Awesome local dive bar with history. The owner loves squirrels and the 3 Stooges. He works there…read moreduring the day and his son takes over at night. No food other then snacks however there is a Subway Sandwich store next door plus they allow you to have food delivered there.

My friend was looking everywhere for a "Chicago Handshake" which apparently is not a sex thing. We…read moreended up looking on yelp for the best place to find one and Squirrel Cage was it! Staff was friendly, and it just happened to be Tuesday trivia night! We had a great time at this dive bar and would recommend! Just make sure to bring cash as they do not accept cards!

THE USUAL SUSPECTS…read more This dive bar in Lisle is a haven for townies, which is certainly a vibe. Maple Ave Pub is, unsurprisingly, on Maple Ave just west of Route 53 in the western suburbs of Chicago. I'd estimate I've stopped here close to a dozen times, although a handful of those instances I neglected to check-in on Yelp for fear of my wife seeing it ("I thought you were coming straight home from work....") An older woman's been behind the counter seemingly every time, taking drink orders and making small talk. She's friendly--​moreso with the locals than with me--​and I'll occasionally get called 'hun', 'sweetie', etc, which is endearing. I got way better service from the hot tattooed barkeeps at Brauer House in Lombard, however. To be perfectly honest, I've never eaten anything here. The wings look like they might pass muster, though there's a few items that raise an eyebrow (clam chowder at a dive bar? thanks, I'll pass). Possum Pub in Melrose Park had surprisingly good food, and it was a major dive, so perhaps I ought to give the grub here a shot sometime. They have several pool tables, a Big Buck Hunter, Golden Tee, dart board, boxing machine, and pair of pinball machines; as of 6/19/24 they've got a Star Trek premium (Stern, 20​13) and JAWS (Stern, 2024). In the past they had Oktoberfest (American Pinball, ​2018), Fish Tales (Williams, 1992), and a stunning Circus Voltaire (Bally, 1997). Last week, the A/C wasn't working so this place was SWELTERING on one of the hottest days of the year. Normally I stick around for a couple pints and 2-3 games of pinball, but it was so toasty inside (worse than outside) I only played 1 game and skipped the beer completely. There were no fans on, either. * TL;DR * Dive bars are all well and good, but maybe it's time I found a new spot to hit up for a cheap domestic pint. Over the years I've gotten a handful of looks that can be described as quizzical at best, and dirty at worst. I've been ignored by the bartender numerous times--with cash in hand, mind you--while she's chatting away with regulars, as I'm standing there absolutely parched. I want to like Maple Ave Pub, but the feeling doesn't seem mutual. If it weren't for the pinball tables, I probably wouldn't return.

Old school, no frills--yes fun, un-corporate, low key place to hang with a friendly crowd and…read moretender--better than Cheers!. Old school, dark wood, good ole' bar with plenty of ways to entertain you. Decent selection on tap and in bottles as well as cocktails. Good bar food. Reasonable prices! Come as you are, no one cares. Bottom line: Very low key, decent bang for the buck on refreshments and food, low key crowd, lots of stuff to do.

12/14/25 update: I…read morecame in and got the popular country fried steak. It comes with hashbrowns, eggs, and toast. It was only $10. It is busier than usually on a Sunday around brunch time. The country fried steak was cooked well. I loved the gravy, it has a lot of flavor in it. I also got apple cider which is seasonal. I'm glad to see some younger people coming in to try this.

If you love bowling and eating in your alley this may seem quaint but I will never go back! I just…read morewent in for breakfast and to their credit the prices are great! I had steak and eggs for $10! I sat down at a table and the wait staff brought utensils not realizing the table was dirt. After cleaning it she brought me coffee and what I thought was cream was actually milk... had to ask for half and half. The steak and eggs sounded like a great bargain... eggs over easy and med rare steak for $10 ... but alas I think the steak was cooked on one side only and completely raw and bleeding all over the plate... sent that back! Funny thing is while you wait for things to be corrected I noticed how grimy the place is. I was sitting by a window that really needed cleaning, and during most of my meal I was pestered by a fly! Yes, service was friendly and prices are a deal but I won't go back... I can forgive kitchen kerfuffle but I can't forgive dirty cause it makes you wonder what that kitchen looks like and the flues... no thanks!

After spending the afternoon at Morton Arboretum,our friends suggested we go to NWB - Next Whiskey…read moreBar in downtown Lisle. It was early on a Friday night and we were seated immediately. By the time we left tho,the place was packed! Our server Haley was great. They have a fantastic bourbon and whiskey menu as well as craft cocktails. I had their NWB Old Fashion which is made with Buffalo Trace..bonus! It was so good I had to have two.....lol. We spilt the NWB Trio appetizer which was a selection of hummus,olive tapenade and corn guacamole,fresh veggies and grilled pita. Definitely big enough for 4 people. Their menu offers Mac n cheese, Gourmet Burgers,Wraps,Sandwiches and Salads. I had the NWB Burger which was an 8 oz burger topped with pork belly,cheese curds,whiskey bbq sauce on a pretzel bun. Absolutely delicious! My wife had The Gobbler (GF) with a Turkey burger,avocado,goat cheese,roasted red pepper sauce on a GF bun. She loved it and they only charged an extra 1.00 for the GF bun. Portions are huge and the food is very good. We will definitely be back!

