Great little Chicago dive bar. Love the location. Feels like it's got a lot of history. All our MC…read moreinitiations were done there.

A loyal Subscriber mentioned to me that she had spent time in Chicago but never had a chance to…read morevisit. So I visited it in her stead (another benefit of subscribing to AfterActionReport.info). Quite simply the best maintained dive bar I have ever had the pleasure of drinking in and an AAR Must Drink. Most dive bars have a fair amount of seed and are in need of some repair, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Not this place, as the spotless tile floor was completely intact, all the swivel barstools (each branded "Richard's Bar" across the back) still swiveled, and the tin ceiling stunning. It's coming up on a hundred years, but the entire joint has been as lovingly cared for as it is cleaned daily. The place has a slight smell of cigarettes. When I mentioned to Joe the bartender, that "I didn't think you could still legally smoke in a bar in this country." He replied "You can't, but people do," as he placed an ashtray next to my beer. All that, and Norm Wendt's brother-in-law bought me a bottle of Old Style because it was his birthday, which was drunk while listening to Steve Lawrence on the jukebox. Norm Wendt's sister then recommended a place for fondue so . . . Located in Old Town, Geja's Cafe is a very romantic warren of a restaurant that offers the best fondue in Chicago. A father/son team ("the Marios") served me the International (tenderloin, shrimp, chicken), a solid Flackhattan and some live flamenco guitar.

Love the ornery old bird. If you close the place out, she might make you drink the Malort. Have one…read morebut avoid more if you can.

Recently stopped by Rossi's Liquors and this place is the definition of a dive bar, in the most…read moreauthentic way possible. After a quick ID check at the door, the bouncer let us know it's cash only (thankfully we came prepared). From the moment we walked in, dim lighting, loud music, and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds gave the vibe of a full-on frat party, but not in a bad way. It's chaotic, energetic, and unapologetically no-frills. There's even a self-serve cooler with drink prices clearly listed underneath. I grabbed a Sapporo Premium, brought it to the counter, and our friendly bartender broke our change and offered a chilled glass to pour it into. Simple and efficient. That said, it was loud, so loud that even whispering-distance conversations were a struggle. The space is small, seating is limited, and since we couldn't snag a spot, we ended up leaving shortly after finishing our drinks. This feels like a better weekday hang than a packed weekend night. Still, if you're looking for a classic, gritty, no-frills dive experience, Rossi's delivers exactly that.

Amazing booze selection. Mike the owner is a great guy. I will be a returning customerread more

Came for a quick drink and got the maple wood drink and it wasn't too bad. A bit strong for a beer…read more They have a lot of retro games and a pool table. Lots of people and a vibe. Good vibes

Quiet enough to talk but rowdy enough to have fun! The music and atmosphere hit that sweet spot…read morewhere it feels energetic without being overwhelming. Just make sure you know what you signed up for with the karaoke room :) It definitely gets crowded on weekends and usually charges a cover. Regardless, no other bar quite does it like Mom's Place! - AD

Nice big spot to get your drink on and have a great time!…read more A group of us ventured out to Mom's Place after a few in the group had been before and wanted to go back. This was about 3 weeks before Christmas in 2025 on a Saturday night. As soon as you walk in and up the stairs, you are greeted by a ceiling hung Christmas lights display like you've never seen. It has to have been a nightmare to put these all up or, God forbid, have to chase down a bad bulb! I'd have to assume that these are up year-round. But look closely at the ceiling for all the additional bits-and-bobs hanging about. Several saxophones and other instruments along with statues and other "things". You could spend all night just walking around looking at the ceiling. There are several TV's, tuned to sporting events during my visit, to choose from. When we arrived, it was moderately busy. Throughout the two hours we were there, it probably tripled in capacity. But still comfortable. A band had been setting up and you never know what you're going to get with a cover band. I wish I knew the name of the band because they were great. Guitar, Bass, Fiddle, 3 Female Singers and I believe the Guitar player was singing periodically. I've seen and played in a lot of bands over the years. It's sometimes hard to pull off the multiple singer thing, especially when applying vocal harmonies. Again, I hate that I don't recall the name of this band because they absolutely crushed it. Their vocals and sound were tight and on point. Great band. It was Dec 08, 2025, if that's any help. There's also a downstairs but I didn't go down there. Some in my group did and they said it was more of the same, so I didn't give up my real estate that I was comfortable in and stuck where I was at. Would I go back? Yes. Great spot with good drinks and great people working the bar. A plus, for me, was that they had the real Strongbow Dry Cider, in the black cans, which is difficult to find in the US anymore.

