Went here after work with some friends. Service was really great and patient. We had a few people at our table and had to split checks (which I know can be a pain), but our server smiled, joked with us and had a great attitude regardless. Great selection of drinks read more

This place is amazing! Outstanding beer selection (I love Belgians) and the atmosphere is true to any European pub. I decided to try it out since moving to the loop a couple weeks ago and it was great! The food came out quickly and service was nice. A little weird when I first entered as I wasn't sure if it was "seat yourself" but a waitress came out and sat us within 5mins. A good selection of burgers (even vegan options), which is always a bonus. Definitely going back. read more

Cool vibe. Stopped here for a couple beers on a Friday evening and will definitely be back. Wished we could have stayed for longer, but the line was too long to get a table and we had places to be. The German style is cool and makes it feel like you are far from downtown Chicago. Really liked that they had peanuts and that you could throw the shells on the floor. Made for a homey feel in the middle of a busy city. Looking forward to coming back and showing friends this place. read more

Great pub in the loop with good food and awesome service. The wraps are my favorite and solid craft beer selection. Enjoy!

This place was recommended by a foodie so a couple of co workers and I came here for lunch. I was told the steak salad was really good so I ended up ordering that. I guess the most popular thing here are the sandwiches but I missed that memo. I felt like they just threw lettuce on a plate with some onions and a burnt flat steak and called it a day. I was with new co workers so I didn't have the heart to send it back but what a waste of money! I was so disappointed with the meal. The overall place seems a little run down too, or they are going for the hole in the wall look. Overall I wouldn't come back here again, maybe I just ordered wrong but it wouldn't be my first choice for a meal. read more

Go for the infinite amount of new beers to try, stay for the atmosphere, food, delightful wait staff, and some of the absolute best beers you'll ever try in the city. My personal favorite was the Tripel Karmeliet, a recipe which dates to the 1600s!! While the food here is "bar food", it is some of the best bar foods I've had in this city to date. Seriously, you cannot go wrong with a trip here. A tip would be to get there before rush hour picks up at 5ish so you have best pick of tables. This is still a restaurant and a host will seat you. read more

Very awesome spot with good food and a vide selection of beer. Our server Drew was very enthusiastic and noticeably liked his job, has many beers to recommend. The environment was very pub like and had a good taste to it. I love beers. read more

Great extensive draft beer list, love that they had Duval. Burgers are phenomenal. Had the poutine burger, included fries, gravy, and cheese curds on top of it, I devoured it. Great curly fries too! read more

Absolutely abhorrent experience. Came here for a farewell drinks event for a colleague. 26+ people that they didn't plan on having. The service was AWFUL. Only willing to do one check for the whole party. Good luck getting a good tip! Couldn't remember drink orders. Brought food for the table and 3 NAPKINS! No plates. WTF? Didn't know how to pour a stout and overflowed spilling on my manager... didn't comp. As a team e won't be back. read more

One of the best dive bars in the city. Great food, tons of draft beers, and fair prices for downtown Chicago. It's a little dingy and maybe a little cramped when it's busy, but this is a favorite for after work or for a beer and a bite for lunch and dinner. I love it. read more

Great atmosphere, esp in the winter time. Service was quick and efficient. Cheese curd appetizer was amazing and hit the spot. Pork sliders also so so good. Will def make this a routine spot read more

Great food. Casey was great as well!!!!!!!! Try the chocolate stout from Samuel Smith.

Super nice people and one of the chilliest bars I have been to while in Chicago! Real old world feel with a great beer selection! Only got drinks, but would definitely come back! read more

Monk's Pub - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in here for dinner on Saturday. Food was less than ok. Turkey Reuben was made with processed luncheon meat and didn't pair well with the coleslaw on top. Chicken Sliders were over cooked and very dry. Fish & Chips got the same complaint, fish was over cooked & dry. BBQ Pulled Pork was alright. Mini burgers and the Bacon cheese burger both got a solid 4/5. I guess if you're going here just stick with a beef burger. It wasn't a bad experience but it was kinda pricey for the quality. However the portions were huge! And the cheese curds were good. read more

