Friendly neighborhood dive bar, with all the charm and tradition of a classic Chicago Establishment. Cut out the fancy thrills of modern American watering holes, and you get this classic style where people simply come together to meet and have a good time. Very kind bartenders and has that home-y vibe that brings you back. read more

this place was packed. Not my style at all, but definitely for someone. If you like a younger rowdy crowd this is your place. Staff was very kind. read more

I'm really disappointed because this is a local bar I've enjoyed in the past. Unfortunately, the male bartender has been rude to me on two occasions now. On New Year's Eve, I was there with a group of seven friends--buying drinks, shots, and having a great time--when the bartender/busser came over to tell us we were being too loud. The bar was absolutely packed, and the atmosphere was lively, so it felt odd to single us out. When I later confronted him about why our group--mostly women--was targeted while other loud groups were left alone, he didn't have much of an explanation other than, "I didn't yell at you, I just asked you to keep it down." It's really frustrating to feel unwelcome, especially as a paying customer at a neighborhood spot I've tried to support. read more

Came to this bar for a fundraiser. They have a really nice pet friendly patio. The bar manager was very friendly and definitely talk to everyone. They have a nice selection of beer at this location also hard liquor available. Prices were reasonable. I will come back here and just have a beer during the day and enjoy the patio. I felt like there was lots of paid parking nearby and if you walked a block or 2 you could find neighborhood parking. This location was a little tricky, best way to get there is probably just think Ashland and Cortland since Armitage is a mess right now. read more

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A fun space for meeting friends for a drink or attending trivia! I attended trivia with a friend while visiting chicago and found Bucktown pub to be very welcoming and friendly. Their prices are fair and the bartenders are friendly despite it being so so busy. The trivia is really fun here; they require teams to use an app on a smartphone, which cuts down on the chaos and makes score keeping easy. read more

Bucktown Pub - Bar - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Older place, older crowd. Civilized however, until the regulars talk about you. Prices are good; try to pay in cash. There's also an elderly gentleman who pops-in frequently and likes to interrupt people sitting at tables in mid-conversation by slowly telling a trivia fact. I feel bad for the gent as it appears he's in need of socialization, but it's pretty irritating to be disturbed in this way. The bartenders seem to encourage this behavior. read more

Small hole in the wall type place with a little back patio for some outdoor seating. The drinks are well priced for the area and the bartenders are always friendly! Not a good place to try to watch any sports on TV, though as there are no TVs outside. read more

We were so excited to come to Bucktown Pub for a fun New Years Eve. We were 45 mins in, having what seemed to be a good time, and then all of a sudden a bartender/bus boy/door man came over to the table and said we were being too loud. What? We could barely hear ourselves speak to each other thanks to other patrons and were seemingly speaking at the same volume as the rest of the bar. Why would you tell customers to be quiet at a bar on NYE? Bizarre. We left and will not be spending any more money at Bucktown Pub again. What a shame as a friend was considering having a going away party there read more

I bought a white claw and was having a good time with my friends when it got a little bit packed in the pub. I then asked my friend if he want to go get some air in the front. As soon as we walked out, the security grabs my white claw and tells us we're "kicked out". His only explanation was that I couldn't bring a drink out the pub and that we cant go back on. I did not know this was a thing. He could've told us before we walked out that we can't bring a drink out ,but he WAITED for us to get out just to get the opportunity to kick us out. We were in no way being rude/loud before this and was just having a good chats with friends. I feel targeted as my group was the only asians during that time. This is unacceptable and I hope you guys have a talk with your security guard that was on duty on aug 15,2024 read more

Guy at the door was a major *ick. He was rude and not someone I would ever want representing my business. Terrible. read more

Terrible experience. The guy working last weekend was incredibly rude to people walking in the door. The bar was half empty yet his attitude was shoeing customers away. There are better options closer to Damen, don't waste your time stopping in. read more

Just your average neighborhood pub. Nothing special but a fine place to watch a football game on a Sunday morning. They need to replace their old crappy stools. Half of them feel like they are about to fall apart. They have a good whiskey selection and a decent set of beers on draft. If you don't live nearby this is not a pub worth seeking out. read more

