This royalty amongst dive bars has managed to sneak in a number of craft brews elevating it from dirty hole-in-the-wall to cultivated gathering place. I'm not a real or pretend hipster, but I do like the patrons here as well as the beer. Unlike most bars in Chicago (although LIKE most bars in Logan Square), patrons are more likely to discuss art, music, or politics rather than sports. Service is good and the price is right; I'll be back. read more

As the Duke of Cole's, I proclaim this the greatest tavern in all the land. Further, I proclaim Cole the greatest barkeep.

God damn it's cheap, we sat here for 9 hours and spent 25 dollars. However, what's the deal with the girls in rollerskates? What is this, Boogie Nights? read more

The beer selection IS in fact very nice. Dragon's Milk on tap? Yea!

awesome bar, awesome open mics...they have a great selection of beer for not too expensive... and tons of cute girls.. :) read more

Cheap drinks! Cheap drinks! Cheap drinks! Also a super great vibe, nice people, chill atmosphere.

Man, I haven't been to the Logan Square area in a long time because nothing their was worth it to get stupid drunk in a sketchy area and not find a freaking taxi. Well things have changed and now there's great bars all over this place. On thursday night, Cole's had my favorite things that all good dive bars should have. Great beer offerings with cheap dive options, enough room to sit and not feel cramped, classic jukebox with great selections, and people at the bar using it like its supposed to be used; meaning they belly up to it and drink at a constant pace and not just taking up seats to talk and then decide to have a beer every 40 minuets. I also like how it seems to keep bone heads out because of how it looks from the outside, dark, scary and full of old drunks but yet it's dark, scary and full of young drunks. The bartender was very attentive and kept you with a drink at all times. A really great place to do some social drunk drinking so I hope it doesn't get ruined by the d-bags who go to mack more than they go to drink. read more

Cole's Bar - A displayed life lessons in the mens room at Cole's - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a great neighborhood bar. It's divey, but too well polished to be a dive. There's a good selection of microbrews along with some cheap standbys, but with a special $3 stout there was no reason for me to go with those. There's even a backroom for live music, although on a Sunday night I can't say I was surprised there wasn't any. Patrons were on the younger side but there was a bit of variety among them. Neighborhood locales such as this beat the hell out of the lackluster bars dominating the Loop and Near North. read more

I live about a 2 min walk from this bar and it's always my go-to on the weekends. The bartenders are SO nice and I love the people that go here. Everyone is really unique and I never feel unsafe. There's also free shows! read more

Great bar with good beer at solid prices. Free wifi. Choice music on the 'box. Local art, not giant TVs, hanging on the walls. Cole is a good guy who will always make you feel at home, plus he's always got something going on in the evening for you (music, comedy, etc.). Stop in and give it a whirl, but please don't ruin it as my regular spot! read more

Cole's is like if you went over to your friend's house, but the first floor is a slightly divey bar. Great beer selection, pool table, great service, good music, not busy. An excellent and relaxed place to enjoy a couple beers. read more

YES. Super interesting people watching. Good music. Not too loud. Awesome beer menu with great prices. I will do this again for a casual night with friends. read more

We ended our crawl the other night at this spot and it was awesome - I had never been, but my friend had and he loves live music. The band wasn't the best, but its a cool area to see a show. The beers are cheap and the crowd was fun! I will definitely be back. read more

I'm writing this review as someone who has played a show at Cole's, not as a regular patron. And OMG. I love it. I would love to play here every month if Cole would have us. The bar is made up of two rooms, the front part being for regular customers, the back for shows and their audiences. Cole does the sound himself and is obviously into having stuff loud, which is great (though be sure you can hear your vox in the monitors). Band members get free booze up to a certain dollar amount and not, as it's done at many establishments, just a crappy little ticket that's good for only the crappy drinks (I'm looking at you, Ultra Lounge and Stage Bar). The crowd is friendly, the staff is friendly, the beer list is great and well-priced. Cole really cares about his place and it shows. Can't wait to be back! read more

I'm a huge fan of low-key spots. This place is a nice addition to my Logan Square pub crawl. Nice people - relaxing spot. Very big with good juke box and pool table. read more

Can take awhile to get into on the weekend, but it's okay. The super nice and funny door guy will charm you and your friends socks off while you wait, and then give you a ticket for a free drink when your turn to enter finally arrives. CHEAP, GREAT DRINKS. Ample space, pool tables, plenty of beer and other drinks to choose from, as well as a decent dance floor make this place really great for groups. Also, love that damn jukebox so much. read more

People are flakey, Coles is solid! Sure sometimes I want Coles to be that quiet neighborhood spot on the weekends when it is packed with people, but that is also what makes it a wonderful neighborhood spot. The people that work there are always great too! When it is slow they are great to chat with, and when it is busy they keep the drinks coming. I also appreciate the inspired beer selection offered here. Always a constant as a where to drink for me. read more

Does this bar seriously have pews as seats? Anyways, I had a great time coming here one night. The beer selections are right in my alley and the servers were very friendly. I had no idea this place had a stage in the back with free live music provided. I was blown away with how great this bar is structured. Great drink prices paired with great company and great music = a good time at Cole's. read more

The main attraction here for me is the little Polaroid camera man who takes pics for 5 dollars. I pretty much live here cuz its right by my house. Worth checkin out read more

This place is a great bar to start off the night. Some pool, bands, great bar selection and good prices. The people there are chill and interesting. If you plan on doing some bar hopping around the Wicker Park or Logan Square area, I would recommend starting here. My only complaint about the place was that it seemed to clear out pretty fast by 1am. read more

Checked out Cole's Open mic for the first time last Wednesday and really dug the venue. Cameron and Adam are awesome hosts and the place was packed. Not a lot of places to sit but it didn't really matter everyone was having such a great time : ) Definitely going back. read more

Great little dive in the 'hood with a good selection of beer and friendly service.

saw my Grit and the Double Knit up there and ithey were awesome, it was a cool venue and cool spot. The smell of bleach was nearly unbearable tho. you should fix that read more

Good beer and a stage that surprises me consistently. A staple to logan square that squares haven't ruined yet. Easily one of my favorite places in the neighborhood. read more

I like the art here, especially the "Stabby Boy" in the men's bathroom. Staff is cool too, especially my man Ed. Git sum, ed.

