A Quick Word:
Located in the Bucktown neighborhood, about one block west of Damen and Armitage, the Map Room has become one of my favorite places to not only grab a beer, but a coffee in the mornings. I tend to gravitate towards this area on weekends because of the quiet atmosphere and bottomless cups of coffee that are offered. This may be considered one of Chicago's best kept secrets in terms of bars with an extensive beer menu, but their study friendly morning atmospheres is even more a secret. Some food is offered, but tends to be on the pricey side. They don't bake their own pastries but rather they purchase from a nearby grocery boutique. The food options are the only reason why I decided on just giving them a 4 mile rating.
What I Ate/Drank:
Bottomless Cup of Coffee & Blueberry Lemon Muffin
I absolutely love this place for both drinking beer and studying. On study weekends, I arrive around 7AM or 8AM and immediately order a bottomless cup of coffee. They proudly serve Intelligentsia coffee and at $2.50 (tax included) for unlimited refills... it is a steal. The coffee isn't brewed every 5 minutes like other places, so it tends to get a little on the cooler side towards the end of the pot. It is brewed well, with no burnt/bitter flavors you sometimes experience at other coffee shops. The blueberry lemon muffin is my favorite pastry. Unfortunately, after the day is over, I see them placing them into a back refrigerator (hopefully not for the next day's offerings). Once 11AM hits, the free pretzels hit the table and the beer menu is available. With over a dozen beers on tap, this place (after 11AM) can actually be detrimental to studying. It usually doesn't get packed on weekends till around noon and on weekdays studying can be done till 1PM or so. Definitely check it out if you need to switch up your study space.
The DOs/DON'Ts:
DO:
- 11AM is when they start serving alcohol.
- Free parking is pretty much everywhere. Hoyne is my preference since it is just across the street from the Map Room.
- If studying, definitely order the bottomless cup of coffee for 50 cents more.
DON'T:
- They offer breakfast sandwiches, but they are pricey.
- Don't buy coffee at nearby starbucks.
How far would I walk for this place?
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