To say it's a dive bar almost sounds like a disservice, as it's certainly not low quality. Maybe no frills and old school is better suited. It has the good parts of a dive bar, cheap drinks, retro vibes, chill vibes, without any of the negative aspects. It also has a few craft beers available and some food now. I believe you used to just have to bring food in. I just stuck with the $4 old styles, and I shared some onion rings with my friend which were fine. There's lots of seating both indoor and outdoor, ideal for a summer hang. They also offer knife sharpening service? idk the full details on that, but there's certainly a knife display, and certain knife-related services are offered. It's easy to get to, right off the California exit, and street parking wasn't hard. I'd certainly come back again. read more

Really good food, but damn does poor service make all the difference. Drinks are mid. The cheese steak is the stand out, but unfortunately so is the less than welcoming service at the bar. I crave the food, but I've had one too experiences where I didn't feel welcomed. I see more than a few have had similar experiences, yet management seems to not care. read more

See all

Went on a Tuesday for $10 burgers and Trivia Night. Happy hour is fr 5-6 PM. We arrived early and by 7 PM it was packed with trivia fans Our barkeep - Erin - was super attentive and friendly, and she makes a really good cocktail. Cool hip tavern-y vibe. And there's a massive covered patio for summer drinking. Would totally go again - very friendly read more

This spot is my ideal bar. Dive on the inside and a great patio on the outside. The drinks are made well - I had an old fashioned, and the burger is simple yet delish. The prices are reasonable for what you get and it looks like they have a lot of deals throughout the week. I wish this bar was closer to my apt bc I'd be here often! read more

Ludlow Liquors - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Eye candy and vibe candy. Great spot to meet someone. Kind of a spot you don't want to go home from. read more

Ludlow Liquors - Outdoor Patio - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Life is complete. I have consumed a cheesesteak from Ludlow. And, it was everything I could've ever wanted. OH, and the drinks are great too. I rolled in on a sunday afternoon needing a late lunch and cocktail. The neon sign outside the bar that sits on the corner screamed my name. I listened. I am not quite sure how to describe the inside. There are board games, eclectic decorations, and leather seats. Imagine if a board game bar, dive bar, and diner had a baby and you may be able to capture about 1/3 of the beauty of this spot with that description. I started with a gold rush. Delicious. I was surprised because I have never had my gold rush served up. But, it was great nonetheless. The cheesteak is immaculate. First the sesame baguette is perfect. Warm, fluffy, and filled with gooey, cheesy, red meat perfection. The cheesesteak is rich, creamy, and full of umami. The steak is finely chopped with peppers and onions riddled throughout. The cheese sauce is thick, but the baguette still absorbs some. The service was great also. The only had 1 bar tender working as it was a sunday afternoon. She was super friendly, helpful, and overall really completed the experience. read more

See all

It's basically a local bar thats upscale. I had a couple of mixed drinks and ate cheesesteak with fries. The peach cocktail I had was a bit bitter for my taste but not bad overall. I liked the second drink I had a lot more, it was the sleepwalker if I remember correctly. The service was really good, everyone was friendly. As for the food, the cheesesteak is definitely a standout. It's unfortunate that its only available Sundays and Mondays but I will definitely be back for it. Be advised that they do run out of those fairly quickly. The MSG fries were good, even nearing great for the string fries they use. read more

LOVE this spot. Bartenders are always lovely and super attentive, even when they're slammed. Tasty food, moody lighting. The board games are a nice touch if you're able to snag a table. read more

Best chicken sando I've ever had. Add in some good beers, nice staff, an outside patio I have never bothered with because I'm an inside cat bar girl, and the only thing that could potentially ruin your night is whatever lame you bring with. read more

Finally made it over to Ludlow to try the cheesesteak and it did not disappoint. It was so delicious and flavorful, the bread was incredible and the cheese was perfect. You could tell the meat was quality, and so lean and light, not at all heavy like some cheesesteaks can be. The onion rings were also delicious, and the drinks tasty as always. Looking forward to going back again soon and trying some other items on the food menu. read more

