Bar of the month

Guthrie’s Tavern
1300 W. Addison

The Basics

Where you’ll find it: On the corner of Addison and Lakewood, about four blocks west of Wrigley.

When it’s open: 5 p.m. - 2 a.m Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday; 2 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. - 2 a.m. Sunday.

Peak time: Weekend evenings tend to get crowded.

What you’ve heard: Cozy neighborhood pub to relax and play board games with friends.

History in short: Served as a grocery store during prohibition but has been a bar since 1933. Named after J.B. Guthrie, a prominent developer in Lakeview in the late 1800s.

Visual Aids

First impressions: Small but lively place with plenty of charm. Nothing fancy, but lots of character and individuality with the place. There are paintings by local artists on the ceiling and ’70s-style postcards on the walls.

The atmosphere: It doesn’t take long to get a sense that Guthrie’s should be attached to a ski lodge. Something about the warm, comfortable feel to it. Lots of pairs or groups of four people in their own little worlds playing games. Broad mix of music, with lots of classics, but it’s never too loud.

What you’ll tell your friends: “It’s kind of like hanging out in your living room playing games. It takes you back to high school. Only you have more beer options than you did in high school.” — Julie

The Experience

At your service: When it’s busy, the area around the bar can get crowded. But you’ll find a couple of bartenders and several waitresses to help you.

Get your drink on: More than 40 bottles available, including wide-ranging varieties from countries like Belgium, Germany and England. You won’t find Bud or Miller among the nine beers on tap, but you will see Woodchuck Granny Smith Cider, Newcastle, Harp and Anchor Steam. A decent selection of wine, “winter warmer” drinks like a hot apple pie or chocolate nut and $5.50 martinis.

Menu variety: Limited food options, but Guthrie’s does have the menus of several area restaurants that willingly deliver to hungry patrons.

Specials: The daily deals vary from week to week. One Thursday it might be $2.75 Negra Modelo bottles, the next it’ll be $1 off an imported pint.

Distinguishing characteristics: It’s rather difficult not to notice the influx of board games — Pictionary, Scrabble, Monopoly, Scattegories, Boggle, Candy Land, Trivial Pursuit, you name it. Paintings by local artists hang on the walls, and small lamps sit atop tables to give it a warm, homey feel.

Who you can expect to see there: A laid-back crowd interested more in conversation and revisiting their game-playing youth than the louder, more college-style crowds you’ll find down the street.

It’s a good spot to … Enjoy some obscure beer selections and sit back for a competitive game of establishing world domination (Risk) or a more passive game of jumping kings (checkers) or sinking a destroyer (Battleship). One patron suggested it’s ideal for a first date, as the comfortable atmosphere and games serve as a good way to break the ice.

What the owner thinks...

“It’s funny, people come in here all the time saying they used to own the place. We wanted a conversation place where your neighbors could become your friends. We started off with about eight board games, and it’s taken off from there. They’ve really become the cornerstone of this bar. Some bring in their own games to play or even drop some off when they move out of the city.”
– Steve

What the waitresses think:
“People just have fun here, but you’re not going to see many people ordering Red Bull & vodkas. This isn’t a frat-bar crowd. It’s a friendly, relaxed neighborhood tavern in Wrigleyville. How often can you say that? ... It’s a constant, and people know what to expect. ... Remember, the best places to drink in Chicago are covered in ivy — Wrigley Field and Guthrie’s Tavern.”
– Natalie and Jennifer

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