This bar has something for everyone. Up front is a laid back, pool table, long bar with classic music and drinks. However, walk through the back doors and you're automatically transported to a dance floor with great bands and music. The drinks are strong and half off during happy hour. Service is good and everyone seems friendly. I'll return to this bar time and time again. read more

Janet is the most disrespectful bartender I have ever met. We tipped her a lot and were very understanding of her having had a busy night, but then she cussed out my friend for absolutely no reason. We tipped her much more than we should have and then still spoke to us in the most unreasonable manor. I will not be returning as long as she works there. My friend tells me he goes every week and she is always so disrespectful. I wish I could leave a 0. read more

I've lived in the area for awhile and have been coming here for long time. Every bartender has been so welcoming! Janet, Steve, and Zach are beyond accommodating! My wife and I love coming in when Janet is working, because she knows exactly what we want the moment we sit down. This is a great spot any night of week! read more

Tuesday nights! Drink specials! Friendly faces! Great tunes! Retro concerts on the tube! It's the best

A group of about 25 friends and I went to Alive1 to hang out in the festivus spirit. The location has a front part where the bar is with plenty of seating and a pool table then the back area has another bar and a DJ. We had sooooo much fun! The DJ played great music and the bartender was so nice. She had awesome drink combinations for those of us who were confused about what to drink. Prices were pretty reasonable as well! Great dive bar with an old school feel to it! read more

Fun bar and good dance floor.Thomas is a great bartender and will take care of you. Cheers

I loved this bar. Have been going there with a big group of friends every Tuesday for a long time. Enjoyed their friendly staff, great beer, and sweet music. However, there are a few regulars who think they own the house and have really cocky attitude towards other people, who can ruin your night easily. Unfortunately, we ran into two of those last night. They yelled and swore at our female friend cuz they wanted to play pool when it was our friend's turn. One of our male friends, who came with us to AliveOne for the first time, went up to stop them. They wouldn't stop yelling but told him, "why don't you do something about it". Any man out there would do something about it, cuz seriously, they deserved it. So our friend did something about it, which got stopped immediately. He got kicked out but shockingly those two jerks got to stay and play pool! They kept insulting and laughing at our friend even after he left! It was not fair to only kick our friend out, needless to say that they started it first. I went to talk to the owner or whoever was in charge last night, but all he did was defending those two simply because they were regulars! We were very pissed not only because of the terrible experience, but also because how the owner rule his bar. Being a regular doesn't give people excuses to be a jerk. Somehow, it works in this bar, and the owner will defend their jerkness! We had no choice but to leave, as a group of 12. We are very laidback people who just want to have some fun with friends on a weekday night. If AliveOne can't give us a friendly atmosphere and crowd by doing the right thing and making the right decision, I don't find any reasons why we should go back there again. Apparently my friends are with me cuz we just decided to go to The Owl for two-dollar beer night from now on. Peaceout. read more

I'm a live music fanatic. So of course I jumped at the chance to make it over to aliveOne, where the only music you'll hear is either a live performance, or a live concert/bootleg track on the jukebox. Clever premise, eh? And... who knew such a cool bar existed in the heart of Lincoln Park? The front bar carries an extensive beer selection (I believe 16 on draft) and they offer a special every night of the week. Tuesdays are worth checking out as all craft beer will set you back only a measly $2. Chump change! Over in the back room, you can catch music acts they bill as 'alternative vibe." I was lucky to see the hiphop/spoken word/jazz group known as Taggart Transcontinental, a talented, high-energy ensemble overflowing with soul. You won't feel out of place dancing or laying low on the cozy couch in the corner. Though you'll have to move fast to beat lusty couples to this prime piece of people-watching real estate! Also worth noting-- the bar is decorated with rock memorabilia and photographs spanning many musical genres. Live music and good beer go hand-in-hand... check it out! read more

I would not normally give a bar in this neighborhood so many stars but Aliveone is the exception to the douche-rule. Not to say that douche's of all shapes and sized don't reside here. They do (they always do). However the beer selection, staff, overall vibe and backroom all supercede the occasional person-I-want-to-punch. I've only been for 2 dollar beers on Tuesdays although to be honest I come more for the dancing than the beer. Because this is a bar where people dance. Or at least, it's a bar where I can dance without looking like the drunken lush who JUSTWANTSTODANCEGUYSSSSSssss. NOW! (I'm a nice drunk except if you refuse to dance with me.) The only thing that would make Aliveone better is a coat check. And I say this only because in the winter, half the seats in the bar are taken up by piles of coats and purses. And on a crowded Tuesday night, that can be rough. read more

