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    Black Hole Bar

    4.4 (34 reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

    Black Hole Bar Photos

    Business Info

    BLACK HOLE BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Black Hole Bar

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    Reviews With Photos

    John I.

    If you're looking for a good old fashioned dive, Black Hole Bar has you covered! We've been here a couple times in our visits to Chicago, and it never lets down when we're looking for some upbeat music, dancing, pool, and affordable drinks. We've never had any issue getting drinks, as the bartenders are always fast and friendly. There are usually movies playing on the TVs behind the bar, and there's a juke box for those who enjoy subjecting other unsuspecting patrons to your favorites songs (a.k.a. me). The pours are heavy, the tunes are loud, and the vibes are on point for those seeking that quintessential dive experience. Love it!

    Old fashioned
    Andre A.

    Came out on a Saturday for a quick drink. The drinks are delicious, the bar is busy, and the music is great. Adrian was our bartender and he makes a great whiskey drink . I would recommend to all my friends.

    Simran S.

    This is a very fun spot tucked away in Wicker! The happy hour deals were absolutely insane. We got 4 margaritas for $15!! Felt like I was back in a college town. There is a fun pool table right at the front that you can play at as well. Overall very chill and vibey with the music and lights! Would definitely go back again.

    Interior decorating
    Michelle L.

    Been to this location a couple times and always love the ambiance here. Always very chill with pool players (and the occasional adorable dog). I was hangout out here after I drank a drink from Wake n Bakery and was feeling super zooted. But I was watching so many different movies while drinking on the cocktail the bartender made especially for me. I just asked for something sweet and she delivered. Love that they were playing The Barbershop, Harry Potter, and Now You See Me, just to name a few movies. I remember I came another time and ordered a purple drink and it was delicious. Forgot the name of it, but def recommend it when I figure out what it is.

    Billiards game.

    Great staff, drink prices, pool table and service. Definitely coming back, thank you Adrian.

    people sitting at a bar
    Alexander M.

    Super cool place. You can control the music, basically be your own DJ. Nice vibes and friendly service. Drinks are great and reasonably priced. Can't wait to get back!

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    1 month ago

    Best bar in the city! And Im from the SouthSide. You are allowed to bring in your own food.

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    2 months ago

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    Edward O.

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    1 month ago

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    Edward O.

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    2 years ago

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    Edward O.

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    Edward O.

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    11 months ago

    really cute and spacious! i love that it's dog friendly as well, what a great surprise when walking in for the first time.

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    Edward O.

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    3 years ago

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    Edward O.

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    Edward O.

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    1 year ago

    Black Hole is always a vibe. The bartenders are kind and make bomb cocktails. I highly recommend this place! Excited for patio season!

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    Edward O.

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Edward O.

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    3 years ago

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    Edward O.

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    5 years ago

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    Edward O.

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    4 years ago

    Divey, no-frills bar with strong mixed drinks and plenty of beer on tap. Lots of young clientele on a Sunday afternoon. ‍

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    Edward O.

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    i will never go back. service was ok. clientele--especially at the pool table--really sketchy and ignorant.

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    Edward O.

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    5 years ago

    One of the best bars on division avenue! Always a fun crowd & great prices on drinks. They're Dog friendly & have TouchTunes too!

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    Edward O.

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    5 years ago

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    Edward O.

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    3 years ago

    Such a good happy hour! 1/2 off Monday-Saturday and $3 beer and seltzers on Tuesday. Good patio on division and bartenders are so nice!

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    Edward O.

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    4 years ago

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    Edward O.

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    4 years ago

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    Edward O.

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    5 years ago

    One of my favorite hangouts in Chicago. Had great interactions with the staff. Love the crowd and the owner brings a great vibe!

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    5 years ago

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    Edward O.

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    6 years ago

    Cool patio with affordable cocktail prices. The staff and owner are super welcoming. Cool neighborhood so you are near everything.

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    Edward O.

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Edward O.

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    6 years ago

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    Edward O.

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    6 years ago

    Black hole is the fun local joint that I go to on the weekends. Love the pool table, music, and drinks!

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    Edward O.

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    Review Highlights - Black Hole Bar

    Been to this location a couple times and always love the ambiance here.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    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.

    Mom's Place

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    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.

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    $

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    Black Hole Bar - divebars - Updated May 2026

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