Punch House

4.1 (249 reviews)

ModerateLounges

Closed • 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

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Punch House - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - Interior - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - a fish tank in a bar - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Deamontria R.

Came here for a first date a while back and had a wonderful time. The music was good, the dj was doing their thing. They gave us complimentary nachos when we sat down at the bar and it was pretty tasty. My drinks were hitting and very delicious. The crowd was very diverse which i loved! Place has an old school vibe and is cozy. Would definitely come back, just not with the guy haha.

Nduja shrimp empanadas, brandade tacos, chips and salsa

Isabella X.

Came in for a quick bite after a movie in the area. Love the small bites menu that you can order from Punch House. Empanadas were flavorful and moist. Wish there were more chips, we were left with a bunch more salsa after we finished the chips!

Marlene S.

I've been here twice, once at night on the weekend, and again during a weekday evening. Two different vibes. Weekend night is definitely a cool bar to get drinks and just enjoy times with ur friends. It's definitely very dark down there and can be difficult to get a spot to sit. The cocktails are made in a punch so not much substitution is possible During the week, a few of us came for a bite and a drink. The burger was super yummy and it was pretty dead in there, we were maybe 1 of 2 parties there. Overall a cool place.

Vanity H.

This is such a nice speakeasy! Never knew this existed in Pilsen let alone Thalia Hall. I don't know how I ever miss this precious building! I walked into a restaurant in which Punch House resides. The host near door was not sure about seating at Punch House and told us to head downstairs to see so safe to say that they're 2 separate entities. We headed downstairs and was hit by this old school look with the booths, lounge seats, low tables, piano, and more. I would say that they should be a bit better about being more welcoming or having a sign that says (seat yourself) or else you can stand there looking confused like us haha. We decided to just go ahead and find a seat at the closest table to us and the door cause we were too timid to see if anything was available and didn't know yet if that was allowed haha i think that's the onlyyy reason I took a star off. Once we sat down a waitress noticed us about 2min after and we had already looked at the menu (QR) and asked her for recommendations and flavor questions. She was very helpful and we both really enjoyed our drinks! Our waitress left mid service so can't say too much about her. I would definitely sneak in here again if possible when in the Pilsen area for a drink!

Adriana G.

I first came to punch house about 5 years ago on a date. I enjoyed their punch class, we were able to learn how to prepare a holiday punch along another couple. This is an ideal spot for a date, very low light and jazzy vibe. The punch we made that evening (punch class) was tasty, we couldn't really taste the alcohol but it kicked in after. I liked this about the drink, it had a lot of the flavors but the alcohol didn't take away from it. Alcohol did it's effect without ruining the drinks flavor. After that first visit, I decided to visit every time I traveled to Chicago. Yesterday was my most recent visit and I didn't like it as much anymore. The music was very loud, it wasn't easy to hear ourselves-- so not the ideal spot anymore for a chatty moment over a drink. The punch wasn't tasty, it had a strong alcohol flavor and the rest felt diluted at the same time. Did they change who made the punch? It barely had flavor. Very disappointed.

Mark B.

Meh. That's all I've got for ya. They made me write more so I will say the ham is good and service is less than great

Diane T.

Found ourselves in the cutest speakeasy for date night Saturday. You'll find it in the basement of Dusek's, same building as Thalia Hall. We came early enough where there was still prime seating- they told us to seat ourselves. The server was pretty attentive, always checking in to see if we needed refills or more to order. We ordered the tequila punch called Space juice for Jered. It gave sangria vibes but overall a decent punch since I ordered two lol. I had half a dozen oysters which was great! Loved the MIGNONETTE sauce with the lemons. My bf ordered their cheeseburger. The burger was a little on the medium rare side so make sure you ask for how you like it done. They played an interesting mix of old school hip hop, 2000s r&b, and pop. Very chill vibes so don't think I would come here if I wanted to hit the dance floor but I'll try on a later night next time.

Len L.

Interesting place to hide and have a drink with friends. Literally you go down the spiral staircase and find a seat, it is fairly gloomy and not well lit, I had to trust that I won't trip. I found a booth and sat with my friends. I got the menu and honestly could not see the menu and had to use my phone flashlight to read it. The waitress came and first thing she asked was "Are you going to pay cash or credit?" Was weird but I asked, basically they need to hold your credit card if you will use it to pay the bill. I told her, I pay cash. We ordered a few appetizers and it was decent, the drinks was limited so I went with the traditional can. We all did not stay too long as all of us had an hard time reading the menu to order more food. The consensus was that if we are wanting to hide from people we will come here.

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Sandra S.

46

21

30

7 days ago

Ambience 10/10 Service 10/10 Dj always 10/10 Drinks 10/10 I haven't tried the food so I wouldn't be able to say. I normally come here as an after dinner or after hours just for a few drinks the music and the vibes so I'll see if I can try the food next time. read more

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Laquanda ..

