After a night at Sushi Para Too just down the street, we decided to check out the closest dive in the area. Walked into the quiet and mostly empty bar with 25 strong, which I understand, can be intimidating and overwhelming, but we were sober and friendly; the waitress/hostess seemed excited to have us. The owner rejected one of our friend's Matrícula Consular de Alta Seguridad (MCAS), a Mexican ID card widely accepted in the States. She's never had this issue before at any of the other bars and clubs in Chicago. The owner stated that they only accept "U.S. driver's licenses and passports", and that he's "never seen that [card] before". Cue a 25-person exodus. Made our way to have an amazing time at Galway Arms a few blocks down (details in my review for that place). Sure... right to refuse business and all, but this reeked of ignorance and intolerance. read more

It was post-2am, we happened to be close to LP, and everyone in our group wanted 'just one more' (uh huh) so off to Frank's we went. Except the jam-packed climate at Frank's prompted an audible, so one of the guys suggested Ravens. Sure, why not? No surprise -- Raven's was filled with your typical LP frat boys. Still, it wasn't packed and we were able to quickly score a table. Unfortunately, an inebriated "couple" (it appeared they had just met) sat down at our table and almost flipped it due to their, uh, sloppy attempts at maneuvering for a make-out. Half my Bell's Oberon: buh-bye in one fell swoop. Would I return? Probably not. I think Raven's was a once-in-a-lifetime "opportunity". And I'm perfectly fine with that. read more

You know how people often use the phrase "I really wanted to like this place..." Well I really wanted to hate Raven's. Not because I had any beef, but it would have been all too perfect to insert the famous Edgar Allen Poe quote into this review. I was chomping at the bit for something slightly shitty to occur, but "never more" never seemed like a valid thing to say about this dive bar. How could I? I'd totally come back!! They have giant Jenga, free Sega and Super NES systems to play, cheap beer, and outdoor seating. I guess most of the bad feedback reflects the clientele that comes in after hours, but I was in early and it was awesome. Only thing I can think that they need to fix is chopping down the tree on their patio. Something from above kept falling on my head, but that could have just been the Raven taunting me. read more

No thanks. I enjoy my fair share of dive bars, but Ravens doesn't make the list. I don't think they really care either. I came in here on a Wednesday night or something after being out for sushi and wine. My friend told me it was a cool place, so we decided to stop by for a drink. The fact that they have free popcorn is pretty cool but the fact that the bartenders were kind of rude pretty much ruined it for us. We were the only ones in there. They couldn't even make the effort to make conversation with us. I remember trying to start convo a couple of times and they gave me weak one word answers, with their backs turned to me. Just because I'm some poppy blonde doesn't mean I'm an idiot with nothing to say. I got the impression that they judged people by looks. The whole ordeal just gave me a bad taste in my mouth. Bad vibes in that place. Whatever, so many places...so little time. It's funny because whenever I walk past that place, I always say to myself "ugh...Ravens... GOD I hate that place" Strong feelings. Yikes. read more

Too many Yelp reviews don't properly characterize what a dive is. A trixie using a unisex bathroom and seeing a little pee on a toilet seat does not make a dive. But as true dives go, you've got a live one here. Imagine some ripe dumpsters getting the full on Lysol treatment. That's Ravens. There is a little bit of sparkle, but you know the dinge lies not far underneath and won't allow itself to be hidden for much longer. They do have a nice little patio in front of the bar below sidewalk level. If it's summer and you're smart enough to realize that you should spend as close to 100% of the Chicago summer outdoors as possible, this is where you'll be. Unless Lysol and upchuck is your thing. read more

There's like a time portal thing when you enter Ravens. This might be a first stop to what could be a bar hopping type of night. The plan might be "Oh let's get a drink here first and then go elsewhere." That, my friends, is a lie. I should know. A friend and I spent six hours here without realizing how fast time flies once you come across: friendly bartenders, random younger patrons talking to us "pumas" (that might have been inferred), weird conversations, and fun music. It's been almost nine years since my last visit, and I forget how fun Ravens can be. Stress the "can be". And, the women's bathroom is a little so-so but not as bad as Shenanigans downtown (bleh). read more

Raven's hit the spot for cheap drinks and a spot to hang out for a beer or two with some friends. I would not make it a destination but since it is close to work the joint worked out fine for us. Pretty divey, sorta smelly and full of kids that were young enough to have been my children (uh, if I had had them when I was 12, of course). But, the saving grace was the $4 beers, bar games and a pretty cool bartender. read more

