While Hopleaf isn't new to the Chicago bar scene, it is certainly notable. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, the trek north along Clark Street is well worth your time. This Andersonville address is marked on the maps of microbrew lovers from around the world. Locals love it, too. Hopleaf won the distinction of Best Beer Bar in the 2012 Chicago Magazine Readers' Choice Awards.
Taps at Hopleaf — Photo courtesy of Bernt Rostad
What You'll Drink
Hopleaf is best know for its wide selection of Belgian and Belgian-style beers, but the draft list includes an equally impressive assortment of American microbreweries. Typically, you can choose from more than 40 drafts. In the unlikely event that you can't find a flavor that suits your liking, do not fear. The mile-long bottle list includes more than 250 beers from the US and Europe.
Front of Hopleaf — Photo courtesy of Bernt Rostad
What You'll Eat
You can do more than drink at this Chicago bar, and most guests who decide to sit down for dinner go for the mussels, which are either cooked in Belgian-style beer or white wine. The menu offers plenty of options in addition to the seafood specialty. From a duck reuben sandwich to fried rabbit legs, Hopleaf diners can dig into some gourmet flavor pairings. The bar recently started serving lunch, too, so you can start drinking earlier.