Haas Tavern

There are dives, those genuinely crusty places that a lot of people have come to love as throwback experiences. And then there are places like the Haas that has a group of regulars that drink like pros and like to do it somewhere that isn't gonna stop when they've had too many.

I like the Haas. I've taken people to the Haas. It's kinda neat, if you like a bit of urban exploration. An old cigar case is intact, although unused. The bar back has old time coolers. Tall ceilings and windows that let in a bit too much light for the sort of serious boozin' that goes on. Surprisingly, the regulars go outside to smoke. And they do have this fantastic old shuffleboard table.

They're also the guardians of one of the best loved ghost signs in Blue Island, prominent on its south wall, advertising Gettelman Beer, a defunct brand. There's also a Butternut ad on the north wall. You might just want to swing by and take some photos of the signs. That's OK.

A real dive filled with old men who drink too much. Not much of interest here except maybe the longest bowling old time table game I have ever seen. Don't see too many of these games in bars these days.