Fat Cat

Warm and lovely British pub with delicious pies and efficient service…read more My dining partner and I tried the mushroom and kale and the rocking vegan pies. The mushroom and kale pie was nice and cheesy and the rocking vegan pie was more savoury, with a variety of vegetables and chickpeas as stuffing. The crust was neither too soft nor too crunchy. The highlight of the meal was the curry chips: potato wedges lightly fried with masala and curry leaves. The dipping sauce that came with the chips reminded me of tikka masala sauce, and paired beautifully with the chips. Dessert was toffee pudding: the caramel sauce that came with the pudding was delectable - the pudding itself was excellent and not overly sweet. We tried a variety of NA beers, and I was pleased with how many options they had. Service was quick, and we were well looked after. The ambiance is warm, with dim-ish lighting and a lot of dark wood. The restrooms were gorgeous - special shoutout to the lovely floral wallpaper. Overall, I highly recommend Pleasant House - the vibe is chill and understated and the food is stellar.

Came here for an early dinner and went all in: bangers and mash, steak and ale pie, curry chips,…read moreand a scotch egg. A lot of these were my first time trying, and everything was good, though I'm realizing pub food might not be my favorite cuisine. That said, I can see why people love it, and the food was solid across the board. The vibes were the real highlight for me. Cozy, warm, and just a fun place to hang out. I was also pleasantly surprised by how affordable everything was. We were way too full for dessert, but I'd happily come back to try the sticky toffee pudding!

3.1 mi•Lincoln Park, DePaul

Timmccoyphoto

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Breakfast pie: spinach, egg, and cheese

The Red Lion Pub

4.3(290 reviews)

Husband and I stopped in on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Service was really friendly and attentive and…read moreatmosphere and vibes were exactly what we wanted. I ordered the fish and chips. The fish was crunchy and tasty, not at all soggy or oily. It was probably the best I've had in years. My husband ordered the Mac and cheese and it was great, too. We had a few drinks and finished with the toffee cake. Everything was just great and I'd definitely come back.

Beautiful room, absolutely mind blowing in the details creating a warm comfortable vibe. The three…read moremembers of the staff we interacted with were all...perfect. I drink heavily, drafts are $9 and up so I must the feeling that hit me minutes after sitting at the bar...I want to come here every night. I must stay strong.

6.9 mi•Printer's Row, South Loop

Half House salad with chicken

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The bar

Kasey's Tavern

4.1(293 reviews)

This bar offers a lot of different types of brews and has been around for a long time. I find…read moremyself frequently coming back because they're usually the first place open when I'm looking for an afternoon after work drink. You'll run into regular people here from the neighborhood and depending what's going on close by you'll run into people visiting from wherever for whatever here. Great bar, they serve frozen pizzas too. Service is always good, older feeling bar with plenty of TVs to catch some sports.

We're back, because we love the craft beer at Kasey's Tavern…read more At first glance Kasey's presents a bit like a dive, but it's end-to-end craft beer and great people! It was nearly full mid-afternoon on a Saturday (Feb 2026) and we were lucky to find an open table! Service was quick and friendly. We had two frosty-cold craft beers: a Half Acre Daisy Cutter and a Deschutes Patagonia. The Daisy Cutter was dark orange, dry and hoppy, a "new" pale ale that is now a classic. The Patagonia was lightly golden, lightly carbonated, sightly sweet and citrusy. Of course we had another round, because we love the beer, the people, and the place :-)

Bar area

The draft craft menu, cut from my photos over the bar (Feb 2026)

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Kasey's storefront on the east side of Dearborn, halfway between Harrison and Polk.

Miller's Pub

3.8(1.7k reviews)

6.5 mi•The Loop

Miller's Pub in downtown Chicago was such a great dining experience! The atmosphere was warm and…read morewelcoming, with that old-school Chicago charm. Our server was friendly and attentive, which made the evening even better. We split the four piece fried chicken with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and a fresh roll - everything was delicious! The chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and the sides were just as good. It was classic comfort food done right. Great food, friendly service, and a wonderful atmosphere. We really enjoyed our dinner and would definitely come back the next time we're in Chicago!

When a restaurant is 90 + years old, you know they are doing something right. Turns out they do…read moreeverything right. The decor looks historic with dark wood walls, beautiful molding, and of course antique sports memorabilia. It is in Chicago after all!! The menu items that were highlighted was the prime rib, while supplies last and the ribs. I tried to go with the prime rib but at 7:30 it was sold out. The bartenders suggested the French dip sandwich with shaved prime rib but went with the ribs instead. Smoked daily the ribs were tender and moist with a very sweet homemade BBQ sauce. I prefer my sauce on the spicy side but it was delicious, the shrimp were fried and crispy, served with fresh cocktail sauce. I opted for the fries and side salad but were good. The Greek vinaigrette dressing was delicious. The bartender was super engaging and knowledgeable. I hat his signature Ole Fashion and a glass of cab from their list. Both were great You need to eat here!!

I love the holiday decor

Extra crispy flavorful fish and chips!

