I've had some good times here. DJ booth, big drinks, train junk, decor that isn't wood paneling... You don't leave smelling like smoke, and that's a huge plus in my book. read more

Ok I have to update this. I should probably start going to bars more than twice before reviewing them, but I am impatient and I like to jump to conclusions. I stand behind the original 3 stars due to the TERRIBLE dj, but maybe the powers that be read my review (yeah right), or maybe that was an off night. I went back twice in one weekend (yeah it was a bender of sorts) and the music was great! Pleasant music that also allowed for dancing! One night was new wave/britpop/indie dance, I guess. I don't know what you call this stuff, I am very much not hip. The second night was some recent stuff mixed in with a lot of 60s Motown and surfer type stuff. Basically, songs you know, most of them very good, and stuff we could dance to if we so desired. The floor was very crowded both nights. Otherwise the bar is fine. I liked the bartenders, they served me drinks, the drinks were not cheap but not overpriced. The bouncer wasn't a prick, which was nice because every time I've gone, I've had to wait in line. It's a late night bar that is somewhat convenient to my place. Yay. read more

The Continental is an OK place on a lonely (for now) corner of Chicago Avenue. It was quiet and mostly empty on a Monday night, which sometimes is the perfect thing. nice: It's clean and friendly lame: small beer selection and not a lot of expertise on the cocktail-making There is no reason to go out of your way to drink here. read more

Oh for shame - eat a piece of Humboldt pie. So many people complaining about The Continental, yet so many complainers having clearly been there more than once. The thing I like about The Continental is that it doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't - yes, it's afterhours; a little sleezy; a little cheesy; and those are actually velour curtains - but what should you expect? It's called THE CONTINENTAL: http://video.yahoo.com/watch/148995/951695 read more

To see and be seen, arrive after 2am. To have a chance at finding a seat or having a nice convo with friends, arrive a whole lot earlier. I can appreciate both of this bar's personalities, though I like the more chill early hours better. The crowd is generally young and hip, which is typically a plus, and the staff seem to be totes friendly, which is always a plus. No pitchers and no jukebox -- both of these absences bum me out a bit. Overall not a bad place to while away the last few hours of night. read more

Saturday, 02/23/08. 3:30 a.m. and boring. Crowded, getting more crowded but still lame and then just louder. Bodies on top of bodies so intolerable, my buddy almost got bashed in the skull by some late 40's Australian bully: "Man, I'm warning you. Stop pushing in to me." Everyone was pushing up against everyone. (Aussie truck- Dude, get over yourself. The two flake broads with you were too wasted to tell that your pretty-face days are decades past. Must have a pretty-ACE wallet. Oh, the joys and wonders we are surrounded by. Gross.) The music was.... Was there any music? I recall one new Hot Chip tune and everything else blew. No one was dancing, no they should or need to. No one was even grooooving. *** My "funner" nights there have always involved freaky folks get slinky somehow on the mini-floor. Watching kids make out by the DJ booth. My drinks were inexpensive enough. So at least that worked out, but I don't mind paying a bit more if -atmosphere-wise- it may be worth it. One previous reviewer mentioned the cowboy hat bartender. While he is certainly a stand-out spectacle, he was also the most attentive and helpful hand on staff. My buddies and I were there for a beer and skipped out. Better luck next time, but I won't go out of my way unless I'm already blasted. Which rarely happens these days. FYI. I was reminded of the California Clipper. In the hood. I've miss that place! read more

I've lived in the hood for a number of years, but never went to the western hinterlands of gentrification. I was there on a Thursday night after work and the place was quite dead, but clean and cozy with great music. It was a little more expensive than I thought it would be $7 for a whiskey, but it was a good pour. I can see how things get pretty packed late night, but that is not my crowd anyway. read more

I was here late, so I can only really write about a few thoughts on this new place of mine... I found the crowd to be really nice (Saturday night). I saw a lot of mingling and different types of people all chatting and I actually lost the people I came with... That being said, I was a girl by myself drinking late-night with new friends and at the end of my "last call" (nicely poured drinks) the door-man got my attention and had a cab waiting for just me! I also had no idea where I was and I think he knew once everyone started pouring out of there, he'd be sweeping up my beer tears off the floor. Way to look out for me!!! C'MON! When does this ever happen? Love the service, love the crowd, wish I could remember more... read more

