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Alice's Lounge - this guy - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I did enjoy this karaoke bar. It is a very popular local bar that centers karaoke and drinks. Everyone seems to know each other and the staff is very kind. You have to be patient because it is a medium sized space; when there's a crowd, service is going to move a little bit slow. They have a typical drinks, cocktails and beers. It's far from my neighborhood but glad I got a chance to check this place out because I've heard so many good things about it. They have a great karaoke selection with a good system and it's a very clean open space. If you're in the area, definitely check this place out. read more

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Hey, two nights ago I visited the bar and left at closing upon leaving i was attacked by a patron who knocked my phone out of my hands and then attacked me when i asked him why he had knocked my phone down. He(?) Was being a bit aggressive with another regular patron and I asked if they were ok which set the aggresive person off. I don't want to fight ever so I simply held him and pushed him away. I have a picture of the aggresive one and the 2nd person if you want. I'm not trying to get anyone in trouble just letting you know. The aggresive one has the black coat! read more

Alice's Lounge - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

security has a power trip, we exited to smoke and tried getting back in by waiting in line and security said they weren't going to let us back in for no reason. We had friends inside and our drinks waiting for us inside when I tried confirming to the security that I had friends inside there I tried to call one and obviously didn't pick up because we were in there trying to have fun he proceeded to laugh at me and say "that sucks move along" so they take my money but wouldn't let me or my friends back in? We weren't disrespectful we always meet new people here and come here often but after last night never again. The security they have isn't even a solid security, they were getting it handed to them by 1 guy, they ran inside and locked the doors. Don't waste your time here if security can't defend themselves imagine when having to defend you. read more

I don't usually stay out that late but here I am at a bachelorette party in Chicago and after Brando's, a local we met that night suggested us to check out Alice's as it's a karaoke bar that stay open to 4am unlike Brando's and the bride wanted to check it out instead of our original plan to hit up the casino. I kinda regret coming here as it was quite a bit far from our hotel and it's more of a small dive bar except the drinks aren't really cheap. At one point they only had one bartender serving across so many people and the wait was a bit long. I paid $14 usd + tip for a long island iced tea, which is supposed to be what they specialize in as highlighted on their menu board. Anyways, after paying for a drink for the bride, she didn't like it one bit and some of us tried it and it didn't taste good at all so it's a waste... maybe we just don't like our cocktails that hard with just a splash of mixer. I haven't had a long island iced tea in a long while so no recent comparisons but maybe that's how it's supposed to be. I'm also not really into crowded bars without seating, so this scene isn't for me. I usually don't stay out past 2 AM anyway especially not on a Sunday night. But aside from the vibe of the place, the queue to sign up for a song to sing is so long because of the amount of people. The bar had to cut off sign ups after 2:45~am or so on Sunday. However, everyone who came up to sing was SO GOOD at singing that I was intimidated to sign up because I don't have strong vocals, just here for a good time ya know? Could just be the night I went where everyone was knocking it out of the park. Unlike the earlier karaoke bar where there's a good mix of skilled and unskilled singers. Oh yeah and unisex washrooms, which is fine but there are only 2 stalls so the queue to get to the washroom could be long especially when the bar is busy. I mean I guess it was an okay bar but really to me, it could've been better. read more

Alice's Lounge - Bar and vibe - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The bar is really small few tables and bar top. Karaoke was annoying went on Sunday night It wasn't too full so me and my friends all went up and requested a song. The KJ was using KaraFun but not using the QR code which was annoying, but that's probably because they didn't want patrons to see that they were just favoring people. When my friend went up to the KJ to ask about the wait time, she was told that there were 40 people in line ahead of her when there wasn't even 40 people in the bar. The KJ was asked if they prioritize new singers, and build a rotation off of that and they said no. Which totally is OK it's how you choose to run your karaoke, but I've never experienced that before after that the KJ went on the microphone saying oh I don't care if there's a list I'm putting in songs as I receive them. All in all there's plenty more and better karaoke spots with actual stages or actual set ups with KJ's that will prioritize new singers instead of repeat singers. read more

Friend was called disruptive after another girl was causing issues and her heel got stuck. Bouncer kept touching her.

Good affordable drinks, friendly staff and a great place to belt out a tune. Always meet cool people here. All in all, one of my favorite spots to spend, or end, a night out. read more

Great spot! Love that they have updated the interior and sound system! A great spot for a karaoke and drinks. Heard they do really affordable karaoke parties during the week 7-10pm you can book a KJ for like $50hr! read more

The kareoke host picks only songs he wants to hear and is rude af Lame, skip and go to other karaoke spots read more

I love this place. Such great service and the talent is everywhere here. Best Karaoke bar in Chicago. Open late and always a good time. I will always be down to go to Alice's ! read more

Came on Wednesday night the first night that they had reopened after Covid related shutdowns. Ordered one of the big polish beers. Seems like a really neat community that meets here at this local dive bar. There was some Kareoke being sung. Didn't recognize all the songs but people had fun including myself singing. Even danced with a gal! My first time dancing in a bar 2020. One of the bartenders owners also sang a few songs. They take credit cards but there is a minimum charge of $20 People really turned up. read more

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really rude workers made me and a group of my friends feel unwelcome.. first time i went here i had a better exp than this recent time.

