Had my first date with my wife here 25 years ago. At least this was part one of my three part…read moredating strategy then. Went here for the beer flights, it allowed for conversation and each person had an easy exit after finishing the five little beer tastes. Off to sushi was part 2 because while Clark St. showed we could click talking I was looking for someone non vanilla food wise. Then at the time we finished at the 3rd coast wine bar down the street on rush street(gone now). This was while Daley was in charge and 9/11 had hit and the city was beautiful, almost no gatherings of homeless, just the regulars. The viagra triangle was in full steam. Maggie had beautified the city with plants and flowers. It was such a good first date I left her a message afterwards telling her so, so she could get it when she got home.

Really nice combination of dive bar and haut beer destination. There's dirty hipsters and vested…read morefinance bros in the same place, and the best part is they seem fine enjoying each others company. Right on. Actually the best part is the beer selection. There are some very choice finds that all the untappd and beer advocate faithful are seeking out. I was pleased and then some, even getting some nice recs from the bartender based on some newer brewery offerings and my taste profile. The place was easy to get in and find a good spot on a Tuesday night at prime time. Easy to order, easy to settle up. Did I say it was easy?! Some Tool was playing when I drank my stout. Appropriate. Other 90s nu metal and grunge followed. The free popcorn wasn't bad either. Prices are appropriate depending upon the beer you get. I shall return!

As a Chicago resident of over a decade, this was my first time visiting Crushed By Giants! After…read moresome shopping with my future in laws, my partner wanted to give this place a try! He picked it based off the beer and "the sports bar feel". It is very much not a sports bar and there were no tvs! Haha Anyway, he gets an A for effort! All of our food was amazing! The wings were so good we got a second order! The fries are natural cut and pair well with their garlic aoli! Classic burger was a hit! Kind of reminded me of In and Out! So delicious!! Now let's talk about the SPICY chicken sandwich, ITS SPCIY!!! Ha My partner and I split the burger and chicken sandwich! The sandwich is delicious and I was barely able to finished my half, my poor lips were on fire!! I would definitely get again! Our server was great! Made amazing beer suggestions and never let our water glasses go empty!! Looking forward to our next visit!

Had their flight all of their beers were excellent. I really liked all of the Pilsner that they did…read moregreat atmosphere perfect spot. Go try to find it. It's right across the street from the Marriott. Maryland friendly staff as well!!

This is a really great spot. First of all, it's right on the water where all the boats come and…read morego. Second, there is an awesome little stage here for live music. Third, they serve both okay snack foods like burgers and hotdogs, as well as a pretty descent selection of craft beers (be sure to visit both the west and east side bars). The servers are really friendly as well. And if you take care of them, they will do all they can to take care of you. So why am I not giving this 5 stars? A few reasons. First, there is no full bar here. Yes, you can wander 100 yards down the pier to get to a full bar. But it just seem like a lost opportunity here. Second, the food is just meh. Not that I'm expecting Michelin starred food, but it's quite basic. The price for food is sorta reasonable though. Lastly is the cost. A beer is like $14. Crazy! Do yourself a favor and bring your own booze.

I had not been to the Navy Pier until last night for the Sixteen Candles Band and Saturday night…read morefireworks. Ordered a Strawberry Daiquiri and it was ONLY $10 at Billy Goat kiosk. I wish they'd stop asking people do we want to tip. Walked over early to go see the band. The Beer Garden is by the Sable Hotel, so closer to the end of the Pier. It's outdoors, dress appropriately for weather. Lots of casual seating with tables & Adirondack-type chairs. Bathrooms clean, food choices were so INEXPENSIVE, grounds clean, friendly employees. The band was awesome and although their sound system could improve, it was doable. I'm looking forward to returning. Love the outdoor space!

We had a great afternoon on Navy Pier. A friend was visiting so we walked along the lakefront and…read moreended up on the pier. We wandered out to the Beer Garden on an overcast afternoon. The crowd was sparse which made it easy to grab a seat. The very nice man who assisted us was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable on the Tangled Roots beverages and was quick to share detailed descriptions. My friend went with a dark beer he described as having coffee and mocha nuances. I went with a strawberry lemonade spritzer. Our beverages were served ice cold which made it even better. We felt like having a snack and went with home cut fries. The order was large for sharing and were cooked golden brown. Yum!! I saw other people enjoying casual food that looked great as well. We ate our fries as a band started performing on the stage at the attached beer garden. They were fantastic! Tangled Roots offers delicious casual bites, interesting beverages and the best customer service.

Walked around navy pier for almost an hour trying to find this place. Not here. Asked multiple…read morepeople that directed us one way and another. Literally combed the pier. If it's closed for the season POST IT ON YOUR WEBSITE. What a disappointment and waste of time.

Amazing food!! Everything was so fresh and delicious. We loved their hummus and chicken shawarma…read more The staff were very friendly and helpful. Definitely will be going back.

My coworker recommended this spot for dinner and it was the perfect spot for my solo meal to end…read morethe day The nitty gritty: -Lovely setting along the river- peaceful and away from the hustle of the city. Plentiful outdoor cafe seating- both shaded and along the dock. -Great service. The waitress was both friendly and attentive. -Delicious Shakshuka with feta and chicken kebab with pita. Highly recommend this little oasis!

