Sunday 21st of December 2014 03:57:24 PM

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The Map Room is both a coffeehouse and a craft beer bar, occupying a two-story brown brick building. There are signs hanging overhead along the sidewalk, and there are some neon lit signs in the windows. Located in a mostly residential area, there are plenty of pedestrians and cyclists roaming the streets. There are a few places to eat and drink nearby, and parking is free along the street. Enter at the street corner, and on the right is their 15-chair wooden bar. The bar is well stocked with liquor and there is a beer bottle collection overhead. The serving tap handles are nondescript black, but the colorful collection of tap handles overhead. The decor is geography themed with flags and books, and the walls are decorated with maps. The floor is wooden and the ceiling is black tiled, creating a historic feel. Jazzy background music is playing and there are many muted televisions for sports. They have 26 beers on tap, which are all well chosen crafts. Unfortunately they do not serve sampler flights. They also have about 135 varieties in bottles, a sampling of the worlds most popular craft beer. Their focus is exclusively on drinks, and they do not have a kitchen, but you are welcome to order in food from one of the nearby restaurants. The service is adequate and efficient. The place has a relaxed friendly atmosphere, enjoyable for drinks and conversation.

Friday 4th of June 2010 09:30:53 PM

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Midwest and Chicago beer nerds, this is your mecca.

Quality and service here are unparallelled in Chicago. The friendly staff is very helpful in navigating the potentially mind-bending selection, and catering to your tastes. Samples are often given, along with advice and good conversation if it's slow. They do their best to accommodate, even on weekends when a packed house is guaranteed. Free interweb, and 4 times a week (mon-tue, sat-sun afternoon), even free food.

The bar itself is long, and the space is fairly narrow, but opens up toward the back. Nice topographic map fresco on the back walls, dotted with assorted tin signs, mirrors, and Belgian breweriana. The Map Room hosts many great events, international night on tuesdays being my regular favorite. This is the place I was finally able to taste Dark Lord, and dozens of other rarities I may never see again.

Yes, they do get crowded on weekends and certain weeknights, but the popularity is certainly deserved. There's a tendency to crank up the music after 8pm, so be prepared to kick out the jams in the evening. Smoke-free as of 2008.

2010: Always solid and dependable, after dozens of visits. Unparalleled in many ways. Please don't review or discount this place after a random visit on a Friday/Saturday night (the worst time to go, crowd wise) or after a random encounter with Woody, lol. The people here really go above and beyond to elevate the beer experience.

You can't ask for a better bar...

Wednesday 16th of December 2009 06:40:31 PM

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If you're really into beer, this is one of Chicago's best beer bars, if not THE best.
It's a dive of a place, but who cares as the selection is always excellent, and rotated constantly. The people are usually friendly, I travel here from out of town on business and have always had a good time coming here, even alone. The bartenders (Brandon & Co.) are attentive, friendly and good people.
Don't go if your hungry, lierally no food other than pretzel stix. But a great beer selection, often served in the appropriate glassware.

Tuesday 14th of July 2009 03:15:14 AM

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The Map Room has many good brews, and the waitstaff is devoted.
Unfortunately, ownership of the venue leaves something to be desired. I had been a regular at this venue since *January 1996*, but a co-owner decided I should not be soliciting for people to attend my weekly presentations at another bar. Even though it had copies of the _The Onion_, which mentioned *many* other bars, and of which the language|verbiage was much more coarse than mine.
I won't be spending my money, or my time, at this venue any time soon. I encourage you to visit Floyd's Pub, Green Eye, or the Lucky Number, all of which are in the neighborhood (and closer to the Blue Line "L") instead of here.

Wednesday 24th of June 2009 09:52:48 PM

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Map Room is one place I always recommend to beer drinking friends coming to Chicago. One would expect a great multi-tap bar to have a beer geek atmosphere but this place feels like a neighborhood bar kind of like the ones I visited with my dad and grandfather in my youth.

The beer selection - both draft and bottled - always offers something enjoyable to drink. The 24 taps offer a few regulars plus an ever-rotating lineup of beers from across the US and abroad (mainly the UK, Belgium, & Germany). The bottle list is extensive. A beer of the month special rotates and the cask beer, when available, is in great condition. Prices have risen in the last couple of years but are still reasonable.

The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Service is stellar even when they get busy.

The place can get crowded on busy nights. This can be a bit annoying when trying to get to the bar or the restrooms; or if you have to wait outside.

There is no kitchen so food beyond pretzel sticks, nuts, or chips is only available at certain times such as International Night (Tuesdays) or BBQ on weekends. The staff has a huge binder behind the bar with local restaurant menus though. Or, just wait and one of Chicago's "tamale guys" will show up with a cooler.

Wifi, while still free, is password protected. Ask the bartender for the current password.

