Multiple friends were telling me about the events at this bar. Came in on Monday night to hear a jazz band. It was a big band style jazz band with many members. The way my friends were describing it didn't initially think of it as a dive bar+ corner tavern. It's definitely a dive lol! There are some craft beer options, few ciders. Some liquor bottles, bitters. It's not a cocktail bar though. I really enjoyed listening to the big band. Ordered a high life, old fashioned, gimlet. There was too much simple syrup in the old fashioned. I was impressed by inclusion of large cube. Looks like they sell frozen pizza as well. read more

See all

Will always love this place no matter what! Also I'm relieved that creepy guy with the rat tail doesn't work there anymore It'll be a much better vibe. The place looks great, long live THE GALLERY CABARET and f@&k the haters. read more

Was at this local dive bar for tue Tuesday good show it's a comedy show. The service and the atmosphere was fantastic. I would go here on a Friday night read more

I had my birthday party at Gallery Canaret and it was awesome! GL, the owner, was very accommodating! We had a great time and it was the perfect space for a party! Highly recommend! read more

I ordered a corona and my lime was moldy and had what smelled and looked like poop on the rim of the bottle

Future performers should look elsewhere when trying to book a show. The owner (Garrett) was difficult and over controlling at every step of the way when performing. Never coming back to this venue again. read more

it was terrible I went there 3 HOURS before closing hours and they were locked on a Saturday AT FRICKING 1 PM! Like what the hell man! never go there it's terrible! read more

Tried to go here an hour before they close for one drink because so many people in the neighborhood recommended it but they had their doors closed and locked an hour before all posted closing times with no explanation. Frustrating when you walk quite a bit to get there. Won't come late night again. read more

We came here for their comedy night but nobody was performing when we got there mainly because it was NYE... But the fun began from here. It was Sunday night so the bar gave out free food! They served salad, chiili (vegan and meat), chips, etc. The bartender was super friendly and . he seems to know all of the regulars. He made me a drink based on my request whic h came out tasty. I wanted to try their house made Glögi and he poured me a glass without charging me. The best part about the bar is it feels like a community where everybody knows everybody else. Being visitors ourselves, we felt extremely welcomed and enjoyed our conversation with the locals. This was def one of the most unforgetable experience I've had. Will def return in the future. read more

