A-wad bouncers. Flat drafts. Asses touching shoulders and other peoples knees. An overall forgettable atmosphere with just a hint of irony. read more

I must say, reviewer Dave W. hit the nail right on the head here. I was also there on Saturday, December 12, and, as a former supporter of this joint, I was disgusted to witness how the doormen were treating the late-night patrons. Myself, along with many others I witnessed in a short period of time waiting at the door, were told: "no, you are done," or "go to another late-night bar." Even worse, the doorguys (two, I believe) seemed to be getting off from playing God with the late-night-door-duties. When questioned, they blamed the shun-fest on their manager. Not suprisingly, I did not see the manager approach the door...once! Needless to say, Estelle's has lost me and my friends as customers - forever! read more

I live down the street, been goin here for 2 years now... Started off as an awesome place to end a night. Good music, cheap booze, easy hookups. The one issue I have is with the staff, what a bunch of assholes, from the bouncers to the bartenders. Terrible service ever since people actually started filling this place read more

If I could only go to one Wicker Park establishment all weekend, it would probably be Estelle's. With good service, a good crowd, and good drink specials, I can and have spent a few enjoyable hours here. They usually have something interesting playing on the TVs too. While most places are content to just let ESPN play all night, Estelle's was screening The Dark Knight last time my friends and I rolled through. Bonus! read more

I actually like to go earlier in the evening for drinks before all the hipsters roll in. Cool atmosphere, and good beer selection.

Came here on a Friday night and it was packed. I realized one thing bad about Chicago, the lack of beautiful women. This place was pretty chill, the drinks nice and cheap. The bartenders were fast and courteous. It wasn't too loud, but it was a bit dark. We came here after every other placed was packed with lines out of the door. We stayed till closing, so it must have been worthy enough for us to stay that long. read more

One of my favorite dive bars! Gritty feel, Good drinks, and SEXY FRIES! I hit up Estelles from time to time. Good spot sometime the service is slow, but it's mostly because it's busy and people are retarded(talking patrons not the staff they put up with a lot). Usually playing some nostalgic or independent films under a good range of music. They make a good drink, although some bartenders are better then others. The burgers and sexy fries are the shit! I don't know what it is they are delicious. I mean don't be a pretentious prick expecting a gourmet pretty prissy filet mignon master piece. It's a good solid tasty burger. Anyway its a good spot and its open late so yeah. restroom could use some fixing though, a guy can't poop comfortably there. read more

Indie rock bar that never closes (at least not until I've had too much to drink anyways). When in Chicago, this place closes an hour later than most bars (though an hour earlier than Nick's, if I recall correctly). This is a dive and hosts the indie/hipster crowd and so it's packed on the weekend. read more

This place has my favorite cider, its usually the first meet up stop we hit up when my friends and i go to wicker park, prices are reasonable but damn if it aint hard to see, i mean i know its a bar but i feel like im going to bump into someone just going to the bar. read more

there is never a time i have gone to Estelles and not been above pleased. Probably because the juke box is great the art work is humorous and never boring. (actual art) Tuesday is my new booze-day- not only for the specials but because the service is surprisingly very very good. We are always greeted and taken care of by two guys in the earlier shift ( i think Scott and damn .... sorry - uh bike hat guy). They always make conversation - make me feel relaxed and invited. I know Estelles for some reason has a reputation to be predominately Hip Turds but I love my Abercrombie ( shut up it looks good on me!) and I never feel out of place or uncomfortable. Don't live in Chicago if you don't want diversity and don't go to Estelles if you don't wanna have a good time. read more

WORST BAR EVER!!!! We went for my best friends birthday, and the infamous pink drealocks waitress told us we have to order from her to sit at a table. Keeping in mind the bar was EMPTY as usual, and that there were over 20 of us, so we couldnt all fit at the bar. We told her we'd be more than happy to move when they actually got customers. She then sent over the other waitress to try to scare us. People who work/spend money at Estelles think they are the coolest, so cool that apparently they don't need any sort of customer sevice or customer base. P.S If pink dreadlocks told me that she wanted me to tip based on beers and not price, I'd of told her to enjoy NO tip at all. Or at least thats what me and my friends did on our $350 tab. Ouch bet they had a fun night. read more

I come to Estelle's every now and then as a last resort, to see what's going on that night with the usually friendly hippies that hang out there...and have had my share of fun...sometimes.They've got a good selection of beer and the overall vibe is easy. The skinny bartender with glasses and a lot of tattoos on his arms was totally rude, and completely out of touch with how to treat people. And to me, that is bad business. read more

What the hell happened to this corner of Wicker Park? It's like Lincoln Park now. I hate Wicker Park and hope that my current hood never turns out to be...Lincoln Park South. I miss the old Estelle's. Tuesdays are still alright though. read more

