Hey Bar #5 of our First Night in Chicago Impromptu Bar Crawl So, here we are, two LA girls who hadn't eaten all day but had a massive dinner at the Publican. We tried three bars to various success (mostly failure, though) and then landed at a classy joint, the Matchbox. There we learned from our friendly barkeep to head to Underbar. Oh wow, this is dive city. I parked myself at the bar and concentrated on the whiskey selection which was fair. I also saw they had some cool gin as well. There was a lot of noise going on around me (friend getting hit on), wild shenanigans on stage and me trying to push it past my bed time. I started singing along to the songs which was probably only amusing to my friend. Hey, we're having a good time! I decided I liked this bar but the travel and whiskey was catching up to me. I vowed to come back some other night. We need some of these 4 a.m. bars in LA. read more

was not open. hours were inaccurate. travelled from Texas. thanks a lot. Update yours hours please. #moneylost

Never been to a bar that didnt allow us in over a small tattoo or white designer t shit. Yet they were accepting bribes from other people and letting them cut the line. Apparently i gotta bribe the bouncer to waive the restrictions. Wish i had a zero star option. To give this place no stars. read more

I used to head to the Bluelight next door for a nightcap- not anymore since it was taken over. I had heard that Underbar was overrun with frat boy types so I had never stopped in until one night when the Bluelight looked hopelessly awful and I I decided to go next door. I am so pissed that I had waited so long to try this Underbar out. The beer selection rivals that of Hopleaf and Map Room... and it's a late bar! The bartenders are on the ball, even when it gets crowded. If you can get there early enough for a seat at the bar, you're set. There are some good specials as well. If only I lived closer.... read more

I had not been in Underbar since smoking was still allowed in bars. Those days Underbar was stacked to the brim so tightly with so many people smoking that even the most seasoned smoker would feel nauseous from the billows of smoke that used to fill the air. These days smoking is NOT allowed in Underbar and everyone is all the better for it! On a Saturday night, we rolled in only 4 deep as the night was into sudden death overtime. Fortunately for us, the bar was not a clustermuck with shoulder to shoulder wandering. In fact, I found my friend sitting by the window with plenty of stools around to sit on and a good enough position to look out for cops and people watch as they passed by, rolled in, and smoked cigarettes. I always forget that the beer selection over at Underbar is deep and the price is right especially at 4am. While I am still on Lenten abstinence from the alcohol, my friends did not mind downing some Bud heavies while we formulated our next plan. read more

Underbar - a crowd of people at a bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Let's start by comparing this to the other decent 4am bars in the area. What other decent 4am bars? You mean the Bluelight or Cristina's? You're joking... right? This isn't exactly a quiet bar, but it has its own chill aesthetic to it. The bartenders hook up their own iPods, so the playlist can vary from the Detroit Cobras to the Misfits. The beer and booze selection is decent, and it's easy to hail a cab after the seven hour drinking binge when the night commences. My favorite aspect of this bar is that it's a big industry joint for the nearby bartenders and waitresses. I constantly see staff in Underbar from Delilah's and Kumas (eventually I'll learn them all by name). Why is this a big plus? One: Most of them are still sober at 2 am. Two: they tip well, which always puts the bartenders in a good/generous mood. My favorite night to head over is Sunday when Mike is behind the bar. He's a good guy, and a better bartender. read more

Ooooh, Underbar. You're cute! And you have Three Floyd's Beer. I just want to pinch your cheeks! Although Underbar is a little out of my way I am glad I swung by for a beer Saturday night. It totally reminds me of Lemmings minus the pool room in the back. The place was d-to-the-dead around 9:30 PM. Around 10, things picked up a tad when a few sets of couples strolled in. After reading other reviews, this place appears to start bumpin' late night so I will have to come back when I'm in my "I'll stay out all night, I don't care cuz I'm a ROCKSTAR" mode. read more

