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    Bub City

    3.7 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Bub City Takeout or Delivery

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    BUB CITY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Live music
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Bub City

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    Menu
    Madison B.

    Ambiance: Bub City is a southern BBQ style restaurant resembling many restaurants from the south from the country music playing, to the sports TVs and very American theme'd decor. There's both indoor high top, a bar, booth, and outdoor seating to choose from with plenty of space between tables. Service: The servers were extremely nice greeting guests upon entry and engaging with the menu and any questions that may have been asked. The Brisket sandwich said sliced but they were able to do chopped instead without any upcharge which was extremely nice and substitute for the regular fries with another for a one dollar upcharge. Wait time: The wait time was not long at all between ordering and when the food arrived. Food: As a born and raised southerner, the barbecue was very flavorful and had a good mix of lean and fatty bits on the brisket in the sandwich with a hardy serving of meat. The sweet potato fries were some of the absolute best I have ever had at a restaurant with a crisp exterior and slightly soft interior flavorfully seasoned with a mixture of seasonings. Overall, bub city was a happy surprise to find in the Midwest bringing good flavored barbecue and a homey feeling outside of South and I'd recommend anyone to try it for some very solid Southern style brisket.

    Happy Hour Chicken Tenders; Happy Hour Waffle Fries
    Jacqueline O.

    We come here often for work happy hours! Big fan of the HH food menu where everything is $5. I usually get fries and I think the plates are fun (ceramic but look like paper plates). If you're looking for a quick, cheap buzz, the Eazy Peazy Lemonade is a legend among my coworkers. Really packs a punch and goes down *ahem* eazy peazy! I can take or leave the theme (I used to live in nashville so it's a little nostalgic but I don't care for country music and country themes) but it's not too overwhelming, so it's still enjoyable! Staff is always very kind and great sports when we all come in so we really truly appreciate them!

    Ciara W.

    My favorite country bar in River North! The rainbow lights and live music instantly put you in a good mood. A big plus is their $5 happy hour. Always busy but service is fantastic and don't sacrifice quality for efficiency. The food is mainly bbq and always cooked to perfection. Highly recommend this place!

    Mark C.

    Bub City absolutely delivered. The nachos were the standout, loaded, packed with flavor, and honestly big enough to share between two people. We also ordered the sliders, and they were a solid choice with juicy patties and great flavor. If you're going with a friend, the nachos are a must-order. Great food, generous portions, and definitely worth coming back for.

    Pulled Heritage Pork Shoulder
    Joey L.

    Came here on a Saturday night just before the band was going to play, the atmosphere was great and can guess it would be even better with the live music, we got seated right away. There were a lot of TVs to watch on. For food, I got the pork shoulder pulled pork plate, and the food came right away, in about 5 minutes which I wasn't expecting. So the service is super fast. The pulled pork was super tasty especially with some bbq poured over it, some of the best I've had in Chicago so far. Highly recommend this place for a lovely atmosphere and definitely try to come when there is a band

    Mac N Cheese With Pulled Pork!
    Parker G.

    I love Bub City DOWN!!! One of my favorite places for bites, drinks, and hanging out in the River North Area! We were staying nearby while in Chicago, so it was one of our first stops of our stay for dinner and some drinks. The Mac N Cheese with pulled pork added to it HITS! Soooo silky smooth, creamy, delicious, and a great contrast in textures between the cheesy mac and the pulled pork. The drinks here are also tasty and strong! We stopped by a few more times during our stay to hang out and grab a drink. It's also very easy to order and service is always prompt. We also returned just before heading to the airport for returning to LA and got their All-American Burger and more of the delectably delicious Mac N Cheese!! Neither disappointed and totally hit the spot! I absolutely recommend this spot to anyone looking in the River North area of Chicago.

    Milkshake
    Stacie J.

    Came across Bub City via DoorDash and glad I did! The tater tots were crispy and the hamburger was seasoned very well. I appreciate that they took the time to package my order so items didn't shift and not one spill of my Oreo milkshake. My friend loves burgers so when she comes to town will make a stop to check out the location. Definitely a return customer!