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Virtue mitten fennville, mil, burbon barrel aged apple cider

Industry Ales

4.3(91 reviews)

6.6 mi•The Loop

Excellent beer only experience…read more Empty on a Sunday afternoon during a Bears game. I love off beat beers and they did not disappoint with a few true originals. The Bloom and Doom is a Biere de Garde, which I still can't describe but really enjoyed. Strong Gose, Sour and Hazy IPA.

Out of business. Why even have this on your app? Wish I could've tried it. Typing more to get 85…read morecharacters.

4.3 mi•Old Town, Near North Side

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Old Town Ale House

4.2(332 reviews)

•$

Moved in the area recently and got to check out Old Town Ale House, and so glad I stopped in! I was…read moreactually given a tip to check it out by some other local bartenders in the area... which is always a good sign. Cash only, great beers and a cool dark wooden vibe. They even have a CD player with the album flipper from back in the 90's/00's. I kept saying the only thing this place is missing is a self service popcorn machine :) Overall if you're looking for a cool classic old school bar, stop in for a beer and don't be surprised if this becomes your new weekly spot

I met someone here before an event. Cash only establishment, which is no big deal, especially with…read morean ATM on site. Bartender was surly and the folks (who I assume were regulars) were all surly too. It was like walking in to a grumpy-puss meeting. The energy was super negative. If not for the great company I had (and the fact that we were already there) I might have suggested that we move. It was fine. Beer was cold.

Back side of the bar . Great original Art!

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The Duke Of Perth

4.1(685 reviews)

2.6 mi•Lakeview

A great Scottish Pub in Chicago. Had the Fish & Chips (of course) with a side of Stovies. The fish…read more& chips comes with green peas and chips. We were there on Friday, so the fish and chips were all-you-can-eat. So crispy on the outside and flakey on the inside. So yummy. The chips were crispy and paired perfectly with the fish splashed with the malt vinegar. The green peas were good, but my favorite was the Stovies. If you've never had proper Stovies, this is your chance to try them. Potatoes and onions with bits of roast kind of like mashed potatoes or a very thick stew. So yummy. They also have an extensive drink menu.

Now we're talking. DoP is as close an authentic Scottish pub as anything I've been in, in this…read morecountry. The atmosphere alone is worth the trip. Whiskey fans, you'll love the huge selection along with the impressive beer selection. Yelp should really hype this as a whiskey bar, too. It more than qualifies. The cuisine is phenomenal. Definitely a place to bring a large party on your first visit, so you can sample a multitude of wonderful creations. Pro Tip: if you can tolerate a large quantity of fish, visit on a Wednesday for their AYCE Fish & Chips. I've had many hum drum AYCE dinners that are drab and only fill you up. Not this one. It's a great meal and a great deal. The Shepherd's Pie was fabulous, as was the Bangers and Mash. They've created a Haggis Burger that has to appease Americans, yet, still be haggis. A tall order since most would hate "true" haggis. Fear not, it's not your grandfather's haggis, it is a tasty burger. The fries were great but I'd recommend the Tattie Skins. We tasted so many different malts it was hard to pick a favourite. No foolin' they had island malts, highland malts, speyside and even a couple from the lowlands. Easy to spend over two hours in this public house. We did. Can't wait to get back to this town. This is a must! 02/26

5.3 mi•River North, Near North Side

Duke of Perth

AYCE Pollack Fish n' Chips

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Bar and dining area

The Green Door Tavern

3.9(554 reviews)

Was high in my must do list in Chicago Went to a disappoint…read moregame at Wrigley and left after a few bad fan moments . Glad I did !! Now I have completed my quest of seeing the oldest tavern and speakeasy in Chicago.

The Green Door Tavern is right up the block from Mr. Beef, so if you're going there for a sandwich,…read morethis is a good spot for a drink after. That's exactly what we did this past Saturday. The Green Door is the oldest bar in Chicago. It was built one year after the Chicago fire and was one of the last structures built with wood. This was a very cool place to spend a Saturday afternoon. College football on TV and excellent food and drinks. My wife and I split the calamari appetizer which was very good. My Old Fashioned's were well made. Bartender and server were both very friendly. One other cool thing is that there's a speakeasy downstairs. I went down and found the bookcase which is the door, but it didn't open until the evening. If you're in town looking for a nice place for a drink, this is a fun stop!

Bar inside

Patty melt with Brussels side and buffalo wings

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The Gage

4.2(3.7k reviews)

6.4 mi•The Loop

Wedge salad was really good but the steak au poi-whatever was really, really mid. It was so dry and…read moreall that for $72 was not worth, do not recommend that one. But the appetizers (not pictured) sweet corn cake dip was so good and truffle fries were also very good. It was a good one-time experience

The staff is super attentive. We go here every time we're in town. Food is great and I like the…read moredecor and dim lighting.

7.0 mi•University Village

The Gage Bar

Coconut Curry with shrimp

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The Gage Bar Area

Taylor Street Tap

4.8(31 reviews)

Nice little dive bar. First time here. Chill vibes. Good service. They open late at 5:00pm…read more Would recommend, would return.

Brian is the best! Great vibes. Great atmosphere. Live music! Best bar in the area ! Service was…read morephenomenal !

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Beautiful Bar

Drinks

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64 reviews that are not currently recommended

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JL J.