Monk's Pub - Turkey Reuben - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Walking by looking for Pierogi Heaven and saw Monks. Stopped in for a drink. Score is only a three because we only had one drink and we where in and out. Nothing bad to say. Decor was cool, looked like an old place. Seating is spaced out, tables next to the bar for seating. Waitress was nice. read more

Monk's Pub - Sun Crusher draft and Rum and Coke - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been coming here for over 10 years, and I love it. They have a great beer menu and the food is high end for pub nosh. The kitchen is really fast and the staff are all pros. It gets very busy so I recommend getting there early for lunch. Cheers read more

Went here for lunch, me and my friend had a good bar tab going...circa $60...which I deem as a fair amount for lunch! The first beer I ordered tasted funny, not bad, but just like a cheaply made brew. My friend, a passionate home brewer and rising star in the microbrewery world, agreed that this is something he could have brewed at the beginning of his career. We asked the bartender, an old, bald lad with an irish accent gave me a different kind and left my old one there. We continued drinking and at the end he left my funny tasting beer on the tab. It was "company policy" and claimed he would have to pay for this on his own...having worked at several bars myself, that is a big lie. How many regulars get free drinks all the time? The bartenders definitely don't log these and pay for them. Will not be going there again, and unless you're a bud light drinking, plain cheeseburger type of guy I recommend you do not either! read more

Let's just start by saying my fiancé and I ate here last night and again for lunch today! Food is that good. He got the bison burger - pretzel bun is so unique, meat is big too, so if you're worried about food, don't be. I got the black and blue burger and I do not rave about food, but yes yes yes! The inside is super cozy and cute. Our server, Roan, remembered us from the night before, and he was great both times! (My fiancé said sweet potato fries were to die for) read more

Cool pub, always very busy. The employees are super nice and service is fast! Very good drinks :)

We ended up at the Monk's Pub while looking for a bar open on a late Thursday evening after a show at the Cadillac Theater. The interior and vibe of the place is fun, unique and true to it's name. Be ready to step on scattered peanut shells the moment you walk-in, as they give free peanuts to each table. They have an extensive drink list, and have different recommendations if you enjoy particular beer. They didn't have moscow mule but recommended Cutwater Rum and Ginger which I thoroughly enjoyed. Not the same but comparable to say the least. Service was fast as it was not a busy night when we went there. The place was also not too loud so it's easy to carry conversations. We didn't order food so I can't comment on that, but this is generally a good place if you simply want to enjoy few drinks while in the area. And as many have mentioned here, this is a place to avoid if you have peanut allergy :). read more

This is the quintessential three out of five star place, with overpriced drinks, meh food, free peanuts, awesome location and extremely eager staff. Everyone who gives this place more or less than 3 stars is an idiot and you shouldn't trust them. Like ever. Like defriend them right now. You're welcome. read more

This place is BS. I have tried to go here multiple times and it is always closed. If this is a week day bar, fine, but Saturdays work well for business. Will not be trying to go here again. read more

We walked in at around 11:30 am on a Monday. Our server pleasantly greets us, see's that we have a 7 month old baby in a large stroller and says, "I'm going to put you over here (a secluded, dark and warm side-room). We're going to fill up soon." Boom...He's already taking really good care of us and his tip is going up like a parking meter. I'm not the jagbag parent who wants my kids shit in everyone's way...and he got that. It's baffling to read some of the negative reviews about the service here on Yelp. Our guy was flawless and patient and he even shared his vast insights regarding some of the Belgium beers on their very extensive menu. I chose Hopus, a strong but easy to plow through, Belgium IPA. I also ordered the Smokehouse burger, and to me, this is exactly what a burger is supposed to be all about: juicy and a bit sloppy; with a smoky, sweet & tangy BBQ sauce, fuckin' bacon, cheese and a couple onion rings; all while being accompanied with a side of (Napoleon) dynamite tatter tots! I'd describe my meal as "awesome" if that word wasn't so played out. The next time I'm walking around the Loop and want a good burger, you bet your sweet ass I'm coming back here. read more