Elite 26

0

30

80

2 months ago

LOVE punch house! It is really one of my favorite spots to go to on a weekend or a weekday what I just wanna get out the house listen to some good music and just enjoy the vibes. The staff is always so lovely my friend and I had the best drink and per usual the energy was just so great. It was a great third spot for the night read more

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Clarissa H.

Elite 26 All-Star

24

221

1158

3 months ago

Super cute space right below Thalia Hall. Tons of seating which you can snag if you get there early enough, or once they open the back room! They have a very fun menu of cocktails, including one with Malort! Yay! It was very cinnamon forward and tasted a bit like Christmas, but was very yummy. They had a live DJ which was also fun for the vibes. Definitely a spot worth checking out. read more

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Leah C.

Elite 26

88

827

0

1 month ago

love the speakeasy feel... but the cocktail menu did not speak to me. it all seemed too sweet so i passed an went with my usual call drink. service was a bit all over the place as there was only one bartender with no table service. regardless, i would still go back. obviously a good spot for a pre-show drink. read more

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Deamontria R.

Elite 26

86

130

351

2 years ago

Came here for a first date a while back and had a wonderful time. The music was good, the dj was doing their thing. They gave us complimentary nachos when we sat down at the bar and it was pretty tasty. My drinks were hitting and very delicious. The crowd was very diverse which i loved! Place has an old school vibe and is cozy. Would definitely come back, just not with the guy haha. read more

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Isabella X.

193

6

8

7 months ago

Came in for a quick bite after a movie in the area. Love the small bites menu that you can order from Punch House. Empanadas were flavorful and moist. Wish there were more chips, we were left with a bunch more salsa after we finished the chips! read more

Punch House - Nduja shrimp empanadas, brandade tacos, chips and salsa - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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David K.

0

2

0

3 months ago

Thank you. RAUL is the BEST BARTENDER EVER. Your the best bro great experience. Attended well. Caring and honest and loves what he does

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Francisco J.

29

23

0

8 months ago

Amazing vibes in here with the fish tank. It's not a huge bar so get there early for a nice booth with friends or a nice spot at the bar to see the fish tank. Amazing date night spot but if you want to bring a group they have a large area hidden behind a book shelf that you can reserve highly recommended read more

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Marlene S.

Elite 26

150

472

1063

3 years ago

I've been here twice, once at night on the weekend, and again during a weekday evening. Two different vibes. Weekend night is definitely a cool bar to get drinks and just enjoy times with ur friends. It's definitely very dark down there and can be difficult to get a spot to sit. The cocktails are made in a punch so not much substitution is possible During the week, a few of us came for a bite and a drink. The burger was super yummy and it was pretty dead in there, we were maybe 1 of 2 parties there. Overall a cool place. read more

Punch House - Burger - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Vanity H.

Elite 26

447

359

751

3 years ago

This is such a nice speakeasy! Never knew this existed in Pilsen let alone Thalia Hall. I don't know how I ever miss this precious building! I walked into a restaurant in which Punch House resides. The host near door was not sure about seating at Punch House and told us to head downstairs to see so safe to say that they're 2 separate entities. We headed downstairs and was hit by this old school look with the booths, lounge seats, low tables, piano, and more. I would say that they should be a bit better about being more welcoming or having a sign that says (seat yourself) or else you can stand there looking confused like us haha. We decided to just go ahead and find a seat at the closest table to us and the door cause we were too timid to see if anything was available and didn't know yet if that was allowed haha i think that's the onlyyy reason I took a star off. Once we sat down a waitress noticed us about 2min after and we had already looked at the menu (QR) and asked her for recommendations and flavor questions. She was very helpful and we both really enjoyed our drinks! Our waitress left mid service so can't say too much about her. I would definitely sneak in here again if possible when in the Pilsen area for a drink! read more

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Adriana G.

Elite 26

98

182

678

4 years ago

I first came to punch house about 5 years ago on a date. I enjoyed their punch class, we were able to learn how to prepare a holiday punch along another couple. This is an ideal spot for a date, very low light and jazzy vibe. The punch we made that evening (punch class) was tasty, we couldn't really taste the alcohol but it kicked in after. I liked this about the drink, it had a lot of the flavors but the alcohol didn't take away from it. Alcohol did it's effect without ruining the drinks flavor. After that first visit, I decided to visit every time I traveled to Chicago. Yesterday was my most recent visit and I didn't like it as much anymore. The music was very loud, it wasn't easy to hear ourselves-- so not the ideal spot anymore for a chatty moment over a drink. The punch wasn't tasty, it had a strong alcohol flavor and the rest felt diluted at the same time. Did they change who made the punch? It barely had flavor. Very disappointed. read more

Punch House - Milk Punch - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - Punch - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Punch House - Punch class - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Mo B.

