Draft beer is what to order here. Cocktails are served out of a gun. TVs tuned to all Chicago sporting events as well as major national one. Inexpensive pool and darts as well. Popcorn machine is usually available, free. Ample bathrooms as well. read more

The North End - Beer! - Gay Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My friend Connie and I went too North End today since I'm off on Mondays. And had a great time with Joe who was the bartender on duty. Great guy, beautiful personality. You need to take care of him. He made our early evening quite wonderful read more

The hurtfulness of a bartenders actions and words inspired this review. My grandmother passed away and I began drinking more heavily. Coming to this bar became a ritual...and in one of my last visits I played her FUNERAL song on the juke box. The bartender conspicuously engaged in a conversation with a customer about his dislike for my music, and when I announced the symbolism of the song the room fell silent and he just walked away.. No apology. No accountability. Just a dismissal of my feelings--completely indifferent to the emotional disruption he created for me. My other issue with this bar: the lack of tolerance. I announced myself as bisexual in a conversation with another patron when the SAME bartender that scrutinized the funeral song chose to say, "honey, you're not bisexual. You're GREEDY". Never--not even in straight bars--have I endured such unwarranted judgment around my sexuality. That, along with the rat I saw run in the bar a months ago, are all reasons I rate this bar a "1". (They did get rid of the rat problem. But they didn't get rid of their biphobia and rude-bartender problem) read more

WILL NEVER GO TO THIS BAR AGAIN. Management advertised that they would show the Pacquiao/Mayweather fight--EVEN CONFIRMING VIA DIRECT MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK--and canceled the day of without any announcement! This is yet another BS Boystown bar that claims to be a "sports" bar when in actuality is just another place on Halsted to be served watered down, overpriced drinks. read more

Only come here if you want to have bartenders ignore you, add extra rounds to your tab and water down your drinks.

I realize Market Days is a busy weekend but I expect my bartenders to be attentive and mostly sober. Not so drunk he mistakenly throws out full drinks when my boyfriend and I are talking. This should be a safe environment. Very disappointed tonight. read more

The only saving grace is the sweetheart of a bartender who introduced me to the bar-a brunette, maybe red haired bartender who was so sweet. The other bartender - some brunette chick - told my boyfriend he wasn't allowed to get served. My boyfriend is turning 29 - is actually someone you can actually look up on Wikipedia - and because his ID was cracked, she said he couldn't be served - even though he's been served the last year and a half with that ID. THEN she said that I, nor my friend, could be served because he was with us. WHAT?! He's already been served for not only the last year and a half, but IN YOUR BAR. What bar asks you for ID's once you're already inside and drinking? Really? We left, and we will never go back. When our friends visit, we will not suggest that place, even thought it started as a cool dive bar. Even once my boyfriend gets his ID fixed, we will never go back. She was so rude and mean that we will make sure every friend that ever visits us will never visit the dive bar with the shitty, rude bartender. read more

HORRIBLE bartenders big guy with beard and blonde girl and heavy set girl) They are so consumed with talking to each other and texting on their cell phones. I always hope for improvement so I always try it when in town but ALWAYS dissatisfied. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME. I wish I could give zero stars read more

I think this may well be the first true gay sports bar I've ever been to... Seriously, if it weren't for the (gay) crowd, you'd think yourself in just any other sports bar: big screen TVs... showing sports, pool tables, darts boards etc etc. I'm not usually into sports bars (or should I say... into spectator sports), but I had a pretty good time there. I even played pool (which happens maybe once in a quarter century or so!). The crowd was very mixed, the drinks reasonably priced. Still I must say this isn't exactly my kind of place. read more

This is the closest I will get to Boystown and still have fun. I come for the darts and non pretentiousness. I like that there is a mixed clientele; it's not your standard Boystown bar, thankfully. It's a great place to chat with friends, play some darts, play some pool, and meet some down to earth people. It's not trendy. It's not fancy. Bartenders range from super friendly and helpful to just average. People don't go there for the customer service. LOL! read more

So, what's a nice girl like me doing in a SPORTS BAR..and a gay one at that??!! I am far more comfortable in a gay bar than a sports bar,so..a gay sports bar evens things out! I digress... I was here last night for a comedy open mic run by the nicest guy in Chicago Comedy..Darren Marshall. He runs an open mic here the first Thursday of the month. It is no cover and drinks are reasonable. This was a very welcoming place, I felt at home here,along with my fellow funny people. There was a Dart League at the same time as the open mic,but, they had their own space, we had ours,so it was fine. The stage is atop the pool table..so...be careful,if you are planning on going up..do not get too tipsy,or getting down off the stage will be tricky!! Comics got 10 minutes last night,which is a LOT of time at an open mic. It will vary,depending on how many comics are signed up. Next open mic is March 1st....get there early to sign up and make with the funny! Bartenders were great,attentive and sweet,just the way I like 'em!! read more

Great local bar with daily specials and friendly bartenders. They also have dart boards, pool tables, lots of tvs for those sports lovers and games read more

