50 Best Bars near Oak Park

“Nadine was an amazing server! She was prompt and knowledgable about the establishment. Food was good, but nothing to rave about.Definitely would come again if someone wanted to meet here, but don't think it would be something I'd crave to come back on my own terms.“

“The front of the house staff and the food envisioned by Chef Laura and well executed by the talented kitchen staff are outstanding. Simply outstanding.simple yet intesting eats. Whitney is beyond attentive to his guests' beverage interests. "George" Harrison, Jack and the under 21 staff are eager, respectful, and engaging. What a treasure in this neighborhood spot, with beyond just the nearby geographically located closeby fan base. Who's going to gift me with a card to Kettlestrings Tavern for Christmas? "8 days a week" left until December 25“

“The food at Little Gem Cafe is always so good. The service is great even though they are always super crowded. Stuffed pork chop with Brussel sprouts, so awesome! Fun little joint with usually some jazz playing in the background. Thumbs up!“

“To the person’s review 3 months ago, you seem a little fixated that the bartender wasn’t wearing a bra, that’s only your issue. You even stated the manager helped you out, gave you a discount and free food, but apparently that nipple just really offended you. And you’re a women? Come on…“

“I love the hamburgers and beer here. The staff is very friendly and the place is always clean. It has a fun vibe. I once took a first date here because of the environment and service. We had a great time. We both had delicious hamburgers and beers. Definitely recommend.Parking: Parking is limited to street parking on busy lake street. I would be happy finding a spot within 2 blocks and walking the remainder if needed.“

“I haven't reviewed this place already?! Well here it goes, I guess: I'm not really a big burger person, but this place has been listed as the Best Burger in the US, multiple times, I believe, so it had a lot of hype to live up to. For not being a burger freak, this place really impressed me, and lives up to it's name.Au Cheval has a smaller, fast food version of the restaurant, which I've tried, prior to my first time here (it's called Small Cheval). Those burgers are fantastic, but the real deal at Au Cheval really takes it a step further.Always great service and team going, including on my last visit.They're conscious of food allergies. Get the burger with a bun, it's great, ...or don't. It's still incredible without. I also love the fries and bone marrow.Usually a decent wait, so go at off times if you want to wait less.Also, they have a pretty cool bar program going.Dietary restrictions: They're good with this here, and can do some requestsParking: There might be valet? Not sure. Take public transportation, pay for street, or a nearby spot.Kid-friendliness: Don't bring them- not that kind of burger joint“

“One of the best meals I've had in Chicago in a long time. Our server Marco was exceptional - we were celebrating a birthday and he made our experience SO special with complimentary dessert and wine! We ordered the empanadas, party steak, papas bravas, and polenta and everything was so delicious. Marco also made a good wine recommendation and let us taste before we decided. Service was top notch throughout our meal and we will be back!“

“Amazing outing the vibes in here were amazing. There was amazing music and the staff was so courteous. When we sat at the bar our orders were immediately taken and made well. There were a few snacks behind the bar for purchase but we did not see a menu for food.“

“I'm a sucker for Heritage's Happy Hour Oyster for a while so had to circle back for the restaurant week. The whole experience was giving East meets West as it covers a good range of dishes/inspired cuisine. I was pleasantly surprised with how each courses was planned out, with very balanced flavor combinations, leaving me full but not uncomfortably stuffed. My favorite we're definitely the tuna crudo, braised beef and fiancier, hopefully that make the official menu one day. Overall great experience and the downstairs speakeasy space makes it so fun to eat and catch up.“

“Great place to go with group of friends. Everyone can grab the food they prefer and you can get a nice drink. On top of that you can enjoy a nice rooftop!Dietary restrictions: It’s a food court so there are plenty of optionsKid-friendliness: A place for all ages“

“Absolutely excellent bar, amazing staff who are calm, kind, and knowledgeable. The entire environment is intentional and high quality. We sat at the bar and got to see the drinks being prepared which was a great experience. Have heard good things about the food though we didn’t try any this time. The drinks are INCREDIBLE. This is a MUST GO in Chicago. We made a mistake with our reservation and they were kind enough to still put us on the waiting list and we were able to include this in our trip. Very grateful and will come again!“

