www.millerspub.com/

For visitors, daytime Loop dwellers and Chicagoans alike, Miller's Pub is easily one of the best downtown bars for lunch, drinks after work or the theatre, and for celebrities of either local, regional or national status. Combine that with a long history, comfortable vibe, popular reputation, some of the best ribs in town, and being one of the only late-night bars (and kitchens) in the Loop, and you've got a winner. Hey, Sinatra ate here and Bill Veeck called it home. What more do you want?

Miller's Pub (not to be confused with Pete Miller's in Evanston) is located on Wabash Avenue between Monroe and Adams in the Loop, one block north of kindred spirit, the Exchequer Pub, and steps away from the parking garage that was once Big Downtown. From directly in front of it, Miller's Pub looks like a place you might find in the English countryside with its stone encrusted façade, paned glass windows with multiple "Famous BBQ ribs" signs hanging in them, shingled roof, and old-fashioned lanterns. However, combined with the bright green "Miller's Pub" sign and specials advertised below it, a green awning that stretches from the door to the street, the dozen floors of office space and the El looming above it, and the StreetWise vendors relentlessly promoting their publication, one quickly comes back to reality as you step away from it. Step through the doors made of wood and glass, through the green stone-tiled and stained glass entryway and you'll enter this noisy, hall-like pub where there's always a lot of hustle and bustle every afternoon and evening. If you can get past the throng of patrons waiting for a table, you'll find a wooden counter-like maitre'd stand in front of you with a coat rack for your jacket, under the wooden statue of a welcoming chef. Inevitably, there will be a wait so they'll give you a give you a buzzer so have a seat by the tartan curtains hanging from a brass railing in front of the windows overlooking Wabash or, better yet, head to the bar. Don't worry, you probably shant wait long and it will be worth your while anyway. Reservations are accepted if you call ahead.

The long wooden bar can be found running along the north wall at Miller's Pub, with plenty of flat-topped, green-padded wooden barstools for your kiester. Behind the bar, you'll find several framed, Cosmo Kramer-like paintings of hobos hanging below a shelf that holds a plethora of ceramic steins and amongst a few neon beer signs and a rather large stuffed fish. Signs and steins – beautiful. At the east end of the bar, you'll find an area still labeled "Bill Veeck's Corner." Here, Chicago sports legend Bill Veeck – the man who put ivy on the walls at Wrigley Field, instituted fireworks and outfield showers at Comiskey Park, and sent midget Eddie Gaedel to the plate – once held court and is still honored even though he passed away in 1986. Miller's Pub features an uninspired selection of 19 bottled beers and eight on tap, but you can have draft beer in either a pint or a STEIN – now that's hard to beat. A good selection of single malt Scotch is also available.

"Miller's is a proletariat Pump Room, the sort of place where "friends" are called "pals." Though there is no Booth One, there is an icon-laden corner where Bill Veeck used to hold court. Veeck, who would not have been allowed in the Pump Room because he never wore a tie, made Miller's his home- away-from-home and Gallios has honored Veeck's patronage and, more dearly his friendship, with the corner shrine."