Chicagoland Beer Bars

Anthony's Cafe

Established 1997.
Non-smoking.
South on Kennedy Ave at exit 3 of I-80/I-94. Go east on Highway Ave in downtown
Highland's main street. Anthony's is on
the south side of the street near the
intersection with 5th St.Hours (7 days a week):
Lunch: 11am - 3pm
Tapas: 3 - 5pm
Dinner: 5 - 10pm
Tapas: 10pm - midnight Friday and Saturday.

A near-gourmet Italian restaurant that has added a good beer selection to their wine list. Anthony's Cafe has about 100 bottles and four taps - 2 of which are always from Three Floyds, 1 is usually Upland Wheat, and 1 from a German brewery.

Seats almost 70 inside and more outside on nice days. Cuisine is "60% Italian and 40% creative".Beer menu includes about 60 bottles but no taps yet. The small bar area is friendly and a good place to get and after-work beer or hide out during the afternoon. Late evenings will find some welcoming regulars.

Back to the food for a second. They change their specials monthly (dinners are typically priced from $16 to $26). Deserts ($4 - $6) are also a specialty. Lunchtime salads and pasta dishes are in the $6 range and Panini sandwiches are around $8.

You'll find impeccable service in newly remodeled surroundings and slices of bread and balsamic dip with your menu.

Bone Dry

On Business US 6 a mile east of US 41.Owner: Joan AustgenA small dive that might not walk into voluntarily. Motorcycle parking out front. "No colors" sign on door. Once inside it's exactly as you'd expect except for 3 Three Floyds and a Bells tap ($3.50 pints). Also a decent selection of bottled micros/imports including 4 Bells and others like SN Pale and Anchor Christmas Ale
Thursday: Micro bottles $1 off.
Friday: Import bottles $1 off.
Saturday: Three Floyds pints $2.50.Pool table in back. Fight and Grateful Dead posters side by side. Wonderful stools at the bar. Occasional live acoustic music.It's really a welcoming local populated by regulars. We're happy to be able to include a "bar bar". Somewhere where you want to go when you don't want to be anywhere - as Jim Atkinson said in his book "A View from Nowhere".

Charlie's Ale House

About 1.5 miles south of I-80/I-94 on the west side of US 41.Sun - Thur: 11am - 11pm. Kitchen closes at 10pm.
Fri - Sat: 11am - midnight. Kitchen closes at 11pm.

A big, new chain from Chicago opened an Indiana location in April, 2004. It's a fairly cozy place considering the dozens of TVs. Nostalgic bathing beauty posters and photos adorn the walls. The hook-shaped bar makes a night with the guys comfortable.Food is the main driving force but they have 25 taps and 45 bottled beers. You'll find Back Road, Three Floyds, and Bells along with the usual Bass, Goose Island, Paulaner, and Sam Adams. The bottled selection ranges wider with Dogfish Head, Chimay, and Val-Dieu among the offerings.At $4.50 and up for 20oz pints, the beer prices are a bit high but there are some you won't find nearby. The bartender is busy but friendly and quite knowledgeable. The menu has Italian flatbreads, comfort food, Ribs, and a wide range of sandwiches. Meetings/banquets are a specialty and the chef at this location is really quite artful. Our grilled tuna sandwich had a hard boiled egg as garnish. All deserts are homemade with a changing cheescake.

On weekends the Bloody Mary mixer is on hand to offer 100 varieties of tomato and white liquors. There's also a brunch menu.

Finnegan's Wake

In Sand Ridge Plaza. 3 miles east of Illinois on US 30.
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A small selection in an exceptional friendly neighborhood local. You'll find Three Floyds and Goose Island beers along with Guinness, a house favorite.Monday: Import draft $3.25
Friday: Import bottles 5 for $12.
They have Cruise Nights every Saturday 6pm+ from May until late fall where 100+ hot rods fill the parking lot. A prime visiting time.

Tuesday and Friday Karaoke
Wednesday open mic.
Saturdays live band

Stews, burgers, and sandwiches: $4 - $7.