“Visited this spot on New Year's Eve with some good friends. Great vibes and fun mini golfing! Good way to stay active on your night out. Also some games scattered around the place. Very friendly staff. We had an amazing night there. Highly recommend!“

“Cocktail variety is great, tried You should be dancing, and a glass of bubbly. Squash agnolotti was much enjoyed as was the Gnocchi Parisienne. They nicely provided a delicious side of bread, when asked. Fun vibe, sat at the Bar, will visit again when back in the city“

“Was sent here to enjoy a drink while we waited for our table nextdoor from the owner Armando at La Scarola. Despite not being a smoker, there was nostalgia around enjoying a drink in the smokey Cheers inspired ambience. A bartender even put on Svengoolie which just wrapped it all together. I enjoyed a Limoncello and my date a whiskey neat. Enjoying a little taste of old school Chicago wasn't originally planned but definitely appreciated!“

“HandleBar exceeded our expectations! Amazing food, exceptional service, and a wide variety of options for vegetarians and vegans. Don't miss the black bean tostadas, fried avocado grilled cheese, and Pie, Pie My Darling Cake. The Lavender Rosemary Latte is a must-try. Overall, HandleBar is the perfect place for those seeking amazing vegetarian and vegan cuisine.“

“Smoky rooms, Punk music and Gothic VibeThat’s Warlord for youImmaculate is the word for this restaurant!Visited on a Sunday evening, ordered scallops, Sirloin for our appetisers. Ordered Fois gras too which had a bust of flavours in mouth and a must try. Got Ribeye for the mains and ofcourse had to get the burger. With just two ingredients this burger definitely is a front runner up for Chicago best burger. Lastly ended our dinner with dessert which met and matched the food expectations as other food.“

“It was cool. Met some friends on St. Paddy's Day for a happy hour drink. My beer was $6, and her ranch water was $9 (not sure what the happy hour special was), but it was a one and done with no issues. It's super dark inside even on a bright day, so if you are a day drinker, this might be your vibe. Not so much for me.“

“The taquitos are quite good. And the home made salsas are fab. You need to try both! But the tomatillo avocado was my favorite. The drinks were nice and they have a nice local craft beer selection. The piña poblano was spicy and the draft margarita was delicious.“

“Great beer, board games available and atmosphere. However if you would please turn the heat on it would be most appreciated. It's odd to still be in jacket and scarf while indoors and still chilled. Great place in the summer but maybe their heats broken Jan 15,2024.“

“All you can eat fish 'n chips days are not to sleep on.The fish is awesome. Batter is thin, golden and incredibly crunchy yet gentle. Very tasty and satisfying!The last time I was there I was quite disappointed by availability of whiskeys. Lots of options were out.Scottish imported beer was there as always and as always great pours with perfect foam head.“

“This is probably my favorite bar ever. The ambience is dope. The pictures in the picture frame change. The drinks are amazing! The colors, the candles - this place is just rad! The drinks are really, and the staff is friendly, and super helpful. Oh, and did I mention that they do tarot card readings in the back? This place is so cool. Every big city needs a bar like king of cups!!“

“My wife and I ordered oat milk lattes and both were made to perfection. Some coffee shops tend to overheat oat milk and end up making it thinner and generally unpleasant to taste but these folks know what they're doing!Parking: Parking on the street nearby is fairly easy to find.“

“Hosted a big birthday party in the back room. They let us bring decorations and cake and Hannah our server was so wonderfully attentive to everyone’s orders and keeping them all straight. She let us adjust the music volume to our liking, and the entire staff was just so wonderful all around. Will absolutely be back!!“

“Original cocktails in an original setting. Very good service, very good drinks that you won't find everywhere (their own touch on the classics too), good ingredients and bottles behind the bar. Pick your atmosphere: you can sit a the counter where it's more like a speakeasy, or at a table in the bustling bar, or in the lobby area of the apartment building where it's more like a quieter lounge. My favorite bar in uptown.“

