Dan the bartender keeps your glass full Reasonable drink prices Monday nights has MNF on the tvs & a comedy open mic after 8p read more

The Beacon Pub - Every Monday Slightly Inappropriate Comedy openMic Starts after 8p - Bars Near Me - Forest Park, Illinois

Best secret in town Chill place with unbelievable food. Try chef Alfredo, wings, pizzas, and burgers. Fries are to die for. read more

The Beacon Pub - Bpub - Bars Near Me - Forest Park, Illinois

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Had outdoor Bingo so much fun They were very friendly and a pleasant atmosphere and lots of fun read more

The wings are good and the homemade chips are fantastic. The vibe is exactly neighborhood chill, kinda dark inside but friendly.

Next to the long-closed Brendan's Pub in Lakeview, this is likely one of my favorite dive bars. The owner and other bartenders are really cool and fun. There is a descent selection of beers and other drinks. There are a couple of TVs that will always be showing local sports. And the patio are is great when the weather is good. It's really the atmosphere and the people that make this place. I've talked sports, found a good electrician, played with some dogs, and talked science with folks here. If you live anywhere else in the area, this is a great place to become a regular. read more

Great neighborhood spot. Staff are kind, beer is cold and the food is always good. The patio is also great to eat outside.

Haven't had any food from there but it's definitely a good spot to have a few drinks. On Mondays they have a comedy night. A good mixture of comedians from all different type of genres. read more

A great dive bar with awesome burgers! For a long time this place didn't have an open kitchen but it's back with great food!!! Great bartenders and a great place to stop in for a bite to eat with a drink! read more

The Beacon Pub - New menu!!! - Bars Near Me - Forest Park, Illinois

Local corner bar with free street parking and easy access to the Metra and el trains. It's never crowded. It's an older space but clean and usually quiet. I've been there 3-4 times in the past year. I stopped by tonight, but was frightened by a dog at the door, barking at me. I'm both very afraid and very allergic to dogs, so I immediately turned to go down the steps to leave. My friend didn't quite get that I was fleeing the dog and stepped inside. A lady scooped up the barking dog and offered to take it outside, I could hear her say that as I fled. But it's too late. Now that I know it's a bar that allows dogs, I'll go somewhere else. I won't risk allergic reactions or getting barked at again. read more

Stopped in after work as I haven't been to this bar in years. Surprised that there were no beers on tap. I generally go to a bar to get draft beer; I can drink bottles at home. Regardless, bartender was super friendly and attentive and patio was nice. I've heard great things about their burgers so I'll be back to try that. read more

My husband and I just moved to the area and decided to go in for a beer here. It smelled super smoky inside. The bartender and the 3 other people just stared at us when we came in no hello or anything. There were only two functioning beers on tap, my husband ordered a pbr and it took a while for the tap to fill the beer without a bunch of head. It's almost like this place is about to close. It didn't feel very welcoming, we didn't stay long. read more

Somebody suggested this dive bar has the best burgers in town, and I would have to agree. I loved the Uptown Mushroom burger and handcut fries. The tables are a little small but adequate, and the bartenders are friendly and attentive. The only unfortunate thing for me is that they don't have any beers on tap, although the bottle selection looked decent. I will look forward to trying a burger on the patio in warmer weather, but I think I'll be back for another burger in the next few weeks. read more

This was one of the most unwelcoming environments I've ever stepped foot in. I walked in on a Saturday night with 3 others and got heckled as we walked in the door. I've driven past this place so many times and was so disappointed with this ambiance, it's almost like they don't want new business. Unfortunately, we will not be back. read more

Super chill little pub. Bartender was so friendly, he caught me completely by surprise. Good beer and football made for a great Sunday afternoon read more

Very cool kind of place. It's unique with old pictures and the half lady hanging from the ceiling. The most important was that the bartender was very nice and had that calm easy going personality that made me comfortable asking for what ever drink. I really enjoy very different kinds of drinks. I don't care so much for bars. But this place was interesting. Locals are very friendly and will talk to you. Loved it. I'll definitely come back. read more

