Bar: Will’s Northwoods Inn
Address: 3030 N Racine Ave, Chicago IL, 60657
Score: 8.2/10
Founded in 1991, in the heart of Chicago lies a Packer/Wisconsin sports bar. From the outside, you cannot tell what the vibe of the bar will be. When you walk in, you are immediately teleported to a cozy Wisconsin bar. It feels like a lodge with woodwork everywhere in the bar. From the bar top, to the walls and the table tops, everything is light colored wood that screams Wisconsin.
Look, at this point you are probably thinking the same thing I am, how the hell do you keep finding Packers bars in the most random locations? From Denver, to Austin, to Chicago, this is now my third Packers bar I’ve stumbled upon without knowing beforehand. To me, this is a testimony of Wisconsinites. They know how to party and how to drink, which makes sense on how they keep having awesome bars. Wills is no different than the other Packers bars I’ve found. Everything was so welcoming and the people were a delight.
Some things that stood out about the decor were the moose head and fish mounted on the walls, the antler chandelier, and the canoe on the wall. Other things that I appreciated were the stained glass and different badger references in photos and signs. Paying homage to the Wisconsin Badgers. The most interesting part of the decor by far had to be the fish tank by the bar. This was a solid 4ft + fish tank, something I’ve yet to encounter at a bar. Definitely something nice to look at while having a cold pint.
The space of this bar was something to note as well. Everywhere I went I felt like it was a whole new bar, the place kept going and going and going. I couldn’t even imagine it on a Badgers game day, I bet the place would be a scene. Later this year when the Badgers play Illinois in football, Wills will be the place to be.
The only criticism of the bar would be the $6.50 Miller pints. A tad pricey if you ask me, compared to nearby spots. Look, a good atmosphere definitely makes up for this though, which Will’s shines at. Lastly, I hated the fact they have plastic pint glasses, I mean I despised this. I understand this is probably because of people getting rowdy and dropping the glasses, but still, drinking a pint out of a plastic cup seemed sacrilegious. If I am drinking out of plastic it might as well be a Solo cup. These are two minor criticisms of a well-run bar. A bar that I will be visiting again during my next stop to Chicago later this year.
Decor: Lodge theme, very unique and fun for being in downtown Chicago
Price: Draft beer was on the higher side, I am sure they periodically have specials
Service: Very friendly bartenders and fast service.
Atmosphere: I went during off hours, but I am itching to go during a Badgers game.
High Life Bottle?: I did not see any.
Bonus Points: None.