See all

Unbeknownst to me that behind the doors of this neighborhood bar lies the best cheesesteak in the city. The bread is from the undisputed king of breakfast sandwiches which is Loaf Lounge & it does not disappoint. No single ingredient overpowers the other & it's not greasy at all. It's not available for takeout & it's only available on Sunday & Monday. Drinks were slightly above average. I only indulged in the pale September & while I enjoyed the sweetness it wasn't the most potent alcoholic drink. read more

See all

The worst service ever outweighs waiting for the food. We got here at 5:15 and 630. We still didn't get our food because they said they were slammed. There were 10 people here. I do not recommend this place at all. Save your time and it's super expensive. read more

Our friends always rave about the MSG fried at Ludlow so we had to stop by to see what it was all about. It was pretty busy in a week night but we were able to get a table. I love the atmosphere in here.. feels very welcoming and gives off old school dive bar vibes. For the table, we shared the MSG fries. It was my first time trying it but everyone else at the table had already and so the pressure was on for my opinion. I'm not sure if it was because my friends were hyping it up that it didn't meet my expectations but I thought the flavor was lacking. The fry itself texture wise and thinness was perfection but for being called MSG fries, I expected more flavor. It tasted very one dimensional. For my meal, I went with the classic Ludlow cheeseburger which was very tasty. Patty had a nice char on it. Cheese and patty combo elite. The bun was also very soft and buttery. Can't go wrong with a good ol smashed burger. A great place to stop by for drinks with friends and a late night bite! read more

See all

Our go-to neighborhood bar to grab drinks and quick bite. We've gone quite often on a whim. Super casual and large back patio. Service is mostly friendly and laidback, but not consistently, so I suppose it depends on the day/night and bartender. Food quality is great, and the MSG Fries are addicting (yolo)! read more

Inept or arrogant head cook, whatever, same difference. Failed to communicate his ability to come through with dishes and never bothered to let us know despite walking by several times after a two hour wait and continued to serve patrons ahead of us. I'm used to rude old aunties and I'm ok with that, but at least they communicate clearly. Here, we have a spineless, passive aggressive head cook. The food has always been overrated here. Don't bother. read more

Oh sweet! A ton of beers to drink on the patio! Being here is like you're on Good Mythical Morning. read more

Ludlow Liquors - A ton of beers on the patio - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I don't know what happened. The burger used to be amazing and now it just really falls short. A husk of what it used to be... but the drinks are good! read more

The place: feels immediately familiar. Great neighborhood bar. Seats about 30 inside. The outdoors is a great space with good vibes when the weather is pleasant. We've probably been at least half a dozen times since we moved to Avondale 8 months ago. The taste: love that they recently expanded their menu. Most recently we shared the hai and low burger - super tasty. The fries are always a good call. They even have some snacks if a bag of chips or Pocky is all you need (strawberry or cookies and cream). My face: a good mix of NA drinks and cocktails (and beer if you're into that), so it's usually a smile. $4 old styles. $8-$14 cocktails. $12 burgers. On our most recent visit, final tab was $85 for 2 cocktails, 2 beers, 1 burger, 1 order of onion rings, 1 pocky. read more

Ludlow Liquors - Frozen egg nog - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

We went there the other night and the staff was by far the worst I've ever experienced in my life. We asked about a basketball game on & one member of the staff was very helpful, however - whomever the curly headed, black hair guy was, he is absolutely pathetic. Upon our discussion over the game & finding it on the, and aiming to be as polite as possible, he just grabbed the remote and turned the tv off. No explanation or conversation, just abruptly turned the tv off. Oh - 3 drinks also cost us $74 w/out tip. I was coming in here regularly & the ladies who were taking care of me were fantastic. My only quarrel is with the wannabe John Mayer read more

We were there yesterday. Food menu is limited with no vegetarian options. Service was not good we sat at the bar. When we went to checkout I asked the bartender to see the bill and she said she did not have the bill, but she can print it after I paid, so I had to pay before I saw the bill. She also selected a 23% tip on the device before handing it to me. I changed it and did a custom tip. There was a 3% employee healthcare added to the bill that I was not informed of prior to paying. I don't feel this is fair to the customers. read more

LOVED this spot. The back patio was incredible! Perfect for a beautiful summer evening. The food was also incredible. Highly recommend!

