Super cool bar, great whiskey selection. Not for faint of heart, gritty vibes. Friendly bar staff. read more

Delilah's - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If I could give this place negative stars, I would. My recent visit to Delilah's was nothing short of a nightmare. The atmosphere was great but peter... seemed more interested in chatting amongst himself than customers. But the real shock came when I had a minor disagreement with him about my order. Instead of resolving the issue professionally, the bartender told me to "kill myself." I was absolutely horrified and speechless. This is beyond unacceptable. No one should ever be subjected to such vile and harmful treatment, especially in a place of business. The management needs to take serious action against such behavior. Until then, I urge everyone to stay far away from this toxic establishment. There are plenty of other bars where you can enjoy a drink without being verbally assaulted. This place is a disgrace. Screw peter and screw the establishment they are discriminatory asf and do not respect you. AND he upcharged my friend and I. I'm not kidding. I got a cider and a miller light, PETER charged me $16 and my other friends got the same damn thing and charged them $10... fuck that man and fuck that stupid "punk bar" that we "do not fit into" I will NEVER go to that bar again. read more

Incredible bourbon selection. Friendly and attentive staff. Cool vibe inside. Loved Delilah's! read more

Delilah's - Angel's Envy Rye on the left, Rare Eagle 10 Yr on the right. - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's a dive bar, whiskey bar and a beer emporium infused with punk rock decor and music to spice the moment. The world eclectic was made for places like this. The walls display "art" from local artists and old movies are often screened, but above all, this is a bar in a whole sense of the word, the type not often found any more, except, perhaps, in old period movies. For the casual observer, Delilah's may appear to be just another neighborhood bar, with funky decor and a nice vibe, but if you are an adventurous person or a connoisseur of sorts, you will appreciate the heavily stocked bar; claiming to stock over 300 whiskeys and 1000 spirits in all, you will quickly found yourself trying something different, something new, something rare, or just trying to stump the bartender. I attended a Makers Mark event, I arrived early, and was glad I did. It gave me the opportunity to observe the place without the big crowd of the event.   The event, as the name implies, was about Makers Mark whiskey tasting, including one, that I happen to like the best, made specifically for Delilah. This place may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy a particular whiskey, a special beer, or just want to try something different, I highly recommend it; there is a good chance they will have that rare spirit of your choice. Or that you will discover your new favorite one. read more

See all

I mean...it's the best bar in Chicago IMO. And definitely the best whiskey bar (bourbon, scotch, Irish,..). When you go on the bourbon trial in KY and the tour guides, at multiple distilleries, ask about this place as soon as you mentioned living in Chicago...you know it is legit. Plus, does the average person realize it has an upstairs? read more

Great Dive Bar with two floors. Nice pool atmosphere upstairs. Great way to meet people and have a friendly game.

Dive-bar feels. Come here if you're feeling a beer and dim-lit, no frills ambiance. The decor is interesting and the bartenders friendly. Not my cup of tea, but I can see this being someone else's go-to bar read more

Delilah's - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love this place so much. It's so cute and the vibe in here is just so nice. I went here with friends for a drag show it was and it was just so the perfect thing to do on I think it was a Saturday night or even a Thursday, either was I got so drunk from the great cocktail and I didn't get to eat but it was really busy and the service was full on. I definitely say check it out. read more

First things first, go bills! Was looking for a bills bar and this place did not disappoint, with their own bills song and the amount of fans that were there it felt like I was right back in Buffalo. So much fun for a game and everyone was very nice. read more

The 1980s and 1990s were something of a dark age for the whiskey industry. Many distilleries closed, including now-legendary names such as Port Ellen and Brora in Scotland. Vodka and cocaine were the rage. In that era, a few isolated bars kept the appreciation of this wonderful hobby alive, and Delilah's in Chicago occupies a place of honor right near the top of that list. Delilah's is a proud dive bar with an eclectic, shabby style that emphasizes its long history and appreciation of whiskey, beer, and music. Service was spectacular. Our bartender was a real whiskey-lover, and recognized us as such after our first round of orders. He made spot-on suggestions, and even keyed us into the fact that they'd just found a dusty single-cask Highland Park expression that Delilah's ordered for its 13th anniversary (meaning, 12 years ago!). A great recommendation is the highest level of service, and that was just one of the many extraordinary drams that we enjoyed the first night we visited. The one thing we noticed between our two visits (one in Sept. 2018 and one in July 2019) was that the prices seemed to be getting a little steeper. read more

