Located just east of Damen Avenue on Division Street’s rockin’ alfresco strip, Moonshine’s an ideal date spot just about any time of day. A neighborhood crowd flocks to this casual Wicker Park mainstay for drinks, weekend brunch (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), lunch and dinner. The patio, an extra-wide space with ready access to Division Street’s hard-to-beat people-watching, seats about 130. Inside, you have a choice of two bars. To avoid distractions from the TVs, guide your date to the comfy seating by the window.
Icebreaker: Order an Acai-tini ($10), made with Belvedere vodka and acai berry, lime and cranberry juices. You’ll appear more health-conscious than you really are (that is a martini in your hand, after all) as you discuss the touted health benefits of acai. Just be sure to note that acai is pronounced ah-SAH-ee. Let’s not embarrass ourselves on a first date, eh? Gina B’s inside tips >> There’s a free parking lot, but it fills quickly. Be prepared to hunt for street parking. >> Specials abound! Score $4 microbrews Mondays, half-price pizza after 8 p.m. Wednesdays and $5 Jim Beam shots Thursdays.
Noise level: The indoor bars get lively, so the huge patio is much better for getting-to-know-you convos. Manager Israel Fernandez tells us Moonshine is a popular date place on off nights (Monday through Wednesday), when the crowd is milder and the noise level significantly lower. If you like a little background music on a date, hit Moonshine any night after 10 p.m., when DJs spin house and a bit of hip-hop.
What to order: A place named Moonshine should have great drinks, right? In fact, it just opened its own brewery on-site. Offerings include Dizzy, a blonde ale ($5), and Thee Allmighty ($5), an IPA that delivers a nice kick at more than 7 percent ABV.
If you’re craving a cocktail, try the best-selling strawberry-basil mojito ($9), a blend of Don Julio Reposado, fresh strawberries and basil muddled with lemons and topped with a splash of soda. Moonshine also stocks more than 70 varieties of whiskey.
A new chef, Aaron Ortego, recently took over the kitchen and added a bit of Southern flair to the menu. Look for specials such as catfish, hushpuppies and sumptuous barbecued meats.
>> The patio closes at midnight—order your last round accordingly.
RedEye relationship columnist Gina B. is a Metromix special contributor.
