Bar of the month

Hogs & Honeys
1551 N. Sheffield Ave.

The Basics
Where you’ll find it: 1551 N. Sheffield, just south of North Avenue and on the corner of Weed St. next door to both Joe’s and North Beach Club. (312) 377-1733. www.hogsandhoneys.com

When it’s open: 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesday through Friday; 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday.

Peak time: Being it doesn’t open until 9 p.m., Hogs & Honeys isn’t empty very long. Thursdays are busy for “College Night,” but the biggest parties happen late on the weekend for sure.

What you’ve heard: Think Coyote Ugly. ... The place to let loose and party in the Weed Street district. ... When in doubt, ride the bull and dance on the bar. ... Owned by nightlife guru Marc Bortz, who has established quite a collection of successful bars and clubs like Sangria, Cabaret, Boutique and the Dragon Room to name a few. ... Be prepared for a crowd looking to have a good time.

History in short: Remodeling and separating from a section of North Beach Club, Hogs & Honeys opened its doors in 2002 and has been rocking ever since. The bar is modeled after New York’s infamous Hogs & Heifers.

Visual Aids
First impressions: It almost feels like a dream bachelor pad. There doesn’t seem to be a square inch of space on the walls, as old license plates, street signs, humorous bumper stickers, bikini posters, bras, boar heads, trucker caps and pyramids of beer cans serve as decorations, among other things. It’s easy to have something new catch your eye all the time. ... Cool copper-topped bar. ... The mechanical bull rides get a lot of attention, as do the female patrons who are allowed to dance on the bar. ... A popular place for groups and bachelorette parties — and people who are interested in letting their guard down a bit.

The atmosphere: If you’re looking for a relaxing, quiet evening out with friends where you can sip a few drinks and catch up with one another, this is not the best place. People are here to do one thing, and that’s party. ... Classic rock mostly from the ’80s is the music of choice, and it’s not uncommon for the whole bar to sing along with Poison, AC/DC or Joan Jett. ... It’s typically a younger crowd, but very diverse. ... It gives off a country-biker vibe, like the kind of bar you’d find off the highway in Texas, but it can also make you feel like you’re on spring break. ... A real break from the routine.

What you’ll tell your friends: “I’ve been here a handful of times, the first being my friend Michelle’s bachelorette party. We had all these other stops scheduled after Hogs & Honeys, but we never made it. It was the easiest night the limo driver ever had.”
— Jamie, 25

“If you’re prepared for the crowd, the music and the party atmosphere, you’re guaranteed to have a good time. Nobody takes themselves too seriously here. They can’t really, with the bull rides and dancing and shots going down the hatch. If you want to feel young again, this is the place.”
— Jeff, 30

The Experience
At your service: The bartenders don’t dance on the stage as often as they do in the movie “Coyote Ugly,” which is a good thing for the thirsty patrons. They’re generally swamped, but they hardly let that serve as an excuse for keeping people waiting. They’re always on the move, serving up drinks in a blur, and they’ll tell it like it is, so be ready to order when they look your way. Otherwise, you’ll be hearing about it. ... Beer girls with tubs of bottles on ice when you walk in is key. ... The staff loves serving up shots off of its gigantic board of flavorful — and sometimes crass-sounding — options. ... Bartenders have a tendency to enjoy pouring liquor in the mouths of customers after making them lie on the bar, so be prepared. ... Valet parking is plentiful out front and in the neighborhood, but spots are available if you don’t mind walking a few blocks.

Get your drink on: On draft, domestics like Miller, Budweiser and Coors products rule the roost, and no one seems to mind. Besides a fully stocked bar and an assortment of bottled beer, they also boast a board of dozens upon dozens of shot possibilities that are difficult to turn down names like the Creamy Thigh, Nuclear Orgasm, Hells Angel or the Three-Legged Monkey.

Daily specials: Wednesday: $3 beers and cocktails; Thursday: $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon, $1 Big Ass Beers, $2 Budweisers, $3 Coronas.

Who you can expect to see there: There’s no doubt it’s generally a younger crowd, but that doesn’t mean more than a few older adults don’t venture in to recapture (or prolong) their youth and sense of adventure. ... Unlike a lot of other bars in the city, you’ll see quite a blend of patrons — from bachelorettes to tattooed bikers and college kids. ... Cowboy hats are welcome. Just don’t expect people to be holding back here. That typically doesn’t happen.

It’s a good spot to … “avoid taking yourself too seriously. ... live out a lifelong dream to dance on the bar or ride a mechanical bull. ... spend all night and never have a dull moment. ... meet members of the opposite sex, just don’t expect to be able to hold much of a conversation because there’s too much going on. ... break away from the routine of other stuffy clubs or more toned-down pubs. ... watch people transform from stressed or uptight when they arrive into party animals with shots of tequila getting poured down their throats.”

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