This is my favorite dive bar in Pilsen! Anytime I am in the neighborhood I make sure to stop by. Yes, it is a dive, but they have delicious high quality food and really cheap drinks. There is also a photo booth! read more

Skylark has a nice beer selection with prices that are very cheap for a bar in Chicago. The food menu is also solid. The tater tots were good, but nothing different from tots at any other bar. Skylark is definitely a dive bar; even for a dive, the interior could use some serious renovations, repairs, and cleaning. With that said, the place has a nice personality and vibe to it: ample seating, good music, laid back crowd. Nice place to hangout with some friends on the cheap. read more

Had the stark burger and it was amazing. Waitress said it was the king of burgers and ya know what. I can't argue with her, its was damn good. I like this joint. Its pretty chill. I might not come here to just drink but I'll definately come back to eat. read more

Only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because it's cash only. However this place is great. What a dive bar should be. Good beer for under 5 bucks. Don't forget to get a basket of tator tots. Everyone here was friendly. Cheers. read more

I really like this little dive bar. BIG EMPHASIS on "dive". It has a nice homey feel to it...despite the fact that it is pretty dusty in there. Lol. The drinks are cheap (like $4 for a gin and tonic) and the crowd is always chill. The service is friendly and laidback. Honestly a great bar to get away from the pretentious nightlife scene and still enjoy good, cheap drinks and a younger crowd (but not obnoxiously young) read more

I love this place, but every time I go in there I feel like I'm not wanted. Oh well, nothing can keep me away from the tots and cheap cocktails...especially since I live down the street. The crowd is pretty judgmental..they don't like anyone new coming into their bar. It's worth it though. It may look like a scary place from the outside, but it's pretty cool inside. I've never had anything else on the menu but the tots, but I've heard everything else is great. read more

Good selection of beer and decent prices. Also, the tater tots are awesome. Whenever I go with some friends we make sure to order a basket. The place can get pretty bumpin' but it's cool to chill there on a weeknight after work. read more

Love this bar! Yes its true, there are some hipsters here, but that is bound to happen at any good place. Cheap, strong mixed drinks and a well priced, good selection of beers too. Ample seating for 2 or 12. The Skylark burger topped with coleslaw and onion rings can't be beat, and tater tots bring back great memories. Make some new memories with the photo booth in the back! read more

Really like this place. Cool yet unpretentious, comfortable and affordable. I like to hit this place up after dinner in Chinatown. Totally walkable from Cermak redline (or Halsted orangeline), although it would be nice if the Cermak bus ran later into the evening... for that I suppose we can thank Richie Daley and Rahm Emanuel for their warm embrace of austerity for the 99% and handouts to the local 1%... read more

Loved everything about this dive bar. Photobooth is a bonus and the bartenders were sweet. Didn't have a chance to eat but will be making a trip back just for those tot's. read more

This place is awesome. The beer is cheap, great selection, and the bar food is reasonably priced. The bar itself is very dark and the music is not too loud. You can actually have a conversation with someone. I'm definitely coming back. read more

I love Skylark, I live down the street on Loomis. And I ride my bike down after work, and join the rest of the frey on 2nd Friday art opening in Pilsen. It always packed then which is good for networking and meeting the local talent. Plz fix that freaking smell not sure what the hell it is but it bad at times. read more

Plain and simple, a fantastic place. Great atmosphere, great food, great beer.

So, it pains me to say this, but there are signs that the Skylark is slipping. I have enjoyed many, many good meals there, but it looks like those times may have come and gone. It all started last winter when my boyfriend and I went for dinner, excited about one of Skylark's $14, delicious, tender steaks. Instead of the lean, delectable, sliced delicacy we were accustomed to, the waiter brought out a thin, fatty, altogether mediocre steak. When asked, the waiter told us that this was "the new" steak, and that the old masterpiece was no longer available. We took it in stride, chalked it up to "the economy," and decided to order burgers from then on. (Although, Skylark, I would have gladly paid a few dollars more for your original steak. It was underpriced from the start). But I've just returned from devouring my latest Skylark burger, and there is a new problem: the homemade coleslaw is gone. As long as I've been going to Skylark, the coleslaw has been a delicious concoction of crisp red cabbage, good spices and very little mayo. Our burgers tonight were smothered in disgusting, cheap coleslaw dripping mayo out the side of the bun. Skylark, what have you done!? Do you think that no one will notice this sub-par replacement? I'm giving you two stars because meh, I've experienced better when frequenting your establishment during 2008 and 2009. read more

