I'm back to update my previous review. I finally got the chance to come back to The Wild Hare for the full dine-in and live music experience. I'm really glad I did. Our server was quick and pleasant. He was refilling and offering new drinks before we even knew we needed them. I'm not even sure I really considered the menu because I really came to retry the oxtail and rice & peas. I was not disappointed, and there was nothing but tailbones left on my plate. Ambiance is fun at The Wild Hare. The live music in the back room int he evenings are definitely where it's at. I would recommend checking out the event calendar on their website to help pick which day you may want to come. My only complaint is that I really wish the DJ played more reggae in the restaurant. I expected to have a full reggae night, but all the way up until the live band, it was mostly hip hop and R&B with the occasional reggae throwback. Give us more; we came for the reggae vibes! read more

Came here on a Sunday after. They had drink specials available. We were able to find parking right out front. On this occasion there were drink specials. Grabbed $7 margarita (special) which was tasty. For food my husband and I shared the full lb of rib tips and fries. We thought they were tasty. We met up with some friends celebrating a March birth (Aries). The bar crowd was friendly...everyone just enjoying the music and each other. Bathrooms were big and never had an issue getting a stall. Security present and overall just a fun experience. Would love to come back when they have a live band playing. read more

The Wild Hare - Stage in second room - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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If you loved the "old" Wild Hare, this one on Fulton st. does not compare. Was charged for a "ticketed event", but the performers didn't show up. Terrible space. Seems like we were in a dark basement with a make-shift bar. Will never go back. read more

The Wild Hare - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

No reggae music. Two male owners cant handle a bar environment. One pours drinks while the other takes food orders. I tried ordering food he took the girl in front of me and skipped me then took the guys behind me. I made it to the bar and the other guy told me if im being ignored its nothing he can do they are both owners and i just have to wait. Worst experience for my first time going and im not even from Chicago. Every other bar in the city I would highly recommend before this one. The blues bar was much better. Oh and I forgot to mention in my google review that tickets are $30/person not worth it read more

Amazing food! You must try the jerk nachos and wings!!!! I had such a great time Sunday! Also live music , they are also on Uber eats. read more

The Wild Hare - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Exceptional service at the bar! Great music and delicious food! The DJ was on fire with a mix of old hip hop! read more

The Wild Hare - Blackened catfish, cabbage, rice and peas, and plantain - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I would give it no stars if I could. I reserved a table for 7pm on 01 30 2025 for my birthday. Come to the location and they are completely CLOSED DOWN. Then had the nerve to send me reminders of my reservation. No one should be allowed to make reservations at this location if they are closed down. read more

The service is AMAZINGLY GOOD! And the bar has ambiance that makes you feel at home. This is the best bar I've been to in the Chicago area. read more

Best jerk chicken I've had in Chicago, maybe ever! My girlfriend and I were in the mood for jerk chicken and this place had solid reviews so we decided to check it out. The place was smaller than expected but had a nice ambiance and laidback vibe with the bar, tables, and music all pretty close to each other. The menu is short but hits all the basics you'd expect Carribean restaurant: jerk chicken, brown stew chicken, oxtails, shrimp and fish dishes, plantains, rice and beans, etc. We got an order of their jerk wings and a jerk chicken platter (with rice+beans and plantains). The platter had a breast, drumstick and thigh, and the wings were 6 to an order; all of the meat was seasoned and cooked perfectly, with a dark and almost blackened exterior but meat that was juicy and fall off the bone. They were both served with a nice savory sweet jerk dipping sauce, but honestly the chicken was so perfectly cooked it didn't need it. I've had jerk chicken in a number of places in Philly and Chicago, and this is definitely my favorite. The meat is great, the portions of meat and sides were more than enough and prices were very reasonable; if you're around the area, do yourself a favor and stop by this place for the best jerk chicken around! read more

The Wild Hare - Jerk wings (6 to and order) - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Hidden gem alert! I seldom get a chance to try out Caribbean food so coming here was a pretty cool experience. We happened to be in the area and was looking for a place to eat dinner and there was no wait here. They have a DJ blasting Reggaeton music on the evening that we came and the bar area slowly filled throughout the night. You can tell this is a place locals love to frequent. The atmosphere is totally casual and friendly. Our server was fantastic. We ordered two of their dishes, the jerk chicken and a vegetable curry. Their food menu is simple, not a whole lot of choices, but the food is great. The jerk chicken was extremely well seasoned and juicy. The curry was very creamy from the coconut milk and they included lots of vegetables. I'm not sure that you can find a better Caribbean place in Chicago. read more

The Wild Hare - Seasonal Vegetable Curry with shrimp - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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FIRE THE COOK! my stomach is tore Up from the jerk tacos and red beans and rice!!! Throw him to the frogs and find someone else!!! Makes the party stop! read more