488

52

25

1 year ago

Cool vibe! Wish there were more wine choices. Staff is attentive! We had a blast! Love the dark sexy vibe!

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Jasmine N.

Elite 26

8

100

113

2 years ago

I like the underground theme and there was plenty of seating which I enjoyed. However, I think they need a new bartender or perhaps it was an off night because they served me a half-made special request drink in a 1oz portion, and an undesirable staple Mai tai. I would have rather they say they didn't know how to make them, rather than serve me crap....and I'm not the picky type. read more

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Katy F.

Elite 25

428

136

106

2 years ago

Great vibes and excellent cocktails. Best place to grab a drink before a show at Thalia Hall. I love the fish tank and the service is spectacular! read more

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Mike G.

Elite 26

154

623

89

4 years ago

Punch House has long been on my list of places to visit and finally made it last week. My fiancé and I were pleasantly shocked to find a booth on a Friday night. We loved the relaxed and old school atmosphere and really enjoyed our drinks. We both had the Gin Punch and will be back to try more from their drink list. The bartenders are very friendly and welcoming (just like everyone who works at Thalia Hall!) We'll be back soon! read more

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Mark B.

Elite 26

119

594

192

5 years ago

Meh. That's all I've got for ya. They made me write more so I will say the ham is good and service is less than great read more

Punch House - Menu - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Diane T.

Elite 23

187

76

505

3 years ago

Found ourselves in the cutest speakeasy for date night Saturday. You'll find it in the basement of Dusek's, same building as Thalia Hall. We came early enough where there was still prime seating- they told us to seat ourselves. The server was pretty attentive, always checking in to see if we needed refills or more to order. We ordered the tequila punch called Space juice for Jered. It gave sangria vibes but overall a decent punch since I ordered two lol. I had half a dozen oysters which was great! Loved the MIGNONETTE sauce with the lemons. My bf ordered their cheeseburger. The burger was a little on the medium rare side so make sure you ask for how you like it done. They played an interesting mix of old school hip hop, 2000s r&b, and pop. Very chill vibes so don't think I would come here if I wanted to hit the dance floor but I'll try on a later night next time. read more

Punch House - Space Juice for Jered - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - Oysters - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - Cheeseburger - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Maddi V.

Elite 26

34

302

156

4 years ago

If you're looking for a cool place to grab a drink, Punch Bowl is a great place to stop. The vibes are cool, almost jazz lounge like. This would be a great place to bring a group, as you can order drinks as a single, in a carafe or a full punch bowl that would serve 6-8 people. The drinks we had were delicious, and very pretty. We also really appreciated the service - they were just on it all night. This place does get busy, and I don't think there's an option to make a reservation, so that is a challenge. We've tried to stop by 3-4 times before we finally were able to find a table or seat at the bar, but it was worth the wait. Of course, you can always order a drink and be standing, but that's never fit our vibe, especially with all the great places in Pilsen in the immediate area. We'd definitely go back! read more

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Brittni H.

0

11

2

1 year ago

Had a speak easy vibe in the basement. Loved it. Will be back. Bartender could have been a bit more attentive, and cocktail waitresses would have been nice as it was a bit busy. Yankees ordered at bar directly. I'm not sure if this is their normal practice as it was a week night read more

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Len L.

Elite 26

475

965

687

7 years ago

Interesting place to hide and have a drink with friends. Literally you go down the spiral staircase and find a seat, it is fairly gloomy and not well lit, I had to trust that I won't trip. I found a booth and sat with my friends. I got the menu and honestly could not see the menu and had to use my phone flashlight to read it. The waitress came and first thing she asked was "Are you going to pay cash or credit?" Was weird but I asked, basically they need to hold your credit card if you will use it to pay the bill. I told her, I pay cash. We ordered a few appetizers and it was decent, the drinks was limited so I went with the traditional can. We all did not stay too long as all of us had an hard time reading the menu to order more food. The consensus was that if we are wanting to hide from people we will come here. read more

Punch House - Smoked Lamb Ribs $15 - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Alejandro C.

Elite 26

183

147

801

7 years ago

Great place to lay back and relax with friends. Downstairs they have a bar that is chill with 6 booths and a great place to hang out in the north side of the bar with a DJ stand and a small library. The service is good and they have a variety of housemate mix drinks. Unfortunately, we didn't try the food. However, the waitress said they are known for their bar snacks. Definitely will be bringing other friends to show them how chill this bar is. We tried the Chatham Artillery, which had a different variety of liquors in one. It was pretty good, wouldn't get it again though. Cheers!! read more

Punch House - Downstairs bar - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - The sitting area in the basement. - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - The booths in the basement. - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - Their small glass. - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - Chatham Artillery-Carafe - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Arika M.

0

33

109

2 years ago

My go to neighborhood spot. Great drinks, even great nonalcoholic options. The food is pretty solid and the music is always great.

