Inside: Edge

Photos:

It’s no secret that the arrival of super-slick, flat screen-filled spots like The Boundary and The Fifty/50 have had some Wicker Park residents lamenting the loss of their once-edgier ’hood. If those spots were the earthquake that shook this changing strip of Division, then the arrival of new bar Edge is merely an aftershock. Though its impact isn’t nearly as noticeable, change is far from over in this part of town.

Unsurprisingly, there’s nothing particularly edgy about Edge. More polished than your typical corner pub but more laid-back than a lounge, we put Edge into a category that you’ll find in most neighborhoods: a just-fine local hangout that’s not particularly destination-worthy, similar to Tilli’s in Lincoln Park or Brownstone in North Center.

CROWD
If you’re looking for a more varied crowd than, say, white male jock magnet The Boundary down the street, you’ll find it here. Flat-screen TVs played sports on mute, but everyone seemed more taken with talking to who they came with—a coed crew in most cases, with some dates and girlfriend groups mixed in. Don’t worry about spending hours in front of the mirror or closet to carefully curate your look for the night; jeans and casual tops were the uniform du jour for both guys and girls.

DRINKS
The bartending staff is still tweaking its specialty cocktail list, but they’re previewing a few if you ask your server. We tried the girlie sounding (and looking) Rose Petal ($10), which our server described as a "dry cosmo." Made with Absolut vodka, cranberry and lime juice, Chambord and champagne, it was a nice divergence from an overdone classic. Without a printed menu, though, the cocktails hadn’t really caught on yet; most people were drinking bottles of Bud or Miller Lite ($4) or Goose Island 312 ($5).

EATS
The short food menu is sufficient to kill a late-night snack attack without having to bundle up and haul it over to nearby La Pasadita, but if you’re particular about your food and the ingredients, you might be disappointed here. A menu in which "chicken sandwich" or "mini-burgers" is the extent of the description doesn’t give much insight into what you’re ordering.

INSIDE
You’ve seen this layout before: A bar, high-top tables and a lounge section filled with half-circle booths. A line of small, low-slung booths down the center comfortably seats two—or five, if you were the packed-in group of girls sitting next to us. If you’re there to mingle, plant yourself at the bar, which was packed by midnight.

It’s too bad patio season is over. With a fenced-in beer garden and sidewalk cafe space along both Division and Paulina, Edge is equipped for a stellar alfresco scene. To draw a reliable crowd, though, it wouldn’t hurt to give the food menu more of an edge.

SERVICE
No attitudes in sight here; the attentive staff was anxious to please.

BOTTOM LINE
Division Street dwellers have scored yet another place to hang out when the let’s-go-out itch hits. If you live elsewhere, save the cab fare and stick with one of your own neighborhood standbys.

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Lisa Arnett is the metromix nightlife and shopping producer. lmarnett@tribune.com. Metromix reviewers make every attempt to remain anonymous.

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