Leaderbar Drafthouse & Eatery

LeaderBar Drafthouse & Eatery

Looking for a contemporary and cozy Chicago neighborhood bar? Look no further than Leaderbar Drafthouse & Eatery.  Within 3 months the Irving Park venue acquired a new chef and staff making the menu and overall atmosphere extremely desirable. An eclectic mix of customers range from neighborhood families to sports fans of all varieties making Leaderbar extremely enjoyable and relaxing.

The decor stays simple by providing a masculine Sports Bar theme minus the Wrigleyville “fraternity” feel. With several TV’s lining the walls, you are sure to catch your favorite sports team on a big screen – Hockey,baseball, football, soccer, UFC, rugby… you name it and it’s on a TV!  On Spring days and Summer nights, a modern patio is accessible to relax and enjoy the tasty menu. The beer selection rivals that of The Bad Apple in North Center.  Drafts of note include Stiegl, Firestone Union Jack IPA, Allagash White, Abita Purple Haze and multiple draft varieties of regional favorites 3 Floyd’s.

Chef Vargas created a simple and fresh “bar food” menu garnished with local produce and family recipes. “I wanted to create a new take on the typical bar menu”, says Chef Vargas. “The Baked Goat Cheese“ photo left is an excellent example of a non-traditional bar appetizer.  (Baked goat cheese in a marinara sauce with fresh basil ribbons, smoked paprika served with a spicy crostini).   The homemade veggie bean burger, Italian sausage & hot giardinara thin crust pizza, and the custom Leaderbar burger with Merkis cheddar are sure to satisfy your tastebuds. Notable dishes include: “The El Diablo Burger” (spicy pepper jack cheese, habanero relish, jalapeño, grilled onions, sriracha mayo on a pretzel bun) “The Southwest Salad” photo right (grilled chicken, cheese, tomatoes, black beans, corn & avocado tossed in a bbq ranch dressing & topped with haystack onions). Chef Vargas’ favorite dish: “The 1/2 Roasted Chicken“.  With a supurb amount of spice and marinade, this dish is not one to miss.

The ONLY desert on the menu is the jaw dropping, mouth watering and unbelievably delicious “Cookie Skillet”  photo left –  a fresh baked chocolate chip and heath bar cookie served a la mode. Pair this dish with Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro for the ultimate ending to your meal or a nice nightcap to the ending of a great date.

If you are looking to take in the cool summer nights while sipping a Half Acre Daisy Cutter, watch the Blackhawks beat the Red Wings, or nibble on a jumbo Bavarian pretzel with your pals – check out Leaderbar Drafthouse & Eatery.

Leaderbar Drafthouse & Eatery
website: click HERE
3000 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60618
773.478.2337

~ Agnes Miles, Contributor for 24/7 City Secrets