“TL;DR - If you’re even slightly thinking about coming here, just do it. Revolution has the best beer in the city, fantastic food, and incredible staff.A lot of breweries in Chicago excel in making their one or two specialty styles of beer, and that’s it. Revolution, on the other hand, is able to guarantee high quality and incredibly drinkable beer across just about every style you can think of. I normally hate those dark, boozy, 15+% ABV beers, yet I drink every single one that Rev puts out and I love it. Their “Hero”-series IPAs will make even the biggest IPA hater second guess their hatred. And their sours (usually released during the summer) are so good, you will question how something this good can be alcoholic. Revolution doesn’t put out a beer that isn’t incredible, so you can pick a beer at random and be sure to enjoy it.Recently, the Brewpub renovated their space and, with it, re-did a lot of their menu. The space is cozy, yet upscale (the seating is significantly comfier than it once was with new plush seating). The new food is also really high quality - much higher than you would expect from a brewery. A lot of detail is put into plating and presentation (Mushrooms & Tofu, for example, looks like a piece of art), and still it tastes somehow even better than it looks. In addition to more upscale menu items, you’re also able to get a lot of that “typical” bar food here that fully delivers (pretzel, cheese curds, fries, etc.). The only gripe I could possibly have here is on the pricing of some of the food. This does not apply to the whole menu though, just some items that feel like they are priced higher than they should be (e.g. Lion’s Mane mushrooms, a starter, costs the same as the Mushrooms & Tofu, an entree, despite being significantly less food and sharing some similar ingredients. Why?!). If you can view this less as a bar and more like a nicer restaurant (which, with the renovation completed, is easy to do), then the pricing is a lot more palatable.The ambiance, food, and drinks are all great, but it’s the staff at Revolution that keeps me coming back though. They’re all so friendly, personable, passionate, and professional - they are the kind of people that make your night out feel special. My fiancé and I have celebrated birthdays, engagements, job offers, anniversaries, and so much more here because of how wonderful the staff are in celebrating and creating such a fun environment to be in. They make Revolution a place we want to go whenever we want to have a good time out. There are just too many people to name (Magnolia, Drake, Erwin, Makenna, Amy, Matt, just to name a few) - but rest assured that we love just about everyone who has served us here. So much so, that my fiancé and I are getting married here later this year!This is the easiest 5 stars I have ever handed out. I have so little to say about places that are “meh”, so the length of this review should show how much I love it here. I’ve come here at least every week for the last 2+ years, and I don’t have any intention of slowing down anytime soon. If you’re still reading this, please stop reading and start drinking, and do it at the Brewpub! You won’t regret it!Vegetarian options: Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options here. Standouts include the veggie burger (vegan by default), Mushrooms & Tofu (vegan), and a delicious pretzel with beer cheese (vegetarian and oh so good).“

“We were able to grab a few seats at the bar - we ordered fries and a few cocktails. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that they reopened. They have a really good pickle beer that is made at brewery close by. I look forward to returning and trying more of their food menu.“

“Paradise is a favorite amongst my friend group but yesterday’s service absolutely blew me out of the water! The service and food is always great but yesterday we were celebrating a special milestone and our server Nico made sure to make us feel like the paradise team was celebrating with us. Again i love paradise and it’s always good times & good vibes but yesterday was TOP TIER! Thank you Nico Barry’s wicker park loves you!!!“

“The Wolfhound Pub offers a delightful experience with its exceptional food and cocktails, especially noteworthy are their espresso martinis and lemon drops which are truly outstanding. Brendan, Emily, and the entire staff create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making patrons feel right at home. Whether you're stopping by for a meal or drinks, expect nothing less than a consistently fantastic time at The Wolfhound.“

“I hosted a get together costume party last week at Delilah’s after my friend recommended that we check them out. super cool atmosphere, party space, and amenities. They didn’t serve food so we ordered some in, but there was a mishap with the delivery. But Mike and Isa helped us out and we’re very accommodating with the changing and unfortunate situation. everybody went beyond out of their ways to help make it a great night for us. Made it very easy to deal with and everybody had a great night. Great deal on drink packages and space rental too with very transparent and upfront pricing.“

“Our server Santana was great, we were there for brunch and we were looking forward to some hot coffee (which they do not serve), but Santana made us some hot coffee even though it was not on the menu to welcome us. He was great in making sure that we had everything! Would go back just to have him as a server again, the food was delicious, maybe they could include hot coffee on their menu in the future.“

“I had the pleasure of being served by Andriy, and I must say he is an exceptional bartender. His attention to detail and creativity in crafting cocktails is truly impressive. He creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making every visit to the bar a delightful experience. I highly recommend trying one of his signature drinks!“