Who wouldn't enjoy taking their dog to a pub with them while they sample a tasty craft beer and everyone can have popcorn? Our daughter's 2 English Bulldogs love being asked if they'd like to go to The Pub. It's truly a happy place for the entire family and we've been here many times when we visit Chicago. The Bucktown is dog friendly until 8:00 pm. After the doggies depart they begin serving pizza. They have an excellent rotating craft beer list and there are typically several IPAs to choose from, which is what we prefer. The staff is really friendly, the atmosphere is very chill, the popcorn machine in the back corner pumps out free snacks for patrons & pups alike. Everyone is happy here! read more

Bucktown Pub - Stella is chilling at The Pub! - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great corner pub in every sense of what you come to expect. Locals and good conversations they don't mind you butting into. Virgil's a good guy behind the bar and welcoming to new comers. Don't come here looking for TV, they only have 2 local channels. Stay for the conversation and friendships. read more

If the damn Armitage bus didn't keep geriatric hours*, I'd consider making this a regular watering hole. I came here for a birthday party, it's a great place for a low-key smallish gathering. It's a simple, rectangular space; a bar on one side and tables along the exposed brick walls. They don't serve food, but don't mind if you order some food in and have a popcorn machine (watch out they're heavy handed with the salt). The bar also has a beer garden; reportedly it's nice, but I wouldn't know - it was too cold out. Damn you Mother Nature for being such a fickle bitch; it's mid-May can we have some consistently warm weather already?! The beer selection is decent and reasonably priced; I was happy with my Stella's for $5.50. * On weekends the Armitage bus' last run is around 7, WTF! read more

1 star - a stone's throw away from my apartment 1 star - free popcorn 1 star - dog friendly 1 star - low-key atmosphere If any of these qualities is important to you, Bucktown Pub is the place to spend a chill evening with friends (and your dog). Sure, some of the tables might be slightly slanted, but this just adds to the charm. Every neighborhood should have a casual bar like this one - when you want to go out without "going out." read more

Well... it's a bar. You drink beer here. The summer patio is open. The Tamale Guy stops by here every once in a while. 'Nuff said. Edit: Apparently the Bucktown Pub is haunted! Eeek! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV4o2vUoC8o read more

Bucktown Pub - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Just popped in on 12/6. We actually spent more of the night down the street at a bar that started with "L", because of a bunch of bad reviews for this place on Yelp. My bad decision, for sure. We left the place that was "L" for lame, after each having 4 vodka sodas, and not even feeling a buzz. Stopped by Bucktown Pub for a nightcap before catching my Metra train north, and found a warm, welcoming neighborhood joint. Our bartender, Dylan, would be a plus wherever you might go. He chatted with us for a bit and was engaging and friendly. Drinks were solid, beer was cold. Plus free popcorn out of a theater machine. Fill your bag! Will definitely return. Plus, it's fast walking distance to the Clybourn Metra stop. read more

Came here after a nearby event with some friends a while back. We wanted to keep drinking and this was close by. The place was packed because it was trivia night, and there was no place to sit. We walked in during the middle of trivia, and unfortunately I did not immediately recognize it was trivia night. Drink in hand, I answered the question out loud that was asked over the microphone, and the bartender asked me if I was playing, and when I replied no, with confusion in my voice, he told me to stop being a "f***ing idiot" or something along those lines, then made a really snide remark about not sharing answers outloud. I agree I was being stupid for not realizing it was trivia. But he didn't have to resort to cussing me out and being so rude. Could have simply said "we're doing a trivia contest, please don't yell out answers." And I would have apologized. Probably would have been a nice place without having a bad experience with a bartender. I like trivia, and I like drinking with friends. Sadly I won't be returning here. read more

So...I really like Bucktown Pub and can't believe I haven't been there all summer as it's a great patio for hanging out in the sun all afternoon. Though I'm not a huge beer fan, BP has a pretty good wine selection and they also have a fun cocktail list. For those of you who do like beer, you can find some really good deals here. Service is always friendly (though I'm not sure there are ever servers outside...not an issue, I'm just not sure). One thing I did think was a bit odd....there were two groups last time I visited who brought their own alcohol. Sneaking in alcohol to a sporting event or wedding ceremony or something....maybe that I can see...but sneaking in alcohol to a bar (a reasonably priced bar at that?)...not quite as appropriate. Maybe this is ok by the staff, but I thought it was a bit odd. On the other hand, I enjoyed hanging out with the dogs in this dog-friendly bar. It made me want to go out and get one immediately... read more

