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Old Town Ale House was featured in a couple of Anthony Bourdain episodes, and also conveniently located right across from the Second City theaters, so we just had to check it out. It's not quite a dive bar, the owner's savvy and humorous paintings cover most of the walls, creating fun and relaxed atmosphere. At night, its warmly lit, almost as if it was a romantic restaurant. There seemed to be a lot of locals, maybe a few tourists. No cover charge. Beers ranged from $6-8, wells gin & tonics $8, making this a very affordable drinking hole. Doorman and bartenders were all friendly, as well as the regulars. Great place to chill before or after your Second City show, or just in general.
This was a Chicago dive bar bucket list for me and my husband. We took my brother here who was visiting from Austin TX for drinks after spending the entire day downtown at Christmas time. We plannned on hopping a few bars in Old town , but my brother and hubby said " Lets just chill here ! Diggin the vibe". This place was featured by Bourdain and we love old town so we made it happen today. It is now our new favorite "dive" in Chitown. From the art work , the simple drinks, the people we met .... And just so you know ... cash only but an atm is offered . Just do it .
Always a great option after comedy show! Many of the comedians also come here at night and can be good opportunity to chat! Cash only but so affordable it's worth it! Such good vibes and good people. Easy to have drink in hand any night of the week! One of my favorite bars in the city for sure!
For sure this is what a dive bar should be. It may not have the cheapest drinks, but there's lots of other things about it that make it so. Old Town Ale House has been around for a long time. Gets so dark inside even during the day. The walls are covered with the most interesting artwork, and that alone is reason enough to check it out. Basically it's a classic. It's had a lot of visitors come through. There's evidence of this on the walls. Paintings of the celebrities who have been here fill one side of the bar. These include Anthony Bourdain, Jimmy Kimmel, and many others. Cool artwork above the bar. There's some funny nude paintings of politicians. Other than the art, the main thing is the drinks. There's cheap and expensive. Cheap beer comes in cans. It's about $8 for a Stiegl on tap. Good liquor choices. It's about $10 for most cocktails. This place isn't as cheap as it was but there's still a few specials. It's cash only. The only bad thing about this place it seems. Good place to check out artwork and get drinks. It's pretty crowded because space is limited. The bar is cash only so before coming out some money in the wallet.
After nearly ten years of stopping in every few months, this remains one of my favorite bars in the city. Not necessarily for the beers or mixed drinks, you can get the same or better just about anywhere else. It's the vibe. It's the incredible jukebox with records ranging from Count Basie and Tony Bennett to Howlin' Wolf and Tom Waits. It's the crazy paintings on the wall, showcasing the heroes from across the street, and the criminals who permeate our government. It's the kind of place that's too few and far between, your classic watering hole filled with regulars, folks who know, and visitors from all over the country. The bartenders will happily strike up a conversation with you, and just as happily leave you alone. You'll see people who might as well have their name on the barstool, folks who have probably been kicked out more than once, and people just having a really good time over a couple of beers. It's always a pleasure to come in and feel like you've transported forty or fifty years back. This place isn't trying to be trendy, and it certainly isn't desperately trying to be cool or coax people in. But it doesn't need to, like the owner himself, it wears who it is proudly on its sleeve and demands a little bit of honesty, humility, and for you to leave your bs at the door. Come in, have a beer, and enjoy the best jukebox and wildest decor in the city.
One of my favorite neighborhood bars I've ever been to while traveling, and I can imagine would be a too-frequent haunt if I did live in town. I could tell why there were so many regulars popping in for a quick drink and hello and others staying to watch the game. I hate saying "the vibe," but the vibe indeed was warm and comforting, in a quirky but well-decorated space. The staff (Steve and Chris) were so friendly and helpful. I fully expected them to roll their eyes when I asked for a hazy IPA, but they patiently let me try what local drafts they had (I ended up really liking Half Acre). They knew I was a tourist, roasted me just the right amount, but fielded all of my questions about the best pizza and hot dog anyways. Most incredibly: Chris took the time to write down a TON of recommendations for me for not only pizza and hot dogs, but breweries, whiskey bars, and Italian beef joints he thought I would like. I immediately wanted to go back the next day, and would have if I didn't have such a short time to explore the city - and more cash, as they are cash only.