Good beer garden, but too loud inside. Went there with a gay friend for their (unofficial?) gay night, and every gay guy was in a couple (and was a bear)! Beer was cheap, and the first DJ was lousy. Apparently over run by asshole hipsters on the weekends. OK bar for the area. PS: Wish the old Hiawatha mural was still there, instead of that shitty air brushed reproduction. read more

This is why I love The Continental: I like to drink. A lot. Therefore, I often find myself NOT DONE with drinking at 2am. Perk one: Open til 4. I like to people watch. I like to people watch and, more often than not, hate the people I'm watching (or at least make fun of them in my head). Perk two: GREAT people watching. Even when most of my bartender friends are working on a typical weekend night (which leaves me fending on my own), I don't mind leaning in the bar here, slowly getting wasted, and in the process, watch all of the already wasted people make asses of themselves! I like to drink a lot. (I think I mentioned that). Sometimes I drink way too much. Perk three: From what I've been able to tell, so far, drinking way too much at The Continental is easily forgiven... provided you don't throw up on someone or get into a fight. Black out and come back next week! No judgement. The staff is so calm. I would get sooo short with people if I had to work in their conditions (very late with drunk hipsters knocking each other over, drinking not much more than the cheapest beer, and the occasional asshole who orders a dirty martini when the clientel are 3-deep). Perk four: These guys get the job done and even manage to smile through the pain. And it's not like it's always some crazy drunk humbolt parkers circus. If you arrive before 2am, you'll find yourself surrounded by locals and regulars, and the bartender might actually strike up a conversation. The beer selection is surprisingly decent, considering it's all bottles (there are a couple of belgian selections and I think even some dogfish head). The bartenders really know their stuff, and if you go in enough, eventually they'll probably know YOUR stuff, too. I'll admit, I love this place, but I do need to feel in the mood for it. And if you want to go on Friday or Saturday, get in before 1:30am, for sure. Otherwise you're waiting in line. And if you're at that point, I don't think it's really worth it. (I'm a little claustrophobic). read more

I've been to this place three times, each time between the hours of 12 AM and 4 AM. Each time I went I enjoyed it less. The thing is, it's not a bad spot overall (although I can get better drinks, music, atmosphere, and people watching at several other places). The problem for me is that after midnight the place just gets too crowded for me to enjoy myself. One of my friends loves it there, which is the only reason I kept going back. I would not go on my own volition, though. read more

The security inside are so many I mean it's a bar I'm from the industry and it's was an awful night for my friend and I. I wish that I was able to put zero but I'am not able to. Go home or somewhere else guys. read more

I visit this place often (I live a few blocks away) and it never disappoints. I go early for the low key crowd of locals. And the staff alway great me by name give me a smile and know my drink order. The music when Greg is spinning is the best but any given night, it's awful damn good. I advise vacating by 1:30am to avoid the after bar rush which tends to be obnoxious and tries way to hard to assert their "urban hipsterness". But between 9pm and 1:30am, this is a great place to hangout, talk drink and soak in the local scene. Plus, with the smoking ban in place, I'm looking forward to spring when their back patio opens -- it's big enough to allow us smokers to hang at the legally required "15 ft" from an entrance without having to leave our drinks. read more

I can't hate on The Continental. It provides a very important service to us West Siders: Keeping the drinks flowing until 5am on Saturday nights. One can NEVER underestimate or under appreciate the need for this service. So The Continental... It's very dark. The drinks are strong. The people are, well, mostly drunk hipsters that desperately want to make out with someone. Chances are if you're at The Continental at 4am, you probably want to make out with someone, too, so don't judge, okay? read more

Your bar is seriously pissing me off!!! It's 3:40 am, i have all windows closed, but still can't sleep, because there is like 20 drunk assholes outside your bar yelling soo soo loud!!! Come on, people, have some respect! This neighborhood is quiet, but your bar is awful! No respect, no understanding that people around need rest at 4 am! Aren't you supposed to do something about it??? read more