Yay! This place is great. I really like coming here during the week when it's quieter, not to say that I don't come here on the weekends, cause I do. I just enjoy the chilled out enviornment on the weekdays. This place couldn't have a better owner, Cole himself is the nicest guy. He remembers everyone he meets and he's cute to boot!! Purr. The prices are way more than reasonable with a great beer selection both bottled and on tap. Also, there's always free entertainment happening, always free. Gotta love it! read more

Cole's is my favorite bar in the city. I discovered it earlier this year thanks to the comedy open mic on Wednesday (best you'll find!)... but now I go there just to hang out no matter what the day of the week. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable, the owner - Cole - is the best. Go there, hang out, have a good time... and maybe catch a show. The music events are great too. read more

This was a blast. Cole really cares about his patrons, and he provides a great atmosphere to just chill and have a few drinks. Will definitely return! read more

Nice spot. Came here with a few buddies, drank some $2 beers. No big deal. When Cole ran out of PBRs, it became $2 Tecates. I would like to see some local bands perform on their rear stage. When I finally get some money flowin' in, I would like to dabble in their tasty array of micro brews. Yep, it's a bar allright! read more

Cole's was a pleasant surprise one evening on a journey to a place we never made it to. I was quite happy when Cole himself came over and served us drinks. We asked, "Are you Cole?" And he said, "Yes, I am." Then he brought us beverages. We later talked more with him, intrigued that such young man, much like us, was operating a full fledged watering hole. I've spent enough time in bars, and all that booze has has created a sort of soft, spongy part in my heart for owning my own bar. So, I admire Cole, and making it happen. The place is fun, the crowd tends to be different every night, but lively none-the-less. Yeah, I'll be back. read more

Cole's, aptly named for the owner, is a great hot-spot to the Logan Square booze and music scene. They have great free live shows, awesome brew, cool bartenders and a friendly vibe. I am looking forward to playing there myself on 9/19!!! I have seen many a good local act here, and hope I can measure up!!! read more

Hipster Dive Bar. Loud Music.

I haven't been to every bar in the world, yet still I can avow with no uncertainty that Cole's is the best. Cheap, dark, convivial. Birthplace of the Malemonade (Malort + lemonade, + maybe other secret ingredients that I'm not privy to?). If you're not going to Cole's, you're on the wrong side of history. read more

Good beers. Good staff. Not fussy. Lots of great music here (and some very enthusiastically performed mediocre music). Comedy open mic on Wednesdays- good vibes. Go to Cole's. read more

Went here tonight with my neighbor friend, it's been a great neighborhood spot until tonight. Walked in, was asked by an employee behind the bar to show our ids. Tall guy with long brown hair. Obliged, he turned to the bartender to share my ID & chuckled. Continued to talk with the other bartender as he handed my ID back with out looking at me again. So I grabbed my ID back. He turns around asking "why did you snatch that out of my hand?" very aggressively. He repeated himself multiple times. He then told me he wasn't going to serve me and that I needed to talk to the woman bartender. He made an unnecessary scene. I don't understand this awkward hostility towards a very simple transaction. No I was not over served, this was going to be a simple first drink of the night. I was harassed by a most likely drunk bar back. I doubt he would put this much of a fight towards a male and believe there was a layer of sexism. I am disappointed this neighborhood spot employs such an aggressive & hostile employee. read more

Visited Chicago with a friend and immediately became obsessed with Cole's. Just like my hometown bar I go to frequently in Florida and it made me feel at home. :) read more

First off, Cole is a great dude. Very young, laid back, and very enthusiastic. Now, the bar itself is very large and roomy. There are quite a few places to sit, so its never a problem if you go out with a group. Great stage set up in the back with a nice sound system. The beer selection is fantastic with great drafts on tap. And its CHEAP! Alagash White, Bells, etc. Never ordered a mixed drink though I am sure they are within reason as well. I would like to see some bigger bands come through and play here, especially because its always free and this place is worthy of business. Hopefully this place prospers and can stand the test of time. Cheeers! read more

I love this bar! Despite the fact that it's smack-dab in the middle of the newly, too-cool-for school, hipster-ridden Logan Square neighborhood, Cole's somehow manages to maintain a laid-back, unpretentious atmosphere. The staff and the owner are amazingly friendly. It's a great place to grab a good beer with friends any night of the week. They offer live music on certain nights- the only negative thing I have to say about Cole's is that it is a bit loud at times but the chill atmosphere and good beer selection/specials makes up for sometimes having to yell across the table at my friends in order to have a conversation... read more

Cole's is just what a bar should be: friendly, affordable and run by people you really like.

I used to see shows here all the time. I still stop by every couple of months and it's always pleasant. Great beers on tap, friendly bartenders who care enough to know your face after awhile, free shows with a great back room. I wish Cole's had more seating available, but that's never stopping this place from getting packed on a weekend. I'm pretty sure they finally let go of the SS officer power-tripping at the front door, which is always a plus. read more