    Nachos
    Sydney H.

    Not only is Bub City one of my favorite bars in Chicago, I recently discovered they have great food too!!!!! The chicken sandwich was amazing and huge, plenty to share. We also tried the nachos and coleslaw which we didn't love as much as the sandwich, but they were still good. The atmosphere on the inside is the classic all american country vibe - the perfect place to whip out your cowboy boots!!! We went for happy hour / dinner, but they have live music most nights starting later (around 9 or 10 I think), so would be a great place for a late dinner and then stay for the live music when it turns into more of a bar. I have loved this bar for awhile, I'm so glad I discovered their good food too!!!!

    Back Porch Tea & Easy Peasy Lemonade (a mix of both)
    Arielle J.

    After stopping by finishing a happy hour nearby, I was left feeling underwhelmed by the service. Unfortunately our bartender almost felt like he did not want to be bothered. However, the drink I had was very good. The interior has a rustic vibe. I had a drink that was a mix between the Back Porch Tea & Easy Peasy Lemonade. It was good mix and strong! Just how I like my drinks. Due to the service, I would be reluctant to visit again.

    Brisket Burnt Ends - Available Friday - Sunday Only $24.95 side Cole Slaw
    Joelle M.

    Not impressed: service was on point and tv's had MLB and minor league and there was country music playing. Wisconsin old fashion -very good. Strawberry margarita spritz-super mix flavor not strawberry flavor ( mixed w/water to finish) Burnt ends -decent, 4-5 chunks, bbq sauce should complement meat and served on the side. Cole slaw plus some other side should be included ( 1/2 cup of something). Mac n cheese was good , too much for 1 serving good for (2). Added 4.95 chopped brisket, 2 slices on top w/out bbq sauce . Skillet cornbread n whipped honey butter was the best thing ordered. Literally melts in your mouth when sliced in half and added butter. $86 + $15 tip. Our most expensive meal this weekend and just ok bbq.

    Brunch drinks menu, featuring happy hour
    Molly M.

    I've been to Bub City between five and 10 times over the past 5 to 10 years. I've never had a bad experience. Most recently I came here for brunch. I ordered a bloody Mary, fried pickles, and the hub 51 nachos. My friend had a bloody Mary as well and the pastrami hash. All the food was fantastic, and the brunch happy hour six dollar drinks are such an amazing deal. The standout part of our experience was our server, who was so incredibly pleasant and sweet and helpful. Wish I could remember her name but she was awesome. Bob city is a solid place for food or drinks or live music. Very fun and cute atmosphere too. Highly recommend.

    Kari O.

    Foods pretty good, American food. The staff is attentive and sweet. It does get loud in the evening. The burger used to be on a happy hour deal but the drinks are strong and cold. The black porch tea and the lemonade vodka are both delicious and on the sweeter side. The tenders were pretty standard and fries are good. Unfortunately one time my father got food poisoning here which is why I'm giving 4 stars. Happens everywhere I understand but was sad it happened when we were all downtown.

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    2 years ago

    Stopped here for a quick drink on st.pattys weekend. The bar was chill and a nice stop in a cluster of bars.

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    Bub City Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bub City

    Does the music play all evening?

    Tonight the band goes on at 11pm till 2:30am. Hope this is helpful… 

    Are there TV's to watch the BEARS game?

    Yes great place to watch a game

    Is there live music everyday or every weekend?

    Hey Mysel, thanks for reaching out! We pretty much have live music every night. You can check out our live music calendar on our website. Every Tuesday we do live band karaoke which is always a lot of fun!

    Hi do you have gluten free options?

    Hey Wendi, we sure do! We have some dishes that are already gluten free as well as some items that can be slightly modified to accommodate a gluten allergy. Please just alert your server of your allergy when you come in and they will walk you… 

    Is there any outdoor seating?

    Hey Anna, There sure is. We have a great patio out front!

