My daughter lives in Jefferson Park and I visit her a lot from Florida, enjoying all her neighborhood bars. Jefferson Inn is right up there at the top. Great bartender. Great beers. Dive bar atmosphere. I will definitely come here again the next time we visit. read more

Jefferson Inn - Great day in Chicago - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped here before the 2026 new years concert at the Copernicus Center. Perfect place for a pre show beer and it's a short walk to the CC.

Great place to get cheap drinks. It's one of the most affordable places in Jefferson Park, which isn't that fancy of an area to be honest. Jefferson Inn is also conveniently located across from the CTA and Metra station. Has just drinks here, but that's all that's needed of course. The beers come in bottles and cans, so it's a no frills type of place. Cheap drinks is why people come. It has a pretty good selection of cheap beers along with some local craft ones. There's not much on tap. It's about $5 for Jameson. That's about as cheap as you'll find it anywhere in the city it seems. Has basics like a computerized jukebox. There's also a couple TVs. Has no food even though they have a popcorn machine. They often will let you bring in stuff. For sure the drinks are the main thing about it. It's cheaper than almost anywhere else pretty much. The atmosphere may be lacking at times but it's still pretty fun though. read more

Jefferson Inn - Jameson - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

As a bartender, and knowing how a lot of bartenders steal from the bar; 100 percent the bartender I know and visited did not. And that to me says a lot. I work for 2 bars and all I care about is our sales. I started coming here because of my friend Alex, and because she charged me everything, I know I can trust her to work for us. Trust is earned. She earned that quick from me. I would never go to a bar because the bartender charges me less, yes i deserve a shot or two with a 100$ tab, but I would never want to go to a bar with a bartender who charges me 10$ after 15000 shots. A shot or a drink is taking care of you, charging you 15$ for w 45$ tab is not. Irina does the same! I respect them both for their integrity. read more

Always amazing service, good tunes, clean and well lit.Friendly crowd.Close to Metra, CTA Blue line and busses.

Just stopped in coz i needed the bathroom. A quick shot and a sip of water and out the door. It looked interesting and the bartender was friendly, especially since no one was in the place on a Sunday afternoon. I will return for some drinking next time I am in the area. read more

Always a delightful experience at this bar and eatery-The owner Steve Bolos provides exceptional service, is very cordial and continuously demonstrates a closeness to his patrons including his staff. read more

Milwaukee Avenue just keeps getting lonelier the further north you go. Once past Lawrence, the street itself is forsaken even by the blue line train. But just past Lawrence, across the street from what appears to be a statue of Darth Vader in colonial attire, is this last oasis of hospitality. Dark place, a sociable and semi-rascally mix of silhouettes will greet you with more than just stares; they actually have something to say. Anything goes, from the looks of your clothes to the relative merits of execution by guillotine, to the way the nearer northwest side used to be back in the day. If you happen to join the framed posters of Nita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe as being the only women in the bar, you stand more than a fair chance of outdoing those stars for their attention, whether you like it or not. But behind the bar, cosy booths offer an opportunity for privacy. read more

I'm not sure why this place is ranked #2 in Jeff Park. No beers on tap, a vibe that newcomers don't belong, and not much happening there in general. Better alternatives nearby. Would not recommend. read more

Aw, hell, yeah. Some of the creepier people in one of the creepier neighborhoods north of Vittum Park; great jukebox; foxy, brassy waitresses; location right off the Jefferson Park Blue Line stop; and cheap-ass beer add up to a lovely night out. This, friends, is a true dive: the regular barflies give you the stinkeye as you walk in the door, and ladies, rest assured that they'll have some choice words for you if you come in unaccompanied. There's also a harmlessly-freaky crackhead who wanders among the tables yammering about Jimi Hendrix, light spectra, and the universe at large. The Jefferson Inn will never, ever be trendy, overpriced or anything but the sweet little rathole it's been for decades. God bless this place. JUKEBOX: Three plays for $1. read more

I've walked past here a million times... and looked in but never stopped in. During Snowmageden 2011, NOTHING was open. I went to Gale Street Inn (only restaurant open in the area) but I didn't want to end the night after dinner so I peeped a lit Old Style sign and knew it was my night to try Jefferson Inn (the ONLY bar in the area that I was open). Holy shit this place is a dump but sooooo perfect! Agnes the bartender is super friendly and is so on top of her shit it's not even funny. If your beer is half full, she's already checking on you to see if you want another one. They have a popcorn machine behind the bar and sweet, sweet Agnes will make sure you have a full basket at all times. She'll introduce herself when you walk in and make you feel comfortable the whole time you're there. They have a juke box, cheap beer, cheap shots, crazy regulars, and a sweet bartender. What more could you ask for? ~~~CASH ONLY BAR~~~ read more

Stopped by here after hopping around 4 Jefferson Park bars and this one was the worst out of all of them. Bar did not have many options and the vibe from the place was not welcoming. read more

I had found this bar in a book and was just curious to see how much of a "dive" it really was. However, it may be small, but it is very comfortable and welcoming. The people were pleasant and friendly. I found the bathrooms to actually be usable, which as a female, says a great deal. I did not feel out of place in the establishment. The booths in the back served as a great place to drink without having to sit at the bar. I do not live in Jefferson Park but I would make a point to go back there again. read more

