Fairly nondescript bar. It's one of the local hangouts in Crystal Lake. Matt's Tavern doesn't have much. Among the things it does have is lots of good ass drinks. The prices are good especially on shots. Came in for a capper. It was getting late but we needed a few. There was a good special on shots. It was $3 for certain ones. We got a few of these. BSB was a whiskey I never had. Turns out it was good shit. Knocked a few back. The bar got a crowd but it wasn't too busy on a night. Good place to get some cheap booze. It's a popular place for locals to hang out. The selection is kind of limited but makes up for good prices. read more

Matt's Tavern - BSB - Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

Good and bad things to cover, so why five stars - rated for what it is and how they perform to those standards. Easy to find and close to other bars for some fun bar hopping! Parking can be a bit tough if you are not familiar with the area. Matt's is a dive bar vibe with enough TV's to keep you entertained by the game. Worn but kept pretty clean!! No kitchen . Only a couple of gambling machines. The patrons were mixed between locals and people waiting for the train across the street- everyone was friendly. Kelly O the bartender did a fantastic job. The big win that impressed me was a big crowd came in and the owner jumped in and helped unlike most places where they let the bartender drown and the customers suffer. Great job Matt's and Kelly O read more

Matt's Tavern - General - Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

Came here after the owner of the last bar was so drunk he couldn't read our IDs AFTER they had been serving us!Thanks for having competent staff! No fifth star because the drinks were stronger at the drunks bar. read more

Staff was friendly and paid attention to me I was a new person not a regular. They do have soMe special for the month. Was a good place not to loud was able to talk read more

Flew in from California for business and made a stop at Matt's Tavern - a very friendly local bought us a round of beer - what incredible hospitality! We have more business in Woodstock and will rerun the favor and buy somebody a round of beer. Love this place! read more

Great local bar the supports a bike fundraiser that is the best for crystal lake and non profit organizations. Very small bar but very clean and everyone is nice read more

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CL classic. Nothing fancy-pancy here, thank god! Just a real bar with real people. My go-to spot for good conversation, catch a game, and hang with good friends.. read more

We just moved to crystal lake from Chicago and this bar is incredible. Love it! If you like a nice neighborhood dive this is it! Friendly staff too! read more

Not a single person in the bar, including the bartender was wearing a mask. I wasn't aware that covid was over. Does not seem like a safe place to go. read more

I always loved this place but once they found out that I am homosexual they rushed me out of the bar and told everyone sitting at the bar that I'm gay. They made me close my tab and leave because the management and ownership of the bar called me a " faggot " and I needed to leave. read more

This has become a place we go to anytime we're out and about looking for a good time. My boyfriend and his friends have been going there about 10-15 years seeing the same friendly faces and great service. Drinks are priced about the same as anywhere else with a nice dive bar theme. An individual bathroom for each gender that are always kept clean (and the privacy aspect is wonderful too). They've got several tables available as well as a dart board, and a nice area out back for smoking that's adjacent to Dukes. It allows for some good foot traffic and the opportunity to meet many new people in a social environment. Definitely check it out if you're looking for a good, casual time in a small town bar. Nothing beats the charm from these bars. read more

You better know someone here. New customers are not welcomed. Frosty reception from bartender. read more

Matt's Tavern - outside of restaurant at night - Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

Old fashioned in that it's all about the drinks here, and cash only (at least it was at the time when I visited). Perfect kind of place to just relax with a drink or two and watch a game, or talk with the people around you. One of the few bars I've ever been to where the patrons all seemed to know each other, and were pretty friendly. It's right next door to Duke's, which probably sways a lot of people who are looking for beer, but Matt's has a good offering, and it's smaller and quieter. Definitely check it out. read more

Local, local, local! Friendly service, a pre-train stop to toast friends and family before your daily adventure. Nice high-top tables for friendly gatherings. Holiday contest to countdown the holidays! Spoker run to support a local charitable organization! read more

It has good prices on their rum & Coke drinks that I favor. It seems to attract a select group of friends in groups of 4 or 5. I felt isolated. read more

Matts has that nice neighbor hood feel that is casual and you can just pop in and grab a nice priced cocktail. ..friendly bartenders and owners. As far as the teacher reviews I personally know alot of local teachers and business owners that love matts tavern. Anyway. Though I would share my experiences as great and is is also a nice location if popping on the train. read more

