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    The Empty Bottle

    4.3 (380 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars, Music Venues
    Closed 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

    The Empty Bottle Photos

    THE EMPTY BOTTLE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Very loud
    Hipster
    Divey
    Live music

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    Recommended Reviews - The Empty Bottle

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    a stage with purple lighting
    Julie L.

    A co-worker told me about the Empty Bottle so I came to see a show by Pillow Queens. They were great, but their opening was not. Anyways, cool local space. Enough room for everywhere. If I weren't so tired, I would've enjoyed myself more. Would definitely come back for drinks. The only thing that got me was... well, I don't know if this is because of the band playing or not... the lack of diversity in the crowd.

    Grant A.

    I've heard of this place for years but didn't go to my first event here until last week. Went to see Lomelda perform. It was a good show. It's the kind of a venue where most people stand and sway. Temperature of the room was good too. They don't accept cards for payment but have some ATMs. Glad I pregamed the show at the EZ inn up the street. Bathroom is nothing pretty. It's divey but it's very much the aesthetic/ vibe of the place.

    Andrew G.

    Love the vintage atmosphere of this bar, plus awesome live music (Death Valley Girls)

    Denise U.

    Ah the ol' Empty. Not empty enough right now, if you know what I'm sayin'. Ohh, I kid. But seriously, it is pretty dang crowded. So , there are so many positives to this place. You'll just have to see it for yourself I guess. Also my home fry is clearly rather sick of me "pausing for the cause" to write a review. Sheesh, We need a little respect for the creative process. Am I right? Well, moving right along, I'll get to the point. What's the point? I often wonder. But seriously, I lurv this place. Oh and they have consistently great musical acts and great food next door at Bite Cafe.

    The most intimate moments with the most obscure, upcoming bands
    Kevin N.

    If you really want to see great bands before they hit the big league in a small venue, you must go to Empty Bottle. This is it for Chicago. The people who book this place know what's cutting edge. It's divey, hipster and cheap as well. I have seen so many amazing bands over the years. The posters on the walls of the bands who have been through here are a who's who of alternative, metal and punk rock. Highly recommended.

    Bonde Do Role
    Jess B.

    The Empty Bottle is my phantom limb. I lived around the corner for 5 years. I saw so many good bands. I drank so many cheap drinks. I saw so many shitty bands. Everything from namby-pamby indie rock to the metalest of metal. I befriended the servers. I danced with Mucca Pazza cheerleaders. I saw musicians puke on stage. I went to shows by myself almost as often as I went with friends. For the last three years I've lived in the middle of nowhere and then in the epicenter of everywhere. Nothing compares to the Bottle, though. There's a thick sense of community and other bullshit I can't really articulate except to say that having not been there in a minute, I feel like something's missing. And R.I.P. Radley

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    1 year ago

    Excellent spot for Friday night after work to hang out with friends . Like the drinks and friendly ambiance!

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Bring ear plugs for the concert. Awesome venue if you're there for the artists.

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    3 years ago

    great spot to see music- good food and booze/ you might even get a sculpy dragon- yeah yea

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    8 years ago

    Cool on Monday's! It's free. $3 Hamms. Park by is all free over here too and it's pretty much right off 290.

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    Page 1 of 10

    Ask the Community - The Empty Bottle

    Passing through within the next month or so... any open mic nights currently? If not could you point me in the right direction? Traveling musician trying to play while on the road

    No, not at the empty bottle. What genre do you play?

    Is there a coat check?

    We do sometimes offer coat check depending on the show.

    Can you bring a purse inside?

    Yes, although we might ask for a look

    Do you have to be 21+ to enter the bar or are you just ID'd to buy a drink?

    We are a 21 establishment, although you may attend with a legal guardian.

    Do you need tickets to see the Hoyle Brothers and how early should you show up?

    Allison, The Hoyle Brothers play every Friday (knock on wood), from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. There is no… Read more

    View All 7 Questions

    Review Highlights - The Empty Bottle

    They host such great acts (hello cold war kids & two gallants) AND the handmade market.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Richard's Bar - Walk in

    Richard's Bar

    (346 reviews)

    $

    River West, West Loop, Near West Side, West Town

    Great little Chicago dive bar. Love the location. Feels like it's got a lot of history. All our MC…read moreinitiations were done there.