I've been here more times than I can count. Is it the best burger in Chicago? No, but it's great. The best beer menu in Chicago? No, but it's great. Are the prices cheap? No, but they're reasonable. But sometimes we need to evaluate a bar based on the surrounding area. Monks is a respite in a sea of douchebag establishments. Monks is Gondor and every bar in the surrounding area is Mordor. If you didn't get that reference, you suck at life. The crowd can be eclectic. The servers are friendly. You can throw peanut shells on the ground. Cheryl is cool. The end. read more

Enter through two sets of double doors and escape the chaos that is the city loop. Seriously, you go from loud horns and bustling people to "ahhh" sitting down in here. The decor was awesome. A great old basement or wine cellar feel to it. The peanuts reminded me of Texas, having to walk on the shells all over the floor. And the ladies who work in here are too sweet and very attentive. The books are interesting to look at that's for sure. We picked up one called "The Gay Idea" or something to that effect, and inside someone named "Rose" had lovingly written a note from her studio to a man named "Jack" asking him to paint her with the ocean necklace on her again. Hee! No props though for the books that are literally sawed in half in order to fit on the shelf properly...that's a crime in my book. Goose Islands new Green Line Tap was the special at $4. Can't beat that. The food smelled wonderful though I didn't try. But I have a feeling I'll be back again sometime very soon..... read more

Monk's used to be the place my co-workers and I would go after work to drink until the suburban folk among them would notice the time, check their train schedule and then decide how fast they could run through the foot of peanut shells on the floor, out Lake Street and to the train based on how drunk they were. Good times. Good times. It's less an after-work drunkfest now and instead has turned into a weekday lunch spot. Look, if I could get all the way up to Moody's for a blue cheese burger with sautéed onions, onion rings and a few Heineken's, I would ... but I can't. Monk's is bigger, almost as dark and has a blue burger worthy of snarfing. I can't drink at lunch [anymore], but the burger is more than enough. The tables and the bar are usually pretty clean [not so for the floor, but I get a kick out of the peanut shells ... and contributing] and service is typically friendly and efficient. Some of you may be familiar with Flat Stanley or the Roaming Gnome [the real one, not the mascot] ... I participated in a similar game with a character named Cappy, a seafaring, drunken Walrus. Well, I took Cappy to Monk's [there are photos out there of his visit] because I thought it was worth showing off. And I think it's worth showing off here too. Get thee to Monk's Pub. I'll see you in one of the booths. read more

It's rather refreshing to see young professionals in expensive suits throwing peanut shells on the floor on any given night of the week. For being in a mecca of yuppies and suits and working stiffs, Monk's is such an oddity. But a great one. Have a Monk burger and a beer. Ascend into food coma heaven. And...dare I say this...their salads are actually quite impressive. I know, I know--judge all you want. I was incredibly hesitant ordering one here at first, but I was pleasantly surprised. Ok, judging over. This place does a hopping business at lunch and post-work, but the servers are incredibly efficient at what they do. read more

For all the good things I'd heard I can't say I left impressed. Grabbed lunch with co-workers and yes, they do have an exhaustive beer list! I was more excited to try the burgers. Decided on the popper burger (cream cheese, jalapenos, onion rings). I liked it, but it wasn't anything special. Knocked a star off for the attitude towards credit cards. We had four people and we had to convince the server to let us split four ways. "It costs us money each time we run a card." Well yes, you and every other business in the world!!! Go cash only if it's such a big deal. Also, it's downtown Chicago, not a small neighborhood or something. You should probably just accept credit cards and not make such a fuss about it. read more

I've eaten here on several occasions for lunch or early dinner and have never been disappointed. Love the casual atmosphere and the fact that you can throw your peanut shells on the floor. It's also darkly lit, so don't get too comfortable if you have to go back to work! I love their burgers. I usually get the Roquefort cheese burger with the addition of sauteed mushrooms. I also recommend their Total burger, which comes with cheese, bacon, and sauteed mushrooms. The Ribeye steak sandwich is excellent, especially when you get it on garlic bread. As far as lunch in the Loop goes, Monk's Pub is one of my favorites. If you can get away from your desk for an hour, definitely check this place out. read more

