This is an awesome neighborhood bar!!!! Think of the TV show Cheer's (yes, I am dating myself with this reference) and you have a bit of the vibe to be found here. That said, Damen Bar is actually two bars in one, with each section having a vibe of its own. When we first arrived, the front part had more chill/lounge feel to it with music to match. Meanwhile the back bar had more of club feel to it with music to match. Add to that, there is section in between the two that contains some unique bench seating plus a shuffleboard. Also, regarding the music, the 'TouchTunes' app is supported here. Both sides are small and intimate but as the evening turns to night, they fill up with great people and energy. Both bars are fully stocked and have some amazing staff who are more than capable of meeting the beverage demand. Add to that, the prices are just right. Note, they do not serve food but outside food is welcome. Nestled in West Town on the corner of what appears to be a very chill neighborhood, Damen Bar should be on everyone's list to check out. I will return on my next visit to Chicago. read more

Great looking bar, good beer, friendly bar staff. The night I went in though it was packed with students and those guys were loud

$3 modelo what more can you ask for. I've never had a trouble finding a seat. It's a classic neighborhood tavern. No complaints. The drinks are good. The crowd is fun. The staff are friendly read more

Formerly this place was called Bar DeVille. Damen Tavern is the capable replacement. Interestingly this a dive bar but it's also like a speakeasy. Good prices on beer and liquor. There's a lot of happy hour specials and this is a popular place for games and weekends. A good description is a neighborhood bar. It's on Damen Avenue of course, at Huron. The locals around here like it up to a point. As the night goes along, they try to keep the noise down. This is after all up against some private residences. A reason why it gets these crowds are the cheap drinks. It's $2 or $3 for some cocktails and shots if you can believe it. There's the good stuff like Jameson, and the bad stuff like Malort. Even though there's no food, you can still bring some in here. It's close to a few places and they can deliver it. There's also fun activities like billiards and hip music making it a fun get together. read more

Damen Tavern - Jameson - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I remember when the old Bar DeVille closed a few years ago, but did not know what it became. I had a friend in town and she wanted me to pick a place that was a happy medium between our group of three as we were all coming from different parts of the city. Checked yelp of course and found Damen Tavern. It was a Tuesday evening around 5pm so no huge crowd or anything. We got a table near the bar so we could be close enough to grab drinks. Our relationship with the girl behind the bar started off a little rocky as she originally took awhile to see we were at the end of the bar awaiting service. Her friend sitting there finally alerted her and we were then good to go for the rest of the night as 3 of us had 3 drinks each. She would come to our table to take the orders and then bring the drinks to us. The Apple Spiced Marg was my drink for the time we were there as it was very delicious. The drink includes tequila, apple spice, lime and agave...very good! This is the kinda spot that you can come here to chill for awhile and watch some games as they have TVs behind the bar, start your night or end your night with a nightcap if you live in the area. No food here so make sure you grub before you get here if you're gonna do some serious drinking. read more

Damen Tavern - Apple Spiced Marg - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was recently bullied out of my seat and the bar staff sided with the bully. This is especially disappointing as I've been here many times as I live in the neighborhood for casual fun with friends, birthday afters, bar crawls with coworkers etc. I was here Friday night 1/2/2026 with a friend to celebrate him and his new job and he would be moving out of state. We saw two chairs open up and saw nothing on them and we saw on the bar a paid tab and finished drinks. We were served our beer. We drank and talked for around 20-25 minutes. Then two guys came in and said these were their seats and they were gone outside to smoke. I didn't give up my seat. They didn't like this and threatened me and intimidated me. My friend then countered to get them to back off. Bar staff sided with these guys saying they were here. The guys had drinks that were covered with napkins indicating they did have them made but they were not at our seats but to the side. What perplexed us was my friend asked the bartenders "If these seats were taken why did you serve us in these seats?" And they couldn't respond. We were asked to leave and did so after finishing our drinks and my friend and I found the whole experience humiliating. It could have been avoided if the bar staff either 1) Told us before we sat the seats were taken and the guys had gone out or 2) Told the guys to stop intimidating us and leave. I really enjoyed coming here in the past but will direct myself and my friends and family elsewhere when possible. read more