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Kara K.

Elite 25

598

251

243

4 years ago

Discovered Punch House as I staggered downstairs from the Tack Room looking for the bathroom. I was like, "Ok, now!" after I peeked inside and saw it was movin and groovin. I convinced my date that we should ditch Tack Room (mainly because there was no real vibe, the music sucked and it was kinda empty) and he said cool. As we made our way to the bar and checked out the scene, I felt as if my eight year-old self was at one of my godparents' basement parties about to perform "Ring My Bell" before being shooed back upstairs so the REAL party could start. Punch House nailed the 70s vibe with the wood-paneling, leather seating, beautiful aquarium and funky music. The bartenders even looked like 70s transplants without looking like they were trying. I mean, this place was the Regal Begal incarnate and I was Jack or Larry's "hot date". My Cutlass Supreme (ummm...Supremes, hiccup) were a tasty mix of tequila, rum, hibiscus, melon and lime and set the mood for my famous Soul Train dancer moves on the crowded dance floor. I had a GREAT time and went back on a Saturday night and had an even better time. I had the tasty wings and oysters to accompany my cocktail, this trip, and of course there was plenty more boogie-oogie-oogieing. An absolute must if you're looking for a laid-back vibe, great music and groovy people. read more

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Grant S.

Elite 26

610

346

2189

8 years ago

The Punch House has now become one of our favorite spots to eat dinner and grab a drink during the week after a long day of teaching. As teachers, we were first brought into Dusek's by the wonderful teacher discount in September, but we soon discovered the Punch House in the basement and have been hooked ever since. The biggest draw for us is the weekday happy-hour for the 'punches,' aka delicious cocktails, at $6 a pop instead of $12-15. What a steal! This happy-hour goes until 7. Tonight I tried a new punch, the Planter's punch. It was very delicious! But I had my second (you have to have a second at that price) be one of my classic favorites: the Blackwoods. Check out the attached menu for the descriptions! Also on happy-hour is the fantastic pretzel with shaved Parmesan cheese and ground mustard dipping sauce. This pretzel is absolutely Devine! Once of our favorite meals at Dusek's is available at the Punch House: the Juicy Lucy burger with bacon-fat fries. So we make it a scrumptious dinner at the Punch House and walk away stuffed and happy! Cheap/quality cocktails, a heavenly pretzel, and a scrumptious burger/fry combo...can you imagine a better way to spend your weeknight dinner? I sure can't! So head on over to the Punch House and give it a try yourself! read more

Punch House - The Blackwoods - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - Juicy Lucy Burger with bacon-fat fries - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - Heavenly pretzel - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - Food menu - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - Planter's Punch - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - Punch menu - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Anne K.

15

23

2

2 years ago

Loved this dark, nautical themed, yummy speakeasy. Matteo the bartender gave excellent, very gracious service. Duck carnitas were awesome! Highly recommended! Especially pre-show at Thalia Hall! read more

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Tracy M.

Elite 26

99

257

426

7 years ago

What a neat hidden gem of a lounge!!! Visiting Pilsen/Chicago and this place was recommended by a local (my daughter!). You'd never know it was there if it wasnt pointed out to you. Cool selection of "punches" (mixed drinks) from spicy to fruity & sweet! I had the BLIND MELON punch and it was tasty! Also tried a PURPLE POWER which was really good. My only complaint- I love Vodka & no vodka punches.. Still a great CHILL place with a great relaxing vibe! read more

Punch House - Blind Melon Punch - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Susan M.

1

40

9

2 years ago

Just not good. I can't believe the bouncer is going to chase me Down because I was drinking a drink outside within the little outside area...to top it off he was so rude. read more

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Joan L.

1

13

0

3 years ago

A chic place for dates, hangs, or single drinks! Service is friendly and they have amazing drinks. Can be crowded at night, but try to get a bar seat and then drink away. A great place for a first date. Highly recommend getting the bowl and sharing with friends - no regrets, just hangovers. read more

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Indie B.

1

5

3

4 years ago

a rollicking and seafaring good time! the live shanty band was an excellent touch . Minus one star for the bandleader tripping me with his peg leg just because I was trying to dance on the bar would love some sort of hardtack type snack and an expanded mocktail menu read more

Punch House - whiskey punch - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Kyle D.

Elite 26

412

1080

1836

9 years ago

Overall: Who knew punch could still be good outside of college? Great vibes and good drinks! The good: The atmosphere is the cherry on top. Basement bar with a fish tank, comfy and humble seating, and a cozy vibes. Lots of interesting decor everywhere. The drinks though, are the meat of the deal. The different punches are great, and for those not inclined there's a good beer menu too. The food looks pretty good too. They also have WiFI since you won't get cell service. The not-so-good: A bit pricey. The punches were great but I don't even wanna look at my bill... Atmosphere: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Food: N/A read more

Punch House - Delicious and effective - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Punch House - Nice vibes - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Erica T.

