After a bank snafu, I found myself penniless, wanting to watch the Sox play the Yankess I met friends at Bob Inn, one of the few North Side places to support South Side baseball. The bartender, Betty, served me water all night long - didn't charge me a dime. I totally owe her a huge tip as soon as my check clears. With four TVs in the bar, we watched the Sox beat the Yanks while some other guys watched the Cubs top Milwaukee. There was some ribbing, but it was all in good fun. When patron dropped his bottle of beer, twice, Betty gave him a new one and made a joke about how each time he dropped a bottle, the Sox scored. For a neighrbood bar for baseball and beer, Bob Inn is a must. read more

My beloved Bob Inn, my longtime home away from home. How I adore your cheap beer, cheap booze, and cheap thrills. Honestly, bought a round last night, 2 PBRs, Walker Red rocks, and a 16oz Becks, for $13. Beat that anywhere in Chicago. The barmaids are all "old stoves", great, friendly and funny as fuck. Eclectic crowd, from old to young. Great super cheese juke. I stick with the 16oz Becks cans for $3. Most importantly it's a SOX BAR! That's right, a great joint on the northside to watch REAL BASEBALL. They'll play that other teams game too, but I wouldn't recommend wearing your awful "Wrigley Field" shirt in this joint, what's the deal with those anyway?!? Thursdays are great as the Coffin Banger rolls out the oldies but goodies. Honestly I can't think of another bar where I've heard "Billion Dollar Baby" by Alice Cooper. I'm in love with this place, even when the trying-to-hard crew infests my cozy alcohol oasis. It's grand. read more

What draws Yelpers from far and wide to this random Logan Square dive? I don't know - maybe it's the tons of TVs all over the place tuned into the big game. Perhaps it's the classic rock music playing making the time go by faster. Maybe yet it is the pizza that is only a few doors down. I never stopped in Bob Inn before since it really sounded like some dive from the bowels of the earth rivaling the lower bounds of Wacker Drive. Having seen Rossi's downtown, I was really scared to try out another Craig B. classic joint. Seeing how it was Raul B's birthday, it made no sense to skip out on such fine company. We rolled down and found some quicklike parking right across the street. That's right, no endless circling trying to vulture off the last parking spot in the zip code - it was right there no wait necessary! Walking in we were greeted by some hipster element but curiously enough the TV was tuned to NBC Footbal Night in America. The Vikings were getting sent back to Minnesota in shame and the whole bar cheered Bret Favre's inferior plays. The beer was cheap and I ran into a random high school friend in a random dive. It was like Cheers friends everywhere and cheap beer to go all around. The pool table battles ensued viciously and the bathroom smelled like a zoo, but you can't have everything be perfect. There was plenty of room to sit and chat and they did a nice job with their Halloween decorations. Bob Inn is versatile and can do a lot of things despite the fact that it's a dive. You'll have to pay cash and they ain't got no menu, but you can rest assured that you probably won't find any Depaul or Wrigleyville drunkards in their! read more

I've lived in the neighborhood for a while now and for some reason it has taken me a long time to warm up to and start going to the Bob Inn. It's everything you'd wish for in a bar: good music, cheap drinks, a pool table, carry-outs!, a good mix of decent people, and not to mention it is appropriately shitty. A place you can take your mom, grandma, yuppie friends or hipster friends and everyone would like it. A place where everyone doesn't know your name. I wouldn't make the trip, but if you are having a night out in the area it is a good stop along they way. If you live in the neighborhood give it a shot. read more

Craig B and Jenny Z were able to convince the nice people at Bob Inn to throw their birthday party here. The twist was that this party involved grilling right outside and we generally "took over" a sizable portion of the bar w/ our shenanigans. Get this - not only tolerated it, I think they encouraged us. The bar itself is deceptively large on the inside which you'd never guess by the outside. It's very spacious yet very homey on the inside which lends to the friendliness. The bar staff (I'm guessing this is a family owned business - reading the other reviews) is genuinely friendly and very relaxed. The patrons are equally chill and generally laid back. This is the place to just wind down and enjoy being in good company. The prices are well beyond reasonable and mixed drinks come in healthy portions. I don't know about you but I can tell a lot about a place in how they serve their Jack and Coke (my weapon of choice). The Jack and Cokes here are tidy, tall and well priced. Come and check out the Bob Inn and don't forget to bring your posse to chill w/. Make sure somebody in your crew has cash on hand, however. Your plastic is no good here. But hey - w/ prices like these, you'll be ok. Happy Birthday Craig and Jenny!!! read more

Absolute sweethearts work here! This is a truly great neighborhood bar with cheap drinks and colorful patrons. It gets a little younger as it gets later-I prefer the after work crowd here, personally. read more

