12 Best Bars in Lincoln Park, Chicago

Just a stone's throw from Second City, Old Town Ale House has attracted a diverse cast of characters since it opened in 1958, including comedy legends John Belushi and Bill Murray. With eclectic artwork and a mural of bar denizens painted in the 70s, it's a dingy neighborhood bar unlike any other in the city—perhaps the country. Esteemed film critic Roger Ebert called it "the best bar in the world."

The epicenter of comedy since 1959, The Second City has launched the careers of countless comedy legends, including Bill Murray, Catherine O’Hara, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, and Keegan-Michael Key. The revues on the company's historic Mainstage and more intimate e.t.c. space are fully realized sketch comedy shows, but the prescripted material is developed through improvisation in front of audiences. There’s always plenty of time in each show devoted to demonstrating the comedy chops of the quick-witted performers. Most nights, a free improv set after the late show features cast members and invited guests (sometimes famous, sometimes not). UP Comedy Club presents award-winning touring shows, comedy festivals, and special guest performances. In Donny's Skybox upstairs, you're likely to see one of Chicago's many fledgling improv comedy troupes debuting fresh material.

This breezy, seasonal, casual bar and grill puts you so close to Lake Michigan that you might consider wearing a swimsuit. Perched atop the North Avenue Beach Boathouse, Castaways creates the perfect setup for lazy summertime sipping.

A rare dive bar amid Lincoln Park's tonier establishments, Delilah's is dark and a bit grungy. But the bar has a friendly, unpretentious vibe and a standout whiskey selection (more than 800 types are on offer). DJs spin punk, metal, and rockabilly.

Full of sports fans and former frat boys, Gamekeepers has more than 40 TVs, three projection screens, and complete satellite sports coverage. There's barely a game it doesn't get.

Formerly called ImprovOlympic, I.O. is the city's home for long-form improvisation. The signature piece is "The Harold," in which a team of improvisers explores a single audience suggestion throughout a series of stories and characters until they all eventually weave back together to fit with the original audience idea. There's no drink or age minimum. Seating is first-come, first-served, so be sure to arrive early, especially for weekend shows.

Popular Kincade's packs 'em in on two levels with a 10-foot-wide video monitor, several plasma screens, and a bar menu that invites patrons to linger for a game—or three. An outdoor beer garden, pool tables, and French doors that prop open on warm summer days are added bonuses.

In 1968, Kingston Mines went down in Chicago history as the first blues club to open on the North Side, and it's hosted luminaries like Koko Taylor and Junior Wells. Though it's since moved to bigger digs with not one, but two stages, it still offers the same traditional sounds and late-night hours as the original club. Have something you need to get off your chest? Work it out at the Sunday evening open blues jam.

The owners of Lincoln Hall transformed a former movie theater into an intimate concert space with great sight lines, an excellent sound system, and a wraparound balcony with seating. The booking is always on point, so it's worth taking a chance on a lesser-known band. A separate bar up front pours preshow pints from local breweries.

Local beer geeks flock to this minimalist taproom, stationed along a rather unassuming stretch of repurposed industrial buildings, to sample the latest pours from Off Color Brewing. Traditional European styles with a twist (Berliner weiss brewed with Chardonnay grapes, for instance) are the order of the day here. 

This is the place for infectious live reggae, world-beat music, and Caribbean cuisine Tuesday through Sunday. Take a breather at the bar and sip a signature Famous Wild Hare Rum Punch or a Jamaican Red Stripe beer.

Zanies books outstanding national talent and is Chicago's best stand-up comedy spot. Dave Chappelle, Ali Wong, and Jeff Garlin have all performed at this intimate venue.