Honestly, you say "five a.m. bar" to me, my face goes into uncontrollable contortions of disgust and horror at the image of hammered, desperate idiots delaying the end of their evenings. Um, sorry about that Underbar, I had you mostly all wrong. Great beer selection and very affordable. Really cool bartenders, and just dark enough to hide if you want to. Since they got rid of the parking under the Western bridge, parking in the area can be quite tricky but considering there's not much else around there but the Blue Light (shudder) I say go for it. At the very least, get there early and beat the post-2am crowd. Also, if you're in the industry, you'll find some sympathetic ears after midnight. read more

I'm not really sure how I've gone so long without updating my original review of Underbar (or as I like to call it, "Ünderbar" - with the umlaut, of course). What sets this place apart from ANY other 4AM bar in Chicago is the clientel. Folks coming in here anytime after 2AM are generally fellow industry workers (bartenders, waitstaff, barbacks, doorguys) who are looking to get their kicks after a night of work (which makes me wonder - where do the 4AM bar workers go? Golden Nugget?). If the people there aren't bar workers, they're regulars, friends of industry, or just plain stinkin' drunk. If they're the latter, they won't last long (or even make it in) at Underbar. The ambiance in the bar is relatively low key, considering it's a late night place. The music may be loud at times, but there are plenty of stools at the bar and tables for one to sit down and have a nice conversation. The staff here is top-notch. Each and every one of them are friendly, knowledgeable and most importantly, fast - something important when racing the clock before last call. So the next time you're looking to sit down with friends and extend your night just a bit longer and not feel like you're surrounded by desparate singles, make a trip over to Underbar. read more

I believe I'm the first to give the Underbar the 1 star. I was very excited to find out about this late night spot as I live only a few blocks away and the reviews were good. I've been on a couple occasions and won't ever be going back. Let's get straight to the point. The last couple trips I've dealt w/ pretty shitty service. It seems like the bartenders, different ones on different nights are very pretentious. And having to deal with this when my friends and I are the only ones in the bar is a bit crazy. You would think that the bartenders would be down for light conversation or could recommend a beer or two, but I guess not. Oh and don't discuss their music selections because their music is too good for you to discuss with them. Fair warning. On a lighter note, the beer choices are pricey and only caters to regional area microbreweries. Generally that's ok, but there are no cheap options here or any of my staple favorites. The point is you have to be an elitist to fit into this bar's crowd and I find that rather comical because you're in Roscoe Village. So stop trying to get all WP or LP on us. Anyhoo, I hope the regulars keep coming here in hopes they stay away from my secret gems in the city. read more

Did not let us inside because my friend was wearing a white t shirt. Wasn't sure that a huge white was a problem at any club I've been to!!!

Me: "Hey bartender, can you recommend 2 fun drinks for my wife and friend who've been drinking wine all night and want something to sip on?" Bartender: (Blank look and 3 second pause back at me) No. Really dude? It's not like I was asking for a miracle. Any idiot can sit behind a bar and pour beer and shots. And it was empty in there at 1am. I wonder why? read more

Underbar is open late, but that's about all I enjoy about it. The crowd is overly white for Chicago, the beer (other than Pabst) is overpriced and space is cramped. Maybe it's just me, but drinking just across the street from a police depot seems like a really bad idea. As a late-night joint, I'd rank it over Christine's Place but under Estelle's. read more

Just the highlights that instantly come to mind: 1. Great beer list. 2. Classics on vinyl that just sound better than CD/MP3. 3. Dim lights and classy vibe. If at least two out of these three things are your cup of tea, stop on by and fall in love. Discovered when it was an in-between spot when I was in Lincoln Square and my buddy was in Humboldt Park; now I live further away, but still make a point of returning as often as I can. read more

This place is great! So, I'm always drunk when I come here after leaving 2am bars- but it is always a pleasant experience. Mostly because it is full of interesting & genuine people, plus good lighting/warmth and enjoyable tunes. There's really not much more I can say that hasn't been said, but I'm tellin' ya: this place is the best! Esp. if you like to meet nice people! Perfect safe spot for a crazy extrovert like myself. Cheers! read more