The Continental - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love a good dive bar and this one's a keeper. With selfie walls, good music, a cool bartender, and Guinness as an option, I can't complain. I think the bathroom door didn't close, so that was a miss, although who cares really. I don't know how it is at 4 am, but at 4 am, I don't know how much a person can reasonably expect. read more

I tried to call your phone # but there's no voice message so I'm leaving a message here. I live close to your bar and every night there are drunk people yelling and shouting until 4am. and you do nothing to control people outside your establishment. Every time it happens and you do nothing I will call the police and let them deal with your establishment for disturbing the peace. By city ordinance and being a good business you need to control the sound level outside your establishment. read more

Humboldt Park has a new hip area to hang. This place is my choice when I'm feeling like kicking it up a notch in the social scene. Good place to run into people that you haven't seen an awhile. The music is good, the drinks are fairly priced and strong, and the crowd is lively. My only concern is that it can get crowded pretty fast. Oh and don't try to act a fool or the door guy will not hesitate to throw your ass out the door. Not mine personally of course. read more

I don't know how we stumbled in here at 1:30am. I had never even heard of this place. As we were walking in the bar, my gorgeous twin, Brett, says to me, "You might want to hide your Chanel." So this is where really drunk people come to get even more intoxicated. A lot of the people looked really young, but had a lot of facial hair, making them look old. The bartender wasn't very friendly, but the booths are kind of comfy and cozy for girls who are in sky high heels. I don't know if I'll be returning to The Continental. I'd have to be heavily inebriated again. read more

When I think of "The Continental", I think of Christopher Walken in his SNL skits. If you're going to complain about this place, then go somewhere else. I think it's a fine bar. They apprecate your business, the beers are cheap (though the selection leaves much to be desired), and it's not that smoky. I though the HUGE passenger train painting above the bar was a nice touch. I'll definitely go back, though I'll likely avoid it late night on the weekends - not my crowd from what I've been reading. read more

Finally tried out The Continental and I will definitely be going back. The place is little and gets pretty crowded on the weekends but we were still able to find a primo spot right at the bar and didn't have to wait a hundred years to get our drinks. Good atmosphere, good drinks. read more

Ehhhhhh didn't really enjoy The Continental as much as I was hoping too. We were packed in the place like sardines (luckily we got in before a line formed outside) which didn't really bother me that much...but the fact that no one was willing to talk to people outside their little groups was kind of disappointing. It's like "hey guy, your elbow is in my stomach, our thighs are pressed against each other, and you're sweating all over my arm. strike up a conversation, please!" Is that too much to ask? However, that alone is not a legit reason to give 2 stars...here are some more things that brought the party down a few notches: 1 - Finally tried to get some air by escaping to the bathroom...and some girl kicked open the stall doors while I was in there! Saloon-style doors but I guarantee it was locked before she started her bathroom rampage! I almost had a heart attack. 2 - Obnoxious bartender tried to make me purchase bottled water...I finally had to ask for a "glass of tap water with ice, please" and he was NOT happy. So little things like that kept adding up and pissing me off. However, I am willing to give The Continental another chance next time I'm in the neighborhood, and I will adjust my review if necessary! Update 1/8/08: Gave this place another shot / another bathroom stall incident / stiff cocktails / a boy complimented my singing / someone actually offered me and my friend moustache rides / one more star earned. read more

I totally agree with Jennifer M. The Continental is a "happy medium." It's certainly not gross, certainly not trendy or hipster, HOWEVER, one of its greatest qualities is that it is a happy medium in more ways than one... It's a happy medium for hanging with cool people, a happy medium for listening to decent tunes and it's a super happy medium for hanging out later when all of the other bars have closed around you. read more

okay for a 4AMer not bad. pas mal. serious mixture of peoples. all the stragglers from surrounding neighborhoods who just hit last call at all the usual dives (hint: these peeps don't dwell in humboldt). walked in sat down ordered beers for my two buds and then turned round and instantly we were confronted by two ladies. That was quick, I'll admit we were dressed to the 'nines- but we didn't even have to work for it, felt a bit like a rock star. Might come back when theres more partying to do past 2am. But I doubt i'd come here before then. read more

