First of all, I only go to this bar on the first and third Wednesdays for the comedy open mic, but I'm always saying how much I like it there and should hang out more often. I love the atmosphere. It's dim and cozy. Very cozy. Definitely the kind of place you can just pop in on your own and belly up to the bar for a couple drinks. Speaking of drinks, prices are reasonable and there's always a great special on hand. I love the staff--that being Tony and Mike on the Wednesdays I'm there. I actually base most of my bar opinions on the staff, and these guys are great. By maybe about the third visit, I could tell that Mike recognized me. That always makes a lady flying solo feel comfortable. They actively listen to the comedians performing and will unabashedly laugh when moved. As one of the performers, I can say that on nights I'm not sure of how great my material is, I still think, "But I'll probably get a chuckle or two outta Tony". Free Popcorn! Just throw that in there. And lastly, there's a giant chalkboard full of all the fun things that happen there throughout the week: Karaoke, Movieoke (whatever that is), Open Mics, Trivia. Awesome. read more

This place is awesome. Everyone that works there is super cool, especially the front door man the night I was there. I wish I could remember his name. Went there with a couple friends on a Sat night. Place is dimly lit and a little divey. But it's not dirty and it pulls a good crowd - late 20's to mid 30's age range. Good beer selection and free popcorn! Aforementioned front door man suggested we put cayenne pepper on our popcorn and so we did. Freakin' delicious! They had a DJ that came in later in the night, which made the place loud. But the beats were good so it was worth it. I will definitely be back here. 5 stars. read more

I took my little sister to this bar when she came in town. It was the perfect place. We were looking for a spot to grab a few beers and chat, and Bucktown Pub fit the bill. The free popcorn is a nice perk, they have a great selection of micro-brews and there was an appearance by the Tamale Guy that everyone here has seemed to mention. Overall, it was a great time and I will definitely be back! read more

Reasons I like Bucktown Pub: 1. Free popcorn. 2. Juke box that's not overrun with bogus music. Although I could have bitch slapped the fool that was playing depressing Pearl Jam songs on Saturday night. 3. It's a slightly more mature crowd, which is awesome because I'm pushing 30 and don't like feeling old in bars. 4. An absolutely drool-worthy bartender mixing up drinks. One of my friends was like, "Ang, he's SO hot." I responded with, "Yes, he's hot, but remember that he's a person, too. With feelings." 5. Ambiance. The setup is fairly no-frills, but I don't need glow in the dark bar stools and strobe lights to have a good time. And the outdoor beer garden in the back is pretty sweet. If I have one itsy bitsy complaint it's that I think the mixed drinks are slightly overpriced. $7 for a short Effen Black Cherry and 7? Should be more like 5 or 6 bucks. Aside from that, I'm a big, big fan of Bucktown Pub! read more

5 stars if this bar was in my Los Angeles. Transplants and Angelinos alike would adore the high ceiling, red brick yet small tavern feel. $5-6 per pint. But, these places are dime a dozen in Chitown. I adore the cortland-paulina area. Here's what you do when you visit your folks/friends in Bucktown. When they fall asleep at 9PM, bring your laptop here. They have free wifi. Chase that with drafts. Now you have the munchies. Many midwest farmhand yelpers rave about the neighborhood guy who comes around with tamales. First, he sells in bulk. 5-6 for $5. Secondly, it's not that good. Tastes a bit chewy and not much flavor. You'll know what I mean if you ever come to Southern CA. Overall, it's a cool experience. Be careful not to write any drunken reviews or emails....ooops. too late... read more

This is the best bar in Chicago. Cheap drinks. Good popcorn. Tasty food. The bar also does karaoke. And it has a patio.

