Been there for 50+ years. I was a regular in the mud 70s. Carl ( then bartender now maybe owner) was always friendly. Famous back then for Skydogs: big ole hotdogs with a bag of chips. I worked a lot of weekends and they were open on Saturdays back then. Went in there about 10 years ago and Carl remembered me! read more

One of the last true dive bars in Chicago and certainly one of the last in the Loop. This is right next to LaSalle Street Station and under the L tracks - you can't miss it. Beer is cheap and cold, bartenders are always friendly. I like it for a couple of drinks and a place to unwind after work. read more

Only open on the weekdays. I try to make it a mandatory stop any time I'm downtown M-F. Cash only, cool bartender and one of, if not THE only type of this bar left in the Loop. read more

I'm a World's Fair junkie so this was a super treat. It opened in 1933 alongside the 1933 Chicago's World's Fair and is named after the signature structure, the Sky Ride. It's old. Lots of dark wood. Art Deco bar and back of bar. This dive bar is timed to the Day Traders and lawyers who work in the area so it's hours are odd for a bar. They close around 8pm and aren't open on the weekends. The bartender was nice, a little in your face, but I can respect that. The bathroom is dingy, which I would expect. And it seemed like the popular drink combo was 2 shots of Fireball and an MGD. This bar is definitely one where everyone knows everyone else but that didn't stop people from being friendly. The news is on full blast and it's a Jeopardy bar (which comes on at 3:30 in Chicago), so no music. There is a Touchtunes machine but it was unplugged. There were no taps, despite there being taps and they seemed to be out of several types of bottles of beer. As for cocktails, yeah, there was the usual array of liquor but I'm not sure I'd go for a cocktail there. I guess prices are cheap for Chicago but it was still over $9 for a Bud Light and a Rolling Rock. Oh, and it's cash only. And there's no ATM at the bar. You have to go to the convenience store next door or the Chase across the street. read more

What a gem! It's refreshing knowing that a bar like this exists in the loop. It is an utterly non-pretentious, no frills, establishment where you could grab a drink after work. read more

Sky-Ride Tap - Awesome - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The list of what they didn't have far outnumbered what they did. We went here to just grab a drink while we worked and everything we asked for they didn't have - no wifi - no card - no tab beers - no glasses for water - no food It was wild that they get enough people getting their drinks to have over a four star rating. I can only imagine it is the locals that have a place that isn't too crowded. I will say that the bartender was very nice and seemed embraced by the lack of amenities. read more

For those looking for a hidden gem in the Loop, check this place out. Sky-Ride Tap is a no-nonsense dive bar located under the L line in the Loop. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting. Bartenders are delightful and friendly. Patrons are regulars and it shows. Lots of Blackhawks paraphernalia all around. Perfect place to watch local teams play. And the best part? The drinks are damn cheap. They don't pour lightly either. Only downside? Cash only. They do have an ATM in the back but be prepared for those wanting to avoid those pesky ATM fees. read more

Sky-Ride Tap - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Hidden gem! Perfect chill spot to come after work. They have tvs so you can watch sporting events while enjoying a beer or cocktail. Nice bartender, good drinks, laid back atmosphere. **Cash only** read more

Had to go back! Love the ambiance! The owner is great. Skyride tap 50th anniversary is coming this Thursday Aug 4. Best dive bar and servers! read more

Y'know what, Yelp? I've worked in the Loop since 2012 and NO ONE ever bothered to mention this gem to me. After years of extensive "research", I consider myself the KWEEEN of Dive Bars (not much of a title, but I wear that hat proudly). It wasn't until last week a friend invited me to a happy hour at this delightful place. It has everything you'd expect from an exceptional dive; wood paneling, banquet tables, solo cups, cheap drinks and a sassy Polish bartender. Someone described it as American Legion meets Grandma's basement. Accurate. Like all good hole-in-the-walls, they don't do credit cards or food, but they do have the strongest $5 well vodkas of your life. So, bring yourself, your degenerate co-workers and a couple $20s to the Loop's best kept secret. read more

