My goal is to try 50 new Chicago restaurants in 2025!…read moreRestaurant: 59/50 Month tried: October Favorite dish: Fried Pickles We've heard so much about the legendary Carol's Pub and were happy to finally swing by for drinks and music. I can't really rate it as a full restaurant yet because we only had fried pickles, but the menu is small and simple and smelled delicious. The serving of pickles was HUGE! Fit for like six people, not just the two of us. And they were yummy. The artist playing when we went was great. I've heard the music lineup is always reliably good, as are the events. It's high on my 2026 goal list to come back for karaoke, bingo, and drag brunch.

Staple in the Andersonville area for the good old classic bar experience in Chicago. Great draft…read moreselection, good food options - though I will say their idea of tater tots is maybe a little unique (but still good!). Go if you want to catch the local game, go if you want somewhere low key and straightforward, go if you just want to experience local Chicago.

We went in for St Paddy's and had a really fun time, everyone was cool and the drinks were frosty…read more I will def be going back. Oh, also totally reasonably priced. Rad times.

Best local bar in Chicago! The people that work there are awesome and very friendly. It's nice to…read morebe able to go out and have a good time without having to spend a million dollars. If there is any sporting event you want to watch, it will be on the tv with a friendly atmosphere. They also have the best STARtenders.

It's easy to criticize a place for what it isn't - like faulting Whole Foods for being expensive or…read moreWalmart for not carrying Armani suits. That's just the nature of the establishment, and it's not a genuine negative. This makes writing a review for Sovereign Liquors extra challenging. It is, without a doubt, the most authentic and quintessential example of a dive bar one could ever imagine. In fact, I suspect if you opened a dictionary to the definition of "dive bar," you'd find a photograph of Sovereign right there. The space boasts hilariously mismatched chairs, one of which proudly displays more duct tape than actual seating. The drinks are ridiculously cheap. Don't expect a menu; there's a small beer list, some wines, though without a visible list, and basic spirits for simple cocktail. For example, the bartender said she could make a Manhattan, but not an Old Fashioned. Food? No. Credit card? Forget about it - there's ATM on site. They sometimes host community events! On the night I visited, a local indie band was playing. However, finding out what is going on in advance ranges from difficult to impossible, as they have no website, no Facebook page, nothing. The key to enjoying Sovereign Liquors is to manage your expectations. Go in knowing Sovereign is, as many others have noted, an "old man bar." It's a spot to simply sit, relax, maybe listen to some music, and enjoy a cheap beer. If you're seeking something even slightly more, then you might want to explore other options. However, if you're looking for a genuine, unpretentious, affordable dive, Sovereign Liquors just might be your new favorite spot.

This place has been calling my name for two years but life got in the way. Today that drought ended…read morewhen I entered its cloistered weathered door and went back in a tavern time machine. This place is a stripped down tavern with layers of images and signs. Beer list? All bottles with domestic and a few overseas beers. Food? No. Credit cards? No. Cash and they have an ATM to prove it. They play classic rock and the two ceiling fans keep the air flowing. Bathrooms? Did not try them but can visualize them in my imagination. A must go to if you want a local dive to forget your troubles.

Max's Place is a great local neighborhood bar with great drink specials that change each month…read more The bartenders all make you feel welcomed. A very eclectic crowd, which is refreshing. Nice outdoor space. Max's Place doesn't serve food, however, they do sell chips and Chips Ahoy! for $1! You have to definitely check out Max's Place the next time you are in the Uptown neighborhood area.

Had to leave a review because the experience here used to be next level thanks to Jason. He made…read morethe absolute best Manhattans I've ever had -- perfectly balanced, smooth, and consistent every single time. What really stood out was Jason's hospitality and service. The energy, the attention to detail, and the way he made everyone feel genuinely welcome and taken care of set a very high standard. It's impressive how much of a difference one bartender's professionalism and vibe can make in a place. Wishing Jason the best wherever he is. Some bartenders just raise the bar in ways you don't fully appreciate until they're not behind it anymore.

There is the cutest dog here named TUGG!…read more The former Jarheads, now a really nice neighborhood bar with cool music and a fantastic bartender. Great bar!!!!

