Navigator Taproom

Navigator Taproom did an amazing job hosting my group party yesterday. We had a big group, and everything went smoothly from start to finish. The staff was very welcoming, organized, and made sure everyone had a great time.
The atmosphere is perfect for gathering with friends—relaxed, fun, and plenty of space to enjoy the night. They were very accommodating with our group and made the whole experience easy and enjoyable.
Really appreciate the great service and hospitality. I definitely recommend Navigator Taproom if you’re planning a group event or just want a great place to hang out. 🍻

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Tim, the owner is absolutely amazing! He goes above and beyond to make sure you are taken care of! This was my second time coming here with a big group and it was an absolute blast! Bekah also goes above and beyond to make sure we are taken care of as well. I will for sure be going back and I highly recommend coming here for a party! Oh and the pizza place there is pretty good!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The place is fine. But the automatic 20% tip when you are pouring yourself drinks and you have to manually pay your tab with a server and directly tell them you aren't tipping is ridiculous and scummy. If someone isn't paying attention they'll get a 20% charge for no actual service provided.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 1

Love the different choices!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Their taps are poorly maintained and you end up paying $7 for a glass of mostly foam. Also they seem to charge an additional $15 for each visit. When I saw that $15 on my credit statement I assumed it was a placeholder charge (fair) but then it ended up just being added to my bill.

I met friends here for a birthday and popped my tire outside. The guy at the front was more than willing to help except my stupid car didn’t have a spare. Thanks kind stranger for your attempt at helping some helpless girls. 10/10 service, 10/10 drinks

A neat place. This was an interesting concept for a bar with a fantastic selection of drinks. The system of charging per ounce is great for sampling different options, something that is rarely seen elsewhere.

That said, the gratuity system employed by this bar is vague at best, and borderline predatory at worst. You are given a card upon arrival that must be used at the tap wall to dispense drinks. Once done, if the card is returned via the “express checkout” box up front, an 18% gratuity is automatically added. Strangely, the only way to manually set a tip/gratuity amount is by contacting a bartender directly. This information is not readily accessible or openly communicated upon arrival, which unfortunately creates the impression that this outcome is intended or encouraged.

It’s obvious that all workers, regardless of their occupation, should be compensated fairly for their labor. However, it creates a bad impression when this obligation is passed onto the customer rather than the establishment that pays them. If this bar asserts that these workers are entitled to the gratuity for their efforts (as they do frequently in responses to negative reviews), perhaps they should eliminate this practice and instead give their workers an 18% raise, especially at a bar where all customer-facing service is performed by… the customers. It would also help if their responses (especially to negative posts) weren’t (very obviously) written by AI chatbots!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 3

Another place too cheap to pay their employees a living wage, instead hoping for tips when there is literally zero service performed to earn a tip...

I checked out the Navigator Taproom for an after-work drink based on the positive reviews. It happened to be happy hour, so the per oz prices were great, and the variety of drink and glass options were nice to have. There weren’t many people when we arrived, but more trickled in as the evening went on.

The spicy margarita cocktail I tried was fine, though very sweet and not discernibly spicy. I switched to Rosé, which was nice, though I did wish it were colder, and I wish there was some more transparency into how the wine is stored to maintain quality and freshness. I have seen “pour your own drink” concepts like this elsewhere where you could clearly see the bottle you were pulling from, and they walked you through how they keep the wine fresh. In hindsight, I should have asked before trying any wine. My partner enjoyed the beers he tried and their prices.

I think the main issue I have is with their automatic 18% gratuity. There are no servers, no bartenders, and no food service (there is a separate food vendor in the space, where you order off a QR code and grab the food yourself when it’s ready.) It is essentially entirely self-serve. When we arrived, we were told that you could request a receipt from the host, but that the standard was to drop the card in the bucket by the door on the way out and it would close you out. It wasn’t until we were leaving that we saw they tack on an automatic 18% gratuity, which seems like an example of tipping culture getting out of control. It seems like a bait and switch where low prices are advertised while you’re serving yourself, only to get an 18% markup at the end. I would have rather just paid more per oz and known it up front than to see that on my way out.

There was no service, the drinks were fine, and the automatic gratuity meant the drinks were just as much as if I had gone to a happy hour elsewhere where I could be personally served by a bartender with a freshly prepared drink. For those reasons, I would not go out of my way to come back.

Atmosphere: 4

Experience was fine most of the night, nothing special. There are some games available to play. You pour your drinks yourself, and they give you these little cards that each individually track your drink totals for the night. They have a little box near the door you leave these cards in at the end of your night. And if you don't close out your tab at the hosts' stand before putting your card in the box, they charge you an 18% gratuity. That's all fine ofc. However, I'm leaving three stars because, after hanging out by the hosts stand for nearly the entire night, as soon as there was a small gathering of a few guests gathered near the stand ready to leave, the host began meticulously cleaning all the tables and ignoring the guests trying to leave. Me and pretty much all of these guests were drunk and had called Ubers, so all of our cards went into the box without closing out. The policy is fine, and I would've been happy to tip 20%, but I don't appreciate the coercive garbage one bit.

Good vibes. Good brews. What more could a guy want?

I go to this place often for social mixers and it's always a great vibe. The concept is pretty cool and the setting is chill.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Navigator Taproom is a true gem in Logan Square! From the moment you walk in, the friendly and knowledgeable staff make you feel right at home. They patiently explain the self-pour system, ensuring even first-timers can navigate the impressive wall of 48 taps with ease. The selection is phenomenal—craft beers, wines, ciders, cocktails, and even non-alcoholic options—there’s truly something for everyone.   

The space itself is thoughtfully designed, blending industrial chic with cozy comfort. Large windows flood the area with natural light, and the open layout provides ample room for groups without feeling crowded. The addition of board games like giant Jenga and Connect Four adds a playful touch, making it perfect for both casual hangouts and special events. 

Whether you’re a beer aficionado or just looking for a fun night out, Navigator Taproom delivers on all fronts. The combination of exceptional service, diverse drink options, engaging activities, and a well-utilized space makes it a must-visit spot in Chicago. Can’t wait to return!

Our go-to place in Chicago. Wonderful selection of drinks, games, a warm and inviting vibe. Friendly owners and staff.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Navigator Taproom is a great place to hang with friends and such a great concept with the self pour taps! The owners are great and down to earth, we love spending time here!