I came here with my boyfriend Friday afternoon for a quick drink before we went grocery shopping at Jewel. It was perfect because it wasn't crazy busy like the surrounding bars due to March Madness. We were able to find a seat at the bar right away. The inside of the place is very tastefully decorated, definitely not some dive bar. I got a Cosmo since they were $5 that day for the special, and my boyfriend got a Stella. The Cosmo was amazing, it's probably the best one I've ever had. We got a quick appetizer of chips and salsa with guacamole added and we were pleased with that as well. I could definitely see us going there again, the service is friendly and attentive. Plus there is a pool table so can't go wrong with that either. I give this place 5 well earned stars, I would give it more if I could! read more

Swig - Delicious Cosmo! - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Swig is really close to where I live, so even though at first I didn't dig it at all, I ended up going there when I didn't have cash for the Beachwood. Now it's a regular spot for us. There are always people in there, but you can almost always still find a chair and have fun with your friends without being hated on by scenesters/frat kids, etc. Just regular people having fun and not worrying about everyone else. Aside from the fact that they have really good bar food, the staff is rad. They're always nice, and they always remember your face. Also they have a pooltable and you actually have a chance at playing pool here. read more

I love Swig. I eat here about twice a week. No one ever bothers me. The staff is attentive without being irritating. I've never gotten sick from the food. The bartender actually remembered me by my second visit- which to me gives this place a nice "neighborhood-y" vibe. read more

I've thrown two parties here over the years. It's an unpretentious and laid back bar. The service got progressively slower during the last hour of our drink package but that's pretty common anywhere and the bar was pretty packed by that time. Overall... great bartender, perfect area in the back that was blocked out for our guests and good tunes. This is a comfortable neighborhood bar without 'tude. read more

SWIG, there is a certain "feel" the name invokes. I like it! I was there early in the evening, the music was loud (but not over bearing), the decor was swanky, the food was tasty **I recommend the veggie burrito** and my glimet was $5. read more

Swig is a great neighborhood bar. The décor is great and the music is too. It's a cool spot to stop in for a quick drink or a place to have a few and shoot some pool. The bartenders are fantastic and they've got some delicious quesadillas. Swig has never disappointed and it's been the spot for in between waiting for a restaurant or meeting up with friends. Cool bartender on Sunday morning/afternoons! I'll catch his name next time. read more

Been going here for 12 years. I know the staff and service to be very good. The food is great and the environment is a nice mix. Good diversity. read more

I went here for my sister's birthday recently. It's a pretty typical bar, but I liked how it wasn't extremely packed and we could eat our meals without screaming over one another. read more

I don't understand the low ranking. We went after getting a little buzzed at Emporium, and it was a perfectly serviceable place to hang out in between destinations. Two huge bonuses: awesome music and a very kind bartender. It's not especially as dumpster hip as a lot of places around wicker, but wicker isn't the artisan fantasy the kids that end up living there make it out to seem anyway. This place was a nice unpretentious respite and I got to hear Aaliyah while I drank an embarrassing Long Island. read more

I've always had a great experience at Swig! The staff is very friendly and the drinks are good and are a deal. The patio is perfect for summer also! Have been here multiple times with my friends and have had a fun time. Kayla the bartender is fantastic and has made me custom drinks before when I can't decide what I want to drink! The ambiance is a perfect mix of both laid back and lively. Definitely would recommend! read more

When I first moved to Wicker Park from NYC, I had many bars to choose from, and believe me, I tried them all looking for my "local". After a while, I determined Swig was a place where it wasn't just geared toward one vibe or another, you could rub elbows with hipsters or someone there to watch a game and be comfortable. The music is always good and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable about not only cocktails, but the hood as well. There is a pool table and some always quality bar food (I am addicted to the buffalo wrap and Chef's stir fry). This is a place I'm happy to call my favorite bar in the neighborhood and it is echoed by everyone I bring there visiting from out of town or otherwise. read more

I stop here for drinks every time I take friends from out of town shopping. It's very chill and the bartenders are super nice.

