I love this bar and have been coming here for years...literally since I was not old enough to drink but knew which bars didn't care enough to look at your fake ID. Which brings me to my next point...Richard's gives ZERO fucks about laws they don't agree with. As a person sharing a similar philosophy on life, I applaud them and try to give them my business whenever I am in the neighborhood. However, that may soon change as I just can not handle the cigar smoking. I don't mind the cigarettes (in case you don't know, everyone still smokes those inside here). I don't smoke cigarettes, but the smell reminds me of my grandmother whom I love dearly. I didn't care when people were able to smoke cigarettes in bars. But people were NEVER allowed to smoke cigars inside. That is just a total, pompous dick move. Thanks a lot, Guido. You don't even inhale the cigar smoke so why must I? Great place to people watch, CHEAP drinks, fun and eclectic music selection...but I will no longer be coming here if they continue to permit cigar smoking. That's where I draw the line. read more

Behold: the be all, end all of every dive bar. Any contestant would be KO'd, all challengers, defeated. Richards is king and exemplary. Other bar owner: take notes. The crowed is a mix off the old and new schools. They may not change their wits, but the old timers are welcoming to anybody at any time. Not only will they light your smoke, they'll pour you a mean drink at a price that matches recession needs. Also, they're strike up a conversation, buy you a drink mayhaps, and get your name right from then on in. Young are invited, and encouraged. Music is always of the rat-pack style. It's all swing, big-band, some new stuff (dare not venture past Billboard's top 10 of 1985). So everybody is dancing and singing along, drinking like our Italian hero's of singing. Seems like theres a group mentality of having a good time and ditching drama at the door, enticing yes? Oh, they sell cigarettes too. I get my Chesterfields here when passing on home from the loop. Somehow I end up staying longer than I should've, oops. In addition, Richard's sells homemade beef-jerky and hard-boiled eggs. This is an aged tradition of giving patrons protein when imbibing, you know, to keep them alive and soak up the booze blue-collar bruised-knuckle style. In addition, they sell take-away liquor, just incase this was a leg on your way to a party. Richard's just wins every time. It's impossible to not have a good time, even if you're DD (which they treat like Royalty). Show some respect and show up already. read more

Smoking is an insurmountable obstacle (without banning it). That being said - Most characterful bar in the city. I talked to a guy once who you would have thought was Steve Buscemi. STILL looks like some of the patrons are mob-whatever. People you'd swear were brought up in the 1950s, although you know they couldn't have been cause they're not that old. Also a lot *nicer* inside than you'd think. I could go on, but they have more than enough to be #1 in their genre - except for that obstacle. But perhaps then they wouldn't be fully...them; idk. On my list to go in early morning for egg in a beer when the cloud cover is down. read more

OLD SCHOOL This is everything a dive bar should be. Drinks are super cheap (even the good stuff), not only smoking is allowed but they sell smokes (even the bartender smokes), cash only, full of regulares even early in the morning. Besides the fact that you will probably spend everything you saved on drycleaning your clothes, the atmosphere probably can't compare to anything you can find anywhere else in the city. Definitely a must try, at least once. read more

So this place is the absolute divine destination for dive bar goers. Cheap drinks, geezer bartender, a gazillion years of smoke residue; done. With an old marquee style menu and no, scratch that, zero frills, some good Tuesday afternoon drunken shenanigans will definitely find you if you saunter up to the bar. read more

Gotta agree with Jeff F. here -- as we were there together. We had just had a work dinner next door at La Scarola and strolled in here for a night cap afterward. A solid selection at the Jukebox and interesting characters hanging around. I'd go back. read more

The prototypical dive bar. The age range is very varied. You could have a hipster doofus talking about craft beer. Or an older gentleman talking about Chicago in the old days. If I had to choose one bar to tell people from out of town to go to, it would be this. Wish I could frequent this place more. But can't because a psycho ex is a regular here. read more

