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    Squirrel Cage Tavern

    4.4 (61 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars
    Closed 3:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    Squirrel Cage Tavern Photos

    SQUIRREL CAGE TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Juke Box
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Good for groups

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    Bar
    Jessica B.

    Love a good dive bar and that this is. Trivia Tuesdays are fun. I have been here maybe a handful of times and every time it's the same bartender. He's cool. Have always had a pleasant time here.

    The mountains are blue!
    Nick G.

    Came to Squirrel Cage for the first time and it did not disappoint. This is the dive bar of my dreams. Friendly bartender and patrons, inexpensive ice cold beer, and delicious Champion frozen pizzas to eat. Can't wait to return!

    Andres D.

    As if the world's greatest dive bar couldn't get any better. My most recent visit introduced me to the "Malörtarita". A wonderful blend of Malört and Margarita mix. As I took my first sip I "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLnWf1sQkjY" in my pants.

    Well worn bar

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    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
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    14 years ago

    Helpful 3
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    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    15 years ago

    Helpful 2
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    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    15 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Love this place! Great dive bar, drinks, and staff! Awesome place to hang out and keep it low key!

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    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    14 years ago

    Ha ha! A dive bar at it's best. I haven't been here too many times, but every time was a blast!

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    7 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

    This is the ultimate dive for a pbr or a cost effective adult beverage. Recommended highly!

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    8 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Glorious establishment to enjoy a tasty brew with some bloaks! Tuesday trivia is a night to remember. Good times with good people.

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    11 years ago

    Steve is the Best! Great place to meet up with your friends after work. I've never had a bad time.

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    11 years ago

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Squirrel Cage Tavern

    Review Highlights - Squirrel Cage Tavern

    I highly recommend trying their Malort...

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Maple Avenue Pub - Old school is new again.

    Maple Avenue Pub

    3.9(48 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $

    THE USUAL SUSPECTS…read more This dive bar in Lisle is a haven for townies, which is certainly a vibe. Maple Ave Pub is, unsurprisingly, on Maple Ave just west of Route 53 in the western suburbs of Chicago. I'd estimate I've stopped here close to a dozen times, although a handful of those instances I neglected to check-in on Yelp for fear of my wife seeing it ("I thought you were coming straight home from work....") An older woman's been behind the counter seemingly every time, taking drink orders and making small talk. She's friendly--​moreso with the locals than with me--​and I'll occasionally get called 'hun', 'sweetie', etc, which is endearing. I got way better service from the hot tattooed barkeeps at Brauer House in Lombard, however. To be perfectly honest, I've never eaten anything here. The wings look like they might pass muster, though there's a few items that raise an eyebrow (clam chowder at a dive bar? thanks, I'll pass). Possum Pub in Melrose Park had surprisingly good food, and it was a major dive, so perhaps I ought to give the grub here a shot sometime. They have several pool tables, a Big Buck Hunter, Golden Tee, dart board, boxing machine, and pair of pinball machines; as of 6/19/24 they've got a Star Trek premium (Stern, 20​13) and JAWS (Stern, 2024). In the past they had Oktoberfest (American Pinball, ​2018), Fish Tales (Williams, 1992), and a stunning Circus Voltaire (Bally, 1997). Last week, the A/C wasn't working so this place was SWELTERING on one of the hottest days of the year. Normally I stick around for a couple pints and 2-3 games of pinball, but it was so toasty inside (worse than outside) I only played 1 game and skipped the beer completely. There were no fans on, either. * TL;DR * Dive bars are all well and good, but maybe it's time I found a new spot to hit up for a cheap domestic pint. Over the years I've gotten a handful of looks that can be described as quizzical at best, and dirty at worst. I've been ignored by the bartender numerous times--with cash in hand, mind you--while she's chatting away with regulars, as I'm standing there absolutely parched. I want to like Maple Ave Pub, but the feeling doesn't seem mutual. If it weren't for the pinball tables, I probably wouldn't return.

    Old school, no frills--yes fun, un-corporate, low key place to hang with a friendly crowd and…read moretender--better than Cheers!. Old school, dark wood, good ole' bar with plenty of ways to entertain you. Decent selection on tap and in bottles as well as cocktails. Good bar food. Reasonable prices! Come as you are, no one cares. Bottom line: Very low key, decent bang for the buck on refreshments and food, low key crowd, lots of stuff to do.

    Photos
    Maple Avenue Pub - A classic Williams pinball, circa 1992! Other pinball tables have come and gone, but Fish Tales has stuck around

    A classic Williams pinball, circa 1992! Other pinball tables have come and gone, but Fish Tales has stuck around

    Maple Avenue Pub - Comfy spot to watch the game.

    Comfy spot to watch the game.

    Maple Avenue Pub - How can you play a pinball table called Oktoberfest and not enjoy a cold beer? PROST!

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    How can you play a pinball table called Oktoberfest and not enjoy a cold beer? PROST!

    The Lantern - BLT Sandwich

    The Lantern

    3.5(161 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $

    Had some great drinks and pretty average food at this long time local bar. It claims to be the…read moreoldest bar in downtown Naperville. The Lantern has only been around since the 1960s so not sure how it's possible. Basically the drinks are why people come. The food is typical bar stuff like wings and greasy things. Certainly it's a lot more casual than almost anything else around here. It's not full of hipsters and the like. The place looks a lot older than it says it is really. More like a bar that has food. You can find some pretty great specials. It's about $7 for a basic cocktail. There's also a happy hour. It's half off for appetizers. Save a lot on these. It's usually about $6 for chips and salsa, but we saved a few bucks. The rest of the menu has burgers and typical kind of stuff. Great place for happy hour. It's not as crowded as the other places around it. This is a great alternative for those overpriced hipster hangouts or wherever.