So much fun!!!!!! Best karaoke spot around town :)! Great for parties and a relaxed vibe.

In town for a few days.. spent the whole weekend at Alice's. Great people and even better vibes! 10/10

This is where you end the night, not start the night. And due to that, it gets cray cray in here. Great fun for karaoke, but the microphone sucks and there is no stage. It's a bit awkward on the ground while drunk people walk all around you. Oh well, it's karaoke. read more

One of Chicago finest old school neighborhood semi-dive bars, the sort that isn't filthy but definitely has an old style sign from 1960.

Alice's has been my go-to bar for nearly two years, and I can't recommend it more. They've worked hard to modernize the interior (I had no problem with the old interior, but I know people care about these things), and they've upgraded the sound system (again, old one was fine by me, but it's even better now). But that's not why I go there. I go there because Zach and Jeremy take care of their customers, because all of the door guys know your name, because the bartenders know your drink, and because Fred's very subtly the biggest-hearted guy in the place, doing everything he can to make your karaoke experience sound good, and be memorable. I had a loss in my life recently, and without me even telling anyone from the bar, word got around, and the next time I walked in, Zach was right there with a big hug and a drink, and most of the regulars came over with words of love and support. This is a fun bar full of *really* good human beings, and well worth your effort to get to know. read more

I came here because one of my friends really enjoys this place and it was her birthday. While I was open to what she wanted to do, this place was pretty bad. First, the place is too small for karaoke. Forget walking to the back half of the bar. It's blocked! The music selection is also a bit weird as I heard some pretty hardcore and misogynistic music. I know not exactly the fault of the bar, but their catalog is a bit weird. They also have a $20 minimum credit card charge which was a bit large. Since these minimums are really at the discretion of the establishment, they seem to be really gouging people. My friend of the friend, frantic, ordered us all drinks. I just got a vodka soda and it tasted like the soda line needs a good cleaning. This gets two stars as everybody in my group was treated kindly, but I could see others complaints possibly happening. The security and the DJ seemed a little on edge. It wasn't terrible, but it was still pretty bad. I will not be back and I would recommend skipping this place, especially with all the great options in the area. read more

Good neighborhood bar. Happy hour everyday from 7-9, half off everything. Pretty sure it doesn't get better than that. Karaoke on weekends, I believe, with plenty of song options. Cocktails were tasty & very reasonably priced. If I lived near, this would definitely be a regular bar of mine. read more

This place is great. Great crowd. Great karaoke. And the karaoke host...amazing. hilarious. If you think his sense of humor is off, then you probably need to get the stick out of your ass. My only concern, is that I am limited to 5 s, when this establishment clearly deserves 10 of them. A must for karaoke lovers read more

Great fun! We'll be back. Best place in Chicago for Karaoke. Stiff drinks, modest prices and a complete song list!

Best staff in the city. This bar is so fun and lively. The kareoke crowd is awesome and definitely a destination spot. This spot is perfect for a fun casual entertaining night out! read more

My Saturday night started in Lakeview and at midnight someone suggested Alice's (Central Park and Belmont). I thought why are we going ALL the way out there, what's out there. But...off we went. I don't remember much signage outside the bar clearly marking this as Alice's. I do remember that as we walked in someone was singing karaoke to My Chemical Romance and the next song was a Britney song. It's at this point I knew I was in love. Where has this place been my whole life and why have I been spending my Saturday nights in Lakeview? The crowd represented all age ranges and was very diverse. Before I knew it I had the I need to go home NOW moment and pulled out my phone to call a Lyft and it was already 3:45 AM. I never stay out this late! Overall, the karaoke was amazing, lots of song choices, lots of participation. Drinks were good and the service was great. AND on a plus my friend took my purse and jacket and left it on a hook at the bar. I completely expected my purse to be gone. It wasn't. Not that I'd recommend this, but always a sigh of relief when no one steals a purse! read more

I was there for literally only 10 minutes and it was packed with excitement it's a small bar with karaoke right smack in the middle so you have to scoot around some people to get to a good table. I didn't buy a drink so no idea about the bar part but the karaoke was popping off! 8 dudes were rapping forget about Dre so emphatically along with the guy on the mic. Someone even stood on their head for a second before they were reprimanded by staff. I'm not a huge fan of this song or dudes but it was fun to be around. If you're boring this probably won't be your vibe but there's no denying that the energy in here was infectious read more

