50 Best Dive Bars in Chicago

“Edging Amazing show had a blast tonight“

“I love rainbo club but had a really icky experience there tonight. Bouncer with a “lex” tattoo was a real prick. Snatched my ID out of my hand and literally jabbed it in my face giving it back to me (fully legal age/ID) and was all around really frustrating to all of my friends in line. Maybe just be a tad bit kinder? Or don’t work late night if you get cranky? 😅“

“Cynthia is such a vibe!! This is definitely a fun place to come if you enjoy dive bars. Even the patrons are awesome! 10/10 reccommend!“

“Great bar with cool atmosphere and drinks. Dark Shadows was playing on the tv. The Electric Funeral cocktail is very tropical but I can’t wait to have the drink in the viper snake glass. Not sure but I think you can buy the glass. Bridgeport favorite Old Style and Malort has its own electric sign. It’s small and gets very crowded on the weekends but Thursday night was very chill so this will be my go to after eating at the Ramova during the week.“

“if there was ever a better Watering Hole In chicago. This Is It, hands down. Chris and his staff are superior at every aspect of being a classy drinking establishment. I recommend it highly, and Shop local all you lovely Neighbors.“

“Liar’s Club has some of my favorite bands on the regular, so I find myself there a lot. My band has played there too, and it’s a great experience - the room sounds good, with a solid PA system. Gary and the rest of the staff are awesome - the polar opposite of the snooty, hipper-than-thou attitude you get at some rock & roll joints. Drink prices are cheap, and parking is always pretty easy. The clientele is consistently asshole-free. Can’t think of anything bad to say about Liar’s.“

“Bernice's is the best of Real Chicago! Love this place in Bridgeport!“

“Go for the lowkey vibe and experience. Love the art and the back story.“

“this cash only establishment is a foundational part of the river north neighborhood. the prices are from the past, and the bartender is a kool friend to every patron. with Italian ties, and $.75 hard boiled eggs, Richard's bar is a must to anyone with a love of the city, and respect for community. i Will be back.“

“Cool little place in the middle of a nieghborhood . Great food. My husband and I love to go there.“

“I came across Archies a few years back while out walking my dog.

Stopped out front to tie my shoe, my dog decided she'd walk in without me which is how I found out the bars dog friendly.

The staff is great, prices aren't bad. Its your typical small neighborhood bar which i why I love it.

Cheese balls too!“

“Excellent venue with outstanding patio“

“Me and my friends felt so safe thanks to Megg.
We had an issue with some dudes at the bar, and Megg helped us out and those guys got kicked out immediately after reporting.
The best deal is getting the pass for the turtle races. they do start about an hour after listed time for the race, but you can drink before the scheduled time. it is $40/person for unlimited drinks.
The bartender who kept the turtles was so nice and let us take pictures with the turtles.
Best part about my trip to chicago!“

“Total local joint. Love stopping in when I’m in town“

“Was in the area after checking in to my airbnb and the guys still had a couple of hours to land from California. I came in and was immediately met with some fun vibes within the squared circled bar with a divey feel. Lots of people and fun vibes. Reasonable prices. I'd definitely come by if you're a local and have a look, I definitely did as a visitor in my two occasions I came here. Had my shot of delicious malort here too.“

“I met up with some coworkers at Sky Ride Tap for drinks right after our shift today. The vibe inside is a classic, no-nonsense Loop dive bar and it is the perfect spot to unwind. I just ordered a couple of cold domestic bottles and a shot of whiskey while watching the game on their TV. The bartender was super friendly and definitely did not skim on the pour. Just make sure you bring cash.“

“Such a great place! Had so much fun. Highly recommend.“

“Great food, drinks, and staff.“

“Found this gem by accident while waiting around, and I’m so glad I did. The hospitality was incredible. It’s the ultimate local spot with a welcoming atmosphere. Thanks to the kind bartender and all the guests who made me feel at home.
​P.S. Sorry again to Aneta, the bartender!“

“Music atmosphere people and drinks!“

“Always a good time with fun bartenders. Whether you go in during the day or at night the music is playing and the beer is pouring.“

“Don't go looking for frills because they ain't there! Cash only, excellent neighborhood bar!! Cheap beer, great service, and friendly people. Get a parking pass to boot then walk up to the game! I've been going for 20 years and it never fails to disappoint me.!! LOVE IT!!!!!“

“Me and my coworker went here after a long trip coming to Chicago. Bartender found out we were from out of town and introduced us to all the regulars. Drinks were amazing. The regulars made us feel very welcome. Will definitely have to stop by again the next time I come to Chicago.“

“Was a couple houses down visiting Chicago from San Diego. While I waited for my other friends to arrive after visiting the Loop, I decided to come around and visit this spot, which was worth the look. Fun bartenders all around the clock, reasonable prices, and even got my friends to do the Chicago rite of passage and take a delicious shot of Malort“

“Lovely place! Great bar service too.“

“Sunday Funday watching NFL“

“Sovereign Liquors is a reliable neighborhood go-to that consistently offers a great selection of products and a shopping experience that is both convenient and well-managed. Whether I am stopping in for something specific or just browsing, the inventory is always impressive, well-stocked, and easy to navigate. I place an incredibly high premium on the cleanliness and organization of retail spaces, and I am consistently impressed by how tidy, well-lit, and professionally maintained this location is; it is clear the team here takes great pride in keeping the environment sanitary, orderly, and welcoming for all their customers. The staff is consistently friendly, efficient, and does a wonderful job of ensuring that service is prompt and that everyone feels assisted. If you are looking for a trustworthy, high-quality spot that prioritizes both a strong selection and professional cleanliness standards, I highly recommend this location“

