All Dive Bars
Recommended Dive Bars
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Dive Bar240 Lounge Albany ParkThis neighbor to the Admiral Theatre blasts stripper tunes and boasts a wall of autographed photos of touring porn stars. There's also a fearsome iridescent ball and chain and a selection of leather belts to assist in bachelor party ritual »
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Corner TapArchie's Iowa & Rockwell Tavern Humboldt ParkA quintessential midwestern watering hole tucked away on a quiet residential block off to the side of a burgeoning strip of bars on Western. The selection of beers and booze The selection of beers and booze includes the dive standards »
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Dive BarBeachwood Inn Wicker Park/BucktownA cheap and friendly dive that's easy to miss, the Beachwood is tucked away just off Milwaukee at the intersection of Beach and Wood. It's a happy respite from the glitzy circus that is "Six Corners"—and those who think the »
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Dive BarBob Inn Logan SquareDuring the Fireside Bowl's heyday, the Bob Inn served as the pre- and postshow watering hole of choice for generations of punks. The shows across the street are gone, but the bar’s cheap-ass drinks, affectionate staff, and comfortably divey atmosphere »
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Dive BarChipp Inn West Town/Noble SquareOn a side street hidden from the rest of sleepy Noble Square, the Chipp Inn gives off a homey, Cheersy vibe. The small, bright bar is the only neighborhood joint around, and there are always regulars of varied hipness hanging »
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Dive BarThe Falcon Inn Hyde ParkWith a stench like urine stewed in Frank's Red Hot, Falcon Inn has "diviest honky tonk in Hyde Park" all wrapped up. It’s got basic beer (Buds, PBRs), Spider-Man pinball, and music that's louder than you'd expect. If you're lucky, »
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Bar/LoungeGeorge's Lounge South LoopOld-school dive bar in the South Loop. Cash only.
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Dive BarHelen's Two-Way Lounge Logan SquareAn established dive that has loyally stayed put during the neighborhood’s gradual, for-better-or-worse makeover, Helen's Two-Way Lounge sits at the wedge of Milwaukee and Fullerton and takes its name from the facing doors that open onto each street—an easy way »
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Classic BarHungry Brain is one of the coziest spots in Chicago. You've probably passed this small bar over and over and never realized it was there. Its interior is comfortable and lit with the glow of beer signs and Christmas lights. »
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Dive BarJoe E's Unforgettable Lounge Irving ParkThe only 4 AM bar on Irving Park Road has a strong relationship with the Illinois Lottery, with a behind-the-bar ticket machine and a self-serve on the floor. In operation since the 50s, it's now run by the second-generation Joe »
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Dive BarOf all the dank and forbidding Albany Park dives, none conflates pixilated welcome and simmering menace more than the apparently nameless Just Butch's. As it's identified by naught but a neon rainbow high in the window, you might expect a »
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Music venueL&L Tavern LakeviewCall the L&L a dive if you like; I'll call it one of the best places in town to set your behind on a duct-taped bar stool. Its best amenity is that it eschews amenities. An unpretentious glorious oasis amid »
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4 AM BarMarie's Riptide Lounge Wicker Park/BucktownLongtime owner Marie Wuczynski died in 2011, but not much else has changed in this old-school bar for quite a while now. The jukebox is still 25 cents a song; the bar, with its classic lights, must date back to »
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Bar/LoungeNisei Lounge Wrigleyville
The oldest continuously operating bar in Wrigleyville, this low-key neighborhood spot was a clublike refuge for Japanese-Americans when it opened in its current Links Hall location in 1951. New owners two years ago updated only the TV and toilets, »
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Bar/LoungeOld Town Ale House Old TownBasically, the bar that Second City players go to after a performance (for proof, check out the caricatures on the walls: look familiar?). Filling pitchers of Old Style until 5 AM on Saturday, this is one of the liveliest dives »
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Corner TapOllie's Lounge EdgewaterIt’s hard to see into Ollie’s from the outside, but don’t be shy—what lies within is a friendly little neighborhood joint with a pool table, a good jukebox, and cheap drinks. The owner, Miss Ollie, is such a community fixture »
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Dive BarThe gorgeous Rainbo is hallowed ground for successive generations of musicians, artists, writers (Nelson Algren among the earliest), and hangers-on, all of whom vie for position on the annual photo-booth calendar—the nonconformist's equivalent of the high school yearbook, issued every »
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Classic BarRite Liquors Wicker Park/BucktownRite Liquors isn't just an old-man bar—it's a place to hang out while you're growing old, as many regulars already have in the 90 years this neighborhood slashie has been in business. It’s got an impressive liquor selection, from Woodford »
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Dive BarRossi's River NorthOne of the few remaining downtown dives, Rossi's isn't exactly inviting-looking from the outside. It's comfortable enough inside, but its main claim to fame is that it's not nearly as douchey as most of the other options in the area. »
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Dive BarT&A Two Irving ParkNamed for former owners (Ted and Anne), the T&A Two has few amenities, unpredictable hours, and nothing on tap. But it is among the last of its kind—a true Chicago neighborhood bar whose purpose is infinitely deeper and more valuable »
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4 AM BarVFW Post 7975 West Town/Noble SquareThis Veterans of Foreign Wars hall transforms into a summer-camp rec center for grown-ups after hours. Your activity for the night is karaoke and the occasional line dance; your counselors are the friendly vets staffing the place; Bill the emcee »
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Corner TapWhirlaway Lounge Logan SquareForever one of Logan Square's best dives, the Whirlaway feels homey and pleasant, like you’re getting drunk in your parents’ basement. The decor is suspended in the early 90s—never mind the massive flat-screen TV sitting three feet behind the bar—and »
All Dive Bars
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Alfredo's826 N. Ashland Ave.Chicago, IL, 60622-5101312-733-9873
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Bobbie's Runaway5305 N. Damen Ave.Chicago, IL, 60625773-271-6488
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Bruno's6562 N. Sheridan Rd.Chicago, IL, 60626-5312773-764-7900
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Burton Place1447 N. WellsChicago, IL, 60610312-664-4699
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C & S5053 N. Lincoln Ave.Chicago, IL, 60625No phone
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Carola's Hansa Slipper4659 N. Lincoln Ave.Chicago, IL, 60625773-878-3662
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Four Treys3333 N. Damen Ave.Chicago, IL,773-549-8845
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Granville Anvil1137 W. Granville Ave.Chicago, IL,773-973-0006
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Grape Street & Vine226 E. Ontario St.Chicago, IL, 60611312-642-7440
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J&M Tap957 N. Leavitt St.Chicago, IL, 60622-4810No phone
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Kennedy's Grayland Pub3734 N. Milwaukee Ave.Chicago, IL, 60641773-736-1010
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Liar's Club1665 W. FullertonChicago, IL,773-665-1110
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Liberty Lounge3341 N. Western AveChicago, IL,773-709-1401
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L&P Liquors and Tap Room4001 W. LawrenceChicago, IL,773-286-0379
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Peacock Liquors3056 W. Montrose Ave.Chicago, IL, 60618773-588-5148
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Teddy Bear Lounge3513 N. PulaskiChicago, IL,773-267-5490
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The Lighthouse Tavern1236 W. Chase AveChicago, Illinois, 60626773 764 9414
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