I’ve been coming to Simone’s for years now and have always loved the atmosphere and love for Hispanic culture. It’s a popular bar in Pilsen which is known for many things but most importantly keeping an authentic Mexican image. I was there a few days ago, and witnessed something incredibly heartbreaking. A woman approached a bartender and told him her friend had a Mexican passport/ID, she asked if he was allowed to come in. He then responded with no emotion and said “ tell him I said welcome to America, he needs a U.S ID bye” as someone who has witnessed racism and have been judged because of my skin color; this was completely hard to witness.
Samuel Daggett
Love this place everyone is friendly and the bartenders are excellent. I would recommend this place to anybody. The food and the drinks are amazing. I recommend everyone come and visit this place even though I want it all for myself. PLEASE DONT COME JK
Jose Salazar
Questioned for you who bring in then pushed out of your own group
Yessica D
I'll definitely come back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Famous Gilbert
The only way Simone’s could be better is if they let me climb into whatever mysterious back-room contraption is humming behind the bar and become part of the ecosystem. Sadly, this is no longer the America I was promised as a child. Liability waivers, “employee only” signs, and the slow death of whimsy have ruined everything.
I remember when my mother first brought me to a neighborhood bar. I was far too young to understand alcohol, but I understood vibes. She ordered a drink, slipped the bartender a crumpled bill that smelled faintly of Marlboros and responsibility, and asked if I could “just hang out behind the bar for a bit.” The bartender nodded, as bartenders once did, and suddenly I was surrounded by sticky floors, warm glassware, and the comforting whir of refrigeration. I felt alive. I felt seen.
That’s the feeling I was chasing at Simone’s.
The drinks were excellent. The food was good. The atmosphere was warm and eclectic and deeply Pilsen in a way that feels like it could survive an apocalypse. But when I politely asked if I could lie down under the bar and absorb the vibrations of the building like a charging phone, I was told it would be “a safety issue.”
A safety issue?
Back in my day, you could drink a mystery shot from a mason jar, eat a burger wrapped in wax paper, and spiritually merge with the bar itself. Now suddenly you “can’t block walkways” and “can’t become one with the infrastructure.”
What are we protecting ourselves from? Joy?
I don’t want much. I want to live in a world where I can sip a cocktail at Simone’s and slowly sink into the reclaimed wood decor until I become folklore. I want my future children to ask, “Who is that man permanently etched into the bar?” and be told, “That’s someone who really loved this place.”
Five stars. Would return. Would still ask to be absorbed by the building.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonquil Curry
Great friendly service! Great vibes for friend groups!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Deborah Rivera
Great location to have drinks and dance the night away!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Claudia Rivera
Young crowd! Good mus
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Nathan J. Elleson
Awesome bar - beautiful Gabby is amazing! Highly suggest seeing Gabby! She's so perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ticker
About 8 years ago we had our employee Christmas party here. They accommodated about 50 of us and it went great. Just revisited again today just for a drink. Same friendly staff and funkalicious decor. So fun, love this place
This place is a nice laid back place. I enjoyed the drinks . The fries are a little bit greasy. The service is awesome . Definitely recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Alisa Ortiz
One of my all-time favorite places for a bite to eat or a drink. The food is great, love the empanadas especially, and the staff has always rocked.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adryan orrico S.
Great place
Atmosphere: 5
JOSIE FREEMAN
Food is good with ots own character just like the place ! Very kewl low key, everyone is chill and security 🫶🏼 nice outing spot !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Lauren Barba
This place opened a day after someone was murdered there and did not care. They also didn’t protect a brown woman when she was attacked by a racist. not safe for people. Don’t go.
I’ve been coming to Simone’s for years now and have always loved the atmosphere and love for Hispanic culture. It’s a popular bar in Pilsen which is known for many things but most importantly keeping an authentic Mexican image. I was there a few days ago, and witnessed something incredibly heartbreaking. A woman approached a bartender and told him her friend had a Mexican passport/ID, she asked if he was allowed to come in. He then responded with no emotion and said “ tell him I said welcome to America, he needs a U.S ID bye” as someone who has witnessed racism and have been judged because of my skin color; this was completely hard to witness.
Love this place everyone is friendly and the bartenders are excellent. I would recommend this place to anybody. The food and the drinks are amazing. I recommend everyone come and visit this place even though I want it all for myself. PLEASE DONT COME JK
Questioned for you who bring in then pushed out of your own group
I'll definitely come back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The only way Simone’s could be better is if they let me climb into whatever mysterious back-room contraption is humming behind the bar and become part of the ecosystem. Sadly, this is no longer the America I was promised as a child. Liability waivers, “employee only” signs, and the slow death of whimsy have ruined everything.
I remember when my mother first brought me to a neighborhood bar. I was far too young to understand alcohol, but I understood vibes. She ordered a drink, slipped the bartender a crumpled bill that smelled faintly of Marlboros and responsibility, and asked if I could “just hang out behind the bar for a bit.” The bartender nodded, as bartenders once did, and suddenly I was surrounded by sticky floors, warm glassware, and the comforting whir of refrigeration. I felt alive. I felt seen.
That’s the feeling I was chasing at Simone’s.
The drinks were excellent. The food was good. The atmosphere was warm and eclectic and deeply Pilsen in a way that feels like it could survive an apocalypse. But when I politely asked if I could lie down under the bar and absorb the vibrations of the building like a charging phone, I was told it would be “a safety issue.”
A safety issue?
Back in my day, you could drink a mystery shot from a mason jar, eat a burger wrapped in wax paper, and spiritually merge with the bar itself. Now suddenly you “can’t block walkways” and “can’t become one with the infrastructure.”
What are we protecting ourselves from? Joy?
I don’t want much. I want to live in a world where I can sip a cocktail at Simone’s and slowly sink into the reclaimed wood decor until I become folklore. I want my future children to ask, “Who is that man permanently etched into the bar?” and be told, “That’s someone who really loved this place.”
Five stars. Would return. Would still ask to be absorbed by the building.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great friendly service! Great vibes for friend groups!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great location to have drinks and dance the night away!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Young crowd! Good mus
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Awesome bar - beautiful Gabby is amazing! Highly suggest seeing Gabby! She's so perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
About 8 years ago we had our employee Christmas party here. They accommodated about 50 of us and it went great. Just revisited again today just for a drink. Same friendly staff and funkalicious decor. So fun, love this place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is a nice laid back place. I enjoyed the drinks . The fries are a little bit greasy. The service is awesome . Definitely recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
One of my all-time favorite places for a bite to eat or a drink. The food is great, love the empanadas especially, and the staff has always rocked.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place
Atmosphere: 5
Food is good with ots own character just like the place ! Very kewl low key, everyone is chill and security 🫶🏼 nice outing spot !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
This place opened a day after someone was murdered there and did not care. They also didn’t protect a brown woman when she was attacked by a racist. not safe for people. Don’t go.
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