Now this is what a dive bar is all about. Cheap drinks, tasty and cheap bar food, no tv's, cool music, laid back crowd, no yuppies, no big ten frat boys, and no bs. My kind of place. Probably my favorite bar on the Southside. As a disclaimer, I haven't been to Skylark in over 2 years. read more

I hesitate to give five stars out but I am tempted. They once unceremoniously kicked my friend and I out because she didn't have her ID and it almost 9p.m. (even though she was not going to drink...). We were hungry and though this treatment would usually prompt me to not return to a bar, we went back another day because, let's face it, the beer is really really really cheap and delicious! This is a dive bar for hipsters/Pilseners/and general white folk who are gentrifying Pilsen or go to UIC. Cash only. Great beer. Cheap beer. Cheap Drinks. Cheap food. Tator Tots are pretty good. They rotate beers and food (only the food specials and soups). The wait staff/bartenders are usually really friendly and great. The place is dimly lit and often smells like booze. The photo booth in back is sure to get a laugh, especially if you are three sheets to the wind. read more

One of the best bars in the area! Agree with all the other reviews...great beer selection and good prices, generally a nice crowd, and comfy vibe. I usually come out on Mondays for the concert series,,solid jazz/improvised music close to home. YAY!! (of course if you're there for the music, sometimes the crowd can be a bit loud, doesn't bother me too much). read more

I usually really love this place, but had such a horrible experience the last time I went that I had to write a review about it. My boyfriend and I went in on a Saturday night to eat and have some drinks, and were completely ignored by the servers for at least half an hour. We sat at a booth and I had to go to the bar myself to get some beers. Nobody came to assist us. I asked the bartender how I could get some food and he told me the server would take my order, and she never came to us! She would attend all the tables around us, and wouldn't even look our way. After finishing our beers and STILL WAITING, my boyfriend had to go to the bar again and ask if there was any way we could be served. The bartender finally told the waitress to come to our table, and once she did she was really rude, and barely spoke to us at all. She had short dark hair, and wore glasses. I was really surprised at the awful service since I usually really love this place. Meh. Maybe it was a weird night, but it left a really bad taste in my mouth about the skylark. read more

I love this place, and as one of my neighborhood spots, it's definitely not easy for me to give Skylark this low of a rating. The only reason is the service, not the bar service, both bartenders are wonderful, it's the waiters that I'm referring to. Being a server myself, most things do not phase me, but tonight was just inappropriate. When our waiter gave us our change, which consisted of 2 fives and 3 ones, she told us, "Don't leave me those singles." We'll be back, definitely couldn't cut this place out of my life. But we'll be sitting at the bar from now on and will avoid her section at all costs. read more

I tiny little dive bar, with a hidden gem in the kitchen. Some of the best food i've ever eaten. Seriously out of this world. For a little dive bar the food presentation is World Class. read more

Awesome beer list, good bar food, comfortable ambience. I've gone to Skylark for years and it's definitely a favorite.

Great place to have a conversation at if you rather drink a beer than a cup of joe. Excellent bar food, check the menu special's board. Daisy Cutter (what else can you ask for?), good music, no tv, no bad vibe? they've got it there. read more

This spot is dope .. Good prices .. And candle holders as shot glasses .. Old style feel .. Friendly workers .

A nice beer selection and a great place to just hang out with your friends.

I used to go to the Skylark for extensive selection of beers on tap. Then I had the tater-tots, burgers, and amazing specials. Now, I never drink on an empty stomach at the Skylark. The atmosphere is great for hanging out and grabbing a beer with that good friend of yours who homebrews/drinks a lot/always like to show off what they know about beer. Everyone will feel right at home with the eclectic music, large roller chairs, movable tables and huge booths. A pinball machine and old school photo booth provide entertainment for those for whom drinking is not enough. Servers are knowledgeable about beer and friendly. Usually not invaded by hipsters (yet) or emokids (yet). Also a great place to oogle bikes. They don't take plastic but just installed a ATM. Open till at least 2:00 (maybe 3:00?) on weekends. read more