Matt's Tavern - a television and a bar - Bars Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

I went to this place a few times. The bar is ok. Tap beers & Rail drinks like a regular dive bar. No Masks and there was political discussion on one corner of the bar. Someone who seemed to be a second bar tender? or owner? kept yelling at someone. I would hang out if I were in college for dollar drinks or waiting for a train but I would never take my family or girl friend here. It has a negative vibe with the politics, yelling and the no mask policy. read more

We had a group of 10 girls the other night randomly stop into Matt's. We LOVED it! What made it so fantastic was the service that we received from Vicki!!! We would definitely go back just for her. read more

Stopped in for a beer, $4 and gave a $20. Was given $5 back..asked for correct change ..was given another $5 back... tough math right? Had to ask again... last time we go there.. read more

A bad small bar that plays bad country music and the locals act like they are in Arkansas more than Illinois. This place was one of the worse bars I have been too read more

Somewhat okay atmosphere. The owner wasnt the friendliest person though. The music is the same old country songs they have had on the jukebox forever. The owner recently went on a facebook rant bashing teachers. That wasnt too good for the business as it caused quite a bit of backlash. Overall i would defintely choose any other bar/grill in crystal lake. There a plenty to choose from, and quite frankly, they all have left a better impression with me. read more

Always loved this place. The bartenders are friendly, drinks are cold and there's always someone to talk to. If you're waiting for a train the station is literally 100 ft from the front door. Can't beat that. I'll be back! read more

The bartender Vickey was very rude. She messed up my cocktail twice and when I asked about it she was very upset and rude about it. When I closed my tab I was charged for both the messed up drinks and wasn't given the proper change. Nice tip you gave yourself for your nasty attitude. read more

Matts is a great place to come after work, off the train or just leisurely spending a afternoon off. Golden tee, maybe darts, affordable drinks and friendly regulars n staff! By far the best pub downtown Crystal lake. I'd give 69 stars if I could. Ha ha. Have fun! read more

Have you ever ordered a couple drinks at a bar and realized you didn't have your wallet on ya! It's never happened to me until tonight! Very embarrassing for me but the very pretty bartender made me feel very at ease. She just asked that I stop by first thing in the morning and settle up! Perfect answer to my idiotic performance tonight! Rosie thank you so much for your understanding, mucho compensation coming your way! Thank you! read more

This place is your neighborhood bar with friendly people and excellent drinks. If anything, this place needs some tote boards for betting the horses. Still it's a good place to get your drink on! read more

Great little bar! wouln't say a dive but nothing super fancy. they poor a good drink...and like previous review says it still is cash only. Worth a trip if your bar hoping downtown CL. read more

Absolute worst place I have ever been. It was our first time here and the owner was so rude. He is running a scam with his juke box as well. We put over 30.00 in the machine to hear songs and they never play any of them. They have a guy sitting at the bar with a remote who over rides anything you play. When we approached the owner about this he told us if we don't like it talk to that guy. Not once did he try and satisfy a customer or even care. I have never seen such a complete ignorant jerk in my life. Will never go back. There were two other tables of nice people in there who left as well because of the rip off scam he is running there. He should be ashamed of himself. Place needs to be shut down. read more

This place is great! I feel like I'm in Canada and there's bears walking around everywhere. Cheap drinks and great atmosphere, will definitely come back next time I'm up north! read more

so you want to know the real fun of this bar? it is this right here! this bar has been an interesting battle of who the toughest person really is! there are 4 maybe more owners! 2 which are probably half way decent smart people in this world! and the other two who are blind as fuck!! i have been too many bars in my 26 entire years of living! possibly more bars in different destinations than half the people that walk through their front or back door! this is one of those places where you walk through the door and can smell bs 2 inches away! and cant help but to call it out in daylight! i have this thing where i can smell bs from 50,000 miles away from the god damn plane before the exit doors open! if anyone that reads this truly enjoys golf there is this really really fuck it the best golf course in the world! its called randall oaks!!!!!! and that is one of the best places in the world!!! i would like to thank all of the owners for nothing but pure helllllllll!!!!! burn bitches burn hard and fast already for god sakes!!!!!! my jungle you live in not yours i am a god damn leo and we lions own our jungles!!!!!!! read more