“Had a birthday party here for 10 people we hadddd a ball we had so much fun when I say to need to come you should they even let me bring in food the owner was very nice stayed on point with Communication in booking the room they really need to have a bottle service spent 200$ on shots but a very cool place to go will come back again thank you“

“I absolutely love everything about La Scarola except the limitations with getting in. Simply put, reservations must be placed by phone during restaurant hours. Showing up without run is likely to result in an hour plus wait or being turned around. If you overcome this hurdle, you'll understand why it's a staple that keeps patrons returning whenever they can. I've never ordered an item that I didn't enjoy and I dream about their vodka sauce and grilled octopus. Add to that pricing is reasonable and they're usually a handful of featured items to keep things interesting. In terms of ambiance, the walls are filled with photos to celebrity and notable diners. Thank me later.“

“The hits at nettare were fantastic but the misses were also pretty bad. we did the tasting menu with the drink pairing and I would say it was very worth the price. it was a lot of food and they were incredibly generous with the alcohol. my favorites by far were the skate wing and the burnt ends. our server was very friendly and it was cool that all the alcohol came from Michigan. I thought the interior was really nice but some of my friends think it's too sterile.“

“I love this place! The music is always good and the drinks are great. I do have to say that the bouncer/ door guy absolutely kills the vibe from the second you arrive. He is the only reason I gave 4 stars instead of five. I’m sure if you go when it’s less busy and he’s not there it would be a flawless experience. But this guy is constantly making remarks about other people and pissing people off before you go inside. He makes me so uncomfortable that the last time I was there I didn’t even want to wait in the bathroom line behind him bc I didn't want to have to deal with whatever he was going go say.“

“I hosted a party here last month and everything about the experience was above and beyond. Isaac and the full team were so welcoming to our party which spanned in age from 9mos to 76. The other patrons were also so friendly and we had a great time. The oldest and youngest among us were able to enjoy the atmosphere and celebrate but leave before the bar got too crowded and the rest of the party carried on while the bar filled. Highly recommend for the drinks, staff, the crowd and the free juke box!“

“This is my absolute favorite neighborhood bar. They have Aviary style cocktails at Portage Park prices and amazing culinary fare. They have the best happy hour specials, and the staff is extremely nice and accommodating. The atmosphere wins the vibe check, and their music is always on point. Not that basic top 20 ish. I hosted my birthday party at their downstairs bar, which has a totally different cocktail menu. Our guests loved the venue and said the service was top notch. The owners are great!“

“The coolest bar in Rogers Park! They have a small but fun cocktail selection, great beer & cider selection, super super friendly staff and the best vibes. They have no food but you are allowed to bring any takeout you want or you can directly order to your table from any restaurant you want. Such chill vibes honestly. We were here as a huge group last week for our friends birthday party (about 40 of us) and our waiter has been a saint with taking sssoooo many orders and hand delivering them to the correct person, and with the most fun attitude too! It honestly doesn’t get better than this.“

“We had a long wait, but it was remediated by glasses of champagne and a pastry flight. Even though the beginning wait wasn’t great, we felt so accommodated by the service I’d recommend anywhere and come back again. Anna, our waiter, and Justin, the GM, were so cognizant of our wait and appropriately compensated us. Even though our reservation didn’t go as planned, I’d recommend this restaurant for the apt service“

“Long Room is such a chill little spot, especially impressive for being located at one of the busiest intersections in the city. We didn't have any food here, so I can't speak to that, but the drinks were super tasty. They do run out of the popular drink options pretty quickly (they were out of my top 2/3 when we arrived, at 7:30 on a Thursday), so be prepared with a few options if you're going the cocktail route when you order. That being said, I have no idea when their stock comes in so this may only be an issue on Thursday evenings, haha. Anyway - it was also a cold and rainy evening, and the only seats available were right by the front door and windows. I was worried I would be cold, but I was definitely not. If anything,I was warm. The staff was kind, the vibe was super cozy and welcoming, and parking is easy within a block or two (free on Ashland).Parking: If you want to park out front you may have trouble and you may have to pay. Side streets are zoned for the most part. Try Ashland a block or two north for free parking“

“A Chicago institution. If you don't like Maria's then you probably don't like Chicago. That's fine, but why u here? Maria's is a great place to chill with a cold one. They don't have a huge tap list,but they do have a nicely curated mix of local brews. They also have old standbys like Old Style and PBR. Even on a Sunday afternoon they had good music playing. Maria's feels like home. Thats Chicago.“

