The Gage

A 175-bottle list at a gastropub across from Millennium Park signals ambition, and The Gage delivers on it. This isn't some dusty binder padded with overpriced Napa Cabs — there's actual thought here, with a sommelier curating a list that leans into Old World producers while keeping things accessible for the pre-theater crowd.

The list splits its focus between France, Italy, and California with genuine depth in each region. You'll find quality Bordeaux whites like Chateau Rahoul, Tavel rosés from Gonnet, and Spanish finds like Marques de Grignon alongside domestic producers like et Fille from Willamette Valley. The 20-25 by-the-glass options rotate through solid producers without relying on the usual corporate suspects, though you will spot Santa Margherita Prosecco and Perrier-Jouët for the safe-bet crowd. What's missing is any real adventure — no natural wines, no orange experiments, no small-grower obsessions.

The glass program runs 20-25 deep with fair pricing and decent range. You can start with Gonnet's 'La Nymphe' Tavel rosé at $16 or move into Gallica Grenache from Sonoma at $19 without feeling gouged. The selection skews approachable rather than challenging, which fits the bustling pre-show vibe, but don't expect weekly rotations or sommelier experiments.