This place sucks bartender was rude. Told a woman hell no she couldn't have a margarita. Wouldn't try this place again

Great dive bar. Pool darts great drink prices and service. I really enjoyed my times there

Bar 4 By far the worst stop down the line of dive bars on Madison Street. Everybody knows I luv my dive bars but even I have a certain standard. Shortstop is pretty much someones toilet that serves liquor. It seems like you're walking into a basement except that basements are cold. I can't even imagine coming here on a 90 degree day; it was a little warm that night which probably contributed to the already existing smell. I really don't know what else to tell you, they had pool tables, dart machines, friendly (those poor people) bartenders, and cheap drinks. Also I had the pleasure of meeting a local guy who was mute and deaf (Or he was pulling me leg in which case he should take his show on the road). He proceeded to have a conversation with me, which I found more amusing then I should... it was great, like drunken charades. Other then the cool local I couldn't get out of here fast enough. The things you do for a buddy. read more

Shortstop Lounge - a view of the outside of a restaurant - Dive Bars Near Me - Forest Park, Illinois

My first ever bar crawl down Madison ended here, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. Because if your last drink of the night isn't a Bud Light out of a mason jar, you live a life of deprivation. Especially for the incredibly low prices they have. Be here at the end of the night. It's only right. read more

Shortstop is a complete and total dive bar. It's dark, sort of dingy, smells funny and there is almost always only dudes in here ranging from the very young (possibly underage) to the very old (on death's doorstep) but HEY it works out for us ladies in the end! lol If getting your drinks purchased by creeps isn't your go to move you'll be pleased with their super reasonable beer prices. I was pleasantly surprised by the range of beers they serve here and was thrilled when I noticed they carry Wild Turkey Honey (only true dive bars have the Turkey on hand!). My gf is also a huge fan and has taken to drinking from mason jars ever since she was served her Blue Moon in one. This bar is definitely not the worst place on Madison Street to get silly at. And if you are into pool or darts they host league nights that appear to be pretty popular. read more

Shortstop, a tiny dive bar in the streets of Forest Park makes for a neat watering hole for the neighborhood. Decent selection of beer on tap, TouchTunes, and a pool table is really all anyone ever needs when they're out at the bar. You can get your draft either in a pint here, or a stupid huge mason jar (it's probably like 24-26 oz, but the shape of the glass looks ridiculous). You're better off using cash here, since I think they charge an extra couple dollar fee when using card. Also this place is way too well lit for being a legitimate dive bar, but it was fine since I was here with company. Everyone there seemed nice, although the bartender was a little inattentive. Looks like you can have food delivered there too which is always a nice touch. read more

If your crawl through Forest Park doesn't end up at (or at least include) this bar, you are doing it wrong. This bar is dirty, dingy, has a weird vibe, and is where you will run into at least four people you knew from high school. Even if you didn't go to high school here, it doesn't matter. That is the magic of Short Stop. This is the kind of place that hipsters would hang around in if hipsters had the brass to hang around in a bar like this. The seating is awkward, there's usually somebody doing something offensive and/or weird just outside the front door, and the breathalyzer test in back is wrong 99% of the time. The morning after a bender in Forest Park, you will call your friends to ask "what the hell happened" and at least one friend will say, "Got me. Last I saw of you was at Short Stop, then I don't know where you went." It is the magical portal to all nights gone wrong in so many right ways. Mysteriously, I never see this bar when I am driving down the street in the middle of the day. If I do see this bar in the middle of the day, it's because I am already half in the bag. This place is magic, I tell you. Magic! read more

Still a nice go-to place, When down on W. Madison in Forest Park. A classic old-line tavern it was & is. I DO miss the days of the original owners. read more

Ohh Shorties. I cannot say enough about this bar. It is a great dive bar. Probably the only true dive left on the Street Of Dreams (Madison Street) since Horan's turned into duckfat. My uncle showed me this bar a few years ago..I usually stuck to the bars where everyone goes...Osullivans, Doc Ryans....etc. I got sick of them, and he showed me the glorious blue awning of shortstop. They have good bartenders, and the best deal on the street of dreams, the mason jar of beer. $3.75 will get you a mason jar of pretty much any of the domestic beers on tap (I suggest Schlitz or Pabst to ensure dive greatness), but you can also get stuff like blue moon or whatever. Even when the place has a population of 4, you can still have a great time. They have a bunch of tvs playing all of the sports games, and they have a good juke box. I highly recommend checking out this place. read more

Dive bar with a couple of pool tables. Nothing to write home about but if you need a drink, wanna shot pool with some strangers. GO! As long as you don't mind that it's crawling with young-ins. Whatever. It's fine for a few rounds. read more

What's not to love? Craig, Lisa, Anthony...the best bartenders in FP! It's true, it's a dive, and the description that it's like going into someone's basement is actually pretty accurate. I think it's the drop ceiling. Don't be fooled though, it attracts a fairly young crowd. There's two pool tables and two dart boards and plenty of good drink specials. They have a great jukebox and that frozen pizza is pretty damn good. read more

Now this is my kind of dive bar! Still only three stars because it is a dive, but it's one of my weekday favorite spots anyways. The drinks are strong and cheap! The customers and employees are really friendly, but not pushy. I love that I can go here with just about anyone and have a good time. My flip flops and jeans are more than classy for this place, so you never have to worry about what to wear. Shortstop is small, but now that they knocked down the wall it's way more spacious and less claustrophobic feeling. There are a couple dart boards, pool tables, and two electronic touch screen games. Plus several flat screen tvs, which they are pretty accommodating if your game isn't already on. When the AC is working it's brilliantly refreshing and with your cold drink in hand it's a great Summer stop. Unfortunately, when it's not working you'll end up sweating your butt off and leaving, or at least I do! **Tuesdays and Thursdays are league nights for darts, so don't go if you are looking for open boards to play on.** read more

