The outside of the Skylark bar in Pilsen looks like an ordinary two-story brick house. The white bird over its front door and the neon beer signs in its window hardly hint at its strange inner beauty. Friends had recommended the Skylark to me and I was pleasantly surprised by its unique charm. I expected a good dive bar and this is one I would recommend for a date.

Inside, the Skylark has brown walls and red lights on the liquor cabinets behind the long dark bar. Bring a date and enjoy the soft lighting and honky tonk or alternative rock music. Hang your coat on a hook and slip into their comfortable vinyl booths. Look up at the cases of kitschy curios like china ducks and someone’s tin foil art project. Play some pinball on the Elvis pinball machine and take a picture in the old curtained photo booth. The one part of the Skylark I cannot recommend is the library, a magazine rack with a few abandoned paperbacks and artsy local magazines like The 2nd Hand and Interview. It’s too dark to read in here.

There’s a full bar and the beers range from cheap date Pabst and Old Style ($2-$2.50) to high maintenance Edmund Fitzgerald Porter and Robert the Bruce ($3.50-$4). The menu has something for everyone, including vegetarians, with food items from cheeseburgers and fried chicken to the eggplant sandwich and butternut squash. I had a spicy barbecue pulled pork sandwich on a white roll with crisp coleslaw and tater tots. You can get piergoies or tater tots as an appetizer. If you press them, most folks will admit their secret love of tater tots. Most of the menu items cost $6 to $11, so you can treat your sweetheart to a complete lunch or dinner and not break the bank. Skykark's kitchen stays open late, until midnight on weeknights and one on Fridays and Saturdays. When you and your date are suddenly starving at 10pm, this menu is more fun than fast food and more satisfying than basic bar grub.

Skylark is kitschy but not pretentious. It can get crowded when a band plays there, but on the Thursday night when I went, they had plenty of room. My waiter was fast and friendly and the beer bottles came with a small glass for slow sipping. Before you go, note that the Skylark only takes cash, so don’t count on your credit card here. In case you forget this, an ATM waits by the front door. I may be a cheap date, but I’d definitely see the Skylark again.

Andersonville offers all kinds of bars, but my favorite for a casual night out is Simon’s Bar. Tell your girlfriends to come as they are and not fuss with high heels or dresses. The jeans and tennis shoes crowd here comes for drinks and conversation, not to dress and impress.

Look for the neon light shaped like a fish with a Viking helmet and cocktail and the Swedish flag. Mingle at the long dark wooden bar or relax at tables and wooden benches along the walls. Try the comfy couches in the back by the gas fireplace and the jukebox, which is loud enough to enjoy but not won’t drown out your conversations. Bands sometimes play here on weekends but the occasional cover will not be more than a few dollars.

Simon’s has the old Swedish charm that made Andersonville unique. My favorite drink here is glogg, the traditional Swedish red wine punch strengthened with vodka and infused with plump raisins and slivered almonds. Glogg costs only $4 here and comes with a gingersnap. No drink warms you better on a snowy night. With fruit, nuts and antioxidants it almost seems healthy. The bar offers a broad selection of flavored vodkas and microbrews like Goose Island and Red Seal Ale, but drink prices remain reasonable. Don’t count on bar food here but enjoy do drinks after dinner at any nearby restaurant or a cocktail before a play at Annoyance Theatre or the Neo-Futurariam.

Impress your friends with the history of Simon’s. This bar dates from 1934. Before that, there was a speakeasy at this location. The small wooden booth near the front door was a booth for cashing checks in the Depression, after many customers lost faith in the banks. Faith in beer and liquor has stayed strong here, though. The yellow murals on the walls have said “Wilkommen” to generations of neighbors and friends.

As so many Chicago neighborhoods gentrify and cocktail prices become downright insulting, it’s comforting to know that some watering holes remain the same. I’ve enjoyed Simon’s Bar with my friends and met some good people there. The place feels as comfortable as a living room for drinks and conversation. The bar stays full, not because of advertising or trendiness, but because its patrons honestly like it and bring their friends. Hang out as long as you want, because here you can afford it.

“That old car’s worth money!” Anyone who grew up in Chicago knows the commercial by heart, since that same green beater of a ‘71 Chevy has had its door fallen off for almost thirty years now. Of course, a couple things have changed, that the car “may” be worth money now, and that there’s an area code provided with the phone number. But darn it if that bushy blonde hair, wide banded wrist watch and bell bottoms donned by the star of the commercial aren’t as vintage as the cars on the lot!

Victory is a gear head’s wildest dream come true, where just about any part you can possibly think of can be found here. Since this salvage yard has been in business since the’40s, those looking to find a hood or door hinge for a classic muscle car will certainly be able to find it - without having to pay ridiculous eBay costs or getting a second rate knock off.

