First Draft in the South Loop is my go-to spot when I'm looking to catch the game and enjoy some solid grub. The place has a chill vibe with plenty of TVs, making it perfect for watching the Bears or Bulls. I had the Classic Burger and paired it with a local craft beer from their rotating selection. The burger was cooked just right, juicy and flavorful, and the beer selection never disappoints. If you're in the area and need a laid-back spot with good food and drinks, First Draft's got you covered.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: First Draft Burger
Michael Leigh
Great neighborhood spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patrick Halsted
My son and I wanted to watch basketball and this looked like a good place. We Sat at the only open table which was a 6 top. After shift change the new waitress told us we have to vacate the table. I stated we would move if they had a different spot for us which they responded we could “stand near the bar”. I was wanting to be accommodating although being treated like this is disappointing for a place I originally thought was cool. Don’t go here based on rudeness.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
Trista Flores
The menu is simply amazing. our service has been great both times we have been here recently. It’s really awesome knowing that we have a cool pub in our neighborhood. bonus points for having WWE on a screen with the sports. 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwiches, Chicken Sandwich
Lallo Vigil
The Platypus Burger was very delicious and was the special on Tuesday. My wife got the Cesar Salad and Matzo Ball soup. The Matzo Ball soup was a little different, so my wife didn't enjoy it. It was busy, but we got our appetizers and meals right away.
Smoked chicken was damn good I'd definitely drive back down just to eat that again 😋
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danny Driscoll
Awesome sports bar. Small business. Friendly staff. Great food and drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jerry Nelligan
Honey mustard chicken was good and good beer selection
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Felipe Bossanelli
The atmosphere gave damp and moldy. Most of the staff were not friendly and to top everything off the food was not what we expected. Cold lettuce wraps with undercooked wings gave for an unpleasant experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Gavin Ernst
Wish my cheese curds were crispier, but I still got a huge portion with my order and the drinks and service were top notch. Will be back.
First Draft is the perfect spot to grab a cold one and chill. Came in with some friends to watch the game, and the atmosphere was spot on. They’ve got a rotating selection of craft beers, and I went with a local IPA that hit the spot. Grabbed the classic bacon cheeseburger with fries, and man, that burger was fire—juicy, cooked just right, and the fries were crispy perfection. Ended up spending around $30, but for the good food, drinks, and vibe, totally worth it. If you’re in the area looking for a laid-back place with great eats and beers, this is your go-to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sherry Poorman
Went out as a team builder exercise to socialize with cohorts from the NIGP conference. The food has vegan options which is always a plus. I was able to get a mushroom sub. Very filling. My coworker crafting shrimp po boy and the salmon burger. My brussel sprouts were more leaves than sprouts so they could improve on that.
Dietary restrictions: Vegan
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Louis
A hidden south loop gem. They have an extensive beer list and arguably the best bar food in the SL. Portions are good and quality is high. It is truly a bar though- can be loud/crowded on game days/holidays. Small patio on a busy street isn’t great during warmer months.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dana Yates
First Draft is my new go-to spot for a casual hangout with great food and craft beers. The vibe is super chill with brick-and-wood accents that give it a cozy, pub feel. I ordered the classic burger with fries and it did not disappoint—juicy, perfectly cooked, and just the right amount of flavor. Paired it with a rotating craft brew that was refreshing and smooth. Spent about $25 for the meal, and for the quality and portion size, it was definitely worth it. If you're in the area and want a laid-back place to grab some grub and catch the game, this is it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christoffer Hultgren
Went to kill some time during our Saturday afternoon, having a couple of beers from the extensive tap list while nibbling on some chicken nuggets. The nuggets portion was way bigger than expected and we shared it on two people easily. Some of the beer did not come out as I remember them from having enjoyed them earlier in my life. If that is because the brewery done something, the beer been on too long or just was old I have no clue. Luckily it was only one of the four I had and the local brews and dark beers tasted great.