13 years ago

We don't venture out to the Uptown area of Chicago often but this trip to Fat Cat was definitely worth the trip. The atmosphere is very chill and the music is great (A few we can remember: Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam, Radio Head, Beyonce). They also have some vegetarian friendly options like, grilled cheese and a homemade black bean burger is just the beginning. Upon request, the chef can make almost any of their popular menu items vegetarian or gluten free, just ask! It appears to be small inside at first glance, but then you see a pool table, shuffleboard table and photo booth sectioned off area that makes this place good for groups or an intimate setting. The selections of beers are simply, fabulous. Noteworthy, they have PBR on tab! The setting is very nice, welcoming and diverse. The food is good but not exactly healthy...they could use some more healthy selections. Nevertheless, what is unsurpassed are the server staff and the bartenders......where did they dig up such wonderful warm people? We hope Fat Cat knows what treasures they have!!! We ordered the black bean dip (South of the border meets Midwest potluck. Toasted pasilla & ancho chiles, seasoned black beans, ancho chipotle whipped cheese, melted cheddar, pico de gallo served warm with El Milagro tortilla chips) and Reuban balls (Featured on "Chicago's Best". Corned beef, Swiss bechamel, kraut rolled in marble rye bread crumbs, served with their signature 999-island dressing) , which came on an appetizer plate with 4 balls. Both had unique flavors and were tasty. We will definitely be coming back to check out some of their specials, which are as follows: Daily Specials Mondays: $5 Burgers Tuesdays: 35 cent Wing Night Wednesdays: Massive Mussel Night - $10 for 1lb of their featured Mussels served in a cast iron pot! A different beer special each week. Thursdays: $5 Martinis & Coupes Fridays: 4pm-7pm - Happy Hour- Buy 1 Flatbread get half off the 2nd Saturdays: Brunch from 11am-4pm - $10 Build your own Mimosa Buckets- A bottle of sparkling with your choice of juices Sundays: - Brunch from 11am-4pm - Order any of their brunch entrees before the first NFL game kick off for just $5! - $10 Build your own Mimosa Buckets- A bottle of sparkling with your choice of juices We love this place! Overall, Fat Cat is a great place for much better than average bar food, and a really good cocktail or brew. We'll be back for sure. If you every get so lucky, you may just get a guest appearance by Tibby Reas behind the bar. We can't make any promises but you never know! Cheers, Jordan & Marks read more

Michael K.

19 years ago

Went there last night ostensibly for finding a fish fry somewhere, but arrived about a half hour too late. Ordered the black bean taco dip plate from the "late night" menu. Other than the fact that they used cheap store-bought yellow corn chips instead of a higher quality chip, it was good, actually, no problems with that particular menu item. A healthy layer of cheese topped with sliced tomatoes piled upon a thin layer of sour cream (I think, or some combo of sour cream and refried beans) and then black beans at the bottom. I had a Koenig Pilsener and a DeKoninck. I would have had two DeKonincks except that the bartender didn't quite hear me correctly (or I didn't enunciate carefully enough) amid the din of the Friday night music selection proffered by some hipster-looking trust fund baby with a laptop and a sound card and a whole lot of CD's laying around. But that wasn't a big deal, insofar as the DeKoninck, and the Koenig Pilsener are right next to each other on the tap, and I hadn't had Koenig Pilsener before. So that was fine. The moodkiller was the clinetele at the place. As Carly F said so eloquently in her review (quoting for trvth): "this bar made me feel like a scrub. It's basically an overpriced pseudo-indie yuppie bar" It's where Lumbergh goes on Friday nights to hook up with the chick from Tschotchke's, or some other dumb cute random office skank, or alternately, where Uptown Trixie the dumb cute office skank with freshly-carved nosejob and cheekbones (Thanks, Daddeeeee!!!) goes to find the Lumbergh (with his newly-purchased black plastic frames because they're so much more hip looking than contacts) of her dreams. And where Lumbergh stares down at my plate of chips and dip about once every 5.8 seconds just kind of assuming that I'm going to be his "Wing Man". Screw **you**, buddy. The two old gay fat balding dudes seated at the bar about six seats down who were leering at me and licking their lips at the (rather Over My Dead F-ing Body) prospect of some young manmeat gracing their One Bedroom Uptown Dungeon of Bareback Luuuuv for about the first half hour I was there (thankfully they left) wasn't helping my mood either. So: Food and drink: 3 stars. People/atmosphere: Minus 1 star. read more

Erin D.

119

6 years ago

This review has nothing to do with the food and drinks at Fat Cat, their food is great and so are the cocktails! The two stars come from the rude and dismissive service we received last night. My husband and I were excited to finally eat out for the first time since the quarantine and were caught off guard by our experience there. The new policy is to look up the menu on your phone to avoid touching unnecessary shared surfaces and I totally understand that. Unfortunately we didn't know this and neither of us had our phones on us to look up the menu. From that point on our servers mood towards us turned to annoyed and abrupt for our entire dining experience. She reluctantly got us a paper menu after staring at us as if we were lying about not having our phones. We both came close to just going somewhere else because she made us feel like complete idiots. She came back and just put the menu on the table and walked away as if we had done something wrong. We apologized again for not having our phones which she didn't respond with a "it's not your fault" or "no worries" she just rolled her eyes and walked away. We were considering getting another cocktail after dinner and told her we were unsure if we needed anything else and instead of asking if we needed anything else just printed our check and dropped it on the table without saying anything. I'm annoyed that we chose to spend the one time in 3 months of not being able to go out to eat at Fat Cat. We used to frequent there before COVID, but will definitely be finding somewhere else to frequent now. Long story short, bring your phone or have a terrible experience! read more

Caitlyn O.