Our plan was to hit Emmit's for lunch before we started drinking proper. But my friend who lives in Chicago didn't realize that Emmitt's doesn't open until 4pm during the week. My buddy said, well before we get food, we have to stop at Richard's first. And I couldn't be happier he said that, because this is the perfect spot for my 200th review. A Chicago dive bar to challenge any dive bar I have ever been to in NYC. Damn I wish this place was in my city. We walk in to a near empty bar with a giant real jukebox which featured mostly rat pack type music and a 96 year old bartender. Immediately, multiple Old Style's were ordered. Another guy in the bar, maybe the owner, must have known we were going to be good customers because before we even got our first round he was telling the bartender the next round was on the house. We did need food, and Richard's only food offerings are hard boiled eggs and small packets of Planters cashews, so we had to leave for a little bit. But once we ate, we were right back here. $3 Old Style bottles? That's all I needed to know. We probably could have spent the whole long weekend here, and I would have been ok with that. Next time I'm in Chicago, I will definitely stop at Richard's. Also, if you can, I might try and stop your friend from eating the hard boiled eggs. Beer + hard boiled eggs + more greasy food + more beer is not good for that friend's digestive system, or the smell of the area around you. read more

Can't beat $3 beers in Chicago!!! My boyfriend loved coming here since he smokes and they allow you to smoke inside. I don't mind the smoke. We will def be back cuz.... $3 read more

24 oz. Bud Ice...$4 shot of Old Grandad...$3.25 jumbo hard boiled egg...75 cents Thowing up at one of the best bars in Chicago...priceless. read more

A few days before a milestone birthday, I decided to go out and spend a pleasant, respectable evening with friends. In my mind, a pleasant and respectable evening should conjure images of witty banter and intelligent opinions being shared over over dry martinis and a few belgian beers. My desire for a pleasant and respectable evening did not occur by any means at Richard's. Earlier in the day, the boyfriend and I decided that we would be grown-ups (as the looming birthday milestone should suggest) and come home early (we went to a street festival nearby). That responsible and sane thinking went out the window as soon as we entered Richard's. Basically, mix together a festive bar setting, plenty of flowing light beers, entertaining drunken patrons, great old music PLUS video bowling, and there is no way this evening can conjure any previous notions of "respectable." Definitely more boisterous than pleasant, and boozy than respectable. So, I'm glad this evening happened before the birthday, because it helped fuel my resolution to start the next decade living a healthier lifestyle. Thank you, Richard's, for being my bad influence. And while I will try to live responsibly and respectably, I know that Richard's is not far away when I need to imbibe in some good ol' fashioned boozin'. read more

The first time I went to Richard's I was on a date with the most boring man I've ever met. Go figure, he he brought me to the best bar in the city, if not the world. I fell in love with the bar, though not the man, and spent the duration of the date talking to an old man next to me. That's the great thing about Richard's: it's full of fascinating old-timers. I've never once been to the bar without at least one free drink from some sweet geriatric who just wants to chat for a bit. Free drinks are great and all, but better than that is the fact that this bar allows you to smoke INSIDE. Fancy that, cigarettes and alcohol under one roof! Richard's is like a step back in time, with its old timey jukebox selection and friendly atmosphere. read more

Have you ever licked a dirty ashtray? If not, then you can get a similar opportunity by making out with one of the smokers at Richard's bar. Yes, Richard's allows smoking inside. My clothes, hair and skin reek of the nasty shit. Other than that, I love Richard's with the retro-tunes jukebox and cute old bartenders. The crowd is fun and it's a blast. I wanted to stay longer but started to feel nauseous by the second-hand smoke. read more

Let me say first and foremost, I love dive bars. The ambiance of this place is extremely cool in a very unique way, and one cannot complain that they have pickled eggs for sale. They sell packaged liquor. They then have half of the equation correct. What really pulls down this review is the crowd that they attract. Its always jammed packed with the most hodgepodge and sketchy people in the entire city. People apparently don't care about smoking bans either. I just couldn't wait to leave the moment my buddy dragged me into there. read more

Great bar and I don't even smoke! Every time I'm in Chicago Richards Bar is one of two things on my must do list... The other must do is the Italian place next-door I think it's owned by the same guy that owns Richards bar... read more

