Juicy Wine Company has a simple mission: " "extraordinary wine and cheeses at extraordinary prices. But this hipster hangout does far more than just that. An easy-to-read menu neatly provides an ample selection of bubbles, reds and whites, neatly displayed from light to full bodied. The artisan cheeses and fine meats offer a perfect compliment to your choice of vino. Sit at a quiet table downstairs or enjoy the comfy lounge upstairs (beginning at 8 p.m. daily). At 9:30 p.m. each night DJs spin tunes in the lounge, making this hip spot all the more enjoyable for a night out with friends.

In the space that used to house the Leopard Lounge, now resides the cool, down-to-earth Cortland's Garage. This garage themed bar/nightclub has a laid back feel and a creative choice of outstanding martinis. The decor revolves around the garage theme but doesn't overdo it. Jazz vocalists kick off the week, performing on Tuesdays. Wednesday is open mic and Thursday through Saturday DJs spin after 10 p.m. Also, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Fridays, you can start the weekend right by listening to some live acoustic tunes at Cortland's.

In this dark and velvety nightclub extra-ordinaire, with chain-mail corner booths, couches and lots of sinister red lighting, you cannot go wrong. At Zentra, the patio is dotted with trees strung with Christmas lights and speakers blaring disco and funk. The multicultural theme manifests itself in the belly dancers wiggling around the club and the "hookah girls," who offer you hits from a water pipe (sorry, it's filled with tobacco). The upstairs is always pounding with techno and house music that will leave your eardrums ringing and your nerve endings dulled.

Mac and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, pizza and beer: some things just go better together. Award-winning beers (brewed by a champion brew-master) are the number one feature at this open and friendly brewery and pizzeria. Pizzas on offer at Piece include your choice of toppings on either a red (red sauce and mozzarella), white (traditional New Haven-style pizza with olive oil, garlic, and mozzarella), or plain (red sauce, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil) pie. For those who have arrived at a pizza place with no desire for pizza (what?), there are also several sandwiches and salads to choose from. If somehow you end your meal not completed stuffed with pizza and beer, shell out the cash for some dessert-the chocolate pizza is a culinary concoction not to be missed.

To the dismay of many, Chicago bars still allow smoking. Fortunately for those hoping to escape the haziness that inhabits most pubs in the city, the Charleston is a haven for anyone seeking freedom from smoke filled pubs. As far as the weekend bar scene goes, the Charleston is lively, but still manageable. They have all the elements of a typical bar experience on a weekend. There's a pool table, an amateur band and even friendly bartenders. Though mostly populated by artsy hipsters, the Charleston is notably unpretentious (not that most arty hipsters are). Here is a good neighborhood bar that, with distinct aspects (i.e. non-smoking) blended with a homey feel, establishes itself as a staple of Chicago's bar scene.

Though often advertised as something of a sports bar, this tavern serves up a much loftier atmosphere. The leather chairs and hardwood floors give it a lounge-like feel, so you may feel more inclined to sip wine than chug beer. With all of this said, it is a popular spot for a night out in Wicker Park and as it is open until 4a, your night out can last even longer. Its devoted patrons can enjoy an expansive selection of music from the corner jukebox, or catch updates on the latest game on the multiple big-screen TVs throughout the room. If hunger strikes, they also serve up lunch, dinner and pub-grub until 10p.

Salud comes across as a no-fuss bar and lounge, where you can catch Latino tunes whilst downing shots of tequila. Groups of twenty-somethings and couples get cozy on the couches, while the backroom is accessible for private occasions. The food-pork chops, tequila cheeseburgers, scallops, ceviche, empanadas-is fresh and wholesome, served by a friendly staff. Patio seating is available too.

This friendly neighborhood bar is clean, stylish and comfortable-just right for an evening with an old pal. Relax as you take in the unpretentious crowd and the helpful staff, or watch the MLS soccer games on the flat screen TVs. Take your pick of beer, or snack on tasty appetizers like wings, sandwiches, fried mushrooms and chips, moving onto a satisfying Caesar, chicken or house salad. Those looking for a hearty brunch will be presented with pancakes, burritos, French toast and delicious sides like ham and sausages. Wind up with a glorious, diet-breaking Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich-it promises to tip the bathroom scale a little more! The venue also plays host to several sport and music events. Check the website for details.

Just like the name suggests, this is a place for a hearty breakfast and other wholesome meals. The pleasant, warm-toned interior is always filled with the divine aroma of freshly baked muffins and cakes. Plenty of light, petite white-leathered chairs, and a handwritten menu on the wall rule the ambience. Choose from Thyme-crusted Roast Beef, spicy Tortilla with Chorizo, Couscous with Roasted Vegetables, cookies, sweets, pastries, bread pudding, and lots of coffee. This is a good place to take your kids, and also to meet single parents.

Moonshine is a good place to drink away your sorrows; teetotalers, on the other hand, can dance their blues away! The dishes - Shrimp Fettuccine, quesadillas, calamari, Yucatan Chicken, and the like - don't appeal much, but this place is not about food. The muted lighting and funky decor fascinate the senses, and the spirits flow endlessly - take your pick from beers, martinis, cocktails, wines, and more. Whether you shake a leg or simply lounge around, there's always someone friendly you can chat up. Private events are also hosted.