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Standard dive bar, went on a Saturday night at like 11 and it was dead, like 5 people inside. If that's what you're looking for, then it's your kind of place. Has a juke box and video gambling machines. Actually had a good amount of craft beer, I got one from the nearby Kinslagher brewery in Oak Park. Not much else to say, not a bad place to end the night, which is what we did. read more

I feel like dive bars are one of two things- friendly and relaxed, or cliquey with regulars. This bar was definitely a friendly one! Everyone there seemed happy to be out and having a good time. They have a very decent selection of craft brews here, including Rogue, Three Floyds, and the like, but nothing super "girly" on the beer front, as of yet (I can only have beer for lent and was hoping for a sweet kick). The atmosphere is super relaxed, and it seems like this place totally answered the calling of someone saying "You know what we should do?? We should open a bar!!" The structure is like that of a remodeled (albeit very large) home. People ordering food got frozen pizzas delivered to them, so this is probably just a good place to keep in mind as a watering hole. I will definitely come back, especially when you can sit outside in their biergarten!! read more

The Beacon Pub - Just dropping in to say hello - Bars Near Me - Forest Park, Illinois

You get exactly what you'd expect at a place like The Beacon Pub. It's a classic dive bar with a lot of history. We came in for a quick drink, since we live in the neighborhood. It was a quiet night with a couple regulars and a few other groups. The bartender was friendly and kept in contact through our time there. Once the weather warms up, we'll be back to hang out in their large outdoor patio area! read more

A nice out-of-the-way dive bar. A nice quiet place to get away from the regular hubub of the bars on Madison street. It's a charming little place, less than a block from Goldie Burgers and only two blocks from the Harlem stop of the green line. Local author Stephanie Kuehnert tends bar a few nights a week and it has the best outdoor seating area since Horan's shut down. The only downsides are the patio closes at midnight (completely reasonable, since it abuts some private residences) and the music is sometimes too loud to hold any kind of conversation. Parking is on the street but because this place isn't drawing the crowds it's usually not a problem. The tables are attached to the walls and only seat four each. It's not great for groups that would want to put together a bunch of tables and sit together. It's ok for groups on the go like pub crawls or groups that don't need to sit all at the same group of tables like dart tournaments. There are a few dart boards in the back and they're usually open. The short tables are just small enough to be cozy but not so small as to be a problem. Ladies with large purses, put them on the rail on the wall to save table space. I am not usually this obsessed with tables. Promise. read more

This place has HISTORY. The sociable bartender informed us that the bar has been around since the 30s. The mural of the Chicago skyline above the long, horizontal bar mirror really tells a story (pre- Sears tower). The ceiling is old tin tiles. Photos in the bar date back to the bar's early days. Very decent beer selection. Great specials. And a local crowd. Two dart boards and two Megatouch games. And... a wonderful back patio. Where (unlike Oak Park) you don't have to purchase food to sit and drink in! *This is definitely a Sox fan bar. Refrain from wearing Cubs apparel when visiting. ;) read more

I've been going to the Beacon on and off since the 90's when it was called O'Sullivans (who moved and opened a new place on the strip on Madison). Was in there a week ago after having dinner in OP. It's been about 4-5 years since I've been in there and it hasn't changed a bit. Same crap on the walls, same dart boards and Golden Tee Machine, still a great beer selection on tap and friendly Bartenders. We got there around 10:00 PM on a Saturday and was surprised the place was almost empty with the exception of a couple of older regulars. They added a beer garden in the back and that was completely empty. Not sure if it was just an off night but "back in the day" they always seemed to have a pretty good crowd. But still a great "meet up" place to grab a drink before a night out or on a weeknight if you feel like getting out of the house to watch a ball game. read more

I'm a huge, huge fan of dive bars. I can't explain it, but I'll take a dive bar over a pretentious, loud, trendy bar any day of the week. Maybe it's the cheap beer? Either way I really like this joint. I've been here twice, both times with friends and both times intentionally meaning for it to kick-start the rest of the night. The first night we actually ended up staying here all night and had a great time chatting, laughing, and enjoying the drinks. The second time this bar was our starting point for a myriad of other bars we pardoned that night (this was my favorite of them all!). There's something special about this place that I can't quite put my finger on. I love that it's never crowded and that everyone at the bar seems to be a regular, or just some Joe Schmo who's just there to enjoy the beer and mind his business. I like that there's not creepy old men hitting on all the girls in the bar (not that there are many girls to hit on, it's only ever really just been my friends and I whenever I'm in) and I like that the dark bar and the decor lend to the ambiance of all that is truly a dive bar. If I remember correctly, the PBR here is $3. This alone would keep me coming back time and again. This isn't the bar you go to on a first date. It's the bar you go to when you realize you really like the guy and are comfortable enough around him to throw on jeans and a t-shirt and throw back a few PBRs while chatting mindlessly about...whatever. And the bartender? Not pushy, overbearing, or eager. Just how I like it. read more