I could see the potential awesomeness of this place with its old school beer menu board, the amazing jukebox, and such, BUT I cannot get down with this place because the bar staff turned a blind eye to the harassment my friends and I were receiving. The place was had maybe 15 including the employees, myself and 3 friends...as you find at most bars, there were two drunk assholes who kept harassing me, one friend, and other patrons here and there. Assholes get drunk and like to harass people, I know. But these guys kept making extremely racist and offensive comments to us, about us, around us, etc. LOUDLY. Everyone at the bar knew what was going on, including the bartenders and not once were the guys asked to settle down or better yet, leave. The situation obviously wasn't getting any better, so finally my friends and I were the ones who had to go. I've been to charming dive bars where people get kicked out over smaller things, so I feel like as a bartender if you see two douchebags harassing innocent people with, again, RACIST COMMENTS, you should be called to duty and ask them to leave...the few bucks they're spending on Jameson shots and PBRs can't mean that much to you. I know this was an isolated incident, and I highly doubt this is the bar's, or their patrons general MO, but I don't see myself going back to Richard's and giving them my money if that's their stance on foolishness even just once...I'll stick to Friar Tuck's in Lakeview...at least *they* have a dancefloor....and a popcorn machine...and most importantly, they kick out assholes. read more

I suppose an old man bar with pictures of Al Capone on the wall such as this one is just as good as any to have a phone conversation with my dad about how he wants to pay to have someone killed. I wish I were kidding. It's also a good place to get an after work drink when you've had a rough day. Lots of regulars, cheap beers, an easy escape route, and hard boiled eggs in case you're hungry. They also have a particular bartender who can make a decent $6 old fashioned if that's what you're into, and believe me, it's definitely what I'm into. When I'm frustrated by the prices at the Point, you better believe you can find me here. Maybe the Point will let me take some short rib nachos to go so I can bring em to the kind of bar that's more my speed. read more

My coworkers, the handsome old bartender and Sox fan at the bar all tried to 'out Chicago' each other while we drank whiskeys and Old Styles at Richard's last Friday. A conversation about Malort ensued, bartenders who give out free drinks morned and smelt fishing stories were swapped (ok, I don't have any). But the best thing about Richard's is if you don't get a chance to hear all the songs you played on the jukebox, they're perfectly audible from the Grand stop while you wait for the Blue Line (thanks Steve for the tip). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mal%C3%B6rt read more

Best bar in Chicago! I can have a cig., and a beer and listen to good music.

While I quite like Richards I feel the need to point out that this is NOT a dive bar. For one it is clean, smells nice and is well setup. While busy and packed with all kind of people I have yet to see an old man slowly drinking himself to death at the corner of the bar, bums buying booze with change, gang members or any of the other patrons that indicate a true dive. The decent beer and drink selection also throws off the 'dive' vibe; as we all know real dives have about 3 choices beer wise and frown upon drinks that require more then one thing be poured into a glass. Over at Richards the clean, quick and competent wait staff give friendly service but the speed, selection and willingness to please make this place a bit to classy. While not marble topped the bathrooms are clean, a sure sign a place is not a dive. Don't get me wrong, Richards is a great bar and I enjoy drinking there when it is not to packed or I can hide in the 'secret' room. They have a great jukebox and a lively atmosphere but this place is not a dive, just a basic, old school, neighborhood tavern. read more

It isn't clear how this establishment stays in business. The place is filled with cigarette smoke with multiple patrons smoking out in the open. There appears to be no attempt to enforce the Smoke-free Illinois Act. read more