See all

CHEF SCOTTY IS BACK! (BUT FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!) Scott Finley AKA "Chef Scotty" has been away for quite some time, but he is back on Sunday nights manning either the stove or grill, depending on the weather, and, once again, for a limited period of time, is cooking up the food for the Sunday night Open Mike Buffet. The food is free, BUT THERE IS A MANDATORY TWO (2) DRINK MINIMUM BEFORE YOU CAN EAT! (In other words, if you don't buy two drinks, you can't participate in the buffet. THE GALLERY CABARET DOESN'T TAKE KINDLY TO FREELOADERS, CHEAPSKATES, OR MOOCHES!) The food is made from scratch and is delicious. Chef Scotty knows his way around a stove or grill! Trust me on this one, people. There is a tip jar at the end of the buffet table, and tipping is encouraged! (And you would probably feel guilty if you didn't tip. I know I do. that's how tasty the food is!) The menu changes every week. Two weeks ago, he served barbecue chicken legs, and last Sunday it was roast pork tenderloin. Who knows what next Sunday will bring? (It will be delicious, I'm sure!) The Gallery Cabaret is a DIVE BAR! THE BUFFET IS ONLY ON SUNDAYS! Of course one could order a frozen pizza for $8.00 any day of the week, and the local Tamales guy who frequents most of the bars in the Wicker Park/Bucktown/Logan Square area stops in on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, ($6.00 for six tamales. Either chicken, pork, or cheese. NO MIXING!) and recently, a pizza truck from Roger's Park shows up from time to time selling slices from their truck for $5.00, but it's cheaper to buy a whole frozen pizza for $8.00 and let the nice folks at The Gallery heat it up for you. Chef Scotty is planning on moving to Arkansas, soon, so it would be in your best interest to hurry down and try some delicious home cooking before he leaves! Trust, me, it's worth the trip! What else can I tell you? There's artwork on all the walls, and the artwork is for sale. The art changes every month. If you're an artist and want to display your art, check out the Gallery Cabaret's website for more information on how you can display your artwork. There is LIVE MUSIC FOR FREE EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK! Mondays there is Jazz/Big Band music that is just as good as you would pay good money to see at The Green Mill and clubs of that ilk. (The last Monday of the month features BINGO) Tuesday is an open Blues Jam. It used to be strictly blues, but that has changed, and just about anybody can get up and play. If you feel like you are being judged or scrutinized by the gun slingers at the blues clubs on north Halstead by DePaul, you WON'T have to worry about that at The Gallery. All the musicians support each other, and everybody is encouraged to get up and jam. Leave the attitudes and egos back on Halstead. That behavior doesn't fly here! Wednesdays and Thursdays are OPEN MIKE! Thursdays tend to be more popular while Wednesdays doesn't get much traffic. Shame too, since there's a lot of good talent that takes the stage on Wednesdays, so if you're feeling adventurous, and you think you have a talent to share, come to either one. (But, seriously. Wednesday night could use more people!) Friday and Saturday nights have live bands. Check the website to see who's playing. Sunday has TWO, COUNT 'EM, TWO OPEN MIKES! An early one from 7:00-9:00 and a later one from 9:30-1:30 so come on down, have some drinks, get some food, courtesy of Chef Scotty, and get up on stage, and rock the house, you maniac rock star, you! And don't forget to ask the owner, Kenny Stranberg to tell you some stories about his days as a bartender on the Las Vegas Strip back in the 1960s. When it comes to stories about the glory days of las Vegas in the 1960s, Kenny is full of it. (Good stories, that is) All the bartenders that work The Gallery are courteous, helpful, friendly, and knowledgable. They are the best in Chicago, so make sure to tip them generously. There are also beer/drink specials from Sun-Thurs. Make sure to check the menu, ask one of the friendly, helpful bartenders, or visit The Gallery Cabaret's website. Go to http://www.gallerycabaret.com for more details and information Almost forgot! There is comedy from 7:00-9:00 Mondays-Saturdays and one can sign up for that if one thinks they're talented and, most importantly FUNNY! I should also add that every night of the week there is a drink special called "The Hammison" which is a can of Hamms beer and a shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey for $6.00. One can substitute Hamms for a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, if desired. read more

The Gallery Cabaret - Local punk musician/Gallery Cabaret regular patron, Adam Rebelius playing on the stage at the Thursday Night open mike - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Found this gem by accident when I was walking around in this neighborhood but soo glad that I decided to check this place out. Come here for 1. Great shows - they seem to have shows almost everyday. I went for the stand up at 730 pm on a Saturday and it was great with a lot of out of town performers. there was a live music show after 9 too. 2. Affordable drinks. Most of their beer selection were reasonably priced for the area and they had weekend specials ( $2 hamm's, etx.) 3. Diverse and entertaining crowd. read more

Showed up late and place was packed. I ordered a beer and a midget served it from a plate on his head. Students from the clown college were doing makeup at a table by the stage, and as some Mafia types were whispering and taping pinky rings next to them. Someone brought and shared a giant glazed donut they wore around their waist, handing out plastic forks and inviting others to partake. The juggling act on stage did their best with the low ceiling, - still entertaining. read more