Jimmy is a rock star, literally. Great vibe and artwork. Opens at 5 which is perfect for me after…read morework

Hit up this bar soon after we went to another. It's in an area on Ashland where there's lots of…read moredive bars with cheap drinks and interesting characters. Ten Cat Tavern is pretty divey while being pretty nice at the same time. Kind of has a quiet coolness to it. Lots of cheap drinks and some more expensive stuff as well. As for the drinks it's mostly basic. It's about $6 for a cocktail. The cheapest ones include some pretty cheap whiskey. Also they have cheap cans of PBR. Seems like most people here are drinking beer, and these mostly are in bottles and cans like how a dive bar should. Also has a couple pool tables that somehow fit. The bar is pretty small but the coziness makes it charming though. Pretty clean. The place is dim so it's hard to know for sure. Got to mention for those who couldn't tell by the name that it's also pet friendly. It's usually dogs in here ironically. There's also a jukebox with a good collection of songs, and a few TVs for watching games or things.

When did this place turn into Coyote Ugly? It used to be…read morecool with serious but mindful pool players and good music. It was a great spot that reflected the neighborhood vibes. I shouldn't be unkind: one of the bar tenders was attentive. The other just stared straight in my friend's face and said "huh?" when she ordered her drink, then vaped in front of us, and took a photo shoot. I've never seen an entire clientele try to be located so far from the bar in my life. Can't possibly be helping the bottom line when no one wants to congregate in the very place you're supposed to be making money.

Nice little dive in Rogers Park. Historic building and I'm glad the owner held out and didn't let…read moreanyone buy him out. Decent beer selection, couple of TV's. Clean place. Liquor store is adjacent.

Used to buy 6 packs of Old Milwaukee for $.99 there circa 1975. So did all the other Loyola…read morestudents. Bruno really didn't want the student crowd. George Ireland would drink there.

Loafers is amazing. We love this small neighborhood bar. No frill, all chill. We've always had…read moreexceptional service, especially from Pam. Pam is one of those ladies who you just instantly love and want to be around all the time. There will never be a time where we walk in, see Pam, and NOT want to stay for the rest of the day just to hang out with her. If you're looking for a bar that has a theme, and is a place for anything more than a drink and some company, this isn't the bar for you. If you want a bar and here you can just relax, feel like you're at home, and just take your mind off the day? You found your new towny bar.

This is one my favorite late night bars, right on the corner with a lit up Old Style marquee; what…read moremore could you ask for? Every person I've ever sat next to was super cool, and the bartenders always know the score. Schlitz, PBR, Hamms, and Old style stock the cooler top shelf, and plenty of craft beers in there as well. If you swing in and forget your tab open, I have it on good authority that they will take good care of your card until you get back

Believe it or not, my love wears a claddagh ring that I purchased for her when we enjoyed an…read moreamazing trip to Ireland earlier this year. So we knew we had to visit the Claddagh Ring Pub one of these days. This neighborhood pub on Foster Avenue received some interesting "pub" earlier this season when they promised to pay for all patrons' tabs if the Bears lost to the Broncos, and sure enough the Bears blew a big lead and Claddagh Ring Pub wound up on the news because of the promo. We finally made it here one random Sunday afternoon as we stumbled in after another Bears loss. The bar was pretty packed, but the owner was super friendly to us. He noted that there was a back room with some elbow room, along with some free tavern style pizza that was not gobbled up yet by the fans. Later when I went up to the bar to order drinks, he made sure that I had the chance to place a drink order with minimal waiting. What a swell guy! Loved my pint of Guinness! Perhaps we looked like newbies, but he really seemed to care about us with his customer service. Check out their website for sports specials and happy hour deals. After our enjoyable visit, my love and I look forward to a return visit to Claddagh Ring Pub.

Great location to get a pint and spend time with family, friends and neighbors. This is my spot…read morewhere I get to see my favorite uncle, tell stories , have a pint and catch up! If in the area of Foster and Western, I highly recommend stopping in and having a pint

If I lived in Chicago, at least in the North Side, you'd probably find me here a lot. That's…read morebecause it felt less like a bar and more like a gathering place. Or I guess I should say a "gay-thering" spot. Spreading over two floors, it manages to be spacious and cozy at the same time. There are bars on both floors which makes hanging around super-convenient. As expected, there are pool tables as well as skeeball and darts. Watch out for the latter as they fly right in front of the stairwell. Jamie W. and I settled down on the main floor and had their special $5 Margaritas (photo: https://yelp.to/dK4BE5czs3). What made them special? Hey, they're $5. Needless to say, we had a couple each and were feeling no pain with the friendly staff and customers to be found here. DRINKS - 4.5 stars...did I mention the $5 margaritas? AMBIANCE - 5 stars...fun and chill SERVICE - 5 stars...doubly chill TOTAL - 5 stars...gay-ther together RELATED - Exploring Chicago? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/44c4CZO

Love playing bingo here on Wednesdays! Cheap drinks and good vibes. Nice neighborhood spotread more