The Chicago Journal's Guide to Dives
To catalog all the dive bars in Chicago we knew it would become a true project of passion, labor of love, and journey to joy. If you're seeking them out, we know you know that the word "dive" is not a four-letter pejorative it's a four-letter affirmation. We need your help.
What is a dive bar?
That's the type of rhetorical question all of these lists begin with, right? It's usually followed by the author pumping their hipster credentials by giving an answer worthy of only the coolest of the cool kids who are comfortable enough to slum it with the real dregs and degenerates, every 6 months or so. Huff it with the hoi polloi for a night. Find the best instasnap filters to best highlight those popped blue collars.
- "You guys...they had cans of beer my Grandpa used to drink and they only charged us like $3.00... In. The. City. Isn't that so cool?!"
- "Like, OMG you guys, can you believe they ONLY take cash?!"
- "OMG you guys! BOARD GAMES!"
- "You guys! OMG... Okay, the people were just like...super chill. Really real, y'know? Like really, really real. No one cared about anything. Like, at all."
That's okay. Bless their heart. It's good to see them figuring things out.
Nah. We don't need to spoon feed you. If you're seeking them out, we know we don't need to tell you what really makes a dive bar. We know you like it cheap, a little dirty, and have seen it all and then some. Just like your favorite place.
When we decided we wanted to catalog all the dive bars Chicago has to offer we knew it would become a true project of passion, labor of love, and journey to joy. If you're seeking them out, we know you know that, when it comes to drinking, the word "dive" is not a four-letter pejorative it's a four-letter affirmation.
We need your help.
Like most of our features, none of the Chicago Journal's Guide to Dive Bars is ranked in any particular order. I mean, how could you possibly rank dive bars anyway? That's absurd.
Also, like most of our features, it will be continually added to or subtracted from as we see fit. If you have any favorites you think we should add, reach out to us and make your pitch. If your pitch is good enough, we may even add it to the listing.
And we don't mind if you've had a cuppa two tree when you do reach out...because we understand that making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away?
Drink local. Bring cash.
439 Nightclub
Fulton Market
439 N Ogden Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
312.243.5301
If your favorite dive bar doesn't have a painted naked lady above the bar, ask yourself, is it really a dive bar?
And yes, this is how this list starts. Did you think the Chicago Journal was playin' around?
Alice's Lounge
Avondale
3556 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 279-9382
Archie's Iowa & Rockwell
Ukrainian Village
2600 W Iowa St
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 486-2626
The vast majority of Chicago dive bars will have Old Style signs hanging above their entrance. Archie's prefers Hamm's.
Regardless, Archie's status as a proper Chicago dive bar is as clear as the land of the sky blue waters...
BallPark Pub
Bridgeport
514 W Pershing Rd
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 675-4687
Around the corner from Comiskey Park, it'll be tough to find a better place on game day to soak up all the beer with their fries.
Bernice's
Bridgeport
3238 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60608
312-907-1580
Frequent drink specials includes Bug Juice. So, yeah, I don't think we really need to say anymore than that.
Bialystok
Logan Square
3653 W Diversey Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 227-5662
A relative unknown compared to many on our list, Bialystok's reputation as a quality dive in a neighborhood with no shortage of dives is quickly growing.
Big Joe's
Bowmanville
1818 W. Foster Ave
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 874-8755
If the classiest/most expensive bar in the world raced turtles, they'd probably make a list of dive bars. Big Joe's is not the classiest/most expensive bar in the world and they race turtles. Yes, turtles.
Billy Goat Tavern, The Original
Near North
430 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 222-1525
Due to its infamy, we know the Billy Goat's inclusion on this list will be controversial. The original is a dive, through and through, in the best way possible.
You're probably going to have to ask a local how to find it, but boy is it worth it.
Bob Inn
Logan Square
2609 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 342-2309
Bridgeport Inn
Bridgeport
2901 S Archer Ave
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 523-5468
Carol's
Uptown
4659 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 754-8000
Do you like Country AND Western music?
Chipp Inn
Noble Square
832 N Greenview Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 421-9052
The Chipp Inn has been serving the same corner since the '70s. The 1870s.
As they themselves say, they've been there long before any of us had been born. So you know it's good.
Christina's Place
Avondale
3759 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 463-1768
Cleo's
West Town
1935 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-5600
Cole's
2338 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 276-5802
Continental, The
Humboldt Park
2801 W. Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 292-1200
The competition for the best dive bar sign in the city is tough, but the sign at The Continental is a top seed.
Corner, The
Bucktown
2224 N. Leavitt St
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 697-9934
Cove Lounge
Hyde Park
1750 E 55th St
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 684-1013
Delilah's
Lincoln Park
2771 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 472-2771
Well, we already know you like dive bars. Do you like Whiskey? Go.
