The Great Chicago Smokeout

by nicole_walker - 0 Reviews - 4 Lists

Updated: November 15, 2007

On Jan. 1, Illinois bars will be smoke-free, six months earlier than the original date. With so little time left to light up, you'd better believe I'll be snagging a drag where I still can. Please, if you will, join me for a gin and tonic, a Marlboro and a good cry as we stroll down memory lane.

Bars/Clubs

  1. 1 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Five Star
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    1424 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (map)

    A non-smoker's bar this wasn't--which is why it was easy to light up without guilt at this rockin' West Town tavern.

  2. 2 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Caps Sports Bar & Grill
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    347 W Saint Charles Rd, Villa Park, IL 60181 (map)

    I spent many a night bolting out laughs and clouds of smoke at this suburban sports bar, favored for its 120-inch flatscreen.

  3. 3 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Spectrum Bar & Grill
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    233 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661 (map)

    Pretending I spoke Greek with cigarette in hand was one of my 'party pieces' at this Greektown fave.

  4. 4 4 Star Rating: Recommended Funk Groove Bar
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    5 Division St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

    Yep, I was one of those gals often caught dancing with her cigarette at this underground Division club. What, you don't like techno?

  5. 5 Flaherty's Beef & Brew
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    418 S Main St, Lombard, IL 60148 (map)

    After a few drinks and few cigs, my friends would barrel up to the open mic at this Western local spot.

  6. 6 2.5 Star Rating: Below Average Relax Lounge
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    1450 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (map)

    My Marlboro-lovin friends were grateful for this medical chic lounge and its servers, who cleaned up ashtrays after every cigarette.

  7. 7 4 Star Rating: Recommended Green Mill
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    4802 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640 (map)

    Jazz and smoking went together like gin and tonic at this Uptown institution. So long, Green Mill.

  8. 8 Red Kibamark
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    1108 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607 (map)

    My friends and I often sat secluded pondering everyday worries, like what we should drink next over a smoke at this DJ-driven lounge.

  9. 9 3.5 Star Rating: Average Lunar Brewing Co
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    54 E Saint Charles Rd, Villa Park, IL 60181 (map)

    While my non-smoker friends coughed up a storm, their sneers quickly stopped after chugging down one of the crafted beers at this suburban hot spot.

  10. 10 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Exit
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    1315 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (map)

    What I will miss most about sharing a drag in this punk/industrial dive: Lighting a cigarette for the dreadlocked girl next to me dressed in fishnets and black platform boots.

  11. 11 3.5 Star Rating: Average Funky Buddha Lounge
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    728 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

    My UIC friends would often complain about the drifting smoke at this hip-hop den--that is, until they heard the DJ spin set after hot set.