Good Southside bar in Chicago. This is a nice bar with a newly renovated inside. They have a lot of cool memorabilia on the walls. Lots of White Sox, Bears, and Irish stuff. The beer selection was pretty good. All of the basics you would expect. They had free pretzels and cheese balls, too. The service was great and the bar tenders were very friendly. The only problem is that this place is cash only. Come prepared. read more

Shinnick's Pub - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Classic Chicago neighbor bar. Been twice with some local friends when I was in town. Service is great and TJ people even better. Will always make sure to come back when in town. read more

Classic Southside Irish bar near Sox park. Serving it up for 4 generations since the 1930's.

I'm gonna say it.... This is the small town bar vibes that you've been waiting for!! Oh my gosh, this bar is the sweetest little pub in the middle of a beautiful neighborhood. The staff is absolutely incredible and the vibes inside are just so homey and warm. Walking in, I felt like I had been here so many times even though it was my first time!! I wasn't able to take pictures of all the drinks we had but the variety was wonderful. The bartenders were so quick and accommodating! The people were absolutely sweethearts! I had so many wonderful conversations with so many strangers! There just seems to be so much history inside! There's photographs on the walls from so many years ago and each photo has a story if you ask the staff! Such a wonderful way to keep the legacy going! I absolutely loved my experience here and I can't wait to go back! Would definitely recommend if you're ever in the area! read more

See all

Favorite bar on the southside. The service is always outstanding and do a great job of making patrons feel at home. It's a must stop after white Sox games. read more

Love this local dive bar. Came after the Sox home opener. Everyone was friendly. Cash only but very reasonably priced. Can't wait to go back! read more

Shinnick's Pub - Love that they are a cop friendly spot - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Greatest bar in Chicago. Cheap beer, great company, and a parking pass to boot, then walk to the Sox game!! Can't ask for more than that!!!!! read more

This is certainly a dive bar. Very local flavor. You'd feel comfortable here if you're a firefighter or cop. Provided some free pretzels. $2 Miller high lifes. read more

See all

I don't understand how this place is on so many "Best Irish Bars in Chicago" lists. It's friendly enough, but they don't have Guinness, even in cans, and the Jameson is definitely watered down. You don't need shamrocks on the wall or The Dubliners on the jukebox to be considered an Irish bar, but if you called yourself an Irish bar in Ireland but didn't serve a draught pint of the plain, and tried to pass off watery Jameson, you'd be run out of town. The old wooden bar has plenty of character, but the rest of the place amounts to a bare bones drinking room. I love a good dive bar. Shinnicks is barely even that. read more

Okay. I'll admit it. I was a bit lost in this neighborhood. After all- who would think that on a residential street, just down from where Mayor Daley used to live would be a bar like Shinnicks Pub. For me- it was love at first sight. First of all- this place has been here since the 1880's. When you walk in the door, your eyes are immediately drawn to the huge mahogany bar. It is spectacular! With it's huge columns, ornate crown molding and being at least 12 feet tall and 18 feet long- this back bar is amazing just to behold. The bartender told me that it is an original Brunswick Balke-Collender bar. Now to many of you who are not antique buffs- this may not mean much- but Brunswick went from making billiard tables in the 1880's to making these amazing back bars right here in Chicago. This one, and most others like it had to be built on site as the scale would be such that it would never fit through the door.. They were made of ornate woods and included specialties like stained glass, silvered mirrors and other ornamentation. An absolutely stunning piece of history. The walls and ceiling in Shinnicks are the original tin. And those walls are covered in old photographs of the Shinnick family and their friends, including past politicians. There is even a small sign that dubs this place "little city hall" making me think about what kind of politics went on in this place over the years. The bartender, Joanne, is a Shinnick, whose family has owned this bar since 1938. She is quick with the drink and on this busy Friday night was amazing as she served her friends and neighbors (and me) cheap beer and shots. This is not a fancy place so if you go- know to order a beer or a shot as those "cosmos" have no place here. Drinks are cheap, beer is handed to you in a bottle (or can during the Sox games) and cash is king at this place so also remember to leave the credit cards at home. And the people? They are so friendly. Within minutes I had run into someone I knew, met a woman who had just opened her new business and invited me to stop by, and had another person ask me if I was new to the neighborhood. I am always blown away by the friendliness of the south side. A bit hard to find but once you are there- you will be welcomed like you have lived in the neighborhood your whole life. Now what can be better than that? read more

What a great place. Friendly neighborhood joint. If you are lucky and Tom Shinnick is there, you can hear him tell you he is responsible for the rise and success of Wisconsin Badger athletics. Great place for Sox fans to drown their sorrows. Historical Bridgeport tavern. read more

