Located amongst a strip of tried-and-true bars and restaurants on Sheffield Avenue, The Yard seems to realize it needs to do something special to distinguish itself. The bar's large, gold-lettered wooden sign certainly helps attract customers inside, but it's the beer garden out back that will make them want to stick around.

Beer enthusiasts can enjoy $4 to $6 pints of Maudite or Ommegang (or several other Belgian beers) while sitting against a comfortable leather banquette in The Yard's warm interior. Five LCD screens make the quaint sports bar a strong contender on Cubs game nights.

Head down a waxed and wooden hallway toward the back of the bar and enter into the old-world beer garden. A large pine tree laced with lights acts as a canopy for two-tops and four-tops, and a rustic mural painted against the brick wall makes this spot downright romantic.

There are plans to set up a functional bar in the garden, but for now patrons can bring their 24-ounce beer specials from the bar inside and sit in one of the four alcoves that shoot off the main portion of the garden. Tucked under climbing ivy and iron, these alcoves seat parties of 10 to 12 barhoppers stopping by for a time-out from the hectic Wrigleyville scene.

Centerstage Reviewer: Nola Akiwowo