Alice's Lounge - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have to laugh at the 1 star reviews on here. They couldn't be more false. Sexist and racist? Please. Seems to me that some people are mad because they didn't get picked to sing because they showed up past 12am on a weekend; they were drunk and disorderly; or they just don't respect the rules of the house. Fred runs karaoke and does not push people ahead just because they badger him, ask him if they're going to get to go onstage soon, or try to buy their way to the front of the line (you should tip Freddy simply because he's an amazing guy). Leave the man alone and let him do his job because he will make you sound better than you actually do. Plus he's hilarious. There's no place I'd rather be on a Wednesday or Thursday night. Weekends are fun, but packed. I've been going to Alice's for 3 years and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Even when I bomb a song I still feel loved. It's intimidating at first, but once you feel the love firsthand you'll be hooked like I am. I've met so many amazing people here. It's my "Cheers". The staff is friendly (Michael, Honorata, Alice, Kasia) and Mike, the door guy, is the best. Have your ID ready, don't cause a scene, and respect the establishment and its staff. read more

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Every few years my work, like many others, throws a Christmas party that involves karaoke. Every co-worker who was in musical theater or who ever wanted to be the next Madonna (not to give away the age of most of my co-workers) runs to the microphone to belt out the songs that could have made them stars, if only they wrote them - or had actual talent to sing them. This bar's karaoke night is like a bad work Christmas party - right down to the fact that if you check a little box on the sign-up slip, for $2 they'll give you a tape of you singing. Here's an idea, I'll give every wanna be Loretta Lynn $2 to just let me enjoy my $5 Guinness without you trying to reach for your star (and please, for the love of all things holy, keep your feet on the ground)! It's just karaoke people! There are no talent scouts in the audience! Goof off, have fun with it, mess up the lyrics. I don't need you to make me cry. I'm in a dive bar in Avondale so I'm probably already half way there, now aren't I? And yes, the DJ has props (he also air guitars or air drums to every song). But that just adds to the metaphor, now doesn't it? Someone needs to not quit their day job of MCing weddings (speaking of which that's the only saving grace about this bar, there's a potluck buffet). Maybe it was just the clientele on this particular night I went and on other nights the selections are not all sad country songs (after all, it was the night the Cubs got eliminated) and classic rock anthems. But somehow I doubt that. I doubt it because I was one of the youngest people in the bar at 33. I found out later that all younger karaoke singers (with more diverse musical tastes) were down the street at Cindy's Our Place. The group I was with (karaoke mad folk all) left right after a "rousing" rendition of so song I didn't know by some regulars with the lyrics "who the f*c* is Alice?" inserted over an instrumental. Really, after two hours there I could care less who Alice is. But apparently she's got magical powers to brainwash the bar's patrons. read more

Alice's Lounge - A dark sign in a dark bar. - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Not bad, not bad A friend of mine loves doing karaoke and he loves the Logan Square/Avondale area, so it was of no surprise that this was the place he chose to have his b'day party. I made it there around 10:30 and had had to press the buzzer to get inside which I thought was crazy. Once inside, you can see the place is rocking and the bar is crowded. The bar is manned by two 50 something woman that can hold their own, but in some cases I had to really scream or stick my hand behind the bar to get attention from them. They had nice specials such as $4 rum & coke as well as $5 17oz polish beer. They have one of those lighting balls in the middle of the ceiling that dispenses smoke throughout the bar which I thought was cool. They have a huge selection of songs to choose from as I think they have 2 big ass books worth as they should. There is a guy that gets in character for each song which adds to the whole fun. For example, someone decided to sing the Humpty Dance and he pulled out the Humpty nose & glasses and did the Humpty dance....pretty darn cool I had a good time and would def come back for some serious karaoke. read more

Good vibes. Great drinks. 10/10 would recommend. Bartenders are super friendly. Always a good time.

Karaoke DJ is old, system is old, and you can be there for 3 hours and only sing one song because he will either prioritize new people or lose your song bc it's all on slips of paper with no sense of organization. read more

Came here on a Tuesday while (re) visiting Chicago. My friend and I left a salsa club and came here as its his Bros. hangout. Done deal. Get buzzed IN to keep the riff raff OUT? Yup. Great singing man w/ one leg; strong 3-Legged monkeys? That too... Good ay! candy and NOT so good eye candy? Pssshh, duh! Dancing regulars who are having a great time playing pool, requesting songs and getting wasted; oh! ...and personable bar staff who actually engaged in conversation and kept my glass non empty. DING DING DING! You win the $64 question! Winner gets a cupie doll... Thank you Alice. May = NY time (I'll be back East as usual) but I'll be back in your town for the P.R. parade in June and I will come and watch and drink and be Merry! Had an enjoyable time. Spankii Yum-Yum has spoken... read more

