The diviest divy dive bars. 10 out of 10 I recommend. They have hilarious social media posts, bartenders are cool, and the atmosphere is perfect a laid back pre or post Cubs game or anytime really! read more

If you're looking for a great, old, faithful dive bar near Wrigleyville, I would recommend this place. My friends had all been there a lot of times, but this was my first time visiting to celebrate a friend's birthday. They were so nice and accommodating, and let us bring in our own birthday cake and even gave us some things to eat it with. Everyone was super nice, and it was exactly what we were looking for. read more

Nisei Lounge - Birthday celebration at the bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Can here while on the Lakeview Dive Bar Classic crawl, and solid spot to bring a big group and have a couple drinks! The bar is massive, lots of tables and seating and tons of standing room. Service was quick and staff was friendly. Lots of drink options too. I'd definitely come back, esp after a baseball game or on another crawl. read more

Best bar in town! Darts and pool with hundreds of malort bottles. What more could you need? Cheap drink prices, great service and not a sticky floor in sight. read more

Elite tier dive bar. If you don't love Nisei Lounge then you should look at yourself in the mirror and question everything read more

Nisei Lounge - Good beer - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I usually like coming here for the Malört infusions, but this last time I came they didn't have ANY! Thus, there was no reason to stay. read more

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Quality local non chain bar. One of the few left in Wrigleyville. The staff is great, the prices are fair for the area and people are actually watching the game. Audio is on not random music. Very good sports bar. Veteran staff is very welcoming. read more

One of the last true dives in Wrigleyville. I love coming here for their cheap beers and friendly staff.

A nod to history, Nissei Lounge is a "dive bar" with history and character. Located a few blocks away from Wrigley's Field, the Lounge was where post-WW II Japanese-Americans met for camaraderie and friendship because no other places would allow them to meet. It was a pilgrimage of sort to visit where nisseis (second generation Japanese-Americans) met. A "local" brought us to the lounge and if it was not him, I would not have visited. The décor is what is expected of a "dive bar" not frilly, pool tables, darts, a "gritty feel" with character. Affordable beer and drinks - and yes, I even tried the Marlot (Chicago handshake - Old Style beer + Marlot) Being so close to Wrigley's I'm sure the place is happening during the baseball season. When back in Chicago, I'll visit again. read more

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Among the few dive bars in Wrigleyville is this basic hole. It has all these Malort cocktails that for some reason are popular. Nisei Lounge is much more enjoyable than most places frequented by frat boy Cubs fans, I'll give it that. Drinks are all you need to ask for. That's good because that's all they even got. Beware for the ball games as this get crowded. It's nice though to see them actually care about their team and the game. The other times this bar is actually quiet. Coming at this time allows you to sample a few concoctions. If you like Malort: why? For those who actually do, this bar is known for their infused flavors. Most cocktails are about $6 or so. It's like you aren't in Wrigleyville anymore, lol. The beer is a bit cheaper for Old Style and more. Has a better than expected atmosphere. It does get those preppy fans so if avoid going during games. There's no food here but they let you bring in stuff. read more

Nisei Lounge - Jameson - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nisei Lounge is a Chicago staple dive bar, and every bartender here is super cool. This is an Ohio State friendly bar, and they open early on Buckeyes game days. Stopped here before the OSU Northwestern game at Wrigley, and they had a potluck on the back patio where someone brought AMAZING breakfast sliders to share. They have a new selection of infused Malört flavors every time I stop in, if you're in "the know." If you speak dive bar, this place is fluent and will not disappoint. read more

Nisei Lounge - Chicago handshake with a holiday appropriate cranberry infused Malört, one of many rotating infused Malörts they offer - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I gave the red-headed bartender my ID for darts and when I returned the darts, I asked for my ID. She gave me a white man's driver's license when I am an Asian woman. When I told her it was wrong, she just said "that's the only one I have." My friend and I had to go behind the bar to look for my ID while the bartender just stood there and was SO INCOMPETENT. How can you be in charge of business when you lose customer's IDs and dont even bother to look for it??? read more

My favorite bar in Chicago. Always a great time. Definitely worth the $15 uber ride. They don't serve food but you're welcome to order in anything you want from any of the restaurants nearby. The staff is great, Jay the bartender always looks like you're annoying him but don't take it personal, you're not annoying him. He's a great guy and won't ignore you. Everyone in the place is relaxed and easy going. I've always gone in alone and left both drunk and with new best friends read more

