on the roof of the large parking garage. I also like that we are just off LSD and have a great view of the lake and Waveland golf course from our balcony. To us the great view and the building amenities were more important than having "local charm" It would be nice if we could have both, but that doesn't seem to be possible! :)

Cool thanks, I have been there before and that is where we went...

I meant to say we used to go to the rush and division toursty bars.<BR>I will give Lincoln park a try, thanks again

Bucktown is also cool to hang out in - what kind of bars are you looking for? Check metromix.com and you can search by what you are interested in (by location, dancing, wine bars, live music, etc...) and also read reviews of the bars, clubs, restaurants that appeal to you. If you have any questions about a specific place, i would be happy to answer them if I can. <BR><BR>Ang - a view of the lake would be heavenly : )

What defines all of these "Irish pubs" that everyone has posted about? Guinness on tap? The name? Stuff on the walls? What's the attraction? For my money, a 'real' Irish pub would have to offer authentic Irish music - not a word of which is mentioned above. Details, guys?

Ang - <BR><BR>"Why" said "so many" - not "all" or "only." I've actually noticed the same thing too.