Chicago Feature

The Matchbox. The Matchbox, in West Town near Wicker Park, isn't much bigger than a you-know-what, but the hodgepodge of regulars don't seem to mind. In fact, many claim it's the dark, cramped quarters (we're talking 3 feet wide at its narrowest) that keep them coming back. The crowd spills outside in summer, when wrought-iron tables dot the sidewalk. 770 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wicker Park, Chicago, IL, 60622. 312/666-9292.

Old Town Ale House. Old Town Ale House, just a stone's throw from Second City, has attracted a diverse cast of characters since it opened in 1958, including comedy legends John Belushi and Bill Murray. With eclectic artwork, a mural of bar denizens painted in the '70s, and a lending library on-site, it's a dingy neighborhood bar unlike any other in the city—perhaps the country. 219 W. North Ave., Near North, Chicago, IL, 60657. 312/944-7020.

Rainbo Club. Rainbo Club is the unofficial meeting place for Chicago hipsters and indie rockers. Apart from the working photo booth wedged into a corner, the stripped-down hangout is pretty barren, but drinks are dirt cheap and the bartenders are upbeat—and willing—conversationalists. 1150 N. Damen Ave., Wicker Park, Chicago, IL, 60622. 773/489-5999.