When it's raining and you want to keep conversing and have another drink and you're denied your original destination because turning left on California would involve turning into a building (meaning your car would ram into a building, not that you yourself would transmogrify into a building), inevitably you end up at the Jefferson Inn. Perhaps not inevitably, but today I feel like believing in destiny, so let's just go with it. As a physical space, this bar has what it takes-- a bar, some stools, booths, booze. It looked like old patterned wall paper had been painted over with black paint, or else they'd managed to get mold underneath the walls to grown in an intricate fleur de lis pattern. The walls are also adorned with mirrors (to help you surreptitiously check people out, I guess?) and kitschy art including a classy Rita Hayworth print and a less classy "Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder" sign with an anthropomorphic beer mug with a face and legs (and maybe genitals, but I couldn't tell and really wasn't in the mood to ponder it). Populating this space was a nice mix of patrons, including quiet drinkers in deep contemplation and a group of people who were getting their crunk on in a most civilized manner. My favorites were the couple engaged in an elaborate juke-box based flirtation in the back room, including a pseudo lap dance and a lip sync rendition of "You're the one that I want" from Grease. There was also some girl on girl grinding dance action, which, for a bulk of the population, is a guaranteed aphrodisiac. The bartender was sweet and attentive, able to rattle off the fairly significant beer list off the top of her head, and checked in with us at our booth a couple of times, which I appreciated. Conveniently located across from the Jefferson Park transit hub, this is a place worth stopping at if you've time to kill or just like a no frills drinking atmosphere that still has character. Maybe next time I'll plan my trip in advance and have dinner at Gale Street Inn first. Ribs & Rita Hayworth seem like an unbeatable combination. read more

One of the Best...wait...Scratch that...Thee Best Dive on the far north side. Friendly drunks and regulars and some rather cute bartendresses. yes, i just invented that word. extreme close proximity to public trans, and low low prices mean you have no reason not to get blind drunk. and it is entirely possible to get blind drunk! read more

Best dive bar in the city! When I first started coming here a few years ago, I'll admit that I was a little intimidated at first by the distinct "Star Wars Bar" vibe to it, but now, most of those "characters" are my drinking buddies... Pretty cheap place to drink, juke box is usually blasting some good tunes, and the bartenders are all Smoking Hottt!!! read more

Great place to just hide on "Saturday Funday" which is exactly what that dog did! OLD STYLE On Tap? Cheap Prices? Great Bartenders? Divey Booths? Shady Characters? MUST SEE!! ifp read more

A true Chicago dive. Great prices, awesome bartenders and the muisc rocks. My go-to in my neighborhood.

Great dive bar in the heart of Jefferson Park! This place is right across from the transit center, and it has the ambiance of the days of Chicago's Past. Belly up to the bar for a PBR and a chat with some of the locals -- they are always entertaining. Bartenders are super friendly and no judgement is passed in here. :) read more

If you're into dive bars, then you'll like this place. We've been there several times and really enjoy it. The bartenders are very energetic and attentive. The place is small, dingy and very old school Chicago with some very interesting regulars!! read more

Solid little dive bar. Play whatever on TouchTunes. Fun place. Wish the popcorn machine worked and made popcorn.

So if you don't like when I rap or what I have to say on the mic, then ya, might just wanna act like a quarterback and take a hike when I snap cause I'm a center. This bar is great. read more

Never seen a bar this small that still manages to have booths. I was able to park right outside the bar the night I went and it was fairly crowded. It is rare to be able to do this to any bar in the city and that shows how much of a walkable neighborhood bar this is for jefferson Park. I still can't beleive that I was able to walk within twelve steps from my car to the entrance. For that I give this dive an average rating. Nothing too special about this bar and the choice of drinks seems to be very limited. read more

I have been coming for years now and I LOVE it. Steve the owner is so nice and definitely grateful to his patrons. On more than one occasion he has provided grub food FREE of charge ---from BBQ to sandwiches. Once he even went to Super Dawg and brought back a ton of dogs/fries for us. The place is exactly what you want from a dive bar -dimly lit, laid back atmosphere, all different personality types, cozy booths and of course, CHEAP drinks! Irena is the.best.bartender.ever. Ana is sweet too. They pour some pretty stiff drinks and oh yes, the juke box is bangin' all night playing hits from Journey, to Frank Sinatra, to Snoop Dogg. Love this place~ :) read more

The Jefferson in is one of my favorite neighborhood stomps. Its been there for 40 years and then some I believe. Friendly neighborhood place and the bartenders make it even more welcoming. And Steve the owner is an absolute riot. read more

Walked by this place so many times since I live in the neighborhood and I only walked in recently. Beer is good, cheap, the waiter really nice... now I'll go there more often. Location is perfect as well, just by the CTA! read more

This place is a good place to kill time when you have nothing to do on the way home using the CTA or Metra.

Great bartenders. Cheap and cold beer. Plus, I can grab a beer between the train and the bus? Yes please. Great location across from the Jeff Park transit center. I have to admit, there has been more than one day I tried the door before 3pm, needing them to be open. Great bar! read more

Above average dive bar. Friendly bartenders & their regular patrons are chill. Cash only bar with low prices. They have darts & a rear smoking area if you're a smoker. read more

Best place to have a drink and play some darts.Bartenders so nice and friendly mostly the Polish ones ;)

I'm a big fan of this place! Their bartenders are so nice and creative :) and the cocktail are awesome! Recommended ;-)

The bartender was friendly and the atmosphere was very laid-back. It's a good place to get to know the locals. The drinks were decent.

Stopped by while killing time before a wake nearby.....Eva was most welcoming and made us feel quite comfortable. Love the kitschy dive bar feel----would definitely recommend this place for the friendly staff! read more