To me, the sign of a good bar is less about the way it looks and more about the way it feels. And Benchmark certainly looks good. The interior is clean and open, with a large square bar dominating the lower floor and dozens of TVs for game-watching. There's also a large, open upstairs bar and seating area which partially overlooks the first floor and also boasts an impressive retractable roof (for the few months of decent weather we get in Chicago, I guess). The crowd features an upper 20's set willing to pay a bit more to be seen at the place still widely considered the cool kid on the block (and proven by the River North-esque lines that form most weekends after 10). Benchmark features upscale bar food during the day; note that by 'upscale', I'm referring more to price than quality. I've never been dissatisfied but don't expect anything groundbreaking here. Drinks are definitely a step up from the college bars of Lincoln Park, though you'll pay for it in higher drink prices and basically non-existent specials. Not that my bar is set very high for what I consider a night-spot parading as a sports bar by day, but the service has been consistently spotty. With the black and white facts out of the way, allow me to return to my original point: a great bar doesn't have to tell you it's a great bar; you already know, likely from the first time you stepped through the door. And I've just never gotten that from Benchmark. read more

I've come to benchmark plenty of times. Definitely a good spot to come drink and mingle. It's a huge 2 floor space with sky lights so it's not at all claustrophobic. Really nice servers. Tried the food a couple times. Nothing stellar. read more

At first glance, the patrons of Benchmark tavern look like they would fit right in at the prestigious Omega Theta Pi House (Animal House reference for those who don't know your fictional fraternities). By this I mean there are lots of guys wearing top siders and polo's and women trying very hard to call attention to themselves while getting white girl wasted. Don't get me wrong, most of the bro's stick to themselves and don't really bother anyone else so if you, as one yelper put it, are "bro friendly", then this shouldn't bother you. The actual building has a very inviting feel with its open floor plan. The second floor is a large rectangular shaped area with tables surrounding a large opening with a view of the first floor, which has a great flow through the open air space at the front of the establishment. Aesthetically, it creates... Read more at: http://2views1life.blogspot.com/2013/07/ricardos-take-on-old-towns-benchmark.html read more

My visit to Benchmark did not start out well...we had to wait in a line. That winds around itself. And velvet ropes. I hated that crap when I went out in NYC so I was really bummed that it was happening on vacay. Then i realized that they did this for crowd control...and it was lovely once inside. Not overly crowded upscale sports bar with an upstairs and retractable roof. Then it hit about 11. Lines outside were crazy. Roof was closed. Guess crowd control went out the window because suddenly we were packed like sardines. That cool balcony? It became a place for the "mature" folks to drop stuff. Maybe if I were more drunk it would have been really fun, but I wasn't. I feel like it would be more fun to hang here if it was not a Friday or Saturday night... read more

It's such a shame that such a cool building can be filled with such lame people. Seriously. This bar was like John Barleycorn for grown ups. It was overly crowded and my friends and I got two rude comments within the first five minutes of stepping into the place. The only reason that this place got 2 stars instead of one is purely because of the building and the fact that I do want to see what that deck is like in the summer. Really though, there are many other bars I'd rather go to. read more

Benchmark sets the benchmark for Old Town. Take this with a grain of salt as I haven't spent any nightlife time in Old Town other than the two times I've been here. Benchmark is versatile providing a sports bar feel with good drinks and a high class atmosphere. BM is modern and the open floor plan is conducive to an inviting party going crowd. Bar space is located down the middle of the venue with booths on the walls. The upstairs has high tables as well as booth/couch seating areas in the front. The upstairs is also open to the downstairs in some parts with balcony style viewing down to the main floor. The upstairs has a retractable roof for the warmer months that provides a nice outside dining/drinking experience. BM has a highfalutin aura about it. Nightlife will bring some people that are really dressed for a night on the town as well as some casual bar goers. Perhaps this is more of the norm in this area, again I can't really say. Most of my experience goes from strictly clubs to bars in Wicker Park. There is not much in-between for me but I feel like BM is more of the usual for mid to late 20's people that are bringing in that flow. You will have to pay for this as drinks are a marked up because BM sets the benchmark. Fireball shots here were $7 and I usually never pay more then $5. Not huge but this is probably the standard pricing in this area. The music seems to be hit or miss as the first night the DJ was amazing and the second not so much. The DJ booth is open on the second floor overlooking the bar. Live spinning music is always a good way to get the party started. Coat check in the basement as well as washrooms. There is a washroom on the second floor for men but this is more of a turn style. Nearly impossible to get in and out. Finally, let the doorman know what it is as he was cheering for the Ducks and I am clearly a Buckeye. O-H! read more

