Total hipster joint. Great jukebox, cheap drinks, lots of old comfy couches, Ms. Pacman. You can waste a lot of time here. A lot easier to breathe in there since the smoking ban, and while some people might be turned off by the outsider art on the walls and rundown storefront, I think it's about perfect. read more

Great atmosphere and a good bar but it's cash only. It's a great bar to have a conversation with friends on a crowded night. It also has one of the best jukeboxes in Chicago. read more

I love you Hungry Brain. We have been together since my early 20's, so really forever. I love your bartenders, your awesome furniture, your beer and drinks, your pinball and the fact that you've never upped and changed on me. We in this together Hungry Brain. read more

This is my favorite bar in the world. The antics that have gone on here to give such a high review are too dear and personal to me to post in such a public internet forum. Just know that it holds a special place in my heart, and yes this review is totally serious. read more

This is my kind of bar: reasonable drink prices, great non-digital jukebox, friendly bartenders who make a mean rusty nail, and a clean bathroom. Plus, there's a brain motif, so you can be reminded of what you're killing while you're drinking there. They have eclectic chairs and tables and a couple of old couches on the stage in front. In the summer there's a patio out back, but I wouldn't recommend it if you're not ok with the occasional rat running by. On weekend nights the seating is usually gone after 10:00, so it's good to arrive early. It takes me two busses or a pricey cab ride to get out there but it's always worth the trip. The one drawback used to be the unbearable cloud of smoke that threatened to suffocate you right around last call. Now that Chicago's smoke free, I have no complaints. Two enthusiastic thumbs up for the Hungry Brain. read more

A bit like drinking in your crazy uncle's rec room, if said crazy uncle hasn't updated it since the 1970's, this place is exactly what a dive bar should be: low lighting, cheap drinks, odd decorations scattered around the walls, and great people watching. What sets it apart: it's clean - seriously, and has way more (good) beers on tap than you would expect. A bit of a trek to get to, I've never had a bad time when I go. read more

This bar is dark and pretty weird looking. It is pretty popular though and has a following. I stayed there briefly and din't care for this place. The service was slow and the bartender seemed disinterested. There were too many dudes with beards in this place. There are many beers to choose from,but that is about the only highlight of this place. Their live music seems to be very unknown abd obscure bands. The bathrooms were dirty. This place is not as great as some hipster wanabees may have you think. read more

The Brain is a nice bar, for sure. They have great prices on drinks, a great juke box, a chill atmosphere and a good staff. Perfect place to go with some friends to turn a boring night into something with a sure bet that you will leave satisfied. read more

When I a little kid and I imagined what a cool bar must be like, I envisioned this place. The drinks are super cheap (I'm pretty sure I ordered a johnnie walker black and a beer for 6 bucks!), it's a relaxed atmosphere, video games, a great jukebox, and friendly staff. Need I go on? The only complaints I've heard is that the jazz on Sunday nights is crappy (it kind of is) and that if you show up late on the weekend you'll never get comfortable (but isn't that how all bars work?) I live within a few blocks of the hungry brain, and it's certainly something keeping me in the neighborhood. read more

I had wanted to check this bar out for a very long time but its nondescript store front and location made it easy to forget when it came time to making plans. After my first visit this weekend, I will definitely remember it. The atmosphere is laid back and friendly and the beer is cheap. While the crowd was largely "hipster", it was also diverse enough to make anyone feel comfortable. What's more, the music was fantastic but was played at the perfect volume so you could enjoy it but also conversations with your friends. I had a great time and can't wait to go back. read more

Stinky, dark and feeling very much like a basement... just the way a bar should be! There's something comforting when you walk in the door to the Hungry Brain. You feel like you're hanging out at an old friend's basement. The drinks are priced well and the bartenders are very nice. For some reason, they always end up giving me a free round - something I can't complain about. Oh but they don't like it if you try tinkering with the piano so keep your hands off those keys! read more

Went here on a Saturday night and this is my kind of bar. A nice young, somewhat subdued crowd. We had a group of 8 to 10 and we were able to put a couple of tables together and have conversations. Nobody had to yell over music or any drunk bimbos. There were a bunch of drink specials. Nothing too amazing, but it was very reasonably priced. The bartender was super nice. She would also remember what you ordered and make recommendations based on your previous drink. There are some retro videogames, which is cool once you get a buzz going. I am not a bar guy at all and I really enjoyed my time in this place. read more

They should change the name. Shitty service. Snobby bartenders. Never going back. It's a shame they're trying to pass it off as the old hungry brain. read more

I've only been a couple times to see friends of mine perform, but this is a very cool little venue for local, independent artists. They have a cool atmosphere and good list of performers on their calendar...what else could you ask for? read more

Hungry Brain rules, and this is a great dive bar to bring a date. It has a cozy feel with fantastic music.