One of the few remaining places that really feels like Chicago did in the 1980s. Great beer selection, outta sight music. It's a place where you can go and feel like there is still a heartbeat to the city. Bottom line - An awesome bar. read more

so skylark, i apologize, i should have written a review for you before simones, I heart you in the 14 yr old boy way (sneaking beers out of the fridge in the garage). I have been a long time patron, and since all the reviews for this place are good, never felt the need to post. Classic dive, are those voodoo flags behind the bar? masonic? order of the eastern star? who knows all lends to the weird coolness of the place. staff is great, but i have never understood why you must place food orders with servers and not the bar, even if sitting at the bar???? my only complaint is the terrible lighting, makes everyone look hung over and a bit green. also I am 6'2" and the bar does not have enough leg room to sit due to lack of recess, small price to pay for 2.50 beers! oh not good for picking up, way more guys than ladies. From time to time they have live "jazz" i think on mondays or some off night, just walk out if that is the case, the band sounds like someone gave a bunch of instruments to a group of 5 year olds with learning disabilities. read more

I've lived in Pilsen for over 7 years and this place is an institution for the neighborhood. The population has changed with the creep of the University to the bounds of Pilsen (and some may say the infiltration of wanna be hipsters) but that shouldn't stop people from eating the mac&cheese (arguably the best in the city) and washing it down with a great selection of reasonably priced beers. I'm just glad the skylark has maintained as a steady "go to" that holds on to its regulars as the ever changing waves of visitors wash in. read more

This is definitely one of my favorite bars in the city. They have a decent selection of craft beers and some of the best bar food I've found. In the afternoon it the perfect spot to sit around with a pint and a notebook and get some writing done. The bartenders and wait staff are amazing-- it's the type of place where your beer gets refilled right as you're finishing the last one off. The only downside is it tends to great super crowded on the weekend with a crowd that I generally try to avoid-- but even that isn't enough to keep me away most nights.... And they have a great photo-booth. read more

Hidden lil' jem. If you haven't eaten there you should. I think they have a little secret chef back there because they dont dish out your normal fried bar food. Someone's actually back there taking their time. Only thing I wish to see change is the menu selection everynow and then.....but keep the chicken please! read more

I'm not a huge fan of dive bars, in fact, I hate them. But, I had a good time at this little dive called Skylark. My girl dragged me into this place, and right away I was not in love with the hipster vibe. Once the drinks started coming, my mood lightened up, and the bartender was really good. I was really happy when we got the bill. We drank for a long time, but didn't pay out the butt for it, which was awesome considering we're in Chi-town. It also helped that the cute guys down the bar payed for most of our drinks...but the prices were still good. read more

I am not sure how this has never appeared here...how can you not love my beloved Skylark. As a Pilsen resident of over six years I can confirm that this dive bar has some of the best priced drinks, definitely the best bar food and hands down acrosss the world and maybe even the galaxy the best photo booth on the face of the earth. The bartenders and staff are always accomodating and when you say..."rum and coke heavy on the rum light on the coke" they nod and do not charge you for a "double". The crowd is defintely artsy sort of what you would expect in Wicker Part 10 years ago. Before Lincoln Park barfed its way west. I hope that by writing this review it will not spoil the -ambiance- of Skylark as I believe it to be one of the best bars in the city. I can get wasted there and not worry about some weirdo trying to make out with me...or I can go with a friend and sit in a 1950's booth and snuggle with a good drink and great food. Then after we have a little buzz goin' on..mosey over to the photo booth and take amazing black and white makeout pics. Wierd tounge shots and all....... read more

everyone talking about their tater tots and decent burgers.. so why not since its local to me... came here on a weekday night.. first thing i notice when me and my friend walked in was it was almost pitch black in there.. there was only 1 small wall lamp by the table near the entrance and that's it .. there was a few windows throughout the bar were the street light shines in.. i could get mugged in there and not know who robbed me haha.. lucky we was seated near the window with a little light.. a guy came up to the table and ask what can he get us to drink.. and i said water be fine since I'm not much of a beer drinker.. he then gave me a dirty look for a few second and he start taking our order with an attitude.. anyways.. i ordered the Skylark Burger which is topped with Coleslaw, Beer Battered Onion Rings, and Cheddar Cheese .. with tater tots... it was a really good burger and i like its alot.. it was a well balanced burger.. the tots was just average tots.. don't know whats the hype about it... i didn't like the atmosphere, the attitude of the person that took our orders, the wobbling table and chair... only reason i gave it 2 stars was because of the burger and that's it... read more

