The Old Town Ale House

The Old Town Ale House has been pouring drinks in Old Town since 1958, when E.J. Vangelder opened the bar with San Francisco’s North Beach saloons in mind. A 1971 fire pushed the bar across North Avenue to 219 W North Ave., where it has stayed. Chicago artist Bruce Elliott’s portraits of regulars and public figures fill the walls, and the room has long drawn performers from Second City. The bar is cash only, keeps an ATM on site and holds late hours.

What to know

• Cash only; an ATM is on site.
• Located at North Avenue and Wieland, near Second City.
• The Sedgwick stop on the Brown and Purple lines is a short walk.
• The #72 North Avenue bus runs past the door.