Bartender is an absolute beauty. Took care of us all night and was an unbelievably nice guy.

Classic dive bar, complete with an old Chicago skyline mural from the 80's(?) above the bar. If you love clean dive bars, this is your place. read more

I first discoverd The Beacon in the early 90's when it was called O'Sullivans (the previous owners now own another bar on Madison by the same name). I still hit the Beacon in the summer and little has changed in those 17+ years. Same crap on the wall, same Golden Tee game and dart boards. Yet it still has a great beer selection (one of the few places in the western burbs to get Hoegaarden on tap) and although it doesn't draw the same crowds it did back in the day, it's still a great place to meet up with friends before a night out or just watching the Sox during the week. I think if the owners poured a little money into the place a far as advertising and sprucing the place up it could do very well competing with all the other bars on Madison. read more

Not a review quite yet, but I like the looks of the place and it appears to have parking. The Chicago HWA will be meeting there. read more

Whenever I am back in town I try to stop in for a drink. Great place to watch a game and kick back with friends when I was in college. "Bone suckin' good pork chops" is one of my favorite memories. read more

A quick review on my secret hey-i-got-a-cool-joint-to-go-to-for-a-quick-beer-where-i-can-talk-to-you-and-not-yell-while-having-some-super-solid-crafts: I love you. read more

The "It's Always sunny in Forest Park, IL"... bar. This place is way chill. All the regulars are old men in the area. The beer garden is a great space to enjoy an evening. They have better than average beer and reasonable prices. no food, decent jukebox. A great change of pace from Madison street. If you enjoy the simple things in life, this is your Beacon. read more

just started going into this place about a week ago. Michael H. nails it when he says "It's a nice hideaway for anyone that would like to escape the norm." the bartenders already know my drink of choice and the 'regulars' seem friendly. a nice little escape from my 'regular' joint read more

After spying the place on many a walk/drive down Circle since moving to F.P., I had high hopes for The Beacon based on it's adorable exterior. I was not dissapointed when I found a suprisingly varied draught selection, relaxed atmosphere, and friendly bartender. This is not the average bar you'd find on Madison St. Thank goodness for that. read more

Just went to this place after my first night as a new resident of Oak Park and I must say, it might become a new favorite watering hole for me. There was a group of cute guys leaving as I got there, unfortunately, but they were there, so yeah, that's a plus. The bartender had shots with me after being there for 20 mintues, and I found fellow word game enthusiasts as well. Good times! read more

I like the look and the history of the place. the staff was real nice and didn't play favoritism to the regulars like most places do. I found the prices comparable to most places. This is the type of place I like and what Addison use to have before bulldozing them to put up drug stores and & 7 11 stores. I imagine maye a Al capone may have went and drank at a place like this i the thirties. This place goes back then. Cool hip place read more

I miss this place. This is the best bar of the western burbs. Great atmosphere and cool people. Not on Madison so it is free of drunk fratboys. By far my favorite. read more

I'm a big fan of dive bars, so I decided to check this place out after moving to the neighborhood. The atmosphere was perfect, not too crowded, not too empty, with a bunch of regulars calling the bartender by name and getting their usuals. I came in to watch a bit of the Sox game, and everybody there was intently staring at the two HD televisions like me. There was some classic rock playing over the speakers, but it wasn't too loud to drown out conversation, and there are dartboards in the back, if that's your thing. Some pretty good daily specials, to boot. Again: really good atmosphere. Really, the only gripe I had about this place was their beer. The first red flag was when I ordered a draft and the bartender pulled the pint glass from the refrigerator -- this is usually a bad sign, since a chilled glass can help cover up some warm beer. But this beer was WARM. The bartender had a separate pint glass right under the tap for the sole purpose of collecting foam and dumping it down the drain, like they knew their system was screwy and this was their system in place. Which is a shame, because they had some surprisingly good beers on tap -- Revolution and Three Floyd's, both nearby breweries, were my go-tos. But my beer was about half foam, and it was maybe 50 degrees. Again, everything else about the place was great, so I'm still giving it three stars. If you're not a beer drinker, or maybe like your beer out of a bottle or a can, then it's a solid five-star place. Even with my warm beer, I sat and watched a good hour of the Sox game because the atmosphere was just that comfortable, but the beer made me feel a bit like I was back in a college frat house. read more