Sky-Ride Tap is near my office and great if you want an inexpensive night of drinking after a long day. It is located near most L lines. It is also close to Union station. I like that it's walkable and they have several televisions in with a variety of games. There are also quite a few restaurants located within walking distance if you need a bite after. The bar itself is on the smaller side, good for groups of 3-4 people. I had no trouble finding a table on a Thursday night. I think this bar has more regulars than walk in customers. It's a basic sports bar. Better for small groups than a date. All in all not a bad place. read more

Great spot to land in downtown if you jusT want a beer and the chance to over hear some great loop gossip. The correctional facility is across the street; maybe you'll hear some news "from the yard." Great local color and legendary bartenders. Duck in out of the weather. This is old time Loop life. read more

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Are you, like me, a fan of the profane, the bizarre, and the extreme? A fan of that compelling institution known as the Chicago dive bar? An establishment characterized by an overpowering smell of strong cleaning chemicals, or the distinct lack of smell of the former? A place where cheap beer and strong booze reign supreme? I have it on relatively legitimate authority that the name, Sky Ride, is from an attraction featured at the Chicago World's Fair. That's how long this place has been here. It checks out, in a way, since this bar is in close proximity to the Quincy brown line CTA stop, which is over 100 years old. This entire block has weirdly escaped gentrification, even though it is near some of the priciest real estate in the world, the CBOT, Federal Reserve Bank and, well, a correctional institution! We'll ponder for a second, that the FRB and a prison are close to one another . . . okay, that's enough of that. They've got booze here. A friendly owner. Nice bartenders. This is the REAL "taste of Chicago". A wide assortment of people - crazy stock and financial traders, stressed out lawyers, wizened regulars and . . . well, people like me. And you! read more

A dive worth visiting. Located underneath the L tracks, across the federal prison, around the corner from America's last flop house, this cash only bar reeks of stale cigarettes and has earned every right to. Truly a masterclass of how dive bars should be run. read more

Too clean and nice to be a dive bar. Drinks are generous pours and only $5.50. Nothing top shelf or fancy, just a friendly neighborhood bar in the Loop. Cash only! read more

Love this place. Super dive bar. And the staff is super friendly great place to go after work.

This is a great place for futures and options traders (and anybody else in the South Loop of Chicago) to get a few beers, a shot, and maybe a six-pack to go. The regular crowd is very congenial, the ladies behind the bar are divine! They keep the bar impeccably clean, even after a patron or two spills a tipple or so. There are times when the bar is crowded, that is when the lights are on, and the door is unlocked. However, it is a long stretch of a bar, with plenty of seating. You will always find a jovial spirit on both sides of the bar. read more

Great place for liquid lunch during late 60s. I was high school senior working for AT &T Long Lines on weekends. Would sneak end with Vietnam vets for draft beer and hot dog. No females but cheap beer and sandwiches. Didn't have sandwich money. read more

This is one of my favorite spots to go to after a long day at work. The environment is clean and inviting. The bartender is friendly and very generous with the liquor. I'm glad my co-worker and I stumbled upon this hidden gem. This is a cash only spot. read more

Sky-Ride Tap - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is by far my favorite dive bar and one of the only ones left in the south Loop. No one waits for a beer here! The owner Carl trains his staff to attend to anyone needing a drink as a priority. The only draw back to this may be one of the more than healthy and friendly bartenders may walk away from you in mid conversation to serve a thirsty costumer but if your that costumer you will love it. Raza the sharp Eastern European gal in right field is beautiful and seductive. Don't look directly into her eyes or you may never leave. Megan in left field is an all American fresh face who's smile can take anyone's bad day away. As a proper dive bar this place has it all!!! read more

Sky-Ride Tap - A picture is worth a thousand words - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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3$ blondes in a bottle 4$ mixed drinks Bartenders blouse bursting at the seams from her ginormous breasts. What more do u want?? read more

