Clark Street Ale House

Clark Street Ale House is a historic craft beer and whiskey tavern in River North, Chicago, that hosts birthday parties, corporate events and private parties. The late-1800s building has been a bar ever since it was built, even during prohibition, and the World War II-era Stop & Drink neon still hangs out front.

Groups gather in two settings: a classic Chicago barroom with a long wooden bar, and a beer garden patio out back. The venue takes event inquiries for a wide range of occasions, including rehearsal dinners, holiday parties, cocktail receptions, bachelor and bachelorette parties, alumni gatherings and sporting events.

Drinks are the focus. It is one of the Original Four craft-beer focused pubs in Chicago, with sours, stouts, IPAs and barleywines from Chicagoland breweries on tap, a deep whiskey list, other spirits and non-alcoholic options. The mood is a relaxed neighborhood pub, without pretension.

Planning starts with the event date, start and end time, type of event and number of guests, which the venue asks for up front. It stays open late, until 4AM Sunday to Friday and 5AM on Saturday, and sits between Superior St and Chicago Ave, near the Red Line Chicago stop.