Amy's Downtown Nightlife Ideas

Looking for a couple of cheap drinks downtown Chicago on a Saturday Night? Here are a couple of good places to try out, all within walking distance of HI-Chicago.

Franklin Tap
325 S. Franklin St. (300S, 300W) (Franklin – Between VanBuren and Jackson)
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 212-3262
Saturday Night Specials
½ off appetizers after 5 pm with a drink
$3 call drinks
$3 all bottled beer
$5 Patron Silver Shots
$5 Jameson shots
Free WII – get your golf on!
Run-of-the-mill bar with some video games, great, high windows made for people-watching, and good service. Honestly though, it’s the $3 Bacardi drinks and half-priced pretzels appetizers that draw me in. For $3.50, you get 2 generously-sized warm pretzels.

Stocks & Blondes
36 N. Wells St. (50N, 200W) (Between Madison and Washington)
Chicago IL 60606
(312) 372-3725
Everyday Specials
$10 High Life pitchers
$4 Miller light and Coors Light stadium drafts & $3 refills
This place is a classic dive bar and kind of random for downtown. Perfect to just get some cheap beer, served in 85 Bear themed pints, and enjoy some greasy fries.

Exchequer Restaurant & Pub
226 S. Wabash Ave. (200S, 100E)
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 939-9128
Everyday Specials
$3.75 Monthly Beer Special
This is not my favorite of the four, but their good drink specials and delicious pizza are worth noting. Also, the hostel offers coupons for 10% off. Girl loves a deal!

Brando's Speakeasy
343 S. Dearborn St. (350S, 50W) (VanBuren & Dearborn)
Chicago, IL 60604
(773) 216-3213
Best Special
$2.00 PPR
The bar is more of a lounge with super friendly service (we got a free round of drinks after chatting with the bartender - score!). A mixed group of patrons, so the people-watching is great. On Saturday nights expect some karaoke in the early evening.

-Amy Weber, hostel volunteer