Y'all.... The Caribbean shrimp fries. I can't even breathe it was so delicious. Get there now! read more

The Wild Hare - Sorry I only got the finished product. Amazing... it includes cheese, shrimp, jerk sauce, heaven and many other wonderful ingredients. - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A few girlfriends and I came to Wild Hare on a Friday night for drinks and dinner. Food is your standard Caribbean food paired with rice and plantains. The portions are very generous - the jerk chicken dinner set I ordered can definitely be shared between two people, for example. I recommend their rum cocktail - the drink is deceivingly sweet but packs a punch (no pun intended), and can be the perfect segue to the rest of your night. Because no need to move, you have live reggae music in the room next door. Show usually starts around 10:30 PM, and that's when the place starts getting crowded - try to come before nine so you don't need to pay a cover. Overall a very unique atmosphere not provided anywhere else in Chicago. Giving an extra star for the live music! read more

The Wild Hare - jerk chicken dinner set - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Awesome jerk wings and plantains. The mai tai's are flavorful and strong. The bar tender also served as the waiter: He is very knowledgeable and attentive read more

The music is awesome. If you go late keep in mind the menu is limited but still good. I did find it to be a bit pricey. Basic bowls are about $20, Caribbean fries with meat is $20 and up. Service was quick, not a huge crowd on Friday nights. read more

I had a craving for some jerk chicken and that's what led me to this spot. Weather dictated that I order in and placed it online and got my food relatively quickly, but without utensils per my request. Luckily the hotel was next to a grocery store where I just picked some up. Sad to say that I felt like the jerk chicken dinner plate wasn't as good as I would have liked it to be. The chicken was more on the dry, overcooked and burnt side. I did taste the spiciness of the jerk but lacking flavor other than kind of salty. I wasn't thinking in advance but it would have been great to have some jerk sauce on the side. The plantains were the winner for me. The cabbage was good and the rice and beans were just ok. The price was reasonable. read more

Never disappoint. Good service, food and music. Drinks not bad at all either. I will be back soon! read more

The Wild Hare - Oxtails, rice and beans - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Wild Hare has always been one of my favorite places in the City. I've never actually eaten here, though the food is supposed to be good. We've always come here for the music. The music never disappoints. It can overwhelm, it can awe, it can amaze but the music coming from the Wild Hare will not disappoint. Schedules are posted online. Covers vary based on the night and the artist. It is a reggae bar but we've heard lots of Sunday night blues guitar and we've seen many talented special guests at Wild Hare. That is the thing about a Chicago music club; you just never know who might show up and play and it could be the best thing you've ever heard. read more

food was horrible best nasty though oxtails hard rice disgusting gumbo very bad experience

So I was visiting from out of town and found this place on yelp. I was excited because I'd read reviews about the food and we were starving. I believe this was on Sunday? They have an all you can eat buffet (which I didn't know). And when I walked in, there was no one there for like 4 mins. I was about to walk around and someone finally walked past to let me know what was going on. I wasn't given a menu so I don't really know what's on their buffet. I was just disappointed with the service. I don't know what the brunch side looks like because the side I walked through, there was no one there but someone setting up for what looked like a birthday party. So this review isn't based on food cause I'll never know, but the service wasn't the best and you really wouldn't know what was going on if you just walked in. You wouldn't know it's a restaurant because there's no one there to greet or seat you on Sunday read more

Stopped in to experience this place. We arrived early before the headliner and door fees were assessed. Service by the bartender was spot on. The Rum Punch was good but the Caramelized cheesecake was amazing read more

The Wild Hare - Caramelized plantains of a decadent cheesecake - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had lots of fun here! The music was great, rum punch was hitting. But the food, meh. We ordered the jerk chicken and a beef dish. The jerk chicken is served a lil blackened, of course, but my first plate of it was straight up scorched. They took it and gave me another plate, which was better. The server was cool. I felt like Ms. Rona was probably here, because it can get real club like with people walking by you and your food pretty close, often without masks because they're going back and forth eating & drinking. But the tables were spaced and staff wore masks. read more

The Wild Hare - a plate of food on a table - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Neat concept. Reggae music, Jamaican food and tropical drinks. The bar menu just seemed kind of hobbled together lacking foresight. A lot of the menu drinks were premixed I guess to save time. The bartender was nice and attentive but was unaware how to make a Jungle Bird. They were pretty busy when I went. I got jerk wings and they were OK. With so many places doing jerk chicken you would think place would be more creative with recipes. From an economists point of view I think it's noteworthy that the kitchen stays open so long think that brings people in. There was a cover, live music. The crowd had some sprinkles of old folks, tourists, some Jamaican folks, some African Americans. Randomly ran in 2 people I knew in high school. read more

