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Digging through Logan Square and Bucktown with Danny's bar manager.

Saturday Apr 29, 2006.     By Heather Blaha

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After 10 years spent managing the Bucktown institution known as Danny's, Kevin Stacy still makes it his business to keep the bar engaging, interesting and lovable. He's the man who brings in local and national talent: poets, DJs, live musicians and artists (Stacy himself is an artist and DJ, and you'll see his work or hear him spinning at Danny's from time to time).

This dedication keeps things creative and alive in the den-like tavern, and the rotating wine list and affordable cocktails help, too. Kevin and I met on a sunny afternoon at his Logan Square apartment, where I learned what makes his Chicago so inviting and inspiring (plus I saw some art-in-progress, his massive record collection, and got a paint color tip for my walls):

Best bartending-related advice you've ever gotten?
The greatest advice came to me when I lived in New York in the early '90s. Warren Lee, who bartended at the Great Jones bar at the time, said he wasn't competing with other bars, but rather with the VCR. I feel the same way now (except that we're competing with DVD players). The main thing is to get people out of the house, to give them a good reason to get up and go out.

If I were to come to your neighborhood, where would you insist I visit?
Le Bouchon on Damen is wonderful, especially the soups.

Drink that proves the wonders of alcohol and your favorite place to drink it?
French wine. I love the bar at Lula Cafe. It is so beautiful and well designed—easily my favorite room in the entire city.

Favorite local dining spot?
I'll have to say Lula again. The food is so original, personal (like the Greek-inspired pasta yiayia from the owner's grandmother), and fresh. Other favorites are the Hopleaf and Cafe Selmarie, two places I'll make a point to get to regularly.

Three words that best describe Danny's?
Dark, challenging (because there isn't anything to do but listen to music and talk to people; that's challenging for some), and house-party.

Hidden gem in Chicago that you know about but others may not?
Trotter's To Go, which is in a strip mall on Fullerton just east of Southport. I get a lot of great to-go lunches there.

Who do you know in Chicago that our readers should know?
Designer Robin Richman, whose shop is right across from Danny's. She just remodeled her store and is now doing men's clothing too—she's an amazing designer.

Best Chicago-related advice you've ever given?
I think tourists often need to be reminded to get out of downtown and go explore the neighborhoods. Downtown is just not representative of the city; the mayor and chain businesses have made the Loop really boring, generic and homogenized. You have to go the neighborhoods for some real character.

Heather Blaha takes tea (or booze, depending on the day) with a Chicagoan who knows a thing or two about the city's bars/restaurants/galleries each month. If you know some she must chat with over Earl Gray, let her know.