Dear Aliveone, I like you. I like you a lot. Do you like me? If I slipped you a piece of paper with that question, would you circle "yes?" Or at least "maybe?" Add this place to my list of Lincoln Park haunts that don't make me question what went wrong in my life for me to end up here. I got there a little before 9 on a Friday and the crowd was sparse. That changes quickly. Within an hour, it was packed. Usual LP crowd, but a different atmosphere. Quite laidback, randomly chatting up a stranger isn't so awkward here. And how can you not appreciate sitting at the bar, sipping hibiscus ale, with a pic of Hendrix in front of you, old footage of the Stones on the TV, and The Clash's "London Calling" blaring from the speakers? Oh, and apparently there's something entirely different that goes on in the back. I spied a dancefloor and a DJ spinning some decent hip hop. I will be back. I will bring friends. And if you find yourself in the area and the thought of being wedged between tipsy coeds trying to twerk to "Bandz a Make Her Dance" gives you a headache, you should give Aliveone a go too. read more

Wish this place was closer to me. Amazing. Saturday nights Basics: The front half is like a bar/pub. The back is where the dancefloor is and is like a nightclub with a really small bar. Music: The front olays mostly rock and/or pop from now all the way up to the 70s like Zeppelin, Queen, Journey etc. I always head to the back bc the DJ plays a lot of 90s R&B (Candy Coated Raindrops) and hip hop with a few songs from today and the early 2000s. Pricing: No cover. Many "no cover" bars overprice drinks but not this place. Atmosphere: Of course it gets more crowded into the night, but somehow we always find a spot to dance. And of course if you're drunk or just loose enough the crowd melts away and there's only you, your friends, the DJ, and you're little section which feels like the entire dance floor. Recommendation: You must go at least once. read more

AliveOne holds a special place in my heart as being one of the promising bars in Lincoln Park. Years spent attending university there, I always assumed I needed to venture out to find a bar more my speed. I'm not into watching sports games, having to yell over 20 blaring TVs to speak to someone next to me nor do I enjoy drinking copious amounts of any Budweiser or Miller family beers. I'd go to Wicker Park and Logan Square and wish for good bars to pop up in Lincoln Park. I worked and attended classes in that neighborhood and having to CTA at all hours loses its appeal when all I wanted was a decent beer. All hope was lost on Lincoln Park until I reluctantly stepped inside AliveOne. Music videos? Funk & Soul dancing in back? /turn my attention to the chalkboard for more info "Craft Beer List?!" Reluctance shifted to sheer elation. I walk up to the bartender and ask about the beer list. "It's Tuesday: All Craft Pints $2" /tearing joyously I could enjoy the beer up front for the jukebox or pool or take it to the back room for some serious funky dancing. This place was exactly what I had been longing for. Wishes don't always come true but being stuck against Ashland and Wellington, AliveOne is an oasis to call your home away from home. read more

Back in my LP trixie days, I used to secretly love this place... mostly because it was such a different scene than the rest of bars on the Halstead Depaul strip. It's been a few years since I've been here, but I was genuinely stoked when I came back to Chicago to see Alive One was still alive and kicking. Alive One feels much more Wicker Park than Lincoln Park, and the crowd is surprisingly hip. You'll find a lot of Miami-Ohio grads here, I believe the owners went there... and I'm betting they recruited their artsy-cool friends when this place opened. The front bar is usually packed and just ok... on the weekends the back room is where the action is. Fellas - if you are looking to do some romancin'... there's a great spot in this bar that will really help your game. The red room (small entry way between the front and back bar) has a couch in the corner that's slightly secluded, and small enough that you just can't help but invade personal space. If you've been chatting someone up all night, head to the red room couch before last call - and you'll see what I mean... If you can't seal the deal... no fret, my pet... late night hotspot Taco Burrito Palace #2 is just a stone's throw away. Who needs lovin' when you've got a burrito the size of a football? read more

The highlights: -A magical jukebox of mostly live performances, 2/$1. Plenty of Pearl Jam for yours truly, among an eclectic variety of artists. -Three-Dollar Three Floyds Thursdays. Say that three times fast! -Live music in the back room from time to time. -Relaxed vibe, complimented by cozy seating in different nooks. -Friendly and efficient door and bar staff. The lowlights: ... ... ... Oh yeah, there weren't any. Even though I'm not in the neighborhood any longer, I'll make a special trip for AliveOne. read more

I have had some one the best times at this bar. The back played 90s hip hop and was packed every Friday/Saturday night. Unfortunately, the past two times I have gone the DJ's are not self aware enough to realize that their record collection is destroying this place. You would think that if the vast majority of people are on their phones that the music would be changed up. Please bring back the old dj and stop playing your vinyl that you only care about... read more

