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    Whirlaway Lounge

    4.2 (182 reviews)
    InexpensiveBars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Whirlaway Lounge Photos

    WHIRLAWAY LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Juke Box
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Whirlaway Lounge

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    This place is amazing, they have very cheap drinks served by the sweetest woman and she provided free bar snacks. Will definitely be back

    The remodeled decor of the Whirlaway.
    Michael G.

    Even though Logan Square is gentifying all around it with the accompanying loss of community, this is a place where Logan Square really feels like a neighborhood. It's wonderfully divey just blocks away from the new, shiny bars on Logan Boulevard. Maria, the bartender, still doesn't know my name so that's sort of a myth but she does know most people who I've gone there with by name so it's probably my fault. The best time to go there is during a political event. My friends and I went there yesterday for the Barack Obama acceptance speech and, just like for Super Tuesday, Maria lays out quite a free food spread (including themed cupcakes). And the crowd, being a local neighborhood crowd, is actually quiet during the speeches and results. I will definitely be there on November 4 hoping that the local flavor of the election continues into 2016. It does get pretty crowded on the weekends (which is why it took a bit to grow on me) but that's to be expected due to its size. Still it never feels like a room full of strangers and is well lit (especially for a dive bar). If you get there early, there is plenty of seating even on the most crowded of days.

    Current Whirlaway owner Maria, dressed for Halloween games,  channeling the previous hard-boiled bar owner, Emily Wisniewski.
    Marcy M.

    A comfy, dark, family-owed neighborhood bar with a warm and wonderful owner, a congenial crowd, rabid Blackhawks fans, and a wide array of bottled beverages. You gotta love the history of this place -- named for a rarely winning racehorse -- and a tradition of feisty female owners. For more than 50 years, the Whirlaway has weathered sea changes in the neighborhood while maintaining its reasonable price point and welcoming aplomb. (If you really want every detail, here's Whirlaway's history, written up for Logan Square Preservation: scroll to the bottom of this page: https://us19.campaign-archive.com/?u=5dfc3f8276f0d1645258a26d7&id=5e016eee3f ) As part of it's unpretentious vibe, it is cash only, and does not sell food, though there is an ATM and the owner, Maria, is happy to let you bring in your own grub (Maria or her son are likely to produce paper plates and napkins from behind the bar if they see you need one), and often there's a gooey local pizza being shared, especially on game night. Conversations here are always interesting, and the diverse clientele is certain to play something you like -- and something you've never heard -- on the Touchtunes box. Get there while you can. In this neighborhood, it's an increasingly rare bird: an elevated dive and a communal comfort zone.

    Yummy cider beer!

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    2 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

    I love a good, dark dive. The owner was attentive and obviously knew everyone. Clean bathroom was a welcome surprise.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    It's like a bearded old man bar, at least that what it seems from all the regulars that are there late night

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    4 years ago

    Maria is the best and this place is a great neighborhood no frills bars. Prices are cheap, drinks are strong, and the vibe is immaculate.

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    7 years ago

    Fun bar, it's a Hawks bar and if you talk during the game you'll get shouted down, but like, I dunno, That's Show Biz Baby.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Whirlaway Lounge

    Review Highlights - Whirlaway Lounge

    Both have a fantastic memory and if you visit often enough you'll likely find yourself getting a hug from Maria.

