Months of hype preceded my first visit to Churchkey, but it stood up to its reputation. Dimly lit, especially for late afternoon/early evening on a bright summer day, Churchkey has stashed coolness in every corner of its industrial interior. From the plush marigold couch seating along the wall to the comfy orange bar chairs (no stools at the bar here) nestled against the long bar inset with polished skeleton keys, this bar/lounge/restaurant strikes a balance of form and function.
Not only does Churchkey have stylish ambiance, its menu has an impressive offering of diverse beers and wines, as well as some tasty food options. Try the bread board for $5 or the “disco fries” (A.K.A. poutine, the Canadian-invented dish of French fries topped with brown sausage gravy and cheese). But it’s really the beer that's king at Churchkey. The menu has two full pages of draught offerings, and several large refrigerators house the bottled-options behind the bar. It can all be a little overwhelming, but the categorized organization on the menu and informative bar staff are big helps. I tried the St. Idesbald Blond, a Belgian ale. It had a nice, light flavor (“bright,” according to the menu). I then had an Edmund Fitzgerald (“dark and dry” under the “Roast” category on the menu), a product of the Great Lakes Brewing Company (known for it’s well-made, creatively named brews).
So, does Churchkey merit all the hipster hype? Probably. But go early to beat the crowds and snag a seat, and plan to stay a while to enjoy the awesome selection. 
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