Elite 26

191

177

222

7 years ago

LOVE THIS PLACE!!!! The bar is located downstairs. Very quaint-I went on a Saturday night. Diverse crowd. Good music[Michael Jackson vibe] -some were dancing. I ordered an Old Fashioned and the jalapeño hush puppies. The hush puppies were scrumptious. The old fashioned-meh. The drink was quite weak. The vibe was awesome-mostly friendly people-quite a few couples. Age range-I'm guessing late 20s to mid thirties. I can't wait to go back! Gave 4 out of five because my server was quite consistently unpleasant. I asked whether they had Dragons Milk beer and she responded: "We have whatever is on our beer list." Oh ok. Rude-especially since I didn't have a copy of this beer list. read more

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Laurel F.

0

11

7

2 years ago

What an awesome place. Great atmosphere, service and crowd. The menu includes drinks designed by the staff which is a cool idea. Loved the fish tank and old model ships! Comfy furniture and great DJ. read more

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Bailey M.

Elite 26

643

1232

2221

9 years ago

This bar reminded me of a trendy version of my great grandmothers basement. It's very dark inside with candles, booths, bar stools, and couches. I like that they can make any drink into a snow cone but be aware it is messy. The wAitress was good with recommendations as I enjoyed my drink very much. I'm excited to come back for another drink and to try the fondue. read more

Punch House - Snow cone "from chili with love" - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Karoline K.

0

5

0

2 years ago

Anybody who has lived in Chicago for a while and likes to go out knows that punch house is a hidden Chicago gem. Always diverse, always stylish, always a fun time. read more

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Clara S.

Elite 26 All-Star

607

1668

2347

8 years ago

Really cool speakeasy underneath the amazing Dusek's restaurant. This made the dinner so much more exciting having a cool bar to look forward to just downstairs. I like how there were delicious and fresh punch flavors as well. Too bad we didn't stay until midnight to watch them feed the fish and take a shot, but still a cool atmosphere! read more

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Maria D.

Elite 14

346

190

184

8 years ago

Last night they truly impressed a group of 10 foodies and this isn't easy to do! After a concert they were busy and we did not have a reservation, we just popped in, hungry and halfway in the bag. Their floor manager Daniel Wat came out to us, with a welcoming smile. He found us a table where he was even able to satisfy in retrospect an unreasonable request for a quiet spot. The ambiance was great and the food (we ordered every appetizer on their menu twice) was OUTRAGEOUSLY delicious, beautifully plated, served at a perfect temperature! We were beyond impressed how quickly everything arrived and how accomedatong the servers were! Get yourself a truffled foie grass dip - it is the food of Gods! We ordered it again several times and it was still not enough... Yum!!! In the photo one of our friends let himself go and began to treat himself to this appetizer as an individual portion... Oh well... We understood read more

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Erika G.

Elite 26

114

2367

435

11 years ago

This place is great. The cool 60's-ish interior, the aquarium behind the bar, the snacks, and the PUNCH!! A must-visit before a show at Thalia Hall. Came here, read the menu, and immediately wanted all the punches. So we did! Had one of each, whee! Everything was original, delicious and frosty. I'm coming back here! read more

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Talia C.

Elite 22

411

314

931

5 years ago

A fun basement bar to get the night started! No windows down here, so we like to come before it gets busy (during COVID). Drinks are great. Service is friendly. Decor is moody and fun, as is the music. The cocktail menu offers up a selection of premade punches that are all really interesting. I haven't asked for this yet, but I'm pretty sure they can make cocktails of your choice upon request too. They have a pretty big aquarium behind the bar that's fun to stare at, and excellent food made by the same chef that cooks for Dusek's (upstairs). read more

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Donald M.

0

1

0

3 years ago

Jay, our waitress was an absolute pleasure. Ryan and Mark In security were both respectful and on top of their stuff. 10/10 experience

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Brittney J.

Elite 21

29

93

48

5 years ago

Really, what is there not to to LOVE about this place??? The atmosphere is amazing the staff is always great. There is food available and the drinks charge but are never a let down. If you have not experienced this place you should. If you are feeling up for it I recommend you check out the rest of the bars throughout the facility. Theres the concert hall upstairs and they also throw some great shows. I COULD GO ON AND ON...I love this place... the salt water fish are my favorite. read more

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More info about Punch House

1227 W 18th St.
Chicago, IL 60608
Pilsen
Directions
(312) 526-3851
Call Now
Visit Website
http://punchhousechicago.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Punch House open?

Punch House opens at 5:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Punch House close?

Punch House closes at 1:00 AM (Next day) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Punch House closes at 2:00 AM (Next day) on Friday and Saturday.Punch House closes at 12:00 AM (Next day) on Sunday.