This is the tale of how I fell in love with Richard's. One night, I was there with The Boys. For some reason, my sidekick Vivian wasn't there, and she still regrets it TO THIS DAY. I'm sitting at the bar, calmly sipping my beer, half-listening to the drunken chatter of the boys. Suddenly, 2 fights simultaneously break out at the front of the bar. Of course, every guy in the place jumps in to participate in the fracas. To my surprise, Frank the bartender LEAPS over the bar like some kind of graceful gazelle to break up the tussle! (sigh!) Needless to say, I also fell in love with Frank, right then and there. Have I mentioned that Frank is also an incredibly handsome and distinguished-looking man? Then later I find out that Frank is a singer, and I even heard his song on the jukebox. Swoon! Actually, fights very rarely break out at Richard's. Despite the broad spectrum of patrons, everyone is in a good mood and just there to have a good time. What I witnessed that night was a once-in-a-lifetime event. I have the time of my life every single time I go to Richard's! I end up drinking way too much, dancing like a fool, and singing my heart out. There's just something special about this place! Walking through the door puts a huge smile on my face. Even the old dudes that hit on you here do it in such a charming and good-natured way that it is flattering, not creepy! Do I want to dance with you to "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling"? Heck YEAH I do! Leave your pretension and ill-will at the door, or take it to one of the douchebag bars. Richard's is all about cutting loose, being carefree, and having fun! read more

Went here to meet a friend on a Monday night. I fell in love from the get go. I am a HUGE fan of neighborhood-y places, and this is just that kind of place. The really old owner is behind the bar. Everything looks like it's been there for at least 70 years. If I lived in this neighborhood, I would absolutely be here on many week night to grab a beer with a friend or to chat it up with the owners/bar tenders. This is the kind of place you would go where everyone would know you name, ala Norm from Cheers. On Monday night, we went there for 3 hours, and the place was not at all empty, but not annoyingly full. I don't want to come to this place on a weekend, because I feel it'll just remind me of a LP bar by the clientele it would have, so I'm going to hold on to my Monday night memories. After about 2.5 hours we looked ready to leave, so the owner/bartender gave us a round on the house. It was the best thing ever, because you know, nothing says WE LOVE YOU AND WELCOME YOU INTO OUR BAR like a free drink. Mine was PBR, but that was a love-full PBR. If you live in that neighborhood go there, because this is exactly the kind of place that needs to be fully supported by those living around there. Also, find the sign that says "Hard boiled 'eggs' ONLY 75 cents." I'm not sure why the word "eggs" is in quotation marks, and I was too scared to find out. I would love to meet the person who wants to eat a hard boiled egg at a bar. If you're that person, please make sure you let me know and post pictures of these hard boiled "eggs" :) read more

This year, I wanted a really fun, lowkey birthday party. For that, I chose Richard's. I've seen on numerous bus rides and thought wow, this looks like a fun, divey bar. Yes, I had never been here before Saturday. Getting here early, I checked out the bar. I like the beer menu posted on the bar. It tells you everything you need to know. The walls are lined with pictures and posters of Rat Pack images. The woman's bathroom has pics of Al Pacino and the movie "Casino" with Joe Pesc (I love that!). The old school bartenders are the best. They were so funny especially when I had a big container of cake balls sitting there. The drink prices are reasonable. The two best things about Richard's are the jukebox and the people. It's filled with tunes from a couple of decades which makes for a fun night of singing and dancing in a dive bar. I belted out to Madonna's "Like a Prayer" and saw some swing dancing for another song. I completely lost my voice from singing and laughing. Richard's crowd is probably the best winter, indoor people watching I've seen in a long time. The crowd is so varied from hipster types to well dressed couples sneaking in a drink before dinner to just plain wacky people. It felt like I was sitting on a sidewalk watching festivalgoers as I eat my ribs or fried candy bar. Instead, I was inside drinking some cranberry vodkas with friends having the best time. Richard's is a gem of bar. The bar itself is stuck in time and it's a good thing because it makes for a fun night out. read more

I don't give a damn about the smoke extravaganza that takes place here, because I'm not a newbie to boozing, and being in a bar that still allows smoking was almost nostalgic actually. Something about people kicking back, drinking cheep beer, doing shots out of plastic cups, and chain smoking really brought out some old tales between the peeps and I, and that is something that we all can look forward too.. Enjoy Suckas'!!! read more

