Wednesday 28th of January 2009 12:00:16 PM

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Talk about a diamond in the rough...

Walked in, sat at the bar. Very cozy atmosphere, more of a neighborhood place that's very inviting. Although unique in several aspects, having many board games available is their claim to fame. Guthrie's had a wooden bar with a rail, a friendly house cat, and free pretzels & mustard. Several lamps throughout the place that cast a pleasant dim light, (no tv's) while NPR and mellow Billie Holiday tunes played (during the daytime). Even without the attraction of the games, BA's have good reason to check it out.

A small yet solid tap selection, with Ayinger, BBK, Arcadia Hopmouth, SNPA, 2 Bros. Cane & Abel, Chambly Noire, and a couple others. Bottle list was small but well rounded with a few trappists, Chimay White, Westmalle, and Konigshoeven. A couple Bells, FFF Gumballhead, GLBC Ed Fitzgerald, and several other solid midwest craft beers. Traquair Jacobite, a few Sam Smith, Duvel, and a handful of others comprised the import selection. Food is limited to basic pizzas, mozzarella sticks, and buffalo wings, but they have plenty of takeout menus behind the bar. The tamale man made an appearance on saturday night...bonus!

There was a corner entrance, and the bar was to the left with table seating all around, and even more intimate seating towards the back, even a backyard patio in the warmer months. Eclectic and artsy decor, nautical themed art in the front, some Wolski's stickers behind the bar. Hand painted ceiling tiles that have to be seen to be believed...to me, the atmosphere for this corner bar is hard to beat in Chicago. After visiting on a weekend, it tends to get crowded, but not rowdy. Seems to attract groups for the board games.

Overall a cool local joint that seemed to rise above the general lameness of the surrounding area.