Jump inside this establishment for a ride you soon wont forget. Don't worry about fastening your seat belt, the Sky Ride will make sure you get back in one piece, sort of. I have a few friends that work down at the Board, and as you can imagine they have been drinking alot more. Now S.R. is a dump, but I say that in a loving way. Cold cheap beers and attractive, personable bartenders to over serve you are on the menu at S.R. Clientele is a mix of financial traders and construction workers. Recently a jolly construction worker challenged me to the ole stack quarters on the back of your forearm then try and catch them with your hand before they hit the ground game. I actually made it up to 20 quarters before I had $5 in change rolling on the floor. Just one example of fun on the Sky Ride. Stop in for a few rounds of cheap beer and soak up the fun atmosphere. Who knows you could leave with a great price on that deck you have been wanting to build or perhaps a great stock tip. No real set hours here, they close when the party's over. read more

Great dive bar in the loop (technically 10 feet south of then loop?) Don't be intimidated by the grit. Crowd was friendly and the service was even more friendly and attentive. read more

In the middle of the Loop, I was touristing it up for a few hours during a MDW layover and after visiting Millennium Park, was looking for a place to relax, get a drink, soak up the atmosphere, and charge the phone. Sky-Ride did it. Remember, this is a dive. No microbrews. An honest damn dive. As Eric F. describes it, Drinking Hall is an appropriate name as it has foldable wooden tables and chairs just like my grade school cafeteria complimenting its lengthy bar. Likely hasn't been renovated since the 1980s, the Lounge's wood paneling, fixed bar stools, and atmosphere transported me into a John Candy movie with Golden Tee, a few TV's, and plenty of blackhawks memorabilia. It's cheap, $3 or $3.25 for a domestic battle. The bar only had a few seats left at 4pm on a Thursday. Guys stop in here for one or 2 before making their way home (or back to work..). For several blocks this is the only bar around. You can also buy beer to go,in a brown paper bag, natch. Story time: Young adult, curiously looked around as he waited for a friend in the bathroom. He was astounded at the cheap prices and boisterously bragging to his friend on the phone that he was going to get some Jay-Mo. First time I've ever heard Jamison called that. haha. read more

Good: * Very reasonable prices * Friendly staff * Feels like a real comfortable shoe that's in that sweet spot where it's completely broken in but its still new so it seems like it's gonna last forever * Big fan of the decor! * Most of the time has plenty of seating for you and your friends. Bad: * Sometimes mildew smell in winter, though this seems to have stopped * Can only get pitcher of Miller Lite. Not a problem in of itself but sometimes the beer is flat, other times it is not cold because the keg was only changed earlier that day. * I don't think they actually sell sandwiches, as it says they do on the sign That said I like this place and I wish they would let me just move in, but evidently that's "illegal" and they "don't have residential zoning". I think they're just afraid of commitment. I'll keep coming though. read more

An Ode to the Sky-Ride: Oh, Sky-Ride, how the thought of you make me tingle inside. You let me come into your heart when I could hardly see above the bar and then you finally let me go after I turned 21 and was no longer forced to sit amongst construction workers in my trading coat in order go get a few drinks after work. You're buxom bartenders always seemed like they might invite me behind the bar for a quickie, and I always had to knock a million times before entering the public bathroom so you didn't catch a patron doing lines off of the toilet seat. Sky-Ride, you gave me everything and then some. I will always cherish our memories together, no how strange some of them are. read more

Ya know what's hard to find in the Loop? A place with cheap beers, a juke box, wood paneling on the walls, and nice bartenders with big boobs. This place is a no frills dive, and that's what I love about it. Not for the high maintenance. read more

YES this gets 5 stars bc i'm rating on a curve: the loop is a rough place to find a nice low key, low-frills bar with cheap drinks. THIS IS THE BAR YOU SHOULD GO TO IN THE LOOP. the overall vibe might best be likened to your typical neighborhood corner bar. however, what makes this different is the too-bright lighting. its feels kind of like a utilitarian drinking hall, with chairs, tables, a few TV's. but when times are tough..... in the end, the bartenders are friendly, they have a juke box, and the bar is noticeably loooooooooong with lots of seating. read more

