It's easy to criticize a place for what it isn't - like faulting Whole Foods for being expensive or Walmart for not carrying Armani suits. That's just the nature of the establishment, and it's not a genuine negative. This makes writing a review for Sovereign Liquors extra challenging. It is, without a doubt, the most authentic and quintessential example of a dive bar one could ever imagine. In fact, I suspect if you opened a dictionary to the definition of "dive bar," you'd find a photograph of Sovereign right there. The space boasts hilariously mismatched chairs, one of which proudly displays more duct tape than actual seating. The drinks are ridiculously cheap. Don't expect a menu; there's a small beer list, some wines, though without a visible list, and basic spirits for simple cocktail. For example, the bartender said she could make a Manhattan, but not an Old Fashioned. Food? No. Credit card? Forget about it - there's ATM on site. They sometimes host community events! On the night I visited, a local indie band was playing. However, finding out what is going on in advance ranges from difficult to impossible, as they have no website, no Facebook page, nothing. The key to enjoying Sovereign Liquors is to manage your expectations. Go in knowing Sovereign is, as many others have noted, an "old man bar." It's a spot to simply sit, relax, maybe listen to some music, and enjoy a cheap beer. If you're seeking something even slightly more, then you might want to explore other options. However, if you're looking for a genuine, unpretentious, affordable dive, Sovereign Liquors just might be your new favorite spot. read more

This place has been calling my name for two years but life got in the way. Today that drought ended when I entered its cloistered weathered door and went back in a tavern time machine. This place is a stripped down tavern with layers of images and signs. Beer list? All bottles with domestic and a few overseas beers. Food? No. Credit cards? No. Cash and they have an ATM to prove it. They play classic rock and the two ceiling fans keep the air flowing. Bathrooms? Did not try them but can visualize them in my imagination. A must go to if you want a local dive to forget your troubles. read more

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Still a fine joint. Not shouty. Neighborhoody. Authentic. A CD jukebox. Slightly grimy. Friendly. Don't ever change. And Aldi is across the street!! read more

Fantastic old-school Chicago dive. Stiff, cheap drinks, excellent juke box selection, friendly staff and deep Chicago vibe. Don't ever change. read more

Sometimes there is a dog who sits at the bar and eats ice. The bathroom door lock does not work well and I have walked in on two people.

Dive, well almost ! Been in many wose! More like the local neighborhood bars us older folks enjjoyed before these Crap SPORTS BARS. Dont have to be a sport to drink "REMEMBER THAT KIDDIES" The Sovereigh's backbar bottles and mirrors are clean, shix I have been downtown and seen worse. Bartenters are great, prices are even better. The best draw is the Jukebox, where in the FXXX can you walk into a bar and have Brian Eno on the Jukebox! Few negatives and biggest gripe is the Jukebox, it needs a tune up as somtimes it forgets to play everything selected. Next gripe has nothing to do with the bar, its a few of the customers, some folks just plain have to understand about taking as shower more then once a year. Last and very minor few of the var stools could be tuned up. For us oldsters my all time favorite as far as dive bars in Chicago was STOP N DRINK hehe what a change! I think its now called the Ale House, if those poor fools sitting there new what was spilled on the floors and everthing else.. Not a hipster, really do not understand the term. Past bartender, lover of music and cocktails and cold beer................... Drink dont drive have a gas, can life be any better? read more

Sovereign Liquors - Lots - A - FUN! - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have to admit, I was once an impostor hipster that tried to take over this bar. All of my bff's in college were the kids that didn't shower, wore the same tight fitted ripped jeans, oversized & unnecessary glasses, and threw impromptu dance parties all over Chicago. I never could fully convert to "hipsterism", but found a little niche where I fit comfortably. Once we all turned 21 & weren'feeling Hamilton's, the underage anyone can get into bar, we decided to check out the litte dive bar near campus. Hallelujah, we found paradise! Not sure if it was drunk old men who would talk to anything as long as it resembled a human, the cheeky bartenders that loved when us youngin's (esp. the ladies) would come in, the fact I would get numerous free PBR's everytime I went, or its super close location to my dorm at the time...but I adored the Sovereign. Sure some of the locals didn't like us there & sure I was somewhat embarrassed by how often I ended up there, but it was still a comfy place to be. They had lots of seating, a decent jukebox, and a general friendly atmosphere. $2.00 PBR bottles & strong mixed drinks were my poisons at the Sovereign. The bartenders are also something to make note of. They were great & honestly made every visit a fun experience. Upon walking in the door they would generally yell our names & give us free beers. Hey, who can complain about that? I haven't been back since I graduated & long for the comfort of the Sovereign when out at Duffy's or McFadden's. I wouldn't go out of my way to return, but when I do end up in Rogers Park you bet your ass I'll be drinking a PBR & chatting up the locals. read more