Delilah's - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I love everything about this place. I have been to bourbon bars all over the country and world and I have rarely found bartenders as knowledgeable. You explain your flavor profile, or bourbons or whiskeys you like, and they will recommend amazing selections, regardless of price. I was a regular when I lived in chicago and, now that I've moved away, this is one of my first stops when in town. amazing staff. amazing whiskey and bourbon. One of the best in the country easily. read more

Absolute favorite bar in Chicago. My coworkers and I always come here after work and it's just always an amazing time. Reasonably priced drinks, pool, and lots of seating. Also, the staff is kick ass. Bartenders, bouncers, everyone who works there is a lot of fun, super friendly and nice, and always becomes part of the reason we have a good time. Especially Emma and Adam, who are both amazing at there jobs and so much fun to chat to throughout the night! I would mention more of the amazing staff by name too, but part of the problem with remembering people from a bar is the alcohol consumed there. Whoops. Anyway, to sum up, this is the spot to drink and if you're not going here already you're doing something wrong. read more

counting my blessings I don't have to bring the hammer down on my local watering hole! Delilah's delivers on all levels, edgy androgynous vibe.. check woke bartenders going by he, them, there.. check extensive bourbon selection that can please even the likes of a connoisseur like myself (few establishments carry Makers Mark cask strength) I was fortunate enough to stumble in on a night a few cute coast guards were in town that took me up on $15 pool game challenger, little did they know I'm good as hell, let's just say my pockets for a little heavier ;) Delilah's has secured there spot as my #1 shitty bar. read more

Great people- from staff to owners. You'll never be disappointed. Seriously, you need to add this to your list.

Continues to be on of the best whiskey bars in the country. Their menu is extensive and their prices are great. A must visit if you like whiskey. Not a fancy place. It is a local docs bar. But worth visiting. read more

Delilah's is a survivor. It's been here forever and some of the people look like they've been here forever too. And wearing the same clothes. It's always cool, and always will be, world without end, amen. Perfect bar to end a late night at - and did I mention the friends I was with knew Windy City Roller Derby girls and we got to hang out with them? Yah! Roller Derby rockstar chicks - what kick ass girl fun! Seeing the flyer for David Bowie's 62nd birthday party celebration gave me pause. Arrrgghhhh . . . read more

10/10!!!!! "Young Mike" was attentive, hilarious, and served excellent drinks with professionalism and charisma! Additional shoutout to Teresa for checking in on us :) read more

Great bar with cool music. 4 stars only because someone kept putting a rock on the pool table while we were having a tournament

One of my favorite bars in all of Chicago. Celebrated my 21st here years ago, and still frequent Delilah's to this day. Dark, divey, and dependable, Delilah's is your classic laid back dive bar but with an edge AND an expensive whiskey list (like over 800)! Free pool and dollar beer Mondays are a personal favorite, but any night of the week at Delilah's is a good time. Main floor houses a large bar and high top table seating, good for groups. Upstairs is where you'll find the pool table, a smaller bar, and two booths. Delilah's is a popular spot, so if going with a group, earlier the better to secure a good spot. We usually come after work and typically don't have an issue finding room for 4 or 5 of us. The bartenders are always super nice and happy to walk through their beer and whiskey selections with you. If you're looking to play pool, there is typically a line so throw a quarter on the table to let the people playing know you've got next time; they're usually pretty good about rotating turns. Missing Delilah's (and a cold American Beer... literally the name of an actual beer, look it up) a little more that usual right now during our current shelter-in-place order! read more

If you enjoy an underground atmosphere and punk music Delilah's is a great choice. Always fun, and a great crowd.

The service here is amazing and knowledgeable people. I just stop to try some of their amazing selection of whiskeys. I really enjoyed the place ans has happy to have stop by. read more

Stopped in while we were in town for the night. Great spot. Killer DJ spinning old school punk and post punk records. It was Johnny Ramone's birthday, and they were playing all kinds of cool Ramones footage on the TVs. The owner chatted us up for a bit and made us feel like regulars. Will definitely stop in again next time I'm in town. read more

Awesome bar! Chill vibe, great whiskey selection!, great music. If you are looking for a chill night out.. this is it.