Stumbled into this place after a good laugh at Zanies...typical pricey drinks...$8 for a 22oz. 312, and pricey food...I had the korean tacos for $10 with a side of tator tots. the tacos didn't taste anything like korean tacos, just a bbq sauce over korean beef...way over priced. It seems a like a nice place to hang out but don't sit where Rish threw up after taking a shot of Jack...came right back up..YUCK! read more

LOVED this place. If you dropped this place in the middle of new york city you'd never ever get a table. Great atmosphere, good service, good food/drinks. Definatley go when the weather is nice but not too hot out so you can enjoy the outside deck! Oh, and pretty much every person in there was the most attractive person I've ever seen. read more

This was THE WORST brunch I've had in Chicago. These people are so rude and don't care at all about loyalty. I've been here multiple times to hang and the are so rude and mean. Do not come here. read more

The food at Benchmark is great!! I've had the quesadillas (probably the best in the area), sliders, hummus platter and tater tots. Each time (probably been there 10x) they've been consistently A+.... And they actually clean the tables both inside and out! A plus these days read more

We were here for the Stoli Summer Kickoff..Free Drinks! It gets pretty pack especially if there's an event. Anyways, we got hungry and decided to stay and eat before heading to the next spot. We ordered the Miniwiches which was 6 for $14 so we got 2 of each lamb burgers, BBQ pork, and cheeseburger. Needless to say those Lamb Burgers were amazing that we ordered another round! lol Something about the cheese in those cheeseburgers that took me back to grade shool..it was good! for dessert, we had the Skillet Cookie which was also yummy! I would definitely come back here! read more

Benchmark Chicago - Lamb Miniwiches - Sports Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Oh my. This place is filled with every frat bro you can think of. I'm talking polo shirts, collar popped of course, and aviator sunglasses. It's a people watching heaven! I had a blast here. They have an upstairs patio with a retractable roof. You can really observe all the party people from up there. Every drink you can imagine is served and the food is pretty tasty as well. Their bison burger pretty much rocked my world. Tender, juicy with cheddar cheese. Yum! The roasted red pepper hummus was delicious. I highly recommend it. We hung out here for a few hours people watching and checking out the games on the TVs. Loads of fun. read more

Being a frequent Chicago "bruncher", particularly at those "all you can't eat" type places, I did not find this to be of good quality. There were not many good options and the food that was there did not taste fresh. I think this may be more suited for the drinking atmosphere, but not as a typical brunch spot. read more

Last Saturday, I was looking forward to enjoying a summer night out on this new rooftop beer garden-- instead I got a crowded, pushy meat market crowd. There was a short line outside we could see through the open doors that the place was absolutely packed. I will say that the people watching was great and the music was phenomenal. The retractable roof is a great idea. Great energy, but we decided to stay for just one drink and headed to another rooftop where we could sip our beer and cocktails without the shoulder-to-shoulder packed ambience. read more

Extremely rude doormen. On Saturday night around 6:30pm there were 6 open 2 person tables outside. I asked the doorman if two tables could be pushed together for a group of 4. This is how the conversation went: me: "would it be possible to push 2 tables together to make room for 4 people? even the table in the corner so it is not in the way" doorman: "yeah no" me: "really, there are 6 open tables" doorman: "still no" Just rude, maybe you can act like that to bros, but just have some class. read more

I've been here a few times now and most recently, for brunch, using a Groupon. Although the bloody mary bar wasn't ideal, my celery stalk was dirty and the mix wasn't my favorite, the overall brunch experience was quite good. I really enjoyed the chilaquiles, a dish that was both plentiful and flavorful, as well as the beers that followed. The place was really loud, because of the games playing on the multiple TV screens, but that's to be expected in Chicago. Service was friendly and attentive and the meal was well worth the Groupon. The other times that I have been here, I've enjoyed the food, service, and drinks. Definitely a good spot to get a quick meal and drinks in Old Town, if you can handle the "bro"-crowd. read more

