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    Simon's Tavern

    4.1 (347 reviews)
    InexpensiveBars
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    Simon's Tavern Photos

    SIMON'S TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Divey
    Classy
    Juke Box

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    Recommended Reviews - Simon's Tavern

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    Reviews With Photos

    Dance party.
    Stevie M.

    Was there tonight for the Real Pretenders. George the bartender was AMAZING! Brian our friend at the bar was nice & smoking HAWT!

    Hamm's
    Steve A.

    Famous old bar in Andersonville. It's the one with the Viking fish. Simon's is also known for glogg, a warm mulled wine. Good stuff for anyone liking warm cocktails. The prices are pretty cheap on most things. A lot of history is here. It's a bar that's been here a long time for sure. They do a lot of things the old way. It's expected. Have some money on you. Cash only. It's about $5 to get a beer on tap. Has the basics. Lots of cheap things like Hamm's and Old Style. Also they have glogg. This is warm and has a punch. Pretty much it's the signature drink. This is okay for what it is. Has no food. They let you bring in some. Good old classic. It's cash only. Try some of the glogg, which is served starting in fall to winter.

    Cheers
    Allison M.

    Honestly the service and ambiance make this place. Definitely some serious dive vibes. Super old school from wall paper to tables. Lots of character and I'm into it. If you're in the market for a comfortable, affordable and quaint neighborhood pup, go here. I got a mic ultra which is my fav trash beer. The bar tender was funny about how he never has them. Stoked. There were a ton of options here for all. Clean bathrooms for those who care like me. Great location. Cheers

    Mural--The Hunter
    Debra V.

    Great old Swedish dive bar with a Nautical theme. Cash only. On a tour. Saw where the speakeasy was and learned the history of the owner and possible deaths there during Prohibition. The old cracking mural has a ghost story behind it. Come and relax. No food. No frills at all.

    Bathroom

    A great local spot that's been around forever. I had a chicago handshake for the first time here and it was great. Nice vibe and cool jukebox

    Outside
    Sara Annela T.

    Cash only dive bar. Some Chicago history. Not my usual kind of place but absolutely will stumble in here again for a more thorough review.

    Kyle H.

    One of Chicago's greatest taverns! Simon's has the best jukebox, which is continually being updated with everything from jazz, to the latest in indie rock and rap. If you haven't been to Simon's for Glogg season, you haven't lived! I love coming here during all seasons, but especially during Glogg season, as the place is so festive. Belly up to the longggggg bar, and be kind to the hard working servers. I was recently here where two young whipper snappers had no scratch on them, and proclaimed "I've never paid with cash at a bar before." Simon's is CASH ONLY, but there's an ATM right inside. They'll also card ya hard if you look a shade under 40, so don't take it personally, that's the Tavern way! Nightcap at Simon's?! Yeah, of course!

    Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale (split between two glasses)
    Brie G.

    This place is fun! Our friends came for Schlitz on draft, which is apparently quite rare in Chicago! I had some glogg (mulled wine) and a beer. Fun atmosphere, nice people, great place to hang out.

    Michael B.

    Simon's Tavern is an Andersonville staple. Please note: This place is CASH ONLY. ATM inside. Located right in the middle of the Andersonville neighborhood on Clark street, Simon's Tavern is a divey bar that you can't miss. With the big neon fish sign hovering overhead, you'll know you've arrived. Drink selection has all that one may want and then some. For those who happen to stumble in after Thanksgiving, I must recommend their AMAZING mulled wine which I find myself waiting all year for. Prices are reasonable for the area. Servers are excellent and down-to-earth. It's a bit of a long bar so service may take some time when it's busy. There are two TVs at both ends of the bar which make this more of a place to have conversations rather than watching sports with the entire bar. There's also a jukebox here with a solid selection of music. Take time to explore some of the hidden gems on the playlist or play some tried-and-true classics. Don't ever change, Simon's. 5/5. A neighborhood favorite. Always a fun time when I bring a friend down here.

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    2 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Great neighborhood dive bar with sticky floors. FYI - it's not dog friendly anymore and still cash only.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    A true neighborhood bar. Relaxing and no drama. The bartender was very friendly as well.

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    2 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great neighborhood hole in the wall joint complete with a jukebox and cold beverages - what more could you ask for?

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    4 years ago

    The staff was not super attentive and it is cash only. The pricing is not bad. Nice selection of liquors, beers, and seltzers.

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    3 years ago

    Awesome local dive bar to wander into. Lots of great ones nearby, but make sure to check this one out!

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    4 years ago

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Simon's Tavern

    Can food be delivered here?

    Yes

    Anyone know if Simon's allows kids early in the day? Daddy needs a Glögg.