    Where do I begin? It's my new favorite dive bar in the suburbs! We were just strolling through the…read moreneighborhood and I was compelled to take a peek caus there was a sign outside boasting of Naperville's oldest tavern. It is a beautiful old building, very well maintained and huge. I had to buy a souvenir shirt for my husband haha. They have a decent looking food menu but we didn't eat here. I asked a patron who was eating a burger how it was and he said the food is great. They reeled us back in later that day because they had karaoke!! This place was hopping like crazy! The DJ had an interesting way to request songs via an app. I only got one song as there were a ton of singers. We had an absolute blast. Come back for the karaoke! Great people watching. My friend was back a week ago and Cuba Gooding Jr was karaoking with the locals there! Wow

    Photos
    The Lantern
    The Lantern - Whiskey With Chips And Salsa

    Whiskey With Chips And Salsa

    The Lantern

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    NWB The Next Whiskey Bar Lisle - Little Havana Sandwich

    NWB The Next Whiskey Bar Lisle

    4.3(486 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    After spending the afternoon at Morton Arboretum,our friends suggested we go to NWB - Next Whiskey…read moreBar in downtown Lisle. It was early on a Friday night and we were seated immediately. By the time we left tho,the place was packed! Our server Haley was great. They have a fantastic bourbon and whiskey menu as well as craft cocktails. I had their NWB Old Fashion which is made with Buffalo Trace..bonus! It was so good I had to have two.....lol. We spilt the NWB Trio appetizer which was a selection of hummus,olive tapenade and corn guacamole,fresh veggies and grilled pita. Definitely big enough for 4 people. Their menu offers Mac n cheese, Gourmet Burgers,Wraps,Sandwiches and Salads. I had the NWB Burger which was an 8 oz burger topped with pork belly,cheese curds,whiskey bbq sauce on a pretzel bun. Absolutely delicious! My wife had The Gobbler (GF) with a Turkey burger,avocado,goat cheese,roasted red pepper sauce on a GF bun. She loved it and they only charged an extra 1.00 for the GF bun. Portions are huge and the food is very good. We will definitely be back!

    I was completely caught off guard by how good the burgers and drinks were here! My husband got the…read moresuribachi burger, and the wasabi gave it the perfect kick. I got the NWB burger, and struggled to fit it in my mouth it was so big. The pork belly was unnecessary honestly, and next time, I'd order it and ask for this to not be included. We also enjoyed a couple of cocktails, and they were some of the best old fashioneds I've had outside of Kentucky along the bourbon trail. My only critique: the music was exclusively bro country. I wish they'd play better music.

    Photos
    NWB The Next Whiskey Bar Lisle - Table top and bar seating as well as an outdoor area

    Table top and bar seating as well as an outdoor area

    NWB The Next Whiskey Bar Lisle
    NWB The Next Whiskey Bar Lisle - Inside

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    Inside

    Jackson Ave Pub - Jackson Avenue Pub Naperville, IL. Best Burgers, sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads, appetizers, craft beer, cocktails, margaritas, sides, wine

    Jackson Ave Pub

    4.4(520 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    Most places had a long wait time for a Saturday, and this one didn't, which was a nice surprise. We…read moredid wait a little to get helped at first and the host wasn't around, but once we were seated things picked up. For drinks, I tried the lychee mojito -- it was strong but had really good flavor and was enjoyable. For an appetizer, we got the pretzels. They had a nice garlic seasoning on them and were pretty filling. These were good. For mains, we ordered the Hangover Burger, tenders, and the Bulleit Bourbon Burger. Everything was really delicious. My fries just needed a tad bit of salt, but the burger itself was cooked well (I asked for medium). The flavors were good, and the honey running down actually worked well with everything. Our waiter was also really good and provided solid service. Overall, a great experience -- will be back.

    Good bar food! Burgers were hearty and flavorful. When the burger was served, I was pleasantly…read moresurprised by the sheer size of the burger. They were massive! Fries were as expected, nothing special. The Spicy Tater Tot appetizer was great. Not Terribly spicy, but had a nice heat and kick to them. Seating was limited. There were only a few tables available that could accommodate more than 4 people. The staff were friendly, helpful and attentive.

    Photos
    Jackson Ave Pub - From my seat behind the bar. It's a low top table

    From my seat behind the bar. It's a low top table

    Jackson Ave Pub - Jackson Avenue Pub Naperville, IL. Best Burgers, sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads, sides, appetizers, craft beer, cocktails, margaritas, wine

    Jackson Avenue Pub Naperville, IL. Best Burgers, sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads, sides, appetizers, craft beer, cocktails, margaritas, wine

    Jackson Ave Pub - Jackson Avenue Pub Naperville, IL. Best Burgers, sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads, sides, appetizers, craft beer, cocktails, margaritas, wine

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    Jackson Avenue Pub Naperville, IL. Best Burgers, sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads, sides, appetizers, craft beer, cocktails, margaritas, wine

    Squirrel Cage Tavern - divebars - Updated May 2026

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