This place is real swell. Weeknights. Weekends. Sunday afternoons. I like. After 2am, its tolerable, but barely. It gets very crowded. Otherwise, the staff is nice. The beer is good. The cocktails are stiff enough. During the "off-hours," it really is the perfect place to come with a friend and just shoot the shit, catch up, or engage in some deep philosophical conversation. The bartenders do their own thing and let you be. And sometimes, that is just what you want.. The Underbar-Green Eye-Lemmings triumverate never disappoints me. Cheers. read more

Went for a friends birthday and our group pretty much accounted for the entire crowd at the bar, aside from 3 or 4 other people. So I can't speak to the after hours crowdedness. I don't think I really got the full experience of this bar because I was there well before 2 a.m. Still, I liked it a lot. The overall ambiance was nice. There's plenty of open space (though it's not a huge bar), the staff was nice, I really liked the lights (even if I can't remember what they looked like now), the beer selection was fantastic with a wide range of prices to match every budget. The bartender let us sample beers before committing to a full glass, which I totally appreciated. I'm glad I read reviews before I went because there was no way I was going to make a $30 credit card minimum on cheap beer, so I had stopped for cash on the way. The bartender was playing his personal iPod...and when I tried to compliment him and tell him I was impressed with his wide selection, he kinda blew me off. Maybe he thought I was hitting on him and thought I was a troll or just didn't give a shit about my taste in music, I'm not sure, but he was nice the rest of the night. I'd go back, late night, if I happened to be in the area. read more

Probably the best place in the city I've been to for 4am drinks. Coming here during off-hours is nice, too. It's nice that it's right on Western under the viaduct, easily accessible by bus. The bartenders are nice (they rotate them within the other two bars) and the beer selection is impressive. The tunes are great too. Like everywhere, this place gets overrun by douchebags around 2am. This is about the best place around if you're out past the normal drinking hours (in terms of "normal bars"). This place would win in a cage match vs. Estelles or any Lincoln Park bar, but pit it against some of the 4am places in the sketchier neighborhoods and Underbar would run off sobbing. Word to the wise: my friend's good friend got mugged outside here recently at like 3am on a Wednesday. So use caution late at night. Gee, who knew police stations behind 5 acres of parking don't really help stop neighborhood crime, even if they are across the street. read more

Just went again; I arrived just in time (a little before 2), that is, before the big rush. Mike the bartender was awesome: friendly, funny and quick. Patrons were friendly, in general I love that UB offers an almost dizzying array of beers, from $2 Old Milwaukee cans to some higher-end ($12-15) drafts (which I can't name, as I can't afford to drink those!). The aforementioned seating/layout problems have been addressed: some smaller, more useful tables have been added. The bathroom was a little nasty, they seem to have a drainage problem (as water is going down the sink, it's coming up the floor drain in the stall), but nothing outrageous (it's the men's room at a 4:00 bar, I can deal). One other thing that sucks: there is NO parking under the Western Avenue viaduct any more (which was their primary parking), but that's not the bar's fault; just don't go expecting easy street parking. read more

Not bad, not great. Service was fine, music fine, yeah I don't know I just wasn't really liking it for some reason. read more

If you want to go a late night bar this is your place. There are not too many 4AM bars in this area so that is one of the pluses about Underbar. Decent drink menu with prices that won't break your bank. This place is small and divey, so if you're in that then go and check it out. If you get there at a decent time before all of the 1-2AM people show up then you're good to go. read more

This is perfect "Late Night" Bar with no drama... Un-like that joint a few doors down! Dark Inside and very clean, they don't try to blow you out with the music, which is a good thing! Very nice beer selection and they don't rip you off like said venue 3 doors down. GTFJD read more