The Wild Hare - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ahhhh good rum punch, live reggae band, and good eats! This place is almost heaven. Parking was free! Arrived here on a Sunday night and it was empty Rachel our barmaid told us to get comfortable and she take care of us...and she did! 8 rum punches later the band started and we danced all night. Downside-They need to remodel the ladies room it's a hot mess. read more

The Wild Hare - Oxtail - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Good vibes and great reggae! Personally I would prefer some more beer options available but I still five FIVE STARS because the vibes of this bar are such a rare find! Great, quick service and loved dancing to reggae. read more

Me and My Bestie wanted to unwind after a stressful work week. So I decide to use my Groupon for The Wild Hare. We get there around 8pm and there was no one at the door to check us. We waited and waited. Finally a guy comes back to the bar. I guess he was the waiter door check drink mixers all in one. I let him know that I have a Groupon. He tells me that there is no one at the door to check us inside. So basically don't buy the Groupon because it's free until later on in the night. SMH Hot Damn. The reason for my 3 star review is because the food was good. It took a minute for the live band to come on stage. But once they got on stage after how many hours later. The place was jumping. Great mixed crowd and I'm we finally got a chances to unwind and get our drink and boogie on. Just don't waste your money on a Groupon. Get there early for a free admission and a good table. read more

The Wild Hare - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I tried Wild Hare for the first time and was not impressed at all. The staff were pleasant and the drinks were cool (nothing major) but the food was terrible. NOTHING tasted close to Jamaican food. The food tasted like someone who does not season/marinade food overnight or before cooking but instead cooks the food and sprinkles season over it. How does Jerk Chicken and Shrimp taste horrible? How do you bring out courtesy Chicken Bites that are uncooked in the middle? It was disgusting. Ranch Dressing saved NOTHING. I probably won't visit again. I'm good. read more

The lady behind the bar closest to the main stage (light skinned black woman) lied abt the bar being closed when walked up to the bar but yet She served other patrons and 5 mins later I sent my husband to her to ask for the SAME drinks & she served him no question. For a $15 cover charge it's ridiculous that this establishment would allow a bar tender to pick and choose WHO to serve and who not to. ***I was not drunk at all & was able to go to both the other bars to order drinks with no issue. The bartender was JUST being choosy about who to service*** please be aware of this if you decide to visit & I hope you get good service -- who's to say? read more

I happened to walk by this place with no intention of stopping, but they had a live Reggae band and a terrific jerk chicken aroma of which the combination of the two stopped me dead in my tracks to look at their menu that was conveniently posted on the exterior of their building... and well lit too. I was greeted by a more than helpful host who got me seated at the bar right away even though I didn't have a reservation (#CovidSucks). I have spent over a month in Jamaica and yet, the Wild Hare completely topped any jerk-chicken I've ever had! And their ghost pepper sauce is off the charts! I am definitely coming back... they just earned a customer for life every-time I come back to Chicago! (PS... this is NOT a paid review... completely honest by a first time visitor who was hungry for some authentic food... and wow, I found it!) read more

The Wild Hare - Famous Jerk Chicken Dinner... AMAZING! - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I reached out to the folks over at the Wild Hare to set up my 50th birthday Party. Richard the general manager, took care of me, from step one to completion. Chef Allen prepared my catering order with great skill and expertise. My guests raved about the food. I just wish I got to eat more of it. But the experience was wonderful and many of my guests said they would return on their own. I have been coming for years and have always had a great time. Because it was my 50th birthday, it was even better. Thank you gentlemen. read more

Cant rate the food because the business is closed. I made reservations through Yelp just to get there and see that they aren't open. Somebody finally noticed outside and told us that they are closed until the capacity restrictions are lifted. The website states that they are open. This should really be fixed it was a huge inconvenience. read more

Definitely coming back here once they open , the live music was wonderful, food was good, didn't care for the cabbage but the jerk chicken and rice was good. Drinks are pricey. Fee to enter after 9pm I believe. read more

The Wild Hare - Menu - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great music, INCREDIBLY delicious food, and good vibes. I had a fabulous time at Wild Hare a couple weeks ago. Went there around 11pm on a Thursday night and was surprised to see that they were still serving food. They also had some awesome live music going which I thoroughly enjoyed. You have to order the jerk chicken if you go here. It was spectacular! I was so shocked that bar food could be that good. I will definitely go back if I end up in Chi town again. read more

The Wild Hare - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I got roofied here last weekend:/ Great music but please watch your drinks. I recommend leaving before midnight. Staff is nice but unfortunately seems there are some predators that prowl here. read more