I'm conflicted about writing this review. On one hand I want everyone to know how awesome this place is but on the other hand I don't want people to know how awesome this place is. You see my dilemma? What makes the Bucktown Pub my favorite bar in the city is because it's full of average Joe's from the neighborhood. You won't find the typical frat boy types here. If that's what you're looking for then head across the street to Cortland Garage. This place is full of low key people interested in good drinks with great friends. On those rare Chicago days when the weather is nice you can enjoy the backyard patio. It's almost never crowded but still has plenty of opportunities for inter-table conversations. There's always good beer on tap with great daily specials. I've read some of the reviews on here about the sub-par service and I can see how newbies would feel that way. The BTP isn't for the occasional drop-ins. The BTP is for regulars and we LOVE our bartenders. Whitney, Piper, and Autumn are amazing! Get to know them and they will take care of you. If you're looking for more than just drinks then they have karaoke, open mic, and trivia nights. Be forewarned, if you partake in Thursday night trivia then you better bring your A-game! It gets crowded and many teams are regulars (like my team, Perfect Strangers). Besides the free popcorn they do sell gluten-free pizza. If you're not used to gluten-free food then you'll probably want to avoid it. If you get hungry then just Grub-hub some food or wait for the Tamale guy to stop by. read more

I used to live 2 blocks from this bar. I'm sad to hear it turned into a lofty regular bar. It was, hands down the Best Dive Bar, ever. Awesome juke box, 2 dollar pints (yes, I have knocked over more than my share) Tight and Divey and wonderful. read more

I love Bucktown Pub for the following reasons: a.) it's close to my place. b.) the bartenders are nice, drinks reasonable. c.) nice bar atmosphere...not divey, but not fussy and loungey. d.) there are usually 2-6 cute guys there on average. Trust me, I've done the math. e.) great jukebox...I can get behind anything that has The Smiths, Prince and the Smashing Pumpkins all rolled into one. f.) awesome back patio...lots of room, lots of tables. g-z.) popcorn machine. Bucktown Pub, you had me at "free popcorn." read more

This is probably my favorite bar in Chicago. Probably not the best thing, but I love going here after church. They have a very laid back atmosphere, a good selection of beer, an amazing patio and they actually play good music. Not to mention, they have free popcorn with good seasoning. It just has everything you need in a bar. I'm definitely a fan. read more

Love, love, LOVE this place. It has a chill, relaxed vibe and cool outdoor patio. Dog friendly, great beers, great service. Enough said.

Hot jukebox, a nice man selling piping delicious hot tamales out of a cooler (I never can figure out how he does that), decent specials, uncrowded, easy enough parking. Neighborhood-like. I also found a bent, broken street sign " N. Marshfield" at the intersection, and excellent capper to the night (albeit probably illegal). Good if you're in the hood, but not worth a special voyage. Cheers! read more

They "misplaced" my debit card when I opened a tab because they "put it in the wrong spot" and the best they could do to "smooth" things over with me was to comp my six dollar tab. Good job, guys. Won't be going back there. In my countless weekends out in Chicago and in Michigan, I've never had a bar "misplace" my debit card. read more

One of my very favorite dives in Chicago. The patio feels like a backyard. And my dog can come play, too. Does it get any better?

Mark nailed it. When I first moved to Chicago many years ago I lived right around the corner on Wood, and my roommates and I would be there almost every night after work for a couple beers and a round or two of electronic bowling. The place had atmoshpere coming out the wazoo, and not an air of pretense. It had a character that grows through age and experience. Then someone literally stripped everything off the walls leaving just the brick and a new bar, really leaving nothing of the old place but the name and a popcorn machine. It felt like someone had replaced the Bucktown Pub with a loft condo. Now its just a regular old bar, indistinguishable from every other bar, which isn't so bad, if only it just hadn't once been great. read more

A really nice neighborhood bar. Check.. the rare African American male bartender. Check. The nice walkable neighborhood. Check. The easy expressway access..check. A hipster music band check. Pabst Blue Ribbon in a can check. It all adds up to a five star rating read more

This will be my follow up. Still feeling the Thursday trivia. The service has gone from good to great. The staff is very social and generous. Really a great crowd all around. The beer garden is a real gem too. Lots of great seating. Sure to be some good conversation and/or joke telling going around. Shout out to Santorum! And to Piper! Holler. read more

Great beer selection, free popcorn, and friendly atmosphere. They have flat screen TVs, but for some reason, anytime I go there they are not turned on? The bartenders play good music from what seems to be their personal collections, but I don't quite understand why those TVs are never on (even on mute?). The back patio is great during warmer weather. read more