    Do you have to be 21 to go here?

    Hey Wendi, thanks for reaching out. We are all ages until 10pm, then we become 21+.

    View All 9 Questions

    Review Highlights - Bub City

    I'm not a super big fan of country music but even if you arent, the food is so worth it.

    Mentioned in 100 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    City Winery Chicago

    City Winery Chicago

    3.4(1.4k reviews)
    1.4 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$$
    Live music
    Full bar

    My husband and I spent my August 1 Birthday weekend T the City Winery in the West Loop. Friday…read morenight for the Eric Roberson concert. Amazing. Eric Roberson was excellent! Excellent repertoire; warm and interactive performance. Our waiter Brandon was attentive and made excellent menu recommendations. We had the prime rib grilled cheese and the lobster ravioli for dinner. Both were good. Their wine selections are definitely better than their cocktails which were weak and not flavorful-,even with Don Julio tequila. On Saturday. We booked the wine tasting. Destiny was amazing!!! Informative and personable. Shared the technical information about each wine with a personable and reflective observation. She made the experience memorable and accessible. We have for many wine tastings in Traverse City, Lake Michigan, Niagara NY and Sonoma valley in California; Destiny was by far the most indeed and impactful experience we have had . She is truly gifted with the ability to share head knowledge and heartfelt love for the adventure and experiential aspect of wines. Destiny has made us sure that we will be coming back to City Winery with our friends and family from Michigan. We look forward to making City Winery one of our "frequent fliers" for music and wine. The food was okay not stellar. Doesn't matter; we'll be there for the music and the wine experience. I hope you have the opportunity to have Destiny for your wine exposure experience. She's a treasure. I hope they harness her enthusiasm and wine enjoyment for future guests. It was a remarkable and truly memorable weekend with City Winery!

    I wish I had joined the Citi Winery VIP+ membership earlier. Now that I have, I highly recommend so…read moreyou too can enjoy these great benefits including: * Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on food & beverage at any City Winery. * Trade 500 points for 2 tickets to the show of your choice, subject to availability. * For every 200 points get $10 credit delivered to your digital wallet. * Enjoy 48-hour advance access to tickets before the public. * Pay no ticketing fees on ticket purchases. * Attend exclusive tasting parties with a guest each month. * Take home a different featured wine each month. * Enjoy a monthly wine flight in our restaurant. * Save 20% off retail wine in store, wine tastings, plus wine and food events. * Take an annual private winery tour. Omg, is this a win/win or what? Last night rocked a great sister dinner and show date. Greeted warmly by a VIP customized table card was a welcome touch. Pure Soul is pure magic entertainment! Their earth, wind & fire cover band exploded through a sold out room so crowded we had to dance our butts off in our chairs lol Relished the tender tasty seared salmon and fall apart easily short ribs in awesome sauces topped with an incredible pinot noir bottle from the winery. Our server Brandon was very friendly professional and helpful with the menu & inKind payment. Shout out to the efficient and friendly valet staff too. Seriously cannot wait to return for the 9/26 Motown Soul brunch.

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    City Winery Chicago
    City Winery Chicago
    City Winery Chicago

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    The Bassment - Chicago - The Bathtub

    The Bassment - Chicago

    4.0(249 reviews)
    0.4 miRiver North, Near North Side
    $$

    I came here on a late Saturday night after attending another event; this served as the groups…read morenightcap before we ended the night. I'm so glad that I happened upon this place because it's one of the best late night live music spots that you can come across. I'm not sure if there was an established band that was on stage beforehand, but while I was there, it seemed like there were a lot of local acts and just super talented folks who were there jamming on stage. I loved every minute of it. There's a small bar there which I could imagine could get easily packed and overrun during a busy night but overall the drinks were fine. They do have seating areas, low chairs like the speakeasy vibe to enjoy the entertainment, but they also have a lot of space to dance and stand if you need to. I'll be back for sure, but you should also check it out.

