Man, I'm SO mad someone got to review this gem before me. 3 Stars!? C'mon. This mo-fo is a fiver. Be forewarned, I use the word "gem" loosely. The previous poster was right, Joe's Saloon is on 47th Street just west of Plainfield. If you're coming from 1st Avenue, it's about a Mile west. I like this bar because of the odd, undeliberate charm, cheap drinks (ahem dollar Schlitz all day everyday), decent jukebox (used to be awesome before they went digital... Patsy Cline awesome), and the infamous Dollar Mystery Shots. Your choice of A, B, and sometimes C, depending on what stock the owner, Ellen, thinks they need to get rid of. Bartenders are laid-back and can put a drink to a face -- I rolled in after not being there for 6 months and they had it poured before I could say hi. The late-great Joe is adorned on a small canvas above the windows and REAL!? wood paneling on the east wall. Soft orangish-red neon illuminates most of the saloon, glowing up from behind wood molding - Not an ideal lighting plan, but almost accidentally the PERFECT lighting level. The bar isn't really a "kept secret" at all -- housed in a stand-alone building with all-season Christmas lights framing the peaked roof, it's not that hard to spot. That said, it owes a lot of its odd mix of clientele to it's location. People that roll into Joe's aren't there on accident. The south side of the street is a vast empty expanse that used to be a massive train depot for the nearby quarry, and the north side of the street is an industrial/9-to-5 business strip where even the liquor store closes early. Now that I've played the alcoholic sociologist, lemmie posit that the out-of-the-way-ness of the bar directly contributes to what kind of people come through the door -- people that specifically left the house to be at Joe's. Aside from College Break overspill (Easter, Spring Break, Winter Break), there's always a place to sit and rarely an loudmouth over-served coed to scowl at. This place can be blue collar, no collar, and popped collar at different times of the day (and if a sporting event is on). There's live music for a cover sometimes, but nothing too consistent. There's a terrific Quizzo once a month, though the questions skew towards the 40-something locals that attend and run the quiz. (One standard category is called "Where are you in the Western Suburbs", another was "Local TV News Anchors".) But, you're there for the experience anyway, so, whatev. While other locals are living past glories with their gym teachers at Kenny's, avoiding eye-contact with old flames at Palmer's or packing it in at local cavern-turned-Irish-bar Brixie's, what filters through to Joe's are the low-key neighborhood joes of all ages looking to sit back, drink, play Meatloaf on the jukebox and maybe play a round or two of Word Dojo. read more

Outstanding food, creative menu with dozens of options, great prices, and enticing daily specials. If it was closer, I'd eat here once a week. read more

60 to win drawings are a good time Thursdays at 4:30! Drinks are flowing and the company is always great read more

We stopped by for a drink the other night. We had a lot of fun. The music was good and thankfully not too loud. All of us were happy with our drinks. They were really good and served quickly. We'll definitely be back. read more

I will always seek an original "Art Deco Bar" to experience, until Joe's Saloon. The originality of the wood bar itself is the primary draw, so I thought. The regular clientele that actually pay money to keep this place in business could give 2 shits about it! Take one step away from the vintage bar and it just looks like any other remodeled beer joint. The Illinois Gaming Commission has a stronghold here with their foot firmly up your ass! The back bar is borderline TLC and the vintage red neon light fixtures now feature LED lighting...that's just wrong! "What makes this a "Saloon"?... I guess because Joe says so... "Is this a worthy destination?...Only if your a local beer guzzler. "The Saving Grace?"...They serve Schlitz on tap. read more

Joe's Saloon - Storefront - Sports Bars Near Me - Brookfield, Illinois

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My husband and I were invited by our friends to meet at Joe's Saloon for their open mic night. What a fantastic bar! From the time you walk in they make you feel like family. I grew up on the Southside of Chicago and this place totally reminds me of one of those bars where everyone knows everyone. Our bartender that night was Daren. This was our first time there so Daren took his time with us. He was very patient with me because my drink requests were a little particular. Lol Since it was open mic night I built up a little tequila courage and joined the band and played the tambourine. I'm ready to hit the road with the band. My husband and I went back on a Sunday and had the pleasure of meeting Neda.That girl makes one mean Bloody Mary!!! If you're reading this, make sure you stop by for their next open mic night on August 19,2022. Good Times!!! read more

Stopped in here for the first time on Memorial Day when all the local bars were closed and we just wanted a couple of cold beers and something to nosh on. Sadly, they don't have a working kitchen but you can order up a tasty Waterworks pizza. It's a cute bar with friendly staff and customers so we'll most likely be back soon. read more

