O'Donovan's: A Good Place to Get a Burger

I have found "my bar". And thankfully, it is just two blocks away from my house. I started going to neighborhood bar and grills during the summer. I've tried out a few in my North Center neighborhood in Chicago. Some were too filled with children (why there were more kids in a bar than adults; I'll never know) others were too pricey for what I got. Then, I went to O'Donovan's.

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Mad River Grille - Wisconsin Badgers Clubhouse

If life were one big happy hour, Mad River Grille would definitely be the place to spend it. The official University of Wisconsin bar, this eastside hangout is always packed with twenty- something college alumni looking to blow off some steam with cheap beer and good friends.

College football is the bar’s specialty, and if you love the Wisconsin Badgers, Mad River is the only place to be on Saturday. The official UW headquarters in NYC, experience the next best thing to being in Madison on game day. Of course, it would not be Badger Saturday without $6 pitchers and Wisconsin cheese curds. On Wisconsin, On Wisconsin…

While being a Badger fan is encouraged, you absolutely do not have to be a Wisconsin Alumni to experience what has become a regular stop for those of us who cannot seem to leave the best years of our lives behind us. While every night of the week features drink specials like $1 drinks on Friday, or “Two-for-Tuesdays,” make sure to take advantage of Thursday nights from 9pm-12am when Mad River becomes the ultimate college party night. With all-you-can-drink mixed drinks and domestic drafts for $20/person, meet up with your friends for what is to be a great night of beer pong and flip cup.

If you are looking for fantastic food, fabulous drink specials and an amazing crowd you will see why Mad River has become the hottest place for young professionals to party. Check it out for yourself any night of the week, or, is it every night of the week…

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Sexy Biker Bar with Food, Fun and the Best Damn Ribs You've Ever Eaten!

Dinosaur Bar B Que up in Harlem is a finger-lickin’, booty shakin’, lip-smackin’ good time. And the food is delicious too...

Born and raised in Syracuse, NY (like me!) as a biker bar with sex appeal, this recent addition to New York nightlife is changing the way New Yorkers think about blues and barbecue!

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Swift is a Crowd Pleaser

Swift is the type of bar that my friend insists, “I never pay for a drink here.” True to her word, this pub is packed wall to wall with cute Irish Wall Street-types and parties of friends who are always inviting you to join in whatever their celebrating. It’s difficult to find a great bar that your girl and guy pals can all agree on and Swift might just be it.

Everything from the beer menu to the food menu to the music makes Swift a great nighttime haunt. Their international beer menu is full of almost 100 drinks on tap or by the bottle ($5 and up). More than a bar, Swift is complete with a DJ who plays anything from Lily Allen to Justin. Swfit sometimes even has live music. Their pretty traditional food menu covers all of the bar bases while mixing comfort foods with classics. Mini burgers ($5.50) chicken wings ($5.50) and “Swift Dollar Dogs” ($1) share menu space with Dean’s Cottage Pie ($8) and Bangars & Mash ($8).

For special occasions you can call to book a party, but stop by on any given day and it just might become one.

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Cosmic Cantina for out of this world nachos and margaritas!

Sangria, margaritas, beer, organic burritos - don’t pass up Cosmic Cantina as another mediocre college crowded bar among the others near Union Square. It’s a great place to satisfy your hunger for any of the above at any time of the day.

Any burrito joint where you can actually eat healthy is my kind of place. The ingredients are fresh, the options are full of greens and vegetarian options, and some are even organic. My top favorites are the Spin City burrito ($7) with a whole wheat tortilla, spinach and mushroom and the unbeatable Deluxe Nachos. Try them vegetarian ($8) or with chicken ($11) or steak ($12) and the delicious guac and fresh chips will blow you away. Sit outside on a nice day or indoors if not.

At night, you can stop by Cosmic Cantina for a drink and some chips and salsa at the bar in the back of the restaurant. The music is usually good and loud and goes great with a pitcher or two of margarita ($28) or red or white sangria ($17 at the bar.) At late night, you can stop there for your post-last call Corona and

Open from 11am-5am daily, Cosmic Cantina is cash-only.

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