Bouncer denied us even though our ids were completely real. Obviously just another man abusing his power over women. Update: called cops, waited an hour, got let in and then was denied at the bar and the bartender was extremely rude even though multiple people confirmed that the cops verified my ID. read more

If you are looking for a Dive Bar, it doesn't get more Dive than Delilah's. Once a second floor bathroom leaked and water fell onto the congregants on the 1st floor. However, if you are looking for an edgy alternative to the normal pubs that dot Lincoln Park, Delilahs is a great alternative. Plus the Whiskey selection is second to none. read more

They have good music and a huge selection of drinks. It's a dimly lit bar and a laid back place. They play movies on tv screens, which makes the bar classical and unique. I went there on Saturday night so it was busy but not too noisy and people could chill enough. read more

Been to Delilah's a few times and usually enjoy it. However, the past few times the service has been atrocious...The bouncer was actually nice and talkative but the bartender we have had is always in a terrible mood and it seems he is "bothered" when we order drinks. Delilah's is known for their whiskey and tequila selection which is awesome! However, when I asked what tequila he recommends, the bartender responded with "well"! What kind of service is that?!?! read more

I have so many great things to say about this bar. I've been coming here for drinks with friends for years and it never disappoints. Great selection of beer and, of course, whiskey. My fiancé rented out the 2nd floor this past Saturday for our surprise engagement party. Mellody, our host, was so kind and attentive and made the day even more special for us. The bartender was also so wonderful and personal with Bobby and I. Our friends had an incredible time and kept complimenting how perfect the spot was for our party. 10/10 recommend this lovely place with great people! read more

The best place in the city for whiskey. The bartenders are the most knowledgeable whiskey people I've ever met.

One of the best bars in Chicago, continuously running for over 9000 days.. they said! It's a whiskey bar with literally over 800 selections & over 200 beer selections & GENESEE Cream Ale on draft. Super dark inside... I mean like you can't tell night from day once your saddled up to the bar! Patrons range from Bikers to Bust-Outs and you won't find many hipsters here... or will you?? Many long time customers that are very loyal to the joint, they said. Prices are very average and it's always busy. Great music and great service. Don't fall down in the bathroom taking a selfie! Talk later read more

Went to Delilah's last night for my friends 21st and had a terrible experience. The lady bartending threw away my friends drink and threatened to kick us out for having a drink from outside the bar. Rather than giving us the chance to take the drink and leave or throw it away and continue staying there she took matters into her own hands and decided to just throw away our drink. After tipping her and apologizing she continued to give us bad service until we decided to leave. The other staff was lovey and rest of the environment was great. However will definitely not be going back after how the old lady with the glasses and tattoos decided to treat us read more

Hey there Delilah What's it like in the Windy City? I'm a thousand miles away from Texas But girl, tonight you look so pretty Yes you do Lincoln Park can't shine as bright as you I swear it's true Hey there Delilah Don't you worry about the distance I'm right there in Chicago if you get lonely Give this song another listen Close your eyes Listen to my voice, it's my disguise I'm by your side Oh it's what you do to me Oh it's what you do to me Oh it's what you do to me Oh it's what you do to me What you do to me... Oh, what Delilah did to me Thursday night--after the kickass Yelp Holiday Open Bash. Refusing to call it a night, I cabbed it from my hotel to "one of the top five bars ever," as put in a text message sent over from by my Chicago friend, Phil H. He's currently living in Austin, but was sure to send me a list of places to check out. Austin CM Kevin N met me along and was an instant fan of the bar, too. Dark, dimly lit, a jukebox (but where's the old skool one?), dj, a few tvs, a badass bartender chick tatted up, friendly door fella (wearing skintight jeans and suspenders)... what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, Chimay (red white and blue), PBR, nightly drink specials. I'll be back fo sho. Just hope the loud fratty Carnegie Mellon boys won't be there again. BTW, I actually hate that "Delilah" song, but I sure do love Delilah's! read more

Easily my favorite bar in all of Chicago. Here are my short and sweet reasons why: *The music is always stellar. Sometimes a specific night will have a unique musical theme (Elvis music, rockabilly, Motown, etc) but no matter what night you visit, the tunes will be expertly curated. *There is always an interesting movie/show/etc playing on the TV. Always. I have seen everything from "Friday the 13th" to "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" to obscure Vampire-Elvis films. *The staff is friendly and personable and always willing to give TOP NOTCH drink recommendations. *The drink options are plentiful and unique. I especially recommend the punch- it changes seasonally but is always a delicious and refreshing drink choice. In short, if you are looking for a bar with genuine people, stellar atmosphere, and fantastic drinks, look no further than Delilah's. read more