If you're in search of Malort with various flavors infused, THIS IS YOUR BAR. It's also a lovely dive bar in the middle of Lakeview/Wrigleville, so swing by here if loud dance music and crowds aren't your jam. Our group tried Sporty Malorty (Malort infused with sport peppers), one with lemons (like a shandy), one with garlic, one with coffee ... they're always coming up with new concoctions. You can play darts, pool, or some tunes while you have a drink. You might even score free parking on Sundays! If you're lucky you might get one of the mega straws for your Coke! read more

Nisei Lounge - Giant straws = awesome - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bar is awful. Skips songs on TouchTunes that they do not want to hear. Awful time. Do not go. Terrible bar. Will rip you off.

Nisei Lounge is the oldest baseball bar in Wrigleyville .A bit divey but the patrons love it that way . No food but chips . Pool table and dart boards ,No trip to Wrigleyville is complete without a stop at Nisei Lounge , Ben there forever or so it seems. read more

Decent dive. Malort abounds. Open late. Definitely has a vibe. Good location. Cans, not sure about drafts.

Fun dive bar near Wrigley Field. Has quite the legacy, which you can read about on the web site. A decent collection of beers with a cult specialty in the oddity named mallort ... see hot off the press, https://www.npr.org/2023/12/16/1219799106/opinion-in-chicago-malort-is-a-tradition. Some of the hanging extensions cords and such gave me pause - the space might need a freshening before the inspectors come. read more

Absolutely love this place. Been going here for years. The staff is so amazing and friendly. I love them all. That would have been enough. Then they now have Val in charge of Malört infusions, and I really couldn't be happier. Every one I've tried has been amazing. Keep doing what you are doing! #DayBaseball https://nisei-lounge-chicago.myshopify.com read more

Simply the best When you want drinks and conversation... this is the place. No frills, the needed tv's... drinks and conversation. read more

Today, I must give this scrappy joint 5 stars. It has reopened like many things here in the windy Apple. In a previous life, I used to live a stone's throw from here. There was much merriment enjoyed at this establishment. Kind of an OG round those parts. Keeping' it real, they are. Reasonable beer prices and rather suitable beer options. Also! They have TouchTunes, which are a bit of a gyp, but fun to help foster a vibe. We tend to crawl over after a Cubs game, but it dares to be fun at other times too. read more

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I've been here twice. Once before a Cubs game and about 2 nights ago. It's definitely a dive bar but chatted with 2 of the regulars and they were like friends I hadn't met yet. They had a few beers on sale. Christmas beers that we're still hanging around. Had a Great Lakes Christmas beer, a cinnamon chocolate milk stout that was on draft. They also have a pretty good sense of humor. The bar was in the midst of a Rossis pop up week. In homage to the dive bar on State Street and healthy joke about the pop up bar industrial complex that overtakes Wrigleyville around Christmas. Also the heat was on which I appreciated. Some bars which I won't mention turn it off or turn it low. The bartender also turned it on the Baylor basketball game I wanted to watch. Before I left a woman came in and wanted to watch Iowa Caucus results. The bartender switched a tv in the back on to a station so she could watch. Cheers to the bartenders that keep multiple kinds of customers happy. read more

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I was here last night to guest bartend to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association as every Thursday you can jump behind the bar to raise money for any charity you want. That is pretty neat since I don't think there is any place in Chicago where you can do that. Shoutout to Dave for helping me last night, Doug for helping me previous times before, and Brian for setting the event up! When you come here, I would temper your expectations. Plain and simple, this is a dive bar right next to the historic Wrigley Field. I love dive bars because the drinks are cheap, you don't have to dress to impress, and it's a laid back atmosphere. Nisei Lounge is exactly that! There's no food, but you can bring food in. They have a pretty good selection of craft beers. They have darts, a pool table, and a Touchtunes. Do not ask for a specialty cocktail because this is a dive. The atmosphere is grungy (but meets health code), which a dive bar should be. Also, I learned last night that they're the second biggest distributor of Malort in Chicago, which is pretty cool! So come here to enjoy a shot of Malort or Old Style before a Cubs game! read more