Great if you're out after everyone else is closed, but everytime I've been here, there's been too many people. Sometimes so many that you can barely hear anything that you're saying, which is ok for drinking, but not so fun if your friends don't know sign language (and neither do you). One plus though is that's it's close to Flash Taco (gross 3am alcohol craings...yay). read more

after 2am this place transforms into a pirate ship! hold onto your drinks! read more

Estelle's is your standard issue late night bar. The jukebox has some choice albums to listen to and the drinks and beer nights are pretty good. Prices are reasonable. Bathrooms...could be better. The thing is this, there are so many bars all around this spot that Estelle's is a bar I would only go to because it is open later than almost everywhere else. Otherwise there are better dives (Innertown) or cocktails (Violet Hour) all nearby. read more

At first glance I thought it was like the subterranean or double door but it's actually a punk rocky dive bar. The drinks are pretty cheap ($2 beer Tuesdays) and one time I left my wallet on the counter after leaving the bar and they held onto it and wouldn't let me give them money or tip them for saving it! They are so nice. read more

Love Estelle's, love their beer selection, love their music. Thanks for having three floyd's zombie dust on tap... Seems like most places we go these days "just ran out" of it. The bartenders are super chill and offered to let me try a few of their favorite beers to decide what to order. Would like to come back and try some food from here cause I hear the burgers are good. The crowd is very diverse and laid back and everyone is enjoying themselves. And they're open late so you can pretty much drink all night long. read more

Don't come here BEFORE 2am. As it is one of the places that's open til 4, it will be empty prior to other bars closing. Great music and staff. The crowd is worth it and at that hour, anyone that is still drinking should expect a crowd. This place serves it's purpose. read more

The best thing about this place is that it's the only bar/restaurant I know that has the kitchen open until 3:00am. Sure, you could go get a taco and risk the dangerous of E. Coli, but Estelle's is a better choice. Nice people, laid back, this is the kind of joint you'd come after a night of partying. Oh, and try the cajun fries those are delicious! read more

Pretty chill, the service is nice. The beer isn't too expensive. It's a huge hipster spot which is cool...I guess. Not a lot of bars are near this one..maybe I just wasn't paying attention. read more

Great 4am spot if you find yourself in the thick of six-corners after you finish a show at Subterranean or one of the 2am bars kick your sorry self out. They play decent oldies music and the staff is attentive. I've never had the food, but I'm sure my stomach wouldn't object to it. read more

The amount of fun you have at Estelle's will depend on when you want to go. Before the other area bars go and you will be in a mellow comfortable environment sipping back a beer. Come after 2am and you will be in the middle of a crowd fighting your way in, trying hard to find a place to hang without everyone bumping into you or waiting for the bathroom to open up. read more

Go on tuesday for $2 and $3 draft beers. Bar had a nice atmopsphere and it was pretty enjoyable. Would have been 4 stars but the bar tender seemed to forget about our side of the bar and we had to have the bar back get his attention a numbe rof times -2. read more

I've been here a couple times and I'm happy to say I love the way I'm treated here! :-) The service is awesome and the staff is friendly and helpful. My friends and I came here on a weekend and had a really good time. For the life of me I can't remember our servers name (bad with names) but she was suggestive and informative with new/different drinks, offered food and we didn't feel neglected at any time. She knew their products which is also very good. I'll be back again for sure! I left here feeling taken care of and that gives you a good feeling. :-) Good job guys. Woo hoo! PS- I love that I can come here wearing pretty much anything I want to and still feel like I fit in. Unlike downtown where if you're not wearing something expensive looking and fashionable you might get frowned upon. read more

Estelle's is another bar in the vicinity of North, Damen, & Milwaukee Aves. (Bucktown | Wicker Park). It is just around the corner from the Damen station on the Blue Line "L". (No waiting for the traffic signal to change.) It is a 4 AM bar. Maybe you read that article in _NewCity_ in which someone sat on a barstool all evening one Saturday, not having any licensed beverages; but observing the room. The article did a good job at capsulating the look and feel here. The beers are mostly macros. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Goose Island 312, and a Samuel Adams seasonal are about as close as you will get to a craft beer. Food is available. On some nights, it is a good deal, and the staff will encourage you to order something. (Estelle's occasionally appears in the listings under 'The Well' in the Chicago Reader.) When I was here, I left before midnight on a weeknight. If you read reviews about here on other web fora, you will see descriptions spanning the entire spectrum from 'I loved it' to 'I was sexually assaulted'. Your mileage may vary. Without sounding unconcerned about the place; I would utter that every big city should have a bar like Estelle's. read more

This bar holds a special place in my heart. There hasn't been a time that I haven't had a good time there. The drinks are cold, the servers quick and nice, the jukebox has some great tunes and best of all they are open until 4am. Oh the memories!!! I loves Estelle's!!! read more

