Great little Chicago dive bar. Love the location. Feels like it's got a lot of history. All our MC initiations were done there. read more

See all

A loyal Subscriber mentioned to me that she had spent time in Chicago but never had a chance to visit. So I visited it in her stead (another benefit of subscribing to AfterActionReport.info). Quite simply the best maintained dive bar I have ever had the pleasure of drinking in and an AAR Must Drink. Most dive bars have a fair amount of seed and are in need of some repair, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Not this place, as the spotless tile floor was completely intact, all the swivel barstools (each branded "Richard's Bar" across the back) still swiveled, and the tin ceiling stunning. It's coming up on a hundred years, but the entire joint has been as lovingly cared for as it is cleaned daily. The place has a slight smell of cigarettes. When I mentioned to Joe the bartender, that "I didn't think you could still legally smoke in a bar in this country." He replied "You can't, but people do," as he placed an ashtray next to my beer. All that, and Norm Wendt's brother-in-law bought me a bottle of Old Style because it was his birthday, which was drunk while listening to Steve Lawrence on the jukebox. Norm Wendt's sister then recommended a place for fondue so . . . Located in Old Town, Geja's Cafe is a very romantic warren of a restaurant that offers the best fondue in Chicago. A father/son team ("the Marios") served me the International (tenderloin, shrimp, chicken), a solid Flackhattan and some live flamenco guitar. read more

Richard's Bar - Photos and Cigarettes not allowed. - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Coming from Los Angeles via San Francisco, my first date with the CA "Smoking Ban" happened in 1995 in Berkeley, CA at Chez Panisse. By that time I was already a "Past" smoker so it really didn't have to much of an effect on me other than the air around you was smelled much nicer. What made me bring up this ancient issue was our party of five left La Scarola restaurant this past Sunday night and went next door to Richard's Bar, where for the first time this century I encountered a bar where everyone was smoking! I must say, that this flash from the past was actually rather refreshing and nostalgic. Would I or could I frequent this establishment - No. Was it fun for the 45 minutes we were there - Yes. This bar was packed with bar fly's, characters, gamers, mavericks and oddballs; and, I loved it! Leave it to Chicago, to have a place like this, that you probably will never see again unless you go to third world country. All I can say about Richard's Bar is WOW!!!!!!! read more

See all

I stopped by Richard's Bar while in town for the Kings/Blackhawks game. It's a dive bar through and through, with a gritty charm that reminded me of days gone by. This place allows smoking indoors, which is rare these days and immediately noticeable. The cigarette smoke hangs heavy in the air, and I felt queasy after we left. Drinks were cheap, which is a plus, and the vibe is very much for regulars or those looking for a throwback atmosphere. It's worth visiting once just for the experience, but unless you're a smoker or a neighborhood local, there's not much reason to return. read more

Could be one of the best bars in Chicago who's to say??? Great vibes, great people, and just a quintessential Chicago establishment Super cheap drinks aswell read more

So cool and old school! Cash only FYI, no pics, kind and funny staff. Frank Sinatra and Elvis fans would enjoy

I don't think there's any bars like this one in Chicago. I'd say it's a dive bar, but it's been around for 100 years owned by the same family the bartenders dress old school you can feel the history of the place when you step inside it's cash only and I think it's the only place you can smoke a cowboy killer inside. Don't take any pictures. read more

I have not been to Richard's in roughly 7 years and came around Lunch Time on Friday off day. It was dead to say the least, but still exactly what I expected. Fair Drink prices and I left smelling like cigarette smoke, even though only 2 people were smoking in the place. Still the same charm, great bartenders, and everything you'd expect from a Chicago Dive. read more

5 stars. Nothing less. Problem? You know why you're here. I know why you're here. Don't be a jerk. Be nice. BE NICE.