Classic dive bar. This is the real deal. What is left to say? Oh yeah, my head hurts. Hello again Yelp Chicago. read more

It's a Sox bar. A Sox bar. No one told me it was a Sox bar. If I had know it was a Sox bar I would have never went. Please don't tell anyone I went to a Sox bar. And didn't hate it. read more

Sigh...the "bobby"... The Bob Inn is the "Cheers" of dive bars. Everyone knows your name and if they don't, they will by the end of the night. If you want to hang out with some friends, talk about the White Sox, and drink some cheap drinkies, this is the place for you. read more

I am a fan...I mean a real fan of this bar. I was surprised because most dive-y type bars I stick out in but not here. This place is filled with all kinds of people or so it seems. I went on a Sunday for Craig and Jenny's bday bash and had a great time. The regulars didn't even seem to mind us crashing in on them. But that could be because we didn't mind if they snuck some food now and again. The bartenders were great. They made me an amaretto STONE sour. Instead of just my sour and when I asked them to remake it she had no problem with that. She also had no problem with me ordering 3 or 4 sprites. Ugh! I hate being sick. And like I said the regulars were super nice! I would like to go again on a night when there is nothing organized to get a better vibe of the bar but I have a feeling it will be the exact same way. So when I do go back I will update my review. Service was friendly, drinks were made fast, from what I hear the beer was served cold and everyone seemed to have a great time! read more

Love that this is a Sox bar on the north side WOOOO=) Cheap drinks and laid back vibe, perfect for just disappearing into the woodwork for a few hours and letting the rest of the world quickly zoom by. Enough said=) read more

My boss last night told me she felt bad she couldn't come to the bar with us so she asked how much money it would cost for a beer at Bob Inn. I immediately laughed and replied, "$2" and she looked at me as if I was lying. Nope, Bob Inn's just like that dive bar you have back home, only it's in good ol' Chicago. And they have a Terminator pinball machine!!!!! read more

Ah yes, the Bob . . . venue of my fellow high-minded lowlifes. Cheap beer, random jukebox spurts - Goooood times! It's happy hour all the time at the Bob! read more

what a great hole in the whole. Upsides: -cheap beer always -Cheap drinks always -Great hole in the wall ambiance -Awesome juke box with cheesy songs and you put a 5 dollar bill in there and you get a million songs. -Fourth of july cookout, you sit at the bar and they offer you food (they dont server food) -Crappy pool table Downside: -Sox bar read more

Bob Inn's charm is simple, like its name -- its bartendresses attentive, its pool tables available more often than not, its domestics affordably priced. Like having a beer at the home of a friend's grandfather, really. It's simply a perfect dive bar that hasn't yet been overrun with drunks and isn't trying to be anything it's not (proof of this is evident in the half-inch thick layer of dust and cobwebs that have settled upon the questionable-but-collectable items displayed above the bar, as well as in the very dated beer special promo signs stacked against the bar's back walls...it's like grandad just couldn't give up all the memories). And where else can you have a few beers, shoot some pool, have a conversation with friends and pose in pizza slice costumes all in one evening? read more

I write this review as I begin to romanticize and reflect on the countless (I really mean countless) times I've set foot in this bar and left feeling whole with the world. This is a family owned operation. You can feel it the minute you walk in. No frills and always reasonably priced, the 'Bob' is my go-to. The staff is excellent and always attentive. My glass is never empty, and they're even nice enough to humor me with great, meaningful conversation while waiting for friends. Annie and Jimmy are terrific people with big hearts. Their kids are great, too! Go to the Bob. Get an Old Style and Malort. Get another round. Have a good time. Repeat. Note: For the love of god, please bring cash. Don't whine about it - just do it. read more

This place is a magnet for a fun time. We were here for a birthday party and the cosmos were against me that day . Every single ex-girlfriend of my companion was there. And this was the day that I came down with a bad case of sunstroke and had crazy sunburn from that stupid spray on sunscreen in a can. Note to self: if experiencing sunstroke avoid alcohol. Unfortunately for me, I didn't check webmd before consuming lots of cheap beer that the bob inn provides. Luckily I didn't start foaming at the mouth. I'm just glad that my exes didn't start crawling out of the woodwork. I don't know who it was the most awkward for that night. But I do know that awkward, catty, drunken and maniacal equals good times in my book. read more

Cash only dive with cheap beers and salt of the earth people. Plenty of tables and space at the bar

Another great dive bar. Cheap, never super crowded, friendly. There is pool and a good jukebox. There are some TVs to watch sports on. Cool if you are into it but not in your face if you are not. you should go read more