This is not even close to being a favorite bar of mine. It's very dark, strangely decorated, and not welcoming. They had an ok beer list and some specials, but nothing to write home about. There is a pool table and a few TV's. The bartenders were not friendly at all. They didn't have anything to do and could have been making conversation with me...but they just stared off into the distance instead. I pretty much got out of there as soon as I could. read more

Worst bar ever. Crappy service and crappy clientele. My wallet got stolen from the bag on my shoulder. The bartender and others who worked there couldn't have been less helpful. read more

I have never met an establishment that serves alcohol I didn't like, until now. The place just kinda sucks and the crowd sucks too!!

Thieving friggin' scumbags. Before last night, this place would have gotten 3 stars for being a decent hang-out. Aside from the token hipsters and the bartenders who think they're cooler than they really are, it's not a bad place. Decent beer selection, decent booze selection, decent bar food. It's decent. Until last night. I'm sitting at the bar with a friend, drinking whiskey on the rocks. After I finish eash of the first 4, I put the empty glass at the edge of the inside of the bar, confirming I was finished. I order another, it's about 2/3 gone, I get up to use the restroom, come back, the glass is gone. I'm thinking to myself, "Was there enough left he should have known not to take it?" And I answer myself, "Yes," but I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, so I just order another. This one just makes it barely past half gone before I turn just in time to see the glass being taken away. I say "Hey hey hey, what gives?" (or something like that), and he responds that he thought I was done. Now, in my experience as both a bartender and a customer, when you think someone is done, you check with them to make sure AND you ask if they want another 'cause: a) They might want another, and: b) Another drink = another tip. But this scumbag tries sneaking away again, figuring I'll just order another. As I'm asking for the drink back, he dumps it out and then asks if I want another. At that point, it's FU time. Bill paid, no tip, gone, not going back. read more

In regards to a previous review. I have been denied entry numerous times in the past due to dress code violations. Its been for shirts, shoes, hats, and pants. It didn't matter if I was with a very large group, or small group, and often times found I was dressed nicer than a lot of other patrons entering that particular place. Sometimes I walked across the street and purchased a t-shirt to cover up a dressier style shirt I was wearing and returned to the place to be allowed entry, and other times I left and spent my money elsewhere. Bottom line is an establishment that has a dress code policy has that policy in place because its in the best interest of the establishment and their patrons. I cant speak for anyone else, but sincerely doubt that previous group was denied entry due to race. I personally really like this place. I often fijd myself going there anytime I'm in the city. It has that warm neighborhood feel in a swanky style atmosphere. The drinks are always generously poured and the food is tasty. Iv2e gone in groups, and by myself and have always felt welcomed and always had a great time!! I would give this place more stars if I could. Whether your looking for a place to stop for a drinkor a bar to spend an night at, I would definately recommend!! read more

As good as it it gets for me personally! I love Swig because they have a true, cozy bar setting that understands how to treat a customer looking for a good drink and great comfort food! The staff is friendly, attentive, and they communicate well. The music and diverse crowd always keeps me there having more drinks than I intended. I suggest this joint to anyone and I mean anyone looking for good time with great people in the Wicker Park area of Chicago! read more

Bartender is super attentive and nice. Mozzarella sticks are phenomenal. What more do you need?

5 buck Stella draft. very diverse crowd. kind of a sports bar but cool

Now we're talkin'. Great vibe, like the Dort Gold, & Hacker-Pschorr Weisse. Justin is great, thanks!