Of course, the whole thrill of the hunt deal gets involved, wandering through all those acres of classic cars, not unlike hitting up a flea market with a shopping list of specific finds. I remember many a rainy day walking around with my dad, tracking down parts for him to bring to his mechanic buddy. Regulars head down with their tool sets strapped on and jeans tucked tightly into their grungiest mud boots looking to find that rare part at one heck of a deal. Yep, even in drought season, this place is pretty muddy, and one has to wonder if the oldest cars haven’t gotten sunken down by the Morlocks. But hey - who cares! This is the sort of place that pretension gets thrown right out the door, uhhh… if there was a door. Just keep an eye out for a car that looks like yours, bust out your tools, rip it off and bring it up to pay for it. It can’t get any more simple as that, and hey - it just plain feels good to recycle!

A bonus is the folks who work here are straight up honest and tell it like it is, especially when it comes to junking your car. Since the value of scrap metal has gone down over the years, the thing they’re really looking for is the wind shield. Even if you lost the title, they seem to find a way to buy your car, and will come out to you to pick it up and will provide a receipt.

Have you been noticing the same trend I have lately - that “Dive Bars” are in, but the places springing up are really more like a commercialized Crabby Ole Mondays than a genuine hole in the wall? Well, for those of you who are fed up with the wanna be’s can rejoice, because The Mutiny truly IS a dive! It’s dark, dank and really rank, where the pool is free, the drinks are cheap, there’s never a cover and the guy’s can claim the dubious distinction of relieving themselves in what is quite possibly the world’s largest urinal… one of which us rubber necking ladies feel the need to get a sneaky peek of!

This is a place where you can shackle yourself to the bar and get loaded from a mere twenty, thanks to the frosty half pitchers! At the same time, you can get acquainted with the regulars, some of which are really past the expiration date, all while admiring a dizzying array of local art on the drop ceiling tiles overhead - some of it is really impressive! Add to that a fun juke box that caters to just about every rockin’ taste and live bands that pass a pitcher around for tips (since they don’t charge at the door). How much fun can a group have when they really do want to slum it?

The bands that play here are usually of the Punkish persuasion, though 80s cover bands and metal acts do find their way inside. The tie that binds is the acts are all pretty much starving artists looking to get a little stage time, so don’t expect too many up and comers or bands traveling from anywhere further than the south side. However, just like the prizes in a Cracker Jack box, you never know what you’re going to get: probably nothing with much pizzazz but plenty of moxie to make up for it.

Now of course, that make shift stage in back looks like it’s ready to collapse at any second, the sound is pretty bad, there aren’t a whole lot of places to cop a squat, there’s a weird smell you can’t quite put a finger on and Fire Marshall Bill might have something to say about the crowds. But personally, I think it just adds to the charm. The people are genuinely nice and easy going, and the bands play their hearts out, hoping to rattle a few wallets in order to scrape up some gas money home. Really, this place is a whole package, and singling out all it’s ills and woes does not do it justice. Needless to say, elitists, germaphobics and A-List bands would probably rather find someplace else to go.

Elegance, sophistication, class and prestige: these are all the things you won’t find at Ronny’s! What you will find is a great place to sit down and grab a filling and satisfying meal with your coworkers, served on actual dinner ware, and won’t clean out your wallet. Just about everyone goes here at one time or another, many of whom are regulars, all chowing down on some good grub at great prices.

Ronny’s is a Chicago institution for decades that has been used and mentioned in numerous films. It is a frequent haunt of local celebrities and politicians, due to its proximity to the government buildings, train system hub and theatre and shopping districts. Of course, what keeps the place running is all the regular Joes and Janes that have come in over the years. It ain’t healthy, but it sure is good!

When you enter this cafeteria style restaurant, grab a tray and silverware and take a quick look at the overhead boards. Be forewarned most people already know what they want, so step aside for them! The 8oz T-Bone lunch special is what almost everyone goes for, seared on the grill to your liking, served with garlic bread, baked potato and salad. Tips and the super tender half barbecued chicken are also popular choices. Vegetarians who tag along may want to check out the giant slices of spinach and mushroom pizzas. Drinks are for a separate charge, which does include bottled beer and wine, though most look forward to their delicious fruit punch with watermelon wedges in the pitcher. Folks on a budget just bring their own.

What’s nice about this place is there is almost always a nice place to sit, with tall cushion backed chairs and booths, including an upstairs area with a giant TV. No one is in a rush to kick you out, and the bus boys make frequent sweeps to clear the table for you. Unlike most fast food joints, you are not expected to bus your own; when you leave, leave your plates and trays on the table. What a concept!

Now it’s been said by fine dining snobs that the steaks they hustle have a distinct possibility of being carved from Secretariat, but for $5.95, the price can’t be beat! The service is quick and attentive, the atmosphere is very cozy and casual, and you just might rub elbows with some of the city’s most important people. Including you!