Solid neighborhood pub with a pleasant beer garden that's open in warmer temps. What else? Friendly bartenders and staff, decent beer list, nightly booze specials and a fun atmosphere. Everyday pricing on booze is affordable and you won't feel like you've overspent. No pretension or crazed sport fanatics, just a nice, normal, local bar. On weekdays you'll often find Metra commuters that are in-between travel grabbing a drink. If you like karaoke or open mic, check their website for details. For karaoke, it's relaxed, so a great spot for practice runs and people might smile or clap. No rowdies. (On the web I found a link about Bucktown Pub having origins of a ghostly nature; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV4o2vUoC8o I've never seen any hauntings or ghouls, only that of friendly smiles. read more

This a great bar that should be on every neighborhood's corner. The bartender was charming and personable, and made a great "Manhattan Royale" which surpasses what you'd find at many Edison-bulbed craft joints in the city. And for far less coin! The free popcorn with the "spicy shaker" is a big plus. Superior spot for a Sunday day drink or three. read more

This is a cool little place. I went about a week ago for my friend's beer launch party. It was one of the exclusive places that had Ten Ninety beer, a totally unique and delicious craft brew that we had to check out. While I was already a fan of the two he launched, this new Jaggery Triple was awesome! Great vibe, good service. They had the free popcorn on the night we went (Wednesday) and we were able to order a pizza for $10. Cool area....it's like this secret, picturesque pocket just west of Ashland where it meets the 90. Overall, a very good experience! read more

You had me at free salted popcorn with old bay seasoning - then you chose to throw in pet friendly = 5 star rating. We had my english bulldog's birthday party in here with another local dog lover and we all had a blast. Nothing like a few tall 16oz drafts with the locals and some other neighborhood pets. All the patrons are very friendly and they actually have a nice outdoor space in the summer. The Bucktown Pub is a great way to spend a weekend afternoon with mans best friend and meet some of the most down to earth people of Bucktown. Did I mention the popcorn...... read more

Bucktown Pub - Birthday Party at the Bucktown Pub - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a horrible experience! I was with a group of 20 ppl on a Ghost Tour Pub Crawl (which they knew in advance we were coming and were ok with it), the security guard wouldn't let us in. He said they had to many ppl come in that day bc of the Cubs game. Also the bar was half empty!!! And they were letting other ppl in. Wouldn't this be considered discriminatory?! I will have my lawyers call them. read more

Little neighborhood dive bar right off the armitage exit on 90/94. Cheap drinks, and you can get a shot and a beer for $6. Free popcorn too, always clutch. Can get crowded during trivia nights just FYI. Pretty fast service at the bar. Not opposed to returning. read more

Divey bar with an outdoor patio. The only food they serve is frozen pizza, but if you're in the mood for that then it works. The beer selection seemed decent enough, though the prices seemed a bit high for the atmosphere. They had live jazz starting while they were there, so it was nice to listen to. This place is also very dog friendly, a friend brought her dog out on the patio and there were multiple other dogs too. Nothing special about this place, it's just kind of there, but again, if that's what you're looking for then this should fit the bill. read more

Came in here on a random Saturday and I will tell you why I will be returning. Futbol, dogs, and good drinks. Makes for the perfect Saturday morning/afternoon for me. The bartender knew a good amount of futbol, and we discussed the world cup. My dog got to hangout with some fellow furry friends. And I got to drink while watching some futbol. Overall a great day. If you're in the neighborhood be sure to go. read more

Bucktown Pub - Enjoying sunshine - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Pretty chill bar. Really dark inside though. We came on a Thursday and they had trivia that started at 8pm!

This place bangs. Cool little neighborhood bar. Friendly staff, we'll be back for sure.

We went here because they have NFL Sunday ticket. Almost immediately we did not feel welcome here. I feel some empathy from the bar tender would've gone a long way in making the experience better. I am not a fan of publicly reviewing a single person so if the management is interested in learning more about our experience they can reach out. We however will not be returning. read more

I've been coming to this bar for over 27 years. My friends and I meet before Christmas every year for the past 27 years. This year we decided to start early. 5:30 PM Tuesday 17th. I asked what was on sale and ordered a Hams for $4 and a smallish looking pint arrived. I told the out of shape bartender that it was a bit expensive... and surprisingly to my friend and me- he said there were a lot of bars in Chicago and if I didn't like it, I should leave! Wow. Have things changed. So, we went down the street to Lotties. $3.50 for a full pint of Heineken. Nice. They even had a kitchen with food that was delicious. Great burger and the waffle fries were exceptional. Waitress was sweet as pie. Maybe our new tradition will start here at Lotties. Good bye Bucktown pub read more

What a cool place! Plus you can bring your dog inside and the staff are super friendly. Great energy and drinks. Absolutely love this place!

