Bar of the month

Delilah’s
2771 N. Lincoln

The Basics
Where you’ll find it: 2771 N. Lincoln, just south of the Diversey-Lincoln intersection. (773) 472-2771. www.delilahschicago.com

When it’s open: Sunday-Friday: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday: 4 p.m.-3 a.m.

Peak time: Friday and Saturday nights can get rolling at Delilah’s, especially if there is a private party staking claim to the upstairs room. Weekday nights, especially punk Mondays, often see a solid crowd. Just when you think things are tapering off at Delilah’s, more people come through the door. It’s not afraid of the late nights.

What you’ve heard: Fun, local spot that’s dark and funky, with a different DJ every night playing music varieties you won’t hear anywhere else. ... The largest supply of whiskey and bottled beer in Chicago and beyond. Ask Mike, the owner, for a lesson in all things whiskey. Word is, he knows a thing or two.

History in Short: Formerly called Crash Palace and Clark’s before that, it switched to Delilah’s about 14 years ago, and the music and whiskey variety evolved over time.

Visual Aids
First impressions: If you happen to be wearing sunglasses, you’re going to want to take them off when you enter Delilah’s, because it’s dark. Real dark. Black tin ceilings, black tables, booths and stools, dark walls, a worn wood floor and candlelight. ... Red and blue Christmas lights, vintage-looking beer and liquor signs and vibrant paintings by local artists provide the decor. ... The beer and liquor selection, just from what is visible to the eye, is incredibly impressive. Then multiply that several times over to find out what’s really available. ... A leather futon and chair under a giant Elvis painting in an elevated corner in the back make for a nice gathering space for friends. ... Upstairs you’ll find a second, smaller bar as well as a few booths, classic games and a pool table.

The atmosphere: Some would consider Delilah’s a friendly dive bar that knows its liquor, its customers and its music, and those who work there wouldn’t argue. The vibe can change by the day (different music nights bring different crowds) and by the hour here, as it’s not uncommon to see a variety of different folks soaking up the charm. It definitely doesn’t fit the mold of the more conservative Lincoln Park scene, which isn’t a bad thing. ... With a rock-and-roll juke box on the weekend and DJs on Monday nights typically offering punk rock, Wednesdays featuring country and Sundays anything from the classic sounds of Sammy Davis and Sinatra to Brit pop or Radiohead, there is definitely a sound for everyone.

What you’ll tell your friends: “It’s just one of those places I might not come to for four or five months, but I know I’ll always have a good time and be comfortable. I like dark bars with character — and characters who work there who make it more fun.
— Liz

“They have punk music on the juke box, beers from all over the world and something different happening each night. Despite the dive look of the place, it’s probably cooler than you are.”
— Dan

The Experience
At your service: On a recent weekday evening, three bartenders were working downstairs and another one upstairs, and even when it’s packed on the weekend, it never seems like you have to wait as long as you’d expect for a drink. The friendly bartenders seem especially keen on sensing where to look to find the empty glass and know their share of the customers’ names. The owner, Mike Miller, is on hand a lot to mix and mingle.

Get your drink on: Where do we start, really, with a place that is home more than 500 types of liquor and better than 200 brands of beer? If you desire whiskey, scotch or bourbon, this should be your favorite stop. They boast what could be the largest selection of whiskey this side of the pond. On draft, you won’t find your typical run-of-the-mill options. Instead, look for options like Stella, Dogfish Head, Maudite, Summitt Weiss, Delirium, Chimay, Beamish, Hoegaarden and a few IPAs to quench your thirst. ... They have upper-tier imports but haven’t forgotten about the true punk scene that sometimes favors PBR, Bud, etc. Delilah’s offers several beer, scotch and bourbon tastings throughout the year as well. “We want you to try something you’ve never had,” says Neil, a bartender. “Don’t be afraid to ask, we can accomodate.”

Menu variety: Void of a kitchen, Delilah’s is a drinker’s bar. But they do have a collection of menus from nearby restaurants you can order a meal from and have delivered.

Daily specials: These specials are subject to change, but usually stay pretty consistent. Monday: $1 American beer, $2 Jim Beam, free pool; Tuesday: $2 Rebel Yell bourbon and Sleeman Cream Ale; Wednesday: $2 PBR bottles and Ten High bourbon; Thursday: $3 Carlsberg bottles and Bushmills whiskey; Friday: $2 Maker’s Mark and Labatt Blue; Saturday: $2 Warsteiner and Jim Beam; Sunday: $2 Bavaria Dutch beer and Ancient Age bourbon.

Who you can expect to see there: Let’s just say that while some bars claim to be diverse, Delilah’s very may have invented the phrase. Pick a night, and it’s possible to see a group of bikers, college kids, quiet 50-year olds from the neighborhood, the crowd from a punk-rock show at the Metro, you name it. “It’s a fun, eclectic crowd,” says Mary, a bartender. “We get a lot of open-minded people, artists and serious beer people who are fun to talk to.”

It’s a good spot to … “catch soccer action from the English Premiere League, a marathon of ‘Twin Peaks’ or a good old fashioned movie night with Steve McQueen or a ’70s horror flick. ... Soak up some great music from rotating DJs during the week — you’ll hear everything from Lou Reed to AC/DC, Sinatra, indie or punk rock, rockabilly, bluegrass and western. They truly have a taste for everything here. ... hang your paintings if you’re a local artist. They rotate the art and have been known to act as a gallery of sorts. ... let your guard down and explore the vast whiskey and beer options.”

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