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Find Yourself At Map Room

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Feb 7, 2006 11:08PM

2006_02_maproom.gifWhen hump day seems a distant future and the previous weekend’s buzz has faded, that means it’s Tuesday – perhaps the dullest day of the week. However, this low-key night is perfect for grabbing a few casual drinks. But what to have? Wine? Sangria? Martinis? When in doubt, beer is the time-honored choice and no place does beer like the Map Room.

Located at 1949 N. Hoyne (at Armitage) in Bucktown, the Map Room boasts more than 200 types of beer with 26 on tap, including menu staples and rotating specials. Inside the Map Room, you’ll find dark woods, maps decorating the walls and wooden bookcases shelving travel books and atlases. The February beer of the month is The Poet, a rich stout from Michigan-based New Holland Brewing Co. Other Map Room offerings include brews from Allagash, Bear Republic, Dogfish Head, Stiegl, Unibroue and Victory Brewing. Order a Miller Light here and the bartender will likely dropkick you out the door.

Because the beer selection is top-notch, many bartenders turn their noses down on non-beer orders. Try asking for a vodka cranberry, and you’ll get a look like you’ve asked for a glass of backwash. Request a Diet Coke, and it will likely be served in a pint glass, warm, with no ice. Yeah. On a given Friday or Saturday night, the Map Room will have a healthy crowd and even a short line. The bouncers here keep it roomy enough inside to comfortably move around, unlike certain Lincoln Park spots that foster a pack-em-to-the-brim philosophy.

Tuesday night is International Night, featuring buffet items from various countries. Ordering two drinks gets you access to the feast. Chicagoist will be stopping by this evening for Greek night, catered by Greek Islands. The south Halsted eatery serves traditional and family-style entrees, and we’re hoping to help ourselves to some saganaki, dolmades and mousaka. International Night is so popular an event. Although it starts at 7, show up no later than 6:30 to be guaranteed a table. Next week is Philippines night.

Rather than celebrate Valentine’s Day the traditional way, Chicagoist will be at the Map Room showing our affection for our lifelong partners: food and beer. Now that’s love.

A hearty Chicagoist "muchas gracias/shukran" to Hanna Aronovich.