Bar #28: The Brewery

3848 N. Harlem Ave.

11:00pm, Thursday, August 4

Price of Old Style: $2.75 bottles

We were a little worried when we got to The Brewery...the front door was locked and we piggy-backed in after a guy who had to press a buzzer to be let in. Was this an exclusive place? Buzzing to get in? But, after all, it was pretty late, and I'm sure they had a good reason to double check who comes into their bar.

Once we got in, the first thing that caught my eye were the Lotto machines - scratch offs! You could also buy regular Lotto tickets as well...we went to the machine, got $5 worth and sat down. That was the next great thing about this bar...the most comfortable damn bar stools I have ever sat in...the bartender later told us that the chairs were referred to as the "Black Hole" because you just get lost in them and never get up. I believe it!

We were unlucky with our scratch offs, except for my brother, who kept on winning a free ticket off his $1's, and kept redeeming them for his buck until he finally won nothing. Oh well, I guess The Project wasn't getting fully funded this night.

Our Lotto purchases did get us to talking with the bartender, Joanie. She was excited about The Project, and also told us she has been bartending at The Brewery for 22 years, but has been hanging around the bar since she was a little kid because her dad was a bartender there as well. Her story reminded me of one of my favorite books, The Tender Bar...

Joanie graciously showed us the back room, which is available for parties, and the beer garden, which is one of the nicest in the city. It's a HUGE beer garden, and Joanie planted all of the plants & flowers out there. It feels like someone's backyard...such a great place. The Brewery, in general, was a great place. We were there at 11:30 on a Thursday, but it felt comfortable, like a place that we could hang out at anytime and enjoy a beer and good company.

I would compare The Brewery to one of our other favorite Old Style bars, The Levee. Very gracious bartenders, cool bar stools, a good amount of space, but still cozy and just a great neighborhood bar.