Many a night at this bar, but sadly after tonight I think it will be my last. If you catch the right bartender (Greg), the night can be fun. If you have to put up with a wanna -be bartender with a bad faux hawk who does nothing but drink behind the bar and ignore you....it is not a fun place to be! He attempted to ring me up three times...twice with someone else's credit card!! Dude...don't drink if you can't work behind the bar!! It's Xmas Eve, it should be fun for everyone, , not just your bestirs who you were doing shots with!! read more

The waiter here was nice but the sporty theme they have going here is a bit weird for the location. The drinks are pretty cheap but it really is nothing special. I had one drink and left for somewhere with better settings and music. read more

One of the few gay bars in Chicago one can go watch sports. Unfortunately, depending on the bartender you may never get to hear the game if he staunchly refuses to turn the sound on in a bar filled with people asking for it. They probably shouldn't advertise that they'll be showing playoff games if having volume depends on the sole bartender's mood that day. The drinks are a bit pricy for their size and there's always at least one straight girl in the bar unnecessarily screaming her head off. I have to add an addendum to my original post. Today when we were there, a group of straight yuppies came in with a baby strapped to one of them. The bartender was told there was in infant in the bar, and she did nothing about it. Apparently, the breeders that have taken over the neighborhood are also free to bring their spawn into establishments that serve alcohol. Because, obviously, there is no where else in the area these straight people can go. read more

Bartender was more drunk then the entire bar. My friend and I asked for a chilled shot of tequila, we took it, and it tasted like the shaker hadn't been washed in days! So disgusting I will NEVER go back! read more

The only "sports bar" where you will hear dudes singing the female parts of showtunes. Bartenders have been less than attentive, and while I love playing pool, I'm not all that down with coin-operated tables. I've never understood the thinking behind them, just get some clocks, take some ids, and charge and extra couple of bucks an hour for renting the table. That way you don't have people constantly asking you for quarters, and you don't have to ignore them. read more

Ok sports bar, but a dump. And the prices are absolutely ridiculous. Same as high end downtown hotel bars, but it's a dump. $5.50 for a bottle of miller lite? In a dive bar? If they put any money back in the bar, I would gladly pay it (like sidetrax does). And NEVER a special. I am done there. I won't go back to a bar that rakes the community and never gives back. read more

This place is a complete dive, there has to be a word below dive and that would NOT sufficiently describe the North End. I guess i was just confused, is it a sports bar trying to be a dance club or a really crappy dance club with way too many tv's. Thats just my opinion some people in my group loved the random mix. read more

So, it's a gay bar, but not the kind that your thinking of. I have never, nor will I ever, been inside a place more unique without even trying to be. It is what you make of it. Daytime is mellow, shows the 'game' usually, and serves up big, cheap beers. Nighttime picks up. There is pool and darts and usually someone to play with if you show up alone. (Take that as you will) It's not generally full of "queens" or "bears" or any other attempt to categorize it, but don't EVER be think you won't be suprised by who walks in the door next. It's friendly, relaxing, and just the kind of place for the gay man who just happens to be that way... I think if you are in the area, you need to at least pop in for one beverage. It may just become your favorite. Miss ya NE..... read more

as a queer woman, I was surprised to have such great service at a gay dude bar. my girlfriend and I were trying to find a bar where we could watch WNBA games. we called them up and they confirmed that it could be done. we got there and they already had the game on and they also put it on another tv that was more convenient for us to see. considering the general anti-gay lady sentiment at male gay dominiated establishments, I was super pleased by this experience. we had a great time and got to watch the whole game. it's definitely not a dive. it's nothing special but your feet don't stick to the floor and everything feels clean. read more

Not classy never crowded which is what you need sometimes. A good gay bar to watch sports if you don't want to travel to Cru. It's laid back and cheap. I love playing pool and there's a bar right there for me. Sometimes have free food which is great if you're brave...but it's clean, no worries. When you don't feel like yelling to have a conversation and drink, this is a good place to go! read more

Probably the best bar to go to for friendly people! Great service, diverse crowd, and plenty of people to meet. Definitely has a leg up on the competition along Boystown row. Read my rant in my review of Roscoe's for why i automatically deduct a point from boystown bars if you need to know my problem with boystown bars. Otherwise, definitely in my top three chicago gay bars. read more

Nice bar to watch sports as well as billards and darts with other guys. Friendly bar staff as well.