Came back, incredible Unconscious david Lynch theme. This place has good beer options, lots of…read morebourbon options including Woodford, and bullet. Definitely a place to come early to on a Friday or Saturday if you are looking to grab a seat somewhere. Each time I have come there have been multiple birthday parties, cute.

If you get it, you get it. Stepping in here heels like time traveling. From the restroom, to the…read morebooths, to the tinny speakers playing the music. Drinks are good and cheap, bartenders were nice, and the vibes were high. Great dive bar, can't wait to head back.

I was walking to the Leavitt Street Tavern and passed by Corner Bar. As it has an Old Style sign…read moreoutside, pursuant to Chicago Code, I was required to go inside and have an Old Style. The people both behind the bar and sitting at the bar could not have been friendlier. Great local place with cool atmosphere. I will be back next time I am in town. Highly recommend. I forget the name of the bartender but he was super friendly and welcoming.

THEY CHARGE $3.00 FOR ICE IN YOUR DRINK!!!!! THAT SAYS IT ALL.THE PLACE USED TO BE GOOD, FAIRLY…read morePRICED, BUT NOW WAY OVERPRICED FOR WHAT IT IS,,,,A CORNER BAR that is now a rip off. limited bar cocktails available, nothing more than simple mixes, can't make an old fashion, and the liquor selection is lacking. i think what they did is they saw leavitt inn 2 blocks north and what they charge and what they have and figured they would stick it to the customers and they do. now i see why leavitt inn is not only better but fairly priced, they have food and a full bar and charge basically the same as this place. the way i see it, if you are going to charge the prices this place does, the bar should be more extensive, cocktails should be more than simple stuff, and you should have food, or you are a rip off. was there last night, and really the service is lacking, the bathroom messy , not clean, and drinks overpriced for what the place is. this was the first time i came back (i've lived in the neighborhood for the last 15 years) in over a year as a year ago, the bartender was quite rude, and i don't get it that it is still that way. you're better off for the prices to go to leavitt inn, at least you have good service there and drink choices as they have a full bar, not a limited bar like this place. for better pricing and better more entertaining places, go instead to the cabaret, a few blocks away, or to o's on western, both have better bars and better pricing, better bang for the buck. sadly, this place used to be good, but since the ownership change, rudeness, and becoming expensive for what they give you is now the norm here. the 5 star reviews of this place are not from people who live in the neighborhood, but from outsiders who don't know what a corner bar is supposed to be, and the history of this place....and really, they are people who don't go out much. it's sad this place became what it is today, but that is the reality of today's world, owners like these see competition and match their prices without matching the product and service and get away with it as most consumers don't know. as i said, $3.00 for ice in a plastic glass says it all!!!!!!!

Such a fun vibe and a great crowd! I went in on a Sunday evening and it was decently packed. The…read morebar itself is dimly lit and moody. There's plenty of booth seating, as well as tall chairs at the bar. Once it was karaoke hour, I put myself on the list and started singing. Everybody is fun about it, whether the performer is conventionally a great singer or not, and I absolutely love it! There was even a group of 4+ girls who sang together on stage, and the energy was so infectious, it got the whole bar yelling the lyrics along with them. Would highly recommend!