    I turned to ChatGPT for recommendations on live music with good vibes near my hotel, and The…read moreBassment was at the top of the list. I decided to live a little and give it a try. I arrived a little after 9 and was greeted with no line. Since I didn't have a reservation, I paid a $10 cover. Walking downstairs, I was immediately impressed with the British décor, lots of IG-worthy spots. Because it was still early, I was able to head straight to the bar for a drink. The bartender mentioned the band would start at 9:30 and that things usually pick up around 10. He also let me know the couches were open seating until reserved groups arrived. The band was fantastic and had people dancing not long after they started. By 11, the place was standing room only. I tapped out around 1 and walked past a long line waiting to get in. I'm happy I trusted ChatGPT's suggestion. The Bassment delivered a fun night with great music, drinks, and energy. I'll definitely visit again.

    Photos
    The Bassment - Chicago
    The Bassment - Chicago
    The Bassment - Chicago

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    The Office

    The Office

    4.4(323 reviews)
    1.1 miFulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side
    $$$$

    Stopped by The Office last weekend after dinner, and what an experience! This intimate speakeasy…read moreis tucked away in the basement of The Aviary and only holds about 21 people, so it definitely has that exclusive, hidden gem feel. Reservations are $50 per person, but that amount goes toward your bill. And honestly, the drink options go way beyond the menu. I tried a daiquiri, a green tea shot, and a coffee inspired cocktail. Everything was unique, and they have an impressive collection of rare and hard to find spirits. The bartenders were extremely nice, knowledgeable, and informative, which made the experience even better. We also tried the cheesecake, which was a nice addition. The music was mellow but still gave the room a vibe. The atmosphere is intimate, cozy, and definitely feels like a place you go for the experience, not just a drink. Street parking is available. Definitely a fun spot to add to your Chicago night out!

    After my birthday dinner, my friends and I went to The Office, the intimate speakeasy in Fulton…read moreMarket, and it was such a great experience! The atmosphere is beautiful, cozy, and intimate, which made it perfect for continuing my birthday celebration. Our bartender was incredibly attentive, kind, and welcoming, and the drinks were absolutely delicious. We made a reservation and paid a deposit in advance, which was applied toward our final bill. I really appreciated how seamless everything was. They even surprised me with a little birthday treat and a candle, which was such a thoughtful touch and made me feel celebrated. We had a wonderful time from beginning to end. Great drinks, great service, and an amazing vibe. I would absolutely recommend The Office for an after-dinner experience, a pre-dinner cocktail, date night, or a special celebration. I will definitely be back!

    Photos
    The Office - Twas a combination of a black manhattan & a vieux carré  Delicious

    Twas a combination of a black manhattan & a vieux carré Delicious

    The Office - Birthday cheesecake

    Birthday cheesecake

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    Collection

    The Wild Hare - Rib Tips & Fries

    The Wild Hare

    3.7(256 reviews)
    1.1 miFulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side
    $$

    I'm back to update my previous review. I finally got the chance to come back to The Wild Hare for…read morethe full dine-in and live music experience. I'm really glad I did. Our server was quick and pleasant. He was refilling and offering new drinks before we even knew we needed them. I'm not even sure I really considered the menu because I really came to retry the oxtail and rice & peas. I was not disappointed, and there was nothing but tailbones left on my plate. Ambiance is fun at The Wild Hare. The live music in the back room int he evenings are definitely where it's at. I would recommend checking out the event calendar on their website to help pick which day you may want to come. My only complaint is that I really wish the DJ played more reggae in the restaurant. I expected to have a full reggae night, but all the way up until the live band, it was mostly hip hop and R&B with the occasional reggae throwback. Give us more; we came for the reggae vibes!

    Came here on a Sunday after. They had drink specials available. We were able to find parking right…read moreout front. On this occasion there were drink specials. Grabbed $7 margarita (special) which was tasty. For food my husband and I shared the full lb of rib tips and fries. We thought they were tasty. We met up with some friends celebrating a March birth (Aries). The bar crowd was friendly...everyone just enjoying the music and each other. Bathrooms were big and never had an issue getting a stall. Security present and overall just a fun experience. Would love to come back when they have a live band playing.