Dive Bar? Well, call me Jacques Cousteau!!! DIVE! DIVE! DIVE! It's as Chicago as crooked politicians, thinly sliced Italian beef sandwiches, and carjacking. Great place 2 be before or after La Scarola. read more

See all

Very classic spot. No pictures allowed inside. Drinks are really cheap and it's a cash bar. Honestly a bit too smoky for my taste and my clothes held the smell so definitely be wary of that. They also sell beer 6 packs upfront that you can take out. And it's often cheaper than having it there! Small area inside. They have a jukebox as well. So overall very old school vibe. read more

This might be the dives to beat all dives. After spending most of the night at The Pearl Club, this was the yin to its yang. It is cash only, The real clientele will likely not be a fan of you if you're reading a Yelp review about a dive bar. Make friends, they were great people. I warmed them over, the bartender and one of the regulars ended up buying me several beers. If you love a good dive bar, this is definitely your spot. Remember, don't try to bum a smoke, this is one of their rules. read more

What a blast from the past. We went here for a drink on a Saturday night and we felt as if were transported to decades ago. When you walk in be prepared for a whiff of smoke. Yes , smoking is allowed indoors ! Drinks are super cheap compared to most bars. The bartender looks as if he has been there for years. The place is filled with lots of memorabilia and a juke box. Good place to stop for a cheap drink, reminisce of the past, but be prepared for the smoke. read more

Richard's Bar - a bar with neon signs - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

What a gem this place is. In a city of thousands of options, this place stands out. The bartender was great, the ambiance is next level and the drinks were reasonably priced. Can't wait to get back read more

Ah yes, as old school as a dive bar can get. It's quite a throwback to the days before the smoking ban in fact, and if you thought it was illegal to smoke indoors, it is. Richard's Bar looks like it hasn't aged past the 1950s, save for the video slots, so it kind of makes sense. Bartenders also look like they've been there that long. The beer is cheap and so is everything else, including eggs, really. It doesn't look like much from the outside, just a crappy ass bar. Once inside, it's kind of like a time capsule. This place hasn't changed much over the years. Probably the biggest change was the name. This has been operating as a bar since 1926, and was for a long time known as Tisch's Tavern. If famous celebrities and mobsters haven't been here, at least their pictures are. The walls are cluttered with Al Capone, Rat Pack memorabilia and all that kind of stuff. Inside the biggest recent change was the installation of video slots, which are in the corner. The drinks are the main attraction, and they have plenty of bad and good. Among the good is the house liquor, especially the Richard's Bourbon. It's $5 a shot. That's a good deal for some good stuff. Also they have plenty of cheap beer. If getting mixed drinks keep it to two ingredients or less. They'll give you shit if they have to make something more complex than that. Also there's not much in the way of food. They do have potato chips, which are your best option. It's 2 for $1 so good deal. They also have hard boiled eggs. I've never seen anyone get any. That's just nasty. How old could they be? Try some if you want, but be sure the bathroom is available so you can quickly get a seat in case of an emergency. Bad place for those with sensitive lungs or if you just don't want to get around people smoking inside a bar even though there's a smoking ban. It has plenty of cheap drinks but there's some terrible food choices. Try eating something before coming here. read more

Richard's Bar - Richard's Bourbon And Potato Chips - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Well, I guess the talk of this place is fairly accurate- it's terrible, and offensive. I'm a big fan of dingy bars, but Richard's may beat the rest of the bunch with its cramped set up, absence of taps, and the absolute disrespect of indoor smoking guidelines from the city of Chicago. Seriously, everybody comes here to light up a cigarette, right in front of the sign behind the bar that (ironically, I suppose) that explicitly says, 'no smoking'. Disgusting. Cash only bar, because even in 2022 those still exists. I'm actually not knocking on that, but it can be a bit of an inconvenience. This place is lucky it is located in such a populous area for the nightlife, for the restaurateurs of the evening and the ritzy condo living yuppies. Otherwise, this place wouldn't get the love it gets. It's a bit appalling to me. Some call it a classic, I call it without class. Maybe it's not for my generation. Not for my kind. I got that type of vibe from it, after all. The Chicago memorabilia posted throughout the walls of the bar was great to observe, however. Alas, this watering hole simply wasn't for me. To be honest, I never thought I'd step foot in this establishment no matter how many times I've passed by it, but now I have and it's become a distinct recent memory. Thanks, Rich? read more

