In the beginning the bartender was a little mean but then she started to warm up to us. Um I kinda like this place, it was my first time there and I enjoyed myself. They could make this bar so much more then what it is but it was a laid back chill environment that might just really been known to the locals. Although I didn't get a chance to play pool they have a pool table in the back. They do not serve food but i heard rumors that you can get food from across the street and bring it there to eat and drink but idk. Drinks are decent so I am ready to go back read more

Sundays are the best $4 drinks whatever you want! Small spit with great music try them out

A hidden gem in the neighborhood. We rented an apartment for a night at Forest Park and did not want to drive to city center at night so walked around the house and found 2 bars. First one was called " Old School ", we walked in but there was an oily smell so crossed the street and sat down at the bar of Pioneer Tap. There was a blonde nice lady at the bar, we order 2 Stellas, a Guiness and another beer, total $14.25, $14.25!! :) So cheap! 2 round was less than $30 :) Enjoyed our time here, they have a lot of to go options as well. Do not expect a fancy place but a reasonable, simple bar. read more

The Pioneer Tap - Bars Near Me - Forest Park, Illinois

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A good friend lives nearby, so we would periodically stop in for a few late night drinks and it's pretty much your typical surrounding Chicagoland bar. I didn't feel a warm and welcoming demeanor from bartenders, rather pretty bland and basic and sub-standard. I got the impression that they're grasping for air with respect to identity. The decor is typical and if they do have specials or events, it wasn't evident in any visible or mentionable promotions. They have a nice space, but doesn't seem to be utilizing it properly. I didnt see any security (checking IDs, etc) and the clientele seems a bit sketchy and loud and obnoxious, particular after last call when folks are departing. This is a neighborhood bar, which means people are asleep in nearby apartments and homes... so kinda' helps to encourage your guests to be mindful of that when departing. And while I think everyone deserves an opportunity to display their hospitality gifts, I think perhaps they should put some younger, faster, more attractive bartenders behind the bar. May draw a fresh, energetic crowd. Would I return?! I'm not sure in all fairness. A drink is a drink... but atmosphere and guest experience is paramount... to me, anyway. read more

Definitely a little divey (some creepy dudes were checking out two girls like it was their job), and my boyfriend never wants to go there at night time, but during the day we had a nice time. They have a decent tap list with beer sizes of 16 and 32oz! That seems excessive(ly awesome). They a lot of drink specials and it looks like you can still buy beer to go here too. The selection in the refrigerator cases looked eclectic too, with good variety! My guy and I both got doubles of mixed drinks. The total for those two was $12, which for two doubles is a-ok in my book! I would give this place another try when bar hoppin'. read more

There's an old man first shift and a college student second shift. They no longer offer carryout, and I don't think clean is the word I would use. It was formerly three smallish rooms and is now one big awkward room with a dart board and golden tee, and a smaller room with a stage and pool table. If you're really unlucky there might be a band or karaoke. This is not a place to come if an attentive bartender and good beer selection is high on your list. There are some extremely nice regulars, and a few who really need an intervention. You've been warned. read more

Went here on Saturday night at about 11pm to see a band, Mighty Joe. This place is a neighborhood bar. It's really large, darts, Golden Tee, bar-top game, billiard tables, and even take-out liquor. It's much larger on the inside than the outside. And the whole evening it was a really nice temperature- not all hot and stuffy like most bars seem to get late in the night. The music was excellent, the beers were reasonable, and the ladies restrooms clean. A very neighborhood-y, come as you are crowd. very casual, everyone very nice. Everyone there seemed to be about 30 or older, so no real wild or rowdy people. Street parking is all that's available. It said 2 hour minimum, but we were there about 3, and no ticket or anything. read more

The Pioneer Tap is the best place for Live Music in Forest Park. They have Open Mic every Wednesday which turns out to be a giant jam session with people coming and going. It's amazing to see. They also have some of the most entertaining bartenders around. It's never a dull night at The Tap. Plus the drinks are dirt cheap, was less than on Madison street 2 blocks away! read more

The Pioneer Tap - the sign for the restaurant - Bars Near Me - Forest Park, Illinois

I passed by this place a million times but never made it in because, like most people, Madison St. or Lake St. come to mind first when going to Forest/Oak Park on a the weekend. After a failed attempt to try another new(to me) bar nearby, it finally hit me to come here. Yeah, it's a neighborhood bar but so what? The first thing you notice it that it wraps around the corner of Des Plaines and Randolph. It has a a large window that extends nearly floor to ceiling that they open when the weather is nice(which it was). The space is deceptively large too. For me I liked the fact that it was nice and open and not cramped like some places downtown. Aside from that, it wasn't packed either, which I like. There were a few regulars and maybe 20 others total. One of the reasons I give it 4 stars is because it's significantly quieter that anything on Madison, which means less drunk college kids running around. There isn't loud music, just the electronic juke box for picking your music. The drinks are pretty cheap and it's spacious. So yes, it's not a fancy bar but i like it for a simple Sat night. Sometimes you need that and this place fits the bill perfectly. I think I just found my new "goto." read more