    A loyal Subscriber mentioned to me that she had spent time in Chicago but never had a chance to…read morevisit. So I visited it in her stead (another benefit of subscribing to AfterActionReport.info). Quite simply the best maintained dive bar I have ever had the pleasure of drinking in and an AAR Must Drink. Most dive bars have a fair amount of seed and are in need of some repair, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Not this place, as the spotless tile floor was completely intact, all the swivel barstools (each branded "Richard's Bar" across the back) still swiveled, and the tin ceiling stunning. It's coming up on a hundred years, but the entire joint has been as lovingly cared for as it is cleaned daily. The place has a slight smell of cigarettes. When I mentioned to Joe the bartender, that "I didn't think you could still legally smoke in a bar in this country." He replied "You can't, but people do," as he placed an ashtray next to my beer. All that, and Norm Wendt's brother-in-law bought me a bottle of Old Style because it was his birthday, which was drunk while listening to Steve Lawrence on the jukebox. Norm Wendt's sister then recommended a place for fondue so . . . Located in Old Town, Geja's Cafe is a very romantic warren of a restaurant that offers the best fondue in Chicago. A father/son team ("the Marios") served me the International (tenderloin, shrimp, chicken), a solid Flackhattan and some live flamenco guitar.

    Mom's Place

    Mom's Place

    (167 reviews)

    $$

    Near North Side

    Quiet enough to talk but rowdy enough to have fun! The music and atmosphere hit that sweet spot…read morewhere it feels energetic without being overwhelming. Just make sure you know what you signed up for with the karaoke room :) It definitely gets crowded on weekends and usually charges a cover. Regardless, no other bar quite does it like Mom's Place! - AD

    Nice big spot to get your drink on and have a great time!…read more A group of us ventured out to Mom's Place after a few in the group had been before and wanted to go back. This was about 3 weeks before Christmas in 2025 on a Saturday night. As soon as you walk in and up the stairs, you are greeted by a ceiling hung Christmas lights display like you've never seen. It has to have been a nightmare to put these all up or, God forbid, have to chase down a bad bulb! I'd have to assume that these are up year-round. But look closely at the ceiling for all the additional bits-and-bobs hanging about. Several saxophones and other instruments along with statues and other "things". You could spend all night just walking around looking at the ceiling. There are several TV's, tuned to sporting events during my visit, to choose from. When we arrived, it was moderately busy. Throughout the two hours we were there, it probably tripled in capacity. But still comfortable. A band had been setting up and you never know what you're going to get with a cover band. I wish I knew the name of the band because they were great. Guitar, Bass, Fiddle, 3 Female Singers and I believe the Guitar player was singing periodically. I've seen and played in a lot of bands over the years. It's sometimes hard to pull off the multiple singer thing, especially when applying vocal harmonies. Again, I hate that I don't recall the name of this band because they absolutely crushed it. Their vocals and sound were tight and on point. Great band. It was Dec 08, 2025, if that's any help. There's also a downstairs but I didn't go down there. Some in my group did and they said it was more of the same, so I didn't give up my real estate that I was comfortable in and stuck where I was at. Would I go back? Yes. Great spot with good drinks and great people working the bar. A plus, for me, was that they had the real Strongbow Dry Cider, in the black cans, which is difficult to find in the US anymore.

    The Corner Bar - Shots!

    The Corner Bar

    (119 reviews)

    $

    Bucktown

    I was walking to the Leavitt Street Tavern and passed by Corner Bar. As it has an Old Style sign…read moreoutside, pursuant to Chicago Code, I was required to go inside and have an Old Style. The people both behind the bar and sitting at the bar could not have been friendlier. Great local place with cool atmosphere. I will be back next time I am in town. Highly recommend. I forget the name of the bartender but he was super friendly and welcoming.

    THEY CHARGE $3.00 FOR ICE IN YOUR DRINK!!!!! THAT SAYS IT ALL.THE PLACE USED TO BE GOOD, FAIRLY…read morePRICED, BUT NOW WAY OVERPRICED FOR WHAT IT IS,,,,A CORNER BAR that is now a rip off. limited bar cocktails available, nothing more than simple mixes, can't make an old fashion, and the liquor selection is lacking. i think what they did is they saw leavitt inn 2 blocks north and what they charge and what they have and figured they would stick it to the customers and they do. now i see why leavitt inn is not only better but fairly priced, they have food and a full bar and charge basically the same as this place. the way i see it, if you are going to charge the prices this place does, the bar should be more extensive, cocktails should be more than simple stuff, and you should have food, or you are a rip off. was there last night, and really the service is lacking, the bathroom messy , not clean, and drinks overpriced for what the place is. this was the first time i came back (i've lived in the neighborhood for the last 15 years) in over a year as a year ago, the bartender was quite rude, and i don't get it that it is still that way. you're better off for the prices to go to leavitt inn, at least you have good service there and drink choices as they have a full bar, not a limited bar like this place. for better pricing and better more entertaining places, go instead to the cabaret, a few blocks away, or to o's on western, both have better bars and better pricing, better bang for the buck. sadly, this place used to be good, but since the ownership change, rudeness, and becoming expensive for what they give you is now the norm here. the 5 star reviews of this place are not from people who live in the neighborhood, but from outsiders who don't know what a corner bar is supposed to be, and the history of this place....and really, they are people who don't go out much. it's sad this place became what it is today, but that is the reality of today's world, owners like these see competition and match their prices without matching the product and service and get away with it as most consumers don't know. as i said, $3.00 for ice in a plastic glass says it all!!!!!!!