This is my favorite bar. Ambiance: Old school dive bar, with a few extras. The bar actually does double as a gallery and modest collection of new artwork graces the walls every month. There is also a "permanent collection" of art behind the bar, including the famous black and white pictures of various authors (Whitman, Poe, Joyce, and a bald fellow whose name escapes me.). Flyers for bands and hand-lettered signs all over the place. Televisions at both ends of the bar for watching games or TV when there is no show. During shows, in-house cameras broadcast the bands as they play so folks in the back of the bar don't have to strain their necks. As other reviewers have noted, an evening at the Gallery Caberet is like hanging out in someone's living room. Layout: This is a small bar, but they make the best of the situation with a logical layout. In addition to the bar, which runs the length of the room, the bar has two booths in the back, a shelf along with wall with stools and tables, and chairs up front. Pick your seating and enjoy. Clientele: All types of folks come in here. Lots of musicians and starving artist types, older locals who appreciate the cheap booze and free Sunday dinner. Hipsters and even the occasional pack of Chads and Trixies make appearances. For the most part, everyone is friendly and behaves themselves. Service: Excellent, kind service from a team of good bartenders. Just keep tipping them, please. They work hard and deserve it. Kenny, the owner, is a good guy who looks after his customers in the old-school style. Location: Conveniently located just a few blocks away from the Western Blue Line. Don't feel like taking the blue line? Try the Milwaukee bus or Western buses. Plenty of cabs in the area, too. Liquor: Fairly standard liquor offerings, good selection of draft and bottled beers. Beer specials run Sunday through Thursday nights with excellent deals on pints and pitchers. (Leines $6 a pitcher on Thursdays!). There is a sign on the wall that lists available beers as well as the specials, so be sure to give it a good read before ordering. Don't miss the glogg (Scandinavian hot spiced wine), it has medicinal properties. Also, don't miss the house sangria. It is served in a huge glass and is only $5. Most refreshing. Note on Specials: Sometimes there will be a special on Friday or Saturday as well, though not always and the information won't be publicized. Ask your bartender. Food: This is a bar, not a restaurant. That said, they do keep frozen pizzas in the fridge for hungry patrons. $7 gets you your choice of pizza cooked and served to you alongside a stack of napkins, a container of Kraft "Parmesan" cheese and a rack of various spices and hot sauces. $1.25 will get you some popcorn. You can also buy chips, nuts, and various types of Slim Jim. But wait, there's more! On Sunday nights, the Gallery puts on a free buffet. Scotty the chef comes in and cooks a full meal for the guests. (I'm talking food like your grandma made for Sunday dinner...ham, chicken, meatloaf, plus veggie sides and rolls.) Sunday is $7 Leine pitchers, plus two open mikes (early and late). There is probably no better deal in the city than a Sunday evening spent at the Gallery Cabaret. Sometimes the bar does bring in free food for the patrons (think wings, chips or mini sandwiches) on other nights, but this is occasional and don't go to the bar expecting it. Entertainment: Now we're getting to the good stuff. The Gallery Cabaret offers free live entertainment every night. That's right: Every night and FREE, no cover. Best thing to do is pick up a schedule at the bar, view the schedule on the Gallery's website or download the schedule from the Gallery's Facebook Page. There are at least 2 open mic nights per week, sometimes more. Poetry on alternate Wednesdays, comedy on Thursdays and Saturdays. No cover, though performers can request donations. read more

The Gallery Cabaret - Sangria at the Gallery Caberet. Large glass, icy cold, only $5. You know you want one! - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Great little neighborhood bar. Bartender was chatty. Need to come back for the entertainment.

Some friends of mine are in a reggae band and chose Gallery Cabaret as the spot to make their debut. Knowing how quiet Tuesday night open mics are, I kind of felt sorry for them since I thought it would be how most bands are, as they are supplying a good chunk of the people and I would know everyone there. When I got to Gallery Cabaret, I was adequately surprised because there were lots of bands playing that night, the bar was shoulder to shoulder packed and Gallery Cabaret had turned a full one hundred and eighty degrees from the quietness and emptiness of open mic night. The bands were good and they probably would have made a good chunk of coin charging cover, but the bar was nice enough to let everyone in for free. Beers, cocktails, shots were all cheap and consumed with great rapidity. It was a melange of Northwest Side meets hipsters meets yuppy, or something like that. A good mix of different socioeconomic groups, but limited ethnic diversity in the crowd that night. Gallery Cabaret is located by Arturo's on Western Ave., so I found the proximity to public transportation and late nigh food to be a grand positive as well. read more

