Blue Line Lounge

a bar

Chicago, IL

http://www.bluelineloungeandgrill.com/

Made to look like an old train car, this bar/grill  has a modern vibe with a 1950's twist.  The dimly lit bar is a fantastic place to do one of two things;  you can sit down have a quick bite and enjoy a few drinks in a booth or you can opt to sit at the bar and enjoy an array of adult beverages.  The Blue Line Lounge  is a great bar to go to if you're looking for a place to sit and enjoy conversation.  It's a perfect place for first dates and get togethers.  Oh yea I almost forgot, it's located next to the Damen Blue Line stop.

a beer

The drinks aren't cheap but they're not expensive.  Just about every night of the week they have a special on drinks and they are actually pretty decent.  Maybe you'll get lucky like I did and get a free cranberry vodka (compliments of Ocean Spray).  Allow me to take this opportunity to thank that wonderful juice brand for promoting their vodka friendly juice.  I'll admit, I won't be buying Ocean Spray anytime soon but thanks for the drink.  It's the thought that counts.

a bathroom

That 312 and vodka cranberry hit the spot. Now it's time for a bathroom break. Alright here is my problem  right out of the gate.  It smells like urine up in this bathroom. Im not saying this is an every night occurrence i'm just saying it smells like pee.  I know. I get it. It's a public bathroom. But c'mon.  Complaint numero dos.  Everything in this bathroom looks wet. Don't get me wrong this bathroom for the most part is nice and clean but calm down with the water people.  Wash your hands, dry them off and walk out.  This is not the time nor the place to splash water all over everything.   Also, this is a bathroom you're going to want to use your shirt sleeves and elbows instead of your hands.

The Flat Iron

a bar

Chicago, IL

http://theflatironchicago.com/

If you like metal and punk music then run over to The Flat Iron.  This 4am bar is a haven for punk and metal heads.  The social environment is comparable to the "Emporium" from the movie Dazed and Confused, it is just a place to go to drink beer, play pool, pin-ball and throw up.  This is the kind of bar you would stop at to end the night. It usually gets poppin once the surrounding bars have shut their doors for the evening.  There isn't much to say about The Flat Iron other than it is a good place to chill and drink a beer.  The cool things:  cigarette machine, pin-ball game, pool tables, lots or room and the walls are painted with insane illustrations.  The end.
p.s. This bar has converted to cash only.

a beer
The drinks at Flat Iron aren't pricey at all.  $5 will get you a shot of well whisky and a PBR.

a bathroom

As a person who frequents this bar, I can honestly say I've seen this bathroom at the best and worst of times.  This bathroom was built to be used, and when I say used I really mean it.  This bar bath comes with not three, but four urinals (pretty intense I know).  It smells kinda odd in there but what bathroom doesn't give off a little funk.  For the size of the bathroom I'm surprised they didn't have more than one sink.  If I were you I wouldn't go around shaking every hand you come into contact with.  

Cobra Lounge

a bar
Chicago, IL

http://www.cobralounge.com/cobra_main.html

It's Thursday night and you're looking for a place to have a good time.  Look no further because I have  found the bar of bars.  On Thursdays this metal bar spins some of the top hits from the oldies era and it gets comfortably crowded.  When you walk in the front door you have to stop for a second because you might think you're in the movie Cry Baby.  I am more than okay with that. I guess you're going to have to decide if the Cobra Lounge is the place for you.

a beer

$3 old style tall boys? HELL YES!  It's cheap. It's good. It's better than PBR. Also, you may have noticed that there isn't an actual picture of the beer I was drinking.  I took advantage of the oldies and the $3 old style special. I got a little lost in the night. It was only a matter of time.

a bathroom

Close the door and lock it because you can have this bathroom all to yourself.  This personal bathroom wasn't that bad.  The genius behind this bathroom would have to be the black toilet and the black sink.  Although it is probably disgusting the color black does't show what the color white shows and for that I applaud this bathroom.  The wait for the bathroom took a little long. I immediately understood why it took so long when four gentlemen came out with glossy eyes and itchy noses.  I think they might use powdered soap because there was some white powder left on the sink.  Good job Cobra Lounge. Well done.   

The Alley Bar

a bar
Bloomington, IN

Ever want to attend Moe's Tavern in real life?
Well, Bloomington's Alley Bar is the closest I've ever come to it. Located inside a hole in the wall between a botique and The Irish Lion, the bar feels like an oasis when compared to the slew of generic college oriented bars in town. Alley Bar literally has all the makings of a classic saloon; single bar, peanuts, pickled eggs, and a fully loaded jukebox. The one bad thing about it is the size. If you're trying to go out with a large group of people you may want to save Alley Bar for last to insure that you will have seating. But don't let that discourage you, Alley Bar is one of the few original and uncompromising late night spots you can find in town.

a beer

If I'm remembering correctly, Stella was on special that night, but usually I would quench my thirst with an eight dollar pitcher of Budlight or PBR. Eight dollars may seem pretty steep for low brow beer in Bloomington, but the Alley Bar doesn't skimp with those puny sized pithers offered at a certain frat associated bar on Kirkwood. Believe me, you get your moneys worth.

a bathroom

As you can see the bar's bathroom is pretty run of the mill and the least impressive thing about it. The one redeeming quality it does have is the random, slightly interesting memorabilia nailed to the walls (not pictured, sorry). There is also a shortage of paper towel pretty frequently, so be aware.

Crocodile

a bar
Chicago, IL
http://www.crocodilechicago.com/

A great man once said, "I dont see nothing wrong with a little bump and grind baby" and I couldn't agree more.  Crocodile is a bar where the lovers of hip hop and rap can come together and break it down like a middle school dance.  The main floor seems to be laid out for people who mostly want to sit down and enjoy a few drinks.  If you're wanting to do just that on a weekend night you won't get to.  If you stick your elbows out you're going to hit someone.  Now, the downstairs is a different story.  Take off your coat because it is time to get a little wild.  If you're not feeling the heat get off the dance floor; there are benches along the two walls and a bar for drinks.

a beer

 If you're looking to stay cheap and save some extra cash this probably wont be the place for you.  Don't be scared away just yet.  If you spend over six dollars you get a free (yes I said free) personal pizza. This PBR tall boy was $4. (the cheapest drink) 

a bathroom
If you like the color green and the smell of urinal mints this would be your kind of bathroom. If you don't like the color green you should probably hold it until you get home.  Color is such a petty thing, so lets talk about the important details of this bathroom.  Is that water on the floor? I sure hope so.  This is your chance to be nostalgic and play hot lava. Get excited, because you will be tip toeing your way around phantom liquids from toilet to sink.  Want to wash your hands? Sure, go ahead. Want to dry your hands? Nope, sorry you can't.  It's first come first serve at crocodile when it comes to bathroom paper towels.