Mike the bartender was shockingly rude. I've worked in the service industry for years, and his demeanor was genuinely bizarre. I don't drink, so I asked for a regular water in a Guinness glass -- not one of the tiny self-serve cups. He refused and told me he "loses" those glasses. So if I ordered an actual Guinness, I'd get the glass... but because I'm sober, I can't? The irony is they were out of Guinness anyway because my friends had already tried to order it. It's extremely disappointing strange behavior. Sober patrons deserve the same respect and service as anyone else. If basic requests irritate you, maybe the bar industry isn't the right place to be working. I hope you reevaluate your career path and find happiness mike! read more

I love The Store. We did a Dive Bar Wednesday here years ago and tried to do it again but it seemed to be closed. This was very sad because DBW really peaked at The Store and it wasn't quite as legendary ever again, IMO. Yesterday, we were doing Dive Bar Wednesday on Saturday (DBWoS) and were at the Marquee Lounge. It was good there for a little bit but myself and others yearned for The Store. I popped my head outside and saw people going in and out of The Store. "COULD IT BE?! Is The Store open?!" It was and we were so back. So we went to The Store for a really long time and we were SO back - we had like 20 people, maybe more. Some highlights: - My buddy Ross asked me what was behind the double doors and I jokingly said "a secret bar" and that turned out to be true. - We coerced UVM Mike into taking like 3 Malört shots, so that was sick. He and Ross got into it about public transit so he fled The Store and took the Halsted bus back to Fulton Market - My friend Nick had an epiphany and decided that he should move back to Chicago so that he can hit the store every single day Service was a little slow but they were slammed so I get it honestly. NBD. Anyway, welcome back The Store. I can't wait to go again today read more

The Store - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The Store is not a bore. There's so much more. The Store has live music galore! Booze is its core, no food, so bring some from next door. On this night there was pizza free with a pint or pour. The staff is I did adore, cause they could make a gimlet and more. So, come play games, or make your own dance floor. At The Store, you may even score. read more

The Store - Live music - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Classic dive bar. Don't expect more than that and you'll love your experience. Crowd was nice. Service was normal for Chicago bars. Drinks were good and touch tunes helped set the vibe read more

Had my birthday here last week and it was an absolute blast! Kevin was on top of it with keeping me updated on times or changes and Mary was the best bartender!! Their back room is so roomy but private with plenty of space to chat and dance. Loved every minute of our time there. Will definitely be back and would recommend everyone to throw their next gathering at The Store!! read more

Everything you could ever want in a dive bar! The atmosphere is so amazing. The bartenders have never been anything apart from welcoming

What a cool bar, dive bar none the less. Relaxed atmosphere with a second room where the live bands and performances happen. Visited and listened to several good bands perform live. That night I got a mixture of light rock, R&B, and country. Limited seating in the second room so mostly standing room only. At the main entrance they have lots of tv to view games and some arcade games. The bartender was nice and place is clean. read more

The Store - a bar with a lot of bottles and glasses - Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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After you're hit with the smell of urinal cakes the owner/bartender is militant and unwelcoming. She is condescending and treats everyone like incompetent assholes when really she just shouldn't be in the service industry. 8=====D read more

20 years ago my dad said he was going to the store for cigarettes and I never saw him again. Well today when I passed by and found the store I was filled with excitement to finally see my dad again. When I walked in I was shocked, this store doesn't sell cigarettes but beers instead, my next favorite thing after poor relationships with my family. My bartender Chris was more than welcome and kept the shots coming. The basketball hoop in the back helped keep me occupied as I waited for my dad to show up but he never came. I decided to check out the menu and the amount of fried foods available was extensive!!! I never did find my father but I did wake up with a black eye that I'm unsure of how it got there. Anyways, I don't blame my dad for never coming back cause the store is not worth leaving. read more

Dropped in for the first time this weekend. Showed up just shy of 9pm. One bartender ignored the 15 or so people at the bar. Began to pull and count the register. Another bartender stood off to the sidelines. About twenty minutes go by with NO service to anyone. A man asks the bartender for a drink to which he snaps back, "No, I'm not on the clock yet!" Very, very rude. Once the man does "get on the clock" he proceeds to pick and choose in what order he wants to refill drinks despite being aware that some people had been waiting for at least 20 minutes. A woman orders a shandy. He drops a lemon in the glass as a garnish and she - very understandably - asks what he just tossed in the glass. He gets defensive, argues that it was a lemon and then proceeds to snatch the glass from her, dump it, and angrily pour a new one. He then spent the next 10 minutes kicking and slamming things around all the while complaining. there's no reason on earth why the staff should be that unprofessional, rude, and downright disrespectful. This dude wasn't even young, looked to be at least 40. Don't like your job? Leave! People are paying to drink there, but if it's always like that - god knows why. I don't see myself ever returning. read more

