The Yukon Bock Building that houses Sky-Ride Tap was erected in 1897 and is one of the oldest taxpayer-funded buildings in the downtown Loop district. The area was once referred to as Old Chinatown and Sky-Ride Tap’s parent building is one of the last remaining structure from that era. Owner Kyriakos “Carl” Deamianides served in the Greek military before emigrating to Chicago where he was introduced to the owner of the bar that owned what is now Sky-Ride Tap. Shortly after, Damianides purchased the space in 1972 and has maintained ownership ever since.

Sky-Ride Tap is home to one of the best dive bar signs in a city with no shortage of great examples. Massive block lettering spells out the name of the bar as well as two important additions, “Sandwiches” and “Package Goods,” referring to the ability to grab a six-pack to go on the way out. Neon dedicated to a handful of Chicago sports team can be found in the bar’s window. The Sky-Ride Tap sign is paired with an equally impressive installation next door, the towering sign above BoniVino Pizza next door.

Though a digital jukebox and a small set of TVs can be found inside Sky-Ride Tap, this is a Chicago dive bar made for grabbing a quick beer on the way home from work, exchanging a few words with a friend and moving on. The hours of the space match the transitory clientele, Sky-Ride Tap open between 7 AM and 9 PM each weekday and closed on weekends.