I went with 5 stars because you just don't see bars like this anymore. Don't judge this book by it's cover, as I did for so many of my post-legal drinking age years. It's not bad looking on the outside, it just gives no illusion whatsoever as to how retro-awesome it is on the inside. The bar and woodwork are beautiful. Complete with old Schlitz beer light, framed Alberto Vargas pin-up girls, and glass-encased orange neon (think old-school roller rink. That's what it reminded me of.) To enter this bar is to take a step back in time. This is the kind of place our dads went to for a shot and a beer. It's perfect. The waitress / bartender that was there during our visit was friendly, helpful, and downright hilarious as all hell. We each had two craft beers, (can't remember what they were, natch) and some snacks. I had the chicken tenders with honey mustard sauce, and my husband had the chili. Very, very good pub grub. They have a totally decent menu which also includes a few sandwiches and pizza. We will be back for sure as we have such a fondness for places like this that have been run by the same family for generations and are not pretentious and stuffy, but rather banking on the fact that they know what they are doing and do it right. Long live Joe's!! read more

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Went here for a Happy Hour with some co-workers and considering the other options, I think this will become the new go to place. For most of the 5 hours that we were there, we were the only ones except for 1 or 2 people that came in for a drink and left. Overall, there was a good variety of beer (a little overpriced for a hole-in-the-wall type bar), food was decent, and it had a great atmosphere as neither the TV or music were too loud. Parking is a little odd as the spaces are quite small and there are most likely only 7-8 on the side of the building, otherwise you'll have to parallel park in the street. read more

A very cool- beautifully restored- art deco place from the 1930's...they have Schlitz on tap(!) (along with more hip beers) and some great wings. The setting is very nice and relaxed and the bartender was friendly. I'll be back! read more

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A friend and I randomly went here one night after deciding Buckle Down Brewery (another stop-worthy spot on 47th St) was too crowded to stay at. Joe's Saloon is easy to overlook but definitely worth stopping in for a drink, a bite to eat, or if you are just in the mood to play a song on a jukebox - where do you get to do that anymore? The bartenders are super friendly and provide great service. You feel like you are at someone's home; everyone is very welcoming and unpretentious. After stopping in I learned of their monthly Open Mic nights which have been a delight to go to. read more

my gfs and i came here on a friday night at 1 a.m. the place was empty except for a few folks at the end of the bar. there was a jukebox that my friends were enjoying. i was enjoying the ice tea with 5% alcohol. i've never seen that before. they also have decent frozen pizza. perfect when you're there late and have the munchies. read more

Great little place in Brookfield. I've been here on the pub crawl, to meet up with friends and have hosted a few parties in their party room. Great people and a great little place to grab a drink and meet up with friends. The party room they rent out is fantastic. Plenty of space, flat screens, a private bar, tables and everything we need to throw a private event. read more

Interesting and very comfortable place. Inexpensive drinks and unique patrons. If you watch the movie Trees Lounge with Steve Buscemi, that is Joes. read more

This place is awesome!! Cheap drinks and great bartenders. Perhaps my favorite bar outside of Chicago.

I can't thank Joes enough for all the great parties I've had in the party room. The bartenders are so nice and the room is always so clean and inviting. They let me come in the night before to set up too. Just the right size for the parties we've had and there was about a hundred people. read more

Awesome ambiance. Friendly regulars, welcoming staff. TVs had movies on them, decent jukebox. Food available.

The bar itself, the wood bar, the glass rods, old school neon, it's a comfortable place to hang out, and the grandson of Joe's, Edward, was a great host. Bloody Marys was to die for. read more

Love Joe's great place to get some drinks and apps. Pool table big plus. Great bar staff.

The Party Room at Joe's Saloon is awesome! We had a friends engagement party there Saturday night for about 40 people and could not have been happier. The room could have easily held twice that but didn't feel empty. Mark the manager is very easy to work with and our bartender Michele was great! Great space, accommodating owners and affordable prices! Would recommend to anyone needing a great place to host a party. read more

Joe's Saloon - Great space to have a party and easy to decorate! - Sports Bars Near Me - Brookfield, Illinois

Great place to have a beer. Fun atmosphere. Flat screens and jukebox. They serve appetizers and they're all pretty tasty and very reasonably priced. read more

Disappointing- Thought I found a hidden gem. They have big screen TV's, cold beer, good prices and nice people. Stopped a few times after work but the MUSIC IS TOO LOUD. Asked the bartender to turn it down a little and she did for about a minute- then right back up. There were five people in the place and everyone was yelling to talk to the bartender. read more

This place is magnificently authentic, with real bartenders who have real skills.... Simply put it's just a great place, but NOT as great as Ellen (AKA Bucko)' who was the hottest girl in the Class of 62 at LT and who will be remembered forever by anyone who saw her snake dance in the 1961 Corral Show, just wow...! She was and I'm sure still is a flat out wonderful person to be around. The Joe's of our world are rapidly disappearing, don't miss this classic! Lee L. read more

The owner, Ellen, is the original owner's daughter. She and her husband have renovated the beautiful saloon to it's past grandeur. The back room used to be a gathering place for family parties. Stop by for an inexpensive drink and stay for a fun visit. read more

class act of brookfields south side. kind of an over looked neighborhood type joint that has an innate charisma . always fun . sort of quiet. a good place for grown ups who dont need any bullshit.and still not a snore bar.the machines are cool , the staff is fun. ellen has done a nice job with this place.rock steady joes. read more