My friend decided to have this birthday party in the backroom. In order to get into the back area, we had to pay $35 to get in there. From 9pm to 12am, we got unlimited drinks. I got my fair share worth of drinks, but my other friend did even more so than I. I thought the backroom was an intimate setting. I think it bodes well if you are having a birthday party or a private function. Since this is a small place, the restroom facilities are very limited. My friend was trying to get a towel from the dispenser and the whole thing fell on him. However, if it wasn't for that party, I would prefer to go somewhere else. read more

One of the male bartenders here has a really bad attitude. He's extremely rude and aggressive for no reason at all. Bad experiences with him

Our last stop of the night after a long day of travel to Chicago, The Store was recommended for a good place for an after-hours night cap. This place is awesome and exactly what you would expect. Cheap drinks with a fun crowd of people. There was plenty of seating and service was good. Would recommend. read more

4am BAR in Lincoln Park. __________________________ What else is there to know? Ok, fine...a few other things... "The Store" is an adequate name for a bar that's sort of just...there. Ya know...not bad. Not great. Some redeeming qualities, but not super star, get me up on the bar, I'mma gonna drink my liver full tonight kind of place. Well, maybe for some people it is. It IS open til 4am. In Lincoln Park. I can imagine the post-2am crowd is delightful. I was there closer to the midnight witchin' hour....so I cannot complain about the crowd. In fact it was decidedly quiet/calm, and not Depaul student looking at all. Pop-a-Shot Basketball (I'm above average, thankyou) Cheapish Beer ($3 bottle specials, its all relative) Big Buck Hunter Game Divey bathrooms Older bartenders (thankfully, older than 21...I wonder at some places) No Food I'm not racing back, but if I found myself in this neighborhood I'd certainly choose it over the myriad of pub-in-boxes, et al. Oh, and I'lll challenge you to oval-rimmed bball shootout, too. I betcha I can win. Maybe. read more

Even if I am somewhat a fan of college and late night bars, I can't say I will head back to this place. I was a little turned off by the $5 cover charge, but no biggie. Within a minute of walking in, I moved an empty stool from the bar so I could move in and get a drink. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I felt a DEATH CLAW on my shoulder, the stool was ripped from my hands, and a scary man shook his head at me and said "put it back". Another young man made the same mistake about 5 minutes later, so at least I knew the "stool monitor" was not completely against me. Even if the drinks were cheap and made well, something like that can really ruin a bar experience. If they had a $10 cover like some reviews have said, I would DEFINITELY pass it up for a much better scene. Yakzies anyone? read more

A typical dive bar with some cool events and specials scattered throughout the week. For some reason, when we went, the TVs were showing the news (and nothing else) - that was a little confusing to me since it is a sports bar. I didn't really care, but thought it was a little strange. Live music, golf and basketball games in the back of the bar were fun. read more

During open mics, they have $2 drafts. Yum. What's also great is they will record you for no money. And the host gives you a CD in about 20 minutes. Spectacular. Also, the host is an amazing performer. The back room is tiny, but it's beautiful. Performers, this is a place to try! read more

I am indeed a HYPOCRITE. At least, when it comes to the store. I HATE it and COMPLAIN about it and rant for hours. But come 3 in the morning, I go there. Often, at least in the past. Sigh. Gross-factors: Popped-collar college kids: Falling over, groping, spinning around in the form of dance in the smallest space ever, yelling in your ear, trying to pick you as they are stumbling over words. HOT (as in warm), smoky (even after smoking ban..weird) smelly. AND they charge a cover! EXCUSE me... for WHAT a little patch of grimy floor to stand on as drunk men try to grab my ass? Or the expensive, watery drinks, maybe?? We almost always talk our way out of the cover. But, on principal, I cant stand it... So go there at your own risk. I do. I know, WHAT is wrong with me?? sigh. read more

I have a strong issue with this place. First, Its a dive...its small, dark, nothing special Second, and way more importantly they are RUDE. I left my credit card there after a long, crazy night. I called them the next day to make sure it was still there and they let me know that it was. I told them I would be in two days from then and they said it was ok. When I got there the guy was very rude and mean to me! "I have no clue what your talking about and I dont know what to tell you we dont have your card". He didnt even really look or care and I was in tears because it was my boyfriends birthday and needed my credit card to take him out! I will not be back on pure principal...that place sucks. read more

I feel like I am another clown in the tiny car cause this place is always jam packed. On one occasion I had some friends from England and Australia staying with me and we ended up at the store. We didn't make it more than 20 feet from the door because they apparently just keep letting in douche bag after douche bag. (one of which I watched spit his chewing tobacco on the floor). WOW, Really though dude?? More recently I ended up there and had to pay a $5 cover...what in the? Still just as crowded only this time around I found out there is this side room that you actually think is a coat room...there was an odd crowd of what seemed like biker moms and dads, mixed among the early 20 somethings and DePaul kids. I also made it to the back of the bar and played some Bball which is the reason this place is getting a 2nd star. **oh yeah and good thing I'm not fat or I wouldn't fit in the bathroom, drinks were average priced, but I still think that paying cover is BS. read more

