Inside: Crocodile

Photos:

With a gimmick like free pizza, Wicker Park bar Crocodile couldn’t have come at a better time. Even when the economy’s not in the toilet, who’d say no to something for nothing?

This brand-new neighborhood bar near the Damen-North-Milwaukee intersection is actually a relative of two similar spots in New York City, Crocodile in the East Village and Alligator in Williamsburg. Order a drink and you’re entitled to a free margherita pizza. Whether your server offers or you have to ask (the latter in our case), the fine print’s the same: One per person per day.

CROWD
A sparse opening weekend crowd mirrored Wicker Park’s hipster-yuppie mix. Expect fauxhawk-sporting cool kids filling the faux croc-upholstered banquettes next to young professionals.

INSIDE
Oversized leaves painted on the walls, exposed brick and crocodile art lend an urban jungle vibe to the main bar, and while there isn’t a fireplace, a seat near the roaring pizza oven works just as well. Expect the late-night crowd to build in early ’09 when a regular DJ schedule settles into the spacious basement lounge.

DRINKS
No cocktails here, folks—they’re “croctails.” (Sigh.) Though we appreciate a cheekily named drink, we can’t help but feel silly ordering the Pebble Worm or Red Rocks when they’re essentially just a margarita or sangria. We liked the Midnight Rambler, sort of an apricot-tinged mint julep, and the reasonable prices ($5-$7).

EATS
Now back to that free pizza (left). About the size of your hand, these mozzarella and basil-topped, thin-crust pies made a nice enough nosh for one. Though it didn’t blow our mind, it was free—and sufficient to fill us up a bit without shelling out extra dough. If you’re still hungry, full-size 11-inch versions run an affordable $5-$7.

BOTTOM LINE
Plenty of other nightlife and restaurant concepts (Baccala, Thyme Cafe, Sinibar) have cycled through this address, so
we just hope the ’hood stays interested after the novelty wears off.  


Lisa Arnett is the Metromix nightlife and shopping producer. Reviewers make every attempt to remain anonymous, and all meals are paid for by Metromix.com

Looking for more recent bar reviews? Check out our review of Bar DeVille.

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