47 Best Dive Bars near Glenview

“Our band played at Whiskey River on a Friday and we had dinner and drinks there beforehand. Food was excellent, staff was awesome and very welcoming. Really cool crowd with a noticeably wide age range, everyone had a good time.“

“One of my favorite Chicago Venues to play. I live in the burbs so it’s a little hard to go out for other shows as much as I would like. But when I do, it’s always home. ❤️“

“always a great time nice beer garden“

“Great classic Chicago Tavern with a pool table, live music and a fun blues jam on Tuesday nights!“

“Alex is a great karaoke host! Olga is the best inviting and the sweetest bartender! ? this is a great place with great atmosphere. My boyfriend recommended this place when we started dating and now we are regulars and friends with the staff. They have a little back porch area for smoking or just getting some fresh air if it's too packed inside! I love this place!“

“Such a great place! Had so much fun. Highly recommend.“

“Driftwood is my favorite dive in Uptown! The owners, Robin and George, are lovely. Their service is efficient, and while they don't have anything on tap, their choice of cans an bottles is plenty! Make it fun with a Mystery Shot for just $3.50 (as of right now)! The best part about Driftwood (besides Robin and George of course) is the variety of bar games they have! Your choice between dollar pool, free darts or ringing the bull. Cant forget about Touch Tunes!! If you want a laid back night with some fun- stop by Driftwood!!“

“This is one of my favorite neighborhood bars. We love the atmosphere here; there’s always good music, good company, and popcorn! My husband and I love this place so much that we actually booked the bar for our wedding after party. Our guests absolutely loved the space and the service was fantastic! Special shoutout to Sean - he’s always a ray of sunshine and makes sure you’re taken care of.“

“This is my neighborhood dive bar with the big Old Style sign. It might not be your neighborhood dive bar with the big Old Style sign, but it's a damn good one and we're plenty okay with that. There's a payphone, artificial grass patio, cold beer only in cans, but you know taps are always suspicious at dive bars it's nice to just cut that step out. Diverse clientele and regulars, but not the point where it's an old man's club or anything.“

“My band just played there. Great place for music food and drinks. Super friendly staff. 💯 recommended, add it to your list of watering holes 🍻“

“Cool little place in the middle of a nieghborhood . Great food. My husband and I love to go there.“

“This dive bar is a breath of fresh air in a world of overpriced, trendy spots. Here, the beer is cold, the conversation flows easily, and the atmosphere is pure, unadulterated dive bar. No fancy cocktails to be found, just a solid selection of beers, including the newly added Yuengling on tap, and a welcoming vibe that makes you want to stay all night. They also offer a few liquors for basic mixed drinks or for those who like to drink their liquor neat.“

“Sovereign is the best type of Chicago dive. Cheap beer, good people, best jukebox you'll find. Much love to them for letting my band do a fundraiser for my buddy's medical bills. The crowd, the staff, and the regulars dug deep and we've covered medication costs for the next couple month“

“Cash bar. Local dive bar with occasional live music. No food is served here but they allow you to have it delivered there. Laid back place with very friendly bartenders. There's usually always someone playing instruments or live performances. You'll probably fine me here at least once a week.“

“Came in here around 11 or so on a Thursday night and had a great time. I tried the peppermint Malört shot they made which was the best shot of Malört I've ever had but still terrible, which I think is the idea. Being able to play darts was a lot of fun and the general atmosphere in the bar was friendly and open.“

“Try their chili! It is the best. Great atmosphere.“

“Music atmosphere people and drinks!“

“Great, friendly, neighborhood bar. Jimmy will make you feel like you've been friends forever. Not usually open on Sundays, but Jimmy will open specially for Bears games, and you might also get to sample his homemade chili, sloppy joes, or maybe even some Little Caesar's pizza! ?“

“Awesome people and cool bartenders“

“I stopped into Lilly’s on a recommendation from a friend, and I was not disappointed! I had the pleasure of meeting Lilly herself who is an absolute joy to be around! When you come in take a peek up to the biggest disco ball (in a bar I’d ever seen), grab a Long Island from the bar (cash only!), and then explore the upstairs/bar, or grab a seat and enjoy some music! This cozy bar is eclectic with wall to wall of wonderful art, antiques, vinyls. This bar is a gem just like Lilly herself! If you’re in the area at least stop in for a drink.“

“walked by randomly on a Wednesday and went to the bar where I heard some music. the band was excellent, a really unique style, but brilliant. but the best part was meeting Thomas, the bar manager. as soon as I walked in he greeted me warmly and upon hearing it's my first time in Chicago, a shot was poured and I got the lowdown on local beers. I had a good chat with Thomas and could see how he was well liked by everyone there. would love to go back“

“White Sox Bar!!!!!!!!😂!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! N n n n n n“

“Lovely place! Great bar service too.“

“great staff and outstanding event to raise funds for fighting Cancer.“

“Met a cool girl named Katie here. She kept saying slay. Hope she’s doing well. Nice place. Awesome pool table, so clean! Jukebox was lovely and esoteric. Maybe in the future think about getting some music like “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson or perhaps some Korn. Maybe even a entire selection of Nu Metal. Drinks so yum! I drank them all. Thanks!P.S.“

“I love all the people here! ?????? I came here to celebrate ? Cinco De Mayo. And they all were so sweet. If you do decide to go just make sure you take cash....they don't accept credit/ debit cards. They're drinks are reasonable and cozy vibes. (Updated 2024: AND STILL GOOD VIBES)“