For the area it's got a good beer selection. So, say if you started down the street at Western & Fullerton, you would have stopped at Owen Engine, had some beers and shots and then headed to Underbar. You could stop into Blue light as well, but the vibes are completely different. Don't feel as though having tattoos are necessary here, its not Kumas. They are cool with you either way, heck its a dive. Was that a jab.. oh yea! read more

The idea of this place always sounds like a good idea at 2AM: it's kind of off the beaten path, good owners and staff, beer selection, etc. The problem is I get here late-night, and it's packed with a lot of idiots. Used to be that the blue light 2 doors down would save the night! But it got bought out and fancied up and now that another old dumpy dive bit the dust it appears I just need to figure Underbar out- I know there's a bar here I'll like under the right conditions, I just have to think to get my butt in there earlier. I used to think the liars club people owned the place (plus I'd see Herb here a bunch) but somebody told me it's owned by the folks who own green eye instead? Hmmm, whatever the case, the point is it's a bar in that vain, with a little bit of a rock-n-roller vibe to it, with good background music and drinks. read more

Underbar....the only bar I was ever banned from. Aaaah, good times, good times. I recently realized which bars are the "sister bars" and I was shocked. Well, not entirely. It makes sense, but I wish it didn't because this bar sucks in comparison. I'm not holding a grudge, I swear! (Getting banned from here left me with a funny story which has gotten me free drinks, and who doesn't like free drinks?) I think it's better than some 4am bars, but really, I always kind of hated it. I'm no longer banned, and the staff has definitely improved, but, I still can't stand the crowd. I'm actually really nice at bars. My friends are sometimes shocked at how patient and nice I am, but the crowd here always has and most likely always will test my patience. read more

I happened into here with some people that I met at Delilah's. The first thing I noticed when I walked into the bar was that Aphex Twin was playing. This immediately put me in an awesome mood, as Aphex Twin has been my favorite electronic artist for as long as I can remember. The staff was slightly rude, however I think that they just wanted the night to be over with and were overwhelmed with the crowd. The drink selection was pretty good, however the ATM was functioning and there were no ATM's anywhere around. Also, there is a $30 minimum for credit cards, so I had to stop after a couple drinks exhausted my funds. Anyways, I dig the atmosphere there and will most likely be back, especially if I can talk the bartender into some more Aphex Twin next time. read more

The bartender definitely a GOAT. She has been on it by herself on Saturday nights. I stop by every week because I enjoy Pacifico and Vegas bombs here. Personally I don't care about the music selection because her generosity exceeds expectations. read more

I seem to have wound up here after going to other bars, twice. I had no idea this place even existed! It's a cute place, and usually the bartenders have the ipod playing some decent tunes. The bartenders are great and the drinks tasty and reasonably priced. Being a 4am bar, it's not so crowded until 2 am, which is great if you want to sit and have a good conversation. After 2 am, the rush hits and it gets noisy and crowded. The crowd is a little stand offish to newcomers, so be prepared. However, everyone has been nice when encountered. I could see being there a lot if I lived in the hood. Give it a try! read more

Wow, we must have hit this place on an off night. We came in around 7:30 on a Tuesday and the place was totally dead. This would have been fine. What was NOT fine was the bartender and three of her friends practicing their go-go dancing routine in the middle of the bar floor starting at about 7:45 and ending....well we were chased away before they stopped. Actually, even that might have been okay if they didn't play a Neil Diamond song and the theme from the Partridge Family (I couldn't make this stuff up) over and over to practice. Seriously, I realize there were only two paying patrons there, but this is a bar, not a dance studio. They also went ahead and played their music loud enough that we couldn't hear each other no matter where in the bar we sat. The dance hall days and the $30 minimum charge on credit cards ensures I'll likely not be going back. read more

I used to live a couple of blocks away. Always passed here and never stopped in. Decent priced drinks, Love the mirrors hanging on the walls. Definitely would stop in again. read more

