photo: courtesy of Bridget Cicenia; pictured: Corcoran's patio
We revel in the city's beaches come summertime, but for those of us who aren't willing to risk arrest, catching some rays interferes with our other passion: drinking. After a few sun-soaked hours, you want to refuel, but the on-beach options are limited. If you're too old for
Castaways and too poor for
Oak Street Beachstro, we've found five other places perfect for post-beach boozing.
North Avenue Beach: Corcoran's Grill & Pub
Looking to keep that beach figure? If so, you might want to stay away from this laid-back Irish pub just a short walk from NAB. It'll be tough to resist its tasty burgers, nachos, wings and other traditional favorites. At least taking advantage of the drink deals, including $3 microbrews on Wednesdays, will eliminate any of the anxiety you might have about debuting that new swimsuit. Neighborhood folks and day drinkers fill the outdoor beer garden and sidewalk cafe, two spots perfect for shedding all the pesky sand from your bod'.
Montrose Avenue Beach: Nick's on Wilson
The newest addition to the Nick's empire may be a bit of a trek from Montrose Beach, but once you're inside, its welcoming atmosphere (complete with the signature pineapple logo) will make you feel like you never left the sand. Pick out a few Jimmy Buffet tunes on the internet jukebox, surf the web with free wi-fi and feel the breeze of $4 drafts ($1 off Sunday-Tuesday) while you check out some beach volleyball on one of the TVs. Younger Uptown residents fill the barstools; most days, though, Nick's offers a fair amount of solitude for the brooding beach bum. Plus, the dim lighting will provide some nice relief for your recently singed skin.
57th Street Beach and Promontory Point: Cove Lounge
Picnicking at the Point? Stop off for a late-afternoon refresher at this low-key Hyde Park bar. The cheap beer (only $6.25 for a domestic pitcher) and eclectic music picks, ranging from rap to indie rock, will pick you up from that sun-induced stupor, and the mix of locals will gladly school you in some neighborhood history (or just beat you in a game of darts). If you're missing the water already, just look at the bar; a harpoon looms above it while two harbor lanterns hold court at either end.
photo: courtesy of Bridget Cicenia; pictured: Weather Mark
This one's kind of a no-brainer. Just steps from 12th Street Beach, the nautically themed tavern will provide you with an easy transition back into the world of the landlubbers. Named for one of three points on a sailboat race course, the Weather Mark boasts watery décor featuring sea-blue walls and booth dividers made from sailcloth, tasty food from land and sea (including the duck nachos and tarragon braised salmon) and a savvy selection of rum (try the Weather Mark Cooler, with Pyrat rum, Patron Citronge, orange juice, lime juice and club soda). The free live jazz on Thursdays is also a huge step up from your average beach band.
Belmont Harbor: Bridget McNeil's
You'll still be harboring feelings for this Irish neighborhood bar long after you leave its comfy confines…but the hunger you’ve worked up treading the waters of Lake Michigan should be long gone. Just around the corner from Belmont Harbor, Bridget McNeill's serves up lip-smackin' baby back ribs, free popcorn and, for all you late-night boaters, gourmet pizza until 1 a.m. Whether it’s because of the $2.50 beer-of-the-month, the creative martini list or the roaring stone fireplace, the crowd here – skewing older than at your average pub, but by no means aged – is almost always full of good cheer, and no one's likely to care if you drip a little water on your way inside.
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