“Grew up right down the block from this building and it amazes me how much this restaurant has impacted the neighborhood. I adore Mott st for many reasons but the food is definitely a major factor. Mott st is an Asian American restaurant that pairs eastern cooking techniques with Chicago ingredients to create umami laden flavors. Some of my top dishes that I never think twice about is definitely the Mott burger, stuffed cabbage, Korean mussels hot pot, everything wings and mango sticky rice!The burger is to die for! From the textures to the flavors is absolutely insane. Love getting the wings because they pair them with tzatziki instead of ranch which is brilliant. Mussels hot pot truly hits home and pairing it with the garlic fried rice or shrimp noodles is a bonus. I’ve also paired the mussels before with the stuffed cabbage which also blew my mind.Stuffed cabbage on its own is absolutely bananas. The pan seared kimchi and braised pork shoulder complements the kimchi broth so well yet emphasizes the crispy rice. Definitely a dish I will never get tired of.Somehow I always manage to devour 5-8 dishes and still have room for dessert. We decided to order all 3 desserts since they never disappoint. I was so happy when I saw that they brought back the mango sticky rice!!! I swear by this dessert, reminds me of my childhood it’s so nostalgic and tasty. Chocolate Bundt cake with pickled kumquats was delicious and warm ricotta donuts were so good with a berry jam dip.Mott st is a restaurant I never miss to mention to my friends. Truly a gem in wicker park.Parking: Mott st offers a small parking spot but it’s only five spaces so if there’s none available street parking is basically your only option.Kid-friendliness: Saw a few kids as I was dining and seemed to be enjoying the food as well.Wheelchair accessibility: Ground floor no stairs extremely easy to maneuver with a wheelchair.“

“No food but have chips if you ask. One of the best bars in Chicago. Top ten on my list. Mostly artist and locals. And the occasional person looking for a bezt dive bar. Great place to meet friends and make friends. The bar staff has always been my favorite.“

“Sleeping Village is a wonderfully funky little music venue in Avondale. The acts tend to be a bit obscure, but you may catch a star in the making. They offer a fine selection of beers and ciders. This is not a restaurant, so I'm not sure why food review would apply.“

“This is the coolest pizza spot in the neighborhood. Pizza is undeniably delicious with each bite offering a delightful medley of textures and tastes with its perfectly crisp crust and generous toppings satisfied my craving.The staff is very friendly and attentive“

“I went to Mother's Ruin with a group of my coworkers, and Keith the bartender took the best care of us. He really made all of our nights special. I have also gone to Mother's Ruin for my birthday and graduation, and each time the service is always spectacular. I can't recommend this place enough! I highly recommend the nachos, and the specialty cocktails they have are all delicious.“

“Chef! Don't ever take the short rib gnocchi off the menu! Great food and fresh pasta made daily , all served by a Fabulous wait staff! Many dedicated customers. Read these reviews! I didn't want to review because now it will be harder to get a table. They have an outdoor area in back when it's warmer.. so don't be deceived by it's size. Be sure to make a reservation! Enjoy a great dinner and drinks here and tip the staff well!Almost forgot...best calamari appetizer...Ever!Parking: Street parking not too bad. In the evening some surrounding businesses are closed. Besides, you'll probably want to walk off that cheesecake!“

“Fun atmosphere with lots of energy. Great place to watch sporting events. Their pizzas are what to order. The simple pepperoni Tavern style was really good. Great service, friendly staff and they don't mind if you stay for an entire basketball game.“

“An absolute gem.I reserved the back lounge room for my birthday and it was the best decision ever! It was easy to communicate via their Instagram, and the room was reserved and ready to go. They even let me bring a cake and hire a caricature artist to come! We played bingo, had delicious cocktails, and admired the decor and items for sale (I now own a rainbow pin striped shirt!). I would HIGHLY highly recommend this place for a birthday, an event, or just to swing by for drinks!My highlight of the night Mark and Jana who smiled the whole night, made us delicious cocktails, and made our group feel at home. Loved their drink recommendations, too. Thank you, Consignment Lounge! Will continue singing your praises to everyone I know and can’t wait to come back.“