“Jack has to be my favorite bartender in the whole city, you definitely have to ask him about the bar being haunted. Doesn't hurt that you can't beat the vibe or the booze prices when you're just looking to relax after work or catch the game.“

“awesome service awesome atmosphere. felt at home. love it“

“WATCH OUT N KOREA MOB. tuff gucci, stuff hotdog cheddar“

“Keenan O'Reilly's is described as "a classic example of a Chicago dive bar." So what is a dive bar? According to one definition, it typically is a small, unglamorous, eclectic, old-style bar with inexpensive drinks and may feature dim lighting, shabby or dated decor, neon beer signs, packaged beer sales, cash only service and a local clientele. By that definition, I suppose Keenan O'Reilly's fits the description. Located at 3916 North Ashland Avenue, south of Irving Park Road, at Byron, in the Lakeview neighborhood, this pub opened in 2007 in a space formerly occupied by a Polish bar and is noted for its bright white and green Special Export sign above the door. It features a good-sized room with hardwood floors, a white drop ceiling and a worn wooden bar that arcs well out into the room. It also is noted for cheap beers, relaxed atmosphere and lack of crowds. Come for drinks and friendly conversation, not food. There is no kitchen. Open from 5:30 to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 1 a.m. on Sunday, O'Reilly's has a large beer list and manages to keep patrons entertained with pool, darts, ping-pong, electronic shuffleboard and other board games. There's also a couple of flatscreen TVs and a jukebox. There are beers on draft. Also craft brews, imports, ciders and domestics. And Trivia Night is a popular attraction every Monday. What's a dive bar? Now you know.“

“service here has been very good and it's a very very comfortable vibe. the atmosphere is like a low key sports bar - not quite dive like described in some reviews. the taps have a decent selection at good prices. probably wouldn't show up with a cocktail dinner but would love to see a cocktail on draft - could probably get my cocktail people in there if they added that. backdoor pseudo patio - but I've only been there January - April so maybe they add furniture? all else, will definitely return.“

“It's the perfect dive bar with great food (big portions), best French fries and chicken wings around!, friendly customers, and staff. Family owned place who really cater to their customers and know most of the customers by name. There's a pool table, 6 TVs, and a jukebox which is perfect for hanging out and having a few shots and/or beers on the cheap. Party packages are inexpensive too and they have a nice big dining room for birthdays and group gatherings. (On Wednesday's they have drink specials.) *Cheers*“

“I love a good dive bar and this is certainly one. The darker and dingier it is the better. This place fulfills me. The drinks/beers are cheap and their jukebox has nickleback. Burn it to the ground baby. One of the last bars around with a true cork board for darts.“

“I miss this place. It was my regular spot in 2007 & 2008 before I moved back to California. Very diverse crowd of regulars from different walks of life, but everyone knew each other. Jim is awesome. If I could still give him my money for alcohol, I would.“

“This place has soooo many dart boards for all of your friends to play or compete on! I randomly stopped here for some birthday celebrations and all the regulars were soon welcoming us to have a good time together. I'd reccomend taking a big group for dart games and drinks.“

“Just an awesome place to be happy“

“Uber eats messed up our order and Adam made good on it. Even gave us coupons!“

“One of the best dive bars I’ve ever been to! Stopped in on a Saturday night for the first time with some friends and we were so welcomed! The bartender, Alex made us feel so loved and taken care of. Our drinks were cold and never empty. She works on the weekends, we ended up spending the whole night here.
Its on our list of favorite bars in the whole city now.“

“Great place to chill with friends. Free darts and pool can't beat that. Bartenders are super friendly and attentive. They also have a parking lot in back. They have some snacks and frozen pizzas(surprisingly delicious)

Parking: Back of the building. About 12 spots.“

“One of our favorite bars in Chicago! We recently held an engagement party at Ten Cat and it was the perfect place to gather our friends to catch up, play pool, and share a few pints. They even let us order in pizza! Staff was great and we had a blast, but you don't need to throw a party to appreciate Ten Cat. Go shoot pool and make some friends!“

“what more can y ask for in a dive bare?“

“Good location, good service. It has a mini-supermarket and liquor store next door where you can find a wide variety of items, wines, liquors, etc. 100% recommended and has a ramp for wheelchairs. And in the bar you can see different sports presented on the screens.“

“Fun place! Bartender was kinda grumpy though ~“

“Stopped in to meet up with a young friend that I've known for many years it was a nice place to have a visit. Local bar. It was 9am on Saturday so it wasn't very busy. Would recommend. The bartender was attentive and interacting with all the customers.“

“I make sure i come to this bar EVERY time I fly out of Chicago (5-6x/yr). The bartenders are awesome. It's also right off the blue line.

Tonight is the only bad experience I've had here: I convinced a friend from Chicago to meet me here and we waited for three hours to sing and nothing. Completely ruined the excellent reviews i was giving her about the place. The normal KJ is excellent. He's a little older and is really funny but the young guy with the glasses and long black hair sucks. I won't be back if he's here, which is so unfortunate. I tell EVERYONE about this place.“

“Nice bar with friendly clientele, and good prices. Rochelle is particularly fun and interesting to talk to. Very personable and made us feel right at home while we had a few drinks after moving our daughter to the area. We'll be sure to stop in each time we visit. Our hotel was right next door, which was great.“