Stumble in from Milwaukee OR Grand Avenue, and sit back and sip on a cold domestic BOTTLE or CAN as clearly labeled on the menu over your head. The menu is circa 1976. Posters of the Rat Pack adorn the wall, which certainly fits the mood. The jukebox is packed with the greats: Dean-o, Sinatra, Johnny Cash and the Rolling Stones fill the air. It provides a nice backdrop to the blue smoke and friendly conversation. The old Italian guys mingle with younger bar patrons and older regulars. What can you say about places like this except, there ain't enough of 'em. This breed of classic Chicago bar is a dying one, sadly. But for now, you can sit around and lament their death over a martini or a beer at this gem of a bar, Richard's. read more

My new favorite dive bar in Chicago (sorry Wunderbar!)....Richard's is everything the other Yelp fans say it is. I had one of those nights here. I laughed so hard the entire night and it produced stories that my friends and I will be telling for years to come. Thank you, Richards! I've only been on weeknights so I want to check it out on a weekend someday, but it sounds like it gets really crowded on the weekends. Just a warning, do not go here if you hate the song Sweet Caroline!! You will be forced to hear it at least 3 times per night. Just go with it. Forgot to mention....we were able to order food from La Scarola next door and eat it at this bar. Not that the hard-boiled eggs and beef jerky on display didn't look tempting, but Scarola made for the best bar food I've ever had! read more

I have a new favorite bar. Yes it's tiny and loud. Yes it's dingy and worn out. Yes there are woman on the prowl that can only be described as cougars (because I don't know the mammal equivalent to something older than a cougar). Yes it's got a lot of uber-skeevy dudes. But hot damn! This place is fun! I drank, I danced, I met some crazy people and I had a blast! If you have the means, I highly recommend it! read more

This bar was everything I hoped it would be. It felt like I stepped into another era. Everyone was smoking in this little hole in the wall and the jukebox was filled with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Very diverse crowd but my favorite part of Richard's is the mob feel. If you like dive bars, check it out! read more

Seriously the reviews are a snap shot of what you could get here! We were at La Scarola next door where we had an amazing dinner and wanted a night cap. We ended up at Richard's Bar instead of our intended location of Emmitt's Bar and I have to admit it was worth it! From the 98 1/2 year old bartender at my girls right to the bartender that looked like Sinatra and the local who befriended us "Tony"...I mean seriously you can't make this up! Lee the 981/2 year old bartender sipping his cranberry and vodka with a lemon twist told us how he has been here for over 40 years and lives in the area. He mentioned that he had been on tv, radio and touted as the oldest bartender in town. The Goodfella's poster and all assorted photos on the walls take you back in time when you can bet you may not wanna come in unless you were a local...as we sat and enjoyed the ambiance we noticed the old school prices for the drinks and the 'no smoking' sign with the Cigarettes $9 written on a sign underneath...WINNING! I could go on about the experience but, the best is that the owner caught us leaving, insisted that we stay for another beer...on him. How could we refuse? We stayed shot more shit with Tony the Industrial Salesman and then headed to the door...Owner, catches us again and we exchange names. Dominick the Manager of Richard's...nuff said! read more

Impossible for me to describe how much I love this place. Its so old school its scary. Totally not a bar to come in and act like a jagoff....you will get removed and it will be forcefully by people you never want to anger. These guys are legit. That being said, if you come in and act like a gentlemen, there is no greater bar in the city of Chicago. Bobby the younger guy is great behind the bar, Bobby the old school owner is also a great guy....both sent my guys black sambuca over on the arm last night and absolutely went out of their way to make us feel welcome - we even had dinner at a table next to them at LaScarola next door. The jukebox is phenomenal. Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Dion etc....Classic. The wall decor is an ode to the mafia, who has had some type of of involvement as patrons or partners in this place for years. Great pictures of the Capone brothers, Ralph and Al. Great picture of a guy whacked in the front seat of the car, and 3 copies of the checks given to the hit-man. Unreal. Absolutely unreal place. Smoke as much as you want.......just mind your P's and Q's gang. Closest thing to a modern day public social club as there is in any big city in the US. read more