It's been a while since I've been there, but I remember Medieval Times being sort of awesome. Well, except for the fact that it's in Shaumburg nowhere near public transportation. And, well, I remember the tournament being kind of cheesy. And, well, I remember there not being much I could eat there. And, well, I remember there being pushy servers looking for tips. And, well, I remember it being really expensive. And, well, I remember it smelling kind of weird because of the horses... Crap. Let me start over... Medieval Times sort of sucks. But there is one thing about that abomination that I love. There's a certain devil-may-care attitude to eating with your hands and calling servers "wenches" and wearing fake paper crowns. Well, maybe two of those three at least. Sometimes it's just fun to leave modern social norms at the door. Worlds closer to home and easily accessible off the Clark and Lake stop, the Dark Ages themed Monk's Pub brings a little of this to the loop. The servers won't take kindly to being demeaned (even if they're incredibly slow and might deserve it); but they will look the other way as a customer engage in a tradition as old as pub time itself - throwing discarded peanut shells on the floor. Or, well, as old as Monk's at least. In the button down world of downtown Chicago, it feels fun to let it out a little in this way. And then just dig into one of their tasty burgers with all of my might like a knight of old. Well, knights didn't eat burgers, but if they did, they would probably have traveled many a mile and battled many a dragon for these delicacies. Especially vegetarian knights (maybe in the more enlightened countries like...wait...never mind) who would salivate over remembrances of Monk's veggie burger with tasty tots of times gone by around an open flame during a 9-to-5 crusade. Or whenever (I don't condone lighting fires at work, of course). And as a bonus, they offer curds-and-whey (or at least processed curds, I'm not even sure if it's legal to serve curds-and-whey in Chicago) as a side for only a dollar extra. I always make sure to get that. For a downtown bar, they offer a surprisingly diverse mead (or at least beer, I'm not even sure if it's legal to serve mead in Chicago) menu. Yes the prices of these ales (and lagers and stouts and ciders) are very modern and not medieval; but the décor (all exposed brick and knicked up wood and a fake library) and the food make it worth a fortnight's journey. Thankfully, unlike for those of us without transportation to get to Shaumburg, it doesn't take nearly that long to get to Monk's. read more

Monk's will remind you of your college's Rathskeller (if you had one). A dirty and divey spot when I worked around here in the late 90's, Monk's underwent a substantial rehab and is now a nice, cheery non-yuppified place to get a burger and beer after work. (I had to laugh at the previous reviewers' calling Monk's a dive--you should have seen it BEFORE the rehab!) It's also a great place to meet a group before a show at one of the downtown theaters. Almost all of the meter parking around here stops at 6pm, and there are a lot of "No Parking Until 6" signs so it is easy to score street parking if you get there a little before 6. I had to give it less than 4 stars for the books that they chain-sawed in half. Go there, and you'll know what I mean. read more

An essential bar for beer afficianados. Monk's got beers upon beers upon beers. Seriously, you'll find brews you never even knew existed before you walked into this old world styled pub. Monk's Pub is a great getaway in the downtown loop area from all the office space, the ditzy tourists and swanky steakhouses. Once you walk inside the establishment, you'll soon forget you're in one of the busiest metropolitan areas in the world. Let's get back to the beers. There's a whole bunch on tap, in flights, in bottles and cans. Beers from all over the world, with such unique tastes that branch out from the usual wheat and barley mix. Also check out some of the nice brewing events they got going on here as well. They serve food as well that, while I've never had any, smells great. Also have free peanuts on deck (go ahead, throw the shells on the ground. They don't care!). Many TV's to watch some big games and of course, let's not forget the nice bookcases they have near the entrance. The people here really know how to create a cozy pub atmosphere. It's ok to take it easy in the loop. Go somewhere that's not like the rest in the area and head to try something new at Monk's Pub. If you're a beer lover, you won't be disappointed. read more

Man, I really enjoy coming here for lunch. For me, it's a perfect distance from my work place where it's not too close for me to rely on it as my "default place" nor is it too far for me to not even consider it as an option if I were in the mood for a nice, juicy burger. And yes, burgers are what I come here for. I especially like the Cajun Burger (medium) w/ jalapeos and curly fries (curly fries? you betcha - you no longer need to go to rAby's for your curly fry fix). The place does get busy in a hurry so if you're in a decent sized group, play for the bar or get there a bit earlier (11:30'ish?) and roll the dice. Oh and speaking of which, this place gets a massive +1 for the decor. Being called "Monk's Pub", they really play up the old monastery look and feel (not that I personally know what an old monastery would look like) w/ lots of wood, old barrels and paintings of monks in their various poses of monkdom. I used to play my fair share of Dungeons and Dragons as a kid (and older *cough*) and always envisioned the bars my characters would find themselves in looking a bit like Monk's. It's pretty cool to actually experience the space in the flesh and physically touch your imagination crystallized to life. read more