Mon-Thu 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM (Next day)Fri-Sat 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Next day)Sun 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM (Next day)

Payment methods

Does Punch House take credit cards?

Yes, Punch House takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Punch House serve alcohol?

Yes, Punch House serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Punch House have TVs?

No, Punch House does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Punch House have bike parking?

Yes, Punch House has bike parking.

Does Punch House have outdoor seating?

No, Punch House does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Punch House have parking?

Yes, Punch House has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Does Punch House allow outdoor smoking?

Yes, Punch House allows outdoor smoking.

Does Punch House have free WiFi?

Yes, Punch House has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Punch House, located in the basement of Thalia Hall, invites you to circle 'round a bowl of punch and lose track of the time. 'Punch,' borrowed from the Hindi word 'panch' (meaning five) refers to strong, weak, bitter, sour, and sweet, the five flavors in every batch of punch. Punch originated in the middle 17th century as a method for British Merchant and Navy sailors to water their rum rations, allowing an all-day drink with mitigated effect. The consequent fortification also purified otherwise questionable drinking water, a helpful side effect. Utilizing the exotic fruits, spices, and teas made available by their journeys to India, these early intoxicologists unwittingly gave wellspring to the modern cocktail.

Punch House Reviews in Other Languages

Spanish
1 Review

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4.1

(18 reviews)

3.0 mi

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4.3

(118 reviews)

2.0 mi

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4.1

(114 reviews)

2.4 mi

I went to the Pearl Club this evening for the Fantasy Bay Burlesque night. the vibes in there are…read moreimmaculate & such a cool history with this building that has existed since 1890! The decor was elegant and swanky, the espresso martinis were delicious, the seating was very comfortable for me as a plus size and disabled person, and despite not advertising it there is an ADA bathroom on the main level in addition to the bathroom down the stairs. All the staff were super kind and friendly and the performers were so immensely skilled at their craft-- shout out to the burlesque artists Sugar Cane Jane, Honey Bee Rose, Nami Flare, Sassy Squire, and Chi Faguette an amazing night that I will never forget. I can't wait to come back !

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I'll start by saying I've been a huge fan of The Aviary for years. In the early days of the…read morepandemic, I got all their cocktail books, and my friends and I bought some of the equipment (vacpot, porthole) and started making Aviary drinks. So when I went to Chicago to visit friends recently, this was my first reservation. We were kindly greeted and seated toward the rear of the dining room. Collectively, we ordered more than half the beverages on the menu. I won't go into tons of detail on them, since some drinks are seasonal, but I will say that it was a blast experiencing craft cocktails and mocktails at their finest. I love the menu concept of the birds that fly farther along the page to indicate how alcohol-forward the drink is. That's a really fun idea! One friend ordered both the spirited and the non-alcoholic Porthole to compare the flavors. And we all liked the N/A version better! Our server kindly came over and mentioned that he heard I was inspired by The Aviary and they took us on a private tour with the bar team and then down to the ice making room, which I LOVED because I was obsessed with the intricate ice making process from the original cocktail books. What a fantastic experience, and the tour put a cherry on top. Long live The Aviary!

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Moxy Chicago Downtown

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The Moxy brand is geared to young people who want a cool work vibe. It's a chain that focuses on…read moreminimalist amenities at a more affordable price in central locations. This hotel was located within the loop near the river, shops, bars and restaurants. The hotel rooms are basic and small. We were fortunate to get an upgraded room with two queen beds and an amazing view out the window of the city. The window was large and clean. The beds were comfy with ample pillows. Four pillows were provided. The hotel set up is a bit awkward. Room is best for one person as lacks storage for large luggage. Plus there is not a defined bathroom. The shower is within the bedroom. Fortunately the shower was frosted but you walk right into the bedroom so you must be comfortable with those you stay with. Plus the room does really have a deck and chair to work. The desk is a fold down from the wall. The chair for the deck is located on the wall and not really suitable for long term working on sitting as does not have a back to it. The best thing above this hotel are the staff. The front desk staff are super friendly and accommodating and aim to please. The bartender was super friendly and attentive as well. Lastly parking is not available right at the hotel. You have to walk two blocks. Plus parking cost 59 dollars and that's the discounted rate. Also not really a suitable place to drop luggage off. If you pull up to the front door, you are blocking traffic. Base on price of 400 dollars the night we stayed, I would say it's not worth the stay. Maybe it's worth 200 or less for Chicago.

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Quartino Ristorante

Food was incredible! We had the mussels, class with linguine, and a 4 cheese pizza and everything…read morewas amazing! Elliot was an incredible server! His recommendations were on point, food and wine! We sat in the bar area and the ambiance was perfect! I can't recommend this restaurant more! 10/10 will return next time we are in town. Thanks Elliot!

Made reservations to sit inside, which is welcoming and fun, but they had open tables in patio we…read morewe opted for that and it was awesome good choice. Great food, and our waiter Holden was awesome.