What was once an almost completely hidden gem in the Loop, tucked away in the back of a jeweler’s mall, is now all the rave for those on the hunt for cheap lunch eats!

The current location is pretty dismal and gritty, but the food is so good that it makes you forget all about the horrible fluorescent lighting and tacky train station “artwork”, set up next door to that foul mouthed sailor’s cajun chicken joint. No, Oasis certainly doesn’t describe the surroundings, but one bite will make you rethink that first assumption.

If you have never had falafel, then make this your first experience! Try its fried, crunchy yet moist goodness in pita sandwich form; it will make you will lick your fingers after you polish off that last morsel! Or, go for the veggie combo plate, where you can get a taste of yummy stuffed grape leaves, hummus and a bit of salad with pita bread for dippin’. Other suggestions include the kabobs, be it in beef, lamb or chicken form, and the lentil soup is simply superb. It also happens to be one of the few places to locate an IBC root beer to wash down your meal, which I happen to be a huge fan of!

Since Middle Eastern food is traditionally communal, make sure everyone gets a little something different, so you can all pick off each others’ plates. This food mall has quite a bit of seating and is pretty loud, making it perfectly acceptable to be boisterous with your Mmmm’s! However, since the decor is less than inviting, I suggest getting your food to go, unless looks aren’t your number one priority when eating such a fabulous meal. Head over to Millennium Park when the weather is cooperating, or duck inside to the Cultural Center when it’s not. Of course, it’s always fun to bring something that awesome back to the office, so you guys can force your coworkers to bask in its intoxicating aroma while they relegate to their mushy sandwiches and stale chips.

It’s a pay day Friday and it’s 5pm. You and your coworkers need to shake the week off, and you need some joint nearby to knock back a few. Where to go? Hit that cool Olde Englishe Pubbe - Monk’s! (Yes, the extra “E’s” are tongue in cheek.) Okay I admit it - I’m a sucker for places that ooze that old world charm chalet regalia to them. It just feels so cozy! But there is a whole lot more to be had at this place than just its looks, because the food and drinks are so on time. And throwing peanut shells on the floor is just plain fun, okay?

When you open those gigantic wooden doors and walk inside this dark, charming pub, the steel city skyline and the roar of the overhead train can feel like it’s a million miles away. You crush peanut shells on the wooden floors as you scope out a spot and snatch up a bowl for yourselves. You may then notice the glass bottles in the walls, if your eyes have adjusted to the darkness. But if you haven’t, you have at least picked up on the smell of the burgers, and of the chatter and laughter from the other Loopers who are also looking to unwind for the weekend. That’s what this place is all about, and it does a good job of doing it.

Some folks tap this place during the week for their lunch breaks, but the service is rather mixed depending on how busy they get. However, you rarely wait more than fifteen minutes to get a seat, so if you have an hour break, it works out. Most people order the burgers here, be it beef, turkey or veggie - all of which are delicious! And curly fries are just plain awesome! If burgers aren’t not your thing, you can relax, as an extensive bar menu is available to accommodate all tastes. Try the portabella sandwich - it’s incredible!

If I need to point anything out about this place is that you can’t miss it, but no one else can, either. Therefore, it’s a good idea to nominate one guy from your group to leave the office early and scope out a spot for the rest of yas, because the happy hour crowd can really pack the place. And after that first encounter, you just might have to set up a rotation on that nomination, because it might end up being your group’s regular thang!

Have you ever found yourselves in one of these situations?

a) Your hair style probably makes your Grandma cringe, and your specialist stylist is no longer around.
b) You haven’t done a thing with your hair in years, and you want a stylist that won’t mess with the length you worked so hard to grow.
c) You’re sick of your current stylist cutting your hair a certain way, because that’s what he / she likes!
d) You’re a guy that likes his hair styled and not clipped, but you don’t want to go to a foux foux place to get it done.
e) You’re female as far as anatomy is concerned, but your style is anything but girlie!
f) You want an expert stylist that doesn’t make you gulp when you pony up to the register.

Then get your potentially sexy butt on the phone with the folks at Milio’s and make an appointment! They can make the impossible possible and have been doing so for decades! This is the number one place in town that really does “get it”, no matter what “it” may be, and do it in a fun and crazy atmosphere!

Like many folks, I too have family members who are registered beauticians, but I see what their specialties are, and I really don’t like it. No hard feelings, but it seems it’s always better to get your hair done by an unbiased third party who listens to you and not to your other family members‘ ideas of what looks cute. And, as most ladies go, I’m pretty particular about my hair, so when it comes to suggesting a place for a great style at a fair price, there are very few places I will go out of my way to get it done - Milio’s is one of those few places.