    Brando's Speakeasy - Karaoke bar

    Brando's Speakeasy

    (656 reviews)

    $$

    The Loop

    Such a fun vibe and a great crowd! I went in on a Sunday evening and it was decently packed. The…read morebar itself is dimly lit and moody. There's plenty of booth seating, as well as tall chairs at the bar. Once it was karaoke hour, I put myself on the list and started singing. Everybody is fun about it, whether the performer is conventionally a great singer or not, and I absolutely love it! There was even a group of 4+ girls who sang together on stage, and the energy was so infectious, it got the whole bar yelling the lyrics along with them. Would highly recommend!

    Stopped in with friends and ended up having a much better night than we expected. The place has…read morethis fun mix of old-school charm and lively energy, and it really comes alive once the crowd settles in. What surprised me most was how welcoming the atmosphere felt -- people were cheering each other on during karaoke, and it created this upbeat, easygoing vibe that made the night even better. Drinks were well-made, the music kept the room energized, and there was always something going on that pulled everyone into the moment. Even with the place getting busier later in the night, the staff stayed attentive and kept everything running smoothly without making anyone feel rushed. I also loved how organized the karaoke setup was. Being able to add songs without waiting around made the experience feel seamless, and it helped keep the energy flowing. It's the kind of spot where you can unwind, have a laugh, grab something tasty, and forget about your week for a while. All in all, it turned out to be one of those unexpectedly great nights out. I'd absolutely come back and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, relaxed place to hang out and enjoy some good music and good company.

    Miller's Pub - World Famous Baby Back Ribs

    Miller's Pub

    (1.6k reviews)

    $$

    The Loop

    Had a great time at millers pub! Chris at the bar was friendly and personable and welcomed me in…read morelike he knew me. Great lively atmosphere and plenty of draft selections to choose from. French dip sammy hit all the right feels and was tasty. I wish the horseradish sauce had a bit more horseradish to give it more zip but it was a great sandwich all around. You will not be disappointed. Bustling late night crowd on a Friday and food flowed til midnight and drinks til 2am.

    Atmosphere is extremely important to me, especially when I'm looking for a place to unwind after an…read moreevent. After leaving the symphony, we wanted somewhere nearby to grab a meal and have a good conversation, so we ended up at Miller's Pub at 134 S. Wabash. My colleague had made a reservation, but honestly, it didn't seem necessary, you can easily walk in. Miller's Pub is a longtime Chicago staple, and we were seated quickly. The space is much larger than it appears, with a classic Irish pub feel and an antique charm that gives it a lot of character. Our server was enthusiastic, attentive, and very accommodating throughout the night, which we appreciated. Food-wise, we ordered a variety of dishes. I kept it simple with a salad topped with carrots and chicken, it was just okay, nothing particularly memorable. One of my colleagues ordered a chicken sandwich, and another got what might have been the most massive fish tender I've ever seen. If I ate fish, I definitely would've tried it, and she said it was really good. Unfortunately, what really impacted our experience was the atmosphere. There was a choir conference happening nearby, and a large group of attendees came into the pub and started singing, loudly and continuously, throughout the evening. While it was entertaining for the first couple of songs, it quickly became overwhelming and disruptive. It didn't seem like other patrons were enjoying it either, there was little to no engagement or applause, and I found myself wishing the staff had stepped in to tone things down a bit. I understand that a bar environment can bring in all kinds of energy, but this went on far too long and really took away from the experience we were hoping to have. Based on the food alone, I'd give Miller's Pub 3 out of 5 stars. But factoring in the overall experience, it's closer to a 2.5 out of 5 for me.

    The Empty Bottle - divebars - Updated May 2026

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