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Green Street Smoked Meats

Not sure what else to say than.. food is good. Just…read morefantastic! Closes thing to the Texas .. Chicago jalapeño poppers were my favorite. Meat is always fresh and good here! Counter boys were lil mean but who cares!

fireeeee!! the brisket was so yummy, especially paired with the various sauces they have. coleslaw…read morewas okay, it wasn't super flavored but it was a nice side to have with the meat and the mac n cheese. the mac n cheese was good, but sooo heavy. i would recommend sharing it with people. overall, brisket was excellent and all the food was good. yummy rating: 8/10

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SUSHI-SAN

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Great spot for sushi!…read more Came here to celebrate my birthday while in Chicago and had the best experience. Reservation was easy to make through Open Table and I would request booth seating as it can get chaotic in the main dining room. Lychee cocktail (5/5): really enjoyed this, perfect if you love lychee and a strong drink. Banana milk punch (3.5/5): this was a little too sweet for me but it was good. Food (5/5): we got the seaweed salad, yellowtail carpaccio, mixed tuna set, 12 piece assorted nigiri, and some additional à la carte pieces and everything was fresh and delicious. Butter Cake (5/5): omg this is a MUST, one of the best butter cakes I've had. Will definitely be back the next time I'm in Chicago!

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Miller's Pub

Cool vibe. Great menu selection…read more Classic Chicago pub restaurant. Came here on a Saturday evening and was seated within 5 minutes. Great service too.

I didn't want to go far from my hotel, so I hung out here and had a few beers…read more I didn't have anything to eat in my two times here. The beer selection was "fine"? Midwest bars tend to make some surprising choices about what they find interesting, and even in Chicago that's no exception; everything on the beer list seemed picked not to offend. It's a noisy spot, but the service was prompt and the beers cold.

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Iron Age Korean Steakhouse

Great place to go for a date or family outting. Pricing is reasonable per person. Dinner price $35…read moreper person all day on the weekends. You do have to pay for the meat you don't eat. This was my boyfriend's time going and I haven't been here in 4 years. LOTS has changed. First We ordered the Hawaiian bulgogi and the brisket. The brisket was amazing. The bulgogi was a bit too sweet. The grill gets burnt up very fast. I don't remember the grills going bad that quickly years ago. Our server was nice but slow, the grill needed to be changed out frequently due to the bulgogi. They don't give you any oil either. Only thing I didn't like was the lettuce it tasted funny and old. Overall nice place but it's a bit dated, they need to upgrade the design and functionality of it asap.

Food: 4/5 stars. I thought the entrees were all good. The bonchon was a little sad looking, but…read moretasty. We were issued one pair of (dull) scissors and one set of tongs for a party of 4, which isn't nearly enough for as much flipping and serving as we were doing. I did appreciate that we cooked our own meat. Value: 5/5 stars. You really can't beat AYCE for $32pp, especially in Wicker. Service: 5/5 stars- very attentive and quick service. Had a friendly and smart server. Environment: 0/5 stars. If ambience matters to you at all, this is not your spot. There was 0 attention to ambience in there- the black and red paint was atrocious and I felt like I was in some dystopian slop hall. I wish they had the hosed exhaust fans that sit closer to the cooking table like in Korea, as the place would've felt way less smoky and gross. I get that the smells and oils make it harder to "feel" clean but... I've been in some well ventilated and pristine K BBQ spots, so there's really no excuse. I guess ultimately this is a case of you get what you pay for. Now I know. Just be informed before you go in- set your expectations. If you want to close your eyes, ignore the bbq glaze your feet are slipping on, and chow the F down on some good but not great meat, hit up Iron Age!

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Tanta

We were late for our reservation, but they were able to accommodate us anyways at the bar. We came…read morefor happy hour appetizers and drinks. All of the appetizers we had were absolute dynamite. Both of the cebiches were fresh, well balanced, and offered different experiences than each other. The bao was straight up delicious, sometimes baos can be a miss and this is something I'd definitely order again and recommend. The pork belly wasn't all fat either which was my favorite!! Anticucho de Pollo was also very yummy. Cocktail I had a Chicha Punch which wasn't exactly my favorite but it's because it's a red wine and tequila mix, the red wine didn't do it for me. I tried my husbands pisco cocktail though and that had something to offer! The bathroom is down some stairs, so keep that in mind. The ambience is very cool, you could do upscale or casual here for sure.

Went for an early dinner on a Sunday, it was not busy at first but filled up pretty quickly. Hip…read moreand fun ambiance inside. Some tables are pretty tight together, so be sure to ask for separated table and seats if you wish to have more space. Staff were friendly, however not very attentive throughout our meal, hence the 4 stars. We ordered a little bit of everything to share and try: cebiche, empanada trio, lamb chop, arroz marisco and desserts. Portions were generous and goof for sharing, we ended up with some leftovers to take home too. Overall a delicious experience and would recommend!