??? Very confused about why people talk so highly about the food here. Everything we got was not good at all and the portions were tiny for the price. We carried out a smash burger and the katsu sando. The burger was a very meh standard smash burger with nothing special (way worse quality than Red Hot Ranch) for like $14 and the chicken sandwich was just completely dry and flavorless. It was literally just some dry not-crispy fried chicken with some vegetables smacked on bread with no sauce. These 2 things cost us $30. I really, really don't get it. read more

Amazing smash burgers on a potato bun! The sauce on the Ludlow Burger and the Teriyaki Burger are to die for. And don't miss out on their happy hour! read more

Love this spot! Whether you want a laid back lounge on the inside, the open and airy patio outdoors, or a full on art gallery, there's something for you. The indoor bar area is dark and sexy with a bit of a vintage lounge vibe. Very nice if you're looking for a chill intimate vibe. The craft cocktail menu is small but there are some really delicious creations. I got a pomegranate tequila cocktail which was great. My partner tried a few of the brown liquor drinks and loved them all. They also serve a really good burger. I got it with the pasta salad and skinny fries, and it was great for a casual lunch. It was served on a metal tray so don't expect anything fancy, but it was exactly what I needed after a few cocktails. The patio is great for day of night! They usually set up several fire pits and it's an extremely cozy atmosphere. There's plenty of seating including shared picnic tables and more private smaller tables. The patio is also host to the monthly art show "Dope Art Show" which is an amazing collection of local artworks at super affordable prices. They also partner with Plant Shop Chicago and sell gorgeous plants. Get there early because the artworks by the well known artists sell fast!! Bird Milk, KawaiiSuga, TotesFerosh, Blake Jones, Shawnimals, and more! The show is timed reservations during covid, which makes it feel not too crowded and super safe. Overall, I really love this place. Great for a group of friends or to have an intimate drink. read more

See all

Attend a lovely fourth of July party at this eclectic little dive bar. What a jolly and colorful crowd! My favorite part of the establishment is the cut outdoor deck area at the back of the establishment. There is a bar outside and inside. We didn't get to try the food, but it looked delicious and I hope to try a dish or two next time we visit. My favorite part of our visit was people watching. There is a large 30-something crowd at this establishment that is into hipster and vintage. I saw lots of 40's era outfits and many of the ladies were wearing hats and carrying fun purses shaped like watermelons and pink flamingos! I felt very shabby in the exercise wear I wore trying to stay cool in the summer heat. What a fun place. Looking forward to visiting again. read more

Ludlow Liquors - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Hipster dive bar with what I thought was pretty decent food. I love the fact that you can try the drinks by the ounce rather than getting a full drink. This was definitely a plus because I didn't really like any of them and was glad to only have a taste. They have an outdoor patio area which I'm sure is a blast during the warmer days, but it was a bit chilly when we stopped in so we opted to stay inside. We tried out a few fried food dishes starting with the Philipini Eggrolls (aka Lumpia). Lumpia is one of my favorite things, and I was especially looking forward to these. They were served in a spam can (fun!) but one didn't fit because it basically exploded in the fryer. This was a big no no for me, that lumpia should've been tossed or eaten in the kitchen and never served to me. You'll see in the photos the hiding exploded 4th lumpia. This is the loss of a star. We also tried the crab Rangoon that I thought was really good, but very different from any I've ever had before. Beware the crab Rangoon were spicy, possibly some jalapeño in them, but I really thought they were tasty and would order again. We also tried the veggie samosas, these were also good, but nothing special or different about them. All in all, I'd go back and recommend giving this place a try. read more

