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    Bitter Pops

    4.4 (191 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Bitter Pops Photos

    Business Info

    BITTER POPS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    DJ
    Live music
    Casual
    Trendy

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    Recommended Reviews - Bitter Pops

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    Alvin T.

    A decent smash burger and bar, this place has a dining area for drinks, the outdoors, and an easy area to get takeout quickly when needed. This place pretty well achieves everything you need in terms of a casual hangout or vibe spot with some friends. The smash burger itself is pretty flavorful and slightly pricy (but in line with all the other burgers at restaurants like this). While I think this place ticks the boxes for a nice casual hangout spot, I think you'd have better value getting a burger from Red Hot Ranch if you're strictly seeking something to fill your burger cravings.

    Double cheeseburgers, cookie cup in background
    Aleah H.

    Bitter Pops is so festive right now for the holidays!! This was my first visit, and I love the small town bar vibes. It's much cozier inside than I expected, as there are smaller rooms scattered rather than a big open concept. It feels kind of fast casual where you order drinks and food separately. I enjoyed my Christmas Pine festive cocktail! But the food really stole the show... Burgers are amazing. The cheese is perfectly gooey and overall, just a great burger! Fries were only okay, but the soft pretzel was also remarkable! It comes with great cheese, too. We added the cookie cup on a whim and now can't go without - truly perfect. A little salty, crisp edge, gooey middle, warm!! 10/10 recommend.

    Burger
    Clay G.

    I came here with some friends on a Sunday afternoon because they have board games and we felt like having a couple drinks. As far as food goes, the burger was fantastic. The meat was cooked perfectly and the caramelized onions added another layer of flavor. I got it with fries, which were pretty meh and I probably could've gone without. I washed that down with the Courage Lager which was a good beer. The real star though was their cider which was perfect for a chilly winter day. I would highly recommend everyone order that.

    a pint glass on a wooden table
    Kyle P.

    Unfortunately, after the last few months of diminished service, a few key personnel changes, and outrageously increased prices, it's time to update my previous review. For the past couple years, we've more or less been regulars at BP, holding up at the bar or patio once a week or for a happy hour with coworkers. Several of the folks behind the bar knew our faces, if not always our names, and we never had any issues with service despite what others had indicated in some of these reviews. Over the past few months, however, particularly since the former bar manager moved on, that's no longer the case. Someone in a recent review mentioned feeling invisible while waiting to order at the bar, and that has definitely been a feeling I've experienced recently. Some of the bartenders seem pretty unhappy to be back there - the friendly vibe we've felt for years just isn't there anymore. Maybe you could get past that if that was the only change in the past year. But, unfortunately, prices have absolutely skyrocketed in the past several months to a point where it's cost prohibitive to have a drink. And, look, it's cool that you're bringing in kegs on draft from places like Trillium and Other Half, but upwards of $12 for 10oz of an IPA? Especially when you're often selling cans of the exact same beer in the retail shop at $26-28 for a 4 pack? I feel like it was only a second ago when they were doing 6oz pours of 15% stouts for $10, now hazy IPAs are almost the price of a decent cheeseburger?? (Their decent double cheeseburger with fries will run you $20+, which brings me to...) We still enjoy the pretzel and beer cheese, and have nothing but great things to say about the guys that staff the food counter, especially the gentleman in the Orioles hat. Really nice guy, friendly, often goes the extra mile. But, even that's $8 for a 6" pretzel. Which means a light snack around lunchtime for two plus a 10oz beer each can now end up running you $50 before tip. Two beers and two pretzels close to $100!! We just had an appetizer and two full meals with two drinks down the street for same price. It's insane. It sucks writing this, it really does. It's hard saying goodbye to a friend, y'know? Maybe we'll give it a shot one snowy day in the winter and I'll be happy to say I've changed my mind; but at this point, It's no longer in the regular rotation.

    Untitled Art Pina Colada Smoothie Seltzer
    Ryan S.

    I love Bitter Pops! They always have a rotating beer menu, so every time I come back there's a bunch of new stuff to try. They also have some amazing cocktails, including Pop's Old Fashioned and a limited-time clarified milk punch. The food is also delicious. The single and double burgers are both amazing, and you can sub Impossible meat. You also have to try the original spice bag!

    Watermelon spritz
    Olivia B.

    Bitter pops is a fun spot to grab a drink. I stopped by on a nice summer night and they had the walls totally open to outside. They also have a patio on one side. Everyone working was friendly overall. It was a nice vibe! It's pretty bright inside, so not a super intimate place. It is very chill. They have board games and a limited food menu. I had a watermelon spritz which was delish and I want another! It was the perfect refreshing summer drink! I'll be back to try more fun cocktails on the menu, but might sit outside next time!

    Smashburger
    Annette D.

    Unique tap room, bar, eatery, coffee house and market. So much good stuff under one roof. Craft brew list was extensive, food was delish and market offered a nice selection of beverages to go.

    Cold Brew
    Anthony D.

    Bitter Pops is an interesting concept. They are part liquor store, part bar, part coffee shop, and part dining experience. I stopped by to grab a coffee while waiting for a workout class to end and it wasn't bad. I believe they have several providers of coffee and my cold brew was from Hexe Coffee Co. It is a cold brew so it's bitter but not so overpowering I needed cream or sugar. The place has a cool vibe, in the bar area there are a few tables with benches and along the window a high top to hang out.