This is the neighborhoodiest of neighborhood bars and a dive among dives. Word says this is a popular hangout for Second City performers, and I can see why. Its walls are filled with wild art and the portraits of famous customers. It has a good taplist, too, a mix of macro and locally brewed beers. The locals are friendly and happy to discuss all things Chicago.
Cash only but there is an ATM available. If you're a Trump fan, you probably wouldn't appreciate the paintings hung of him in a straight jacket. There was some interesting artwork through the whole place. Our group didn't have any cocktails so you can't really mess up drafts, bottles, and cans. I wish the windows opened bc it was a little stuffy. Typical old dive bar that met that expectation.
8 months ago
Old Town Ale House was featured in a couple of Anthony Bourdain episodes, and also conveniently located right across from the Second City theaters, so we just had to check it out. It's not quite a dive bar, the owner's savvy and humorous paintings cover most of the walls, creating fun and relaxed atmosphere. At night, its warmly lit, almost as if it was a romantic restaurant. There seemed to be a lot of locals, maybe a few tourists. No cover charge. Beers ranged from $6-8, wells gin & tonics $8, making this a very affordable drinking hole. Doorman and bartenders were all friendly, as well as the regulars. Great place to chill before or after your Second City show, or just in general. read more
This was a Chicago dive bar bucket list for me and my husband. We took my brother here who was visiting from Austin TX for drinks after spending the entire day downtown at Christmas time. We plannned on hopping a few bars in Old town , but my brother and hubby said " Lets just chill here ! Diggin the vibe". This place was featured by Bourdain and we love old town so we made it happen today. It is now our new favorite "dive" in Chitown. From the art work , the simple drinks, the people we met .... And just so you know ... cash only but an atm is offered . Just do it . read more
Always a great option after comedy show! Many of the comedians also come here at night and can be good opportunity to chat! Cash only but so affordable it's worth it! Such good vibes and good people. Easy to have drink in hand any night of the week! One of my favorite bars in the city for sure! read more
11 months ago
For sure this is what a dive bar should be. It may not have the cheapest drinks, but there's lots of other things about it that make it so. Old Town Ale House has been around for a long time. Gets so dark inside even during the day. The walls are covered with the most interesting artwork, and that alone is reason enough to check it out. Basically it's a classic. It's had a lot of visitors come through. There's evidence of this on the walls. Paintings of the celebrities who have been here fill one side of the bar. These include Anthony Bourdain, Jimmy Kimmel, and many others. Cool artwork above the bar. There's some funny nude paintings of politicians. Other than the art, the main thing is the drinks. There's cheap and expensive. Cheap beer comes in cans. It's about $8 for a Stiegl on tap. Good liquor choices. It's about $10 for most cocktails. This place isn't as cheap as it was but there's still a few specials. It's cash only. The only bad thing about this place it seems. Good place to check out artwork and get drinks. It's pretty crowded because space is limited. The bar is cash only so before coming out some money in the wallet. read more
After nearly ten years of stopping in every few months, this remains one of my favorite bars in the city. Not necessarily for the beers or mixed drinks, you can get the same or better just about anywhere else. It's the vibe. It's the incredible jukebox with records ranging from Count Basie and Tony Bennett to Howlin' Wolf and Tom Waits. It's the crazy paintings on the wall, showcasing the heroes from across the street, and the criminals who permeate our government. It's the kind of place that's too few and far between, your classic watering hole filled with regulars, folks who know, and visitors from all over the country. The bartenders will happily strike up a conversation with you, and just as happily leave you alone. You'll see people who might as well have their name on the barstool, folks who have probably been kicked out more than once, and people just having a really good time over a couple of beers. It's always a pleasure to come in and feel like you've transported forty or fifty years back. This place isn't trying to be trendy, and it certainly isn't desperately trying to be cool or coax people in. But it doesn't need to, like the owner himself, it wears who it is proudly on its sleeve and demands a little bit of honesty, humility, and for you to leave your bs at the door. Come in, have a beer, and enjoy the best jukebox and wildest decor in the city. read more