meh. small bar, ok design, low lights. crowd and dj are up and down. but what else are you doing at 2 am? read more

update! is it possible to suimultaniously love and hate a place? i loved it when i came in at like 7. i must say that i HATE it at 2:00 a.m. my friend and i stopped in after leaving the Clipper. The crowd was a mess. everyone was trying WAY too hard. Lots of "hey, look at me!!" Lots of "slumming" chads. definatly a place i would enjoy more earlier in the night. new "owners" but the same husband and wife that have run this place for decades are still working days (till 11). after 11, the new management comes in and keeps the place open till late. i talked to Chirs, the original owner. great guy, great stories. beers are totally inline for price in the area...mixed drinks are really pricey. my friend payed $6 for a vodka/soda. stick with the brews. read more

alright, so i just got home from yet another visit to the continental and their door dude needs to get a shout out for being one of the best in chicago - i think his name is matt? raspy voice, you know the one. he controls riled up drunks like no other and makes sure things are taken care of before anything violent occurs, and he has a sense of humor when dealing with drunk girls while still keeping an eye on the ones around him (including my inebriated butt on more than one occasion) when the 4 am vag-vultures start to circle. he's awesome and more memorable than any of their bartenders. also, seriously, the review from 8/8/14 is one of the most classist, sexist, privileged, date-rape-y reviews i've ever read and indicates a way worse attitude than most of the people who end up at continental. accordingly, you can rest easy knowing the douchitude level of continental goers will never be as bad as that of - in the language of the chil'ren - continental haterz. read more

My band's practice space is just down the street, so one night while we were waiting for the bassist to get out class we walked over the Continental to grab a couple beers and slowly descend into rock mode. First sign of trouble is that all three times we went up the bar to get the next round the barkeep was either outside having a smoke or talking on her cell phone ignoring us. Once is fine, two is annoying but three is just obnoxious, let's not kid ourselves. The music ranged from Wire to Duran Duran. Never in my life did I think I'd hear "Pink Flag" and "Rio" back to back. I kind of liked it. The booth was pretty comfortable but sitting in the oppressively cranked heat wasn't. We had a good chat/band meeting but outside of an eerily similar situation I don't see myself coming back. read more

My friends and I don't call this place The Continental, we call it The Mistake. It's the mistake you know is wrong, but can't help going back to, at least once a month. It's the mistake of knowing you should not consume another gin & tonic, but doing it anyway. It's the mistake of thinking it's ok to stay out until 4 am when you have to work at 8 the next morning. The mistake of falling asleep under the bar, forgetting to pay your tab, losing your phone and your glasses, getting in a cab full of - not - your people, leaving your purse in that cab, and forgetting how you managed to get home. Mistake, you're so so wrong, but you are oh so right. read more

Ok, so this place does get a bit too crowded as the night goes on, but I must respect a place where the dj will play the Mummies. FOOD! SICKLES! & GIRLS! Upon leaving, I witnessed one of the funniest things I ever have seen in my 3 decades of roaming the world. Two hipsters engaged in the worst sissy fight I ever seen. After the fight, they then proceeded embrace eachother and profess their love/best freindship. Heartwarming. read more

most of these reviews sound like they are coming from people who have only been to this place on a friday or saturday, which i will admit fucking blow. shoulder to shoulder drunks attempting to dance and get laid and it takes about 20 minutes to navigate your way back to the bathroom....plus this guy who likes to clap really loudly completely off beat to the music that is playing is ALWAYS there. just tell him he's the most irritating person alive and he'll stop. trust me. oh and the creepy dude who hits on every single girl he can find that is alone and then follows them around all night...then to their car...and even after you tell him to fuck off he won't leave you alone. i'm working on getting this guy banned, so no worries, ladies. actually, this is a great place to go if you like snubbing drunken idiots. i know i do. BUT, on weeknights, especially before 2 am, this place isn't all that bad. there are maybe 5 or 6 people there and all of them are just there to have a drink after work and relax. i like to go here alone, sit in a booth, and think. it's a good place to be anonymous. not to mention you can get a delirium for 8 BUCKS! this is unheard of. also at this time of night, it's easier to meet someone who is actually worth talking to and not looking to get some pussy. then once you become drinking buddies and start taking shots together as the night progresses it's super fun to watch the 2am-ers start stumbling in. i have actually met several very awesome people here, you just have to be discerning. so all in all, don't come here on the weekends, and come earlier if you want to have at least an alright time. i'm not sure how i became a regular at the contiDON'Tal, but i guess it kinda grew on me. read more

