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Review by Maggie Anderson
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The John Barleycorn's in Wrigleyville is a little different than the
original location in Lincoln Park. First of all, the new Barleycorn's is two
levels. Secondly, and more importantly, there is a dance floor on the second
level! So we're thinking this is going to be a blast. Like the original Barleycorn's, the new Clark Street location shares a gorgeously classic décor. Mahogany high-tops and a mahogany bar. A black and white checkered floor and life-sized black and white photographs on the wall. The washrooms are the tidiest I've ever seen. And there is so much space! At the Clark Street location, there are little extra tables hiding everywhere. The music on the lower level is college rock. Barenaked Ladies and Counting Crowes. Everyone seems to be humming along. A laidback scene on the lower level. Even the line to get in the front door is calm -- because it moves quickly. The organization is amazing for a Wrigleyville bar. (I guess the no cover factor helps.) The line to get to the upper level is more anxious and pushy, but this line too moves quickly. There are two more bars upstairs. A full-sized bar in the center and a miniature bar in the corner (which is always less crowded, by the way.) The dance floor is enormous. No one is knocking into each other and spilling drinks for once. This is great! Except...listen to the music. It's Saturday night at 11 P.M. and the DJ is spinning...what sounds like Pac Man theme music. Oh no...It's techno music at a jeans and sweater place. These elements do not mix. The only decent song the DJ plays all night is Jump Around (House of Pain.) The only choice of his that got the crowd hyped. I'm sure the DJ was playing what the managers wanted him to play. They must be going for a new image with their new location. My prediction: Soon John Barleycorn's will be taken over by a high-maintenance crowd and a dress code will be instituted. The jeans and sweaters crowd spilling over from Lincoln Park will have to go elsewhere. But they appreciate that Primal Fear was filmed here, they enjoy their frosty mugs of beer, they want to feel classy yet comfy at the same time. I think the managers better learn to play nice to their clientele.
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