18 years ago

Let me first say that I love this location. It is beautifully done and the interior is hip, fun, modern, and provides a great spot for hanging out in Uptown if they would work out just some kinks. The service can be very spotty. Too much service one night - I think our waitress came by our table at least 25 times. It was just two of us having a round or two of drinks. Too little service, waiting at a table for ten or fifteen minutes and then grabbing the bartender for a round of drinks. The food menu is blah. Bar food that means to be contemporary with an upscaled twist, but underdelivers. I had the mac and cheese nibbles which tasted like banquet food from a Tennis team reception that I went to in high school. My companion had the Cobb salad. Nothing to rave about. And what bar / lounge with a full kitchen closes their kitchen down by 11:00 on weekends?! Bad idea! The space could be beautiful with its outdoor seating, but unfortunately it sits on that area of Broadway that is still home to beggars and peddlars on the street. My girlfriend and I had to move off the patio one night from a beggar that was going around to every table sitting outside as the bouncer stood watching. The cocktail list is small and should be expanded, offering new things that would make this place stand out. Yes, I realize that you have a full stocked bar, but sometimes I need a drink list in front of my face in order to know what I'd like to have. I hope this place makes some necessary changes and will become a staple in Uptown for many years to come. read more

Kevin J.

18 years ago

How we managed to even find this place was bizarre in itself. We were in town for a long weekend and decided to find some live music. We were pointing to a place called B.L.U.E.S and then to King Mines, both of those places were very boring. A cab driver then told us we should go to The Green Mill so we headed there. It was really cool and authentic but so crowded we left. Having no idea where we even were and not a skyscraper in site, we walked to the nearest bar which happened to be Fat Cat. Really nice, new longe style place and there were a few seats at the bar so we gave it a shot. We are from North Carolina and were delighted to be greeted by another southern guy. Cant rememebr his name because he got us too drunk on a great variety of beers. They must have had 30 on tap and a bunch more in bottles. Very glad we went as it insured a fanatastic next few days for us. We were drawn a map and even given a list of to dos which we had no idea about. Wish we could have had more time in the city. After looking back on it we cant believe we spent most of one of our 3 nights in what we later learned was "Uptown" but it was well worth it. Learned a secret method to getting great seats for the Cubs game we were going to. We heard tickets were impossible, but we managed to sit a few rows off the field for face value. It was like a dream come true for my brother-in-law, who actually lives near the city. We will keep that secret to ourselves for next time we come to Chicago and we will have to go back to Fat Cat for sure. read more

Michael C.

19 years ago

After reading some of the reviews about my new neighborhood bar, Fat Cat, I am in both agreement with a few of the opinions and in awe with the others. I do agree that the place is having somewhat of an identity crisis with the sometimes loud music and plasmas( i do love the chicago sports and the nfl package) and agree with the fact that the food is a little inconsistent. This bar has taken magnificent strides from when it opened 3 or 4 months ago. The staff is basically completely overhauled. I know of only two personally who have been there the whole time. The place is brand new!!! Don't most places go through such pains? Especially a nice, new bar that has asserted itself in what was a pretty crummy area of town. Before Fat Cat, I found myself going to Andersonville or even Wrigleyville (which I hate) just to get a drink. I now frequent the bar 2 or 3 times a week. While I dont recommend a drive up from the southside to come to here, I do recommend anyone in the area to come check this place out (its a block north of the Green Mill). Go and sit at the bar, you will be treated with the upmost respect and i guarantee that you will feel the same way as myself when you leave. The bar itself is gorgeous and the beer/liquor selection is great. Hopefully it will bring more places of its kind to the neighborhood. Maybe the neighborhood just isnt ready for Fat Cat!!! Regardless, cheers to all of those involved with its coming. read more

Paul M.

17 years ago

I really like this place and was excited to have a new place in my neighborhood but I had a bad experience a few months ago. I was with my son who is about one and two friends. It was early on a Tuesday and we wanted a quick bite to eat. There were only 3 people at the bar and two tables occupied(its a big place). When I asked if they had a high chair for my son the waitress gave us a really dirty look and said they don't have one and when I said "really??" she said its because they don't want kids. When I asked why she said they were loud, will annoy the other customers and kids shouldn't be in a bar. We sat down and pulled his stroller up to the table. She again made it very clear we were not welcome and again told us why. I told her it was early,(6pm) we were hungry, the place was empty and it is illegal not to serve us for that reason. We had a nice meal and our bill came to over $80, we tipped 20% and left. However we have not been back will go to Charlies Ale House in Andersonville, Cullen's on Southport or Wilde Bar on Broadway. Just about every bar that serves food in Chicago accomodates kids. We eat out with friends a few times a week, especially Sat and Sun brunch and it is sad this so called neighborhood bar lost all of our business. I am amazed they wouldn't want someone spending $80 in their restaurant, not to mention a waitress making $16 from one table on a slow night. read more

Alex M.