Good spot to chill over a pint or two and watching some sport on the TV.
First Draft in the South Loop is my go-to spot when I'm looking to catch the game and enjoy some solid grub. The place has a chill vibe with plenty of TVs, making it perfect for watching the Bears or Bulls. I had the Classic Burger and paired it with a local craft beer from their rotating selection. The burger was cooked just right, juicy and flavorful, and the beer selection never disappoints. If you're in the area and need a laid-back spot with good food and drinks, First Draft's got you covered.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: First Draft Burger
Great neighborhood spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My son and I wanted to watch basketball and this looked like a good place. We Sat at the only open table which was a 6 top. After shift change the new waitress told us we have to vacate the table. I stated we would move if they had a different spot for us which they responded we could “stand near the bar”. I was wanting to be accommodating although being treated like this is disappointing for a place I originally thought was cool. Don’t go here based on rudeness.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
The menu is simply amazing. our service has been great both times we have been here recently. It’s really awesome knowing that we have a cool pub in our neighborhood. bonus points for having WWE on a screen with the sports. 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwiches, Chicken Sandwich
The Platypus Burger was very delicious and was the special on Tuesday. My wife got the Cesar Salad and Matzo Ball soup. The Matzo Ball soup was a little different, so my wife didn't enjoy it. It was busy, but we got our appetizers and meals right away.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Curds, Platypus-Ish Burger, Brussels Sprouts
Smoked chicken was damn good I'd definitely drive back down just to eat that again 😋
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome sports bar. Small business. Friendly staff. Great food and drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Honey mustard chicken was good and good beer selection
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The atmosphere gave damp and moldy. Most of the staff were not friendly and to top everything off the food was not what we expected. Cold lettuce wraps with undercooked wings gave for an unpleasant experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Wish my cheese curds were crispier, but I still got a huge portion with my order and the drinks and service were top notch. Will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
First Draft is the perfect spot to grab a cold one and chill. Came in with some friends to watch the game, and the atmosphere was spot on. They’ve got a rotating selection of craft beers, and I went with a local IPA that hit the spot. Grabbed the classic bacon cheeseburger with fries, and man, that burger was fire—juicy, cooked just right, and the fries were crispy perfection. Ended up spending around $30, but for the good food, drinks, and vibe, totally worth it. If you’re in the area looking for a laid-back place with great eats and beers, this is your go-to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went out as a team builder exercise to socialize with cohorts from the NIGP conference. The food has vegan options which is always a plus. I was able to get a mushroom sub. Very filling. My coworker crafting shrimp po boy and the salmon burger. My brussel sprouts were more leaves than sprouts so they could improve on that.
Dietary restrictions: Vegan
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
A hidden south loop gem. They have an extensive beer list and arguably the best bar food in the SL. Portions are good and quality is high. It is truly a bar though- can be loud/crowded on game days/holidays. Small patio on a busy street isn’t great during warmer months.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
First Draft is my new go-to spot for a casual hangout with great food and craft beers. The vibe is super chill with brick-and-wood accents that give it a cozy, pub feel. I ordered the classic burger with fries and it did not disappoint—juicy, perfectly cooked, and just the right amount of flavor. Paired it with a rotating craft brew that was refreshing and smooth. Spent about $25 for the meal, and for the quality and portion size, it was definitely worth it. If you're in the area and want a laid-back place to grab some grub and catch the game, this is it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went to kill some time during our Saturday afternoon, having a couple of beers from the extensive tap list while nibbling on some chicken nuggets.
The nuggets portion was way bigger than expected and we shared it on two people easily.
Some of the beer did not come out as I remember them from having enjoyed them earlier in my life.
If that is because the brewery done something, the beer been on too long or just was old I have no clue.
Luckily it was only one of the four I had and the local brews and dark beers tasted great.
Good spot to chill over a pint or two and watching some sport on the TV.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Buffalo Chicken
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