Benchmark has a strange reputation. "Don't go there, man. All douchebags." While this bar is heavily guy-oriented, with the continuous television action, the douchebags still prefer Flat Iron. Usually, a dress shirt can gain you the edge in this friendly, neighborhood bar (if that's what you're trying for). Food, drinks, and service are all above average, especially on game days. read more

Benchmark is one of my favorite sports bar in the city - south of Division street. There are two different Benchmark's - Friday/Saturday night and then football days. This is my go to for anything Hawks/Bears related as the crowd is great, above average bar food, and a lot of sunlight for those rare sunny game days :) An extra kuddos to the bartenders - they always remember your name and are pretty darn helpful. read more

This restaurant has excellent food and service and a great atmosphere! I've yet to try something I haven't loved at Benchmark. Here is a quick overview of some of the dishes and drinks I've had the opportunity to enjoy: -The Lollipop Lamb Chops are extremely fresh and cooked to perfection. If you're a big eater, I recommend ordering four chops since they're a bit on the small side. The menu provides the option of choosing two, four or six chops. -The Jalapeno Hot Soft Pretzels and side dips are delicious! We ordered two pretzels for a group of five and had just the right amount with a little left to spare. -The Bone-In Chicken Wings are tasty and quite meaty. My husband and I ordered half with BBQ sauce and half with hot sauce. The BBQ sauce is just the right mix of tangy and sweet while the hot sauce has a nice kick without being overwhelming. -If you're a red wine person, the Slantwalk is a must-try! -For dessert lovers, the Skillet Cookie is a great way to finish off your meal. Be sure to order extra spoons because this dish is meant to share. If you're looking for a great restaurant in Old Town, your search is over. Benchmark is the right answer for any type of outing. read more

Good but inconsistent. I've always touted to everyone this place has THE BEST turkey burger in the City. No joke! Well to my dismay, yesterday they served me the burger with American cheese instead of provolone cheese without asking me if I wanted something else. My husband and I looked at each other and said," is this something new, and is this even REAL cheese?" The taste was completely different. Also, I asked for a pretzel bun, since this is the way I always order it, but instead it came out on a whole wheat bun. ( the restaurant wasn't even half full, in fact, it was a slow Sunday) Oh well! Total flop but I will give them one more try. Remember folks, this is Chicago, a FOODIE town! read more

I have been here a couple times for brunch and this place never disappoints! Today we had Sarah as our server and she was super attentive refilling our mimosas and was great at making sure our whole party was taken care of. Also the food is great!! I always recommend this place when someone asks where to go for brunch! read more

Love the manager JT! We came in and got a great table upstairs with an awesome breeze! We were quite upset when a waiter came over and added a sign at 630 that our table was now reserved for 8:00! We came here early so we could eat and drink! We called the manager over to complain and he immediately starting scoping out tables for us to move to. He came back twice to give us options for new tables! Then he found a great table, still upstairs and outside! He escorted us over and then bought us shots! Love this place! read more

4 of us came here to watch a Cubs playoff game. We got here early because we had no idea if it would be crowded, especially with college football on. It's a pretty interesting crowd. They have a lot of tvs which is good. They played music almost like a club, but when the game came on they had the commentary on the audio which was great! Drinks were good and the food was pretty good too. Don't waste your time with the arugula pizza though it wasn't very good. Nachos were yummy- I am not a nacho person but I really enjoyed these. Fish tacos were good too. We saw some other appetizers at other tables that smelled and looked good as well. I liked that they had the retractable roof. Some bars get stuffy and hot and this allowed air flow. They did close it later on in the night when it got a bit chilly but we didn't even notice. Fun atmosphere. read more

Due to the cancellation of brunch for a friends bday at another restaurant we came to Benchmark and what an amazing experience my group of 15 had. Our server Danielle and Manager Mike was great with awesome customer service. The spring rolls were so damn good I ordered some to go. I will come again for sure! read more