See all

My friend the slide guitarist and blues singer Marcia Mello visited from London. She had not booked any shows in town but wanted to perform. We took her to Gallery Cabaret for the Sunday open mic. The other musicians were eclectic and enjoyable. Marcia played two covers, Shake Sugaree and Fence Breaking Blues, as well as an original, Merlin's Cave. She sold CDs and met interesting folks such as Charlie the cowboy, who played guitar and piano and memorably covered "If you could read my mind," by Gordon Lightfoot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbMIerBW2h8 read more

The Gallery Cabaret - exterior - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I told this twat, Jaik S. I wanted to hit local dive bars. Not much is remembered but we walked here, that's for certain. Inside, nice people, pretty lights, good live music and pretty girls. Unless my memory deceives me, there wasn't much competition. I think we scored $4 or $6 pitchers of Leinenkugel's orginal. We saw that one geeky guy that got into it with his hot wife at the Burke's Web Pub. He obviously ditched her and came here. Also bumped into some of twat's old friends. Shared smiles, shots and beers. Pretty good time and homeward we walked like limber toy soldiers. The End. read more

Gal Cab is one of my favorite chicago bars. The music can range from decent to terrible, but it's always charming. Everybody is friendly, cool is out the window, and the drinks are cheap. Always an interesting time. Thanks Gal Cab! read more

$6 PITCHERS. Do I have your attention?!?! Not quite? (gosh you *are* demanding!) FREE FOOD*. Ahhhh.....I thought so. Magic words indeed. If nothing else - and there is more to the GC than that! - you can munch for free on home-made stuff while drinking your beer. And we are not talking stale pretzels and peanuts here folks: salad, mashed potatoes and the most delicious meatloaf I have ever sunk my teeth in. Well - and chips and Twinkies for good measure. It's bar y'all, not quite a dive, but not very far from it either. I came here to listen to two of my friends sing and play the guitar. Open mikes on Sunday night. And man is this entertaining! You are bound to listen to a variety of talents and genres - sometimes barely wishing you were deaf but sometimes amazed by what's going on on stage. And believe me - there are quite a few characters to match the eclectic decor of this little institution off of Armitage. Cute detail: the full-length cheval mirror (aka with footsies) in the ladies bathroom. It's kitsch, it's cheap, it's fun. It's good. * On Thursday and Sunday nights *only*, if I may say so. read more

Though not as big a staple in my life as with others, Gallery has always been good to me. Thursday night is the night. It's the night of nights. There is: $4 pitchers of Leinenkugel (YES), hipsters (double YES) and sweet open mic music (triple YES - score!). It's tiny, cramped and full of an eclectic mix of people. The bartenders are great and the owner is awesome. This is really all you need to know - go now and be merry. read more

Ok, so I dont like bars. I dont get the whole concept of sitting around in some dimly lit space for hours (or days) at a time drinking liquor you could buy for a 1/3 of the price at Binny's. My one and only bar that I could honestly say I enjoyed up until this point was the California Clipper, but that was to go for the bands more than the bar part. And now I have a bar I can honestly say I would go to regularly whenever I find myself in the area. NOT ONLY is it a bar, but it is a mini art museum, old school gin joint, and jazz appreciation society. Who would have thought I was going to walk out of there with not one, but two jazz artists to fall in love with? Oh and the owner is really cool about telling you anything you want to know about the music, as well as some of the artwork on the wall that he did himself personally. Very cool, rockin place. I will definitely be back. read more