This is my favorite neighborhood bar. It used to be terribly smokey but now that we are smoke free it rules. It looks like your gram's kitchen and has the best juke box in the city. what else do you want? read more

My new neighborhood bar, and I couldn't be happier. Great vibe, awesome bartenders, great Chicago beers on tap for only $4.50, so glad this place is literally across the street. Because it's so cool it can occasionally get over hipsterfied. But hey, fuck 'em! read more

Great spot open again for real. Good atmosphere, reasonable drinks, and live jazz Sunday night. Don't pass up this neighborhood gem.

I like low lights, a lot of broken-in couches and chairs, board games, stiff cheap drinks, Ben Clarke's art on the walls, and freak out jazz. It's the nazz. read more

Love this place! The staff behind the bar are nice and laid back. The decor and furniture is comfy and eclectic. I didn't think it was possible to have a dive bar with personality, but they nailed it. read more

love it. cheap drinks. douchebag-free. great music. is this heaven? any place where i can have a conversation without shouting while listening to an entire Band of Horses album gets 5 stars from me. read more

as it is very easy to walk out my door, stroll 50 yards in any direction and be comfortably sitting with hand to beer to mouth... it is nice to escape the 'hood every now and then. and Hungry Brain called to me. I really dig this place, i can feel hip but not 'in the scene'. plenty of room to kick back with friends and booze it up. $4 Bells Amber on tap is a major plus. It hasn't yet wowed me yet but i've heard on high that sundays produce live jazz and that's certainly something i'd return for. see you soon hungry brain. read more

I was told, long before I saw it , that the Hungry Brain is possibly one of the coolest dive bars in the world and to prove the point the man who told me so informed me that almost every night there is a dude who stops by on his way home from work and has a drink, then he goes back home and puts on a Batman outfit and comes BACK to the bar, where he then has two or three more drinks and then goes home. I had to see this place - preferably wearing a Cinderella costume or maybe Cruella De Ville, hadn't decided. But Jumpin' Jimmeny Catfish when I finally went there, Hungry Brain did not disappoint, dim, random, intellectual AND seedy - how does it get better than that? Add to it a decent selection of good (if not great)scotches at a low, low (cash only) price and well... I was in heaven. Always good music on the juke box, or random performing artists, unique plays, music, ahhhh it is a cornucopia of comfy weirdness that I just fell in love with. Sadly I live in River North , so I don't get there as often as I would like and while there are plenty of cool and pretentious bars in my neck o the woods - trust me there are NO Hungry Brains.... BTW - I did ask the Bartender about Batman and completely non plussed he said oh yeah, that guy, its cool ( as in its no big thing). I said did you ever ask him why he does that? He said why would I? none of my business. Now THAT's cool. read more

this bar is hidden in plain view without a big flashy sign saying 'Hungry Brain and when you walk inside, the first thing you notice is how dimly lit the interior is. in a good way. the lighting gives off a low-key and cool ambiance, the kind of feel you want when you just wanna sit back and hang with friends and get sloshed. not too expensive either. hooray! read more

I've been going here 15 years since I lived in Roscoe Village. Friendly bartenders, dark, convivial, near the lowest prices in town, interesting clientele, great bookings including a long running jazz series. good place to hang with friends and make new ones. Live in LA now, but I get back to Chicago a few times a year and Always make sure to have a few drinks here. read more

Fun bar that has the interior of the coffee shop in "Friends" but don't hold that against it. (It's easy to hate it for that, I know but hold off on that.) Great drinks, great beer selection and a jukebox that spans everything from Hank Williams to Dinosaur Jr.. read more

This place is alright in my book...everytime I go here I feel like I'm sitting in some vintage furniture shop, surrounded by copious amounts of knick knacks and hipsters sipping on various microbrews and imports. The music is fantastic, but not too loud where you can't enjoy a conversation, unless the conversation itself involves a displeasing subject like open head wounds or religion. Due to the vintage furniture, a warning before sitting down: the chair might break if you aren't too careful. I know my ass almost fell through my chair, and I'm not exactly Fat Albert. I'm more like Rudy since he's like school on Saturday...no class. read more

I love this place. Cheap drinks. Great bartenders. Hip but not too hip People. The music is ALWAYS good and nobody bothers you.