Hm. Ravens. Another LP dive- college rock circa 1996, ball caps, flip-flops. The last time I visited, almost a year ago, I encountered three women working together to pull wallets from bags. Two make a scene, the third rifles through bags on chairs, leaning over like she's about to speak to you.The bar staff was terribly unhelpful. read more

Ravens is a great dive bar in the Lincoln Park area. We went in there for a quick drink while killing time for a dinner reservation. The man who worked behind the bar was very kind and welcoming. They have a few arcade games located in the bar. I would recommend this place to someone who is looking for a low key, dive bar atmosphere. Drinks are also reasonably priced! read more

By far, my absolute favorite bar. They welcome regular locals and new folks alike. They have a good liquor selection and good taps. Also, it's open until 4 AM! Find a seat, grab a beer and a shot of Malort. Next thing you know, you'll make a couple of new friends. read more

Well, I liked it. The bar and the bartender. They were a friendly stop on a Sunday evening. The bartender taught us a new game which we played for the duration of our stay. I see the wear and tear, the slight campiness, the potential for food born related illness from the popcorn, I still liked it. I would not hesitate to come back. read more

Going to Ravens was a hazy experience. By the time I ended up at this place, I was already pretty drunk and really tired. My body hurt from a pummelling I took at a show earlier in the night, and I just had a general lack of any cogitative resources. I think the beer was cheap, maybe. I literally had something like four dollars on me when we arrived, but I remember having a few beers. Although, I think my roommate and I paid for a beer to share with change. Also, my girlfriend's brother bought a round, so that helped. It's possible, now that I think about it, that I only bought one beer myself. They had some arcade games there, and a group of chads invited us to play puck bowling with them. They were nice chads, and they didn't t even talk about Iowa football. The bathroom smelled pretty unbelievable, so I tried to not go in there. Um, yeah. So I had an okay time, I think. I'm not really looking to go back though. This review is pretty useless. read more

Great patio- friendly bartender- divey, in a neighborhood with lots of pixies and striped shirted boys- a delightful little find. i can see how the inside could be not so hot as it is a bit underground and could get stuffy, but the patio is ideal- i would go back anytime! read more

I go here because a) it's close to home; b) you can drink beer until 4am. That's it. (Although I do have to say that I've been in there enough on weekday nights for a beer or two - when there is no one else in there - and the two female bartenders don't make any effort to be friendly. Kind of disappointing for a neighborhood place, especially since I used to work in one...) read more

Allow me to preface by saying that I joined yelp just to leave this place a negative review. I went here on my 21st birthday. The door guy was nice enough to wish me happy birthday. The bartender, however, was standoffish and rude. I understand getting burnt out, they're open late, yadda yadda. I myself have worked in bars. Still not an excuse for how infuriatingly uppity the tender was. Even the employees who wished us goodbye were condescending. I was so stoked because this 4am is a stone's throw from my apartment. They rained on my birthday and the service was shit. Raven's can suck it. read more

Five stars because I just got the name. *Ravens* It's literally a *crow*bar* That joke just murdered me. read more

Bring cash and the outdoor patio is perfect. This is ZERO frills, but also a nice break from the super-polished joints in Lincoln Park. Good beer, free popcorn, and zero pretentiousness. read more

I've lived across the street from Ravens for about seven years -- seven years of people yelling at the top of their lungs between 3:30-4:00 AM every night. So please excuse me if I sound a little jaded. As others have mentioned, Ravens gets stuffy. Really , the only thing it has going for it is that it's open until 4 AM. In fact, I've only ever been after 2 AM. There are so many other, better places in the hood that I've never been compelled to go when I could go anywhere else. read more

Ewww... "Dive Bar" there is no better way to describe this place. At least the beer is fresh... And the bartender is friendly, if not definitely creepy... I'm surprised this place hangs on considering the other places on Clark. The people we saw hanging out here, seem like the type to never leave, and barring a few extremely loud discussions about politics (that seemed rather uninformed) they're at least harmless. What really scares me about this place is A) what decade was the popcorn made, 60s or 70s? -and is that really only butter on it??? and B) does any one ever get the candy or peanuts out of the machines at the front? -when was the last time those machines were cleaned??? I guess I'm just pretentious snob, but I'm sorry... eewww for Ravens. read more

