12/27/06

Cheap Drinks Galore!

by theoriginaldanalog

Although the crowd can be a little bit of a drag it's usually not because of the pretense but because of so much insecurity it drips off of the walls. If you stay out of there on Friday and Saturday nights you're in for a pleasant experience. The drink prices are great for such a well known bar. $4 Johnny Reds can't be beat. The drinks are poured well and the bartending staff are kind but will not kiss your butt for a tip. Where else can you be served by some of chicago finest musicians on their downtime and enjoy great music with good and bad artwork cycled from month to month?!

Bring cash and a fun group and you'll have a great time.

• Pros: Staff and drink prices are awesome. The vibe/ambience is great.
• Cons: Fridays and Saturdays are rediculously packed and some folks are unapproachable.

09/09/06

Mainstream ruins so many good things...

by rachel_hoo

Cheap drinks, but also the same at a lot of other bars in the neighborhood. Holier-than-thou scenesters engulf the place and think they are waaay better than you. Impossible to socialize; many of the people here seem to have minimum-wage jobs at trendy clothing places and record stores, and care more about looking at themselves in the mirror than in any other direction. Hey, who needs friends when you're that vain?

• Pros: cheap drinks i guess
• Cons: too-cool-for-school attitudes

This Wicker Park institution has been a haven for local artists and musicians since before the neighborhood was trendy.

by Contributor

Clearly this bar is less about being stimulated by the environment and more about being stimulated by your peers: People have always come here to talk--about art, writing, music. Just south of Division Street on Damen Avenue, the Rainbo Club calls little attention to itself aside from a small pink neon sign above the entry. It's one big, dimly lit room filled with beautifully preserved woodwork. Decor is sparse--walls are nearly bare except for the original artwork that dots the space. Cozy booths line one wall, and seats surround the circular bar in the center. If you don't get one of these seats, though, prepare to stand all evening.

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02/26/03

Casualty of the Gentrifiers

by RockinSkodt

Before Mirai sent it's pleated-khaki-clad clientele, the Rainbo was overrun by unfriendly, quasi-hipster wannabes. THE ONLY bar on the north side where you can't strike up a conversation with a stranger. Air is thick with pretense. The real artists -- or those of them left -- go to the Gallery and Innertown and Tuman's. Rainbo is for movies.

• Pros: cheap drink, nice staff, cool art
• Cons: new yuppies, bitter mock hipsters, cold attitudes

08/15/02

A pot of gold at the end...

by duchessofyahtz

cheap, good drinks, great atmosphere, jukebox is usually playing good tunes, and a photo booth! lots of open space, friendly bartenders.