This is an old school Chicago dive bar. If you don't like such places you won't find anything here to change your mind. By day, gruff blue collar guys and older guys actually talk about conservative/liberal politics with a degree of patience and tolerance that the average modern 20-30 something seems incapable of and by night a younger too-grungy-for-hip crowd tends to assert itself. The bartenders are friendly and easy to talk to but they aren't afraid to boot the occasional drunk if somebody starts acting up. The appeal to the drunks and one of the biggest highlights of this bar is the cheap drinks. I just moved up here from Bucktown. When I stopped in and asked for a Gin and Tonic and the bartender said $2.75 and no, not on special, it's a good thing I wasn't drinking already or I would have choked. Unfortunately there are no beers on tap here, but on the other hand, that might affect the crowd that can be found here and that would be a damn shame. The bar also features an excellent juke, a pool table, and a Pac Man/Galaga machine. read more

I'd write a full review of this place, but some horrible country singer already summed it up for me with, "I love this bar." I defy you to get a drink over $5. I defy you to not say "I f-ing love this song" at least two or three times in the course of your stay. I defy you to not find yourself in a great conversation with your friends you went with. I defy you to not find yourself in a great conversation with a new friend you've made. Great mix of people, the "culture war" that some people are trying to make happen in their reviews is pretty false, at least in my experience. Sure "hipsters" come, and older locals come, but everybody seems to have a good time. The odd mix of people that seems like it shouldn't work, but somehow does, is part of the fun. "I love this bar." -Horrible Country Singer read more

Like most people have been saying; this place has good beer, a great jukebox and a great dive atmosphere anyone could dig. I went to the Sovereign for a friend's birthday and the staff was friendly, fast and accommodating. We ordered pizza, had cake and drank like a camel at an oasis. And they still loved us! The beer and booze selection is great, as is the CD jukebox in the back containing past patron's homemade mixed CD's. A great selection of random songs. Trust me it's great! The atmosphere is "divey" with a touch of "old man", but it gets the job done. Beer me! Entertain me! Comfort me! The Sovereign does all this and much more. read more

I used to live in stumbling distance of this place...thank goodness! Super divey and a safe refuge from the Scamiltons crowd ((though they sometimes wandered in, unfortunately)). Great jukebox, good people, cheap cheap beer (I love me some $2 PBR). They don't have any beers on tap and the classiest beer you're gonna find is a New Castle but that's what Hopleaf is for, right? The bartenders are all super sweet and awesome and let you guess the card under on your PBR cap, if you're right you get a free beer! If you're consistently wrong and you tip well, after a while, you get a free beer! You.Can't.Lose. read more

It's weird to me how hipster kids think they've "discovered" something when they find a local dive bar, especially one like this that's clearly been here for years and years. That's the impression I got from a recent trip here. (Full disclosure: I was invited here by an acquaintance who happens to be a hipster, we've all got one of those...) Anyways, there's an eclectic group of drinkers in here. The locals who have clearly been occupying their bar stools there for at least 10 years, and then the younger "rebellious" hipster-type crowd. The locals tolerate the latter, and the hipsters ignore the locals. It seems to balance out I guess. Once you've seen a divey bar or two, you've really seen them all. No exception here. Cheap booze, neon PBR/Old-Style signs, juke box, cash only. It was a fun time, bartender was sweet, but I won't be making any special treks back up here. read more

Yep, I follow and support LGBTQ parties when I can. This night was no exception. Being right off the Granville red line stop made it easy to spot...okay, maybe it was easy to spot because of the smokers outside and the glowing red dive bar sign glowing its name. I'll definitely agree that this is a hipster bar and no, I'm not a hipster nor do I wish to be...However, I can and always will appreciate those who cater to everyone AND this bar did! The drinks are extremely cheap and I didn't have to wait forever to get them. The bar is extremely old and if I already hadn't been drinking, my obsession with germs would have forced me out of here. Luckily, I didn't care too much by the time I got there. Music was actually good...OR at least I liked it Jennie T. :P (Okay, Jennie T and I went on the same night). I'm a huge fan of old school music (old school meaning 90's and early 2000 hip-hop) and there was no lack of the dancing beats. All in all, it was decent. Is it calling my name to go back immediately? Hmm...probably not...but for a night of adventures, it was A-ok... read more