    No, adults only

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Simon's Tavern

    The jukebox was pretty stellar except that it never got to my selected songs while I was still there....

    Mentioned in 69 reviews

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    Larry's

    Larry's

    4.3
    (65 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Not sure how I missed this joint but so glad I found it. Larry's is a small cocktail bar in the…read moreLawrence House, which was built in 1830 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Because it is located in the lobby of the apartment building, it is not something you see from the street. The bar itself is very small, but there are multiple seating options outside of the actual bar. You are permitted to take your drink to the lobby or to the outside patio area. Both are nice and allow for a pleasant drinking experience, but folks that live in the building sit there as well, on laptops or reading. The vibe of the bar is super chill, with this crazy red hue that I love. I am not a big cocktail person per se, but if you are into them like The Queen is, then you are in for a treat. There are also non-alcoholic selections for wines, beers and cocktails for those that require that. In addition they also have bubbles, so that is a win for me. In addition to great cocktails and bubbles, they also do "Summer Movie Nights" on the patio. You can bring a blanket, grab a drink and enjoy. Larry's does not serve food, but you can order something to eat from The Uptown Deli (which has good sandwiches). There is street parking on Sheridan and it is about two blocks from the Lawrence Street El stop (once it opens again). Now that I am aware of its existence, I will be back to chill and have bubbles, and maybe catch a movie.

    Great little bar with an awesome vibe! Sabrina was our bartender and she was funny, friendly, and…read moremade us feel right at home. Drinks are well-priced and made really well. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to!

    Photos
    Larry's
    Larry's
    Larry's

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    Sweethearts Bar

    Sweethearts Bar

    4.4
    (8 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Very fun shotgun bar next to Lonesome Rose that was rocking 70s and 80s dance tracks on a Recent…read moreSaturday night. Excellent cocktails and complementary taxidermy

    What an lovely discovery Sweethearts Bar turned out to be! The Doctor and I were looking for a new…read morehappy hour place to hang, and we came across Sweethearts Bar. The entrance to the bar is located to the left of Lonesome Rose, which gives it a hideaway feel. The décor is lovely and the vibe is cozy and chill. I kind of felt like I was in a Western bar with the big bull head starting down at me. I would say that for parties of 2 to 4, this is a good joint to hang out in, but any larger groups, I did not see a space to accommodate more than 4 people. The night we were there, they had a cool 80s playlist going and that was nice to sit and chair dance while drinking my cava. The Doctor liked the fact that the beer was really cold. And I loved that they had sparkling wine. There is a small section on the menu for food: chips/salsa, Chile con queso, guacamole, Heartbreaker Burger (Chorizo Smash Patty, Grilled Onion, Cilantro, Chile Con Queso, Pickled Jalapeno, Shredded Lettuce, Jalapeno Ranch, Sesame Seed Bun) and Truck Stop Nachos. I got the Truck Stop Nachos (Black Beans, Queso, Pickled Red Onions, Pickled Peppers, Tomato, Crema). You have the option to add Picadillo Beef, Chorizo, or Carne Asada as protein. But you also have the option to have it vegan. I went with steak. Overall this was a nice snack but would have liked a little more steak added to it. I am not sure if you can order from the menu of Lonesome Rose, but the next time we go, I will ask about that. And I have to remember not to call Lonesome Rose, Lonesome Dove (the novel and mini-series). The selection of cocktails is decent, and it is nice that they have non-alcoholic beverages as well. For those that like hard seltzers, they have those as well as a "Toke Cosmic Berry", which is a THC seltzer. Service was nice, the bartender was attentive and friendly. We will definitely be adding this to our rotation of happy hour places.

    Photos
    Sidecar!
    Sidecar!
    Sweethearts Bar
    Beer

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    Nobody's Darling

    Nobody's Darling

    4.6
    (92 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$
    Women-owned & operated
    Minority-owned & operated

    In honor of Women's History Month I would like to update my review of Nobody's Darling to state…read morethat the lovely owners of this fine establishment are still doing their thing. Nobody's Darling is not just to have a chat and cocktail, they offer quite a few events for folks to attend. Below are a few examples of the swinging times you can have there. In 2026 I am so happy that they are still in business and thriving. The vibe is still cool, the menu for the cocktails is still exciting and the crowd is eclectic. Wine Down Wednesday Unwind midweek with Happy Hour 5-7pm $7 glasses of wine $20 bottles Thursday: Pitch Your Peeps Help your friend find love (or vibes). Pitch them to the room - all relationship styles welcome. Feel Good Fridayz w/ DJ All The Way Kay Start the weekend right! Happy Hour 5-7pm DJ Kay live 8-11pm Sunday Karaoke All Day Happy Hour starting at 2pm Karaoke 5pm-8pm Sip.Sing. Repeat. Empanadas by De Luna Empanada 7pm-10pm DJ Gloria on the decks Cocktails flowing all night Friday, March 20 DJ Set 8-11PM

