First Draft

At this point, even opening a Starbucks with less than 18-20 draft handles seems almost unthinkable on the North Side, but when this spot quietly opened with 50+ beers on tap in June 2014, it immediately added some much needed beer-list-depth to the area. Located in the spot first held by Villains when it was one of the city’s many burger & beer bars, First Draft is the kind of low-key local’s bar that’s also a destination for beer enthusiasts -- every neighborhood could use more of what they’re selling. At a time when many others are trying to be the next tiki bar/food truck/banh mi/fried chicken shack, it’s nice to see a place comfortable enough to just be a really goddamn good bar and grill.