Bar of the month

Matilda
3101 N. Sheffield

 

The Basics

Where you’ll find it: 3101 N. Sheffield, just a block south of The Vic Theatre and Belmont Ave. (773) 883-4400. www.matilda-babyatlas.com

When it’s open: 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Friday; 6 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday; closed Sunday. The Baby Atlas lounge is open from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and is available for a private party before 11 p.m.

Peak time: Matilda collects a nice dinner crowd on weekdays from 7-9 p.m., and a bigger crowd starts to arrive around 10:00 typically on the weekends.

What you’ve heard: Eccentric decorations and laid-back atmosphere with a great juke box, wine list and a cozy, candle-lit atmosphere. The food is more than worth the trip.

History in short: It’s been seven different establishments since the liquor license was initiated in 1986, housing everything from a night club to an Irish Pub. It’s officially been Matilda for nearly 11 years.

Visual Aids

First impressions: From the outside, things seem a little ordinary on a quiet part of Sheffield. But once you get inside, it’s a much different story. A random, eclectic style of decoration is a huge draw. Dominos and iron pieces on the wall, abstract paintings, upside-down lamps, a Michelin Man doll and clocks painted on the floor highlight just some of the offbeat allure at Matilda. ... Couches, booths and pool tables are available, and the Baby Atlas Lounge, a unique and hidden find of its own, is located just down some seriously steep steps.

The atmosphere: Matilda has a lounge type of vibe but carries none of the pretentious attitude and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Low lighting is the norm, and a diverse crowd varies from one day to the next. If you’re looking for loud, thumping music or somewhere to catch the game, you’re in the wrong place.

What you’ll tell your friends: “The downstairs area is a little haven away from it all. It’s a great place to have private wine and food pairings (which are amazing). All in all, Matilda has a place for everyone with the different rooms. If you take advantage of their amazing specials, you will love this place even more.” — Sara Vinson

“It’s not a sports bar, not a dive bar, not a trendy lounge, but it’s got characteristics of each.”

The Experience

At your service: At Matilda, they know a fair number of people by name, which says a lot. “The bartenders and waitstaff are really nice,” says Stacy, who loves living a block away. “The food is always made to order and the drinks are always made with a little something special. It’s really nice when you have a little bit of that specialized service!”

Get your drink on: Matilda offers 12 beers on tap, with some high-quality options such as Fat Tire, Sierra Nevada, Bell’s, Smithwicks, Stella and Harp. A selection of 15 wines from around the world is also available, and martinis are a specialty.

Menu variety: Besides the decorations, the food is where Matilda separates itself from most other drinking establishments. They take it seriously, folks. Wraps, wings and flatbreads topped with items like mozzarella, chicken, sun-dried tomato, peppers and a creamy shallot sauce are just some of the appetizers. All kinds of soups, salads and sandwiches are available, as well as dinner entrées such as fish tacos, garlic-and-onion-marinated pork tenderloin and penne pasta with grilled chicken and mushrooms in a marsala wine sauce.

Specials: Monday: 50 percent off your food bill if you’re on the e-mail list; Tuesday: $3 Pacificos, $1 fish tacos; Wednesday: $5 glasses of wine, and half-price bottles of wine; Thursday: Half-price appetizers, and $3 beer of the month; Friday and Saturday: “Not a damn thing.”

Who you can expect to see there: It’s like a tale of two bars. On weeknights, it usually resembles a 30-something crowd made up of neighborhood regulars and people on dates. On weekends, it shifts to more of a younger, singles scene as the average age dips to 25-to-30.

It’s a good spot to … “get a fine wine or a PBR draft and eat everything from a gorgonzola-stuffed filet mignon to a plate of cheese fries. It’s going to appeal to anyone who walks through the door. The mix of people is guaranteed to feel comfortable, and find something new on the walls every time they come here.” — Matthew

What the Owner thinks: “One thing that stands out to me is that there’s a comfort level at Matilda that you won’t find anywhere else. I go check out new bars all the time, and when I come back to Matilda and walk through the door, it’s just a sigh of relief. I know that it can be anything you want it to be. The staff is genuinely interested that you’re here.”
– Kevin

What the bartender thinks: “Everybody always asks me what kind of bar it is, and it’s hard to say because there’s really nothing comparable to it. It’s a great date place with the lighting, food and music, but it’s also a good place to meet a group out for the night. It’s a mixture of everything and the best of everything.”
– Katy

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