BTP, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways... (1) Time after Time - any day of the week, I am guaranteed to come home fulfilled - cocktails, entertainment, nourishment (yes popcorn is nourishing), company (2) Entertainment Tonight - karaoke, movieoke, open mic, trivia...take your pick (3) Pop the Corn - ah nourishment, savory, addicting, freshly popped corn...need I say more? (4) Serve Me - cocktails, shots, beer...I am not particular, just serve it strong and serve me well (5) Patiooooooo - it is like being in someone's backyard, if their backyard had cement instead of grass and lots of tables and every person in the neighborhood came and went as they pleased. The perfect bubble. (6) The Price is Right - reasonable for the average grown-up, and I use this term loosely, working hard for the money, and I use that phrase loosely (7) Shelter from the Storm - tucked away from the fuss of damen, north, division, refer to the aforementioned bubble (8) Corn that is Popped - did I mention this warm delicious delectable snack? (9) El Bano - a bathroom of this caliber in any bar is hard to come by - yes, it is actually clean and functioning (10) Tenders of the Bar - keepers of the bubble, I thank you read more

Because Cortland's was at capacity for the Hawks game last night, we walked across the street to Bucktown Pub. There were hardly any people in there and we got a table right away. The bartender was very nice, but as the bar got more crowded we realized she was the only person working. I found that crazy, especially since it was such a huge sports night in Chicago. Nevertheless, we really enjoyed our time at Bucktown Pub, with its fun atmosphere, great beer selection and nice staff. I would only wish they served more than just frozen pizza, since I was starving last night. I will be back to enjoy the patio for sure! read more

Bucktown pub is a nice alternative to Courtlands Garage which is just across the street. They have a good variety of beers and pretty decent prices. Point beer is one of my favorites and they have that! The popcorn is really good. Try the spices on it. read more

I agree totally it lost it's "character" but that doesn't necessarily make it a bad place just not the classic bar it was. Christine ? or something like that was the previous owner and she was the rowdy, tell you exactly what's on her mind, no bullshit, rough owner/ sometimes bartender who could always make a drink or several pretty interesting. But she's gone and the new owner actually looks to be trying to make a profit by drawing in the yuppie "new neighborhood crowd" though this bar still does not get the "dude" / or "how bout a shot of jaeger" college crowd very often rather an older more distinguished group of people. read more

Wandered in after dinner across the street at Janes. Gets 4 stars for having a table available at 9:30 on Saturday, good music and decent drink prices. Good selection of draft beers as well. Friendly staff. I'd definitely go back. read more

A regular, run of the mill bar in a low key neighborhood. Which is what makes Bucktown Pub great. Our small group enjoyed beers out on the excellent (largeish) patio on a Saturday night. The bar and patio were pretty quiet, which made it ideal for drinking, relaxing, and enjoying each others conversation. read more

Cute and quaint little place but not my #1 choice for happyr hour. They do offer drink specials but other bars I've been to offer better. Bucktown doesn't have food but they do have all the popcorn you can eat it if that's enough to satisfy your hunger. read more

This is one of my neighborhood bars, and I'm definitely a fan. It's a casual place, they allow dogs, the music is (usually) good, and they have nice outdoor seating. I do wish they had a slightly better beer selection at times. Their taps are good, but they only have 10 or so going at once. The only other recommendation....go a little easier on the hard core punk rock music from one particular female bartender. I typically come on Friday nights and I have nearly had to leave on a few occasions because the head banger music was getting a little too difficult to take. I like that the bartenders choose the tunes, but that type of music isn't really fitting a casual bar like Bucktown Pub. It's still a keeper and I'll still be back every Friday. read more