In all my years of going to the Fireside Bowl for a nice little punk rock show, I never stopped in to this bar. Recently a friend had a bithday gathering and my very sober self went along for the ride. Now I know it's a corner bar and it's meant to be a dive, but it made me feel like I should give the place a good scrub. The drop ceiling hasn't been changed, I'm guessing ever, but certainly not since the smoking ban. The table was sticky, the music too loud (they did turn it down when we asked), and I avoided the bathroom. However, it wasn't packed on a Sunday during football season, so that's a bonus. The beers are cheap (or so my friends told me), the lighting is low, and with the right friends you can have fun anywhere. read more

I wish this place had an amazing beer list. Then I realize that I am a beer snob and that's totally not the kind of place this is. It's a little neighborhood bar with a nice environment and a pool table. read more

This is a good place to get away from all the bar jive.... I agree with James M....On a random night it will be infested by hipsters....turn on a sports game and they scatter like roaches. lol It's a white sox bar! The bartenders have been there for years and I usually only go when my friend is in from the navy! great times always read more

Classic old school neighborhood dive. Dare I say the "Cheers" of Fullerton Ave. Everyone is pretty friendly and it seemed that a number of them knew each other. The crowd itself is pretty mixed. The age range was from 20-somethings pre-drinking to grandpa's watching the game. The bartender was very nice and was quick to fill our rounds. read more

I've missed the stinky dishrag smell and cheap drinks at the Bob. It's been awhile. I had a brief stint here back 5 or 6 years in what we will call my "chef phase". I moved on to my "Cuban phase" and with that came a different bar scene. Fast forward to grown ass woman me who bought a condo in the Square and now lives nearby. Came here last night and the sights, sounds, and, ahem, smells all came rushing back. We meant to stop in for one fun drink, then next thing we knew we were 20 bones deep into the jukebox (LOTS of dusties being spun last night) and my two girlfriends were having a walk off down the center of the bar for no reason. We stayed for 3 hours, drinks were spilled, an innocent bystander playing pool was molested by my g.friends, and a suburban whiteboy10 yrs my junior sat next to me and said all he wanted was to "spit some rhymes for us". *sigh* I might have to start dating chefs again... read more

I really love this bar. I read the reviews before going and I was a little nervous about how service would be, given that I am not a regular. There was absolutely no problem. This bar reminds me of the bars in my hometown -- the bartenders are friendly, the atmosphere is homey -- but also there are biker-kinda people who would probably kick your ass if you take things too far. Pete (of Pete's Barber Shop) comes in here to do "dj sets" every once in a while and gets a good mix of classic rock (and such) going. This bar has what ever good bar needs: good bartenders, the ability to hear the people next to you talking, accessibility from home, and a bar stocked with pretty much anything you'd ask for. read more

This little bar is right across the street from the Fireside Bowl. Back in the days when they had all ages shows, it was a fun place to hit before/after and dodge the pubescent crowd. Now it's just a nice CHEAP place to grab a beer and play a little Photo Hunt. (For real, I love this game.) read more

Bob Inn - BOB INN - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very nice neighborhood dive bar. - bartender is so attentive, will keep checking if you need another round. - drinks are cheap; beers are 2-3 bucks - people are friendly and laid back. Non-judgements environment. - cute out-dated decors - more mature crowd than the other bars in the area, which is perfect for me. read more

The Bob Inn ROCKS! This is a no frills quintessential dive bar, with the exception that it has great service. Week nights are great for a quiet drink and the weekends are very busy. It becomes hipster-ville USA! Enjoy and tip well! read more

Nice spot for cheap canned beer, hardcore drinking and a relaxed atmosphere.... Enjoy Suckas'!!! read more

A neighborhood institution. An old school, tough as nails Chicago bar. What you'd expect from a divey old bar in Logan Square: cheap beer, darts, Sox games, neighborhood hipsters, mustachioed union guys, and ladies with leather skin. Pretty much a slice of Bridgeport brought to the North Side. I give this place a lot of respect. It's been here for longer than I've been alive, so I have to give it old school props for that. But I guess I know too many annoying hipsters that have sleazed their way into this place (not sure what the other poster was talking about, this place is CRAWLING with hipster douchebags). Lots of Sox talk here. Like another poster said, don't bash the Sox here. Maybe that's why I don't come here more often. read more

I like me some Bob-Inn, I have started making buddies with some of the regulars and they're good people. Most of the folks that come here are good people, but I have noticed a small influx of scenesters and hipsters in recent months. I am truly hoping that this isn't indicative of a greater problem... but if history dictates... then, watch out.. I enjoy the pool table on the less crowded nights, but on the weekends people tend to crowd into it and display little respect for the fine art of pool-playing. The beer selection is typical in the Chicago neighborhood bar sense, but I don't really expect too much. In fact, I barely scoffed when I discovered that they do not have Maker's Mark... which is a big surprise because usually when a bar doesn't have my Maker's... I tend to think they must have a hole in their head or possibly something worse. Anyhow, I am happy to have the Bob-Inn in my hood and I will going there periodically for quite a while indeed methinks. Hipsters or not. read more