Awesome hole-in-the wall, great beer selection and daily food menu.

i love this place ! it has a photo booth and i got to rubb up against sum hot asses which is a plus for me. yah! the only thing is this place kinda of stinks ! ill !!!!! read more

I went to this bar a couple of months ago after checking out the art galleries for Second Fridays in Pilsen. The waitress was not very nice nor was she very attentive. She very obviously wanted to be anywhere but here and took forever to take our order. And when she did, she turned away before I could ask for another another drink. I liked the atmosphere of the place, but it was very hard to hear because they had the music up so loud. It was impossible to have a conversation about anything. Overall my experience wasn't the best and I probably won't be back there for a while. read more

You know when you have one friend that says "It's divey, not your kind of place" but you go anyway and you are still somehow horribly surprised? This is the place that friend is talking about. The bar itself is in a nondescript warehouse building. There's definitely a lack of technology: cash only, human ID checker at the door, low lighting because electricity is expensive and candles are a fire hazard. While that has never deterred me at any other place in Pilsen (Punch House anyone?), this place sucks. While there is ample seating, it's very 70s AA meeting, super uncomfortable vinyl chairs all falling apart at different rates. Once seated, we sat for a loooong while without anyone even looking in our direction until finally being given lukewarm waters by a clearly disinterested waitress. Oh wait, I should add that she was only disinterested in our table. Everyone else got water refills, *gasp* a smile and conversation! She even gave them silverware and napkins like they were eating food. She swung by our table maybe three times to make sure we hadn't choked on the pure disdain she was giving off. Anyway, cue more waiting for our drink order. My buddy got some gin which was actually 20 oz of water and ice. I passed (thank god) and just ordered a Cuban sandwich. Boy, was this a disappointment. The bun was not crispy or charred or anything and the meat was salted like it came from the ocean (that's a lot). I think I paid about $10 for this which in taco truck money is a fortune. Either way, I left both confused about why people like this place and why I made the horrible mistake of coming here. Never again! read more

been coming here for years...I'll start with the good, the food is great, I luv the burgers, tater tots, everything on the menu is usually very very yummy. Skylark burger takes me to heaven, although once I ordered it medium well, and it turned to be too well done and tasted like ashes! About the atmosphere, there really isn't a good mix of people, but if I need a mix I know I can go somewhere else, I'm cool with mono-ethnic atmosphere,hey we're in chicago, its like that here in a lot of places, I don't let it effect my good time. Most of the wait staff/employees are good in fact I will say there are a couple of sweethearts working there , but there's one guy that has been working there for like 8 yrs and he is always a prick to me and my friends, gives us attitude,looks disgusted by my presence, then he'll turn to the barbie or hipster next in line and be all happy and jolly Mr employee of the month when someone of the majority is in his face. I hate to throw around a color card but it does seem that his behavior is modified when you don't look like his kind of customer, its pretty sad to think that someone in the service industry would be douche bag to you because of your appearance, I'm a damn regular customer and I tip ok!!! There was also an incident were this certain employee charged $3 for a $2 dollar beer and then $7 for a $4 drink, plus we left at least $1 tips for every drink, when this happened I assumed that the prices had gone up suddenly and I didn't even think twice about it, then we moved our group to a table from the bar and a different bar staff took care of us and charged us regular price, we were pretty shocked, we then very nicely confronted the bar staff person that over-charged us , long story short, he became irate, made excuses, threw out a drink we had already paid for and ask some people in my party to leave the bar, while refusing to continue service, he even ordered other staff not to talk to us or come to our table. We were not asking for $ back or free drinks, we just wanted to know why he changed our drink prices?! if it was a mistake, ok? that's acceptable reason as well, but come on' it seemed pretty obvious after the high level of defense and irate behavior, that he was pissed that he got caught up. I am beyond disappointed that one of my regular spots has a jerk like this around. Doubt I will be going there much after this last incident. read more

My favorite dive bar. Great beer selection at reasonable prices and good food. It is a bit too dark in there though especially if you go in on a sunny day. read more

great beer (with local brew options like 2 brothers and 3 flloyds!), great food (verges on fancy sometimes!) and decent service....i always come back! read more