I'll keep it short. Any club/bar that keeps a line of people waiting outside before 1030pm is just lame. It's just for show and hype. Don't bother. I agree with other reviewer. Door staff could use some lessons in customer service. read more

We came to Benchmark on a Sunday evening and the Bears were playing so needless to say my experience was an exciting one. The place was packed but we still managed to grab a table on the upstairs patio which is absolutely gorgeous. Imagine if the roof of your house just has a sliding garage door that you could open and close whenever you wish. It was a beautiful day out too so that added to the ambiance. Our server was friendly and fast despite the crowds. We ordered up some brewskis and then we ended up staying so long that we ordered some spinach and artichoke dip to munch on. It came out in a skillet and had fresh warm chips to dip with. My girlfriend and I both agreed this was the BEST we had ever had. Seriously we licked the skillet clean. It was embarrassing but so worth it. Surprisingly great food, awesome atmosphere, and even the girliest of girls will like this upscale sports bar. Tons of fun. Will definitely be back! read more

I'm a little mixed on this place. I'm glad something "younger" opened up in the Old Town corridor, which has been bypassed for years because of Division St. to the south and Lincoln Park to the north. However, something trendy like Benchmark is going to attract a certain crowd, which it does quite well here. The food here really is standard frozen bar fare you can find anywhere else; it's neither good nor bad. Drinks are also pretty standard; nothing unique or intriguing in the way of beers. The most exotic is probably Peroni. When I was here, we were seated near the front door, which is in dire need of a storm door. I guess whoever designed Benchmark didn't think Chicago gets cold winds.... If you find yourself in Old Town and enjoy something trendy and modern, Benchmark will do you good. Just be prepared to hang out with the North Face Army and others with shoes that cost more than your last car payment. read more

This is a great place, even though it doesnt quite fit in with the rest of the old town bars. It is much nicer, the building itself looks very new. They even have a really cool retractable roof upstairs. I came here for some evening drinks with friends. Pretty standard nice-ish bar food and drinks along with the typical slightly higher pricing that goes along with the nicer places. Service was pretty solid too! read more

I was at Benchmark last week celebrating a birthday. We went for the $40 mimosas and brunch deal so I expected cheap drinks and cheap food. I was pleasantly surprised with excellent service and pretty good food. The brunch was buffet style with many different choices including a doughnut wall, a carving station, fresh fruit, tacos, pizza, chicken and many other things. The food was much better than I expected. The smoked brisket was melt in your mouth delicious. Our server was great she was constantly pouring champagne for about 4 hours. Overall I had a great experience at Benchmark and I hope to go back for brunch. read more

Stopped here for a drink during a street festival that was going on. The drinks we had were good, though the service was a little slow though they were pretty busy. They were offering some sort of brunch buffet deal that appeared to be extremely popular, and the food actually looked really good and there were tons of options. It definitely seems to be a great spot for large groups especially if you're into sports, as there are tons of TVs. read more

I came to Benchmark on a Saturday night. The line was pretty long around 11:30pm. It probably took us 20 minutes to get in. Once we were in 4 seats opened up, so we just sat at the bar. I didn't pay for the drinks, but I would be mad if I did. They were overpriced and very weak. The music was good, I'll give them that. I didn't get a chance to walk around or go upstairs, but it was packed. Some people were dressed up and some were wearing shorts and caps. If I'm ever bar hopping in the area I would stop by only if there wasn't a line. read more

I came in to benchmark last nite for the Duke-Carolina game and came away with the overall impression that this place is just okay. Although the bar claims seating is on a first come, first serve basis it appeared most of the tables had been reserved. We got in around 6:55pm and managed to snag a table but it was obvious as we were leaving that people had to fight for a table.. This was made obvious by the overly obnoxious lady who set her purse, jacket, and drink down at our table and babbled on and on about how thankful she was we agreed to pass along our table at least 15 minutes before we actually left!! I thought their beer selection wasn't bad. Last time I went to benchmark was in the summer and they had incredible Bell's seasonal beer available. This time around I settled for the half acre daisy pale ale. It's a great beer.. I was surprised that even my girlfriend loved it, because she's usually into lighter beers with softer and sweeter flavors. We got the mini cheese burgers which were really good. Loved the bread used for them, we probably should have ordered more. We also got their sausage pizza which wasn't bad. The one beef I had was how small it was.. For $11 we expected more than a tiny personal pizza, I wish our waitress would have pointed that out as we ordered. I have mixed feelings about this place overall. The food was good and the bar itself has s lot of potential as a place to watch a game or hangout. However, I never really felt all that comfortable there. Additionally, I felt like we were constantly searching for our waitress because she was over committed, so get in as much of your order when you are served here. read more

