While I don't like leaving a negative review, I was very disappointed with my reservation and experience. I made a reservation months in advance, contacting the restaurant several times about ensuring a space with enough room and adequate viewing for the Bears/Packers game for my dad's 70th birthday. We were seated in a very tight space. Everyone had to either be squeezed into 2 different booths or awkwardly standing. Viewing for the game was also not ideal. Staff did not try to accommodate or seem to care.
Raoul Kumar
Food was mid, very surprising considering Stephen Gillanders is involved with the menu - his other restaurants are stellar.
Service was good but we went during Halloween and the music was way too loud - honestly deafening. Our group went to an edm show immediately after and that was considerably quieter. They only played the basketball games in the back room even though it's a sports bar. The bulls were playing - most locals can't actually watch the bulls at home without paying hundreds of dollars per year and we thought this would be a cool spot to watch.
Probably will never come back even though it has some potential. Many better options in south loop.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Clifford III Cox
Outstanding Restaurant and Bar ! Food and service Ms Cathy runs a Great Establishments. Fun time game time or out with friends
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Garrett Morrell
I used to come here before Soldier Field sports events when it was Krolls. Was a fantastic place to star your day.
But since the change to Staley, they don't know how to staff the place. You could die of thirst here.
Service: 1
Haley
The food here is always so good and you can tell everything is made from scratch in house. They were slammed when we got there (big event happening at Soldier Field that day) but every staff member we interacted with was still so nice and helpful, they handled the stress of the crowd very well
Mary Ann Short
Great place to pregame before bears game!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Mike M
Great sit to watch the bears game, lots of projectors and TVs.
Really good buffalo chicken pizza
Super friendly staff. Will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nick
Love the bar setup and the numerous number of TVs. Great for watching sports from anywhere in the bar. The staff was friendly and accommodating in that we had 2 separate 2-person table tops reserved and they arranged to have all 4 of us sit together. They seemed to be understaffed for the pre-Bears game rush between 10 and 11:30 am. Waited about 20 minutes for our first beer order. Good food menu overall for sports bar food. Had the crispy chicken sandwich and it was a bit dry inside, but still tasty. Would go back again, but would expect delayed service on game days based on this experience.
Philip Sparks
It is packed for Bears games. Walkable to the stadium.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Danny Rodriguez
Walking into this restaurant felt a bit like showing up to a college house party hosted by a friend of a friend. It’s hot, you’re not quite sure who invited you, and once you arrive, you realize you probably won’t stay long. The atmosphere was oddly stale, a curious mix of “almost happening” but not quite. The soundtrack didn’t help, with an inconsistent blend of old Drake and Tory Lanez tracks, which only deepened the sense of confusion and questionable taste.
The décor aimed for something upscale, perhaps a modern gastropub, but ultimately added to my confusion. It seems the restaurant hasn’t quite decided what it wants to be: a self-described community sports bar or a more urban and refined dining spot. The bar itself, oddly shaped and spatially awkward, contributed to the overall feeling of disconnection.
Service was, unfortunately, underwhelming. The bartender seemed more preoccupied than present, and despite my best efforts, I couldn’t seem to keep his attention. I actually would have stayed for another pint, but after a while, I decided to call it an early night.. out of sheer boredom. Around me, bar patrons chatted loudly on their phones or took work calls on laptops, giving the space the ambience of an airport lounge more than a neighborhood bar.
The food, however, arrived promptly. I ordered the Sweet Heat Pepperoni Pizza, which was perfectly fine but not something I’d ever recommend with enthusiasm. The pint of Guinness, although poured correctly, was almost poetic in its mediocrity. At $11, it might very well be the most expensive pint of Guinness in all of Ireland.
The Staley’s menu feels like a collection of good ideas that never quite find a home, hopping from bar snacks to seafood to salads with little sense of direction. Without a clear culinary identity or standout dishes, diners are left sifting through a menu that’s as confused as it is broad. Nothing jumped out as appealing, and a simple, fresh option like a wrap with sweet potato fries would have been a small mercy.
Ultimately, this visit confirmed my initial impression from walking past the place: the mismatched awning and sign might’ve been an early warning. I genuinely want to root for any local business in the South Loop since we’re not exactly spoiled for choice, but this experience was a reminder that presence doesn’t equal personality.
I’m thankful this restaurant exists and sincerely hope it finds its footing. But for now, The Staley lived up to its namesake — stale!
Great Football Sunday at the Stanley!!! Brunch was so good and the pink pina margarita was tasty. Service was great Marcos treated us well. I love the Stanley ☺️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicholas
Great place to go before a bears game. Will definitely be coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gaby Rodriguez
It was too hot to enjoy our food or drinks. Save your money and go to a sports bar that has air conditioning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
cristal
My first time here on a Saturday afternoon. It was a little quiet with a few groups at tables. The service was excellent and the food was great. I had the prosciutto/arugula pizza and it was so good! One thing I would change is make a paper menu an option. Trying to read off the QR code is so old and covid. Overall a great experience and I would def come back.
m a
We have so much at Trivia night with host Bri, so fun and awesome atmosphere, food and drinks :)
While I don't like leaving a negative review, I was very disappointed with my reservation and experience. I made a reservation months in advance, contacting the restaurant several times about ensuring a space with enough room and adequate viewing for the Bears/Packers game for my dad's 70th birthday. We were seated in a very tight space. Everyone had to either be squeezed into 2 different booths or awkwardly standing. Viewing for the game was also not ideal. Staff did not try to accommodate or seem to care.
