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    District Brew Yards

    4.3 (230 reviews)
    ModerateBrewpubs
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Recommended Reviews - District Brew Yards

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    Ciara W.

    Great vibes, plenty of seating, and some good All-American bbq. No servers as you self-order on a screens but all the employees are all very friendly and helpful. The food came out hot and fast! My personal favorite is the side of Mac & cheese. Hefty portions! There's also games you can play and a plethora of beers to try. Highly recommend this and a cute date night or fun group hangout spot!

    An excellent time here! We had the Brunswick stew, Nashville hot chicken strips and Mac n cheese and we loved it all! It even can with cornbread croutons for the stew, outstanding!!

    Decent patio, not very clean though. Lots of cigarette butts and trash.

    Decent. Pretty pricy and not very clean since it's all self serve and self clean. You can walk in with a dog or around the back is probably easier.

    Mariah C.

    We didn't order any food so this review is for the beer! I purchased a Groupon for $37, unlimited pours for two people for two hours. I had never been to a self pour beer hall so this was a unique and fun experience. I liked that they had 4 different breweries present. I was slightly disappointed with the selection of beers offered, we saw numerous taps that were out of service. They also had cocktails and THC drinks which I was not expecting at a brewery. The Groupon deal was amazing, they loaded up $200 on the card and said if we needed more to return to the counter. Without the Groupon we would have spent at least $80, the beers were really pricey. After pouring they give the price spent, I was shocked after some of the pours. I'm a sour beer girl, they had two, the berry gose was good, mango sour ehhh. Nothing really stood out beer wise but the Groupon deal made it worth it. I would not come here without it. Board game selection was pretty great! The space was clean and the food we saw smelled good.

    1/2 Pound Prime Brisket *
    Jason S.

    District Brew Yards in West Town was such a fun experience when I went on a Saturday evening with friends. The first thing that caught my attention was their self-serve beer setup. After grabbing a card from the cashier, you can fill your own beer at any of the numerous taps they have. It's like pumping gas, but with beer! I loved the freedom of no waiting, and the variety of options was impressive--many of which are brewed in-house. Being a fan of Mexican beers, I really enjoyed the ones they had on tap. For food, it's all about BBQ. You order through a self-service monitor, and my meal was ready in just a few minutes. I went with a half-pound of brisket with Sweet Carolina BBQ sauce, mac and cheese, and coleslaw. The brisket was outstanding--perfectly tender and melt-in-your-mouth good. The mac and cheese was also great, but the coleslaw was just okay for me, not something I'd reorder. My friend got the Cheeto-dusted mac and cheese, which was a really cool twist and super tasty. The space is huge, with plenty of seating, making it ideal for groups whether you're coming for the food or just drinks. Overall, District Brew Yards delivers amazing BBQ, a unique self-serve beer experience, and a fun atmosphere. I'll definitely be back!

    Smoked wings and loaded fries
    C C.

    This was such a good experience! I walked in without expectations... it was amazing. The staff were so nice and patient with explaining the concept. The self-serve beer was great. You could choose the amount of beer you wanted. I loved that you could try a sip and come back for more if you want. While there, I also had Lillie Q's. That's always a winner! The bbq was the perfect balance to all the tasty beer.

    Ben H.

    It's a fun open ended pour it yourself brewery cafeteria setup. There's a few walls of taps from different breweries with all different kinds of beer. They also have some food options and a bunch of tables too so it's just a great place to hang out. Pro tip: if you've never poured beer before.... angle your glass so that the liquid hits the side not the bottom. Or else you'll get a lot of foam lol ... except if it's a porter/stout in which case hard pour that baby

    Gabriela N.

    This was one of the first places I visited when I first moved to Chicago and just revisited. It is a very fun, laid-back place with creative beers and decent food. It's perfect for big groups or whenever you want to do something more "interactive"

    Food!
    John H.

    Cool place. Came here when I was in town for the holidays. Pour your own beers and a dedicated kitchen concept. Super kid friendly as we had little ones tagging along, but there are plenty of communal board games to keep them entertained. Overall the experience was great, except for one snarky staffer that proceeded to tell me I was operating the station incorrectly when she herself was not there to show us how to do it when we first arrived and the hostess said "someone will show you how to operate the taps." Look, I get it, nobody wants to work over the holidays, but maybe if you had been at your post, you should not have taken it out on me with your sarcasm. The one interaction with the staffer aside, every other staffer was super nice... including the kitchen staff that politely told me that all the ordering is done through the kiosk (again... fallout from the previously mentioned staffer not being there to tell us how everything worked). We tried the loaded fries (brisket was great!), fried pickles, fried chicken, mac and cheese, and pimento dip. Everything was piping hot and crispy. I've never seen fried pickle (full spears!!). Pickles also came with dipping ranch! We would come back.... so many beers to try from different breweries. Probably a win-win for breweries since they don't have to have a dedicated tap room and can rent space as needed. Win for patrons with a lot more beer variety in one location.