For a good part of my life, the only reason I knew about the store was from my credit card statements. This Late Night Bar is where all the bar patrons gather to come get one last chance at scoring or possibly just one more drink. A great place overall, with great service and quality drinks, this place is definitely a staple in the lincoln park bar scene. A basketball machine in the back seems to be a very popular excitement and the specials are really decent, specially since they get crowds coming in round 2 each night. Bring cash if you come round 2, there is a small cover. Enjoy! read more

It's been a few days since I ventured into The Store after 2 am and quite honestly...I still can't figure out what I think of it. First off, $5 cover for a dive that was only going to be open for another 2 hours...personally I think that's a little wack, but I did get a drink ticket for reasons unknown to me, so I guess that balances out since I didn't actually pay for my one drink there. It was crowded...interesting crowd. I'm used to crowds being a bit more insane at late night spots, but everyone seemed to be standing or sitting around talking for the most part. I only spotted one couple slobbing each other down disgustingly, that was sadly refreshing. I could barely hear the music but it was just okay. So the big question is, would I come back? Here's my rationale: I, being a glutton for punishment, have been to Big City Tap three times in life. Feel free to reference my review of them to see my feelings on that. I also survived Tai's Til 4. The Store was not as tragic as either of those places, so I can't say that I wouldn't go back. I wouldn't necessarily seek it out, but if I stumble across it, I wouldn't be vehemently opposed to popping in. read more

Ahh. The 4 o'clock bar. Whenever I'm drinking on Lincoln and want to keep the party going past 2 am, I find myself here. That late in the night, there's no drink specials besides maybe a Beer of the Month but that never bothered me much (probably because I was too drunk to let it). I have lots of great memories here. Funny stuff that me and my friends still talk about to this day. Great times have been had here. Friday and Saturday night after all the other bars close is probably not the best time to go. But when you are intoxicated, sometimes you don't make all the right decisions. College kids and rookie drinkers abound those nights. I prefer to hit The Store on a weekend night when the crowd has more veterans. And the staff is cool, firm, and fair. That was another reason why I like the place so much. Too bad I don't get to hit the place up as much as I used to since I moved farther from it. read more

This used to be my fav. late night place. Now that I'm a few years out of college, live in the neighborhood and the thought of starting my night out at 11:00 or midnight is preposterous, I really appreciate the relaxed, low key atmosphere that exists before the late-night shenanigans begin. Cheap drinks for the area, and they always have a really $2 beer on special so you never have to break the bank. Great neighborhood bar. The only downside is also kind of a plus side--it's right by 7-11. Makes it easy to grab a snack or icee for the walk home, but the outside area does get pretty crowded. read more

Average local joint with a decent juke. Not somewhere I would ever go unless my friends wanted to hit it, but hell they have $1 high life on tuesdays so that's good enough for me. Met some odd folks in there, and a couple women and their effeminate progressive boyfriends got all bent out of shape because I was quoting Andrew Dice Clay and the Mentors. Lighten up people. "She's a woman with no soul, she's got a guy in every..." read more

Stumbled in here on the 16th after determining Manhandler up the street was a total bore. This place is fun and festive and everyone will welcome you with open arms. A very fun environment! Loved it! read more

Absolutely love this place the bouncer the staff the prices, everything! I recommend heading here if you want a nice dive-ish bar. They have karaoke sometimes and they have a goops shooter game too. read more

This is my first Yelp review ever. I am seriously not the type of person to write a bad review out of nothing because I work in a the service industry. There were four people in The Store. I quietly entered and took a seat to do some reading. The bartender came over to and asked if he could get me anything. I politely said "not at the moment." He replied: "You can't just come in here to study and order nothing." I got up and said "Ok, I was going to order something but I'll take my business elsewhere" He replied, oddly hostile: "Well! I asked you if you wanted something?!" I repeated, "and I said not at the moment" He ended our exchange with "Yeah, you can take your business elsewhere." I don't know why I'm honestly so appalled! I live in the neighborhood and was excited to pay the business a visit because it seems like my vibe. The hospitality business is called the hospitality business for a reason. I had the intention to order something, and there were four people in the place! Ok done can't believe I wasted my time degrading another business but:) read more

My favorite bar in Chicago. Just a laid back, easy going bar where you enjoy yourself. Go enjoy a simple beer and have a good time. Always great service as well. read more