Favorite bar in the city! Love the 2 different rooms and shuffleboard in the middle. Usually different music/vibe between them. Plenty of TVs for sports, drinks are cheap (but don't suck), and they have self-serve water stations. It's lively on Fri/Sat night but not insane packed. read more

I love coming to this bar. Great service and they have a guy who shows up with Tamales late at night and they let you eat them inside! Must try! read more

I recently had an absolutely disgusting experience at Damen Tavern, and me and my girl friends had to share. Some guy named Junior, who works there (at least he claimed he does?), came up to my group of friends and started talking down on us out of no where. He said he was turning "24" today, but honestly, he looked 42. Anyway, he walked up to our all-women table and started calling us all cunts and telling each of us to fuck off just for being women. It was totally unprovoked, rude, and completely out of line. If Junior works there, someone needs to do something about it because no one should ever be treated like that, especially in a public space. I won't be returning and this was my first time visiting Chicago. read more

This is the spot for pregaming if you're in West Town! The drinks are very cheap and it has a good vibe to it. It also looks like you can rent out a smaller room there for private events if you need to. No wait to get a drink either. read more

Damen Tavern is a pretty decent bar! They have a pretty unique cocktail menu and there's decent space to stand in groups. It's loud but not too loud. My main complaint is there's limited bathrooms so there usually was a line (for front and back ones). But I had a good time! P.S. Shout out to the tamale guy who came in last night! MVP! read more

Damen Tavern - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have never posted on Yelp and probably never will again. However, this is the greatest bar I have ever visited in my entire life. Great music, but more importantly the cheapest non-wells drinks I have ever seen. I had to ask the bartender how this was possible. I wish I was a local. I'd honestly consider relocating to Chicago to visit this bar more frequently. Don't take my word for it. Pictures worth a thousand words or $3 during happy hour. read more

Damen Tavern - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Best bartenders in the business! The front bar is great for watching games and keeping it classy, while the back bar bumps great music and vibes to keep the party going. Our go to spot! read more

Stop by here after a terrible brunch at Machine and this place was the highlight of the day. Cool bar and friendly and talkative bartender (Liz). They have some killer drink specials and a happy hour on Saturday! Who does that! Awesome! I just moved not too far and have been on the lookout for a bar like this. Can't wait to become a regular! read more

Can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet. I live around the corner and come here pretty frequently. Every time I'm here it's always the perfect level of crowdedness for a casual drink with someone. Busy enough you aren't weirdly alone at the bar but you can always grab a seat. It definitely gets more upbeat on weekend nights. They have great happy hour and game day specials too. read more

Great drinks, good music, people are friendly. Theres good vibes there, I would deffinetly go again. read more

Damen Tavern - Jack n Coke - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Tl;dr The bar got pissy with me because they lost my card, charged me for it and the bouncer was a jerk. I've never been to a bar that considers "last call" the last call to close out checks. Why does this matter? Because, I went to close out my check at Damen Tavern at the tail end of last call and was met with a bad attitude from a bar tender who insisted I had already closed out. After several minutes of fumbling around with a generally pissy attitude, the bartender finally found my card, which had been swiped and featured automatically added gratuity. If this is the policy of Damen Tavern, great, that'a my bad for not knowing. If it's not, and is what they do when cards are left after closing...then why was I charged...if I hadn't asked to close out yet. Also, the bouncer was pretty shitty to the last remaining booths. I get it: You want to go home and folks are lingering. Still, dude seemed to be itching for a fight, and he almost got one. In sum: This is a bar I never want to go back to and recommend you avoid visiting at all costs. That said, if it turns out that I'm wrong about the swiping + auto gratuity policy then I'll gladly bump this review up to 2 stars. read more

Was very sad to see Bar Deville go way back when, but Damen Tavern won me over with a nice bar staff and dive bar aesthetic, but mostly kept me coming back with great prices. $2 dollar Old Grand Dad/Malort/Wild Turkey, $3 high life, long happy hour with cheap taps. Then Covid happened and when they reopened at a lower capacity (mostly all outside) prices jumped up and there were no specials, which I totally get as businesses were trying to stay above water and I was more than happy to support a place I had a soft spot for. Now I never go and when I do I regret it. The prices never rebalanced($10 a shot for Old Overholt???), feels like a cash grab now and I'm out. read more