This is a great place to come if you feel like getting yo' groove on. They have a little dance floor in the back with a DJ. It's not clubby at all, just a nice atmosphere if you feel like doing a jig while you drink. I was there on a Friday night and was not impressed with the DJ. At all. He played a lot of rap and hip hop which I don't necessarily hate, I just wished he would have played some more dancey tunes. And he refused to take requests. A friend of mine requested Michael Jackson's Billy Jean and he said that is on his "do not play" list. Um..wtf? Billy Jean is on your "do not play" list? OK obviously a) you're an idiot b) you're a shitty DJ and c) get off your high horse and take requests. The drinks were totally reasonably priced and I didn't have any trouble getting fast, friendly service. The crowd there was a nice mix as well. Overall, I'm glad I discovered this joint and will definitely be back. Hopefully to the tune of a different DJ. read more

CHICAGO, IL--- According to eyewitness accounts, an insatiable disco madman ripped open the dance floor at ALIVEONE, a local neighborhood dive, this TUESDAY, gluttonously chugging $2 pints of delicious craft beers and hard ciders. His charisma and slick dance moves carved a streak of broken hearts and jealousy as his rampage traveled to and from the dance floor's ends. "It was absolutely voracious-- that crazy guy just did the hustle up and down this place like he owned it. What a brilliant maniac," said a friendly onlooker, Susie Queue, noting that the funky disco inferno had bought drinks for a few, dazed onlookers. "It started simple enough, but then he just kept getting faster and funkier, and when 'She's a Brick House' started playing, he just lost it. I never had a chance." said an anonymous white male disco-enthusiast. At press time, sources confirmed that the Disco-jockey, glistening from sweat induced drunkenness and dancing, gracefully yet jovially avoided reporters. "He moonwalked onto a nearby bus-- one hand on his hip, the other pointing to the sky-- the universal sign to 'keep it funky'." Robin Rockabilly Robinson, ABC NEWS. read more

How have I not been here before? My friends and I felt like we were in the Land of Oz when we stumbled our way in from Hidden Shamrock down the street. Aliveone has a great mix of people, music, and drinks. We were lucky enough the snag the couches in the sitting area, so that made the experience so much better, not to mention we felt super cool. Unfortunately, we didn't stay too long since it was our second stop of the evening, but I love to come back and would recommend that you do too! read more

When I first moved to Chicago, this one was on my favorite bars. Then a year ago, we kind of had a fight. To make a long story short, It had to do with me finding myself there late at night, in the back on the dance floor (with a DJ, playing unz unz music). If you know anything about the FRONT section of Alive One it is nothing like back. And if you know anything about ME, I am not really a late night grinding machine. Last Friday, Alive One and I made up. Like an old friend, it welcomed me to it's friendly front bar. The bartenders and bouncer were cute, laid back and attentive. The live music I knew and loved blasted loudly, erasing my not-so-fond memories of the back "thumping" section. This place tends to get a little packed but if you arrive early enough to get a seat, it is a GREAT place to chill and listen to live music (there is a really good selection in the jukebox). All in all, I am glad we are friends again. read more

Came here with friends on a Friday not long ago, expecting hip-hop in the back room and was extremely disappointed. We asked the bartender what happened to the hip-hop and that DJ, and got a very short and rude response. The new DJ wasn't any more polite. We went back to his booth to ask the same question (we were genuinely curious as to what happened), and found him making out with someone. Very professional. That said, the music wasn't necessarily bad, just not what we were expecting/wanting what night. read more

Used to love coming here for some underground hip hop music and was very surprised and disappointed with my last visit. As stated in another post, the DJ was completely unprofessional. He was caught making out with someone under his booth when we approached him asking to play hip hop. When we finally got his attention he asked why he would change the music if people were dancing. We turned around and counted five people dancing and he said he didn't care. He did not change the music, but continued to play all the music at the request of his hipster make out buddy. There were plenty of people coming in disappointed and expressing their expectations of hip hop music (as advertised) but nothing changed. We would've stayed but between the unprofessional DJ and rude bar tender, we will not return. read more

