For a bar with such a heavy-sounding name, Black Iron Tavern (401 N. Milwaukee Ave., West Town, 312-690-4000) is actually quite the relaxed hangout. It's the kind of place that's great for just sipping a PBR tallboy and a burger (chef Michael Taus is behind the place, so expect above-average eats), but won't leave you disappointed if you're hoping to imbibe something a little more refined.

Make like it's the early 2000s and order a Cosmo (if there ends up being a resurgence of the cranberry-tinged concoction, you can trace it back to here—it's been ages since a bar has featured the drink so prominently on its menu) and wander over to the red, London-style phone booth. It's actually a "confessional booth," and if you pick up the receiver you can hear secrets recorded and confessed by previous patrons and add your own to the collection. 

Here's what else we saw when we stopped in.