    Peter P.

    I love these self-pour beer bars. It allows you to sample many different beers in a short time (you're not waiting for a bartender to see you). They also l have a bunch of board games to play while you sit at the picnic tables drinking your chosen beer (and eating food from the attached BBQ restaurant).

    Mac and cheese, fried pickles
    Julie L.

    Really enjoyable time here. Casual vibe, open seating, seems good for big groups with available board games to play. Large variety of beers, seltzers etc. We absolutely loved the food, most notably the fried pickles. Will definitely recommend this spot to others and looking forward to enjoying the patio area when it warms up!

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    Thanks for the visit and the great review! Cheers!

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - District Brew Yards

    Is the patio heated?

    The patio is not heated

    Is there parking?

    There is ample free street parking

    Any gluten-free options?

    We do have seltzers/sodas which are technically made without gluten. However, they are made on the same equipment with beer so we cannot say they are 100% gluten free especially if you have an allergy.… 

    Besides the awesome selection of beer, Is there any non-beer or non-alcoholic options? Asking for designated drivers and non beer drinkers in our group. Thank you

    We do have seltzers and hard soda. We have soft drinks for sale at Lillie’s Q. We also have non… 

    Is the patio stroller/kid friendly?

    Yes the patio is stroller friendly. However, please remember that we are 21 and over so we can't have kids in the beer hall except for using the bathroom. The patio is fine for kids.

    Is the patio open in the winter (ie now)? Is it heated?

    We can open it up any time but it is not “heated”. We can utilize a solo stove for you though. Please let us know when you are planning to come by. Thanks!

    How is pricing??? We have a "beer wall" by us where you pour your own but the prices are definitely $$$$ more than just going to your usual brewery.

    We charge by the ounce for all beer—we have 35-40 beers on tap ranging from .50 per oz to over $1.00/oz for special beers meant to be consumed in smaller portions. If you like sampling, it is actually very cost effective versus other places.… 

    How crowded does the outdoor space get on a Saturday? Covid safety wise!

    Our tables are spaced 6 feet apart and limited to groups of 10 (inside tables max out at 6). We do not have tents and all tables are open to the elements. Guests must wear masks when not at a table.

    Do you need reservations?

    Reservations not required (and we don’t take them). Please come on by!

    What's your plan for customers when it rains ect...?

    We have a tent outside that seats about 20. Also, we do seat guests inside by our windows which we keep open.

    Can you bring outside food?

    No outside food allowed. Lillie’s Q operates the food service at District Brew Yards.

    Are there TVs for watching football, sports, etc?

    We do not have any televisions but we have great WIFI to watch anything on a personal device

    Do they have growler fills?

    No. They have to-go beers in cans for sale.

    Are you kid friendly?

    We are a pour your own brewery. As such we only allow guests who are 21 and over. While we will not ask parents with kids “in tow” to leave, it is not an ideal place for kids. We can not allow entry to young children for liability reasons. Cheers

    Are they dog friendly?

    I’m sorry but we serve food so dogs are not allowed inside by city code. We hope to have a patio (if the city will agree) where dogs can go. Cheers

    Do they have happy hour? If so what are the deals?

    We do not currently have happy hours scheduled

    Hi! Do they serve any other type of liquor here? It seems like a nice spot for my husband's birthday but a handful of our people don't drink beer. Any chance for some whiskey?

    I think they only have beer!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - District Brew Yards

    DBY is a pour your own beer taproom featuring beers from Burnt City, Around The Bend and Bold Dog breweries.

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Crushed by Giants - Neon Werewolf Hazy

    Crushed by Giants

    4.4(298 reviews)
    2.1 miNear North Side
    $$

    Was craving a burger and a beer and with such a cool name, how could I not check this place out! I…read moresat at the bar around 5pm and it wasn't very busy. They played good music and wasn't too loud. You could easily carry on a conversation or , like me, continue listening to a podcast. By the time I finished, the place was completely full and a bit noisy, but not bad. I started out with a 10oz Birds of Prey Pilsner. It was very nice. Light and crisp and very easy to drink. I followed that up with Melodious Maibock and ordered the CBG burger with fries. I didn't have lunch so I dove right in and forgot to snap a photo. It was a very good smash burger. It was cooked well and I really liked the combination of pickled onion and caramelized onion. I didn't see it until later but you can add bacon. As much as I loved this burger, bacon would totally take it up a notch! I started chatting with the bartender about their different beers and decided to have the Super Melodious Jalapeño Maibock with the burger. It's soooo different, but in a good way. It paired so well with the burger. You get green bell pepper on the nose and a hint of it on the palate. When you swallow you get a little heat at the back of the throat. It was so good! Great bar. Great food. Great beer. Go check them out!