Yes, this place is generally the kind of dive-y neighborhood bar that I would seek out to be my local - especially considering the fact that it's only about 2 blocks from our home - but I will never do business here again. We went down here to watch a hockey game during playoffs because we didn't have cable, and found the service to be terrible on a virtually empty night. I think it basically boiled down to an 'us v them' sort of thing (something that I rarely experience elsewhere in the neighborhood). The one or two people that were actually in the bar clearly were the regulars and friends of the staff by the way they capitalized the bartendress's time, ordered little, and stayed long. The final blow to Shinnicks was the lingo. Clearly some of the old racism Bridgeport was (and still is among my non-white friends) famous for is alive and well in little pockets where 20 somethings employ daddy's slurs like 'spook' and 'shine' in casual conversation - looking over shoulders to see my reaction. My reaction? Put down my beer and walk out. No thanks - I'll take my business to Mitchells, Berniece's, or Schaller's where the beer selection is better, the vibe more pleasing, the staff is friendly, and the bigotry isn't right on the surface. UPDATE - cheers for the threatening message/compliment I received within 5 minutes of posting this. You must be one of those lovely regulars I spoke of. Yes, I will definitely sell my home and move because I don't like your ignorant townie nest; thank god I rarely run into trolls like you in real life in Bridgeport. (Which, registered in 2009 with no posts or friends, you most likely are). Yes, by all means forward my review to Shinnicks - I'm sure it'll really mean a ton when weighed against all the other 5-star reviews. I'll give the slightest benefit of the doubt that on game days when the crowd is more mixed in with randoms that it may be a good place to hang, but I was not interested in the vibe on a non-game night when the regulars felt more free to talk as they normally would; this is a reflection on them, and less directly, the staff present who chose not to correct their friends. Shinnicks could be the most fantastic bar in the world, but I refuse to give a place a second chance after a first impression like that. I don't need a pre-game bar because I have free beers at home, blocks from the park. What I want is a year-round local that feels comfortable, which I have found, easily, 2-3 times over elsewhere in Bridgeport. Anyway, Shinnicks is clearly better off without me, and I without them. read more

Pretty standard bar, cash only which kinda sucks, but at the same time their drinks are all pretty cheap, standard domestic beer selection. Also their black wednesday deal is pretty damn good, $25 all you can drink which includes higher end alcohol read more

One stop drinking spot for Sox pre-game libations. Perhaps the greatest back-bar in history!! And I've seen a few back-bars over my 4 years of bars. No food. Great hosts. If going to the Sox game, ask for a parking pass. read more

I was so surprised to see that no one's reviewed Shinnick's! If you're looking for a place to head over to after a Sox game within walking distance, definitely check this place out (Screw Jimbo's. There, I said it). Club Shinnick's - as my friends and I fondly call it : ) - is a great local bar with a younger crowd that is packed before/after Sox games. It's not the biggest place, but with cheap drinks, friendly people, and a lot of history, it's always a good time. They usually have bags set up outside, and if you get hungry you can always head over to Bev's across the street for a tamale or hot dog. Bev is a Bridgeport icon that sells THE BEST hot dogs right out of her own garage. And yes, I said her garage. read more

I love coming here after soxs game! The bartenders at this place are awesome, and always make you feel right at home.

My neighbor grew up on the South Side and has always spoken warmly of Shinnick's. When a friend and I found ourselves with free Sox tickets recently, we decided to head here for a couple drafts before finding parking (ALL street parking is permit only during games). We were welcomed into this unassuming local tavern where drinks were cheap (compared to our North Side usual haunts) and service was friendly. The vintage Brunswick bar was stunning. The bartender immediately asked us if we needed a parking pass for the game. A huge plus for us as we were parked right out front. When the barkeep was caught in a conversation down at the end of the bar and kept us waiting a minute longer than usual for a refill, he offered us each a shot of Jameson's on the house. Wow, what a guy! We'll definitely return on our next trip down South! read more

The best neighborhood bar in Chicago . Friendly staff, welcoming environment and a jukebox that won't quit!

I wont go here after a cub/sox game(too crowded/insane), but it's a fun spot for a drink after Sox games. Especially if you have an elusive neighborhood parking pass and can park near it any time. read more

I just moved into the neighborhood and was so happy to come across this place. It's a true neighborhood bar and a throw back to yesteryear. What better place to get together with friends and kick back a few cold ones while watching the hawks game. read more

A nice looking small pub that I would hardly call a dive. This place has nice decor and ceiling despite its evident age. A classic neighborhood pub that you don't see everyday in the middle of a residential street. The beer was cheap and came from a bottle,tap, and a can. I love having these three choices. The bartender though ..again bad service as he was way too interested in the video bar games than serving his patrons even on a dead night. read more

As a Sox fan from northern Wisconsin I truly love love this place ... it is a SOX bar so I feel at home here! Also, from the inside you feel like you are at the V and M bar in Brill, WI as opposed to some place in Chicago. read more

this bar is cool. people are very friendly they make you feel at home if they know you good enough lol. place is very clean.

This bar is awesome, very friendly bartenders. It's a great bar to stop in before a Sox Win, just a few blocks walk to the park.

Good old fashioned neighborhood bar. Went there for the 1st time loved it. Has a very comfortable feeling. Good music had a blast.