Monday 8th of June 2009 04:03:55 PM

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i went to this place on new year's eve (07?) with a friend from bucktown. he raved about the place but i was fairly skeptical. on the outside it looks like your average neighborhood corner bar. nothing pretentious here. i walked in an was shocked by the selection in this smaller sized bar. they had loads of beers i had never tried and the server was very helpful with some suggestions. this is the place where i discovered that i really love ipas. in you're on the north side check it out for sure

Wednesday 29th of August 2007 11:21:08 AM

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This person needs 3 or more reviews on the site for their scores to start counting.

great beer, obviously an european brew focus. They keep the jackasses off the street on their toes by selling the macrobrews for higher. The bartenders know their stuff and the list always has a few winners. the only complaint I have is the amount of smoke in the room, but that will be over soon (sorry I know everyone smokes so don't booo me).
The draft handles are hidden underneath the front bar which is ingenious but means when I'm buzzed I have to read the menu, and I hate to read!

Monday 27th of August 2007 11:48:12 AM

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As everyone before me has mentioned, the beer selection here is first rate. Plenty of variety and rotation in the selection provides something new or different on each visit. Also, the staff is usually pretty friendly and helpful explaining different beers. The part I dislike the most about the Map Room is that on certain nights it becomes as packed as most Wrigleyville bars. On a couple of occasions, I had to wait outside for someone to leave because they were at capacity. However, if the crowds are light, the laid back atmosphere can be great for enjoying multiple pints.

Friday 13th of July 2007 10:35:44 AM

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If you only hit one bar in Chicago make it The Map Room. If only one keg of a beer is released into this market, you will find it here. The tap and bottle list never ceases to amaze. The bartenders are friendly and very knowledgeable.

On Monday nights Belgians are $1 off and a fine selection of meats and cheeses are available for free. Tuesdays are International Nights with free food from a neighborhood restaurant with the purchase of 2 beverages. Every Saturday and Sunday brings ribs, sausages, fried chicken and sides from Leon's on Ashland.

This place cannot be beat!

Sunday 24th of June 2007 07:52:50 AM

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The Map Room is a place in Chicago that I thoroughly enjoy every time I'm there. My only gripe about the place is that with such an extensive list of beers to choose from it often takes me 10 minutes to decide what to begin with.
My favorite time to arrive is early on a Saturday or Sunday, noonish. This time of day you will normally find one or two patrons, a bartender and the ever-present Woody.
Service is always quick, the staff are genuine beer lovers in their own right and have a vast knowledge of their wares.
The bar is heavy old wood and runs down the right side as you enter. Tables are set up all throughout the space. Two sides of the building are lined with large windows that you will often find open to allow the breeze in.
National Geographic magazines, navigational chart, maps, and beer signs dominate the interior decor.

This is one of best beerbars in the U.S.of A.and the place not to miss while in Chicago.

Friday 25th of May 2007 12:24:51 PM

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Ah, the Map Room. Its name is ubiquitous in any discussion of beer in Chicago. When I learned I was making a trip to Chicago, the Map Room was my first thought.

Parking was plentiful on the surrounding streets. From the outside, it’s an unpretentious looking corner bar. It’s not until you enter and look at the beer offerings that you realize the depth of quality beer to be had. A jaw-dropping list was on the chalkboards.

Seating- there is the bar, several tables around the bar and a few away in the back. There’s also a pool table. There are cool 3D world maps on the walls.

The only negative is the smoking. Thankfully, we had a table in the rear, surrounded by windows. The smoke was only a little annoying.

All in all, the place is a winner. On my next trip to Chicago, I’ll make a beeline for the Map Room.

Tuesday 1st of May 2007 12:08:35 AM

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It's comfy. It's one of the places in the city where I see people working or studying or bellying up for a pint on hot/cold/rainy/snowy/sunny days. And it's never boring.

The taplist in this place doesn't disappoint, if it does for some reason, there's the bottle list, tho I only go to it when guests are in town. I go to the maproom every month if I can manage it, as I am a suburban boy... tho the cityfolk always welcome me with open arms if they twist mine to come hang out at maproom.... cause it's SUCH a chore... (sigh) So basically every time I go... it's new. The turnaround is sick and the specialties are plenty. Always a treat most days if not an adventure....

Atmosphere is british (so think ox blood colored bar and tables and a big kickass map mural on the back wall and various other map stuff with a bunch of reading material close at hand for the single beer drinker on the prowl) and again comfy... all the wood has withstood all the beers that have come before yours... the bar is long but sturdy, it will withstand your belly. Can be smoky, but that's just a fact of a non smoke free chicago. To avoid this, earlier the betterer...