Delilah's - Dope atmosphere. - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Michael Jackson (booze MJ, not moonwalk MJ) called this one of the three most important bars in America. And I love me some bars in 'merica, so I made the trek to see about Delilah's. After all, that name conjures up something mighty different in my home territory of Philadelphia. I made my way in and heard the steady blare of punk and saw the hazy shade of red - until I spied the wall behind the bar. And then my view went all tunnel-vision - I probably proceeded from there kind of bow-legged, like a scene from Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, too. Oh, the whiskey...it's like Dr. Seuss stocked the place with short ones, tall ones, light ones, dark ones, old ones, new ones, strong ones, brown ones, fair ones, and rare ones. I could have frolicked through the whiskey selections like a cartoon bear in a Cottonelle commercial. The beers here are a robust and noteworthy lot, too, and some of my associates chose that path at the fork in the road, but I went with the knowledge that they stock over 400 whiskies here, and I wasn't about to swig anything but. A friend and I knew what we were sitting on and went all in - we built up with some various strong selections, and then, when ready, each sampled what the bartender told us was the piece de resistance - a vintage find called Old Mock Whiskey that was eighteen summers old when bottled...and that bottling was many moons ago (1930's? - find a pic of this artifact in the photo section). I sipped that for a long time, just in awe of its existence, history, and availability for sale. It was like security at Le Louvre suddenly offered "oui, monsieur, hop up and throw your arm around Winged Victory, and I will snap a couple photos for you, but ov coourze..." Unreal. I liked the space, I enjoyed the vibe, and I had a great time the entire evening, but more than that, it's as if the Smithsonian of whiskey is hiding in plain view in Diversey. This is an experience and a half; bucket-list worthy for brown spirit lovers. read more

Delilah's - Older'n dirt, rarer'n rare, it's Old Mock. - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

$20 for drinks + 50 cents for peanuts = one hell Of a start to the night...an awesome night Great environment Great bartenders Cheap drinks Yes yes yes read more

So I came into town for a bachelor party, and before I even left town the bachelor was raving about how we need to go to Delilah's. I actually thought by the name that is was a strip club. Delilah's is what I would consider a dive and has that old bar smell to it. If I wasn't recommended this place I would have passed by it. The night we went they essentially had a tribute to David Bowie, i.e. all Bowie music, which was pretty cool. The big reason why I loved this place was their selection of whiskey. Holy moly! I must have bought a shot of every recommended whiskey that Drew the bartender suggested and it was perhaps the best I'd ever had consecutively. That was a huge surprise, since most places I have gone with equal or sub selection require a dress code. Decor and experience was average but I will say that what they have to offer in their library of whiskey is currently my favorite of any place I've ever been to. read more

Delilah's - Cool signage out front. - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A true rock n roll bar. I love everything about Delilah's. The music is awesome, staff is amazing and it just feels like home. You can find me here on Mondays because I'm a bargain hunter and can't pass up $1 beer and $2 whiskey. I'm a beer and whiskey enthusiast (when my budget allows for it) and Delilah's has such an amazing selection, all at fair prices! I've attended some of their whiskey seminars and plan to go to more in the future. If you don't like punk rock, playing pool or pinball, this isn't your place. read more

Delilah's - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here on a Thursday night and got some cheap drinks DRINKS: Drinks were relatively cheap, for being a lincoln park bar. SERVICE: The bartendress was super sweet and knew all of the specials. She was also able to recite the specials and events they had going on for the whole week. ATMOSHPERE: The music was loud and everyone seemed to be in a pretty good mood. I was surprised by the robust crowd on a Thursday night. read more

Delilah's, if only you were a little closer to my place. You seem to pop into the rotation once every year or two and I don't know why not more. Great selection of Beer from your basic's to the tasty (subjective) imports that you have found for our consumption and a huge selection of Whiskeys. Morrissey was playing (DJ for only Morrissey... hmm I liked it) at a decent level you could still carry on a conversation, or ignore one you did not want to be a part of. Despite it getting a little crowded the feel is relaxed, no attitude. A solid goto place... Perhaps I need to go to a little more. read more

These type of dives are the best. The ones that resemble Delilah's are bare that take themselves out of the norm. It ain't your average old man dive with a heavy sports vibe and accessible pop/dance music playing in the background, nah not here. The night I walked into Delilah's, these people had a Smiths playlist play. All. Night. Seriously, from when I walked in til when they shouted last call in the dead of night. Nothing but post-punk goodness. Anyways, that took me aback. Not many places these days play such great music. Obviously, Delilah's is catered more to the punk rockers of the city, and I'm all for that. There are two floors at this place, and to be honest, I was too gone to remember what the first floor looked like so I'll talk about the second. It was a fairly roomy space with TVs, a bar (but of course), some seats, pinball machines, and a pool table. Sounds like one Hell of a haven from this subzero weather to me! But really, whoever runs the place did a good job in creating a more darker atmosphere with this bar. I feel like it's Halloween in there, and that's always an awesome feeling. read more