“perfect place, friendly, easy on the pocket and the friendliest bartenders and customers. Makes a new customer feel at ease and welcomed.“

“Great food, nice place I really enjoy the night“

“It's a relatively decent place to have a cold beer or a cocktail.
I'd say the best thing about this place is they're awesome patio. Some nights their DJs are great some are just okay. If you can get a booth, hold onto it during busy hours because this place gets packed fast. If you're in Logan, it's worth stopping in for a pint or two.“

“I’ve been coming here for years, and honestly, I’m still newer compared to some of the regulars who’ve been calling this place home for decades. This is the kind of dive bar that gets everything right—people from all walks of life walk through the door and everyone’s welcome. I am generally in a button shirt and sport coat…

From the bartenders and door managers to the regulars (and of course, “Internet Dad”), there’s a genuine sense of community that makes you feel like you belong the moment you walk in. The drinks are reasonably priced, it’s dog-friendly, and you can bring your own food.

Some bars serve drinks. This one serves comfort & friendship. Anyway, I kinda like this place.“

“the Food was excellent and the onwers Jim and Rosie were great host's“

“At the last moment I decided to check out this live music event at Os Tap Tavern and it was the best decision I made all weekend!
It was a great spot to watch Michigan State defeat Illinois U and I discovered a great new band Going Down South
What a gem
Keep up the good work Chicago 🍻“

“The tall one ..whats her name ... She is a lovely chap , her father's son ..Told myself and my Aunt Barb their pronouns were they them he her

Very old bar allows smoking inside and sells native reserve smokes . The boy who clears the tables the regulars refer to him as sandwich boy , he just giggles when they call him that like he should .

Bar is old and rustic . Old bar top as well“

“Great classic Chicago Tavern with a pool table, live music and a fun blues jam on Tuesday nights!“

“One of Chicago's best kept secrets. I moved to the neighborhood on 2023, and have walked past this place before, thinking it was an old bar from decades past/converted residence. Then I checked it out on maps and appears to still be running. Was walking down the street after West Fest with my neighbor and it was open! Boy, was I blown away when I walked in. I don't know why, but it was giving me Old San Juan vibes. The building is definitely over 100 years old, and it shows in the atmosphere. Old school bar, cash only. Simple, but good, cozy spot. There's a pool table, nice spots for lounging, I hear there's a chihuahua there sometimes...pretty sure it's family ran. The gentleman bartender was cool, and the music was great! Excellent vibes all around.“

“Ed & Jean’s is truly a hidden gem- step inside and you will be transported to a homey, cozy, artistic and eclectic cocktail lounge that features a huge and unique selection of spirits and outstanding cocktails. Great service, awesome vibes, highly recommended!“

“Best bar in the neighborhood.“

“Driving home and stumbled upon this welcoming gem on a Sunday.... excellent service w an attentive and friendly bartender. They had great live music from James Gedda that touched the soul. I will definitely stop by again if in the area.Great place to drink and make new friends.“

“The vibe is so chill and laissez-faire, some people play chess, some cards, some people watch sports on the various TVs. The drinks are solid and the service is good.

It's a safe, warm environment! The food window is just what it is, lol. You can order from the full menu, tacos, pizza, fries, chicken and salads!“

“White Sox Bar!!!!!!!!😂!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! N n n n n n“

“Great, friendly, neighborhood bar. Jimmy will make you feel like you've been friends forever. Not usually open on Sundays, but Jimmy will open specially for Bears games, and you might also get to sample his homemade chili, sloppy joes, or maybe even some Little Caesar's pizza! ?“

“nice lay back place to watch game“

“I love this place! You won’t be disappointed & Lily is an absolute QUEEN!! 🤍“

“Okay, I’ll admit it wasn't terrible. The drinks were reasonably priced for what you get, which was a welcome surprise on a weekday. We expected to pay more. It felt like a typical neighborhood joint, nothing too fancy, but we got our money's worth.“

“matt..the bartender was awesome per usual. fun regulars“

“This is the safest place to have a great time any day of the week. I highly recommend attending their Karaoke night on Saturday's. It’s always a blast and you can sing songs in any language (Spanish & English)“

“Double Bubble is a fantastic, welcoming neighborhood spot that consistently delivers a great atmosphere and top-tier service. It is a reliable go-to for a refreshing drink or a quick snack, and the experience is always dependable and enjoyable. I place an incredibly high premium on the cleanliness of service and seating areas, and I am consistently impressed by how tidy, well-organized, and professionally maintained this location is; it is clear the team here takes great pride in keeping the environment sanitary, orderly, and comfortable for all their guests. The staff is consistently friendly, efficient, and does a wonderful job of ensuring that service is prompt and that everyone feels welcome, even during the busiest parts of the day. If you are looking for a trustworthy, high-quality spot that prioritizes both a great vibe and professional cleanliness standards, I highly recommend checking out Double Bubble!“

“Bartenders William & Kevin were excellent. The taste classic cocktails are the job, but their service was gravy.
Glad G&L kept the popcorn machine as it was deliciously salty. It was my first time here for a birthday (sorry for being that loud group a few times, it's the last time I'm being friends with them in public) and I enjoyed the interior design a lot: the tin ceilings, light fixtures, exposed bricks, fake plants along the wooden shelf and on table toppers. There was a small collection of board games but our friends-no-more were happily playing their own game.
Excited to be back.“

“Literally just had the best experience with one of the best bartenders I’ve ever met. ❤️ Extremely helpful, cheerful, fun, kind and attentive. Thank you so much Renee! So much!“