Nisei Lounge - #ENDALZ - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Douche-free bars in Wrigleyville? They really do exist! You know those girls* who like insanely priced frouffy drinks; preferably places with a long list of made-up martinis and other silly drinks? Well, I'm not one of them. You know those girls* who carry handbags the size of Texas and dogs the size of a cell phone? I'm not one of them. You know those girls* who get dressed to the nine's to hang out in bars like The Apartment, enclave or Barleycorn's? Yep, you guessed it, I'm not one of them either. Seriously, if I could get away with going out in my sweatpants I would in a heartbeat! Put me in any bar and I can be happy as long as they have these 5 things: 1) Reasonably priced drinks 2) Beer and/or hard cider, vodka, and real grapefruit juice (not the fake crap) 3) A reasonably low number of chads and trixies. Too many and I want to slit my wrists with a rusty butter knife! 4) Good tunes, but not too loud; I shouldn't have to scream in order to have a conversation. 5) No dress code, line to get in, or cover charge This is why Nisei and I were destined to meet. So, thank you Ronnie for introducing us! Nisei is nothing fancy, just a simple bar; an anomaly really for Wrigleyville. Pool, real darts, a few TV's, plenty of booze, and reasonably priced drinks. Nisei, is the perfect place to settle in and do some serious drinking on a cold winter's evening. And that's just what I did. Thanks Nisei for the good times with my fellow Yelpers! Hopefully, I'll be seeing you again soon. TIP: It's cash only, but there are plenty of ATM's nearby. * No offense intended ladies, I'm sure you're very nice. I have a few friends that fall into this category, but it's just not my style and never will be. You can keep bars like The Apartment, I'll take Nisei. read more

The first I came here it was to wait on the Cubs game to start and it was cool because I just got a couple of Bud Lights and I was off to Wrigley. This past Saturday was my buddy Ronnie's party and it was a bloody good time. They had my new favorite belgium beer. Delirium Tremons. This place also has pool tables and dart boards for your competitive pleasure. As everyone else said this place is totally different from most bars in the area. I don't have anything against the other joints in the area, but I would say its a more mature crowd. read more

A strange bird indeed. On a night when all the brah bars are packed, this place is deserted. Consequently, it's a haven for those of use who desire something more sedate but for some reason can't choose another neighborhood (usually this means some jagbag friend visiting from out of town). It's a strange juxtaposition to the riotous douchebaggery nearby, but thank goodness for it. I'm glad to hear that they didn't close as expected. I also like the place because of the X-Files Season 3 episode "Nisei" in which Mulder and Scully trace a thread of the alien conspiracy plotline from an alien autopsy tape to a secret train car and a group of female abduction survivors in Pennsylvania; this of course comes into play later in the series during the Scully cancer subplot. read more

One does not give the Nisei anything less than five stars, nor does one expect anything more here than it being Wrigleys most awesomest dive bar. The end. read more

This place is so far off my beaten path that it needs it's own road!! Hah! All kidding aside- Nisei was fun. I met up with the Yelp crowd last night and again had a great time. The beer was cheap and the bartender Jenn remembered all our names. How does she do that? There are dartboards, a couple of pool tables and a jukebox loaded with all the tunes I wanted to hear. Couple all that with a few regulars that, while they were a little surprised at the crowd we brought in, quickly got into the swing of things and embraced us warmly. Translated- that means they bought me drinks!! Woo-Hoo! They serve no food but you can order from a wide variety of restaurants- just ask Jenn to get the folder of selections for you. We had pizza delivered- it came within the hour and was quite good (at least the piece that I got- we Yelpers can scarf down food faster than anyone!!) Even the bathroom for a bar like this was not bad. And the beauty of a woman bartender? When I told her they were out of paper towels in the ladies room- she had it fixed in about two seconds!! Go for the cheap drinks but stay because it's a friendly neighborhood place where at least one person knows your name!! read more

Great neighborhood bar. This is probably the most real place in the area, and blissfully free of the usual suspects - drunk frat boys. It's a large, basic bar with cheap drinks - great for a gathering of a large group. The jukebox seriously rocks. A whole album of L7. YEAH!!! read more

New owners, same vibe. Least douchiest of Wrigley. Got to love the pole. read more

Nisei Lounge - If you're lucky, there will be girls pole dancing at Nisei. - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Last great dive bar in wrigleyville. Been going there for 20 years. The neighborhood has changed but Nisei hasn't. I hope it never does.