This review is for the food only. I didn't know it was a reggae bar and have never been for the music. Whenever I'm in town I always meet up with an old pal from school and she frequently suggests this place. Had it not been for her, I would have never known I could get some delicious Caribbean food on the Northside. Let's talk about their food! I've had their jerk chicken and whoo wee it's good, but so are many things on the menu. I'm a fan of their Jamaican patties, coconut shrimp, and oxtail platter. My biggest complaint about the Wild Hare is that several things are frequently not available. That sucks if you really have your heart set on oxtail and rice or a patty. Three of the four times I've been, they've had at least one thing unavailable on the menu. Meh, not cool. Since their food is good, I'll forgive them for this even though it is frustrating. read more

The Wild Hare - Coconut shrimp - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Visited last night with a family member for her bday. Arrived early to have dinner. Server was pleasant but somehow the front bar manager made us drinks that were not what we ordered. We ordered rum punch and were sent something blue. To make a long story short the front bar manager basically tried to force us to take the drinks (that we never ordered) at a discount. My family member questioned as to why she should have to pay for something she never ordered. At that point the manager aggressively snatched the drinks from the table and headed back up front. I felt EXTREMELY disrespected by her attitude. I wanted to cancel the whole order and leave but I took one for the team as the food had started to arrive and I didn't want to further spoil my family members night. The food was great however and so was the band. The jerk wings are excellent, oxtails were good as well. Also, the ladies bathroom needs a serious deep cleaning. read more

The Wild Hare - Oxtails. - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Spent my 20's and my early 30's at the old location on Clark and Addison, (now 42) nothing but good times, good vibes, and good rum punch. I relocated to LA, but I visited the new location a couple times. I like the set up, every ting nice. I'm excited they are serving food now. God Bless them. They bring diversity and flavor to an otherwise lame neighborhood filled with sports bars and lots of drunk white college students throwing up in the streets. Wild Hare's crowd keeps it grown and sexy. I miss this place. Also probably one of few black owned businesses in the area. Please support these good people. Also if you didn't have rhythm or know how to catch a beat or move your hips before, you gonna learn after spending time here. Just be open minded and enjoy. What out for the Nigerians, Yoruba boys especially, Real Rudeboys, keep your 3rd eye open and don't drink to much read more

I remember this was the hot raggae spot in Lakeview/Wrigleyville which was featured in the movie Love Jones in 1997. I heard they closed a few months ago and I was like wow, but I have to admit this place seemed out of place in drunk ass, immature and classless Wrigleyville. My girl saw that they had a Groupon a couple of weeks ago and noticed the place was a 5 minute walk from us. We went over on a Saturday night and the place was pretty empty on a mild Saturday evening...I dont think a lot of peeps know that its there yet, but its finally in the right spot, a stones throw north of B.L.U.E.S. & Kingston Mines. Our waiteress was superb as she gave us all the info we needed in reference to the menu. We started out with the fresh & creamy spinach callalo dip. We expected a nice small portion of dip, but was friggin huge...we could have ordered it as an entree as it was so big. It came with tortilla chips and scotch bonnet salsa...it was delicious. For my entree I decided on the sauteed jerk tilapia with rice & peas....phenominal!!! My girl got the wood smoked jerk salmon and it was definitely the best I have tasted in quite some time. The place itself is cool as they have TVs on the wall playing raggae concerts and videos. They also play raggae music while you dine to set the rasta mood..lol Its nice that i can walk to this joint and I cant wait to see a live show here read more

So this used to be one of my favorite spots, hence the 4 stars. They've recently remodeled. While there is more space now since the stage is pushed back, I miss the pics of all the reggae legends. They've also changed their dress code; actually now they have one. You used to be able to come in anything. Not sure how this dresscode thing is gonna effect them when the Cubs start playing since people come straight from the game. The staff is always friendly here. If you prefer dancehall/hip-hop, come on Wednesday night. They have a dj spinning some hot stuff on Wednesdays. He's my friend!!!! Too bad I can't remember his name. lol Although it's rare that I actually pay the cover; for informational purposes it's $7 for women, $10 for men on Wednesdays. They also have a college night once a month, I think it's the first Thursday. But the live music is awesome here as well. Be prepared to be hot and sweaty when you leave because it gets SUPER crowded and you can't help but dance your butt off all night long. I have so many memories of this place. WOW!!!! The crowd is also pretty cool, but be prepared for the men to try to dance all over you. Just give them a mean look if you want and they'll go away! :-) Drinks aren't too expensive and you will feel them. I've needed to call for a ride home plenty of times. Check it out, have fun, and lose 5 pounds of sweat!! Great times!!! read more

The Wild Hare - Good times! - Music Venues Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Hidden gem. Awesome music and drinks. Service is great. The best cheesecake I have ever had. Plantain cheesecake is a must