    Stephen C.

    Sometimes it's hard for me to try the relatively new places. I'm decidedly old school when it comes to burger joints or any joint for that matter. All the bells and whistles and n many of the new spots just don't add up to good grub meat ch less great grub. Not the case with Bitter Pops by a long shot. Sure they are kinda new and are a good looking joint with all the bells and whistles, great decor, nice bar, etc. etc. you just assume the burgers are gonna be just meh. The smash burger here is pretty bomb is all I can say. A very righteous burger in a land of too many average burgers. The double smash patties are cooked just right and crispy on the edges. Topped with the bare minimum you get to actually taste meat and not a slather of toppings. They ration of smash burger to toppings is on time. Accompanied by a side of house chips is the right move. You don't even need to add anything on this smash burger. I'm be if those guys who always adds ketchup mayo whatever. Not so with Bitter Pops burger. The service is excellent as well. We sat at the bar with a really cool and pretty female bartender. I wish I recall her name but I'll get it next time. She was knowledgeable about the offerings and super friendly. That's half of the experience and she hit it outta the park. Try these folks at Bitter Pops you won't regret it.

    Chili season!
    Brooke L.

    The perfect neighborhood spot for beer and gathering with friends. They are scooping up their chili right now and it makes my heart happy. I only wish they sold it in bulk! We love coming here, especially on nicer days when their patio is popping. We are hoping to check out their breakfast sammies soon.

    Pop's Double Smashburger, Original Spice Bag

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    5 months ago

    This place is amazing. I go here with my family a lot and they love it. The food is amazing and service is on point.

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    Ask the Community - Bitter Pops

    How can I petition to bring back the OG spice bag with fries?

    Wanted to go here for a buddy's birthday. Do they do actual beer tastings or is it just a bunch of different beers on tap?

    7 or so beers on tap, which you can do flights of or full pours. Can also choose any bottled or canned beer from downstairs to drink there.

    Is this place Pet friendly?

    Hey Jairo, Thanks for reaching out. Our retail area is always pet friendly. Pets are welcome in… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Lucky Dorr - Pollyanna Brewery Casey At The Bat And Pretzel

    Lucky Dorr

    (44 reviews)

    $$

    Wrigleyville, Lakeview

    Good place for those who like baseball history. It's literally next to Wrigley Field and is open…read moreeven when no game is being played. Lucky Dorr has reasons to come besides baseball, and you don't have to be a fan to have a good time. A lot of choices from local breweries. There's also some ballpark style food like pretzels and junk. Curious about this, we made our way here when there wasn't a game. It was actually pretty chill and laid back with almost no one at the bar and patio. This is located next to the Cubs statues. Go check those out whether you're a fan of the team or just baseball in general. Those who don't care about the loser team can still enjoy the offerings. It's about $8 a pint, which is a bit of a ripoff, but expected with the location. There's selections from local breweries such as Pollyanna. Also there's food. It's $8 for a big ass Pretzel. Even if you don't like the Cubs, it's a nice little bar. It's open during the season even when there's not a game. The beer is a good sample of the local breweries, plus they have pretzels that are good for sharing.

    We were in town for the Dead and Company shows and hit this place up. Their beer is excellent and…read morethe staff couldn't have been nicer. Door guy had beer recommendations for us, so we already knew what to order. Nice that they were still serving in actualy glassware despite being really busy. Hit this spot if you are a craft beer fan and near Wrigley.

    Gman Tavern  - Party central

    Gman Tavern

    (208 reviews)

    $$

    Lakeview

    Only giving two stars because of the lovely bartender that served us (didn't catch their name)…read more There was however, another bartender (blonde) that seemed to have some issue with my friend and I being in the bar. We came in around 1:15am, thinking this would be a cool bar to end the night. The first bartender informed us that last call was approaching. We only wanted one round, so we immediately closed out after ordering. That bartender was very attentive and pleasant during the entire transaction. At 1:50am, the other bartender (who wasn't even serving us/hadn't spoke to us) came over and said we needed to start chugging. Her words: "I'm not going to tell you to get the f* out, but you need to chug". She kept telling us we needed to chug, and I kindly told her I wasn't chugging anything because we already paid and I can literally just leave. She brought up the bar closing soon (we already heard the very loud announcement for last call). She proceeded to blame it on having a bad day. Mind you, someone next to me literally just came in, and was being served. She tried to back out of it and kept repeating we'll know when it's time to go. I'm not sure what kind of establishment this is, but she didn't say anything to anyone else but us, the only two Black women at the bar at the time. I don't understand why she felt like it was okay to direct her "bad day" at us, sitting there calmly with two half drunken beers, while there were plenty of other people still up and active at the bar. The behavior displayed, completely unacceptable.

    Why pay $20 for an Old Style draft pour inside Wrigley Field when you can pay $8 for 12oz of Hamms…read moreand a generous pour of Four Roses at Gman? Duh?! Stretch your dollar and come spend it at Gman!

    Bitter Pops - beer_and_wine - Updated May 2026

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