What it is: This is not a beer bar but a beer café. What that means becomes clear as soon as you settle into this craft hub in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood (or its second location, in the northern suburb of Highwood). It’s bright and spacious, and the long benches, wooden furnishings, and fireplace evoke a chill coffee shop. There are fridges packed with about 400 cans and bottles and 16 taps, including a changing selection of top-flight local lagers on Lukr side-pull faucets.
Why it’s great: Chicagoland is awash with great beer, and this might be the best place to experience that range. We reckon even locals have trouble keeping up with the scene—and if you’re a visitor, you have no chance—but you can come here and tour the city’s breweries from your bench or bar stool, whether you’re sharing single cans with friends or trying short pours or flights. Or you can come alone—the vibe is relaxed, and flipping open your laptop to get some work done (while sipping, of course) is just as welcome as group sessions or extended tastings. And while there are craft classics in the fridges, the selection tilts heavily toward local breweries and their latest releases. You can also get beer for takeaway, whether singles, mixed sixers, or curated cases.
Hours: 1p.m.–10 p.m., Monday–Wednesday; 1p.m.–11 p.m., Thursday; 1 p.m.–midnight, Friday; noon–midnight, Saturday; noon–8 p.m., Sunday
Address: 2812 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Web: beermiscuous.com
Instragram: @beermiscuous