The Top College Bars in Chicago
McGee’s is a super popular college hangout in Chicago for DePaul students as well as anyone who wishes they were still in college. They meet the all-important cheap beer requirement with $8 pitchers of domestic beer and great specials that make it affordable for the college kids. Thursday is the night to go check out this bar. They do $1 bottle beers; domestic of course, which creates a long line of happy people waiting to get in. Don’t worry if you have graduated already though, the crowd at McGee’s is a mix of students, recent graduates, and business looking types who are drawn to the enormous selection of televisions and cheap daily specials. McGee’s is located at 950 W Weber Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60614. They serve up a killer brunch on the weekend that is the perfect ending to a long weekend of partying. The breakfast menu is full of old standbys but you have to try one of their breakfast skillets. They also have this great coffee bar concept going that will make you forget your Starbucks addiction. If you need a little something to take the edge off your lingering hangover they also have a full bloody Mary bar. McGee’s is open from 11am until 2am. On Saturday they stay open until 3am. They are great local Chicago college bar and can be reached at (773) 549-8200.
The Lion Head Pub and Apart is one of those very unique college bars in Chicago you should not take Mom and Dad too. The crowd is definitely DePaul college students and the atmosphere is perfect for that age group. Downstairs this is a somewhat typical college bar. TV’s are available, but seem to disappear into the ceiling as the evening wears on. There is a fabulous wooden bar, a warm and inviting fireplace, and lots of Irish beer on tap. They offer up a great menu with Irish favorite like fish and chips as well. What college student could ask for more. Well, there is more whether you ask for it or not. Upstairs is the “Apartment” and the dream pad for almost any college student. It is a little odd for a bar, butt here is a play station up there with gaggles of college boys playing the night away missing out on the opportunity to check out the cute college girls. Avoid this area if you don’t want your guy to get sucked in. All in all though, this is a cool college bar wit a lot of personality. Thursday nights the drinks upstairs in the apartment are half price, which is perfect for the college student budget. DJ’s spin great music and you can hangout in the kitchen or check out the bathtub, very unique. The Lion Head Pub and The Apartment are located at 2251 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60614. The Apartment is open on the weekends and the pub is open till 2am most nights and until 3am on Saturdays.
What list of top college bars in Chicago would be complete without karaoke and a bunch of singing foreign exchange students? The Globe rounds out the list with Thursday night karaoke that is a great mix of American and European students connecting over bad singing, cheesy music, and good cheap beer. You couldn’t ask for more. The food matches the international student crowd with dishes like steak and ale pie, which is downright filling. There is a great beer list and lots of big old TV’s perfect for catching some soccer, rugby, and even a little good old American football. The Globe is located at 1934 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, Illinois, 60613.