It goes without saying Milio’s is a place that caters to those with a rebellious side, what with all the far out hair styles, tattoos and piercings seen on the other stylists. People who want to get dread extensions done go here often, as do those who want to make sure their multi colored hair is done professionally. If you want to look like a total Rock Star, this is definitely the place to go! But even if you’re the super fabulous, fashion model type and far from the post-Punk dye jobs many of the stylists sport, you can be rest assured you will look absolutely stunning. And yes, you can get your eye brows done while you’re at it! The best part is, no matter what you want, you will leave with plenty of cash left over for shopping for a new outfit afterwards. After all, you’ll need one to go with the new you!

It seems that just about everyone is experimenting with a healthier lifestyle these days, even if it’s just sampling a few new menu ideas. The bets place downtown to do a little lunch time experimentation is at Kramer’s, where you can try a few new entrees and do a little shopping at the same time.

As you walk in, you’ll immediately pick up on the health nut vibe, from that distinctive vitamin and incense smell to the hippie and hipster types wandering around. So much to shop for and to check out! For the regulars, this place feels just so cozy and welcoming, but newcomers might already be feeling a little overwhelmed. For the latter, I suggest to head straight for the back and go up the stairs to the little café.

The overhead menu on the left shows off the vast concoction of fresh fruit and vegetable juices, and on the right are the lunch items. Go for a lentil soup or a lunch special, like the veggie burrito. If you’re not sure about liking vegetable juice, ask the guys behind the counter to exchange it for an apple juice instead - fresh squeezed apple juice is just so, so good and makes you feel like a kid again! Be sure to season your food at the counter before sitting, because there is absolutely none in it, but is fantastic after you put your personal touch to it! Just remember to pay downstairs when you leave.

Once you’ve finished, go back downstairs and explore. The staff is very helpful, and there is a wealth of information to be had. It’s a little more expensive than bigger stores that carry the same products, but when there’s a sale, it’s very worth it. And hey - students get a 10% discount! What’s also nice is there are many products at this store that are made locally and are otherwise hard to find. And what gal doesn’t love testing hand creams and smelling the shampoo bottles?

Also, across from the register is a prepackaged cooler that has some dangerously good “health food”. The Totally Vegan products are really good, especially the seitan barbecue and the “corned beef” sandwiches - almost identical to the real deal! Pick some of this stuff up and bring it back to the office for even more experimenting! It’s little wonder why all the hipster bike messengers congest this section! Just remember when you leave to grab a store flyer for your next visit, because you’ll definitely be coming back!

Leave the cold Chicago winter behind and take your friends to Demera for excellent Ethiopian food and drinks! This Uptown restaurant is on the corner of Broadway and Lawrence, right by the Lawrence Red Line stop and the Aragon Theater, Riviera and Green Mill.

Demera is warm, from the spiciness of the berbere sauce to the paintings of Ethiopian temples and musicians on the walls and ceiling. The sunny colors of the curtains and African tablecloths and the actual warm temperature of the spacious dining rooms melts away the cold outside. Ethiopian music plays softly in the background. Service is fast and friendly and drinks are available from the full bar at the back of the restaurant .

Ethiopian cuisine lends itself to eating with a group of friends because all meals arrive on 20 inch pieces of spongy injera bread. The manner of eating is to tear off pieces of injera bread with your right hand and use the bread, rather than utensils, to eat the meat and vegetables. It’s easy to share meals or get a combo plate of four different dishes on one piece of injera. Combo meals are $14.50 -$15.50 and large enough for two or more to share, including a small house salad with lettuce, onions and bell peppers.

Demera offers a variety of vegetable, chicken, lamb and seafood dishes and a buffet lunch from noon to 4pm on Monday - Friday. About a third of the menu is vegetarian with dishes like gomen (collard greens), garbanzo beans and lentils. Coffee is presented with incense and Ethiopian honey wine ($5) nicely compliments the spicy items. I enjoyed the shiro, ($14) mixed beans with rue seed, bishop’s weed and spicy berbere sauce. The traditional, tasty doro wat ($12) features chicken drumsticks and a hard-boiled egg in berbere sauce with a side of mild homemade cottage cheese. The menu helpfully labels dishes as spicy or mild and by spicy, it means “four stars.” A nice milder meat dish is the yebug alicha ($11.50), lamb with garlic, ginger and turmeric. If you have any room for dessert after the generous portions of lunch or dinner, you can order the Missionary’s Delight - ice cream with chocolate sauce or mango juice for $2.50.

Whether Ethiopian cuisine is new to you or you are already hooked on injera bread (as I admit I am) you will enjoy the food and drinks at Demera. As the menu explains, the name demera comes from a bundle of twigs that are lit on fire on the Ethiopian September holiday of Meskal celebrating the finding of the true Cross. Meskal has been celebrated in Ethiopia for 1600 years. The delicious menu and bar here give you and your friends reason to celebrate.