Nice little spot in Bucktown. Has a decent collection of craft beers and very good selection of spirits. Went here for a friend's birthday party, place was kind of small but the staff was very accommodating. They have an outdoor patio area but unfortunately the weather was not cooperating. Might come back during the summer to check it out. read more

Best bar in all of Bucktown. Has a beer garden open when the weather is nice. Trivia Night on Thursdays is fun however the same team seems to win all the time. read more

Your dive bar in the city! Regulars who are nice and staff is friendly. You can bring your dog which is great if you're coming off the 606 trail or walking around the neighborhood. They also have popcorn which is a plus on those late nights when you need food before going home! Solid spot. read more

What do we have here? A neighborhood bar with a big, beautiful patio, a stacked jukebox and regulars who'll cheer you on if they agree with your picks (Erasure's "A Little Respect" is a crowd fave), Matilda and Daisy Cutter on tap, free popcorn and it's a designated Tamale Guy stop. Actually, because I spent five hours in here for a friend's birthday I happened to see the Tamale Guy not once but twice. Bonus! Oh, and a quick tidbit about the Tamale Guy - I thought I was purchasing three individual tamales but bought 3 BAGS of tamales. $15! Oops. Just didn't have the heart to make him put them back in his cooler, and I hear he charges a re-stocking fee. Ah well, I fed the entire bar so they won. read more

Open mic nights can be scary - as in drive me and my drinking $$$ right out of the door scary. That, however, is not the case at Bucktown Pub - I actually show up specifically FOR the open mic. Best Sunday night open mic in the city...dare I say the BEST open mic in the city? I think I will - nice work, John Kimmler! Show up with your pedal steel, your guitar, fiddle, a harmonica, whatever, and sign yourself up for no more than 3 songs. Bring a friend to accompany you if you want. It's a talented and friendly bunch here on Sunday nights, I tell ya. Cheap beer, nice crowd, good popcorn, easy parking, good staff. I don't come here as often as I used to, but I like this place. Don't order wine here, though, it tends to be a bit off. read more

While I didn't have the pleasure of meeting tamale guy, I did enjoy Bucktown Pub. A few friends and I dropped by to have a few drinks while we were in between a wedding ceremony and reception. As others have mentioned, the patio is pretty great, with plenty of seats and tables for larger parties. Note that the location of patio supported quite a few wafting scents...bacon, fried food and cookies at one point. It made me a bit hungry...which was remedied by the free popcorn. Nice! The bartenders were fine overall but took quite a bit of time to run down with our drink order. And this was a casual, uncrowded Saturday afternoon. The house Sauvignon Blanc was much better than expected and the environment here is relaxed and comfortable...a great stop for a few bevvies with friends. read more

I came here for the Be Fido's Friend fundraiser and I was so impressed! First of all, the fact that they offered up their services and venue to help support a non-profit dog rescue gives them a big gold star in my book. The fantastic beer, service, and perfect location (for me, at least) is secondary, but also quite important. They have awesome daily specials: MONDAY- $3 domestic bottles + $3 "liquid courage" shots. TUESDAY- Karaoke at 10pm + $4 well cocktails + $3 "liquid courage" shots. WEDNESDAY- $4 Pints + $3 "liquid courage" shots. THURSDAY- Trivia at 8pm + $3.50 Trumer Pilsner Pints AND Stella + $3 "liquid courage" shots. FRIDAY- Rock N Roll Jukebox + $4 shots of Powers Irish Whiskey. SUNDAY- Open Mic at 9:30pm + $5 PBR Tall Boys with shot of Early Times Whiskey + $8 Pizzas I mean... Trivia, open mic and karaoke nights? What more could you want? Free popcorn, you say? Well they've got that too. Also, word on the street is that Bucktown Pub is dog friendly before 8pm. I LOVE that, and being able to bring my dog will definitely lure me back to Bucktown pub very soon. read more