This bar was very unwelcoming to our group and discriminated against our group. They took our drinks from us and threw everyone out for absolutely no reason. There is a very creepy vibe in this bar I would avoid it at all costs. The bouncers grabbed one of the women with us very aggressively. read more

As a Chicago native I have visited a variety a bars in the area. This dive was the absolute worst experience ever. They will not provide you with an itemized receipt so be sure to keep track of what you drink here. The entire staff is rude and should not be employed anywhere as they obviously hate women and have no respect for themselves or the bar. read more

Closed for good as of 12/13/14, unfortunately. If you didn't get enough to drink by 2 or 3 you will need to visit this place. I sometimes frequent this place after a long and late night of work. Bar staff is friendly and offer up a good selection of beers. Be warned that the place gets slammed by hipsters right around 2:15 or 3:15 depending on what night you go there. read more

I really like the atmosphere, music and crowd at this cool 4 am bar. They have a expansive selection of quality beers and the friendly barstaff seems very knowledgeable about them. I wish it was closer to my place (Chicago & Ashland area) but it's a great spot to end up at when I am in the neighborhood. read more

I'm not a huge fan of late night bars in general - I'd rather sit and enjoy a quality beverage with my friends than worry about seeing and being seen. That said, this place is great (and relatively hipster-free) before the late hours of the night. They have a surprisingly good beer selection, and the prices are reasonable. Friendly bartenders and easy parking make it just that much better. read more

We were looking for a late night bar, and the cab driver suggested this one...ummm, ok, take us there! Who know a cab driver would have such a great suggestion?? It was dark, and intimate, and we sat at the bar and talked for hours. It was a great way to end the night! I would definitely recommend this bar to anyone in the area. read more

Went to go buy a drink and was told there is a $10 minimum so I asked for two modelos for $12.. I woke up and saw that they withdrew $24 out of my account. read more

By far, the best after hours bar in the area! I used to go to Estelle's and found myself not liking it there anymore - way too crowded & creepy guys just like most after hours bars. Underbar, however is the tops! It hasn't been overcrowded any of the times I've been there and they carry a good selection of beers (La Fin Du Monde). The crowd, atmosphere, & music is a little more rock 'n roll which is just the way I like it! read more

What a strange little place. Yes, I am a Bluelight refugee. I used to love that old dive. It had a comfortable, welcoming ambience. The new Bluelight - not so much but that's whole other review. I, like many others, used to always walk past this place without ever walking in. The other night, desperate to get my final smoke in before the ban took effect, I decided to go Hungry Brain. But Hungry Brain was way too packed. Everybody was thinking the same thing. So in desperation I decided to go to the Bluelight. But I didn't want to go to the Bluelight! I peaked through the window of the Underbar and made an executive decision: We were going to try the Underbar. We walked in around 11pm on a Saturday night. Incense was burning. It was nice but a little strange to smell incense in a bar. I was surprised, it wasn't that packed but then I remembered this is a 4 am bar. The crowd that was present was very diverse. Hipsters, locals, working people, some yuppies. Service was fast. Bartender was polite. On tap selection is small - only four choices. But they do have a wide selection of bottled beer. Pretty nice. This is a basically a nice, clean 4 am bar. I might actually make it a special trip to the place early in the evening if I felt like a quiet bar. I'm sure this place can get pretty packed in the evening. Only reason I subtract a star: There are not a lot of tables. I suspect it becomes standing room only pretty quickly when it fills up. Also, somebody was playing rap music all night. Yuck. read more

Friendly bartender, but not aggressively so, fast service! That was nice. Small selection on tap, but with some genuinely choice brews (Chambly nior, one of the best beers I have tasted). The crowds are usually genial and quiet. The lighting is perfect! Dark and intimate, yet light enough to see and very conductive to socializing and conversation. Would be five stars if bathroom wasn't a one-seater and seating did not fill up so swiftly. read more