Nestled in in Wrigleyville I had a a great chance to truely dislike this place. Gladly I didn't. We walked in to this low-key place with blacked out windows. Blacked out windows means not having to see wrigleyville sloppy messes walking by. Thank Goodness. Barkeep made sure I was well hydrated. The bar istelf is a big area with seating. They have tables strewn about. The have a 2 dart board with giant chalk board to keep score....or write "lulu waz here".... or something else witty. They have a pool table that runs because it isn't leveled right (for the pool snobs). The do not serve food but the do let you bring food in. Beer in bottles or beer drafts...whatever you fancy, they have both. This feels like a weekday hangout to meet your homies to kick back a few and not deal with the typical Wrigleyville crowd. I can see myself coming back in the future. read more

Best DIVE in Wrigley!! (I believe it's the oldest too.) 2 dart boards, pool table (pretty shitty, but who cares..), photo booth, & board games behind the bar. Excellent prices, & very nice staff. read more

A Cubs Game Dump but that's Cool This will be a short review. This a a genuine dive bar with super cheap beer deals and the game is on. Cooler then most of the overpriced bars on N. Clarke. Why spend 3 times as much to get drunk before a Cubs game? Hit up Nisei, get drunk, play darts, and play some tunes. Thanks read more

I braved the wilds of Wrigleyville last week to attend an event at Nisei Lounge. Going in I knew what to expect, as I had heard that this place is a no-holds-barred dive bar that hosts weekly charity bartending nights: http://niseiloungechicago.com/Nisei_Lounge_Weekly_Events.php The place is definitely tucked away. With the red line being torn up indefinitely, and given that I was toting a large pillow for the charity raffle, I decided to cab it. I was glad that it was still light out, as there is no way I would have found the place, seeing as how it is tucked between two other storefronts. It is definitely not a sports bar, although the sets showed all of the major sports in play, including Game 4 of the Hawks. Whille this place is too out of the way to become a regular stop, I will say that the hosts/bartenders were accommodating to our event, allowing us to bring in pizzas (Nisei is BYO food) and call out raffle prizes. Word of warning/cautionary tale: do not rest your drink on the game table. I did, briefly, to take off my jacket and was reprimanded--oddly enough by one of the patrons, and not a bartender on staff. Go figure! read more

The best dive bar anywhere around Lakeview or Wrigley, easily. Giant Jenga and darts are available, drinks are cheap, and the bartenders are friendly. read more

Chicago has some beautiful and sophisticated bars, luckily, this is not one of them. What does exist at this tavern in the shadows of Wrigley Field (or close enough) is a place where you can get a good beer and drink for a very fair price. Pool table, darts, juke box, and TV's. It's all there. They also have a world-class selection of Malört. Meaning, they have it in a bottle and in a little bottle. Have you ever wanted to have Malört out of a plastic shot glass? Check that desire off your bucket list and get to the Nisei Lounge. Although food is not served, you can order in or bring your own food. If you do, be reasonable and bring enough for the bartenders. In closing, go to this place with friends or come alone and make friends. read more

Awesome laid back bar with a great beer selection. The people here, both behind the bar and the patrons, are friendly and good people. The vibe is not pretentious. It is a neighborhood bar. Come with a good vibe and leave with a better vibe. Even if you have a shot of malort - that stuff is memorable (and may even cure cancer)! read more

Nisei Lounge - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Best bar ever. Best staff ever. Know what you're about when you're here and you'll be taken care of. Good assortment of beers - some old standards and some interesting craft beers. If you're looking for a good place to hang out in wrigleyville that doesn't feel like a frat house - this is the place to go. read more

News Item: Chicago, IL (July 11, 2009)- The Nisei Lounge's burial has now officially taken longer than that of James Brown. While never claiming to be the "Hardest Working Bar in Wrigleyville", Nisei is nevertheless proud of this achievement. Ever since the announcement of the Nisei's demise many yelpers have bemoaned its loss, not realizing that it is still open. "We have worked hard at appearing dead for a year now" stated bar regular Ronnie R. (who asked that only his last initial be used for this story), "By carefully keeping the lights low, refusing to update anything, and never having more than two patrons in the bar at a time, we have fooled hundreds of people into walking by." The recent addition of a color television concerned Mr. R that it may give the appearance of life until he realized most patrons were unable to lift their heads from the bar to notice its existence. In this reporter's opinion the Nisei's burial should continue indefinitely. read more