14 years ago

After my posting of 1/9/2013 regarding a bad experience that I had with Fat Cat bartender Annie, Joe T. has been taunting and harassing me on the internet. He's called me names including dick and moron. He's also commented on my not having a photo posted on Yelp. I believe he was insinuating that he (assuming these post were made by a male) would confront me if our paths crossed. He also suggested that I was literally sleeping at the bar whereas I was actually microsleeping because I had worked overnight. I was trying to watch the BCS Championship game. If Annie was concerned about me falling asleep at the bar, why did she keep serving me until I left of my own volition. By the way Joe T., I will post my photo on Yelp and I live within walking distance of Fat Cat so I 'm often on Broadway. If you ever see me, I suggest that you stay clear as I will defend myself. Although I'm reasonably certain that you're a coward who will continue to talk shit with anonymity. read more

Julio S.

187

15 years ago

After seeing this Place on a One of the Chicago shows we Stopped in to check it out.. man did this place not live up to the TV hype at ALL!. First off, The food they raved about on tv (the rubin Balls) were BLAH. nothing great.. then we had a chicken app.. it was some of the most plain blan chicaken.. would have tasted better if it was made in the microwave. we thought about getting a dinner but with the forst 2 apps being Blah we decided to eat else where. The beer selection was pretty good though.. OH! and the DJ.. OMG the dj was HORRIBLE! i swear i kept hearing a mix of crap and 80's commercials. serioulsy.. as in music from 80 or 90's commercials. Also, our waiter was great though. did i mention the dj was Horrible? sorry fat cat.. No me gusta.. You would Think with ALL the Bad service reviews they would do something about it... They Also dont have a contact email on there web page read more

Tiffani W.

15 years ago

Stopped in on a whim. Really wished I hadn't. I ordered a cocktail and some fried mac n cheese as a starter. (Which was delish!) I had full intentions of continuing on with one of their amazing looking burgers, however the server changed my mind about that. I have never experience a more rude, careless, and inattentive service in my life. She was horrible! After about 45 minutes of trying to get her attention I gave up. Even though I could only spot four other tables occupied in the entire place, my martini glass had been empty for 15 minutes, and she hadn't cleared my long empty plate at all. I finally had to ask the bartender to find my check. Thankfully I had cash when my tab eventually arrived so I didn't have to wait any longer for her to run my card. I walk down the street and had a fabulous burger at Crew... should have just went there to begin with. read more

WILLIE K.

18 years ago

"I can't remember what I had," my girlfriend replied only twenty minutes after eating at Fat Cat. That pretty much sums it up. Remarkably unremarkable. We wanted to try Magnolia but since it was closed, ended up at Fat Cat. Generic interior with way too many t.v.s, this almost seemed like the poormans Rich Melman designed the entire concept. I complained how it's too bad that people who have the money to create something cool rarely do. This was another example of what our ignorant culture thinks a bar/restaurant should be. Generic from start to finish. Our server informed us that the owners also owned Five Star on Chicago Ave. and things suddenly made sense. Five Star is a corporate tool's version of Club Foot meets the old Crash Place in today's era when Chicago Ave is no longer dangerous. Oh well, live, learn, and pay some weasel's rent. read more

shaun d.

18 years ago

Great Place. I always check out Fat Cat before a show at the Riv or Aaragon. You can step outside the front door and hit either venue with a rock and a good arm. The beer selection is top notch. You will find all differnet varities from Russian Imperial Stout (Rasputin) all the way down to Belgian style White Ale (Holy Moses from Great Lakes). However, dont be afraid to try something different. Our bartender (forgot his name, also from Kentucky oddly enough) was very helpful in assisting with unfamiliar Belgian beers and food pairings. I had the pork belly cuban (awesome in so many ways) and was directed by said bartender to try the De Koninck Belgian Amber. If you make it out of your show still ready to rage, Fat Cat is open late night and located a short crawl from the train back downtown. Cant wait to get back to Chicago and Fat Cat....... read more

Deb W.

19 years ago

We only go there for drinks when we dont make the trip south but we have had mostly GREAT experiences there. I think they only have one bartender (at least thats all that we have seen) and he is fun and makes you feel very welcome. Our only negative time came when we sat at a booth and tried to get a cocktail server's attention for 10 minutes with no success. We haven only sat at the bar since. Beer selection is an odd choice of beers on tap (probably 15 or so) but there is no Sam Adams, Guinness, Bass or Harp. The bartender has walked us through alot of beers and we have some new favorites. Try the Chocolate Covered Raspberry, it is delicious. There are also a few very unique drinks on the cocktail list. We have had samples of most and all were very tasty. read more

Donovan A.

3 years ago

I recently visited this restaurant for the first time with a friend, and unfortunately, our initial experience was not ideal due to an incorrect food order that didn't align with my dietary lifestyle. However, I'm pleased to say that the restaurant manager extended a gracious invitation for us to return, and our subsequent visit was significantly better. Let me start by saying that the food at this restaurant is absolutely phenomenal. I cannot emphasize enough how much I enjoyed their Mac bites; they are hands down the best I've ever had. Additionally, their brownie was a delightful treat. Despite the disappointment of my first visit, I am genuinely impressed and would certainly consider returning to this place. It has quickly become one of my new favorites! read more

Veronika B.