    --Location/Parking-- Located in the heart of River North on…read morethe 2nd floor below the AMC theater. Parking is in nearby street parking on parking structures. --Ambience-- Cool middle bar setup with vinyl glossy wood tables. Great bar set up, but we chose the dining room table. --Service/Staff-- Bartenders were quick in getting the drinks out. Our server was great in letting us know what was on tap and when last calls was. --Products-- Got the neon on tap and my friends got the flight of beers. Good selection of beers to choose from --Capacity-- Inside the dining room can hold about 40-50 people and the bar area can hold about 25 people. --Overall-- Looking forward to return to try out their other items on tap.

    Photos
    Crushed by Giants - Double Smash Blend of Slagel Beef and Ground Bacon, American & White Cheddar Cheese, Dijonnaise, Pickled Red Onion, Sesame Seed Bun

    Double Smash Blend of Slagel Beef and Ground Bacon, American & White Cheddar Cheese, Dijonnaise, Pickled Red Onion, Sesame Seed Bun

    Crushed by Giants - Interior bar

    Interior bar

    Crushed by Giants - Ginger beer

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    Ginger beer

    Forbidden Root - Sorbet

    Forbidden Root

    4.3(650 reviews)
    0.5 miUkrainian Village, West Town
    $$

    If you like beer, you should be able to find one you like here. There are plenty to choose from…read moreand the descriptions are accurate. My beverage/beer order was the Night Moth Oak-Conditioned Hazy IPA | 7.2% | 12oz/8 - 5oz/4. I recommend this if you are a fan of Hazy IPA's. My food order was the Beer braised, short rib with roasted root vegetables, polenta, swiss chard, and sweety drops. Tender and tasty short ribs. I will be craving the sweety drops for sure. Bar seating, regular tables and high top tables available here.

    We've been here many times throughout the years. Never disappoints. It's such a cute place with…read moretall ceilings & beautiful bar. Their brewed beers are amazing. I love the strawberry basil. This time I got their basic ale. Perfect classic ale. We had the beer cheese soup with Crutons & jalapeños. So flavorful & complex. Arugula salad with dried cherries. This is my fav salad. So yummy. We came on a Wednesday & they had happy hour pricing on appetizers. So we tried the beer bread. Omg, the whipped cinnamon butter was amazing. I've had many soups & salads here & loved them all. Service is always great. Down to earth, friendly people working here. Patio seating when it's nice out, windows open all the way to the outside. But warm & cozy in the winter.

    Photos
    Forbidden Root - Back of the restaurant

    Back of the restaurant

    Forbidden Root - Oatmeal Pie is literally hard baked oatmeal in a pie crust with Marlot meringue.

    Oatmeal Pie is literally hard baked oatmeal in a pie crust with Marlot meringue.

    Forbidden Root - Grapefruit Sorbet, Malort Meringue, Mint Syrup

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    Grapefruit Sorbet, Malort Meringue, Mint Syrup

    Moody Tongue Brewing - April 2025

    Moody Tongue Brewing

    4.4(409 reviews)
    3.6 miNear Southside
    $$$

    Dining Room Review! I recently visited Moody Tongue to…read morecelebrate an anniversary. This spot is half a bar/restaurant with an a la carte food menu, housemade beer, and full service bar. On the other side, is a 1 Michelin Star dining experience. Moody Tongue is the first Michelin ranked brewery and even offers a beer pairing with their prefixed menu. The inside is moody with dark wood finishes, black accents, and elegant artwork & feature lighting. Upon entering, one checks in at the first floor host stand. A server brings you upstairs to the dining area. There is a mixture of two and four tops in the space and our table had a handwritten note congratulating us on our anniversary. Our seat allowed both of us to have a view of the kitchen window to watch the chefs prep courses. There were 3-4 servers that serviced the entire dining room and rotated in presenting dishes. They started with warm towelettes to wash your hands which was a nice touch. Service level throughout was impeccable with water refills, explaining the menu, delightful demeanor, fresh silverware per course, and wiping the table clean from anything that dropped. This was certainly one of the best hospitality levels at a one star I've experienced. Dinner was 12 courses including the amuse-bouche and final treats. There was not one course that didn't offer bright, fresh flavors. The presentation of plates were beautiful from every angle. It's hard to pick any top dish as everything was unique and special in their own way; but I am still thinking about the Crab Bite, Sablefish, and Pasta Course. After dinner, each guest got a complimentary bag full of goodies to enjoy at home. What a beautiful final touch! Moody Tongue as a whole far exceeded my expectations. Each dish offered something familiar in a new way that left me speechless. I highly recommend coming to fully experiencing everything they have to offer as you will not be disappointed! Thank you again so much to their team for making our special night unforgettable. Tip: There is free parking on Wabash & 25th but also meter parking on 26th.

