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    The Gallery Cabaret

    4.2 (163 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    The Gallery Cabaret Photos

    THE GALLERY CABARET ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Divey
    Loud
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Gallery Cabaret

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    Winnie C.

    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.

    Local punk musician/Gallery Cabaret regular patron, Adam Rebelius playing on the stage at the Thursday Night open mike
    Adam R.

    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.

    Sangria at the Gallery Caberet. Large glass, icy cold, only $5. You know you want one!
    Lainie P.

    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.

    An P.

    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.

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    1 year ago

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

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    3 years ago

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

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    6 years ago

    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.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - The Gallery Cabaret

    Review Highlights - The Gallery Cabaret

    I had been looking for an open mic for a few weeks, and I stumbled across the Gallery on an open mic review site.

    Mentioned in 25 reviews

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    The Gallery Cabaret - bars - Updated May 2026

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