I'm going to be the voice of dissent here. I've been going to The Sovereign on and off for 6 years now, and there's just nothing there to hook me. I am more than willing to blame myself, but if you're anything like me, here's what will bring ya down: 1. Not really many places to sit. Not ANY comfortable places to sit. 2. Drunk bartenders just make me feel sad. 3. Drunk regulars make me feel worse. 4. I like draft beer. I drink out of bottles for much cheaper at home, ya know? 5. Way overrun with hipsters in the later hours of the night, way underrun with anyone else at other times. 6. Splattered grossness on the walls. Could be coke syrup. Could be vomit. And it's all over people's photos! I don't know. It's just not for me. read more

Soverign is easily my favorite bar in Chicago. This opinion is also heavily influenced by its proximity to my home and the (late) Standee's Diner. There's always a great mix of people, awesome music (via jukebox or occasional DJ), and $2.50 PBRs. Should you opt for a $2.50 PBR, Justin (one of the bartenders) will likely let you try to guess what 'card' is under the bottle cap. I usually walk away with a few free PBRs by the end of the night. I'm not sure if I qualify as one of the hipsters who have tried to take over the bar, but I usually come here on Thursdays with a sizeable group of friends. Everybody in the bar is pretty much approachable. I have yet to experience a 'culture war' of sorts between the older crowd and those of us in the flannel army. Another reason why this bar is great. Only downside is that sometimes Sovereign (or as I like to call it Snoop Sovvy-Sovvs) runs out of PBR and then I can't play the guessing game anymore. This isn't too big of a problem because I don't think anything in this bar costs over $6.00. Sovereign, you've brought me closer to my friends. With your drinks so cheap, I can afford to have drunken heart-to-hearts with my nearest and dearest. Also, Sovereign is close in proximity to CJ's; you can soak up your ocean of beer with an ocean of grease. read more

Wow, this place is something. Now, I've never been inside after dark, so I can't testify as to the crowd that shows up then (though from walking by, it looks like vaguely-hip Loyola students), but by day, it's a trapped-in-time snapshot of classic Chicago; during football games it's often like a charmingly depressing episode of Bill Swerski's Superfans; the accents are there, but the optimism is not. Drinks are cheap here, which is key; Old Style cans/PBR bottles are $2, and I don't think there's a beer in the joint that costs more than $3.50. Depending on the time of day and the crowd, it's really quite possible that one of the old folks will treat you to a beer. read more

The only reason it's not 5 stars is that there's nothing on tap. A bar, with nothing on tap? What's that about? I locked myself out of my apartment one Sunday night, and I needed somewhere to seek refuge while I waited for my building manager to get home from the burbs. Good of time as any to check this place out. Only a few other small groups hanging out, a couple TVs with football on, decent rock music playing, and $2 bottles of PBR. We have a winner! Speaking of winners, if you guess the card under the cap, your beer is free... granted, it's a 1 in 52 chance, but the chance is there nevertheless. How many places can say that? Other bottled beers were all pretty reasonable. Even the imports (a decent little list, beyond just Heineken) were under $4. Very cool little place. I'll definitely be back. read more

This is what I remember of my night at the Sovereign: #1 - cheap booze - mixed drinks were like $5 a piece - AWEsome. #2 - cute college boys - nice to look and and chat with, but some of the little hipster dudes really need to discover better personal hygiene - "pee-yew!" #3 - DJ spinning good tunes :o) Happy dancey drunky #4 - kind bartenders - friendly drink delivery all night and after our table *somehow* toppled over the bartender who cleaned it up didn't even bat an eye This bar turned out to be too much of a good thing for me. For my liver's sake, I'm going to have to limit my nights at Sovereign. But yeah, I'll be back! read more

I have been there twice now both times met up with some great people it reminds me of the bars i grew up in Wisconsin...now from Holland Michigan..Lou is the best ..great feeling when your in there.. read more

