Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar

Maria's is that rare gem where dive bar authenticity meets craft cocktail finesse without the pretension. The front operates as a bottle shop (perfect for grabbing something to go), while the back reveals a cozy bar that spills onto a charming patio during warmer months. The beer list reads like a love letter to craft brewing, with local Chicago options alongside carefully curated imports that'll make hop-heads swoon.

The cocktails deserve their reputation—meticulously made but served with a casual shrug that says "yeah, we know it's good." The full food menu punches above its weight, ideal for soaking up whatever you're sipping. While the street parking situation can be a headache and tourists have discovered this once-local secret, Maria's still maintains its neighborhood soul. When the patio's buzzing with live music and the summer air is thick with conversation, there's simply no better place to be in Bridgeport.