See all

Thanks to a good friend, we were tipped to possibly one of the coolest, and yet hottest, 4th of July celebrations in town. It was friggin hot outside and yet the attendance at Ludlow on the 4th were the coolest of the cool. They had a steady line up of music in the janky courtyard off the back, along with DJ in the bar. The turn out was the coolest of the cool, think throwback retro vintage formal but with tatts and cool hair. #SeenAndBeSeen #FashionOnDisplay it was a lot of fun. Special shout out to the Westerlees for always bringing it no matter what the deal. What could of used help? The facilities, they got gross after a while :0 Did not make it to the food (next time) read more

Ludlow Liquors - Hanging with the Westerlees - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Always an amazing time, any time of night. The drinks on the menu are phenomenal, and the bartenders are always more than happy to make any of the standards for you. I think that the food is where Ludlow really shines, though. The burger is outstanding. It's a double smash burger, with standard smash burger accoutrement, and shredded lettuce. The fries that accompany it are perfect, salty, hot wedges of starchy heaven. The fritters are a go-to if you can handle the unapologetic salty and sweet flavors that come with it (and the sauce is perfect for dipping your fries in when you order your burger.) The loaded fries are perfection, and the cauli sandwich is pure bliss. I will say that you have to be able to handle saltiness in your food, though. Every dish I've had has been a touch on the saltier side, which I'm perfectly okay with, but just be warned. I wish that they would bring back the SPAM egg rolls, but the menu rotates so much that there's almost always something there to distract me from their absence. They've got great bartenders, a rad patio, fun events, and I even hear there's a pizza night during the week. This place is a big win, every time. Just go. Also, I think the Malort is $3, so that's always a win in my book. read more

Nice atmosphere for good cocktails and food. Also a convenient place to drop off knives for sharpening.

I visited Ludlow Liquors for their stand up comedy show, which I believe is weekly and happens every Wed 7:30-9:30pm. The patio is beautiful, plenty of seating. However, we got there at almost 9 and had to stand! Duh! Oh and they also give our free shots - I think it was makers mark. Win win. Coming to the show- I've been told I have a very high threshold for laughter and you'll prolly never see me burst into one but the comedian here did the trick! Hahaha. I wish I remembered her name. She was hilarious and I hope you guys bring her back again. Well so enjoy the good patio weather while you can and might as well enjoy a free comedy show while doing do. Can't wait to be back read more

Ludlow Liquors - Beautiful patio - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Hung out here during happy hour time on a Friday - quite busy, but getting a table was no problem. The patio is very cute and spacious and there is a Traeger grill that'll soon be used for events and BBQs in the space! Drink selection was great and their bar snacks hit the spot (get the mini hot dogs!). Overall a great neighborhood spot. read more

One of my favorite bars in Chicago. Cool in an understated way. The food is excellent as well. I can't say too much about the menu because I only ever get the burger. It's a simple burger, but it's done so well. read more

Ludlow Liquors - people sitting at a bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is such a fun bar with a great patio perfect for enjoying a drink or food outside. I visited during one of the many food pop-ups that they host in this space and was so delighted by the full vegan menu offered by Alo Arepas. Cool local beer selection perfect for exploring all of Chicago's great breweries! read more

Ludlow Liquors - Alo Arepas pop up!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is a gem. Had the greatest first experience chatting it up with the bartender and the aesthetic of this place is just amazing. Not only that but the cocktails and food speak for themselves. It's rare to find a proper cocktail lounge that has food, let alone DELICIOUS food. Bravo to the chefs in the back and the bartenders in the front really making cocktail lounges great again. A must try is the Filipino egg rolls. I haven't even mentioned yet how they have a turf patio where DOGS ARE ALLOWED. I repeat dogs are allowed!! I saw a large stack of games in the corner which I have yet to return and dive into but that is definitely enticing for me. I'm unsure if they have live music ever come through or do Jam Sessions like The Revel Room used to do but I would so be there for it. Ludlow can be romantic, chill, fun, summertime equipped for whatever vibe you're needing and I highly recommend. read more