I've only been here once and it was after I got completely tanked at the Flatiron. I remember that they had 6 wings for $2 which was great as well as a pretty nice selection of brews on tap. The interior was nice, I vaguely remember our server saying it had been recently remodeled. I'll check it out again so I can have a clearer memory of the experience. read more

I initially liked Estelle's. Been several times as a default stop in Wicker Park. Great beer selection, great jukebox and great vibe (when it's not severely overcrowded), but unfortunately the novelty has worn off. Noticed the last time that the drinks are severely under-poured and the Jack was overpriced. Tried my luck last night with a well-whiskey. It was 5.50 and still under-poured. Thinking I'd choose the Sub-T Lounge next door if I have to return to Wicker Park again. Not terribly high on my priority list though. read more

They have a huge selection of beer (had my first ginger beer here!) and the bartendars are always nice! Why I give it 2 stars? Everytime I've been here the most obnoxious folks have been in there and its annoying as hell! So this is a good spot to grab a beer but the folks in there can be a pain in the ass sometimes! read more

Anytime I'm seeing a show at Sub-t, this is a definite stop beforehand, to get some GOOD beers! The selection is better than a lot of places in the area and its a great stop to grab a beer or two with friends. Its generally a little loud and seating is limited if there is a lot going on that night, but there's never a wait to get in. read more

The great thing about Estelle's is that on Tuesday nights, all beers are $2. It's lovely that way. Also, the bar is located right next to the Damen EL stop- tre convenient. The music is electic, in a good way, and sometimes they play old skool punk rock- songs that those in the know know by heart, but forgot existed. I love that. The only real downside is the place is kind of small, so you need to get there early-ish, before it fills up, to get a decent seat. Also, it is dark....too dark. read more

Interesting crowd, but not too crowded if you can snag a booth. The service was very friendly and fast and the drinks were good and cheap. The music was just way too loud for the hour on the clock. I'm a huge fan of music, especially at a bar, but when you have to yell to speak to the person sitting next to you, its a little too loud... read more

After writing my initial review, one of the owners followed up with me in regards to the situation that occurred on my previous visit. He was very friendly about the situation and offered an apology. He handled it very professionally. I truly appreciate the time he took to respond and address my concerns. Because of this I have upgraded my rating on the establishment. read more

Apparently, Estelle's used to be a much grimier place than it is these days. It's a shiny, clean bar now. New TVs on the wall showing 'the game' (like I know what sport is on), nice furniture. Very representative of the new Wicker Park. But that's okay. It's a nice place to drink, quiet on weeknights, and has a good selection of beer. I thoroughly enjoyed my Harpoon IPA. Definitely a good watering hole after a evening spent hard at work shopping! read more

Estelle's is always my first stop when I arrive to Wicker Park. The selection of beer is great and the bartenders are usually pretty friendly and attentive. I have only been here on the weekends and have never gotten food..sorry but I came to get trashed ! read more

If you're a little too drunk on random Friday night, I suggest Estelles. The people watching is pretty awesome (this place draws a very unique crowd from heavy metal dudes to yuppies to older folks), the beers are cheap, and lots of people to chat with. Overall, very solid. read more

I don't know when Estelle's became a "cafe n lounge" because the last time I was there all it was was dirty and crowded. I am a tavern regular (any Estelle's lover's dreaded bar), so believe me, I understand the 2am crowd in wicker park. There are 3 options: nick's, estelle's, and tavern... take your pick. From what I can tell, there is something for everyone, but if everyone is still out that means these bars are crowded. My problem with Estelle's, however, is not the fact that it gets crowded. Like I said, I know Estelle's has its own set of regular customers and people who love it, but this is why I don't like it: 1) It's often not very clean. 2) The drinks are over priced, even for bucktown standards, and the bartenders don't even pretend to care whether you want a drink or not. 3) There's always a line at the door. If you don't get there before 1:30 the odds of getting in are less than slim to none. 4) The crowd can have an attitude. It's a different set than the lincoln park crowd, but they're just as snobby in their own way. If you're not like them, you're not cool enough. I used to like Estelle's, but from now on I'll pass. It gets 3 stars because it serves its purpose as a late-night bar, but otherwise, it would definitely be a 1-star kind of joint. read more

I have only been here a few times, but I have found myself having a good time there. I always forget about Estelles, but find myself saying that I should go there again just about every time I pass it on the street. So it isn't impressionable enough for me to form anysort of yay or nay, but perhaps if I hit it late night sat it might be a different story read more

stella artois for cheap? $8 burger? YES! having one waitress working on thanksgiving break week when all the college kiddies are here NO! double NO for stopping to hit on/serve every other table in a timely manner but ours. seriously are we ugly? haha. hire seasonal help or call in someone extra for the busiest drinking week of the year. that's what i say. i might give this place a second chance simply for the beer. read more