Great local dive bar. Good beer selection for a smaller place, two dart boards, popcorn, juke box music, and a few unexpected items creating an interesting decor. (Check out the map on the ceiling) read more

Very friendly bar. It reminds me of a local bar in Wisconsin, except offering a better selection of beers/drinks. It's a nice hideaway for anyone that would like to escape the norm. And of course, the collection of old school bar artifacts add to the ambiance. read more

Much as I was bummed I barely missed getting to Exit Strategy before it closed due to it's early Sunday closing(vow try again getting there before the end of 2015), I checked out this place instead due to the good reviews I noticed about this place. It didn't disappoint, and was a very pleasant dive bar. Had a lot of good things going for it that I liked, such as a smoker-friendly patio, pleasant bartender(even if he didn't talk much, it doesn't matter to me), a mix of interesting and beer themed older decor on the walls(i.e. Budweiser Clydesdales(sp?) horse model near the front door), and a surprisingly good selection of micro beers that wasn't just say, Leinekugel or one of the more common micro beers. Heck, they had Rochefort 6(though not 8 and 10), a Trappist beer that I bet 99% of dive bars don't carry! Also board games and a few books you could borrow and look at, old school tin ceiling, and an internet jukebox. No kitchen(it appeared to be BYO food, but since I didn't notice any menus inside for nearby places, I'd recommend bringing food to here if you do so), but I could tell they supposedly serve free popcorn here. They oddly weren't doing it that night though, though I'd bet they might have popped some were I to have asked? And since I saw the other review that mentioned the draft beer was a little warm when that person visited, I stuck to bottles/cans side of the beer menu. Maybe I'll get a draft next time, to see what the temperature really is like? My only minor complaint on top of the fact they I didn't see popcorn inside that machine, was that I wish the lights along the fence of the patio had been turned on and weren't turned off. But hey, it wasn't so dark I couldn't see back there. Maybe they turn those lights off, on slower nights? And funny thing was that despite I could tell it was a White Sox bar(and the bartender even had a Sox shirt, and saw some Sox themed things on the walls), there were a few of those north side fans watching the Cubs game on 1 of their 3 TVs, so not as unwelcoming to Cub fans as one might think at first glance. Though I'd bet they'd get whined at, if it was during the Cubs/Sox series. :) Otherwise, great bar, and I know I'd definitely return. read more

I actually really like this bar. The bartenders are always friendly (the type the will offer to give you a sample of beer if you want to try before you buy), its got a nice ambiance, clean/non-dumpy, sweet beer garden, it never seems to get insanely crowded, and overall the atmosphere is just a nice change from the debauchery on Madison - its the kind of place that you can always converse with friends. However, I can't give them 5 stars because they really don't have any cheap beers. I think the cheapest thing they have is a bottle of bud light for $2.75. There are no $2 PBR's or pitcher specials that would make this place the ideal hangout. On the other hand, this probably adds to the atmosphere because people are coming here to relax with friends and enjoy some NICE beers - the place doesn't seem to turn into a shitshow like you see on madison. read more

This place blows the doors off all of Madison Street! It's a great place for mixed age clientelle - everyone fits in at this place! I've been frequenting the BEACON for two years now, and the service, beer prices, and staff are incomparable in this area. The large, outside beer garden is pretty much non-existent in this area, except for at the Beacon. I've enjoyed many a Trivia Night put on by the Forest Park Library every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Def a place worth going to where everybody might know your name for a change. Non-pretentious, comfortable, hip enough music, awesome beer selection, mixed-eclectic crowd = RAD!!! read more