Stopped in with friends and ended up having a much better night than we expected. The place has…read morethis fun mix of old-school charm and lively energy, and it really comes alive once the crowd settles in. What surprised me most was how welcoming the atmosphere felt -- people were cheering each other on during karaoke, and it created this upbeat, easygoing vibe that made the night even better. Drinks were well-made, the music kept the room energized, and there was always something going on that pulled everyone into the moment. Even with the place getting busier later in the night, the staff stayed attentive and kept everything running smoothly without making anyone feel rushed. I also loved how organized the karaoke setup was. Being able to add songs without waiting around made the experience feel seamless, and it helped keep the energy flowing. It's the kind of spot where you can unwind, have a laugh, grab something tasty, and forget about your week for a while. All in all, it turned out to be one of those unexpectedly great nights out. I'd absolutely come back and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, relaxed place to hang out and enjoy some good music and good company.

Unassuming from the outside, classic Chicago on the inside. Clean bathrooms, good menu..if you feel…read morelike doing Chicago Handshakes with friends you havent seen in 10000 years, this is your spot! Zero creeps floating around and great service! The long Island was amazing and would have had another if it wasnt for other beverages being purchased by friends. Definitely will be back next time we're all home!

What a cute bar! We stopped in around 730 on a weekday. We found there was still happy hour with $8…read morecocktails for a bit longer and it was also $2 hamms cans! The bartender was so friendly and quick. He gave great suggestions and made delicious drinks! Can't really ask for more. Was a very cozy feel in there.

Had a great time at millers pub! Chris at the bar was friendly and personable and welcomed me in…read morelike he knew me. Great lively atmosphere and plenty of draft selections to choose from. French dip sammy hit all the right feels and was tasty. I wish the horseradish sauce had a bit more horseradish to give it more zip but it was a great sandwich all around. You will not be disappointed. Bustling late night crowd on a Friday and food flowed til midnight and drinks til 2am.

Atmosphere is extremely important to me, especially when I'm looking for a place to unwind after an…read moreevent. After leaving the symphony, we wanted somewhere nearby to grab a meal and have a good conversation, so we ended up at Miller's Pub at 134 S. Wabash. My colleague had made a reservation, but honestly, it didn't seem necessary, you can easily walk in. Miller's Pub is a longtime Chicago staple, and we were seated quickly. The space is much larger than it appears, with a classic Irish pub feel and an antique charm that gives it a lot of character. Our server was enthusiastic, attentive, and very accommodating throughout the night, which we appreciated. Food-wise, we ordered a variety of dishes. I kept it simple with a salad topped with carrots and chicken, it was just okay, nothing particularly memorable. One of my colleagues ordered a chicken sandwich, and another got what might have been the most massive fish tender I've ever seen. If I ate fish, I definitely would've tried it, and she said it was really good. Unfortunately, what really impacted our experience was the atmosphere. There was a choir conference happening nearby, and a large group of attendees came into the pub and started singing, loudly and continuously, throughout the evening. While it was entertaining for the first couple of songs, it quickly became overwhelming and disruptive. It didn't seem like other patrons were enjoying it either, there was little to no engagement or applause, and I found myself wishing the staff had stepped in to tone things down a bit. I understand that a bar environment can bring in all kinds of energy, but this went on far too long and really took away from the experience we were hoping to have. Based on the food alone, I'd give Miller's Pub 3 out of 5 stars. But factoring in the overall experience, it's closer to a 2.5 out of 5 for me.

The ambiance alone was nearly enough to rank this spot 5 stars, but we all know what we're really…read morehere for. With the recent explosion of restaurants who use "smash burger" to describe a thin floppy patty that's never been on the wrong end of a steel hammer, Best Intentions stays true to the name with a crispy and delicious patty that smokes the competition for its price point. Next time, I'll definitely be ordering 2- not because the burger and fries wasn't enough, but because I inhaled the burger without hesitation. Greasy, satisfying, and sauced to perfection, I've got no critique whatsoever. The fries were similarly rated, the kind of paper bag fries you grab by the fistful because 1 or 2 at a time simply doesn't do them justice. We got takeout, and service was fairly quick- gave us about 10 minutes to stroll about and see many of the decorations along the walls of the bar, which I recommend checking out as well.

It was fine, I remember it being a little pricey. Maybe I'm reading it wrong, maybe it's legit, it…read morejust seems like they got every hip throwback thing possible. It seems like it is trying very hard to be a dive bar, down to the payphone on the wall. Everybody was nice, place was chill, not my jam.