9 years ago

The house made vinegar was good. You come in and pick your own spot to sit. Waitress came promptly with menus. Ordered a Straight Up Burger with a pretzel bun, no onion, no bacon, + cheddar. Came with an order of fries. Fries were very small, soggy and really salty. Ended up eating them with a fork. Burger was mediocre, the bottom bun was soggy. The waitress didn't ask us about drink the entire time and it took the manager who brought us our food to actually get something besides water. The music was very loud and not at all 1940's which is what they are trying to go for I guess. Otherwise the interior is well done. Final thoughts, if you want a great burger skip this place, if you want a mediocre meal or if you're coming for drink I'd say go ahead. read more

Rachele D.

16 years ago

A friend of mine introduced me to Fat Cat and I am glad he did. For over a year I listened to him rave about the TACO DIP, a hard to find bar menu item. When I finally tried it, it was worth the wait. Let me tell you, this is too good of an item to share, we each have to order our own. I can not comment on the waitstaff as we always go in the afternoon and sit at the bar. I enjoy their extensive beer list. The bartender was very helpful with selecting my beer. He knew alot about the different kinds and offered me a taste to make sure I liked it. The crowd always seems very eclectic. There is a mix of people just off of work or hanging out waiting for a concert to begin. All in all I would go anytime I am out that way. read more

JT H.

17 years ago

lets just say that the staff is EXTREMELY unattentive to the point where they stand by the bar and laugh and giggle while i sat with 5 of my friends all with empty glasses of both cocktails AND WATER. thats just silly...we had to wave at the girl to come back who just laughed and said "wow you must be thirsty" i said "no its just been 20 mins" the food is greasy and very poor quality. i remember when this first place opened up and how cool everyone was and the management actually cared about the place. now they have apparently changed that all over or they are just resting on a couple good reviews. unless im TRASHED after a concert...i WONT be back read more

Jamie J.

18 years ago

Awesome bar. Awesome staff. The waitresses were super cute and friendly., Even though we sat at the bar, 2 different servers stopped by and actually said hello.. Our bartender, Jeremy, was great. I drink dirty matinis and I will have to say that his ranks among the best and there bleu cheese olives are some of the best I have had. The manager, Shaun, came and chatted with us for a while, bought us a round of shots and even another round of drinks before we left. Its great having an actual neighborhood bar in our neighborhood that we trust. We will be patrons for life. read more

Jacob A.

11 years ago

Feel like this restaurant deserves more than 3.5 stars. Really good food, especially the appetizers. The fried macaroni & cheese is incredible, it's a must if you come here. The poutine and reuben balls are also wonderful. The main dishes are really good, nice and simple. Burgers, chicken sandwiches, pulled pork, things like that. All incredibly well made. Good beer list and they have some pretty good cocktails. Easy to get to, as well. Take the Red Line to Lawrence and hop off, you're there. Or, ride your bike, they have free bicycle parking. read more

Suzi W.

15 years ago

A total waste of an evening, My 30 year old friend's mother was asked for ID and when she failed to show it they refused to allow her to have a drink. The bouncer was on his first night and I assume was exerting the little power he had. Unfortunately the power happy manager also thought it was appropriate to make an older woman feel unwelcome by supporting his incompetent staff members in their decision. Another example of idiotic, power-happy bar staff in Chicago. read more

Fat Cat - cocktailbars - Updated October 2026

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The Harding Tavern

3.7

(341 reviews)

During the USA vs. Australia match, a buddy of mine and I decided to grab some food. Funny enough,…read morewe actually met while traveling through Europe, only to find out we both live in Chicago. He lives in Logan Square and had been to The Harding Tavern a few times, so when he recommended it, I didn't hesitate. We've eaten our way through a good chunk of Europe together, so I knew his recommendation wasn't going to miss. I kept my order simple, or so I thought. I went with the buffalo chicken wrap. At first glance, you'd probably think, "Safe choice. It'll be good, but nothing special." I can confidently say that's the wrong way to look at this wrap. I'll be the first to admit that I don't usually order wraps. One of the biggest reasons is that so many places struggle to make every bite consistent. Too often you get one bite that's all lettuce, another that's mostly tortilla, and another that's just chicken. A great wrap should give you a little bit of everything in every bite, and that's exactly what they do here. The buffalo wrap isn't overloaded with ingredients, but it doesn't need to be. The chicken is cooked perfectly with a light coating that's still crispy while staying incredibly tender and juicy. The buffalo sauce ties everything together without overpowering the wrap, and every ingredient complements the next. It's a simple wrap that's executed exceptionally well, and honestly, one of the best buffalo chicken wraps I've ever had. It might even be the best. The day couldn't have worked out much better. The USA beat Australia 2-0, I got to catch up with a good friend, and I found another spot that's earned a return visit. I'd come back for the wrap alone, but the whole experience made it even better. I'll definitely be back, and I already know I'll be bringing friends and family with me. Until next time!