My friend (shoutout to Hunter) has been grilling me to check this place out, and now I totally get…read morethe hype. The service was genuinely friendly, and the ambiance gives off such a welcoming, cozy vibe. There's even a fireplace you can sit by during cold Chicago winters, which is a really nice touch. I sat at the bar, and the bartenders -- honestly, the entire staff -- were super personable. You can crack jokes and they'll play right along with you, which makes the whole experience feel relaxed and fun. I ordered the pulled pork skillet and it did not miss. They make your eggs however you want (within reason), and everything came out perfectly. While not the cheapest in town, the value is absolutely there given the quality of the beers and food -- prices feel totally reasonable for River North. Shoutout to Tessa, Tony, and the whole crew -- they really make you feel like a regular. As Tessa would say: Go Birds!

Bavarian Pretzel was incredible. Happy Hour beers are a bit of a sham. They have $6 pints, but out…read moreof the ~50 beers on the menu, only 3 of them are pints.... the rest are odd sizes that you'd need to pay full price for. Great ambience for some bar food and an evening of trying unique beers. They have a great hosting space upstairs too for grad parties, work events, etc. Main reason for my lower rating was our waitress was insanely slow for a light Thursday crowd. Waited 20 minutes before seeing anyone after being sat, waited 30 minutes for the check, waited another 20 minutes for her to run the check so we could leave. I've never experience service quite that bad... would recommend sitting at the bar if you have a small party.

We had high tea at Palm Court at The Drake Hotel as part of an Indian wedding weekend. What…read morenormally might have been a four-star experience was elevated to five based on the wedding extras. We had an amazing time. Palm Court is famous for its high tea. It's the definition of "Old World Chicago" and has hosted everyone from Princess Diana to Queen Elizabeth II. First, the space is absolutely beautiful. The center fountain and flowers really steal the show. Second, there was a live harpist, which added a perfect touch to the ambiance. I think "whimsical" is the right word to describe it. Every table was loaded with a variety of teas and three-tiered trays. On the trays, the bottom level contained savory finger sandwiches (lobster/shrimp, cucumber, and smoked salmon), the middle had scones with Devonshire cream, lemon curd, and preserves, and the top had petit fours and assorted seasonal pastries. On top of the tea service, there were self-serve Indian buffets along the perimeter of the room. It was overwhelming in a good way, and everything was delicious. To be nitpicky, my wife mentioned that the traditional high-tea food could've been more flavorful. She's had better elsewhere. Don't get me wrong though, the overall spread was quite impressive. Service was outstanding. The Palm Court staff took great care of us, making sure we always had drinks and enough table space. Space was a bit of an issue, but I get it -- Palm Court was not originally designed for a full high tea plus catered food from an external vendor. We all made it work, and the hospitality made the experience seamless.

Had afternoon tea here with a friend. I did call and leave a message to ensure they offered GF…read moreitems since I couldn't find anything online, but never heard back. When I made the reservation on OpenTable they indicated they do accommodate GF and vegetarian. I also have GF and vegetarian in my profile. They offer valet for $26 for 3 hours with a stamp from the server. We checked in at the host desk and when we were seated the staff indicated that they are not 100% GF and there could be potential for cross-contamination. The dining room is beautiful but was very hot. The server came over and was just very quiet. She explained the menu but it was very hard to hear her. I told her I had two food restrictions. We could order 1 tea each and opted for an alcoholic drink as well. The holiday tea was delicious and so was my drink. Our food came out on one tray. My friend's food was on 2 platters and all mine was on the bottom. The server did explain what the items were. I had sandwiches and pastry items. The food was really good. I finished everything.

Love Old Town Ale House. Definitely a Chicago staple. Featured on Anthony Bourdain's show way back…read morewhen....it's got the divey, Chicago-y, gritty vibe I love. Cash only. Owner is a hoot. He's an artist and his art is wonderful political commentary. Bartenders are cool, drinks not too expensive, and good location in Old Town.

A bar with a past! Comedy sketched pictures everywhere that will bring up a chuckle or two…read more Beers, shots and good bartender good night and good vibes.

Came in on a Saturday afternoon for a late lunch. Pretty good food. We sat at the bar and ordered a…read moredrink, nachos, and chicken tenders. The nachos are pretty loaded and come with guac on the side. Nothing crazy but a decent place to stop by at!

As an alum of Michigan State University, Hopsmith Tavern is my go-to for all things MSU when I'm in…read moretown. It's the official MSU bar in Chicago and makes you feel right at home. You can always expect large crowds and it's best to always make a reservation for a table, especially on game days. The drinks are always good, with a large, full-service selection and the vibes are always amazing. It's located in a perfect area, where you can see people out and about, hanging and drinking, all year round in Chicago! Lastly, go green!

I've been wanting to try this joint for SO long. WORTH the wait!! The entire idea behind The Vig…read moreand the concept behind the name Chadrick the experience all that much more. I'm not a salad guy, but the Homer Greek was fantastic! The Moroccan Turkey burger had multiple flavor profiles - A MUST! We sat at the bar, the bartender knew his bourbons and suggested a momentous choice for me. Upscale, moody speakeasy style ambiance - my favorite. Thank you Vig team, this experience was awesome.

Long overdue review for The VIG in Old Town, Chicago! I stopped by during Lollapalooza 2025 and…read morewanted to try their spreads--and wow, they were so good. Let's just say I got totally carb-wasted after lol. The restaurant has such good vibes, the staff is friendly, and the service is fast, making it a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a great snack / meal in the city. Definitely a spot worth checking out if you're in Chicago!