It's like a home away from home. It might be a dive but the crowd is friendly and so are most of the bartenders. You really can't beat the $4.00 bombs (at least $8.00 in the city)! And if you are really desperate they have frozen pizza that they will surve up well done if you ask. If you go here, take care of your bartenders! read more

I'm not really sure what to say. This place kind of sucks. But, I like to rate places based on how they perform within their area of expertise. So...in a sea of suckiness, this place is a 3 out of 5. I know I will catch hell for complaining that the wine sucks (WHY DO YOU GET WINE THERE?!?!?!?!?), but my defense is "why do you serve it then?" And, if someone complains that it tastes like shit, why not offer them something else? Rather than tell them you'll open a new bottle but it'll taste the same? Then proceed to open a new bottle, and pour another glass of glue-tasting sub-swill that gives people almost immediate headaches? I will say that the wine and subsequent rounds of 'omg taste this' gave our entirely disparate group something to talk and commiserate about. So that was a bonus. A plus--they serve beer in ball jars. Which, now you know, is clearly the way to go. read more

Favorite bar in Forest Park. Pool Table, Foosball, darts, and jukebox. Sometimes can get crowded, but not too bad. Never too loud that you can't have a conversation - though I will say its a social bar - not tons of table seating. Good prices on beer. This is always my go-to. read more

Thanks for my friend that has brought me to this place. I love Shortstop Lounge ever since. First of all, I can come in to this place dressed comfortably. I can wear my sneakers, jeans, and shirt. Second of all, drinks are cheap! I always get the mason jar with SCHLITZ! One is enough to get buzzed up. My alcohol tolerance is not that high, mmmkay. Third, the regular staff is friendly. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them. Once you walked in, you will notice two pool tables. Also, there is place at the back for playing darts. I always come here if I ever want to pre-game and move to another bar. This place hits the spot and makes my money all well spent. read more

I always have a great time at shortstops, i like the alcohol they give me. You might even see a girl named Joy. They have pool and darts and that is cool. Lots of fun if you like classic dive bars, its a total dive bar with a cool dive bar vibe. This is the place to be if you are in forest park area and want good times at a bar!!!!! i even met my x gf there and we made sweet love on several different occasions read more

It's small and often smelly. I'd knock it down a star, but the people are nice and a big plus is that the times I have been in here on hot days, the air conditioning was on full blast and it felt really good. read more

Cheap beer and good music makes this place to go after work.

While trying to find a spot along crowded madison street for the St. Pats parade (you should go, by the way!), it seemed required that a beer be consumed on the street. This place was the least crowded by far. Just a small bar with some tables, a dart board and chalkboard, it is the least grandiose that I saw, but my one of my favorites! The bartenders were super friendly, and well stocked on green food coloring so that we could have whatever beer we wanted, and still have a green beer. Coors light was $3/pint, which was a steal compared to what others were offering as well. The place is very relaxed, which was appreciated by us as well. The bathroom was clean, but a little freaky to have a full length mirror facing the toilet, as if I want to watch myself pee! That was really my only complaint. I will be back soon! read more

I'm pretty biased because Ive been coming to this bar a lot over the past 3 years, I never go when it's crowded but every time I go in I always have a great time. Whether I am by myself or with company it's always a pleasant experience. John, Albert, and Jay are my favorite bartenders. read more

Out of three bartenders , not one was efficient. One took forever, second could'nt get the tap to work & the third talking about having a bad day therefore, somehow unable to serve a drink properly. Uneven pool table with no quarters at the "change machine" ..really?!?! Anyway, needless to say I will never go back & am strongly suggesting for anyone considering in going; NOT TO!!! read more

Another classy dive bar on Madison. Love this place! Employees are attentive and right there to give you another drink when your glass is empty. Lots of regular faces and have met plenty of great people here. Free darts on Sundays is definitely a plus! read more

There's been a tradition that the Sunday daytime bartender makes food for the patrons since I have been going there to watch football on Sundays. The fare was always decent, but recently I thought it was worth updating my review to mention that since the owner Marty Sorice bought what is now Angelo O'Leary's down the street (formerly Zambonie's)- they have a pizza oven to have pizza and buffalo chicken wings brought down from there on Sundays. I happened to run into a guy named Frank who works at Angelo O'Leary's and we talked about foodie topics. It sounds like they have some good people working at the place who make decent 'bar food.' I tried both today and it was okay-- and you can't beat the price. I recommend the Shortstop for good prices and snacks during football games, decent hospitality, and friendly bartenders. read more

The drink specials are faboulous they even have them on Saturdays which was excellent for me. 3.00 bombs that is great! I ended up getting a buzzed here for cheap. I will be going back. read more

The best bar in forest park! I ve been going to this bar for about 6 years. Its exactly like cheers. "where everybody knows somebody". Everybody who has a negative comment must not come out often. Theirs never fights there. The drinks are cheap. The best place to play pool with real good talent. The bartenders are excellent. Stop in and ask for a mason jar!!! read more

Out of all the bars on Madison Street, I'd have to say that Shortstop is definitely my favorite! Although it may not be the fanciest bar in the area, I always feel welcome there. The bartenders are super friendly and attentive, and the drinks are always super cheap. I also think it's very creative that they serve beer in mason jars, I've never seen any other bar do that. Also, if you like to play pool or darts, they have excellent pool/dart leagues. Even if you don't join a league, there will always be someone there who would love to play. If you just like to listen to music and/or dance, no matter what genre of music you're into, there's always some good music on the juke box. read more