Chicago pro-tip: Don't expect a bar to be open late during the weekend in the financial district. Of course, this didn't occur to us at the time, nor did the multiple closed businesses tip us off in any way. Thanks to the CTA being it's usual unpredictable self, we waited half hour on the Brown line platform at Sedgwick for a train to take us into the city so we could catch our Metra train. Needless to say, the train came just as our Metra was scheduled to depart, so we did not make our train back to the burbs. Since we had an hour to kill, we looked for bars in the downtown area that we could have a beer at while we waited. My bf found Monk's, which we had been wanting to try before, so we figured now was a good time to check it out. Oh but wait. They close at 5. We didn't realize that until we went inside around 4:40 and were told this by the bartender. Shoot. He was curious as to why we were coming in so late (not in a mean way) and we told him we missed our train and were just looking for a place to have one beer. He was nice enough to let us have that beer since there were other people in there finishing up their afternoons. The bartender was perfectly nice to us and gave us beer suggestions and talked to us for a bit. Wasn't upset that we were coming in at closing time. Treated us like someone who had been there all day. I love that they serve the beers in their correct glasses. My Hennepin came in a Hennepin glass! There were also beers that came in a yardstick-type glass and sat in a wooden holder. It was a great place to have some good beer and I really appreciated that he let us do that. I'm sure it's crazy busy during the week, but it's probably the most chill place in the area, so definitely check it out if you're around. read more

We rolled into this place for some after run(Elvis is Alive 5K) food and drinks! My reward for being awesome and running 3 miles in under 30 minutes.....BOOZE!....hell yeah! It is rumored this is the best Boca burger in CHicago.............I tried a bite of it...and hell yeah it was good! and this is coming from a Tyranasaurus rex of a meat eater...ME! it Tasted yummie! Nice selection of beer. free peanuts! shake and bake seal of approval! Hipster infestation level: 2. You would need to have a job in order to be in this area for lunch............Ha! Plus theres nowhere to tie a bike! read more

Monk's is the weirdest looking spot on this block. It doesn't fit in at all, which I like. What I don't like is their generic "cola"--if you're expecting Coke or Pepsi, just ask for water instead. "Cola" is not tasty, especially for a gal like myself who only orders brown fizzy sugar water when she's ready to enjoy a fat-ass burger. Anyway. The burgers are solid, the salads are decent, the fries are yummy. Monk's provides a nice diversion from your work day and is a cool place to escape for lunch. I'm sad they hacked "Little Women" in half to fit on their bookshelf, but I guess a good cheeseburger for a decent price makes up for hating on Louisa May Alcott. read more

Dear Monk's Pub, It was fun to reconnect with you after so many years for lunch this week. I'm glad to see that your burgers are still diverse and delectible. Plus you look better without the smoke. I didn't ever realize that your walls had paint or that the wait staff has all it's teeth. Keep it up with the clean, smoke free image. It's good on you. read more

First time here with a friend and this place is just fine. The service was really great, the food just okay. I would revisit again.

A tie with Moody's for the best burger in Chicago! Every time we come here for lunch during work, it's because we're looking for some comfort food. We always have good luck getting seated, even during busy lunches, and everyone there seems to be happy to be eating. Does that make sense? Go to Cosi, or Potbelly's, as good as they are, and people are dazed and have furrowed brows. At Monk's? Lots of laughing -- people smiling, and even though the place is a dark, dank Lodge, you feel happy knowing you're about to scarf down a burger and fries! read more

I have a dream that someday I will own a home with a finished basement that looks just like Monk's Pub. Monk's is so relaxed and low key. I love it! I didn't try any of the food but it looked fantastic! The beer flows. The peanut bowl is constantly refilled. The men are plenty. Love. It. read more