The Green Lady~Lake View, Chicago

Two alliterate words instantly come to mind when I think of this delightful gem of a bar: Melani and Malört. If you go on the right day, you'll most-likely get a good dose of both. I liked this spot before I met the owner, Melani. After getting to know her, I appreciated it all the more. Learning about the challenges she's overcome building her 9-year-old business makes me want to tell everyone who imbibes in adult beverages–especially craft beer–to come to The Green Lady.

She takes pride in her craft beer selection. You'll find a range of local and international brews: adjunct classics, hazies, unique sours, knock-you-on-your-ass-high-gravity-rare-barrel-aged-stouts, ciders and more.

And, with great beer comes great responsibility, especially when it comes to the limited-releases. They can be expensive for the bar owner and a luxury purchase for the customer. This is why it's extra important to maintain and clean the draft lines, which Melani does. Religiously. You can trust that your Duchesse de Bourgogne or Stiegl was poured through a recently-cleaned draft line before being poured into a proper, beer-clean glass.

Unless you visit TGL during Girl Scout Cookie season, you'll need to bring your own treats or order in. Dinkel's and Pho's are literal steps away from the bar, so it's easy to grab some delicious food on your way there.

• Pho's: Thai Cuisine (do NOT try to be a hero with their spice levels!)

• Cafe El Tapatio: Mexican Cuisine

Pooches are welcome too, so you can have a furry audience staring at you, wondering why you're making such a weird face all of a sudden. It'll be because Melani just made you take a Malört shot with her. And you're not allowed to say "no." Ever.

3328 N Lincoln Ave

Chicago, IL 60657

(773) 525-5571

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