My trip to BeerPlushEnd

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I love to explore new neighborhoods. As a new Chicagoan, I heard much about the bars along Madison in the West Loop (mapped above). What started out as a bar hopping night for me, K, and one of her gallery friends became a massive hangover the following day.

We started off in Beer Bistro. With its wide selection of beers, the only problem you'll have is deciding what to try. The space is more cozy and inviting than large. This is a great place to start the night.

We then crossed the street to check out Plush. Talk about major transition. We had walked into a club/lounge. From comfortable to club, I was suddenly barraged with an ocean of button down shirts and more form fitting clothes. As a bonus, the place was accented by occasional scents of fish. Yes, fish. Playing top 40 hip hop and dance, the DJ wasn't half bad. The flatscreen TVs screened music videos that were synchronized with the music. Technology is a marvel.

From there, we decided to make our way to Westend. By this point, we had a total of maybe two or three drinks. The place has a flat screen TV in every conceivable nook-and-cranny. But that's not what made the place so fun, it's the awesome barstaff. It was because of them that we tripled the drink count. Whether it was irish car bombs, single malt scotch, or a lot of beer. We lost track of time. After a drunk dial back to my friends back in DC who, incidentally, drunk dialed me, the lights were on and we stumbled home.

Beer Bistro
1061 W. Madison

Plush
1104 W. Madison Avenue

Westend
1326 W. Madison St.