This place is a neighborhood dive in the best possible sense of the word. Bartenders who'll bust out the pestle to mash up the bitters & sugar for an Old Fashioned. Absolute indifference to the smoking ban. Great juke box. Great service, zero pretentiousness, absolute old school gentlemen. Despite the fact that my 2 gal pals & I were the only women in the joint, it was never creepy or uncomfortable. Great conversation and perfect gentleman all around... and I kind of got the impression that if anyone had tried anything with us, they would have gotten thrown out or punched... or both. Just know that the funk of cigarettes will hang on you when you leave... get over it or don't go. No one there will miss your ass. read more

Yes! The perfect dive bar. Sorry guys, I didn't mean it- but it's just so perfect. Amazing that drink prices are on the backlit board above the bar. If only I knew how to play the golden tee equivalent of bowling. Love the drafts, too. read more

Like stepping back in time. Classic look, great crowd, great service and the variety of people who drink here you have to see! My home away from home! read more

Great bar and friendly people. Smoking encouraged. Within the course of 60 minutes l encountered 10 low level outfit guys, two transvestites, multiple yuppies, and some half assed chicago politicians. Love richards. You say what you want about the chicago mob, but they know how to eat and drink. read more

If I were to move away from Chicago, i would spend my final night in this city at Richards. Excellent juke box full of classic oldies, cheap beers, friendly bartenders, really cool historic photos of Chicago and famous Italians covering the walls, and if you're hungry you can order a hard boiled egg or some beef jerky. I love the fact that the age range in Richards varies more than any other bar I've ever seen. I wouldn't be surprised to see my grandfather in there or my underage younger cousins. For the most part, everyone I've met has been friendly and they're from all walks of life. It's also an uncommon luxury to sit at a bar, enjoy a drink, and smoke a proper cigarette without standing outside freezing your @ss off. When ever I have a friend visiting Chicago, Richards is a must. Richards IS CHICAGO in bar form. read more

One of my favorite bars in this part of town. Old school Chicago joint. Seems like nothin has changed here for 40 years (including some things that maybe should have changed). This is kindof an old guy bar, in the best way. read more

There are so many little things to recommend about this bar. Old Style Light bottles. 75 cent hard boiled eggs. 40s (for much less than the frat boy bars charge) if that's your style. And of course awesome pictures on the wall. I still love Richard's even though the bartender was totally f__king with me yesterday, telling me three times in ten minutes "I'll be right with you," as he went from one end of the bar to the other, chatting with regulars. I just gave up and had a female friend order my beer and was sipping it 30 seconds later. And I still love it even though the smoking ban has allowed a faint poo smell to creep back to the fore. Or perhaps the teamsters in there had chili for lunch. read more

Was here on a Wednesday night while waiting for a table at La Scarola. Not impressed - although being a dive bar, I guess the place doesn't aim to impress. There were a dozen or so people, half of them also waiting for a table at La Scarola. We were the only folks of color, so dunno what other reviewers mean by the place has a "mixed crowd." I guess, like, white, preppy, goth, and dread heads together? Something like that? Anyway, There was a misunderstanding and one of the guys in our party ordered me red wine and it came in a dirty glass, it had someone's lipstick marks on it. After some back-and-forth with my boyfriend, I convinced him to take it back. He just asked if he could pour the wine into another glass, but apparently, they didn't have any more glasses! So I asked for a cocktail. The bartender couldn't make an apple martini or a sex on the beach (dunno if they didn't have the stuff or didn't know how to make it). I can't remember what I ended up with, but he did exchange it. So... I know, I know. The red wine was def. a mistake! And it was a Wednesday! I don't even care that they can't make some basic cocktails, but washing your glasses, am I being anal? I'm new to the area, is it a Chicago thing to be okay with drinking from dirty glasses? Seriously. Someone tell me. read more

This bar definitely knows who it is!! Smoking is allowed, you can buy cigarettes and beer to go-- it was like entering a different world! It wasn't my kind of scene, but it was very popular to those who were there! Crowded, we had to get a table near the door. We ended up staying for just one drink, since majority of us didn't have cash and they bar didn't take credit cards. It was an interesting experience, to say the least!! read more

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