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    aliveOne

    4.1 (259 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    aliveOne Photos

    ALIVEONE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for dancing

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    Jacqueline M.

    Fun bar in the back with a DJ and dancing. Can get super crowded back there though. Otherwise in front, it's nice to sit at the bar and the bartender was very nice

    Love a good pool hang
    Alice D.

    Huge aliveOne fangirl right here! This is one of my favorite bars. I like that it's divey but sometimes high energy- you can play pool and groove on a lit danceflo' all in one night. They have all kinds of goings-on that I honestly didn't know about until my last visit. Half price happy hour (every day 4p-6p), $4 beers on Tuesdays, free shows on Thursdays... plenty to do. The front space is a funky dive vibe w. cushioned barstools, hanging glass lamps, ornate decor above the bar and a jukebox complete with all kinds of oldies. Throughout the bar you can sit on vintage couches and armchairs and admire the gallery-style wall art. They host shows and private parties in their back room, which has its own bar and some dancin space! The dance floor gets pretty lit on weekends around midnight/1am. Get over to aliveOne stat for a Chicago Handshake and a vibey hang! And don't forget, Kingston Mines is just a short walk down Halsted... have fun!

    My daughters sour beer
    Melissa C.

    I can't say enough good things about this place. Zach was so the highlight! He was like my best friend I hadn't seen in months. He made a custom drink order for me from a friend in Texas. It was perfect and then he exceeded perfection by. Making the house margarita which probably had 3x the alcohol!! I left with friends and so so happy!!

    two bartenders at a bar

    Stephen Mackey - greatest bartender I have come across so far since I moved to Chicago 2 years ago. Stellar service, amazing sense of humor. Asked if he was single but I guess he has a wife. If he is working when you go to aliveOne, definitely order his Gin Fizz.

    Front room
    Tumpale M.

    It's one of my favorite spots in the city. The front room has a more typically dive bar atmosphere with the pool table and the rock music. The back room is my favorite, with the live DJ and the hip hop or throwback hits. Well drinks are reasonably priced and the staff is super cool, especially Thomas. He's the best!

    Margarita.
    Pamela R.

    Low key spot with great specials. Live music in the back and free pool. Muisc in the ft was pretty good and bartender super nice . very welcomed.

    back bar

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    7 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Classy but divey! Fun DJ in the back room. Feels small/intimate but with plenty of room. Fun spot that fits many vibes!

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Great place for a Saturday night in Lincoln Park. Great music, reasonable drinks, fun crowd.

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    7 years ago

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    Page 1 of 7

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    Review Highlights - aliveOne

    i miss when the heard used to have residency here, but low spark has been a great replacement.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    King of Cups - Old Fashion

    King of Cups

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    The best way I can describe King of Cups is to say this place is a VIBE. The theme is all-in on…read moreMedieval, from the lighting to chandeliers, candles, mirrors, chairs, drapes, and even changing digital paintings. It is definitely unique, creative, and a massive differentiator from any other cocktail bar I've been to. Now, let's talk cocktails! The creativity of the interior extends into the menu. Unlike some places that just make variations of existing classics (except for items specifically so named, like the Old Fashioned or Espresso Martini), all of their cocktails are unique and interesting. Time for a punch card? I ordered the Maximillian the Imposter. While I'm not typically a fan of banana (except for banana bread), I thought I'd step out of my comfort zone, and I wanted to try something 'flaming'. Flaming it was! The preparation of the drink involved a surprising amount of fire. I initially thought this was just for show, but no, this translated into a noticeable smoky flavor. Beyond that, the drink was strong, not overly sweet, and an all-around delight. There was one bartender on the night I was here, and while it was busy, I was still able to get my drink in a reasonable amount of time. I also feel as though they have reasonable prices, especially considering the quality and the market rates. King of Cups gets busy, and for good reason: they are an all-around phenomenal place, from the drinks to the vibe, and everything in between. If you're someone who likes a seat rather than fighting through a crowd, get a reservation! See you there!

    What a nice, moody, intimate bar. I came here for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised at how…read moreit's an actual discounted happy hour menu! You know it is these days - most places just knock a dollar off and call it a day. This one is legit! I'd say you should make a reservation for prime time to ensure you'll have a seat. However when it's early no big deal to just pop by. I enjoyed the plum Moscow mule (not too sweet!) and the espresso martini. Both are on draft which made me nervous from past experiences at other places. However, these were great and I LOVED their espresso martini. The bartender was kind and the vibes were off the charts. Check this place out next time you're in Lincoln Park!

    Elixir - Montage of images from Elixir

    Elixir

    (119 reviews)

    $$

    Lakeview

    We have been to Elixir a few times and it is always a great choice for unique and delicious…read morecocktails! It is a cozy little bar with dim lighting perfect for a date night drink. The bartenders are always very friendly and check in often which is always appreciated. You're always immediately given little pretzels to snack on which I love as a unique touch. This time we both chose a more standard cocktail, but they also always have very unique and delicious seasonal cocktails which are always amazing! I would definitely recommend Elixir to anyone looking for a spot to grab a quick and delicious cocktail!

    On our first night in Boystown, Jamie W and I were pretty overwhelmed by the crowds at Sidetrack…read moreand Roscoe's, so we ended up coming here to make Jamie's virginal gay bar debut. It was the right move because it had the kind of chill vibe we were seeking after a long flight from SFO. Fortunately there were two seats at the bar with our names on them. Figuratively speaking. They had quite a signature cocktail list on hand, and we felt it was our obligation to try as many as we could. At least that was what we said to ourselves as the evening wore on. Each cocktail was $14. We started with a couple of familiar libations. Jamie ordered the Mint Julep, a delightfully Deep South mix of bourbon, simple syrup, and fresh mint (photo: https://yelp.to/u-td8LdPLj). I went further south with the Pineapple Margarita which was emboldened by a tropically potent mix of pineapple infused tequila, lime juice, and agave (photo: https://yelp.to/V-Sf6Q_2qK). We got a bit bolder with our second round and found mixed results. Jamie had the Not Your Mom's Daiquiri which amped up the margarita by blending pineapple-infused tequila with Bacardi 8-year rum. Along with fresh lime and simple syrup, this one definitely had more of a kick (photo: https://yelp.to/1ZijDf6wMV). However, my order, the Pontiac Pony, was a spicy miss for me. It was a rather oddball mix of apple-cinnamon infused vodka, pear liqueur, fresh squeezed lemon juice, and ginger beer (photo: https://yelp.to/5dQoFdzG98). There was just a harshness that didn't sit well on my tongue. Oh well, the mellow vibe was cool. COCKTAILS - 4 stars...three out of four cocktails were aces, just one clinker AMBIANCE - 4 stars...very chill, fairly quiet for Boystown SERVICE - 4 stars...cool bartenders TOTAL - 4 stars...check it out when you take a break from your Boystown cruising RELATED - Exploring Chicago? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/44c4CZO

    aliveOne - divebars - Updated May 2026

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