Very unfortunate that I have to be leaving this review as this place use to be my go to neighborhood spot. Sadly this past weekend has changed my outlook: 1.) We saw a man spiking a women's drink without her knowledge. When we told the staff about the situation, they threatened to kick us out. This obviously means the guy was friends with the staff. 2.) PRIOR to us witnessing the spiking of the drink, the bouncer was extremely aggressive. My friends and I posted up by an ALREADY open window in the back bar called "Temperance". The bouncer came up to us and literally slammed the window shut just inches from our face. Making us all extremely uncomfortable on how aggressive he was. Maybe 45 minutes later we were explaining the situation to a friend and the bouncer thought we were opening the window and he began to threaten to kick us out, at this point I walked up to the bar and closed out my tab because I did not want to be somewhere where I felt unsafe and disrespected. 3.) Also one last note - the staff was more intoxicated then 80 percent of the bar. read more

Love the bartenders and staff here but the owners really need to pay attention to their customers. Normally the front bar is so breezy from the turbo fans they installed without the ability to change the speed. Sorry women don't enjoy being blown away while sitting at the bar. Then the air conditioning breaks and yet the fans don't work because they are not set for Summer. counterclockwise for Summer! Don't blow hot air on people. Figure it out. Listen to your customers. read more

Love this place. Not too sure you can call it a dive, although at times, it definitely has that feel. Love the woodwork and behind bar decor. Really dig the heavier, thick weave pattern 60s cocktail glasses they use. Amazing happy hour prices for its locale in the city (Westtown). Cant recall specifics but some days it starts at 3 PM and goes till 8 and some days 4 PM till 9. Either way, great spot. Glad to have it close to work. Also would like to say I really like the placement of the bathrooms. They're right in the middle of the main bar room. There is a back room (I believe), with seating and possibly some sort of billiard. To be honest, I didn't make my way back on this more recent visit and I can't remember from last year. Either way, I appreciate the location of the bathrooms being in such a public part of the bar. Im kind of a safety nerd(job hazard) and this definitely appeals to that side of me. read more

I paid for music to be played and all my friends were singing having a great time. Bartenders played next to play their rap music. Even tho!!!! We had touch tunes playing and paid for music :) read more

We recently moved to the neighborhood and was looking forward to having a great neighborhood bar. Damen doesn't quite hit the mark. Basically 2 bars in one with a front and back section. Biggest issue is that even when going at night, but before it's get late and wild, is the music. It's turned up to a point where you can't have a simple conversation, there's no reason for it to be like at 8pm! Guess I'm that grumpy old man...get off my lawn! read more

This is my favorite place in the neighborhood. Its a great clean space with inexpensive drinks and excellent bartenders (Celine!). They don't serve food but you can bring food and/or have it delivered. My friends tend to favor the back bar but the entire place is clean and everyone is super friendly. Within the first few weeks of this place opening Celine knew our names and what each of us preferred to drink. There is a very cool space between the front and back bar that has a shuffleboard table. There are tons of TVs for the sports people. Touchtunes jukebox allows you to play your own jam. I look forward to hanging out here and always have a great time. read more

Just wanted to come on here to commend Celine, a very talented and friendly bartender. She is really efficient and great at her job. She also keeps the tunes rolling. The bar itself is split into two mini bars. It seems like it's more poppin in the front and the back has a more laidback feel. The design is not much different from Bar Deville but the vibe is which is more important anyway. The cocktails are reasonably priced and always delicious, and their happy hour is like the city's best kept secret!! $3 everything! Seems insane and who isn't intrigued by a little crazy? Visit Celine and tip her well! read more

This used to be one of our favorite bars. But last weekend the bartender from the bar in the back had a bad attitude. We decided to move to the bar in the front but the bartender there was ignoring people. This place is not as good as it use to be. Definitely we are not going back. read more

Gabriella is the best bartender ever !!!!!! I've never met a bartender so friendly who appreciates their job!!! Will be back because of her !!!!!!! #pretty face #phatASS....give that sexy BiiiiOTCH a raise! #Meli4hoeeeeeeeAssssBitch read more