I was completely caught off guard by how good the burgers and drinks were here! My husband got the…read moresuribachi burger, and the wasabi gave it the perfect kick. I got the NWB burger, and struggled to fit it in my mouth it was so big. The pork belly was unnecessary honestly, and next time, I'd order it and ask for this to not be included. We also enjoyed a couple of cocktails, and they were some of the best old fashioneds I've had outside of Kentucky along the bourbon trail. My only critique: the music was exclusively bro country. I wish they'd play better music.

A perfect neighborhood bar, with delicious pizza and lots of beer!…read more We spent a few hours and enjoyed excellent service, delicious pizza abs a couple pitchers of beer! Didn't remember to take pics...because we were having too much fun!

Good food. Great neighborhood place. Participates in InKind app. Pizza very good. Wide variety…read moreof clientele, which I like to see. There is a separate door for carry out around the back. Grilled calamari very good, grilled wings also good. Check out the happy hour menu, different specials every night. Friday had whiskey drink specials. Lots of TVs for watching various games. We got pasta dishes to go, large portions. We will be back, the kind of place you know will be good, casual, friendly vibe.

Yeah... imagine walking into a bar that eerily resembles Paddy's Pub from Always Sunny In…read morePhiladelphia. Usually this place is empty and I'm surprised customers aren't up serving themselves. I actually am making a mistake by mentioning Always Sunny cus undoubtedly someone will read that and say, "oh man, that rocks!" and completely forget that the show is about 4 (now 5) people running a pit that is one inspection away from being condemned. It's probably a mistake even bringing them up in a review, because by doing so I'm making this place known. I had to search for the info. to add the business. Their link didn't work for me, but I included it anyway. I googled it and it came up... along with an equally cheery review from "Victor" - "I was there on a Wed. and one of the bartenders was drunk and dancing on the bar spilling peoples drinks. How tacky..then a baby comes out of the back room....really, great parenting". Reading that didn't shock me in the least. This experience is a actually a step up from Thursday night when the silence is broken by a terrible jam band/cover band. Talk about taking the two worst types of bands and mating them into a truly painful experience. The best bet is to avoid it, but if you must go - arm yourself with a tetanus/penicillin combo shot. They sell those at Walgreens, right?

The outside doesn't seem very inviting, but the inside is a nice village-style bar. There are…read moretables on both sides and in the middle, with the bar centered. In the back corner they have ring toss, darts, and beer pong, plus seating all around. It was clean and the service was good. Sundays also allow free games with a $10 minimum food purchase, which is a nice touch. I ordered the pretzel and it was good. It took about 15 minutes, and it was pretty salty -- definitely better if you brush some of it off. I also couldn't help but notice the vent above me. It had some buildup, and I kept thinking about it possibly dropping into my food.

Despite a miscommunication with the event planner the manager at Q Pub took care of our party of…read moreabout 25 at the last minute. Her and her staff helped to make my daughter's 21st birthday a huge success! Thank you so much Q Pub and Grill!

Crosstown wings are the best. Definitely going to miss them when we move. I highly, highly, highly…read morerecommend Crosstown Pub and Grill. BTW, in the summertime the patio is where it's at.

We were looking for a new place to try that was close to home, and after consulting yelp, we…read moredecided to try Crosstown Pub. We went on Super Bowl Sunday the first time, and were seated right away. Our waitress, Ciera, explained the specials to us and gave us some time to decide on our order. She was great, the right mix of attentiveness but not hovering, super friendly too. On Sundays, apps, crocks, and salads are all half off. Such an amazing deal, especially in this economy. My husband really enjoyed their devils eggs, he ate all 12! The appetizer sampler was great, and we ordered 10 wings with the devils sauce. Ciera was concerned it may be too spicy for us, so we tried a sample with some fries. It's delicious! The devils sauce is one of the components of the wing challenge, so we understand her concern. We went back again on Valentine's Day for a late stop after a busy day. They have a $5 burger and fry special. Again, great food at a great price! Ciera waited on us again, and again, she was incredible. The bartender was very friendly when we were coming and going, and the rest of the staff we saw on Super Bowl Sunday seemed very hard working as they prepped take out orders for the game. They have a great space in the dining area to host events. I'm hoping to host something here in the near future. Overall, I think we've found our new go to hang out. I highly recommend Crosstown. Check out their menu and daily specials, the food is definitely worth the visit.