I've been a huge supporter of this place for over a year now. Words cannot express how awesome my Friday and/or Saturday night gets every time I go to Aliveone. This is my attempt... The front bar is usually more chill and sociable that provides a laid-black vibe. Rock music is usually blaring but not too much where you can't get to know the person next to you. There is a pool table and plenty of seating (benches, tables, or at the bar). It is great place to go after a long week of work. Where you'll find me? In the back room. The blonde bartender makes the best drinks. I'm blanking on her name right now but she makes delicious long islands that will make you forget there is any alcohol in them, which does not happen often. There is an elevated couch area--Get there early if you want this VIP treatment. The best part is the DJ is always playing their FAVORITE choice of hip-hop and R&B and it is usually awesome selection. Everyone is usually dancing and singing their favorite song. Everyone that comes here will love it. It is the place you want to go and spend your riches because the experience is awesome. Check out their website or call for more information about what they have planned during the week. :-) read more

Went there for Back Room Comedy. Was a really great show laughed so hard! Service was good as were the drinks. And I liked the front bar so a win win ! read more

Aliveone was my first dive bar experience in Chicago, and I had a great time with the locals. The front room has tables along with wall, seats along the bar, and a pool table in the back of the room. Some girl offered me a seat at the bar just because I was "so pretty"... even the girls are incredibly nice here!! The reasonably priced drinks, which are not watered down, make the place even better. The back room secretly hordes all the fun music... where you can dance dance dance to the hippity hop. read more

For some reason, many of my chums are obsessed with this place. Maybe because there's a back room solely for DANCIN!! or Maybe because some guy gave me a free shot once. That was cool. But I'm pretty sure the main reason everyone's obsessed with this place is because the Kings of Leon hang out here. Like all the time. I brushed against the bass player once. No joke. read more

"Your time is near, the mission's clear It's later than we think" Yeah, you're right, it is getting pretty late. I'd like to go somewhere that's chill, and not too crazy. "Before you slip into the night You'll want something to drink" Plus, I can't go to Beaumont sober. "Steal something ump pad de da Foggy cavern do da da hahaha" ok, Let's go to aliveone. "da dada, button the somth to the thing and put it in my sock." Hell yeah. Great bar. remember to take care of your shoes. read more

I can stand very few bars in Lincoln Park, but this one is a good time. The front part is often filled with people hovering around late 20s who probably used to go to rock shows and possibly had long hair. Now both have receded to a less active roll in their lives. The music is good, especially if you lean to classic rock. There is a nice selection of imports and micros on tap and the bartender buys me a shot of Jamo every trip in. Linking the back and front is an area with a few couches and lamps. You can usually find a cute girl smoking a cigarette or a couple whispering sweet nothings. Make your way to the hip hop room where the younger and drunker have found each other. DJs spin and dancers knock into each other on the crowded dance floor. read more

It was a decent place for locals but for a tourist it's a bit boring. There wasn't any music and not many people there. The bar is very out dated but there is a pool table. The bartender was super cool as well read more

Cool little dive bar and on Tuesdays there's draft night ($2-3 draft beers). The interior is dark and pretty sexy. The crowd is pretty cool too. The bar has some awesome decor and the staff is attentive and personable. The back room is where you can get down to a dj who only spins on vinyl. Which is super cool because that's a rare and dying art. The music ranges from who ever has the decks but it's usually pretty good There are two single bathrooms in the back as well and it can get F'ing hot. Otherwise AliveOne is a place every local should check out. read more

This place needs more in-tuned staff. Yes, I agree with the other write up of the weirdness surrounding the drink packages - I arrive an hour after the event starts, I dont want the drink package (Im so lucky to be one allergic to about 70% of beers created) but yet am forced to pay the full amount. Never been someplace where this is forced - Note to owner/manager - You know you would of made more $$$ off of me if you just would of let me order what I wanted; for I would of consumed more. Then here is my favorite - Of course in the back for a party and its January - all of our coats are on the covered up DJ Booth - Mr. Dip-Shit grabs the cover, puts it on the ground, then proceeds to dump all of our coats onto the large cover/ground where its all wet and crappy (35+ coats topple and do fall over asshole) because "He has to set up."" We get it douch, would it kill ya to make a 10 sec annoucement? Or spend $10 at the HOme Depot a couple doors down for hooks along the back wall. If you want a rip-off, have someone throw your shit on the floor and basically say get the F*@! Out then this is your new hot-spot. read more

Seemed like a pretty relaxed place to hang out...until about 11pm. Then I felt very old...at 28...is that old? Maybe. Sad. I would come back for drinking beers early evening or weekend daytime drinking...otherwise I need to learn my lesson and stay out of Lincoln Park bars. yikes. read more