Empty Bottle
Ukrainian Village
1035 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 276-3600
While the Bottle is yet another place that could rightfully compete for hipster central, there's no shortage of stories told from when we were young that took place here.
EZ Inn
Ukrainian Village
921 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 698-7372
Falcon Inn
Hyde Park
1601 E 53rd St
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 288-2758
Frank & Mary's
Lakeview West
2905 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 463-8179
Friar Tuck
Lakeview East
3010 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 327-5101
Gold Star Bar
East Village
1755 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 227-8700
Some say it's not the same since new ownership took over and it's tough to disagree. That said, the building has been there since the Prohibition-era, the upstairs apartments were rumored to be a brothel, and many say it's haunted which, not sure if you can get a better dive bar batting average than that. Plus, they still serve $3 PBR cans.
Hideout, The
Elston Avenue Industrial Corridor
1354 W Wabansia Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 227-4433
With the incoming Lincoln Yards development looming, The Hideout may be an endangered species not long for this earth. Which is sad because, though some say it's hipster central, this tiny gem remains one of the best little venues for live music in the whole city.
Hidden Cove, The
Budlong Woods
5336 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 275-6711
Innertown
West Town
1935 W. Thomas St.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-235-9795
J&M Tap
Ukrainian Village
957 N. Leavitt St
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 235-0499
Jack's Place
Pilsen
618 W 18th St
Chicago, IL 60616
Kingston Mines
Lincoln Park
2548 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 477-4646
The relatively steep cover charge will anger some for our inclusion of the Mines on this list. And that's fair, the cover can be steep when you're looking for cheap.
Truth is, any place that goes as hard and as long as the Mines has will get our respect.
Until recently they were 7 nights per week, but they still have live music until 4am weekdays and 5am on Saturdays, and still serve BBQ and drinks on old wooden picnic tables.
L&L Tavern
Lakeview East
3207 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
773-528-1303
Lange's
Wrigleyville
3500 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 472-6030
Levee, The
Logan Square
4035 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60639
(773) 342-2808
Liar's Club
Lincoln Park
1665 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
773-665-1110
Loop Liquors
West Town
1610 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 226-6740
Native, The
Logan Square
2417 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(872) 206-5526
Nilda's Place
Ukrainian Village
1858 W Iowa St
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 879-9645
Nisei Lounge
Wrigleyville
3439 N Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 525-0557
Visit Website
Within 1 mile from Wrigley Field there are approximately 42,495 bars. That number just so happens to be the current seating capacity of Wrigley Field.
Nisei is its finest dive.
Oasis Tavern
Rogers Park
6809 N Sheridan Rd
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 973-7788
Ola's Liquors
East Village
947 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 384-7250
Old Town Ale House
Old Town
219 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 944-7020
Phyllis' Musical Inn
Wicker Park
1800 W. Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 486-9862
Rainbo Club
Wicker Park
1150 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 489-5999
Reed's Local
3017 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(872) 806-0520
Richard's
West Loop/River West
491 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60610
312-733-2251
Quite possibly one of the last spots where a man or woman is allowed to destroy their body as they see fit. And it's beautiful.
Ricochet's
Lincoln Square
4644 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 271-3127
Rite-Liquors
Wicker Park
1649 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 486-6257
Rossi's Liquors
River North
412 North State St
Chicago, IL 60610
312-644-5775
It may be the only dive bar that residents of River North have ever been to but, in their defense, Rossi's is a damn good one.
Rosa's Lounge
3420 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 342-0452
Rose's Lounge
Lincoln Park
2656 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 327-4000
Shamrock Club
River North
210 W Kinzie St.
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 321-9314
Sheehan's
Bridgeport
3529 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60686
Shinnick's
Bridgeport
3758 S. Union
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 376-3525
The unofficial City Hall of Chicago. If it's happening in the city, someone at Shinnick's knows about it.
Sidekick's
Irving Park
4424 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 545-6212
Simon's Tavern
Andersonville
5210 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 878-0894
Visiting from Sweden? You'll feel right at home. We suggest you make a point to go around Christmas-time to get yourself some Glogg.
Skylark
Pilsen
2149 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 948-5275
In the running for one of the best bar signs in the city.
Sky-Ride Tap
The Loop
105 W Van Buren St
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 939-3340
Not many places in the actual Loop but this one has been around forever. You instagrammers we mentioned above will love the exterior aesthetic. The sign alone is guaranteed likes.
Stella's
West Town
935 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 384-0077
Teddy Bear Lounge
Avondale
3513 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 267-5490
Whirlaway
Logan Square
3224 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 276-6809
Woodlawn Tap
1172 E 55th St
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 643-5516
Zakopane
Wicker Park
1734 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 486-1559
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