West 55th Street — Restaurant in Lake Township

So I went to West 55th on a Sunday night, right? I was expecting a calm, chill vibe maybe a beer, some soft background music, maybe someone crying over the Bears game. Instead, I walked into what felt like the season finale of a telenovela filmed in a garage with a jukebox.

The moment I sat down, Denise the bartender looked at me like she already knew I was about to make poor life choices. She slid me a drink before I even ordered, whispered “you look like you need hydration and chaos,” and I swear the glass started glowing like the Power Stone from Avengers.

By drink number two, someone in the corner was arguing with the jukebox because it kept skipping to “Sweet Caroline,” and Denise was behind the bar doing some kind of bartending yoga — one leg up, shaking a margarita like it owed her rent money.

Halfway through the night, a random dude tried to sell me a pool cue “blessed by Elvis,” and I don’t even play pool. Denise told him to take it outside before she “summoned the tequila gods,” which sounded like a joke until she actually lit a lime wedge on fire.

By 11 p.m., the crowd had turned into a family reunion even though none of us were related. Someone passed around mozzarella sticks like communion. I told Denise she was running the weirdest bar I’d ever been to, and she said, “That’s because West 55th isn’t a bar — it’s a lifestyle choice.”

Next thing I know, it’s closing time, the lights come on, and I’m somehow wearing a cowboy hat, holding a dart trophy, and humming “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Denise gives me a fist bump and says, “See you next Sunday, Pickle Man.”

10/10 would get spiritually confused by...

This place is fire not only do they have the drinking games they have good people that are there they're all really friendly and also they have a good music the place looks really nice the drinks are cheap and everybody's really good what else can I ask for it when you go to a bar but you have a good time and enjoy your day after a long hard work date you know what I'm saying you feel me so I give this place five stars because is the shiznit...

One of the best bars. Near Midway airport. Cold beer, great service. Friendly people. The bartenders are good. Ask for Dave Fatima, Isabella, or Kathy Hudy. Obviously Friday night is usually busy after 5pm. So if you arrive after then be prepared to wait a few minutes for drinks. Obviously first come first served. Clean place,and spacious. If you can stand the weather during winter months, they have a...