Food was mid, very surprising considering Stephen Gillanders is involved with the menu - his other restaurants are stellar.
Service was good but we went during Halloween and the music was way too loud - honestly deafening. Our group went to an edm show immediately after and that was considerably quieter. They only played the basketball games in the back room even though it's a sports bar. The bulls were playing - most locals can't actually watch the bulls at home without paying hundreds of dollars per year and we thought this would be a cool spot to watch.
Probably will never come back even though it has some potential. Many better options in south loop.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Outstanding Restaurant and Bar ! Food and service Ms Cathy runs a Great Establishments. Fun time game time or out with friends
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I used to come here before Soldier Field sports events when it was Krolls. Was a fantastic place to star your day.
But since the change to Staley, they don't know how to staff the place. You could die of thirst here.
Service: 1
The food here is always so good and you can tell everything is made from scratch in house. They were slammed when we got there (big event happening at Soldier Field that day) but every staff member we interacted with was still so nice and helpful, they handled the stress of the crowd very well
Great place to pregame before bears game!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great sit to watch the bears game, lots of projectors and TVs.
Really good buffalo chicken pizza
Super friendly staff. Will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love the bar setup and the numerous number of TVs. Great for watching sports from anywhere in the bar. The staff was friendly and accommodating in that we had 2 separate 2-person table tops reserved and they arranged to have all 4 of us sit together. They seemed to be understaffed for the pre-Bears game rush between 10 and 11:30 am. Waited about 20 minutes for our first beer order. Good food menu overall for sports bar food. Had the crispy chicken sandwich and it was a bit dry inside, but still tasty. Would go back again, but would expect delayed service on game days based on this experience.
It is packed for Bears games. Walkable to the stadium.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Walking into this restaurant felt a bit like showing up to a college house party hosted by a friend of a friend. It’s hot, you’re not quite sure who invited you, and once you arrive, you realize you probably won’t stay long. The atmosphere was oddly stale, a curious mix of “almost happening” but not quite. The soundtrack didn’t help, with an inconsistent blend of old Drake and Tory Lanez tracks, which only deepened the sense of confusion and questionable taste.
The décor aimed for something upscale, perhaps a modern gastropub, but ultimately added to my confusion. It seems the restaurant hasn’t quite decided what it wants to be: a self-described community sports bar or a more urban and refined dining spot. The bar itself, oddly shaped and spatially awkward, contributed to the overall feeling of disconnection.
Service was, unfortunately, underwhelming. The bartender seemed more preoccupied than present, and despite my best efforts, I couldn’t seem to keep his attention. I actually would have stayed for another pint, but after a while, I decided to call it an early night.. out of sheer boredom. Around me, bar patrons chatted loudly on their phones or took work calls on laptops, giving the space the ambience of an airport lounge more than a neighborhood bar.
The food, however, arrived promptly. I ordered the Sweet Heat Pepperoni Pizza, which was perfectly fine but not something I’d ever recommend with enthusiasm. The pint of Guinness, although poured correctly, was almost poetic in its mediocrity. At $11, it might very well be the most expensive pint of Guinness in all of Ireland.
The Staley’s menu feels like a collection of good ideas that never quite find a home, hopping from bar snacks to seafood to salads with little sense of direction. Without a clear culinary identity or standout dishes, diners are left sifting through a menu that’s as confused as it is broad. Nothing jumped out as appealing, and a simple, fresh option like a wrap with sweet potato fries would have been a small mercy.
Ultimately, this visit confirmed my initial impression from walking past the place: the mismatched awning and sign might’ve been an early warning. I genuinely want to root for any local business in the South Loop since we’re not exactly spoiled for choice, but this experience was a reminder that presence doesn’t equal personality.
I’m thankful this restaurant exists and sincerely hope it finds its footing. But for now, The Staley lived up to its namesake — stale!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
Great Football Sunday at the Stanley!!! Brunch was so good and the pink pina margarita was tasty. Service was great Marcos treated us well. I love the Stanley ☺️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place to go before a bears game. Will definitely be coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was too hot to enjoy our food or drinks. Save your money and go to a sports bar that has air conditioning.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
My first time here on a Saturday afternoon. It was a little quiet with a few groups at tables. The service was excellent and the food was great. I had the prosciutto/arugula pizza and it was so good! One thing I would change is make a paper menu an option. Trying to read off the QR code is so old and covid. Overall a great experience and I would def come back.
We have so much at Trivia night with host Bri, so fun and awesome atmosphere, food and drinks :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...