I'm booked up on Friday night, but hope you have fun.
+1 on the suggestions regarding Goose Island. There are beers there not available in the stores. Good pub food, too.
+1 on the advice regarding taking the train - if you are comfortable with urban areas and mass transit. It makes life sooo much easier. Even if you end up taking a train downtown and then hopping a cab to your final destination - not too expensive and much nicer than driving in on the Kennedy.
Ok, now some new suggestions for you! First is the Publican. From their website "From the team that created Blackbird and avec restaurants, The Publican is a new beer-focused restaurant located at 845 W. Fulton in Chicago. Executive Chef Paul Kahan and Chef de Cuisine Brian Huston crafted an eclectic menu inspired by simple farmhouse fare in a space evocative of a European beer hall." Its in an area sometimes called the Fulton Market area. Very fun, good food, lots of Belgian and French ales. Not inexpensive, though.
Second, Brassiere Jo, downtown-ish in an area called River North (interestingly, just north of the river). Big french-style brassiere with outstanding food and a great beer menu, which you can see here
http://www.brasseriejo.com/pdf/beer_menu.pdf Again, not inexpensive but a good place for a celebration or special night out.
Its Chicago, so the list is endless, but I'll let others pipe in now . . .