Maybe it's the darkness. Maybe it's the weird stuff on the walls/ceiling. Maybe it's the reasonably-priced drinks or the decent selection of music. Or maybe I'm just drunk. Either way, I really like coming to aliveOne with my friends when we want to go to a bar and actually SIT down and have some drinks. No food here, so eat before you go. They have live music in the back room which has been fun on a few occasions, but for the most part I'm partial to the tables up front. The door people don't give you lip and don't have superiority complexes. The bartenders are awesome and make you up a STIFF drink. (Always a plus, especially when the economy is in the toliet!) Basically, a cool, laid-back place to hang out in Lincoln Park/Lakeview area without having to worry if your collar is sufficiently popped. read more

Attended a party in the back room. Pretty decent drink deal--$30 premium liquor 8-11. Abundant good vibes. The back room is absolutely beautiful. The ambiance is really quite amazing. Cozy and eclectic. The employees are SO wonderful. Gripes: Music prior to the arrival of the DJ was kind of a bummer. Immediately at 11pm, when the party deal ended, the room was literally FLOODED with people...who promptly threw all of our coats and stuff off the sofas and onto the floor...? With no space to breathe and dirty coats, my friends and I were downright suffocated and left. read more

FANTASTIC weekday chill-out bar. Went to the Columbia Records pre-release listening party for Bob Dylan's late '06 album... good beer selection. Just a great place to chill out and not worry about any bullshit people. If you want lots of singles and people looking to hook up, this is not your place. If you want to go have a couple of drinks, sit down, and talk amidst a decent and subdued lot of people, go here. I'm talking weekdays, not weekends where apparently DJs spin... read more

My only experience here has been on their weekly Funk Thursday night. A bar that supports talented, local, funly music is OK by me. The crowd is generally nice and if you're feeling up to it you can start a dance party. I will be back! read more

Aliveone pretty much rocks. It's not what you'd expect from a Lincoln Park bar, in a good way. Check it out on Tuesday, when they offer two dollar drafts of such tasties as Magic Hat #9, various Three Floyd's, Half Acre Over Ale, and Sierra Nevada. With a jukebox full of Zeppelin, the Stones, Fleetwood Mac, etc. and pictures of Frank Zappa (sigh...) & a number of other rock/soul legends adorning the walls, Aliveone boasts a chill vibe and inviting, laid-back atmosphere. The pool table is another plus. They don't offer food but don't seem to mind when you bring in some dollar tacos. Joel, the bartender is prettay, prettay cool as well. They convert the front of the bar into a stage for live shows, and the sound is surprisingly clear. I LOVE THIS PLACE! read more

I love this bar - not as a "It's Saturday night, let's go out" bar but as a weeknight chill bar. They have music that's actually worth listening to (weird!) and it seems their jukebox only includes such music as well. Lots of classic rock. It's dark, and quiet earlier on, and they have good beer on tap. The tables are small and have real LPs squished under the plastic tops. This might be my favorite spot to bring a date for drinks, especially those ladies who appreciate good music and even good beer. Huge bonus: $2 drafts (ALL drafts) every Tuesday - booyah! read more

I really dig this bar. Live music during the week and a DJ that plays GOOD music and uses actual turntables The mixed drinks are always $2-$3 cheaper than I expect to pay. $5 for Ketel One cocktails on a Saturday night? In Lincoln Park??? Never gets crazy busy....pretty cool crowd overall. Oh yeah...and a really nice area to relax in the back room. What more can a guy ask for? read more

My favorite bar, period. Love Anthony the bartender! He is always so friendly! :) Good atmosphere, cool jukebox- and great live music. ALSO LOVE WEDNESDAYS! $3 Magic Hat is amazing. :D read more

I'll begin by saying, I maybe be a little bit biased. Alive One has been a favorite bar of mine since moving back to Chicago in 2006. I'm just now getting around to writing this review. If you don't read anything else in this review, know this - Alive One has the best juke box in the city and it's not even close. The first thing that made me fall in love with this place is the all live juke box in the front room with an eclectic mix of bands and some very deep cuts. Additionally, they will usually have live music footage (not sound) on the flat screens which helps add to the ambiance/theme. The scene is kind of dark and dank. It's a quiet enough place to drop in with a date on a week night or to post up with a group on the weekend - just get there before 10 if you want to be sure you get to hear your selections on the juke box. There is a pool table which is only shut down when it gets real busy. The bathroom situation is not the greatest when they get busy with only one single in the front room and in the back. Hasn't ever been a major inconvenience for me but it's worth mentioning. In the back room on weekends they have really good hip hop DJs spinning real hip hop ala pharcyde, ATCQ etc. This is a nice balance to the mostly classic / alternative rock songs on the juke box up front. All in all Alive One is definitely worth checking out in Chicago or if you happen to be passing through Cincinnati, you'll want to check out the original in Mt. Adams. read more