Evanston

Evanston, a lakefront Chicago suburb and home to Northwestern University, has a notable history as a 'dry' town - alcohol sales were banned here for decades under pressure from the temperance movement (the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was founded in Evanston) until the ban was finally lifted in 1972. Today BarFinder lists 34 venues, led by classic bars and pubs, with a real cocktail bar and brewery presence too - spots like Few Spirits distillery and Ridgeville Tavern reflect a scene that's grown considerably since those dry decades. It's a college-town bar scene with some real history behind it.