I first wandered into this bar for an after-dinner cocktail after eating next door at Feed with a friend a few months ago. It was the middle of the week and early in the evening, so not busy and a great atmosphere with a sweet bartender. I've been back several times now later in the evenings, and I have to say it's quite a bit of fun. It's become very gay friendly recently after a group of neighborhood gays started making it their Thursday night hangout, and that makes it a great time to meet like-minded people in a neighborhood that's lite on the gay bars. The crowd starts to pick up around midnight, but I've never stayed past 2 a.m. so I can't vouch for the after-hours crowd. But I've always had fun here, and I've met a lot of cool people. read more

The one and only time I went here I saw a girl get kicked out of the car she was riding in and then driven over! So, I always relate that to this bar for some reason. Other than the dramatic scenes outside the bar this isn't to bad of a place. read more

if you're here at 1a, you are WAY early. you gotta stumble in around 230-3a at the earliest. people are besides themselves at that point, so if you don't even know who you are, what happened 5 minutes ago, where your phone is or what part of the city you're in, you're in the right place. i've had those nights where you just want to keep going out. you could go on forever. i'd say this place could definitely be on the list of blurry places to visit. the service is deece, the people are okay, no bigs. there are 2 floors, top floor has the pool table. this is a neighborhood joint for me, so i'd totally come back. read more

I love love love The Continental. Where else can I go for cheap drinks when the other bars close and I don't want the night to end yet? I've been going for years and started to recognize a lot of the staff including the bouncers but what is the deal with newer ones lately? There is one in particular who is just awful! Yes, I know the bar is closed and its time to go. I'm collecting my belongings and waiting for the bartender to close out my tab and I will be out. You think I want to stay around any longer when the ugly lights are on? Get a grip bouncers! Don't make me stop coming here because without The Continental my late nights would just suck! read more

Does anyone know what a Detroit alley is?? I was in there with a friend of mine and I guess its a gay bar or it was gay night.. which is fine, but I had too many people trying to pick up my friend.. and they were rather ignorant about it.. but the bar itself was nice.. I may go back but just on another night.. either with a GF or alone.. so no temptation for the gays =) read more

Not sure why some of the ratings are so low, it's like people are ranking their bad decision to go to the late night bar instead of the late night bar itself. What are you expecting to happen at 4:30 in the morning at California and Chicago? That is not good decision time, and The Continental is never a good decision. That is why it's perfect. This isn't Howl at the Moon, and California is a long way from Rush Street. So quit being a baby and get drunk, because it's bad decision time every Saturday night at The Continental. read more

a four AM bar that isn't full of jocks or sleazy men with ponytails and long pinky nails is rare. which is why the continental is much appreciated by many a friend and i. sure, on a late (LATE) friday night the place gets crowded. so crowded, in fact that you are almost destined to have a spot in the outside waiting line. but it's worth it! i've had a fantastic experience every time i've been to the continental. this is mainly due to the excellent djs! they play great tracks that make everyone want to dance (not just because they're wasted) and the sets usually consist of recognizable tracks rather than trancey remixes you might hear at some 4am 'club'. like everyone has said, the place gets crowded as the night goes on. but i've found that just aids in the meeting of other people. that place is packed with interesting folk, many different scenes that all get pushed together for the better. i do wish it was easier to get to but the drive makes up for itself in the amount of crazy stories you can tell the next day! and because it's in the middle of urban nowhere, you can always find a parking spot nearby. read more

i wasnt expecting much from this place. expecting a little hipster bar. but i actually had fun. good music and good people. oh and the tamale guy showed up....which made my drunken night. read more

Snort a line and then shell out $6 for a domestic to help lower your standards so you can find a warm body to go home with at 3 a.m.