Bar of the month

Bad Dog Tavern
4535 N. Lincoln Ave.

The Basics
Where you’ll find it: 4535 N. Lincoln, just south of the Wilson intersection in the heart of Lincoln Square. (773) 334-4040. www.baddogtavern.com

When it’s open: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m.-3 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Sunday.

Peak time: Bad Dog gets a nice, steady dinner crowd, and things get busy on weekend evenings around 7 p.m., if not before. The open-mic night combined with the burger-and-fries special on Wednesdays is typically packed.

What you’ve heard: Recently purchased by the owners of Merkle’s in Wrigleyville, it’s a friendly and classy neighborhood bar. .... Underrated beer garden, and the food is high quality. ... A beer and martini selection you won’t find many other places. ... Much-improved spot, as the new ownership shows.

Visual Aids
First impressions: Bad Dog offers a more sleek feel than a lot of its older neighbor bars in Lincoln Square. The granite stone flooring throughout is unique for Chicago, and the high-back padded booths make for great group gatherings and comfortable seating. ... The front room, with a long bar and pictures and statues of dogs, has a lot of personality, and a cozy back dining room and beer garden can’t be ignored. ... Darks reds and greens accentuate the floor and wood beams on the ceiling. ... A total of 12 flat screens make catching the game an easy task. ... Two fireplaces, one on each end of the establishment, add some character for when the weather’s chilly. When it’s warm, the enormous front windows slide open for a taste of summer.

The atmosphere: Quickly becoming the place to hang out in Lincoln Square, Bad Dog has the feel of an upscale neighborhood bar where you can come and escape the stress of your everyday life. ... The full menu makes it a popular dinner and lunch spot, and the TVs and music are prevalent, but never overwhelming. Live jazz and DJs take over on the weekend.

What you’ll tell your friends: “My favorite bar north of Irving Park used to be the Grafton, but this may have passed it up, or at least pulled even. The beer garden and brunch are just bonuses to a great bar. My girlfriends say they’re coming to visit me, but I think the only reason they come to my neighborhood is because of this place.”
— Leann

“This is my first time coming here. I got sick of my friends talking about it, but now I can see why. Really friendly people, good food, great beer selection. The waitresses and bartenders look you in the eye and can hold a conversation.”
— Mitchell

The Experience
At your service: Ask anyone who frequents Merkle’s how much the owners are there and how many people they know personally by name, and you’d be surprised. The same is quickly coming true for Bad Dog. Fast, attentive, pleasant service, even when it’s busy. ... And ask for recommendations on the menu and beer list. They’re knowledgeable in that regard as well.

Get your drink on: Another place where Bad Dog distinguishes itself is its beer selection. Besides a host of domestic and premium bottles (Amstel, Newcastle, Peroni, etc.), Bad Dog totals 17 beers on draft, such as Stella, Blue Moon, Hofbrau Dunkel, Fat Tire, Hacker-Pschorr and a notable favorite called Delirium Tremens. We’re not done yet, as another 19 American microbrews (with some approaching 10-percent alcohol marks) are readily available, most for just $5, and another dozen uniquely Belgian-style beers are worthy of trying as well. Try a Robert the Bruce or an Old Rasputin for a nice summer treat. ... Not to be outdone, wines and specialty drinks like martinis with names like the Black Lab (Effen black cherry vodka, cranberry and pineapple juice and a splash of Redbull), Jack Russell and Irish Setter (Guinness, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Godiva chocolate liqueur and a hint of Amaretto) are well represented. A total of eight reds and eight whites head the wine list.

Menu variety: One loyal patron scolded her boyfriend when he called it “great pub grub.” It was better than “pub grub,” she insisted, and judging by the amount of people eating on a random Monday night, she’s not alone in that opinion. Plenty of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees fill the now extensive menu. Favorites include the ahi tuna tacos, BBQ chicken pizza, pork tenderloin, chicken sandwiches, mac & cheese and the reuben and buffalo rolls. And step out on the weekend to try the banana foster French toast for brunch. It’s been called “sinful” if that tells you anything.

Daily specials: Monday: $7 beer flights, half-price bottles of wine and $6 turkey burgers and wraps (lunch only); Tuesday: $6 ahi taco dinner, $5 chicken or steak taco dinner, $5 Partida tequila shots; Wednesday: $6 half-pound burgers and fries, $2.50 Miller Lites and Bud Lights, open-mic night; Thursday: $8 mojito and sangria drafts, $6 chicken sandwiches and salads (lunch only); Friday: Half-price pizzas and appetizers (lunch only); Saturday and Sunday: Old Dog brunch 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Who you can expect to see there: Bad Dog caters to the Lincoln Square crowd, which is usually established older 20-somethings or young-to-mid 30-somethings with younger families or looking for a night out. With its great food, wide-ranging drink selection and atmosphere, it caters to a lot of dates and groups, but brings in a diverse selection overall.

It’s a good spot to … “hit for a tasty weekend brunch and listen to Old Town School musicians every Sunday. ... people-watch in the summer in Lincoln Square with the open windows out front. ... spend a day with friends in the shaded beer garden. ... grab a group of people, a big table or booth and catch up while enjoying the crazy selection of drinks. ... get your summer sports team sponsored. ... go for a delicious pig roast on Saturday, June 28.”

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