The crowd was nice to music was nice ..the bar is a nice bar only thing i had a problem with NO ONE had on MASKS not even the BARTENDERS only POLICE SECURITY had on masks.. and needs more ALCOHOL please follow the safety policies for these bars stay safe BBP read more

Um. I mean. This place is super dive-y. If you just want to chill and talk - this place is perfect. It's really nice in the summer-time because they have gigantic windows that make you feel like you're sitting at a bar in the street. Who doesn't love that? Also our bartender was pretty awesome : ) read more

Awesome owner. Awesome fun bartenders. Great drinks Extraordinary time. Come here and enjoy urself! read more

Pioneer Tap, is one of the best looking & friendliest bars in town..... and also the home of The WORKSHOP. read more

Just had a TERRIBLE one of kind experience, I came to this bar to meet 2 close friends. I had a seat at the bar, the bartender approached me right away and asked me what I like to drink. I let him know it would be a moment and that my friends would arrive shortly. I entered the bar with a dunking donut coffee and intended on finishing before I begun drinking beer. I was then approached by a second man (was not the bartender possibly the owner), he told me that that they sold items to drink and I couldn't have my coffee. I explained to the man (older large white male with gray hair), that my friends were minutes away and we were going to have some beers. He then began to shout at me in front customers and employees that I needed to leave now. Mind you, I have not done anything but sat at the bar and asked for few minutes before I ordered, I also thought the guy as many bar personalities was just making conversation. As I stood up to leave, pretty much shocked, he then shouted to "go walk across the street and that's were I can drink my coffee", he appeared to be mad as I if I was challenging him. This bar is in Forest Park the same village I live in and the customer service standard is awesome across the board. I immediately called my friends to warn them about this and created this review. People should know about this and how ridiculous this individual running this bar is. I am a easy to please person with no real expectations from anyone, but with that being said I would never give this bar my business or recommend it. There are many places in Forest Park that would appreciate your business. read more

The Pioneer Tap - the sign for the restaurant - Bars Near Me - Forest Park, Illinois

Oh the 'Neer. Great bar. Get some Sub T and they let you eat your food at the bar if you happen to venture across the street. Once I was there, and it literally was a few of my friends, and then three other people. Very low key Tuesday night over a Christmas break from college. Fargo came onto the tv and we literally sat, and drank, and hung out and watched Fargo. As depressing as that sounds, it was actually really fun. read more

I absolutely love Pioneer Tap. The drinks are very tasty and reasonably priced. The staff is always friendly and Haley is the best bartender in the west suburbs. She makes you feel like a member of the family and even remembers how I like my drinks. The place isn't always packed so you can usually get a seat. They also have a cool jukebox so you can pick and pay for the songs you like to hear. read more

The place is outdated with old farts and weird looking bartenders. Ones a giant, ones anorexic, the other is gothish and they all have no brains. They sound like they didn't graduate from high school because they don't know how to hold a conversation. This place needs to be power washed and done over. Such a weird layout and with 1980 tube tv's. No wonder 80 year olds come here. The washroom is freezing cold. The tables are all warped. Everyone needs a good sanitation class because you could see how filthy it is behind the bar. Never Again!!! read more

Many better bars in Forest park than this difficult to find one. Most of what they have is in bottles and there is not much else good to say about this place. it reeks of alcohal and spilled drafts all over the place and they should probabely mop more than once a week. read more

This is a great place to get drunk because it's a bar and they serve alcohol. It's a total dive but not to bad. If you get lucky you could get this bartender named joy. One time I saw her struggle with serving somebody a pretzel. The dumb broad couldn't get the frozen pretzels torn apart. I said hey boy genius put em in the microwave for a little and then you can tear em apart. It worked. Anyway this place has a music machine and like I said it's a good place to drink alcohol. Also sub t is across the street and that's a good place to get food. So now you got one place to drink and another place to get food. What else do you need, I mean hahaha that's life. Anway I like to drink read more

Hey, this place is great! Especially since they're going to have me (Freddy Flow) perform on Aug 23 at 9 p.m. I will be joined by the acoustic duo Country Death Trip. read more

Don't know how anyone would call the owner(s) racist, place is great local hangout. Some places in Forest Park have signs prohibiting sagging pants, backwards ball caps, now those are racist. Very diverse, fun crowd, great bartenders (for the most part) and great music. Love the new jukebox jams! read more