    Mentioned in 101 reviews

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    Cobblestone - Chicago - Mussels

    Cobblestone - Chicago

    4.3(66 reviews)
    2.8 miNorth Center

    Went here for NYE. I was really disappointed by the food. It has good reviews and a friend had been…read moreand liked it. I got the pre fixe menu. The pickled deviled eggs were tasty. It was not an "Amuse bouche" which is a single bite item, it was much more but I'm not complaining about that! The appetizer was grilled octopus over sweet potato mash. I learned that day that sweet and grilled octopus is not a good mix. It was nearly gross. I picked the octopus up and tried to brush off as much of the sweet potatoes and possible. The octopus tasted good but was over cooked. My main was the branzino. It was charred to a crisp and full of bones. It did not taste good and was extremely difficult to eat. I did not taste the German chocolate cake for dessert but was told it was dry and people barely touched it. My husband and others are our table got short rib goulash, which was served like a steak with gravy. It wasn't tender like short rib should be. He said the flavor was good at least. Someone got the fish and chips and said it was flavorless. Someone else got the burger and said it was also charred and over cooked. Over all, pretty disappointed. Cute place with decent service. Hopefully this was just an off night.

    Third time at cobblestone and this time was for Valentine's Day. We wanted someplace cozy and cute…read moreand Cobblestone set the bar high with a candlelit dinner. They had a terrific Valentine's Day dinner $95 for two people which included a small amuse-bouche each, an appetizer to share, individual entrees, and a dessert to share. We loved the crispy broccolini and were fighting over it. The entrees were huge portions and packed with flavor. I consider myself a scallop connoisseur and in all the restaurants we've ever been in, these scallops were cooked beautifully. They had a perfect sear to them on the outside but cooked perfectly on the inside as well, 10/10 no notes this is the scallop I will compare all future scallops to. And the duck confit, oh my...we also fought over this dish which paired incredibly well with beans to our surprise. Chocolate cake had a beautiful strawberry sauce on the bottom. Everything was incredible including the service. Cobblestone remains our favorite in the area and is loved by all the locals. Thank you for a perfect Valentine's Day dinner.

    Photos
    Cobblestone - Chicago - Back patio

    Back patio

    Cobblestone - Chicago - Hangover Hash

    Hangover Hash

    Cobblestone - Chicago - Crab Tartare

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    Small Cheval- Lincoln Square - Single Deluxe Cheeseburger

    Small Cheval- Lincoln Square

    3.0(51 reviews)
    2.8 miRavenswood

    I've been to Small Cheval in the past but never this location. We decided to eat here after vintage…read moreclothing shopping in Ravenswood. This is a smaller location and you can sit and eat inside but it is along the window. So if you are eating with a large group, you can eat outside (weather permitting). We ate inside. The service was great! The person taking our order was very nice and helpful. The food came out in a timely fashion. We forgot to ask to remove the mayo on our burger (egg allergy) and they quickly remade one with no questions asked which was very nice. The food was delicious as normal and I've mentioned this before, the best fries. I got the veggie burger and it was spot on. Small Cheval will slays be one of my favs. The shake was good, I got the shake off the month (espresso). It was thick. My only complain is the straw (it kept cracking). Overall, great food, great service and even better company!!! Thanks!

    Took the family here for a quick lunch and was happy to see the patio open, pet friendly…read more Everything is a la carte, and if it is busy inside you're able to order pickup online from their website. The double cheese burger was 10.99 and addition of fries was 4.59. The burger was juicy, a tad creamy with their sauce, and the bun added a pleasant slight sweetness while adequately absorbing the beefy flavor while not getting soggy. Fries are lacking compared to the burger. Some pieces were crispy while others were soft. They needed more seasoning or a sprinkle of salt. The chicken tenders were a harmonious combination of light crispy with perfectly tender chicken. They need to do the same with the fries. Small cheval always had a solid simple burger that doesn't require all the extravigent additions to make it rememberable. Happy hour weekdays 3-5 for $6 beers and cocktails. Paid and free street parking in the area. Limited seating inside. Menu is accessible online and I recommend ordering through there.

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    Small Cheval- Lincoln Square - Order Counter

    Order Counter

    Small Cheval- Lincoln Square - Double cheeseburger

    Double cheeseburger

    Small Cheval- Lincoln Square - A delicious double cheeseburger with French fries

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    A delicious double cheeseburger with French fries

    Whirlaway Lounge - bars - Updated May 2026

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