Chicago has a ton of noteworthy bars, pubs, and lounges, each providing its own distinctive atmosphere for relaxing and soothing your troubled nerves.  Whether planning a night out with friends or actively seeking the elusive Perfect Mate, the Windy City's watering holes have you covered.  Below are six of our favorites, in no particular order.

Rock Bottom
1 West Grand Avenue
(312)755-9339

Rock Bottom’s more of a "bar-slash-restaurant" place than a full-on pub, but we enjoyed it so much that we had to add it to our list of highlights. The place is huge, featuring pool tables and all sorts of other cool stuff, and the food is exceptional. However, what truly made it stand out was the wide selection of lagers, pilsners, and beer, beer, beer. Ideal for a few civilized rounds with your buddies before heading out for some serious shenanigans, Rock Bottom is definitely worth a look.

Butch McGuire’s
20 West Division Street
(312)337-9080

If you’re young, pretty, and single, and you’re looking for the same sort of thing, then we casually suggest Butch McGuire’s. The dating scene is in full swing here, so step right up and pitch your best lines. A big hit with tourists and the twenty-something crowd, Butch’s will paint the scene and set the pins up for you. It’s up to you to close the deal and find that special someone. There’s beer here, too.

Liquid Kitty
1807 West Division Street
(312)489-2700

Liquid Kitty is the Austin Powers of bars. It's set in an interesting neo-1970s, trippy, whacked out kind of décor, and even has its own theater that shows indy flicks and other obscure works. As a result, it’s become a bit of a hit with the artsy crowd, so expect to see a lot of angst-ridden existentialists casually sipping gin and tonics. An eerie red glow is part of the scenery, so expect everything to look a little seedy (especially those who venture near the leopard rug). One of the more interesting of the city’s locales, and one of our favorites.

Trader Todd’s Adventure Bar
1157 North Dearborn Street
(312)943-3944

What’s the best thing about this bar? Well, besides the wide selection and down-home atmosphere, there’s also the option of taking your favorite decoration  home with you. Yes, that’s right, at Trader Todd’s, everything is for sale, from the barstool you sit on to the signs on the walls. Unfortunately, you can’t take the bartender home with you. For an interesting drinking experience, be sure to make a pit stop at this novel and innovative watering hole.

Pippen's Tavern
806 North Rush Street
(312)787-5435

This bar caught our eye because it's an oasis of sorts, especially given the hectic madness that surrounds it.  Well, that and the fact that they give you free popcorn when you walk in.  The Tavern's menu includes standard bar fare, but what really sells the place is the atmosphere.  This is one of those establishments where you can go out drinking with your dad and not feel embarrassed.  Definitely head here if you're looking to get away from it all...but not that far away.

Kitty O'Sheas
Chicago Hilton and Towers
720 South Michigan Avenue
(312)922-4400

We're suckers for a great Irish pub...after all, where do you think we all learned how to drink, right?  Kitty's combines over twenty different bars into one Irish masterpiece of a design, resembling Dublin circa 1899.  All the good beers are flowing here, from Guinness to Harp to Killian's, and everything in between.  For a good, long night of getting messy, make Kitty O'Sheas yours.