Love this place! Great dive bar and super cute inside. Good music and great company. Stopped by for a drink before dinner- you should too! read more

Richard's Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is old Chicago and I love it. Nothing fancy, very clean and all the nostalgia. If you're looking for a beer and shot this is your place. If you don't like smoking move on and don't complain about it, plenty of places that don't you crunchy granola people. Cheers to Richard's read more

Stuff sucks and if you ask for it in a clean glass they are sure to serve you it in a dirty glass need I say more and they have a bad attitude so I did say more but you know what they say the truth hurts! read more

Cough. Cough. This is a bar for people who smoke. Not vape. Smoke. And if you smoke, Richard's Bar is your Nirvana. It reminds me of places I used to hang out in years ago, when I was a smoker. Cloudy with a stale smell. But smoking in bars and restaurants isn't allowed in Chicago any more. If you believe people who smoke deserve a bar of their own, you won't have a problem with this one. If you don't, call their alderman at the 27th Ward. Seems some reviewers think this "dive bar" is awesome. But I lost a parent who smoked to lung cancer a few years ago, and there's nothing about a smoky bar I find awesome. A friend and I stopped in for a drink a few weeks ago (we didn't know it was ground zero for smoke). Took a quick look around before leaving. It's really too bad, as this would be a fun place to hang out. Close enough to my condo I can walk to it. Love the retro theme, the vintage neon beer signs, great jukebox, huge Goodfellas poster and the entire mobster thing. Just can't hack the smoke (pun intended). read more

The best of the best. Definition of a dive. Most modern thing in there is the cd jukebox. Cash only, great old cash register. Bartender runs a tight ship. Way cheaper to get some of the beers to go but still good "in house" prices. Having said that, you have to stay for at least one drink to let the vibe seep into your pores a bit. Boy, if those walls could talk. read more

Super nice when you walk in and very antique. if you want old school vibes come through and get a beer! read more

Richard's Bar - a slot machine in the foreground - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We found this bar chance. We loved it!!! Loved the atmosphere and the bartender was a grin!! When we go back to Chicago we will go back!! read more

If you know , you know and if you don't go to Richard's. Then you will know. Seriously if you want cheap beer a ton of history and see some of the most colorful characters the under belly of Chicago has to offer go. read more

Love this place and the bartenders! Cheap beer and the photos are very nostalgic! Great jukebox

Essential dive bar. Cheap old style's, classic vibes inside, smoking inside. Would certainly come again.

This place is awesome. Very old school. The bartenders are old and leave you alone but still provide good service. Definitely come here if you're looking for a good dive bar experience. read more

So relieved I had last Saturday night free to join the cool February Birthday revellers at Richard's Bar! It's just a hop-skip-jump down Grand from Humboldt Park, I can't believe I haven't been here before! First impressions: It's bright! Keywords for Richard's usually start with "dive", but this is the brightest dive I've ever been to. The main lighting is just beer signs all over the place, that lend a colorful Saintly glow above the revellers heads. And let's make a distinction, it's not just a dive, it's a neighborhood bar that gets really rowdy; thanks to another keyword: "jukebox" or "juke". It took forever for my plays to drop, but it was well worth seeing people groove on my picks like "Let's Get It On" and "Cherry Cherry" between the many Sinatra and Rat Pack songs that make up most of the selections. And can you ever go wrong with a little Neil Diamond? When you've loved and lost like Neil, you know about life! Beers are affordable for this cash-only watering hole, and I love how they have the price list in plain sight. The bathroom was relatively clean, but I hate having to wait for one-guy-at-a-time bathrooms. At least while I waited I got to meet Carla, Richard's resident Cougar. And she was a delight! She sang along to the jukebox in Italian, danced, and pinched my cheeks. She rocks the boots, and she rocks Richard's! Happy Birthday, and thanks to Cakeball Carrie for feeding us pink and chocolate balls of delight! Wait, that sounded dirtier than it actually was. Well, maybe that's appropriate for Richard's. And I'll definitely be back. read more