We sat down on a Sunday, understanding that it is during a football so the wait would be a little…read morelong. We ordered our food, and shortly after put in a drink order. We were not made aware of the fact that our drinks were out of stock until 5 min after our food arrived. When it did the burger was very dry. We asked for the bill and then waited about 20 min before it was dropped off. Sadly our server did not seem to care at all :(

Lady Gregory's

3.7

(1.1k reviews)

I think Lady Gregory's should win some kind of prize for providing a decent lunch menu within the…read morebrunch menu. Don't make me eat eggs if it's 1pm and I've been up for seven hours. Great cocktails and a fabulously stocked bar. Prices are moderate (high, if you're still hanging on to 2023 prices). Our group ranged from young children to seniors. We all enjoyed our meals. Fish and chips were a bit underseasoned but well fried. The various burgers were appreciated by both children and adults. Solid salad options and an impressive stack of blueberry pancakes. If you have a bunch of people with different tastes, Lady Gregory's is a surprisingly strong option. Service was outstanding. Our primary server was in complete concert with other staff. It was relatively busy on a Sunday afternoon, and she was still one step ahead of our big, disorganized and mildly chaotic group.

Stopped in for a bite and beer - both were great. Also enjoyed a Magners cider, which I rarely find…read morein the US. They also pour a proper Guinness. I went all in on the Irish pub experience and got the fish & chips. Fish was great and the chips were good but seemed like the could have been fresher. Good crowd and wait staff. Decor was on point too. I'd definitely go back.

Commonwealth

3.6

(251 reviews)

Go to neighborhood restaurant/ bar. Everyone is always friendly and the food is good! Matt needs…read moremore 5star reviews in here.

I'm extremely disappointed with the service we received at Commonwealth yesterday in the patio…read morearea. The gentleman working there, a white male with dark hair, had a terrible attitude toward us. He never even bothered to ask if we wanted to order anything, and he barely came back to check on us. We were essentially left sitting there without the attention or basic courtesy any paying customer should expect. What makes this especially frustrating is that we are regular customers who have frequented Commonwealth many times. We choose to spend our money here because we enjoy the establishment, but yesterday's experience was completely unacceptable. Nobody expects special treatment, but we do expect basic customer service, common courtesy, and an employee who actually seems interested in doing his job. Management needs to take a serious look at what happened. When an employee's attitude and lack of service drive away loyal customers, that reflects poorly on the entire establishment, not just the individual employee. First impressions matter, but so does the way you treat customers who have supported your business time and time again. It's a shame that one employee's behavior can ruin the experience and make longtime customers decide they've had enough. Unfortunately, after yesterday, we will be taking our business elsewhere. There are plenty of other establishments that would appreciate our business and treat us with the respect we deserve. I hope management takes this review seriously because this is not how you retain loyal customers!!!!

The Bad Apple

(1.8k reviews)

the food was 10/10 bussin for taco Tuesday. wife said the brisket tacos were fresh and then they…read moretold us they have an on sight smoker. the owner was there waiting tables making drinks and we thought he was back there making the food too lol. He was super cool. The atmosphere is dope too like real wavy, and the stain glass decor is really cool too.

The Bad Apple has truly turned bad. This used to be my go-to burger spot and overnight their food…read morequality seemed to go down. The unfortunate thing is that when you have expensive food, like The Bad Apple does, the expectation of consistently good food is higher and they haven't been able to deliver. The last few times I've had a burger from here I've been left underwhelmed. My go-to burger is the Da Bears Burger which runs $18 when you order from GrubHub. The last two times I've had the burger (once at the restaurant and once at home) the smoked brisket has been dry. On my last occasion the bottom half of the bun was burnt. It was barely edible without drowning it in sauce. I've reached the point that the price outweighs the food quality. We have too many delicious burger spots that are priced similarly or less to keep feeling like I'm wasting money,

Ludlow Liquors

(89 reviews)

Best burger in Chicago. I love the warm lights and cozy, cozy vibe. It is a place I love to come to…read morealone & love to share with people. Small and divey with deep boths and tables to sit at. The music is always something that makes you bop your head. Literally love u guys

I was here on a Sunday near open for a very important thing, and dragged along my wife and two…read morefriends along for the ride - their much lauded cheesesteak. It's been a while since I've been to Philly, but I was on a project there for a few months and made it a goal to try a different Philly cheesesteak spot each week (my reigning champ was Dalessandro's, but many places have opened up since then). In Chicago, Monti's was my go to for steaks (and wings!), but I had to check out Ludlow's. They opened at 3 and we arrived at 4 and it was already packed. The bartender had to make sure they still had cheesesteaks when we got there, and luckily they did. So make sure if you want one, come early for it! This is one high quality steak. It doesn't use Amoroso rolls, but does get their bread from local Bear-famous bakery Loaf Lounge. They use a combo of the tasty artificial yet authentic Cheese Whiz along with Cooper sharp which all the hip cheesesteak places in Philly are using. It is a glorious melty mass of tender steak and gooey cheese, all packed into a perfect soft roll. I got immense heartburn and I'd do it all again for this bad boy. This is my favorite cheesesteak in the city, and a must try if you can get here on a Sunday or Monday.

