As you might imagine, there are a lot of books floating around the TOC offices. And it’s always a good idea to keep up with the competition so I’ve been thumbing through BlackBook’s Guide to Chicago 2008, specifically the listings for Roscoe Village bars, since I’m known to spend some time. All was perfectly fine until I got to the listing for Riverview Tavern. As a point of reference, here’s how our listings describe Riverview:

Stick to the basics at this neighborhood watering hole, and you’ll be rewarded with $3 microbrews and enormous portions of delicious pub grub. Pizzas come from the adjoining Robey Pizza Company, where the cracker-like crust and spicy sausage on the eponymous pie make an addictive meal. Ditto for the "silver flash," a thick Black Angus burger spilling over with sweet grilled onions, melted Swiss and crisp curls of bacon. But skip the bland hummus and boring quesadilla. The warm wood tones in the room will make you want to stay forever, which comes in handy when you eat too much to stand up.

That’s pretty spot-on, though I’d change the last line to read "drink too much to stand up," as that’s more likely what you’ll see when you’re there. Here’s the description for Riverview from BlackBook:

Don’t be fooled by that welcoming-looking blue awning with the rainbow trim. One of the only lesbian bars in Chicago, it has a reputation for attracting some pretty tough customers. Relationship-oriented dust-ups are common on either their summer beer garden/patio or on the sidewalk right in front. Now Latina-owned, Fridays feature a salsa night, Sundays are football and karaoke (free shots every time the Bears score a touchdown!).

The listing’s so bonkers—an awning with rainbow trim?—I was almost ready to chalk it up as a typo, but it’s also wrong on their site as well. (Also: One of the only lesbian bars in Chicago? Really? One of the only?) Not that we’ve ever had a typo, of course. (Right, Peter?) But fair warning for those seeking salsa on a Friday is Roscoe Village: You more likely to find the chip topping than the music at Riverview.

If anyone can figure out what bar that is - in Roscoe Village or otherwise - I’ve got a copy of the TOC 2008 Eating and Drinking Guide for you. Leave guesses in comments.