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Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

20 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Danny W.

Elite 21

4851

2242

3409

12 years ago

Between the fish tank behind the bar, old school American Legion-like stools/booths, checkered tiling, and wood paneling with a mounted marlin, you almost feel like you'll be drinking cocktails with Dirk Diggler at this retro basement bar. It's got a super 70's/80's feel to it so if you've ever grown a sweet porn stache chances are it'll be right up your alley. As you could imagine the drinks I'd say are the main highlight. You don't call yourself Punch House without making some pretty jazzed up Jungle Juices worthy of about 8 bucks a pop. Also available as $32 for a carafe and $59 for a bowl it's actually priced pretty decently compared to other cocktail bars. The food was pretty good, but my burgers bun was totally burnt so it kinda skewed the eating experience for me. I'm sure it's normally awesome I just had some bad bread and am not really the type to send something back. Pickles and stuffed pretzel were great bar soaks though too if you just want a snack with your drinks. The seating is first come first serve so get there early if you want to sit down, but either way the staff hustles so you'll eventually get taken care of. Overall it's definitely a pretty awesome place to spend a few Boogie Nights. read more

Alison F.

0

4

0

7 years ago

What's up with your doorman? Dude seemed like he was under the same stress as an air traffic controller... it's not that serious, man. If you are not cool with people approaching an establishment and looking to enter, maybe don't be in the service industry? This guy seemed super annoyed, cooler-than-thou and just couldn't be bothered to address anyone who walked through Dusek's door looking to possibly go to Punch House. We ventured to the neighborhood from Logan Sq and needless to say, will not be coming back. Used to love this place and now am completely turned off after a 5 minute interaction. Was so bad, that's all it took. Weird! read more

Jamie H.

Elite 21

202

525

193

12 years ago

I only live two blocks away and finally got myself over here and was not disappointed. My friend and I walked in and got a booth right away (score)! I love the idea of all the punch drinks, although I wasn't crazy about most of the ones I tried (I'm not a big bourbon fan), but once I tried the one with gin, I melted. The atmosphere of this place is great, I tried the crab dip which was also great and I love that the bathrooms are painted with chalk paint. Makes going to the bathroom fun. Can't wait to come back. read more

Irene G.

Elite 16

161

358

1471

12 years ago

This seems to be the IT place in Pilsen now. I think I would have had a more positive experience at Punch House had it not taken almost 15 minutes to flag the bartender down to order our drinks and if we had seats. Not their fault as the place was pretty packed. When I finally got my drink (had the Rack Punch) it tasted marvelous. I can see the allure of Punch House -it resembles what my parent's basement could like look if they turned it into a bar. Although, I left a little disappointed, I'd like to come back. read more

Sergio L.

1

10

2

9 years ago

RACIST behavior here. I, a Latino was standing in line with my gf with 15-20 latinos and blacks. 4 white people step out of an Uber and get in line. The bouncer walks by all of us, looking us up and down. He goes to the back of the line and checks out the 4 whites, allowing them to pass everyone else and enter. White privilege. I'd never go back there. Ever. read more

Michael R.

0

2

0

11 years ago

Had an amazing time with a group of 5 friends, we had some wonderful beers a little wine, excellent oysters from a menu that feature several different kinds of east and west coast oysters. I tried sweet bread for the first time (for those who are unfamiliar thyroid gland), a fantastic artisan cheese platter and a breaded ox tail. I can't wait to go back. read more

Jenn H.

0

20

0

12 years ago

Punch House is awesome! I don't really like sweet alcoholic drinks, but their punch is delicious. It doesn't feel like you're at your aunt's holiday party, each drink is thoughtful and dynamic. The vibe is great too, like someone's cabin in the woods. They had some DJs hiding in the corner playing cool music too all night. read more

Emma N.

9

2

0

11 years ago

Perfect location, perfectly clean, good price including a lovely full breakfast and enthusiastic efficient staff. Pay and display parking maybe an issue for a long stay but the car park was,t far. Will definitely stay again read more

Sarah C.

16

13

0

12 years ago

First time here at punch house having a great time with the bestest of friends that I have cocktails and free shot at midnight can't get any better then this read more

Jackie F.

0

7

0

10 years ago

Such a great place! A very low key, relaxed setting. Always a go to in Pilsen. My lovely bartender Aaron is was such a sweetheart! Will definitely be back! read more

Meggan P.

3

20

18

11 years ago

Great great great drinks! Went here for a girls night out and enjoyed everything about it! We had 2 drinks a piece and left out feeling really 'nice'. read more

Andrey K.

0

5

0

7 years ago

Punch House is the ultimate gem of Pilsen. I definitely recommend this place! The atmosphere is so relaxed. Service is always great. Decent food. read more