The Long Room embraces its well-earned designation as a welcoming neighborhood tavern even though it’s much more these days. In January, it celebrated 22 years under the savvy co-ownership of Jason Burrell, who’s maximized the building’s space by adding a daytime café and upstairs bed-and-breakfast, Bluebird Inn, named for Bluebird Liquors, the bar that served area factory workers in this space more than 70 years ago. While condos now surround the bar, the clientele remains just as loyal. That’s why the bar opens at 8 a.m. for coffee and closes at 2 a.m. almost daily. “It’s a conversation bar,” Burrell says, adding that the absence of TVs has helped spark many romances — by his count, 22 couples met at the Long Room and eventually married.

Address: 1612 W. Irving Park Rd.
Year opened: 2000
Drink of choice: An ever-changing draft beer or a Manhattan
Clientele: Mostly folks from the neighborhood, many of whom have been coming since it opened
Song you might hear:“Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield. “It’s a timeless song that always sounds good,” says co-owner Jason Burrell.

Vote for your favorite bar!