Chicago is known for it's comedy scene. We should all know this by now. What we may not know of is this little gem called the Two Hour Comedy Hour. It takes Chicago's best local talent and mixes in some talent from other places and, from 7-9pm on Saturdays at the Gallery Cabaret, comedic magic happens. FREE comedic magic. That's right, and there isn't even a drink minimum. You're able to be as cheap as your dignity (or lack thereof) will allow. You can show up and pay absolutely nothing, though I recommend you get a few drinks because the people will start to look more attractive and everyone will be slightly more hilarious if you have a few drinks in you. That's just common sense. If you're looking for an opportunity to be good person they do accept donations which go to the performers that night. You should probably do that because buying good karma is easier than earning it. I once had a friend who met some girl on OKCupid and he was like "Lexie, where should I take my date this Saturday?" I said "Go to the Two Hour Comedy Hour". He got laid that night. I'm just putting that information out there, you can do whatever you want with it. read more

Do you want to hear about the time a half-mad Polish poet wrested a sheet of song lyrics from my hand and set it on fire? Or the time a dog forcefully shat on stage during someone's performance? Or the time I was pulled into the men's bathroom by a young man so he could show off his particularly witty graffito, and we were both yelled at by the bartender who was convinced we were smoking pot in there? No? You just want to go there, get drunk, and play some music? All right. Let's go. read more

Tons of entertainment for the low low price of cheap drinks. And you can buy art there! This place has everything you could want in neighborhood bar. You could call it a dive, but I'd call it an authentic throwback to the turn-of-the-century ethic bars that also functioned as gathering places for those either on the fringe in life or on the fringe in thought. Frankly speaking, most bars in this area cater to the well-heeled and as the neighborhood has improved (i.e. become more expensive), Gallery continues to offer a unique opportunity where you can have a good time without spending a ton. I'd come for the cheap booze alone, but then there is the entertainment. Gallery draws a diverse collection of eclectic and interesting performers. A nightly soapbox provides artists a space for creative reflection both in comedy and music. Fans of the creative class can enjoy this wide variety of entertainment for hours for the price of a cheap pitcher (or in my case two). Did I mention that you can also buy art there! . read more

This bar makes me want to grab a harmonica and write a soulful ditty about how the yuppies are raising rents in Bucktown. There's a ton of reasons why this bar is awesome: first and foremost being the over-use of those black dry-erase boards with ridiculous colors markered on them. And black lights! The whole place has a vaguely 1970s roller rink vibe to it. And I mean that in the best way possible. The blues act gettin' down the night I was there was super-awesome. Gritty, pure Chicago blues that you wouldn't expect to hear on the north side. And the fact it's in a hidden-away little bar makes it so much more authentic than some neon and flashing lights place with the word "blues" in it. The drink specials, as Erik mentioned below, are awesome. You can't beat the Leinie for that price. The glogg and pizza sounds pretty good too. Kenny, the old bartender, is pretty awesome. But the real draw for me, besides the kick-ass blues music, is the diversity. The photos on the wall are Afro-centric and there are patrons of all colors here to hang out and hear good music. So if you're looking to get away from the all-white, generic yuppie taverns, this place is much more up your alley. They should keep their eye on the frat boy fucktards that wander in here super wasted. But this IS Bucktown, so I guess bitching about the yuppie onslaught would be SO 2001. read more

I've always had a good time here when visiting Chicago. I love stand up comedy and they also have a lot of talented musicians.

What do you say to a place that has been as good to you as GalCab has been to all of us? Thursday is by far the best night to come here. I started coming with some friends who have an even more impressive history with the bar about a year and a half ago. I went religiously for over a year, then I started snowing. I haven't been in a while but it's always the same and excellent when I do manage to drag my ass down there in this weather. I really loved everything about this place the first time I came. Kevin is hilarious, Kenny is my hero and I have a huge crush on Johnny. The drinks are amazing: $4 pitchers, cheap everything else, an amazing glass of glogg or hot buttered rum, it doesn't get any better. Seriously, I know the glogg is scary but try it and you'll be hooked. You can have them make you a pizza or popcorn, there's really just nothing else to ask for. The open mic is really amazing. I'm going to be brutely honest, not everyone is good. But if they're not good, they're good for a laugh (after you leave, of course, let's not be rude). The regulars are fantastic, I could listen to CJ sing Waitin for the Elevator and Green Growing Things forever. Plus, if you hang out by the door no one expects you to listen anyway. Last, the people. First of all I have to say, of course I love the kinds of people here, on some thursdays it's pretty much all of my friends and me. The old guys are great because they want to talk to you but they aren't creepy weirdo bar guys. It's awesome, really, really awesome. It's a lot of hipsters sometimes, but whatevs. I've seen a handful of tools every now and then but they usually don't come back. Pretty much everyone is nice and things are pleasant. read more