It's a dive bar, that is for sure. Being located so close to Loyola's campus brings an interesting mix of students, middle aged neighborhood regulars and some really scuzzy looking people. A good selection of beers, but no taps. Cheap beers are cheap (as they should be) and better beers are still pretty cheap for a bar. They've a large selection on liquors available as well. I have been going to watch Gonzaga Basketball games since I don't have my own TV. They always promptly switch to the game if they aren't already on it when I walk in with my Zags hoodie. What really makes me love this place is the service. The bartenders are very nice and quick with drinks. Each time I am there once I've tipped two dollars, the price of a PBR, my next order is on the house. It's awesome and I can't help but keep tipping after that. Also, the location is premium. College bar means college girls. Plus being a block from the Granville red line stop makes the tipsy return home real easy. I am adding to my review of the Sovereign about three months after posting it originally. I love it even more. I've gone almost every Thursday, when the Zag games have been on ESPN. There are lots of regulars and they are friendly and welcoming. I got a cupcake one of the first times I went there because it was somebody's (who I didn't know) birthday! read more

The Sovereign is hands down the best dive bar of all time. Despite some of the reviews here, I wouldn't call it a hipster bar at all. Sure, grad students frequent it, but most of the clientele are long time locals. People are friendly without being up in your face, and known to break out into song frequently, probably because The Sovereign has the best jukebox on the planet comprised almost entirely of homemade mix CDs. Beer is super cheap, and bar tenders are great. Atmosphere is, well, divey and dark, just as it should be. Sovereign, I love you. read more

Bartender was very rude. Would never come back. Do not come to this place if you want to have a good night. Bartender was not welcome to me and my friends. read more

The Sovereign is the my ABSOLUTE favorite bar in Chicago. Abi, Justin, and Matt are not only super cool bartenders, but they pour killer drinks. Yeah, the place might be old and dark, but this all adds to the Sov's charm. This is not a hipster bar. It is a neighborhood, 20-something, 30-something, 40-something, eastern-euro, african, old man, hodge-podge bar. Its a place where you can go and find good conversation without any pretentiousness. I love it. Go there, you'll love it. read more

This is the ultimate people-watching bar. Every damn walk of life can be found at the Sovereign. Hell the name is authoritative enough, it really is it's own world. It's dank, it's dark, full of random yelling and regulars friendly enough to chat with you. The bartenders are liberal with pours and shots. No taps, all bottles, no bombs, straight booze. No food, but feel free to have some brought on over. A classic music-box with a pretty eclectic build of old and modern music. Also, you can pick up a six pack of hipster-lager for the long walk home. The Sovereign can get a bit rambunctious at times, but don't let that steer you. Regulars will make you feel at home. Even on the so-so nights here, I can't help but have an unsung affection for this bucket of blood. Give it a shot, take a shot, sail on. read more

mainstay, pillar of the community, gathering hole to wrinkle origami and watch Star Trek and Cubs in the afternoon and to feed worn cottony dollar bills for lost B-sides into the jukebox. read more

This place has the best juke box in the city. The patrons are always game for a conversation. Everyone is approachable, don't worry. Yes this is a neighborhood bar, but it welcomes everyone. Their are no judgements. The bartenders listen to you and remember your name. read more

What a great dive bar. Old school soul and 60's music spun on turntables by a hipster deejay sets the mood. Friendly service surrounded by decor that adds to the stale charm of the joint. And the drinks are cheaper than most places! Good vibes, good company, good music, good times. If you are a hipster or an old man barfly no matter- everyone blends in here. read more

This is my new Wrigleyville Tap. Yeah, yeah, Wrigleyville Tap closed, what, 15 years ago? What can I say, it's taken me this long to find a bar that is as cool as WT was. Pretty good jukebox, interesting regulars and non-regulars, CHEAP beer, cozy room, clean bathrooms, two blocks from my place, nice barstaff, etc. What more could you want? Bring cash and eat first. They don't take credit cards and they don't serve food. read more

It's a neighborhood dive bar, plain and simple. It draws a diverse crowd from a diverse 'hood. You have the old-timers and regulars kind of "shift" followed by the later younger, vaguely indie set. Drinks are cheap. The bartenders and folks that run it are good people. The crowd is uniformaly well-behaved, even if it doesn't always a uniform crowd. It can get very crowded. The service can suffer as a result but that's the same with any bar. I used to be kind of down on it but over time it has grown on me. read more

... ehhh. I mean, yeah, this is a dive. But with the limited seating and surly bartenders, I can find other dives where I'd be more comfortable AND pay less for booze. Especially in the Rogers Park area. read more