Uptown Taproom

3.8

(50 reviews)

From the get-go, you can tell this is a favorite spot for local residents, and for good reason!…read moreWith positive vibes, tasty food, and a great patio, it's the kind of default spot every neighborhood needs. Love that for this area and am definitely lowkey jealous! The servers were very friendly and the spot overall was pretty casual. If you sit in the beer garden, it's counter-order. A few folks brought their dogs while enjoying soaking up some rays outdoors. There were a lot of local brews on the menu at various sizes. I opted for the Boat Shoes Kolsch, which was light bodied and hit the spot on a warm day. We split the appetizer trio which came with cheese curds, onion rings, and fried mushrooms. All were absolutely delicious- when I tell you they're fresh, I mean that they were so hot and crispy that I'm pretty sure the neighboring table could hear the crunch. Definitely addicting, definitely dangerous, and definitely would order again. I would absolutely return next time I'm in the area and highly encourage folks to stop by!

1/2 the empty tables had dirty dishes. 6 person line to order at the bar, bar service is the only…read moreoption. My beer wasn't poured properly and the staff was clearly stressed and snapping at each other. Such a bummer this is not a reliable good hangout spot.

Tuman's Tap and Grill

3.7

(320 reviews)

Can't believe I hadn't tried this place sooner. It's a typical Chicago corner bar. Cool old school…read moreinterior. The actual bar is beautiful. The tables are old fashioned & a little sticky. Many a beer have been spilled through the years. Great selection of beers. I ordered the Amish chicken tenders. With blue cheese sauce. They were pounded thin & crispy. I wish the breading had a little more flavor. The sauce was the consistency of water & lacked flavor. I'd try a different one next time. The French fries were delicious. Crispy, yet soft. Perfect! My husband loved his cheeseburger. The menu was big. Many salads that sounded amazing. Can't wait to try one.

This place is your typical casual bar feel with various screens and a variety of table options…read moreavailable. The service is pretty great though the space is a bit small and limited (our big group required multiple tables being combined). Food selection is pretty typical, I ordered the fish and chips which this place apparently has a good reputation for. Overall the pricing felt steep for the amount of food that you got (wasn't entirely full from the meal) but still of decent quality that you'd expect from your local bar. I think overall this is a nice place to be at if you want a drink with food options basically being in line with other establishments in the area.

My Buddy's

(78 reviews)

Great spot. If you live in the area, do yourself a favor…read moreand check this place out! Went tonight to watch a friend perform in a play (Clash on Clark is the quaint venue upstairs) This place is exactly the type of space that you want in Chicago. Local Arts... food, drinks, welcoming staff on all levels. Chicago, you know what we've been missing in the past few years and this place is picking it up.

Came here 1/4/26 for the Packers and Vikings game. This is a Packers based bar but nonetheless all…read moreare welcome! The owner Brian has the best energy and the service is impeccable. Had a quesadilla with chicken, it was great. The patrons are friendly and the atmosphere is overall good. 10/10 recommend if you're in the area. They also do fun giveaways!

Platform 47

4.8

(40 reviews)

This place is right off the Damen brown line stop. Down the block from Lawrence Ave. It used to be…read morea different restaurant a couple of years ago and it shut down, but a couple bought it and revamped the spot. It was three of us meeting for dinner and some drinks. My friend had white wine, hubby had an Espressotini, and I the watermelon-cucumber marg. We ordered the cauliflower ceviche, the Cauliflower wings, and the Brussels sprouts as appetizer. Then as an entree, my friend had the Jalisco Burger, hubby had the Salmon, and I a Salmon Caesar Salad. I personally loved the salad and the appetizers were great. Everyone else ate ALL their food, so I assume they also enjoyed it. The location was actually having an 80s night and there was a Dj and space for dancing. There were some people there dress for the themed night and it was just a great vibe. Talking with our friend and eating made us lose track of time and then it was time to leave but before we did, we met one of the owners who actually recommended I come by and visit. (Shoutout to Marcos ) He is the most warm and sunny person, and he was so grateful we actually came by. We had a shot and honestly I'd come back because of him. He told us a little bit about him, his family and about the restaurant backstory. I truly recommend you coming here, you will have a great time. Oh, and almost forgot, they have outside sitting, so you know it will be a great time when you just want to have an outside patio vibe with friends and some drinks. P.s. As you can tell, there are only two pictures. I was so, involved in the moment with my friend's stories and then the appetizers came and nothing else mattered. We all lost track of time and just enjoyed the vibe, the beautiful night, and time with friends, drinks, and food. Oh and 80s music.

I stopped by Monday since they were donating 15% of tabs to The Friendship Center food pantry. I'd…read morebeen meaning to come by since they so generously donated mac and cheese to them for the Thanksgiving meals for the hungry in our community. It's a nice place. Kind of a sports bar but seems a little nicer than your average storeys bar. Service was friendly and helpful. I got the vegetarian ceviche, and it was delicious! It was served with aioli and a healing serving of chips. I've never eaten seafood and been vegetarian for over 30 years, but my boyfriend had a taste and also thought it was good and said they got the right flavor profile. He got the burger and tots and said both were very good. I'll definitely be back!

The Hurley Tap