The best wierdo karaoke bar in the city! No frills, just a guaranteed good drunken time. I think it's impossible to not have an good time here. The DJ is hilarious and takes his job super seriously. I died of laughter when he pulled out an inflatable saxophone out of no where to join in on a song as if he was playing the sax. Priceless. It doesn't need to be a full moon for the neighborhood wierdos to come out. That's just an average day at Alice's. If you are shy-don't be. Everyone joins in on the songs and honestly everyone is too drunk to notice it you are singing off key. Beware, sometimes it gets super crowded. The secret has gotten out about this random gem. read more

Alice's Lounge - The inflatable saxophone - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I rented out the DJ for two hours for my birthday for an incredible price and me and all my friends had such a blast. Will definitely be coming back. The DJ Fred is awesome and keeps it fun. It does get busy after 11 so I recommend getting there earlier and reserving the karaoke. read more

The great thing about living so close to the Avondale neighborhood are all the wonderful hole-in-the-wall dives that offer the most in such a small package. Alice's Lounge does that, and it must be one of the best bars in the city for people in my age group (mid to late 20's) to wind down and have a damn good time. First off, this place is open until 5am, y'all. 5AM! No more will I have to be kicked out of a pad at 2am when I still feel like a million bucks (I work nights at my job so I've turned into quite the night owl), and come up short on finding another spot to rest my bottom or continue to get my groove thang on; this shall be my new home! Cheap brews, cheap liquor, cheap drinks galore. It's hard to say no to something like that. Also, on Saturday nights, it's karaoke night and man, do they really put on a show, these patrons. Someone had Zombie by the Cranberries on, and the whole bar sang out the chorus in unison, it was incredible to say the least. Good crowd, not too small of a bar, and great location as well. read more

Saturday was my first time at this bar and I was appalled by the owner. This very large short man was barking orders behind the bar to his bartenders instead of helping on a very busy evening. I asked around at some point and realized he was the owner. He was taking over the only electronic dart board they had the entire night (even after we asked if we could play). And he kept going up to sing karaoke. The place is packed and you are the owner....RUN YOUR BUSINESS and take care of your customers. You don't need to be chillin playing darts or karaoking right now. He then decides at some point to take the darts right out my friends hands while we were playing the manual cork board for no reason and with not even a word said to us. No sorry it's busy we all have to stop playing no nothing! He was incredibly rude. His staff was great and that's the only reason they got tips was because I know it's going to them. Needless to say I will never go back to this establishment again because of the owners poor behavior. read more

Ay what can I say? It's open late this is why we have ended up here a few Saturdays after Halloween. Karaoke can be fun but good luck getting a turn because obviously the regulars get all the dibs. Womp womp. No fun. Drinks are average. Decor is far from fancy. Classic moms and pops corner bar. Street parking available. Bathroom can get really yucky. If you don't want to wait 2.5hrs to be called on for your turn at the mic tip the karaoke guy! Ugh. read more

This place is absolutely Horrible . Last Night I went in after Dinner and ordered a water because I had just had a wine flight at dinner and didnt want to be a drunken fool . I put a song in and waited over an hour before asking the DJ what was up. The owner told him not to let me sing because I ordered a water. I was just waiting to order a beer until my buzz had passed a little But apparently you are only allowed to sing karaoke in this place if you are making a fool of yourself. I live around the corner and have brought friends in to sing with me as karaoke and alcohol are two of my favorite things I will NEVER go back read more

I put in my song first. 20 songs later I asked why the karaoke dj didn't play my song yet. He said "because I don't like you". I've never met this man. read more

Tonight, while I was at this bar, an African American patron went up to the bar. When he did, he was told there was a private party and he had to leave. This was not true. I was not part of a private party and was served without a problem. This behavior was completely unacceptable behavior. I recommend you do not visit this establishment. read more

We came here for Karaoke on a Saturday night and within 5 min the owner/bartender was harassing my friends and I about buying drinks. I ordered a drink for myself because I had cash. After she gave me my drink, she asked if my friends were going to order anything. I politely informed her that they'd come up to the bar when they're ready. Due to their $20 minimum for credit cards, my friends wanted to take a second to figure out who would open the tab. While they discussed, I asked for water in the mean time, but the bartender informed me they only had bottles for purchase. That's an understandable response, except the group directly next to me had a clear plastic cup of water in front of them. Needless to say, everyone's mood changed. When I mentioned this treatment to the bartender, she responded by saying "I don't need 3 people who aren't going to drink in my bar." We've come to this bar several times before, and usually have a great time. But to be judged and dismissed within 5 min, and by the owner at that, is completely inappropriate. We were looking forward to great night out with friends, and I'm happy to say that we did just that at another bar down the street. read more