    The lamb earned 5 stars. That was the star of the show. It is a must-order dish. The salad was also…read moreunique, interesting, and tasty, though the other appetizers other patrons ordered looked similarly good. The vibes are immaculate. They have managed to offer excellent service without making the place feel stuffy or full of itself. It is the perfect spot for a special date night or a celebration with friends.

    Photos
    Moody Tongue Brewing - Inside Bar

    Inside Bar

    Moody Tongue Brewing - Mushrooms

    Mushrooms

    Moody Tongue Brewing - Black Truffle Pilsner

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    Black Truffle Pilsner

    Au Cheval

    Au Cheval

    4.4(9.6k reviews)
    1.0 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$

    YOOOO seriously one of the best burgers of my life! My brother recommended this spot and we came on…read morea Friday night. It was about a 30 minute wait, but it was so worth. The burgers are amazing - it has that beef tallow taste and adding the sunny side up egg was awesome. It's cooked perfectly to where the yolk is not dripping down my fingers, but just enough to where it trickles into the burger and adds another dimension of flavor. The interesting thing is that "single" patties are actually double, and "double" patties are actually triple. Not sure why they named it like that, but our server was good about making that known. Fries were solid but not as amazing as the burger. Wished they were a little thinner. Pretty small seating inside, only a couple booths, tables, and bar seating. They do have a fair sized patio for outdoor seating, so that helps with getting people in and out. Since the space is a bit compact, it can get a little noisy inside. We did paid street parking

    We'd made a lunch reservation at Au Cheval in advance, which wasn't too hard for a Monday. The…read moreinterior was smaller than I'd expected but so classic and stylish. We were seated at a comfortable booth near the window. For drinks, I chose the Citrus Ritual mocktail, which I loved - so well-made and refreshing. I also got a Single Cheeseburger with the added egg and an order of French Fries to share with my coworker. I was a bit confused because it turns out a single cheeseburger at Au Cheval is actually a double because it comes with two beef patties. Personally, I would've just preferred one. Otherwise, it was a very nice burger, but I can't say it changed my brain chemistry. The French Fries were also tasty. Service was incredibly professional, attentive, and quick. Worth the visit!

    Photos
    Au Cheval - Welcome

    Welcome

    Au Cheval - Single Cheeseburger

    Single Cheeseburger

    Au Cheval - Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

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    Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

    Great Central Brewing Company

    Great Central Brewing Company

    4.4(68 reviews)
    0.4 miNear West Side
    $$

    Checked out this local brewery. Great Central is one of a few around here. It has a pretty good…read morevariety. For certain it's not the most extensive but there's some interesting things to choose from. This is also a great place for gatherings and parties. Beers are the main thing of course. It's basically the only thing to be honest. There's not even any TVs for watching games or whatever. Focus more on the beers. It's about $7 a pint. Best we had of these was the Hefeweizen. This is a pretty standard German one. Also they make cans of sparkling water for those not wanting alcohol. The taproom is pretty big with long tables. Has no TVs meaning there's no big crowds for games. This is great for those not watching any types of sports. Find a few great beers here. It's located close to the Ashland Green Line station. They're closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

    We went to Goose Island and it was so crowded we left and found this place right around the corner…read moreand so glad we did! Such a great spot with big tables, high ceilings and lots of games! We found a place at the bar and were greeted right away! She explained what they brew etc and we were able to easily chat with the bartenders. They were attentive and friendly. The place is loud, but we would definitely recommend and would come back (in from out of town). Beers were delicious!

    Photos
    Great Central Brewing Company - House hefe & some of the offered games

    House hefe & some of the offered games

    Great Central Brewing Company - Stairwell to the washrooms

    Stairwell to the washrooms

    Great Central Brewing Company - Elevator to washrooms

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    Elevator to washrooms

    District Brew Yards - brewpubs - Updated September 2026

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