I got so drunk here omg but like that special kind of drunk where you remember every second of your drunk experience
Coalfather
A great place to have a beer. There aren’t many places like this left in this world so hurry up.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Alec Tyson
A really great bar, relaxed and laid back atmosphere with lots of interesting art work to look at. First heard about this place on parts unknown and had wanted to visit ever since, did not disappoint !
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Charles H
This is one of my favorite bars on earth, and I’ve done my best to see visit as many as I can across four continents. I took a break of about five years in between visits once and the bartenders still remembered my name. Classy. As you know, it’s cash only. Some other rules are that you can’t fall asleep at the bar. But, being drunk on its own is fine. I think there is still no TV, thank goodness.
Rahil Kabani
Cool dive bar. It’s cash only, drinks are reasonably priced. It is a rather small place, but nice spot nonetheless.
Bob O'Donnell
I am a natural born and raised within the Chicago city limits Chicagoan and traveled throughout the U.S. Of the hundreds of dive bars I visited, Old Town Ale House is the best. It is like the Smithsonian of dive bars. No B.S. tolerated here. Good people, good service, great brews and spirits. Very progressive as well. Check out the very eclectic tunes on the jukebox. Well worth the visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Miller High Life
Sandhya Gopchandani
Quirky atmosphere! It is cash only so keep that in mind!
Atmosphere: 5
Sam
A Chicago classic. Love this place.
Jessica Ribaudo
Excellent old fashioned, cool atmosphere. The artwork behind the bar is particularly enjoyable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Matthew Weathers (Matty)
Had our first sampling of Malort here. And then the bartender poured us a whiskey soda drink that made us tap out.
This place is iconic and awesome. CASH ONLY!!!! Great alcohol and beer selection, the political paintings by the owners ex-husband, artist and blogger Bruce Cameron Elliott are simply hilarious. This is where the old Second City cast of SNL used to hang out so get your John Belushi vibe on. It's a real institution. BRING CASH!!! (There is an ATM on site).Kid-friendliness: Not even a little bit
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Malort Shots
Chun P.
Old Town Ale House was featured in a couple of Anthony Bourdain episodes, and also conveniently located right across from the Second City theaters, so we just had to check it out. It's not quite a dive bar, the owner's savvy and humorous paintings cover most of the walls, creating fun and relaxed atmosphere. At night, its warmly lit, almost as if it was a romantic restaurant. There seemed to be a lot of locals, maybe a few tourists. No cover charge. Beers ranged from $6-8, wells gin & tonics $8, making this a very affordable drinking hole. Doorman and bartenders were all friendly, as well as the regulars. Great place to chill before or after your Second City show, or just in general.
Greg S.
Solid old school dive bar with comfortable ambience. Good draft beer served very cold. Views of the street life while you kick back with a drink are quite nice.
James S.
Best bar in the world! Here's a poem for how great they are. Old town ale house is great So fantastic, it's first rate! Grab a beer or a cocktail You'll be there a while! Enjoy the company A laugh or smile! Come on down!
D Johns
Nothing else like it. A dive bar grown ups. The character of the place between the walls stacked with paintings and curated jukebox give this place truly unique vibes.Wheelchair accessibility: Accessible entrance and some accessible seating
I got so drunk here omg but like that special kind of drunk where you remember every second of your drunk experience
A great place to have a beer. There aren’t many places like this left in this world so hurry up.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
A really great bar, relaxed and laid back atmosphere with lots of interesting art work to look at. First heard about this place on parts unknown and had wanted to visit ever since, did not disappoint !
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This is one of my favorite bars on earth, and I’ve done my best to see visit as many as I can across four continents. I took a break of about five years in between visits once and the bartenders still remembered my name. Classy. As you know, it’s cash only. Some other rules are that you can’t fall asleep at the bar. But, being drunk on its own is fine. I think there is still no TV, thank goodness.
Cool dive bar. It’s cash only, drinks are reasonably priced. It is a rather small place, but nice spot nonetheless.
I am a natural born and raised within the Chicago city limits Chicagoan and traveled throughout the U.S. Of the hundreds of dive bars I visited, Old Town Ale House is the best. It is like the Smithsonian of dive bars. No B.S. tolerated here. Good people, good service, great brews and spirits. Very progressive as well. Check out the very eclectic tunes on the jukebox. Well worth the visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Miller High Life
Quirky atmosphere! It is cash only so keep that in mind!
Atmosphere: 5
A Chicago classic. Love this place.
Excellent old fashioned, cool atmosphere. The artwork behind the bar is particularly enjoyable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Had our first sampling of Malort here. And then the bartender poured us a whiskey soda drink that made us tap out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is iconic and awesome. CASH ONLY!!!! Great alcohol and beer selection, the political paintings by the owners ex-husband, artist and blogger Bruce Cameron Elliott are simply hilarious. This is where the old Second City cast of SNL used to hang out so get your John Belushi vibe on. It's a real institution. BRING CASH!!! (There is an ATM on site).Kid-friendliness: Not even a little bit
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Malort Shots
Old Town Ale House was featured in a couple of Anthony Bourdain episodes, and also conveniently located right across from the Second City theaters, so we just had to check it out. It's not quite a dive bar, the owner's savvy and humorous paintings cover most of the walls, creating fun and relaxed atmosphere. At night, its warmly lit, almost as if it was a romantic restaurant. There seemed to be a lot of locals, maybe a few tourists. No cover charge. Beers ranged from $6-8, wells gin & tonics $8, making this a very affordable drinking hole. Doorman and bartenders were all friendly, as well as the regulars. Great place to chill before or after your Second City show, or just in general.
Solid old school dive bar with comfortable ambience. Good draft beer served very cold. Views of the street life while you kick back with a drink are quite nice.
Best bar in the world! Here's a poem for how great they are. Old town ale house is great So fantastic, it's first rate! Grab a beer or a cocktail You'll be there a while! Enjoy the company A laugh or smile! Come on down!
Nothing else like it. A dive bar grown ups. The character of the place between the walls stacked with paintings and curated jukebox give this place truly unique vibes.Wheelchair accessibility: Accessible entrance and some accessible seating
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Malort Shots