One of my favorite neighborhood bars I've ever been to while traveling, and I can imagine would be a too-frequent haunt if I did live in town. I could tell why there were so many regulars popping in for a quick drink and hello and others staying to watch the game. I hate saying "the vibe," but the vibe indeed was warm and comforting, in a quirky but well-decorated space. The staff (Steve and Chris) were so friendly and helpful. I fully expected them to roll their eyes when I asked for a hazy IPA, but they patiently let me try what local drafts they had (I ended up really liking Half Acre). They knew I was a tourist, roasted me just the right amount, but fielded all of my questions about the best pizza and hot dog anyways. Most incredibly: Chris took the time to write down a TON of recommendations for me for not only pizza and hot dogs, but breweries, whiskey bars, and Italian beef joints he thought I would like. I immediately wanted to go back the next day, and would have if I didn't have such a short time to explore the city - and more cash, as they are cash only. read more
5 years ago
This is the neighborhoodiest of neighborhood bars and a dive among dives. Word says this is a popular hangout for Second City performers, and I can see why. Its walls are filled with wild art and the portraits of famous customers. It has a good taplist, too, a mix of macro and locally brewed beers. The locals are friendly and happy to discuss all things Chicago. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Cash only but there is an ATM available. If you're a Trump fan, you probably wouldn't appreciate the paintings hung of him in a straight jacket. There was some interesting artwork through the whole place. Our group didn't have any cocktails so you can't really mess up drafts, bottles, and cans. I wish the windows opened bc it was a little stuffy. Typical old dive bar that met that expectation. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
I'm going to describe this like the text I sent my brother...it's all positive, but take it as you will. Please read in an Anthony Bourdain voice (btw) Cool place. 10 bar stools. Half a dozen tables. Dark, like a place where you expect someone drinking at 10 in the morning would be, but wouldn't want to be seen. Or wouldn't want the sun hurting their head more than last night already is read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
This is definitely a dive bar but lots of history. Cash only but believe they have ATM on site. Came on Memorial day with a buddy slightly after we left the beach. The air-conditioning felt great. The owner has a unique art taste and the paintings although some are lewd, skilled gives me Americana/ parody vibe. Got a Modelo. Cool knowing that comedy legends and Ebert+ Anthony Bourdain been thru before. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Great place with a lot of history. If you're looking for a fancy bar, this is not it. But for the political types it's a must visit. read more
3 years ago
This place is welcoming and historic. Saw that Anthony Bourdain recommended and did not disappoint. Got a seat at the bar and received quick service, well pourd drinks, and met the owner/artist . read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
I just couldn't pass by.... This is a very atmospheric place form 60s or 70s. A very dark lites, jukebox, old fashioned bar and it fells like and old Chicago style place. $8 for Lagunitas IPA seems to be a regular price for a place in this area. If you want to dive into Chicago classic bar - this is a place. Definitely recommended! read more
7 years ago
Old Town Ale House hits for that certain crowd. Anthony Bourdain didn't select this place as his favorite Chicago dive bar for no reason. (RIP). FYI, this bar is cash only. ATM is inside. Old Town Ale House is a quiet, dark neighborhood bar that's close to the Sedgwick train station and right off the busy street. Beers are cheap as hell and there's plenty to choose from. No food for those looking for a bite. The crowd is on the quiet-side and there's a small TV you can watch if you want to avoid conversation. Art is a bit...NSFW, but that contributes to the atmosphere that makes Old Town Ale House so special. Come here, have some fun, chat it up with friends. This place retains that old world charm especially well. 5/5. There's a reason why this remains the locals' favorite. read more
4 years ago
Tony Bordain was here! Awesome spot for casual beers and smooth jazz. Cash only and friendly bartenders. Must go if your visiting Chicago read more
2 years ago
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More info about Old Town Ale House
219 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60610
Old Town, Near North Side
Directions
(312) 944-7020
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http://www.theoldtownalehouse.com/
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