Very fun!! I've been here a few times and I always love being somewhere I can play pool or darts AND eat free popcorn!!! Yay!!! Everyone that works here has always been really nice and friendly! Great environment! And lots of fun! read more

Hockey night in Chicago...GO HAWKS. having just converted a lovely couple to the wonder that is fresh I lied to them and told them we were going to a bar that was just right down the street. I picked this one cause I knew it was more down to earth and low key than the rest of boystown, didn't want to scare them with a trip to the lucky Horseshoe. So we walked the short mile and found 3 seats right at the bar. Soon the hockey game was on and all right. The conversations were hilarious and the alcohol was flowing leading to more hilarious conversations. My friend Lori was transfixed on the World's Strongest Man competition. I don't think she glanced away at all even while downing her drinks like a pro....which she is of course. This place is what you make it, so bring some great friends and a thirst for beer and watch your sports. Hawks won 4-2 read more

This bar is real. It is what it is. A sports bar with great service, lots of big screen TVs friendly fun staff. Oh yeah and one of the bartender's is a real porn star how cool is that.!? read more

Small, quaint, sometimes overcrowded but they took out the pool tables so you just lost a star!

One of my friends was starting his bar-tending career here the other night and he invited everyone to come out! After a few amaretto sours and guy watching I called it a night. Good music, fun atmosphere pool tables and darts. Tv for sports (or gay tv shows) I will be back here someday! read more

So you've probably been to the glitzy bars on the south end of Boystown. And they're great on Friday and Saturday night. But they're dead as doornails on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. What's hoppin' on a Monday night? The North End, that's what. Sporty guys playing pool, shooting darts, or just shooting the breeze. And these are men, not the S&M models at the trendy places. Always some eye candy. Always friendly. Make this your Third Base Inn (last stop before home...) read more

I'm surprised by all the great reviews for this place. There must be an evil twin of this bar, because that's the place I was at last night. The mixed drinks were not good. The staff certainly was not friendly. In fact, some were so rude that they are reason for this bad review. Hated it and won't be back. read more

this place was a disaster. not only was it empty at midnight on a wednesday (when the rest of halsted is bustling), but the management and staff are rude and abusive. I left my iphone on the bar (accidently) while i went to the bathroom, and came back to find it soaking in a glass of water. THANKS bartender. total waste of money and time. try the bars a little south of here and save yourself the headache, walk, and money. read more

This place is awesome! A gay bar with a truly divey atmosphere!! There are darts and pool. Also, I dare you find a better price for drinks at any other gay bar in Boystown. The music also won't give you a migraine and you can hold a conversation with others without screaming or using sign language. I will definitely be back! read more

The bartender that was there was so messed on something,that it was ridiculous. He couldn't even get the order right and had to ask me twice to get the order right. This is not the first time this has happened in this bar. The bartenders drink or whatever behind the bar way too much, its way too hard to get a cocktail. I will never be back and would not recommend this place to any one. There was also a stench in the bar that is unexplainable, it smelled like a dead body was under the floor and a urinal exploded ... GROSS!! Prices are way too high for what you get in this place, there are plenty of other bars down the street that have good staff and that dont smell .. read more

Hey I am a homo thats not too into sports. I just like this bar. I like the big beers, i like the music, usually, i like the darts and the no attitude crowd. I even dont mind standing elbow to elbow to pee. Its fun. The bar and ok the bathroom too. But its not dirty like that so stop thinking that. The bartenders can be dirty like that tho. read more

One of my favorite bars in Boystown. Service is excellent, drinks are strong, and the bartenders are very crazy (but in a good way). There are pool tables (not a good cue to be found though), darts, and an array of TV's. But you wont be watching because you'll probably end up shit faced. Low key, not overly twinky and generally not overly crowded. Love this place!! Free Condoms just check the window seals. read more

Great for darts and pool. The dart machines are excellent and have a ton of games. Never thought id enjoy darts much but always have a good time. They also serve pitchers, hard to find in the city! Typically a mellow crowd. They also have a great iTunes Jukebox read more

Gotta love the change of scene from the rest of Halsted. Yeah it might not be hip, or very clean, but hands down probably the only bar in boystown where you are guaranteed to have a good time. Go to the clubs for dancing, go the North End for some quality fun with friends. Always a diverse crowd. They should get a juke box! read more

I was here with David S., Sean K. and my friend Scott thanks to the great reviews this place got and can I say, I did not think it would be like a real sports bar! It was really laidback and refreshing in all honesty and not usually my kind of place but I really enjoyed myself. I had a huge beer (sooo manly, I know), played pool and darts and even watched a little sports, all in one night! How great is that! There was a healthy and rather varied crowd, and I bet it's a lot minglier on a big sporting day. I'd love to be here during the US Open or something. read more

If you are a man who likes hanging out with other men, doing man things...yet also likes to take these men home and undress them...North End is the spot for you. It is very laid back, friendly, and just an all around great place to hang out. They have pool tables, a few dart boards, and karaoke on certain nights. There are also several big screens showing every kind of sporting event you could imagine. And even if you are not a fan of watching sports, which I definitely am not, you can't deny those boys in the tight singlets rolling around all over each other are hot! Also I am not sure if this is a regular thing, but one night randomly they set up a nacho bar. Awesome! My only gripe is that they use a machine to measure out the shots, I know that it pours the same amount that you generally get anywhere else (well except for those certain places we all know and love) but for some reason I feel like I am getting cheated. My solution to this is to drink the massive mugs of draft beer which suit me juuust fine. read more