    Photos
    The Wild Hare - Stage in second room

    Stage in second room

    The Wild Hare
    The Wild Hare

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    Cobra Lounge - A full house

    Cobra Lounge

    3.8(378 reviews)
    1.9 miNear West Side, West Loop
    $$

    The Cobra Lounge essentially has three spaces: the former brewery's bar space (still feels like a…read morebrewery), the lounge, and the music venue. They all deliver a top-notch experience! Having read reviews and menus for All Rise Brewing Co. online, we headed in for beers and dinner, then quickly realized the brewery was no more. No complaints, though--what we found was a laid-back, welcoming bar with plenty of local beer on tap and a menu full of interesting pizzas. We tried some beers, and split a Clam Bake Pizza--that was pretty awesome. Classic cult movies playing on the screens (I hadn't seen Buckaroo Banzai in awhile!) gave the place a little added atmosphere. Our bartender was super cool & helpful. The room got close to full as showtime neared, but was always comfortable. Patrons likely vary depending on what music's playing; this night was shoegaze/goth and the multi-generational crowd looked like fans of those genres. We ended up staying for the night's live show, which was a lineup of four bands (one touring and three local, I think) for a very reasonable price. We could take our drinks from the bar into the venue and/or order more in the lounge space. I wasn't alone, but would've felt safe and comfortable on my own there. The venue's an elevated stage with two sets of steps. There doesn't appear to be any back room; gear and cases were piled in an alcove. The sound and lights were good. Bathrooms were just fine. No seats in the venue, but it's cool to come and go to hang out in the lounge or bar. Cobra Lounge has a small, well-lit parking lot and there's plenty of street parking available too.

    Great place with great people! I came in to get a cold drink while waiting for a bus and started…read moreto feel faint. Staff overheard that I was lightheaded and made sure I had cold water and checked on me multiple times while I was there. That alone, recommend the place

    Photos
    Cobra Lounge - Bar: former brewery side

    Bar: former brewery side

    Cobra Lounge - Funny sign

    Funny sign

    Cobra Lounge - Lounge area outside the music venue

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    Lounge area outside the music venue

    Gilt Bar - Chicken parmigiana

    Gilt Bar

    4.3(2.4k reviews)
    0.2 miRiver North, Near North Side
    $$$

    Amazing pasta | Best waitress in Chicago | Cool atmosphere…read more Came for a late dinner and had a great time. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, the atmosphere is fun, and the cocktails are solid. I had the espresso martini and the 100 Year Old Cigar. Both were good, although I think Gilt Bar's sister restaurants have the stronger cocktail game. My Tinder matches: Onion Rings: Immediate super-like. Gorgeous, exciting, and I'd absolutely swipe right again. French Fries: Matched, chatted for a bit, then realized there was no chemistry. Unmatched. Truffle Mafaldine: Very attractive, great personality, and definitely getting my number. Strong long-term potential. Cookie: Cute. We went on a casual date, I had a couple bites, and I'm open to seeing where things go. But honestly, our waitress was the real reason this went so well. She was personable, attentive, and somehow managed to make the whole experience feel effortless. When one of us mentioned not eating dairy, she even brought us a free gelato. Overall: Would swipe right. Would exchange numbers. Would see again. Definitely recommend.

    We came here for happy hour and it was great. Perfect for sitting outside during the summertime…read more Loved the variety of food options and the bone marrow was good. Their drink options are good and the service was great! Our waiter came out and checked up on us a couple of times. Absolutely loved how the view was sitting outside.

    Photos
    Gilt Bar - Photo Booth

    Photo Booth

    Gilt Bar - Honey Peppered King Salmon

    Honey Peppered King Salmon

    Gilt Bar - Steamed Mussels

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    Steamed Mussels

    Bub City - bbq - Updated September 2026

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