It's free, the drinks are strong and inexpensive and Charlie, Emily and Andy are the best hosts! I've never been to a Two Hour Comedy Hour in which a comic has bombed, so that right there makes it amazing because for a free show, you'd think the standards are lower. I assure you, they're not! Also, the bar usually gets crowded which makes for great energy. I am an old and boring person who likes going to bed so the time of 7pm-9pm is perfect for me. Grab an early dinner at the Belly Shack, go to Two Hour Comedy Hour and drink a pitcher of beer (yes, they have pitchers and usually on special), laugh your ass off, and then go home and go to bed :) read more

This is such a fantastic show, held weekly at my favorite bar in the city. I do my best to make it out every week. The hosts are wonderful, hilarious people who book the best comedians in the city as well as fantastic out-of-towners. They really know how to play to the strengths of the room, chatting it up with the tables near the stage while ably corralling the boisterous drunks crowded around the bar. As an added bonus, audience members are encouraged to come on stage in between acts for spelling bees, trivia games, and even the opportunity to try out their own materiel (for 42 seconds). Running from 7 to 9pm, it's such a great way to kick off your Saturday night. It's also free (though gratuity is encouraged); paired with relatively inexpensive drinks at the bar, it's great for an economical first date. I really can't say enough about how much I love this room. read more

You know that feeling of dread you have on Sunday nights? That 'OMG! How is the weekend over already? Ugh.' feeling? Yeah, we all have it - don't lie. Well, lately, my friends and I have discovered that nothing completes a Sunday night more than a chill night at a random dive bar. (And, to be fair, 'dive' does not have a negative connotation in my eyes. If anything, it means a laid-back bar, that's cheap with no hint of pretentiousness.) Destination last night? Gallery Cabaret! +Open Mic Night +$5 pitchers of beer +Free food! Like, chicken, rice, twinkies, chips, what? +Lovely, adorable bartenders +Homey feel (Seriously, like you're in someone's living room.) +Great mix of a crowd (Young, old, hipster, yuppie, biker) Best part? The bar introduced us to 'Red Stag'. I was intrigued by the bottle as I never saw it before. I asked the bartender what it was and he said it was flavored bourbon. Black cherry bourbon, to be exact. I was in love - and proceeded to order up 5 shots. At $4 each! Amazing. So...dive bars on Sunday nights? The absolute best. read more

Just went here for the first time after my boyfriend and his best buddy have been obsessing over it for awhile. I gotto say I'm a fan. $6 Hammesons (can of Hamms and a Jamo shot) were rad and perfect for a little hole-in-the-wall place like this. Then pair it with the open-mic stuff going on, it was all in all a good time. And when I left, the bartender gave me a hug as if she'd known me forever. Nice freaking people! I'll be coming back here for sure. read more

How to rate a dive bar?? There are a lot of hidden dive bars in Bucktown - tiny cash only establishments with cheap PBR on draft. This place has all the "charms" of those places but with some unexpected bonuses. First of all, free live entertainment every night is pretty great. I went on Saturday night and saw some very funny, some very not-funny, and some SO not-funny that it swung back around to funny stand up comedians. Artwork - actual artwork - lines the walls. Unexpected. Nice. And I believe they take credit cards, which in this part of Bucktown is less common in the small bars then you would expect. I'll be back when I'm looking for some gritty entertainment. read more

I recently danced in a giant box of mac & cheese costume to a band playing a song called "Mac & Cheese" here. (picture proof) I then tried to barter the costume from the band and got up to offering them $55.27. They declined. I kept drinking. Good times. Live music. Booth seating available on a Saturday. Cheap pitchers. I'll be back. read more