Perfect place to just hang out without having to scream over one another. Their music and lounge seating rules and the fact is really dimly lit is my favorite. I heart dark bars. The darker the bar, the drunker I get. No problem with that. read more

Great place, great staff, reasonable prices, love the ambiance and clientele

My dad always talks about opening a cozy "coffeehouse" in the basement of a church while in college in the late 60's. When I walk into Hungry Brain, I feel like this is what he was talking about. Ultra chill, lots of cozy couches and chairs, warm low lighting and good beer at reasonable prices. Just the kind of place I want to while away a cold winter evening with good friends. No attitude here and the juke is full of good selections that are sure to please. Surprisingly good beer selections for this type of place...you definitely can explore far beyond the ubiquitous can o' PBR. read more

There's a Galaga. The jukebox has so much Elvis Costello. The bathrooms are onesies. There's several couches. There's lamps. The PBR bottles are like $1.75. My God, can you EVEN beat that? read more

This is the coolest dive bar I've ever been in. The staff was awesome, the drinks were strong, and the prices were cheap. The decor has an art gallery theme to it and the communal seating is excellent for any size group. Definitely check this place out if you're in the area. read more

Don't blink while you're going down Belmont looking for this place, or you'll miss it. With it's very dim lighting and random assortment of furniture, The Hungry Brain feels more like a lounge than a dive bar, in a good way. Unlike most dive bars, they have a nice beer list, but with typical Lakeview prices. The music selection on the jukebox is far from typical, and the Pacman/Galaga game provides added entertainment. If you're looking for something off the beaten path with a laidback atmosphere, then check out this bar. My only complaint about The Hungry brain is that they're cash only; so be sure to stop an ATM before arriving. read more

Quirky place with lots of seating and a great bar. Cash only, so be prepared when you go. They had flaming hot Cheetos on the table, which basically made my day. Perfect spot to start the night, and wish I had stayed longer. read more

I really dig the Hungry Brain. They have a small stage for shows but you don't need one to have a good time. The booze is cheap, they have a Galaga/Miss Pacman machine which is great, and the decor is quirky and cool. Great dive bar. read more

You probably have to live here and go in a lot to appreciate it. We made a trek from Pilson to see a friend, no signage on the outside just a fairly east european facade, minimal inside, dark, functional chairs and tables, 1 sofa. I guess I expected a few more. Pacman machine winking in the background, cheap drinks and friendly bar staff. Pretty empty on a Saturday night at 9.00pm but feels like more of a last drink late night spot. read more

This place is not for the average bear. Conventional, no. As close as you can get to an 'underground' without any introduction..maybe. Cash only bar afterall cash rules everything around me dolla dolla bills yall. Do not expect specialty cocktails and beer selection. Instead you can find- a dare I say - eclectic range of live music; comedy-piano sets, dj sets, indie sets, furniture sets. Never knew this place was here till the AD brought me there after wrap on a nearby project. read more

Hungry Brain is one of my favorite places to go. Good beer at reasonable prices, and an excellent selection of music on the jukebox make this a great location to hang out. Bartenders are fast and friendly and you can leave without having spent an arm and a leg. The decor is classic, I love the odd mix of tables and chairs, and the artwork on the walls. But perhaps the greatest thing ever is the Galaga/Ms. Pacman machine. I'd recommend Hungry Brain for anyone who is just looking to have a good time and let loose. read more

One of my favorite bars in Chicago, if it wasn't cash only I'd be here all the time! As it is I try to make an appearance every month; their G&T's are just that good. The juke-box is stellar, the seating comfortable and intimate and the decor eclectic. The crowd is young and hip; lots of musicians/actors/artists and the like. The back patio is open until 11 I think and is a great place to sit on a warm night. Service is great and the Tamale Guy stops by every night! Live music on Sundays is fun, too. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a low-key place with great atmosphere. read more