Ah ravens. I agree with most people, the tables are sticky and I wish they had hand sanitizers at the door. This is THE late night place on Clark, however. And people: THEY HAVE THE OLD-STYLE BOWLING MACHINE AND PACMAN. What else could you need? The pins on the bowling machine are held up by strings - and you are lucky if the machine isn't broken. But THEY HAVE THE OLD STYLE BOWLING MACHINE. I also visited this place one morning in the summer during the marathon - great Bloodies. Finally, I just like the bartenders - they are nice and you get served quickly. So whats the problem? read more

It suprises me this place is only three stars. Used to come here once we closed down the other side. Was nice to always be able to grab a table and throw some beers back after a long day of getting other people drunk. Getting people drunk is hard work by the way. The bartenders are the best, and if they don't like you, maybe that should be a judge of character for you... Never have had a problem with music choices, and always get a strong pour and a good beer. Solid place to be at. Just remember that it's super divey, and if you don't like that, just don't go there. read more

The only real late night option in the area. Average bar by all accounts, nothing to really complain about, but nothing that makes them unique. They have a niche, they filled it. It's a chill place not known by many that you can drink at late. There's also a patio, so you can people watch and judge the young professionals and 20-somethings without jobs who frolic back and forth. Don't lie, we both know you are doing it. read more

i was forced against my will to travel to lincoln park (it happens more often than i'd like). thank god for raven's. i needed strong drinks and cigarettes to deal with the inane yapping from trixies on the street!! AND i found out yesterday night, that if you are waiting for a table at sushi para ii, this is the BEST place to wait! it's never ever crowded, it's 4 a.m. and in the summer, they have a patio! over all, a nice chill place to take a break from the 'hood. read more

It's definitely a dive, better than going to Big City for a late night bar, and two words make it more awesome: giant jenga. If I'm not nearby Streeters after hours, this place will just have to do. Word to the wise: don't go sober. Just don't. read more

Decent late night spot. Came around midnight and it was sad and empty, but it slowly started to fill up and was completely packed by 2. Service was great. We befriended our waitress early in the night and she brought drinks to our table all night, which was great when it started to get packed. Also my shoes were killing me and she brought over an entire first aid kit w/ tons of bandaids and what not. What an angel. Crowd was an assortment of drunken twenty-somethings. Oh, and they have giant jenga. Enough said. Con= the women's bathroom is really gross (to be expected considering it's a late night bar) and it's cash only (but they have an ATM). read more

This place gets a bad rap. I feel because of its location in Lincoln park people expect it to be another Clark st. yuppie joint (for the most part the crowd is full of shirts tucked in to jeans), but if you become a regular it is one of the best places in the city. The bartenders make this place better then any-other place in the neighborhood. I stared coming hear cause my friends lived in the building next door, and it looked shady. For those of you who have never been it is a garden unit bar that is low lit and not very big. They have a great patio out front they keep open till i think 11pm. The staff likes to party and if you treat then right (Tip them) they will treat you right. The only things i say negative about the place is the strange smells in the bathrooms and it is cash only. When my friend who lived next door came down to complain about the noise on the patio going on till 5am on Saturdays they gave him a job working the door. if i had not moved to the NW side i would still be drowning my self in a tumbler of Makers Mark every Saturday. If you want a true dive bar that is not full of middle aged grizzled drunks then come have a shot at ravens (buy the barkeep a shot also) read more

I had to subtract a star, as I am sure there were two cats sleeping on the bar at 2 a.m. last night. read more

Ravens - Ravens, Chicago's finest bar/hostel. - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Charming little bar tucked away down a couple of steps. Great bartender, good beers on tap. Cash only. read more