The Gallery Cabaret was like taking a walk back into the late 60's. There are paintings and photographs from a variety of different artist's donning the walls. The place is a bit run down, but it actually adds to the Aura of the place. They offered Leinenkugal drafts for two bucks, and the owner could not have been nicer to us. Kenny really made us feel at home in his wonderful bar. The music that they played was wonderful. It was a mix of Jazz and Blues from the 50's and early 60's. All that I needed was a Cigar and Martini, to give it a vintage vibe. But the day's of lighting up a good Cigar inside are long over. I have a feeling that if I lived in the area, I would be a regular here. It would be a great bar to call home. read more

We sat down at the far edge of the bar closest to the stage. John the bartender looked sassy in head to toe black (with a matching cap he pulled out later). He immediately sold us on a $5 Leinenkeugel pitcher. The bar smelled somewhat dirty and old with hints of cigarette and pine-sol. A tall thin man kept pacing from one end of the bar to the other. He sat down his MGD shortly from table to table. He smiled like he had a secret to hide. It made me nervous watching him. Another man of an older age (an age I am not familiar with seeing at bars) had a shiney head and all of a sudden took off his maroon sweater to work behind the bar. After 30 minutes, he put it back on to return to the other side of the bar. An hour later, he asked if one of us girls would like to dance. When we replied "maybe after some more drinks", he moved on the next woman closest to us, Player. The jukebox is $1 for 2 songs. But because no one requests anything your choice will be played immediately, that is, while you're still standing looking for your 2nd choice song. Other than that, the playlist for the night was completely Elvis Presley. Hounding the speakers. That man was so nervous because that night he had a performance. A solo debut at the Cabaret Gallery. On the stage, covered in artificial light, with people half listening/half watching, he sang his two songs. I have no idea what they were, except they involved guitar. After a boy man began whispering into my ear about a dating website, telling me I look West Coast, I knew it was time to exit the world of Cabaret into real-time, with fresh air and a cab home. read more

I enjoyed my first time at the Two-Hour Comedy Hour last Saturday and I'll definitely be back! Co-host Katie McVay was charmingly awkward (awkwardly charming?) as ever and astonishingly quick and perceptive Producer Andy Fleming did some of the best crowd work I've experienced in Chicago. That said, last week's headliner, Vince Carone, was disappointing. I truly believe that comedy can be a successful and meaningful vehicle for discussing tough topics like race, obesity and teen pregnancy - but Carone attempted to do so with a complete lack of grace and self-awareness. Also, even though the event is technically free, all donations go directly to the performers and it's important to support artists for their hard work and time. read more

Why did it take me so long to step into this place? - Eclectic crowd: young, old, hippie, almost-preppy, normal, eccentric, etc... - Awesome neighborhood bar with sweet beer specials (pints and PITCHERS!). - GLOGG!! - They'll make you lil' pizzas. - Lots of stuff to read/stare at on the walls and on the bar. - Live music pretty much every night. I had a good time last night, until a group of really drunk Wrigleyville types decided to give me a wrong look. I made my bf nervous by opening my big mouth. Oops! Anyways, hope those jerks aren't always around. People like that ruin a perfectly good place. read more

