Project: LOOP

Dislike the taste of beer and hate paying seven dollars for a standard cocktail? After a whirlwind adventure of Karaoke and lemon drops, my friend from UIC and I found some of our favorite bars located on Rush and Division.

Due to my homework load, I am only entitled to one “real” night of drinking, which happens to be Wednesday nights. So every week, my friend and I try to find a new bar that has some great deals or just looks appealing. This particular night, we happened to find three.

Finn McCool’s Irish Pub, located at 15 W. Division, draws in a mixed crowd: in the same building as the “Loft,” McCool’s features half-priced drinks every Wednesday, which makes for a very happy crowd of people. The interior, which has dangling chandeliers and dark wood, it’s no wonder why an older crowd decides to scope out the place. After walking inside and immediately being informed that Karaoke was about to begin, we pulled up a seat at the bar and watched the only female bartender try to take orders. As we casually sipped on several $3.00 Amaretto Stone Sours, we were steadily approached by a gathering crowd of 40-something males.Not enjoying the company, we decided to wander over to FUNK, located at 5 W Division. The bouncer, dressed in a red silk shirt, while nice, seemed rather desperate for business, and offered us free shots. Taking up the offer, we were given a card by another guy exiting the bar that said, “give this to the bartender for a free shot.” With not too much money in our pockets for wild binges, we were greatly appreciative of the free drinks. The bartender, a graduate from Depaul University was nice, and talked to us for some time while pouring more lemon drops. The inside, dark atmosphere, good music, and small two person tables with candlelight, draws in a twenty-something crowd.As time wore on, and my friend realized that the bartender from McCool’s forgot her credit card, we drunkenly wandered to Leg Room, located at 7 W Division. Leg room, which has more “upper-class décor” including a large bar and snobby waitress, offers good drinks. By the end of the evening, while intoxicated, I enjoyed the variety of bars that Rush and Division offered. Every bar that we visited had really good drink specials and if we disliked the crowd, there were plenty of other bars to step into, including Bar Chicago.

Pros: Cheap drinks on Wednesday nights and intimate atmosphere.

Cons: As the night wears on, the crowd increases, so shouting may be necessary. Good luck if you’re going on the weekend, I would expect there to be no leg room…

Tips: All these bars are competing to be the best, so before you enter, ask what their drink specials are.

Finn McCool’s Irish Pub

15 W. Division StreetChicago, IL 60610 312-337-4349Hours: 11:30-2 a.m. Monday through Wednesday; 11:30-4 a.m. Thursday and Friday; 11-5 a.m.Saturday; 11-3 a.m. Sunday (Taken from Metromix.com).Smoking: Yes