Last year some friends that used to live in the neighborhood, but moved to New York were in town and asked that I meet them at Bob Inn. Having spent most of my time north of Irving Park and east of Western, the location alone was baffling. It was early on a weekend night, so I didn't get the full on effect until this past Saturday. It's close to 11 p.m. The bar is full, but not packed. The area near the door reeks of pot and a slight hint of vomit. In the back near the bathrooms/pool table someone is rockin' B.O. The tamale guy comes through. The jukebox is cranking out Patsy Cline. The bartenders are attentive, and seem to be able to discern the newbies (read: jerks) from the people who "get it". A group of regulars sit in the far corner upon entering and watch the James Bond movie playing on the t.v.'s. I sip on a cheap vodka soda and scarf down Jay's BBQ chips (w00t!). Someone walks in a free pizza and the bartender kindly offer us some. When we open the bag for our tamales, she brings us napkins and offers us salt. A couple walks in seeming out of place and the guy asks if they have any IPA's. We roll our eyes as the bartender says 'no'. This may be only the second time I've been here, but I get it. Be friendly to your bartenders. Be aware of your surroundings. Be kind to the locals who enthusiastically tell you the pizza is from a place down the street as they hand you a takeout menu. Enjoy Bob Inn for what it is: a perfectly good dive bar. read more

The beer is cheap and plentiful ($6 for a bomber of fat tire? I can barely get that at a liquor store), the bartenders do a damn good job, and... the beer is cheap and plentiful. I like that it's not overcrowded and obnoxiously loud. Plus they have beer to go. I think maybe it's just a bit too much of a place for hipsters to go and be fake divey for my tastes. read more

I don't know; this place just never did it for me. Granted, I like listening to The Doors and playing Golden Tee here and there, but I'm not so thrilled about hanging out with people who attended High School in the 70's, even if they do have stories to tell. read more

I stopped in here last weekend to meet up with friends to exchange Wu-Tang tickets, the show was at the Congress and just thought this would be a good place to stop into. The bar is old, dive for sure, but very clean and kept. The prices are great and the crowd is mixed, for the most part... I will say that this is a Sox bar, me being from Detroit, not really a fan, but I do live in Chicago so whatever. Pool table in the back, nice, old school short table. Always a sign of a good dive. The price point is nice, the staff is nice...I will be back. read more

What an awesome little dive this is. This was the neighborhood dive for a while (until everyone wanted to go to Quenchers down the street) and we used to have so much fun here. $5 in the jukebox, play some pool, drink some brew, it's never crowded so you can pretty much have free reign of the place. stick with beer or liquor, my girl asked for "tequila rose" one time and they pulled an ANCIENT bottle from under the bar...make that a beer...thx read more

Awesome standard dive bar. Not overpriced. Not trendy. Mix of locals, young, old, some hipsters, alcoholics, some alcoholic hipsters. Shots of Jack are what I like to do and the bartender will normally throw one on the house. This exchange between one of the bartenders and what was almost a patron truly demonstrates the vibe and the reason I love this place: A boy who most likely just turned 21 and his most likely underage girlfriend came in, obviously already loaded and being pretty obnoxious. He orders an Apple Jack. When the bartender grabs the apple juice he gets all bent outta shape, says, "No, no! Apple Pucker!" With a shocked expression she looks at him and says (in sort of a snotty, but completely justified way), "We don't have Pucker here." As they turned around to stumble out, the bartender gave me and my friend the what-the-fuck-was-that eyes. "Isn't an Apple Jack made with apple juice?" she asks. "I don't know, I drink Jack out of the bottle, but at least that got them out of here." I replied. Awesome. read more

Hands down, one of, if not the BEST bar in Chicago. My friend and I come here for everything. Blackhawks games, gossip over drinks, shitty day at work? HEAD TO THE BOB! One of the owners, Annie, is also a bartender and she is just the absolute best. She knows all the regulars by name, remembers things about your life, asks you about something you might've mentioned the month before, and is always there to listen if you need to vent. This is truly a neighborhood bar that cares about the neighborhood people. If you come here and treat it with love, it'll love you right back. read more

I love Bob Inn. I live across the street and for a local Bucktown dive bar its as good as it gets. The pool table is cheap and not too busted. There are always regulars who will talk to you and challenge you in a game of friendly competition. You can buy beer to go after most liquor stores are closed. However, recently they got rid of erotic photohunt, which is a bummer, but they did get a new video touch screen machine. I wish they had darts. The staff is all very nice. read more

Last night I was there watching the cubs/sox preseason game, the bartender is awesome and a Sox fan AND had stickers of Richard Pryor's face which she gave us. This is as good as it gets. read more