I visited here this past Sunday for the first time. It's such a cute spot. It's set up really nice. My friends and I were doing a Christmas in July bar crawl and Swig was on our list of places to go. We decided to stop and eat there after indulging in bottomless mimosas all day. The food was reallyyyyyy good! I had nachos and I ate a few of my friends onion rings and had a bite of her taco. It was perfect! The only thing that I do have to mention is there was a misprint on their menu that definitely needs to be updated. They had the tacos priced at $8 but when my friends bill came out it cost more. Apparently, you have to pay extra to get meat on your tacos. But that's not mentioned anywhere on the menu. And like honestly, who is out there eating meatless tacos!!! Instead of them taking the upcharge off her bill, they had her pay it & were just like oh I guess we need to update the menu. But other than that, it was a pretty nice spot. I would like to come back again. read more

Great selection of music. The staff is friendly.. drinks were good. I'll return...........

I went here on my friends birthday just as a bar hop, it was just not good. From the bouncer to the bartender everyone was rude, and especially not helpful. My friend actually tried to order a martini that they didn't make and was belittled for ordering a fancy girly drink, although it was for his girlfriend. As for the drinks, they are decent, but overpriced. Why is it that the bars in Wicker Park sometimes charge and unreasonable price an then treat you like crap? Anyways, I don't recommend this bar to anyone in Wicker park. The Tequila Lounge next door is much better. And like David R says, its just a bar. read more

great vibe all around. Friendly faces, good music, tasty drinks. I love this place.

My mixed drink was only so, so, but what really turned me off was talking to the owner and having him spout about how business was bad, then watched him completely walk past customers who were ready to give food orders so he could talk with some 'friends' who walked in! The couple was so outraged that they'd been completely ignored that they dropped the menus and walked out. When I brought it to the owners attention, that he'd just let paying customers walk without even making an effort to say hello to them, he fluffed it off! Wow. Unless you're a mob boss, you won't be treated with much respect here. Also, it's very, very dark in there and they had some sort of 'theatre rope' in front of the door that I actually had to go around to get into the place to begin with. It didn't seem very inviting to people walking past. For a guy who wants to drum up business it's not very conducive for that. If you want to meet with your mistress, I guess it's the place to go. I'll never go back. read more

A good place for food and drinks.. typical bar food.. great waffle fries. I don't think i would end my saturday night here.. but starting out here works.. they have a pool table.. another place that i wish had high chairs. read more

Absolutely love this place! Staff is always friendly, fast and makes great drinks! They play all the major Chicago sports games. Their food will shock you due to how great it is! Great bar food is hard to come by and this is the place! Gotta love the location, prices and DJ's. Great place to get the night started or end up at before heading home. read more

I think this place is awesome! From the very begining the staff made me feel at home and comfortable. I especially like the fact that while hip it is still a bar not a club., drinks prices aren't crazy and you can actually talk to someone without yelling in their ear the whole time. read more

I agree with Audrey. Writing a review on a place that you have not been too is pretty lame and pointless. If I was Josh I would have done the same thing. Are you people stupid?!? Do you really think that Rock of Love is a 100% true reality show? plus the djs are super sexy. Especially Pickel and Kool Hersh. Nice bartenders, good drink specials, and not too hipster-ish (thank god). read more

Swig is one of my favorite bars in Wicker Park. Staff is friendly, courteous, and extremely good looking....Drinks are stiff....Overall this is one of my favorite places for good eats and good times....I would highly recommend it..... read more

GREAT BAR!!! fast service even on a packed sat! strong drinks, and a cute bartender!!

Swig Chicago has great service,great beer on tap,wine is very good as well. The food is great, Its in a great location for all ages.

I really like this place but I've only been here before evening. So I can't clue you in on the crowd which I'm ok with, there were like 6 other people at the same time as me. The food is good, beer is good and the bartender is good. Nothing to complain about other than I wish they had a bigger selection of beer. The one thing I appreciate most is the music selection! read more

the food is amazing and there are $5 fireball and jameson shots! the place is cozy and has a pool table. they have high top tables and booths. there is usually always a spot to sit. love the area. great place to pregame before going out or just enjoying yourself with friends and having food and drinks. read more