Not a fan. From all the reviews it said it was a fun place to go to and I disagree. The place was very dark and dingy from the outside and it looked the same on the inside. It smelled like old wood piles too. I ordered my usual of Jim beam and coke and it tasted like watered down coke. My friend had a Manhattan and said it wasn't good. We were so upset especially after all the great reviews. I don't recommend coming here. read more

Decent bar but also nothing too special. My main issue was the lack of beers on tap, with only bud, Miller, and Guinness, which you can find anywhere. Another potential issue is that you can only pay in cash. Nonetheless, I can see it being a solid place to hang out at night if you have the right crew, and prices are arguably pretty good. Not bad but definitely a place that can be improved. read more

I love dive bars. It is my mission to find and visit as many of them as possible. There is just something so special, simple and serene about a bar that gives no shits to the changing trends and sticks to what it does best - which is serving drinks, having friendly owners and keeping a decent crowd of regulars. The Sky Ride Tap is definitely up on the list of dive bars to appreciate in the city. read more

Best bar in the Loop. No question. They have limited beer options and no food but you can usually grab a table and some pitchers after work for cheap. read more

Dive-bar atmosphere, bartender friendly and comely. Clean and well-lit, cheap beers too. Great people watching. Sign on the outside of bar touts "color TV"- Enough said. read more

Sky-Ride Tap - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This Total Dive Bar has some Pros--Open at 7AM/Proximity to Financial District/Prices/Hot MILF behind bar!! Cons--Slightly Depressing/Needs Updating BADLY! Hasn't been TOUCHED since like 1972! Seemed like a lot of Regs and Traders just getting drink on--some on which have probably been coming for Decades!! GTFJD read more

Dive bar in the heart of the financial district downtown. A dive bar normally wouldn't be my style but the service at Sky Ride is impeccable so I'm giving it an acceptable rating. Last week I stopped by Sky Ride with about 15 of my coworkers. It was moderately crowded and the only seats were in the back. The owner (or employee) practically cleared a couple of patrons out of the way for us and we were able to put several tables together and sit. As a first time, I was blown away by his gesture but come to find out that gentleman does that regularly whenever a large number of my coworkers stop in. The bar as a whole is very basic. No frills, no fanfare, no food. Just chips and booze. It's also cash only which sucks big time. My coworkers told me the place had cheap alcohol but I ordered a $9 margarita so that fact is debatable to me. Some of my coworkers ended up having $6 fuzzy navels though. The atmosphere was rather loud so we had to yell to hear each other which sucked but it wasn't any louder than most other bars. All in all it was a good time. Sky Ride wouldn't be my first choice but I'd go there again. read more

Good and divey. Loads of fake wood paneling, as if it hasn't been remodeled since the 60s, and well, it probably hasn't. Don't look for any fancy beers here. Just the same classic watery beverages that they've been drinking since this place was established. read more

Awesome spot to get away from the suites and hipsters in the loop. Bud, Miller, or Guinness. Don't expect anything top shelf. Great dive spot on this side of the loop. read more

Someone below mentioned "this place feels like you could get stabbed at any time", and that's what I love about it. Its nice to have a bar in the loop to go to after work that isn't filled with an "After Work" crowd. I don't think I've ever been in there when any other patron was under 50 years old. The beer is cheap and the service is rapid. They only ever play the local news on the TVs and like, Foreigner on the jukebox. Plus, I am absolutely enamored of the bartender. She always wears these fabulous sequin and leopard print dresses, always remembers my drink and even remembered my birthday! I'm going to chalk that up to good customer service, not me being an alcoholic. read more

Great place, bartenders who will always remember your name. Cheap beer. $5.50 top shelf drinks. Single beers or 6 packs to go. Stop in for a beer, will not be disappointed. read more

Great dive bar right downtown. Filled with construction workers...mostly men but a few women. Servers are very nice. Beer is the cheapest here...$3.25 Miller lite bottle. They open at 8:30 am! Owner has been here 40 years. CASH ONLY! read more