Ludlow Liquors - Filipino Egg Rolls - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm always trying to impress my hubby (and maintain some semblance of street cred despite now having 2 kiddos and not going out as often) by taking him to new cocktail bars in the city. Thanks to the explosion of places in Logan Square, we don't have to go very far. Took him here on an early Saturday night for a nightcap. It was already busy around 9pm and there was only one seat at the bar left. The couple next to us ended up leaving 15 minutes or so after so Hubby was able to sit down before it really became standing room only. There are several booth seats opposite the bar for largest groups and it looked like a back outdoor patio space. Live DJ in the corner. Dim lighting enhanced the cozy ambiance. Bartenders were friendly. I tried the vodka draft punch which was good. Hubby enjoyed his drink. The accompanying food definitely stood out maybe more for me than the drinks. Crab Rangoon almost as good as Hubby's - who would've thought you could use Everything Seasoned cream cheese?! Extra crunchy wrapper and awesome dipping sauces that packed the umami flavor punch. I loved the Nori Fries the best. Thick pieces yet crunchy. I could picture slathering miso gravy on everything. Hubby was confused with the chocolate ice cream as a dip but I loved it (used to dip McDonald's fried in their ice cream). Glad to add this place into our rotation for the ever elusive date night. read more

So the ambiance is really the main theme of this place. It was nice outside in the back to bring your dog once you get past the cigarette smoking. We were confused at first because we didn't know we could bring our dogs through the inside to get to the back. We get to the back we were there for like 10 mins and nobody told us we had to go inside to get our drinks and order food they also didn't have gluten free options. The food selection wasn't the best also the day we went which is why they got three stars. Also when i went in with my dog to get a drink there were 3 bartenders and they we're talking to other people sitting at the bar having a conversation it took 4-5 mins for one of them to ask me what I would like so that annoyed me. read more

Ludlow Liquors - The selection they had may 27th - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So, the staff here is kick *butt* (trying to keep it PG in case any minors come to the bar and want to read this before deciding to come out). Great service, always hustling especially given the varying pop-ups this summer. Forgive me if I missed names (or misspelled any), but Joel, Jane, Janine, Grace, Miles, Michael, Leo are all killer. If I ran a bar (which I don't) I'd hire all of them. Grain of salt on that from a bar perspective, but I have done retail and I'd want all of these rockstars. read more

Chill environment, great patio, nice bartenders, delicious food and drinks. What else could you want?

Great cocktails, friendly, knowledgeable staff, fun food collaborations. The backyard patio space is nice when the weather allows it. Cool place to pop in for dinner or just a quick drink. read more

As a long-term denizen of Logan Square and Avondale, and a faithful patron of Orbit Room (RIP), you'll understand my reservations regarding its successor, Ludlow Liquors. However, after a couple hours at opening night, and many repeated boozy Fridays, my enthusiasm is curbed no longer. In its opening weeks the vibe at Ludlow has been a bit headier and more high energy than Orbit, and certainly more crowded - the new owners seem to have a bit of a following. It remains a friendly and fun neighborhood hangout, though. Booze-wise, the state of our Nation is strong at Ludlow. My noble bourbon boozers will love the whiskey-heavy premixed cocktail selection. They are strong, tasty, and quite reasonably priced. Sazerac lovers will enjoy the Careless Whisper and the Sportsman, while Manhattan partisans will find solace with their newest Old Friend, a riff on a Manhattan, or their oldest old friend, the classic Manhattan. The overall bourbon selection has also expanded, with the new addition of that cheeky rebel soldier, Johnny Drum. (It's the treason that makes it taste so good.) Food-wise, the new menu is quite limited, and I will miss the Orbit Room's superb Cubano and Tortilla soup. However, the Old Habits we did order - egg rolls and crab rangoon wontons - were very good. We look forward to trying other Habits. The decor has been tastefully enhanced to provide depth and warmth. In a continued rebuke of minimal metal bar stools, Ludlow graces us with luscious leather-upholstered bar stools boasting backs! The walls have been painted a delightful shade of cognac, and booths are in the round now. There is also taxidermy. And while all this newness may be a bit much for some to swallow, do not despair! It gives me great pleasure to report that the delightfully disturbing, black-on-black, cocaine eighties themed bathrooms remain untouched! Like Bogie said in that talkie, "We'll always have Cocaine." Or something like that. Plus ça change! read more