Neighborhood
Brews and Board Games
June 30, 2009

by Sebastian Frohm

A typical Wrigleyville bar can be pretty overstimulating--throngs of people, collared shirts, and girls dressed like their going to prom. I don't know about you but waiting in line for 20 minutes for a beer is not my idea of a good time. My buzz wears off too fast and bars aren't too thrilled to see you double fisting it.

For a guy like me--someone who's been wearing heavy metal band t-shirts, jeans from junior year of high school, and gym shoes that might fall apart at the next gentle breeze--a place like John Barleycorn's or, uh-oh, Rockit can be overstimulating and, can I say, terrifying? This is where a place like Guthrie's comes into play.

Guthrie's Tavern is spitting distance from Clark, right down Addison, on the corner of Addison and Southport. It's got a laid back atmosphere; a terrific beer selection; and, most importantly, tables where you can sit, converse, and drink with your friends, in near-peace and harmony. The cool thing about Guthrie's is that, it's not so much a bar, as much as it is a cafe. A beer cafe.

As soon as you walk into Guthrie's, you can tell it's not like every other bar in Wrigleyville. It's quaint, cozily lit, doesn't reek of cologne/perfume, and people are chatting at a normal volume--instead of yelling on the top of their lungs over the latest Kanye track. Yes, there is music playing, decently loud, but nothing to inhibit you from hearing your friend across the table.

If you are not one of the lucky, and early, ones to get a table, don't stress. They have a large enough bar to seat many. If you are standing, take a look at their beer menu. It will keep you preoccupied for at least for 15 minutes.

The beer menu at Guthrie's is terrific. It has the best of both worlds: cheap beer, for nights where the economy has had its way with your wallet...over and over again... and nice, imported beer, for nights where your taste buds mean more than your quickly evaporating bank account. Their selection ranges from Belgian wheats to Japanese rice beers. They also have Pabst Blue Ribbon and Guiness. You know, bar standards.

When you do manage to get a table, there are several waitresses to deliver Chimay's and Boddington's directly to your table. Just don't forget to tip the waitresses. They are making your life easier.

Now, for the piece de resistance. Board games. Yes, they have board games. And I don't mean like one or two board games from 1954. I'm talking about relatively new ones that come in all shapes and colors, from Risk to Monopoly. After all, nothing says, 'party till you puke' like board games. It's a nice way to keep the conversation going (or to a minimum, if that's what your looking for). 

Once you've had your fill, and the Belgians have settled, GO! There's probably 20 people waiting to snatch your seat. If you're not full enough after the awesome-ness of Guthrie's (or just want to get silly), go to the "normal" Wrigleyville bars. They are just as good as Guthries. It's true.

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