When I worked in a famous kitchen in Chicago on Saturday nights after work we would come here and get our drink on and it was great, usually both the rooms were open and full of people and great prices on the beers and shots. I stopped back into the store to catch up with some of my former coworkers and it seemed like old times, the bartenders were the same as were the prices. Sure the Store is not the best bar in Chicago, but it was our neighborhood bar. The floor is always sticky so just watch out. read more

SO. FRICKEN. AWESOME! Honestly the crowd is rad as hell! Gino the bartender is a sweetheart and super awesome! I had the most fun here ever! The only part that was weird was that the people that took me here, I was trying to have fun, but they were being weird and poopers so they left leaving most of their beers behind which I also couldn't understand. Anyways, after they left I met so many amazing people, one after another...this is what's awesome about Chicago, so many different people from all walks of life, and it was literally the most fun I've had in a long time, and I really cannot wait to come again! Thanks Lincoln Park for having such an awesome bar! read more

It's open very late on weekdays, and they have Guinness. Plus I can walk there, then stumble home. What more can you ask for?

Pretty standard looking bar in Lincoln Park, except they have some basketball machines in the back that seem to be pretty popular. We came here one night for a private show in the adjacent room. The room was small and intimate but they had their own bar, which was convenient. Drink prices are standard, they're open late, and the staff is friendly enough. Just didn't love the vibe, it was pretty dead for a Friday night. read more

There is nothing special about this place. I was there on a Saturday night to see my husband's band play. The performance space was cramped. The clientele was obnoxious. The bathrooms were small and disgusting. No good beer specials. Just no good. read more

Went to The Store towards the end of the night after a long dinner. Had a drink there and got threatened by the bouncer who said, " I'm going to smash your head in" because it was 59 degrees outside and I was freezing and asked to stay inside until their close at 4am. I am a female who is 5'7" and 110 lbs. He was likely coked out and had an Odell Beckham Jr haircut. Beware! (I have video footage) read more

can't complain. it is what it is, a late-night bar. i hope you don't go here sober expecting something, you will be sorely disappointed. if you are not sober enough to go here, a big fat MEH for this place - even a wastoid like me can discern crap 4 am bars from good 4 am bars - this ain't it. read more

I like the music, cheap drinks, and Pop-A-Shot machine in back. But this bar is not worth the $10 cover they start charging after midnight! Plus, it gets ridiculously crowded and tough to order drinks or move around. read more

Our friends band has played the back room a couple times this year, we always attend. Small space but the establishment has always been accommodating to their performance artist. We have never had a problem until Saturday night. On Saturday night the bartender in the back room went from 0 to 60 in 5 seconds flat. He started yelling at the girl doing performance art (after she had been doing it for 20 minutes, also she has been there many times before) accusing her of being "wasted" and hitting people. Neither of which were even slightly true. We had not had half a drink yet. He then had Security remove our party (so unnecessary, we were half of the paying customers in the room at 12:30am). All he had to do was ask the girl to stop and she immediately would have. There was no warning, no explanation and a lot of him & his finger over the bar in our faces while he screamed at her (SHE IS ALL OF 5ft tall! NO THREAT HERE) and had security forcibly remove some of the most low key, respectful bar patrons you will ever meet. A simple "hey, that is not going to work in here tonight" would have sufficed. Instead he threw out paying, repeat customers because for some reason all of the sudden he got ticked off. Never in all my years of working in the entertainment and hospitality industries have I been treated like that. For that kind of anger & reaction he should be considered a liability to the establishment. ...as we were being kicked out several other bar staff told us not to worry about it, that they had enjoyed the performance and that we were of course welcome there. Funny way of showing it. read more

Best late night stop in the area. Popular w/ local Service Industry workers. Extra credit for carding my 50 y/o bf. Good selection of beers and other various libations. Decent prices, quick service & people that mind their own business. This is where you want to be in Chicago when you want to forget Chicago. It only gets 3 stars b/c it's a 3 star kind of place. For achieving that, does it mean I should give 5 stars? read more

I have coming to this bar for years and recently revisited it on a trip back. For a late night bar I would say this is one of the funnest I have been to I have never been here any earlier than about 3am and I can't imagine to many other people here earlier than that but I often find myself enjoying the store more than where I started out. I have been to this place many times as i used to live in the neiborhood and from my prospective it brings in the following crowds. 1. y-d-d-k's(young dumb depaul kids) which are generally annoying but there is usually some cute girls there who have been hanging out with immature male classmates so they're usually thrilled to hangout with non fratboys. 2. The early shift- bartenders or other service industry folk that are lucky enough to have found a solid job that doesn't keep them up till the asscrack of dawn. 3. Runoff from cubbies games still sporting jerseys and wrigleyville obnoxiousnous. 4. The classic neiborhood alcy. You might be saying to yourself "this doesn't really sound like a great crowd why would danny give this bar such high marks." I honestly don't know but somehow I've managed to never really have a bad time here. You just gotta see for urself. read more