Cooper's Hawk is a great chain that offers a consistent experience at their locations. They're open…read morefor both lunch and dinner and offer a variety of food options. They also have a wine tasting counter that often fills up in the evening time with guests wanting to taste their expansive collection of wines. They have multiple dining rooms to accommodate any party size and even have private spaces to host events in. I visited for lunch where options were endless. They offer their main menu as well as some lunch specific options that are smaller in portion for a better price. My group started with the Crispy Brussel Sprouts which were absolutely delicious. The brussel sprouts were crispy and paired with a fresh mint sauce and light space sauce; neither were overwhelming. For entrees, most got the Gnocchi with Roasted Butternut Squash while I got the Gnocchi Alla Vodka. I loved mine for being a classic dish with creamy sauce, crumbled sausage, and pillowy gnocchi. The other dish was perfect for a spring day as it was lighter in flavor, vegetable forward, and less heavy. I was a little bummed that our table never got the complimentary pretzel bun that seemed like every other table got. Our server was very sweet and kept on top of refilling our waters. She made some food suggestions but most items were off the regular menu and not the lunch menu. Pricing overall was a bit expensive even for lunch but portions were large. Overall, this was a great spot to enjoy the company of my coworkers and enjoy some good bites.

Stopped by Coolers Hawl Winery with two coworkers for wine and apps, and it was a great choice. I'm…read morea wine club member and the service was awesome, super friendly and attentive. We ordered a bunch of things to share: Brussels sprouts, a chopped wedge salad, egg rolls, meatballs, and a flatbread. The Brussels sprouts and wedge salad were the standouts for me, really flavorful and well done. Everything else was solid too and perfect for sharing with wine. This was my first time at this location. It's easy to get to right off I-88 and close to other shops and food spots, which makes it a convenient go-to. I'll definitely be back.

We went for a friend's birthday and it was an awesome time! The vibes were great for a private…read morekaraoke room. They also have a food menu and also a drink menu. We ordered a handful of soju bottles and it was great! Also their service was awesome, they checked in on us occasionally and also brought a fountain of water. We also had a cake for my friend's birthday and they offered to refrigerate it. Not sure if they'll do that often but they were so awesome about it! Great vibes, bathroom accessible, room had great space, and the staff were accessible the whole time. 5/5!

LOST IN TRANSLATION…read more Karaoke would've been a lot more fun.... if we actually had some English songs to pick from. My wife's birthday request was to do some singing, and with the demise of Punch Bowl Social in Schaumburg (R.I.P), I needed a backup. Eventually I came across this place in Yorkshire Plaza, a strip mall that's right across the street from Fox Valley Mall in Aurora. We were the only customers at 6pm, but I thought nothing of it at the time, assuming the rowdiness would filter in later. Levee Karaoke & BBQ is much bigger on the inside with nine private karaoke rooms, a billiards table, and a bar. It's $48 per room per hour on Friday nights and weekends. Searching through their database of songs was challenging. In order to find a multi-word song, you had to type in its initials ("I Believe In A Thing Called Love" becomes "IBIATCL") which was very hit-or-miss. For instance, we saw one song by Linkin Park, but nothing else from them. We noticed a TON of Chinese songs (nearly 75% of the catalog) with very few American artists represented apart from Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and Beyonce. Truthfully, we struggled to find any popular rock songs in English. Even mainstays like "Don't Stop Believing" were nowhere to be found. I wasn't impressed with the fried appetizer sampler ($15): a handful of fries, 4 onion rings, 3 mac 'n' cheese bites, 2 chicken wings and a sad pair of mozzarella sticks. Plus, the dipping sauces they gave us came in the smallest cups that are commercially available. It all looked like something a college roommate threw together in a rush. On the other hand, we enjoyed the BBQ skewer combo ($19). They gave us two each of cumin lamb, ribeye, pork, grilled cauliflower, and grilled brussel sprouts. We liked the dry seasoning on the veggies, and my wife loved the ribeye. The mini steamed buns (10 for $12) were fine, nothing too special but at least they were filling. The staff were very nice. Our server was responsive any time we pressed the in-room service button. A 12oz can of diet Coke was $2.50 (damn y'all!), which is steep considering a tall Sapporo draft was only $6. Yet another reason to drink beer, folks. At checkout, I briefly thought they comped us an hour of karaoke. Turns out, the "-$48" on our receipt was just the deposit being taken off the final bill; they did not in fact, give us anything for free. Expensive karaoke on top of a confusing Chinese-based system adds up to a tough, tough sell. * TL;DR * My wife and I had a decent amount of fun but nowhere near "$50 an hour" worth of fun. Regardless of where you are or what services you offer, that pricing is insane. Compare this to Punch Bowl Social ($40/hr), Lincoln Karaoke downtown ($30/hr), or Round One ($17/hr) which is quite literally across the street. Charging this much has to be how Levee stays in business, because it was a ghost town on a Friday night (where was everyone??) Had I'd known we'd spend half an hour sifting through the cumbersome catalog trying to find something familiar to Western audiences, I would have gone elsewhere instead. When we did karaoke in Osaka, Japan - over 6,000 miles away - their song selection was ten times better than here, in suburban Illinois. That's whack. All told, two hours with food and drinks ran me just shy of $200. I'm not spending that kind of money again pretending to "sing" Ariana Grande because my only other choices are songs in Mandarin.... which I do not speak. It's gonna be a 'no' from me, dawg.