"What was the name of that shitty bar that was next to Neo? Oh yeah, Ravens." For five bucks I got the crappiest whiskey sour which was such a waste of my money I decided not to drink the rest of the night. Average drink prices, not cheap but not expensive. Middle of the road prices for the area. It was packed the weeknight we went. The advantage of this place is that it's a 4am bar. Careful of the uneven ground by the door. The bouncer will remind you but even as a sober person I nearly tripped. So this chick just spilled a tray of 2 beers and a cocktail on a little bit of my boyfriends pants and a lot on his friends blouse. Instead of owning up to it and apologizing she stood there like a deer in the headlights while my boyfriend grabbed a beer that was still falling and pouring all over the ground. Our friend's reaction was understandably outraged and the waitress only offered her a shot. Lovely right? Keep in mind her outfit was soaked, if she was wearing white she'd win a wet t-shirt contest. I think she was just freaking out but two minutes later after presumably talking to the manager or something the waitress apologized profusely and started crying. She refused for any of us pay for further drinks for the rest of the night and we all felt really bad, and it got really awkward every time she came around. Some of our group still stuffed some money in her hand after a couple of their rounds while she scooted away, her body language accentuated her embarrassment even then. The whole situation probably would have had a happier ending if she had just apologized up front and taken care of the situation as it happened. She said she hadn't spilled a drink on anyone like that since she was 19. Either way, not the most charming night. I hope I don't end up back here ever. I'd probably cry myself. read more

Great location, close to LP Zoo. Friendly bartender ! David hooked us up - of course a nice Michigan Man would take care of his Michigan gals! read more

Ravens - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wanted to like it based on some of the reviews, just couldn't. Bartender was nice, that's where it ended. Asked for a Jack and ginger, no Jack. Only other whiskey/bourbon they had was Beam and Basil Hayden. Was told delivery day was the next day. How do you now have plenty of the basics? A small Bean and ginger was $8. Too much for a 1) Small drink in a 2) Dive bar with 3) Basically well-level booze. Otherwise, there really was nothing special about the place. If free popcorn gets you off, they have that. With the other bars just a few blocks away, I can't see why I'd come back. read more

The ONLY reason to show up here is if you work at a bar (like I do) and need a cheap drink after hours with some friends. I really miss Yakzie's read more

Ravens is my joint. I used to go here every weekend with my best friend before she moved to London. They have popcorn, the tabletop shuffle board game and Golden Tee. The drinks are stiff and the crowd is always drunk. You can't go to Ravens without being drunk otherwise you'll probably be sad you're there. Ravens is the place to go to when the other clubs have closed and you're not ready to go home and you're not ready to go the Wiener Circle. read more

This is probably my favorite bar in Lincoln Park, which in and of itself says very little. It's kinda dirty, in the best possible way. It's underground, they have free popcorn most of the time. There's a big patio for smoking out front, which is nice. I'm only ever here after 2 am, so it's usually pretty crowded, but fun. The female bartender with glasses is totally rad. She was super busy and I stupidly asked for a beer recommendation (I could not read most of the taps, they were down the bar) and she sweetly gave me a good one. She seems pretty cheery for 3 am dealings with drunks. I think I kind of love her. Mostly, it loses a star because of the crowd (a lot of drunk guys in striped shirts) and the tiny bathroom, which always has a horrible line. read more

Ouch. Their men's bathroom became over-run by a sewer backup, so much so that the toilet began to spill onto the floor. This all happened approximately 7 feet away from where I was trying to play shuffleboard pool (GREAT arcade game) with my friends. Everything started innocently enough, walked in around 1am not too many people there, free popcorn, plenty of space to move around. An hour later, while attempting not to dry heave because of the aforementioned sewer incident, it took 5 minutes to walk the 20 feet to the door because of the army of black pea-coat wearing drunkards who had suddenly over-run the place. I would give 1 star but the sewer incident wasn't really their fault. Go here and leave before 1:30am unless you like getting sandwhiched with the LP drinking invasion. read more

So we decided on Ravens for our crazy toga running event. We usually choose "dive bars" because they treat us well, and Raven's didn't disappoint! We hung out on their patio for a little while before our run and then it was back in the bar for our crazy singing, drinking, and debauchery. We fit right in with the bar and the bartenders were entertained rather than disgusted. We drank a LOT of beer, and we got some rounds on the house which is always appreciated. I've never been in Raven's late night so I don't know how the crowd is, but they treated my running club great and I know we'll be back! read more

They stay open until 4, serve the world's saltiest free popcorn, and thus attract an interesting weekend clientele. You can probably figure out why my friends nicknamed this bar "Scraps". read more

The bar is kind of smelly. The crowd at this bar is on the more older side so not really anyone in their 20s

Best dive bar in LP! Open till 4am. Very nice front patio. Cheapest prices around. $4 bud bottles. Beware: cash only.

First time here. Bartender was nice, $4 draft specials and learned to play a new bar game. Nice and low key, not full of loud obnoxious people. read more