I liked this place. None of my friends did. For some reason I liked this place for all of the reasons I shouldn't have. Leaking water noise in the back, Cases of beer stored everywhere and a refridgerator that was extremely loud. FOOD: Regular Jays Potato Chips. DRINK: No taps. Decent prices bottles. ATMOSPHERE: This place is a great dive. The only light was from the neon signs in the bar and outside. Big steel washtub full of junk and clothes that read "Im Lost". Tempting to look at what culture may have been left behind. The bathroom stunk something nasty. A crazy lady approached my brother at the jukebox and scarred him away from it. She then stumbled around talking random thoughts at anyone who looked at her. I had fun, but we only stayed for one beer. read more

This place hasn't changed in years, though the clientele has. A lifetime ago I worked an ambulance in this area and my alcoholic partner had to stop in here before work, during work, and after work. Reagan was President, and the place was old, dirty, tired, and full of regulars. No one thought it was at all out of sorts for a pair of paramedics in full uniform to be in there in the middle of the day, a few cops both on and off duty were regulars back then too. The bar hasn't changed but the clientele has. It's infested with hipsters now, but also many of the neighborhood homeowners frequent the place, more well-heeled than the working class heroes who used to imbibe during de-industrialization. In Milwaukee, the latest bad trend in bars is hidden up-charges for neat, on-the-rocks, coupled with smaller pours, it's both insulting and unwelcoming. It was nice to come back to Chicago, rediscover this neighborhood tap where they still generously over-pour whiskey straight into proper whiskey glasses. I do have an important suggestion for hipsters coming here for the "dive bar" experience, don't be ironic with the tips. Service is just fine here when you tip properly. read more

Sovereign Liquors - JWB is the best scotch, but there's no up charge for neat and it comes in what real bartenders used to call a "whiskey glass." - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A dive of dives. Regulars at the bar will give you the stink eye, but won't bother you otherwise. Cheap beers all the time ($2 PBRs), and definitely not crowded during the week nights. Games are available (there are at least 2 Connect 4's!) and there's a dartboard, albeit a plastic dartboard. Women's bathroom is tiny and there's a crack by the doorknob just begging for a peeping tom, but its amazingly clean. go. or don't--more PBR for me! read more

This is just the most total dive you could ever want or find but if that's what you're looking for, you'll find it here. The bar is huge and the seats are fairly comfortable. Not too many tables so if you've got a large group just resolve yourselves to "mingling." The beer selection is divey and the service is divey. The jukebox is divey. Sensing a theme? I don't mind going there...but it never really seems to be my "destination." And it'll stay that way. read more

Cheap beer, good jukebox, friendly bartenders. The people here are usually hit or miss. I've met some great patrons who I've really enjoyed talking to; however, there are also some regulars here who creep me out and make me question whether or not I want to go have a drink over there some nights. read more

I used to open up bottles here from time to time. Good people, good prices, and lots of fun. If you're around you should stop by. Although, keep in mind that this place is small so it can get kind of crowded at times. read more

"Are you ready to play the game?" Yes, you must be extremely lucky to guess what's under the cap of that PBR you just ordered, but I did it once and my beer was free! I failed miserably many other times, but any place that will actually give you a sporting chance to win a beer is top-notch with me. The juke has some fantastic choices and folks are mostly pretty friendly here. And you can grab a sixer on your way out. Now a West Coaster, I miss this joint. read more

So it turns out I'm related to the owner, Tom Foran. I finally met him not that long ago. It's a distant cousin thing and we bonded over both being at Aunt Betty's funeral. I was a pallbearer, he was just there. If the owner of a bar and a distant cousin reminiscing about a long ago funeral isn't the most stereotypical Irish communication setting then I really don't know what is. read more

Ya gotta love a place that plays jeopardy and all the old men in the bar yell out answers. The drinks are cheap cheap cheap, the jukebox outstanding and the crowd diverse. No, really. Old men, cute young guys, cute young girls, cute guys in hats (not baseball, mind you) in their 30's discussing Frank Zappa with an old guy, cute girls in their 30's discussing wall of sound (wait, that's me), this place has it all. It's one of my favorite old man/dive/dude bars. read more

I often have a dream that I've been stabbed on the Red Line and get off at the stop right outside of Sovereign. I bleed to death outside, which is a shame, because I really like this bar. I love this bar. It's a god damned pit full of ugly people like me (or you, as you read this review). They have a very nice staff, with cheap drinks. This place also has a great juke box with 18 plays for $5 (nothing trendy in it, but a very good selections of rock-and-roll and soul music). Sovereign has a relaxed atmosphere which clashes nicely with the neighborhood, which takes on a grimy sheen after dark. Let's see, what else... TO GO DRINKS! Don't be a snob. Drink here. read more