Our bartender Andy deserves these 5 stars. We got a spot at the bar for the NFC championship and enjoyed our entire time there because of him. Drinks were good and fast (great Old Fashioned!) and food was delicious. Great sports bar! Love that they play the commentary during play-time and then switch to music during commercials. read more

This is another one of those places that I do not voluntarily go to, but I do want to see the friends, and they haunted this place for a while, so there it is. It's a pretty casual place, but really nice interior, and huge retractable roof which is really awesome, so I'll do a review. Experiences have been different, so pick the one that best suits you and enjoy. Drinking Nights, Weekend - it's fun in the earlier hours, these guys would start here at 8:30pm to beat the lines, by 9:30pm there's a line. There is quite some attitude from people who really shouldn't. The sports type that was somewhat quaint a couple hours earlier have morphed into drunk d-bag city. The music gets really good then, though. Gametime - Great place to have a couple drinks and a very good bar lunch. This is a nicer crowd, and I had a enjoyable time watching a couple games, even though I'm not an enthusiast and have zero idea what's happening. I think it's mostly because I'm enjoying my friends' company, and watching them go nuts over calls, and smack talking each other when they're on opposing teams. The retractable roof really makes that experience. Fun. read more

Had a great meal outside tonight. Delicious arugula salad and all you can eat tacos!! Plus their outside area is dog friendly :) read more

Benchmark Chicago - Boomer relaxing on the couch! Love how dog friendly they are! - Sports Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food here is just terrible. I live nearby so I have given it multiple chances and do not know why I'm surprised each time I am disappointed. Had a salad turned into a wrap that was just average back when they first opened. Tried a salad with some sort of pulled meat on top a little while after that. Tasted salty and made me sick for days after. Tried their hummus and "baba" a few months ago and it was the grossest dish I have ever seen/eaten. The "baba" looked like cat food and was disgusting. They have since removed it from the menu. After having an amazing dining experience at Sidebar (four corners bar), I decided to give Benchmark another try. They had the same menu item and I assumed it would taste just as good. Wrong again. The mini turkey burgers were filled with tough, chewy "meat" and were impossible to eat. I thought the saving grace of the meal would be the $2 add-on french fries (again, because they are AMAZING at Sidebar). Somehow, they even got those wrong. The spices are off and the fries disappoint. I'd say I'd just go here for the ambiance (I will admit that the space is great), but then I remember that the drinks are WAY too expensive and the crowd can be overwhelming. The best part about this bar is that it is a mecca for all of the douchebags in the area, leaving surrounding bars free of the douchebaggery (or at least incredibly minimized). So I guess I should be grateful for that. Still gets 2 stars for being such a cool space - the tvs, bars, tables, etc - but the food would get negative stars if possible. read more

4 stars. Great location in Old Town, layout in the restaurant is aesthetically pleasing. Nice open air feel to the place. A boozy brunch is the main reason to come, great buffet options, highly recommend the brisket and Mac and cheese. Price point is average for what you'd expect for brunch in Chicago. Momsodas are the only drink offered with the bottomless deal, but they are frequently refilled and there are a few options for mixies. Can't remember the last time I drank straight mixer, but I digress. All in all a great Saturday brunch experience! read more

I went there again, it was the same experience as last. I really want to love this place because of the decor, location, food, etc. yet its more like, "lets just be friends." read more

Favorite bar in Old Town. The food is great and they have a very nice atmosphere. I highly suggest their fish tacos. I also like the people that come here! Overall, I recommend checking this place out if you're in the area. read more

Yo this place has the juiciest brunch I've ever had. Stacked with brisket, oysters, chicken and waffles, it's def a must go. Also SARAH W. is the best brunch server I've ever had. She was so quick with drinks and just a great gal. We love SARAH!!!!! read more