Your grandfather has a bar. Your grandmother doesn't know about it. He tells her he's "going out to the workshop," and she's none the wiser. They've been married so long, she's not suspicious. So he heads to his bar, where things are exactly the way he likes them. Nothing on draft. You're just getting bottles and cans from a fridge, like if you were hanging out at a friend's house. The walls are littered with Man Paraphernalia. A giant "Goodfellas" banner. Photos of the Rat Pack. Yes, even a signed headshot of "Rick" from "Magnum, P.I." Don't judge your grandpa. He loved that show. He surrounds himself with the things he likes. They're old, but not creepy. Comforting in that "men will always be men" way. Grandpa has a jukebox. He's willing to turn it up if you ask him. He'll stay out of your conversation, but he overhears you. And if your friend gets up to go to the bathroom, he won't leave you hanging. In his gentle, grandfatherly way, he'll chat you up until your friend returns. Then he'll fade back into the bar, the way grandpas know to fade back when the young folk are talking. Grandpa just wants you to have a good time at his secret bar. He doesn't want you to dress up or put on airs. He just wants you to visit and have a beer. Visit Grandpa's clubhouse. Just don't tell Grandma. read more

See all

GREAT BAR AWESOME PEOPLE!! We came from south bend to explore Chicago, and this place just felt like we were right at home. Would recommend!

This place is crazy! Former mob hangout, there are Rat Pack pictures and memorabilia everywhere. Goodfellas and Casino posters. Signed picture of *swoons* Steve McQueen in the women's room. There is a PAY PHONE (Limit calls to 5 minutes!) Went here with a bunch of Yelpers, and vowed to don a more swingin' outfit next time. Super oldskool bartenders, and a flophouse upstairs (evidenced by the price list for rooms behind the cash register - no, I didn't see it). It seems like the drinks should be cheaper, but overall - love it. read more

I was in town with some colleagues and heard from a local guy that this was a great local bar that allowed smoking inside. Being a cigar guy, I had to swing by and was not disappointed. The bar is relatively small, with bar seating for about a dozen people and an additional five or six tables. It was clean and well run, with a bartender (owner ?) who was on his game and fit the place. They did not have any beer on tap, but had a wide assortment in cans and bottles. The liquor selection was pretty standard, but covered all the bases. The prices were cheap. We drank. We enjoyed our cigars. We had a great time. Highly recommend. read more

Richard's Bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great place , old school Italian atmosphere. Bartender was awesome, drinks were great price ! Will be my local spot

I love this bar! Great music and nicely priced drinks. Can't wait until I can come back again.

It's been weeks since I've written about a dive bar. I'm overdue. Have a seat and let me tell you about RICHARDS, the king of dive bars. If you want to experience true Chicago (I'm talking QUESTIONABLY MOB OWNED AND OPERATED CORRUPTION Chicago) go to Richards. Just do yourself and your friends a favor and go. It's a dive that's snuggled up against the Grand blue line stop and some Irish bar that I've only been to once. Obviously it's upstaged by it's awesomely horrible neighbor. Situated between a few established neighborhoods, prepare to acquaint yourself with clientele from all walks and stages of life. You'll get some Trixie and Chad bleed over from River North, hipsters from Wicker Park, ex cops, current cops, old folks and people who just want to have a good time. Please note, there's a jukebox that's arguably older than your parents, so don't expect some Ariana Grande (or whatever nonsense you kids are listening to nowadays). They only play the good times and great oldies stuff, kay? If you're new to the Chicago dive scene, don't expect to pay with plastic. I encourage you to bring a couple $20s for a few generous pours and cigarettes. Cigarettes, you say? For the love of Christ, don't come here if you're asthmatic. There will be smoking. Because someone pays somebody off they get away with this, so expect to go home smelling like an ashtray but bring some great memories with you. Stay (sorta, not really) classy, Richards. I'll be back. read more