Had to get the Elite hot take on here, as many of these reviews don't give this place a fair shake, let alone make any sense... Who doesn't like $3 draft beers?! At any rate, this place is great; a worthy replacement for Bar Deville. They reclaim the edgy, hipster element by keeping the front bar as-is. You can still get well-made classic cocktails and a great selection of craft beers. $2 shots (not from the well, we're talking Wild Turkey, Malort, Jamo, and a new discovery, "Mellow Corn") and $3 beers (craft AND shitty). Suffice it to say there are very affordable drinks to be had at this establishment. Also, the bartender who helped me (her name escapes me... Katrina? blonde) was extremely friendly, efficient, and very pretty to boot. When Bar Deville was here, there would be lines down the block, an overcrowded dance floor, and overserved drunks would loiter outside screaming and peeing everywhere (per many Neighborhood Watch posts). It surprises me that neighborhood folks don't see this as an improvement. Consider me a fan; I'll definitely be returning. read more

I love this place. Great crowd, fantastic cocktails, a feel good neighborhood bar! Try the Deal Breaker cocktail! read more

Damen Tavern - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I never went to Bar Deville, just have heard great things. For those that were sadden with losing the old spot, I tell them to fear not and to join me at what the Hook and Ladder/Halligan crew's new bar. What I like about this bar is that it people still get after it fri and sat nights, I either start or end my night here, but there's never a line and never any trouble. Prices are crazy cheap also. For day drinking, I encourage you and your friends to bring some food, grab a booth and watch the game. Maybe even the masters. The bartenders are great too. You know you you are; thank you for calling me by the name my friends call me. If I'm a drunk by saying this, so be it, but it does feel like a second home. Thanks Damen Tavern read more

It's kind of a weird mix of a bro/sports bar and a 30s themed speakeasy. The beer is tasty and a decent selection and also affordable. I'm just not sure how well this bar will do in this neighborhood and who their ideal clientele is. It's definitely worth checking out though if you like craft beer and sports. Plus it's BYOF which I love. read more

Damen Tavern - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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If you're concerned about liquor costs, maybe the bartenders should use jiggars instead of a short pouring guests at a neighborhood tavern (less than 1oz for a rocks/cocktail pour). I wanted to like this place but I don't like being taken advantage of. read more

I recently went to this bar for the first time and I didn't like the way the bartender treated me. I asked her for napkins and she gave me a attitude while giving me my drink read more

I spent a late evening here during a visit to Chicago and was surprised to see how cheap the beers on tap were! A friend and I each had two local IPAs and our total bill with tax and a 20% tip came to just $20, which I thought was extremely reasonable considering the nice area which this bar is located. The seating was comfortable and interesting: booths, tables and church pews. I would love to come back next time I'm in the city. read more

Bring cash only! We went to watch the Loyola game, gave our debit card to the bartender and it got skimmed. Our bank account got drained. So beware when going to not give your credit/debit cards there. That's just shameful that you can no longer go to your neighborhood bar. read more

I can't help but compare this place to Bar De Ville. Same space. Different vibe. Different clientele. Different music. Different everything. Not a fan after I enjoyed a fun original spot that this neighborhood desperately needs. If you are into tv and a homogenous crowd, this is good place to hang out. Otherwise, check out Cleo's or anywhere else. read more

This place makes me feel like home whenever I enter! They have my drink ready right when I sit down! By far the best neighborhood bar I've ever been too! Thursday's are my favorite ! read more

This is my neighborhood bar and I couldn't be happier. Great happy hour prices. Great location. Friendly staff. Great size bar with great music selection. Have you noticed how many times I have written "great" so far?? It's for a reason! read more

I've been coming here since I first moved to Chicago, and am honestly so pleased with the staff and how welcoming they are. Every time I walk in it seems like they know me and genuinely care to strike up conversation - giving the place the feel of a hometown bar. One bartender, Alina, remembers me and some of the other regulars by name so I know she genuinely cares about her customers. I've seen some pretty drunk people around on the weekends, but the staff addresses it calmly and asks whoever it is to leave so as not to cause a scene with the other patrons. Not really sure where these recent negative reviews are coming from, I can't imagine some of these stories happening. Highly recommend for those looking for a fun and friendly atmosphere! read more

Happy Hour on a Saturday! If you're looking for a dive bar w/ the cleanliness of a new renovation here's your new spot. It might not fit in with the neighborhood, but change is good. $3 drafts & cocktails are also good, too. Great date spot or group get together during the wintertime. read more