On the surface, Twisted Spoke is a grungy-looking biker bar with motorcycles mounted by the front windows and one ridden by a skeleton rotating on the roof. By day, sports light up the flat screens behind the bar. By night, the flat screens feature adult films and quirky horror flicks. Locals frequent the West Loop joint for its daily specials, selection of whiskey and beer, and grub that well exceeds typical bar fodder.

A friendly crew fills the bar stools on any given night, fueled by tasty libations and the bartenders that serve them. The aluminum bar and hundreds of whiskey bottles glow a deep orange from the setting sun through a wall of paned windows, the entire bar ablaze for about an hour each day.

In the warmer months, the rooftop patio hosts a full-house almost every evening, especially on weekends or nights with bar specials: Maker’s Mark Monday ($3), Two-Fifty Tuesday ($2.50 select beers) and Whiskey Wednesday (50 percent off).

I like this place instantly. After two visits, I become a regular. After a few years, I am a celebrated guest greeted with smiles and banter. I bring all of my out-of-town guests to the Spoke at least the first time they visit.

Yelpers rave about the Spoke as the “best whiskey bar in Chicago,” and they may be right. With over 300 selections of whiskey, scotch and bourbon (all half-priced on Wednesdays), who would argue that claim? The bartenders have the knowledge to back up the collection – quick to recommend pours that fit any mood or craving.

Being a sweet bourbon girl, I am suggested Van Winkle 12 on one of my first visits. I fall in love with the sweetness of vanilla, honey and coffee, and the bitter finish. Years later, it’s hard to kick the habit of ordering it every visit.

But why stop at whiskey? Twisted Spoke also has one of the largest beer selections in Chicago (around 200). The taps consistently feature around 20 brews, many of which are one-off creations that will be gone forever by your next visit. Over a dozen more barrels are kept “on reserve” in the basement to age until ripe for the dispensing.

Their Bloody Mary is no joke – spicy, hearty and dark with a splash of stout, a sidecar of tap brew and a skewer of goodies of the meat and pickled veggie variety. They also offer up cocktails with some humor, such as the “Breakfast of Champions” consisting of Bailey’s Irish Cream, whiskey, milk and Cap’n Crunch cereal crumbles.

With such an extensive alcohol assortment, a substantial offering of food is necessary. When tummies are full of whiskey and beer, almost any old nosh will do to soak it up – but the Spoke doesn’t skimp on that either.

The appetizer selection dominates over most other bars I’ve visited: crispy lemon-garlic-red pepper chicken wings (served literally flaming), chorizo-goat cheese tostada with avocados and capers, mussels in a white wine and tomato broth, fried medley of mushrooms (oyster, shiitake, baby bello and button) coated in panko and served with spicy aioli. Guests can also build their own juicy burger (Fatboy), adding on items like grilled onion and bacon for no extra charge.

The Spoke brings it home with an excellent brunch menu. The classics are there, from steak (marinated in bourbon) and eggs with homemade tomatillo salsa, to a killer breakfast burrito with chorizo and Chihuahua cheese. My favorite brunch items come from their more obscure category, like the Lavache Poire – three eggs (any way) with sliced smoked pork, champagne-poached pears and a wedge of brie with fries and toast.

With so many enticing bars and restaurants in Chicago, it’s hard to justify returning to the same ones time and time again – unless it’s a place unmatched by anything else around. Twisted Spoke is that place.