Richards is old school. The very definition of it. It's located on the corner of one of Chicago's many six corner intersections. Created by angle streets like Milwaukee or Ogden. Because of that it has one door on Grand, and another on Milwaukee. The place may have two doors but it's actually pretty small. I remember the bartender wearing all white with a white apron and white hat like a short order cook. The walls are covered with framed pictures of scenes from gangster movies and various famous Italian Americans. Here is the number one thing that I'll always remember, because I've seen it before or since. If you want, when you're leaving, you can get one for the road. What? The road you say? Yeah, that's right, you can get a drink to go. They'll put a vodka tonic, or whatever your poison in a styrofoam cup with a lid. This shows just how old school the place really is. This place goes back to when the neighborhood was a slum and the bars customers were drunks, or homeless, counting out pennies on the bar to buy a drink. A place where real proper alcoholics would stop in for a bracer to stop the shakes before work, and of course, get one for the road. A Nelson Algren, Charles Bukowski kind of dump where the depression is served on tap. It's a survivor from a Chicago that's long dead and gone. A dive bar's dive bar. read more

I would have given Richard's a 4 star review. However recalling the next morning when we awoke to the stink of stale cigarette smoke in our hair and on our clothes... I had to go with a 3 star review. Richard's is an unassuming hole in the wall bar a 10 minute walk north of the Randolph street strip. If you get off on the blue line at the Grand stop you'll almost be able to see the front entrance. If you are looking for VERY affordable strong drinks Richard's will definitely satisfy. They are as old school and divey as you can find. However... they are one of the only bars I have been to in Chicago where they allow smoking inside. Cigars cigarettes vapes whatever. Staff was very friendly and one of the local regulars even bought us a shot. Very cool old music on the jukebox. The signage and decorating hasn't been redone in 40 years and I loved it. We chilled here for a couple cocktails and didn't want to leave. So much more affordable and divey than the bourgeois Randolph strip. We were here midweek mid-day and there were enough people for good people watching. I'm assuming on a weekend night it gets pretty crowded. If you are a smoker or smoke doesn't bother you then Richard's must be a stop for you when in the area. If you're looking for a dive bar in Chicago I would highly suggest it. Even with the smoke we will probably stop in here for a cocktail next time are in the area. read more

Richard's Bar - Pure old school! - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

WOW.....my opinion this is the best dive/neighborhood bars in Chicago....probably one of the best old school bars iv'e ever been in.....when being there last Thursday and Friday i felt like i was in a scene of the Soprano's....Charlie was a great bartender and funny.... when i first walked in, Charlie asked me if i smoke and i said no and he said 'GOOD' and walked away grinning and snickereing...looking up i saw a sign saying no smoking then looked down the end of the bar and there were 3 guys smoking.....what a hoot....then I met Bobby one of the owners and he was cool too.....lots of memobellia of Al Capone, the Rat Pack and several old time pictures.....when you go in you will prob. here Frank Sinatra playing on the juke box....but having said all that everyone was great and if you yelpers like this kind of thing then check this place out !!! this place is for you read more

Awesome Chicago dive bar. Feel like you step back in time for a drink or two at least. Vibe isn't forced, it is what it was whenever it opened. Service is spot on and prices are amazing for Chicago or anywhere. Cash only, FYI read more

Still serving customers inside, putting them and those they come into contact with at risk. Proudly displaying a sign saying they don't care about the health of Chicagoans. It's clear the owners put their pride above the well-being of their patrons. This poses the question: what other unhealthy practices do they have going on there? I'd think twice before going in - there are plenty of classic dives around the city. read more