Service, to me, is always awesome, it's usually as prompt as it can be pending on the night... as you aren't the only person in the room and it ain't no hooters so don't spect waitresses to be at your beconcall. Respect the bartenders with your tips and they will respect you with good service (why cant everyone be like that, respecting beer and people? hmmm...)
there are no waitresses/barmaids btw...

There's no food, but there's delivery... (if you're from out of town and you need to know about the food around the maproom, start a thread) if you know a place in chicago that delivers near the maproom, order and have it sent there.... Pequods pizza (get the deepdish sausage) is my recommendation. I think they might have takeout menus behind the counter but I haven't asked in a while... and bbq on the weekends and the international nights that they do.... and cheese n sausage mondays and... all the other things that maproom does. (but those are mostly free)

my other thoughts about the maproom.

there are eclectic people all over that room, and they like good beer, so conversations with people to the left and right of you are easily started or sometimes not.... but it's worth trying... on the weekends there is bbq, but the person who maintains it is a character, if you are easily offended, you shouldn't be in chicago. The beer school that they have can be challenging to walk away from.... use public transpo when hitting the maproom... the north ave bus is handy getting down to goose after you walk the 6 or so blocks south to north ave. Don't expect bad coffee... they serve intelligensia... and it's wickedly good for coffee lovers. Know that the pool table is free, just use the chalkboard to get your place if you want a game... Fridays and saturdays are busy everywhere... as is true for the maproom, poach for a table if you can. Free internet at the maproom, can't beat that....

don't be lost.

Thursday 15th of March 2007 01:08:56 PM

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[review date 11-01-2006]

My first visit after much post-reading was last Thursday to meet my hometown brother BA member nlmartin and his lovely wife. Hugbee and Braconid were among the local BMP members in attendance as well.

I knew I was in heaven (after a 2 hour drive to get there) when after my first beer (Hop-it), I returned to the bar, reached into my pocket, and realized that I had received change for a $10, not the $20 I paid with for my first beer. Having spent a good 10 minutes with my "hello's" and "nice to meet you in person(s)", I asked "Is it too late to tell you I got change for a ten, not a twenty?" fully expecting and willing to accept a "yes it is" response. Without a second's hesitation, the bartender handed me a ten with his apologies. Oh yeah....I was in the right place.

The beer quality was exceptional, offering me options I have never seen or sampled before. The glassware was perfect, the service (see above) outstanding, and the selection PHENOMENAL.

If you are in Chicago for any reason, get thee to this place. I will whenever possible.

Monday 12th of March 2007 05:00:55 PM

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This person needs 3 or more reviews on the site for their scores to start counting.

The Map Room MAY be the best bar in Chicago. I'll know for sure after I've visited them all. It's on my shortlist of the BEST bars that I have ever visited.

There are usually somewhere between one and six beers that I have never ever seen or tasted on tap before. And, they have a great selection of bottles as well.

There is NO food available.. Unless bring your own.. OR you happen to stop by on a Monday or Tuesday night or some Weekends at lunch. They do have a free buffet as long as you are drinking. Monday is Belgian special night with $1 off all Belgians and free meat and cheeses. Tuesday is their International Night where they feature a different internationally themed restaurant each week. Saturday and Sunday they may have ribs, sausage or fried chicken, provided by a local BBQ joint. This event not currently listed on their website. But, I've hit it every time I've stopped by on a Sunday.
Check out their site..
http://www.maproom.com/index.html

Service is great at The Map Room. They have one handpumped beer available at all times.

There is usually adequate street parking within a couple of blocks. If you aren't driving, the el (Western or Damen stop) is a little more than a third of a mile walk.

Free wifi! Also, there is a computer built into a table in the back for browsing while drinking.

My only bad mark for the MR is for the smoking. When it's busy, it does get a very bad from time to time, so it is best to get here early to beat the crowds and the smoke.

Wednesday 7th of March 2007 08:51:20 AM

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I love the Map Room. It is easily the single best bar in Chicago. It's also easily in the shortlist of the best beercentric bars that I have ever visited. Map Room is nothing short of awesome.

Map Room's draft selection is the best in the city (others may prefer Hop Leaf's). Fairly consistently I can find 3 or 4 beers on tap that I have never had before.

They do not serve food at the Map Room. BUT, if you stop by there on a Tuesday night or a Weekend at lunch, you will find that they do have a free buffet as long as you are drinking. Tuesday is their International Night where they feature a different internationally themed restaurant each week. Saturday and Sunday they end up having catered lunch provided by Leon's. Who says you can't get free lunch?

Service is great at The Map Room. They have one handpumped beer available at all times. There is usually adequate street parking within a couple of blocks. If you aren't driving, the el (Western or Damen stop) is a little more than a third of a mile walk. This place does get a little smoky from time to time, so it is best to get here early to beat the smoke. And free wifi! Also, there is an older apple computer built into a table in the back for browsing while drinking.

If you're in the area, you better stop at Map Room.