The Gallery has come a long way in the last ten years. It was once a pathetic place that reminded me something of the Island of Lost Toys for crushed aspiring '70s rocker wanna-bes. It was a place where if something even vaguely resembling a woman walked in, every head would turn as if catching a whiff of a freshly baked Thanksgiving Turkey after weeks of starvation. The crowd was pretty rigid due to the fact that most newcomers were alienated pretty quickly, which I enjoyed because most of the newcomers were third wave gentrifiers looking for and not finding something that appealed to their suburban/fratboy tastes. All that negativity aside, I still loved it. If you've had your fill of the more popular scenes for a while, it can be refreshing to hang out with a bunch of socially stunted weirdos and artists, and some of my favorite people there to this day are people that I imagine were waiting outside the door the day the bar opened. In recent years, some remarkable improvements have happened, however: * The music is getting good, sometimes DAMN good. If the situation continues to improve, I imagine they may one day be thought of as the "Single Door" of Bucktown. One of the biggest draws is "Brian O'Hearn and the Model Citizens," a motley collection of brass musicians from local symphonies that get together here on the last Monday of every month to play big band tunes and a lot of wacky drinking tunes of their own creation. It should be noted that this is not a big bar. It's truly a remarkable experience to see 16+ guys wailing out these tunes while crammed into the back of a small bar. * It took a while, but a few years back the management finally came around and started kicking out the truly crazy people and homeless guys who would crash out in the seats. The crowd scene is now more yuppie-friendly but most of those types are sucked into a nearby "pub" before they find the Gallery. Also, the folks who really appreciate the Gallery are mostly a diverse bunch of locals many of whom aren't failed musicians. The new crowd has managed to incorporate what I once loved only without all of the irritating factors. There are still few total jagoff regulars that come here, but they aren't too hard to spot and avoid. * Women are now actually hanging out here regularly. * The beer selection is vastly improved and they have one of the most incredible drink specials in town. They've got four pint pitchers of Leinenkugel at $5 on Sundays, $4 on Thursdays and a generous $7 regularly. If you want a cheap place to have a few beers with some buddies that won't break your bank, the gallery is it. The only food is chips and frozen pizzas. * There is now live music every night. This is less of an improvement for me. Sometimes I just want to drink and chill out and while the music is definitely much improved, there are a few old acts I've heard enough times to make my ears bleed. Still, there is a lot of fresh blood at the open mic nights and some of it is superb. * They renovated the place. Uh... yeah, you have to see it to believe it. It's not beat up anymore but they still left no doubt that this is one of Chicago's finest dive bars. The modern Gallery is definitely one of chicago's best kept secrets. Also, there are still a lot of broke musicians so if you're tipping a buck a drink or 2-3 per pitcher, the staff will start treating you like a God as long as you're not a jerk. Here's a fun fact: The Smashing Pumpkins used to play here back when they were little more than a desperate garage band. Nowadays it's actually starting to look like a good place for new acts to get some exposure. The "Gallery" component of the name isn't just for sounding cool. They actually display new stuff from local artists on the walls every month. read more

Ahhh, yes, The Gallery. Home of regulars and staff who are of the kind of lowlifes scraped off ( against a brick wall of a foreclosed home) the soul of America that fueled thousands of poems, short stores, and novels of Bukowski. Or better still, the misfits and grotesques written to life out of the shadows by Cormac McCarthy in his semi-autobiographical novel, "Suttree", who populated the work camp and dwelled along side the Tennessee River And the owner? Hell, he's not even alive any more. Just some old graveyard dust, tails of Fire Newts, live Tapeworms, poison from a Puffer fish, and the left eye of six white kittens that some Bokor poured out of her gris gris bag to reanimate some poor soul's corpse to toil back behind that bar till the suburbanites and yuppies totally over run this city and the Galley becomes an upscale spa. If you like exploring feverish dreams the Gallery is your kinda of place. And of course the Gallery operates what is supposed to be an "open mike". But at the Gallery it's less open mike and more dark kaleidoscope of dust bowl vaudeville and the minstrel shows that became popular during the various plagues that depopulated Europe. read more

Best dive bar i have ever been to in chicago. The owner kenny and his son are bad-ass! I love the cheap ass prices and the daily specials! Not one bad thing I can say about this joint but the guys bathroom does suck and there is no private stall which i hate when you have to take care of things lol! now with no smoking I can hang out there all the time and never have a hangover from the smoke lol. The music is fun and decent. Most importantly is behind my house and the owners let me bring my own bottle of crown royal and chanrge me $3.00 a drink which is great when i need a crown and ginger ale! The art is always changing and for sale on the walls. They also have free food on sundays! (revise: now a hipster bar so if you see a bunch of skinny legged pants from boys and girls turn around and try again another day). read more