I just read a review from this past Sunday and I couldn't disagree more with what the person said. I was there on the 19th, and I have visited this open mic for several years now. It's true that some Sundays are rowdier than others, but these "louder" nights tend have a holiday following them (e.g. Memorial Day) or a late Bears game, as it was this past Sunday, the 19th. A frat? Maybe on Friday and Saturday nights when the Lincoln Parkers come flooding in, but on Sundays, it is primarily filled with artists, and quality ones at that. There isn't a better collection of artists at any open mic in the city. I actually recall (this past Sunday) the bar being dead quiet for a good half hour while two people played their sets...without microphones, in the middle of the bar. It was actually quite beautiful and touching, much like most of the Sunday nights this place presents. There's no doubt this is an intimidating open mic, with a LOT of talent, a strong built-in community, and having to play to a potentially loud bar, but if you go a couple times, I can't possibly see how anyone would not enjoy this. That is, unless you're a poor or shy artist, or unless you simply don't want to go to an open mic. It was the first time visiting for the girl I was there with, and she enjoyed it thoroughly. I've brought many people to this open mic over the years, and I can't think of anyone who didn't have a great time. I'd like to think it's me, but I'm pretty sure some credit has to go to Bucktown. I guess there's always someone who isn't going to like something, but the bitterness in that review by "paul" causes me to think there's something else going on here. Something personal, perhaps. I mean, what kind of person takes the time to go on Yelp to call people names and pout? I can't take those kinds of things seriously at all, and nobody else should either. Go see for yourself some Sunday. read more

Good solid pub with a nice back and side patio. I noticed some groups playing board games, so that could be fun for a group of people. Decent beer list and friendly staff walking around to keep everyone having a good time. read more

This is an adorable neighborhood bar. It's a relaxed atmosphere and the bartenders are really nice. They have a good beer selection on tap. The free popcorn has a good taco like seasoning on it. Prices are fair. Location is good. And they allow dogs, which I love since I'm a crazy dog owner! read more

Tuesday nights, Bucktown Pub has great karaoke with a laid back vibe. People come out in tees, jeans, sunglasses (yes, sunglasses), whatever -- they're just there to have a good time. So, have a couple cocktails and find your favorite tune (mine is Pat Benatar's Love is a Battlefield), and let 'er rip! read more

Since this place is a good ways from the North Ave foot traffic you are going to be able to meet some great people from the neighborhood. Drinks are reasonable priced and they have free popcorn. read more

They've got a pretty sweet outside patio and a small but solid selection of beers. There's nothing really special about this bar, but maybe that's what makes it so special. I came here for a special beer event sponsored through Pintley that was debuting some new brewers. The beers were solid but a little on the spendy side. read more

Great corner bar. Patio is big and roomy. Great selection of brews. Love it when the Tamale Guys roll through. Free popcorn as well. This is a good place to come after rolling off the Metra on a Thurs or Fri night. Dogs are also welcome inside until about 8pm. read more

The bartenders were nice. One was somewhat demeaning. The environment was awesome. And I was able to order some food there and the bartenders were helpful to me with plastic forks and whatnot. Cool place. read more

I enjoy this place. It's a place to go at the end of a long day and you need a place to have a beer and chat with friends. It's the little things really, I love that there was a dog in the bar......i use to live in flagstaff, arizona and dogs in bars were a normal thing. I felt at home here. The free popcorn was a bonus and since i stayed long enough, there was an open mic night that turned out some pretty good talent. It's a pub i can stand behind. read more

One of the better spots in Bucktown, if not the best. The beer selection is impressive and the bartenders are more than friendly. The music is great and the patio is a nice bonus. read more

I've been participating in Bucktown Pubs' Thursday night pub quiz on and off for a few months now. It's super fun (and actually pretty difficult) and you can win free booze! My kind of place! The friendly staff, a great selection of beer on tap, cool back patio and free popcorn make me want to come here more often. Awesome, non pretentious neighborhood bar (and a regular stop for a couple of tamale guys if you get the munchies)! read more

Great place, nice folks, good tunes, good beers, fun times. Quit messin' around--GO!

Meh. We would go here when we lived up the street, and they have giant pints of shitty beer for something like a dollar, but it really has nothing very special about it. Once we moved further south, we stopped going. read more

This bar has great beers on tap and great service too! I will definitely come back many times!! It's a great local/neighborhood spot.