Bar of the month

Southport City Saloon
2548 N. Southport

The Basics
Where you’ll find it: 2548 N. Southport. Just south of the corner of Southport and Wrightwood. (773) 975-6110.

When it’s open: 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Friday; 11:30 a.m.-3 a.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Sunday. The kitchen is open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and until midnight Thursday through Saturday.

Peak time: “The Port” gets some overflow before and after Cubs games, generally has a nice lunch crowd and picks up early Friday evening and later on Saturday night. It’s also the place to be during the big horse races.

What you’ve heard: Fantastic food. ... Hands down one of the best beer gardens in the city. ... A hidden treasure in a quiet neighborhood.

History in short: The 121-year-old building has housed everything from a laundry service to a barber shop and a bookmaking service. Larry Price purchased the building in 1976 and opened the bar three years later.

Visual Aids
First impressions: There is a large, impressive bar immediately upon entering, with a sizable pool room to the left that has tables and chairs and plenty of floor space. An elegant dining room lies in the back, with a more intimate space located just down a few steps next to the fireplace. That all opens up to one of the more impressive beer gardens in the city. It carries a quaint, almost European feel to it, with its decorative lanterns, string lights, flowers, red brick floor and coach house bar with a 100-foot tree growing through its roof.

The atmosphere: If you’re looking to be elbow-to-elbow with a loud college crowd, this might not be the place for you. It can be busy but maintain a “not overcrowded” feel and carries a friendly, laid-back vibe.

What you’ll tell your friends: “I love looking at my friends’ faces when I bring them here for the first time. It’s like if you were plugging along through the desert and came across an oasis or something. They’re always mad they didn’t know about it sooner.”
— Julia M.

The Experience
At your service: The bartenders are always friendly and available up front, and Anthony is reportedly good for a story or two if he’s working in the beer garden. A smiling host is there to greet you if you head back to the dining room, and there is no shortage of waitresses patrolling the area.

Get your drink on: The Southport City Saloon offers a summer drink menu that includes favorites like electric lemonade, pina coladas and margaritas, as well as a stocked bar and a full wine list that is reasonably priced and quite popular, especially in the colder months next to the fireplace. On tap are Stella Artois, Elliott Ness, Schneider Weiss and a beer from Wisconsin brewed especially for them called Southport Lager, which comes highly recommended. You can also find plenty of other beer selections in the bottle form.

Menu variety: You’ll find a more upscale variety than your typical bar fare. Appetizers include options like Maryland crab cakes, baked goat cheese with marinara and garlic bread, and wings. Chicken tortilla and marinated Szechwan steak are two favorites out of a plethora of salad choices. A massive half-pound Southport burger and hickory chicken are popular sandwiches. Dinner specialties include steaks, ribs, pork chops, seafood and pasta. Most sandwich and dinner items run from $7.50 to $17, while salads generally fall in the $10 range.

Specials: The Port’s specials change constantly in the summer, and are definitely worth looking into. Party packages are popular for the big horse races each year, and a hearty Sunday brunch is only $9.95.

Who you can expect to see there: Usually families and a slightly older crowd frequent The Port earlier in the day and into the evening, but a late-20s-to-40 crowd takes over late. “We’re definitely not a kiddie bar,” says Cheryl, the manager. Being that it’s hidden a bit down Southport, it can be considered a favorite of neighborhood locals, but people from all over the city find themselves headed back once they’ve discovered it. It receives some Cubs overflow, but nothing too drastic.

It’s a good spot to … “Take friends because there’s usually ample room to spread out in the beer garden or inside. They make the most of the room they have, and that’s a big selling point when you’re looking to get away from the overcrowded bars where you can’t move or can’t talk to anyone.” — Mark S.
“Go with larger groups if you’re looking for a mellow afternoon in the sun or an evening away from the louder Wrigleyville/Southport scene.” — Matt Mohrlang

What the manager thinks: “It’s all about the neighborhood. The owner has had a lot of chances to change things, but he’s kept it a neighborhood place. I think people like The Port because they know it’s family-owned and run.”
— Cheryl

What the bartender thinks: “All and all a great spot with a nice ambiance. People know what they’re going to get here — a great spot with a low-key attitude. Our beer garden, complete with a tiki tree bar, is like a little escape. You’re enclosed back here and away from the city. Some people actually consider their time back here to be like a vacation.”
— Anthony

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