venue Clark Street Ale House

Chalkboard menus and wood-paneled walls give the Clark Street Ale House a low-key vibe—distinctive for River North in its total lack of pretension. Midwest and East Coast craft brews account for the majority of the 24 beers on tap, while the long list of bottles includes major American and European brews as well as worthy beers from lesser known makers. Beyond beer, the House carries nearly 40 Scotch varieties, including plenty of single-malts and some aged 18 years or more. This place does lack a kitchen, which would be a serious drawback were it not for the free (catered) buffet spread every Thursday and Friday starting at 5 p.m. The food goes fast, so get there early and snag a spot in the small beer garden out back when the weather is warm.