    Great drinks and no douchy "bro" energy to be found anywhere. I love this bar. The staff is so…read morefriendly and the vibe of the entire experience was very appealing. It's thought of as a gay bar and clearly that's a lot of the clientele, but all are welcome. Cocktails are delicious and run about $15 each. Pretty standard pricing. They have a good selection of n/a drinks and a menu for lower alcohol cocktails as well. Great neighborhood bar

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    Lipstick Lover!
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    Kahlo Margarita
    Kahlo Margarita
    Nobody's Darling

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    Chicago Magic Lounge

    Chicago Magic Lounge

    4.6
    (455 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $

    This was so much fun! It's been on my list forever, and I'm glad we got a group to go. I did my…read moreresearch and wanted to check out the performance bar beforehand - PSA you do not need a ticket for this and can go enjoy drinks and tricks any time! This was so cool but intimate and small so not much space and fills up quickly. The speakeasy door is also so cool though a line will likely form outside right before shows so be prepared for that. The show itself was so impressive, as were the magicians that came up to your table to do tricks beforehand. Drinks were also great. The vip performance after the show was also nice and intimate. Everything was great and so much fun!

    My husband and I bought Magic show tickets to celebrate a recent college grad in the family…read more We bought the front row tickets, which also gets you access to the VIP after show (30 minutes)! I thought the tickets were worth that perk alone in addition to being front and center. The talents were superb! I truly enjoyed every act. I loved the pre-show magic tricks at each table. It made the experience very intimate and engaging. I loved that the MC called out each and every celebration that night! There were food and drinks available for order, but kind of pricey (for example, ~$20+ for a shrimp cocktail). I ordered the earl grey non alcoholic drink, which was good!

    Photos
    Live theater seven-nights-a-week.
    Live theater seven-nights-a-week.
    Looking for date night ideas? Look no further than Chicago Magic Lounge. We offer a unique experience you are not soon to forget.
    Looking for date night ideas? Look no further than Chicago Magic Lounge. We offer a unique experience you are not soon to forget.
    Upgrade to the "654 Club" to close your night out with more Close-Up Magic.

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    Upgrade to the "654 Club" to close your night out with more Close-Up Magic.
    Little Bad Wolf

    Little Bad Wolf

    4.4
    (2.6k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Easily one of the best burgers in Chicago…read more We both got the bad burger, except my friend got it with mac and cheese. The burger was juicy and the bun was soft; didn't feel like I had to unhinge my jaw just to get a bite like with some other burgers. The toppings for the burger paired harmoniously with the patties, with the pickles adding texture and bite. The fries paired with the burger were honestly whatever, but the spicy aoli paired with it elevated eating the fries. We also got an elote app to share. I did enjoy the cheese and corn and how warm and melty they were, but I think it could've gone without the avocado. The mac and cheese though, now that was absolutely delicious. It was gooey and soft, with the breadcrumbs and bacon adding texture and smokiness. The drinks I got, the sylvan and green eyes, were a little strong for me (I prefer sweeter), but nonetheless excellently mixed. If you like strong, classic flavors, these are for you.

    My husband and I walked in on a Sunday evening for dinner and were able to be seated right away…read more The atmosphere is dark and moody, and it made sense once I realized it was the same owners as Gretel. Loved the 90s female R&B playlist they had going! Little Bad Wolf has been on my list FOR YEARS to try the burger! My husband got the burger with fried onions and I got some Bao because those also looked delicious and were a popular menu item. Honestly the 3 stars are only that high because of the service. Our server was friendly and attentive + the food came out hot and quick. Unfortunately, the food was pretty disappointing. The burger was swimming in a puddle of grease and just picking it up made your hands greasy + was dripping grease. The fries that came with it were floppy, soggy, and sad...but at least warm? I personally wouldn't order this again. The Bao were better, but small for the price and honestly were just okay? It was nice they gave you sauces you could add, but I found the Bao's to already have enough sauce so I didn't need them. Overall I left feeling confused and disappointed. I don't feel the need to come back here - Little Bad Will was a one and done experience for me.

    Photos
    Fresh flowers
    Fresh flowers
    Shrimp Tacos
    Shrimp Tacos
    Bad Burger with fried onion strings

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    Bad Burger with fried onion strings

    Simon's Tavern - bars - Updated June 2026

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