Don't worry: this is the safe kinda third rail.

Several elements go into a good neighborhood bar—stiff drinks, good beer, hearty bar food to soak up the booze, and, most importantly, cool people. Third Rail Tavern has all of the above, and I wish I lived stumbling distance from the West Loop; I would be hanging out here a lot. On the Wednesday night I visited, the joint was packed with neighborhood folks—“Lincoln Park graduates,” owner Chase Kendall joked—enjoying the nightly $5 Ciroc cocktail special, as well as sports fans (it’s right by the United Center), and the after-work spillover from the Loop. Former Bull and sports commentator Norm Van Lier stopped by for a drink while I was there, and Kendall says the Third Rail was one of Michael Keaton’s favorite hangouts while he was in town filming The Merry Gentleman. Guess Batman knows what makes for a good neighborhood bar, too.

Kendall and his business partner Danny Shapiro wanted to evoke classic Chicago style when they opened Third Rail two years ago—the bar features a tin ceiling, exposed brick, and lots of great black and white photos from Chicago in the 40s and 50s. Although their place is a relative newcomer on the scene, Kendall and Shapiro have a history in the business. Many of the black and white photos on the walls are pictures of their Chicago forefathers—there’s a portrait of Kendall’s grandmother on the door to the ladies’ room while Shapiro’s grandfather graces the men’s. Shapiro’s grandparents operated a bar called The Rail Inn around Madison and Halsted in the 40s and 50s; Third Rail is the third generation’s tribute to the original.

The duo has created a fantastic 21st century Chicago bar—rows upon rows of illuminated booze bottles glow like a beacon in the dim room, luring patrons with promises of delicious signature cocktails like the The Harpo (a pomegranate martini) and Mexican Moonshine (Patron tequila with  Grand Marnier, lemon and lime). There’s also a respectable beer selection with six on tap (including my desert island beer Goose Island Matilda) and 80 more in bottles, everything from Bud and PBR to Dogfish Head and Delirium Tremens. The food menu offers a basic selection of quality burgers, sandwiches, salads, and apps. Try the Madison Street Sliders—the mini-cheeseburgers with caramelized onions and pickles are only a buck on Mondays.

And try the Third Rail next time you’re in the West Loop. Kendall and his crew will make you feel right at home—they’ve got the neighborhood thing down.

Third Rail Tavern, 1133 W. Madison St., 312-432-9107, 11-2 a.m. Sun.-Fri, 11-3a.m. Sat. Want more from Behind the Bar? Follow Bianca James on Twitter!