I kind of can't believe this wasn't my first review. After all there was a period of time where I was here so much I might as well of payed rent. Those days are long gone (ok not entirely). However, I am down to about twice a week from like 10 (?) Consequently my habits have led me to many a spirited ( see drunken) conversation with all the bartenders. From extolling the greatness of Con Air (masterpiece), to why my ex is a huge douche, to "I did what/ kissed who (easy on the judgment) in here last night?", they listen with patience and only minimal ribbing. See. I don't need that therapist after all. Anyway...I digress. Oh yeah...good, strong, cheap drinks. Good jukebox. Good people. Blah blah blah... LOVES the Goldstar. read more

If you go on monday night, stella, guinness, and some other beer is $2 and you're likely to see local restaurant owners playing pool and eating the free popcorn. The jukebox looks like it was culled from the collection of someone who came of age during the 80s and finished college in the early 90s - it has that 'college radio' feel. read more

This is gonna be short and sweet. I love this bar because it has Shiner Ruby Red Bird. I just moved from Texas and I was afraid that I would be missing out on my Shiner. I nearly fell out of the bar stool when I saw it from across the bar. I ended up chatting with the bartender for a bit and was even more excited when I found out that they get Shiner Cheer during the holidays! I was sold! I went here for a friend's birthday It was a slow chill Tuesday night. Well it was kinda early too. I got there about 9 or 9:30. There's Random Shark Boob art everywhere but I can appreciate it. Atmosphere was pretty chill. It was nice because it wasn't too loud where we didn't have to shout at each other. It's bummer because it's cash only but oh well. They have SHINER! I'm a fan. Need to get back here soon! read more

No two ways about it: This place super divey. And yeah, it's got it's share of twenty-something Bucktown hipsters On the plus side, the crowd is generally friendly, the jukebox has some good selections, there's a pool table in the back, and the beer is cheap. Great place to get drunk with a group of friends. And apparently it's haunted? read more

Good pool table, cheap drinks and excellent music (Pantera, Iron Maiden, Ronnie James Dio, etc.) and free popcorn. What made this place for me was the music! read more

It always seems my night ends here. This place is a great hang. FOOD: Bags of Chips or popcorn. All you need somtimes DRINK: I bought a round of drinks for 4 people and it was $9.50. You can't get that anywhere else anymore it seems. This a place to get drunk at and talk with your buddies or play pool. ATMOSPHERE: This is as relaxed as a bar can be. Best jukebox in Chicago. Whoever said the best juke is at Old Town Ale House severely let me down. This place has Hank-Pantera and includes Mastadon. Truly awesome. The last time I was there we got in a discussion with the bartender on if Jimmy Page wrote the score to DeathWish II..... everyone is friendly. I am proud to say I bought a T-shirt. I will be back.... Oh I will be back. read more

I really dislike this place. Seriously. I'm sorry to all the people who love it, but it's really just an uninviting hole. Nothing against the bartenders, who have all been super nice and good with the getting of the drinks in a timely manner for a reasonable price, as well as the idle chitchat when slow. Nothing against the other patrons who have been unfailing polite and friendly, a semi-rarity in a lot of bars in Wicker Park. But my lord....this places just depresses the hell out of me when I walk in. It's the only place I've ever been in that feels less welcoming than the bottom of a well. It feels like driving a dirty Yugo. Something about the 20 foot ceilings combined with a total lack of any sort of feeling of warmth, or anything remotely "soft", make for one of the worst vibes possible. The yellow walls just look dingy and dirty. There is 0 natural light whatsoever in here, even on the brightest, sunniest summer day you can imagine. A good design aesthetic can't make a bar good, but a bad one can kill a good bar. Gold Star falls into the latter category here. Seriously, skip it for Innertown, Happy Village, Innjoy, Smallbar, whatever. This place just makes you sad to be there. read more

Decent selection of beers for a dive bar. Crowd is somewhat hipster but somewhat average, reasonable people. Not annoyingly crowded like Rainbow. Jukebox has a good selection: 80s like Talking Heads, 60's like Yardbirds, plenty of other types too. Service is questionable though. Might take a while for a bartender to show up. Also, I went there once and ordered Bell's Amber Ale multiple times from two different bartenders and kept getting served Bell's Porter. My friend then tried it twice and same thing. Finally another friend tried it and she got the Amber. Funny thing, music was really loud when she ordered. Still like the place. Good for meeting up with friends on weekdays. read more

Gold Star is one of a very few places that feels comfortable to me in Chicago. It reminds me of my favorite bar back home that recently closed it's doors. It's "conveniently" located between work and home. As I walk back to my house after a long day, my girlfriends and I "accidentally fall in" and one of them inevitably spills her first beer all over. I like it that I can go there with friends and be left alone for the most part. Drinks are cheap enough and the jukebox is sweet. I wish there was more dancing, Morrissey and the Pretenders. The lawn chairs never bothered me and girls end up using the boys room and boys end up using the girls room. This also doesn't bother me except when some dumb boy loses control and pees on the TP. Not cool, my friend. WARNING: Do not be mislead. It's not a real dive bar. The jukebox and the hipsters prove it. Thankfully it's not an overpriced, watered down asshole circus where guys use too much hair gel and cologne and the girls wear minis with halter tops in January either. It's just right. read more

This is not a dive bar because there's definitely an "in-crowd" of regulars here. Dive bar crowds change every other night. The patrons at GSB are trying a little too hard and it's cute if you're young or in college, but annoying if you're over 26 and working. Serious drinkers can get by without noticing much but anyone half sober and not a natural-born social climber should avoid wasting any time at this place. Especially if you're not also being followed in the door by your 10 or 15 friends with cool hats and pants that fit 3 beers ago. read more

I like the staff and the prices here. I also like that if I choose to socialize with strangers, I almost always meet someone interesting. Not so much a fan of the way it feels meat-market-y at times on the weekends, but on my most recent visit (Sat. night) it wasn't too crowded, my friends mixed well, I sang a Beatles song with a girl I met on the street, a funny guy tried on my hat and the owner recognized me from a year ago... Really, it doesn't take much to make me happy, does it? We ended the night here and easily caught a cab home. read more

Went in. Then went out. The set up wasn't accommodating. I paid for songs on the jukebox and only one played (why do I have such bad luck with this?). Too many people, even if it is a Saturday night. read more

One of my favorite Dive Spots. Love it. cheap beer, great service, great service, great service and pool. The bar is huge, so getting a drink is never a problem. This is the place I head to when I just want to chill, grab a brew and perhaps grab a conversation or two about nothing. Gold Star, don't ever change, ever. read more

This is the Burger King of places to hit on Division street. In fact, it's the version of Burger King that is now selling tacos. It's feels contrived. Keep walking, there are great places near by. read more

I went here in the 90s and would consider myself enough of a regular that Susan, the manager and bartender of all bartenders would often times comp me a beer. May she RIP. Since then I've only been in sporadically since I moved out of neighborhood. Recently saw the new renovations made under the new owners and I think they did a great job of upgrading it and yet keeping it's character that we so loved before...but cleaner. There are 2 types of barfly regulars...those that make you feel welcome whether it's your first and only visit, or those who make you feel like an outsider because you've dared to enter their space. I know who I prefer... read more

Brutal. Used to love gold star but went into tonight and there was about 25 frats boys standing around. Bartender served all of them as I sat there for 15 minutes. The nice guy sitting next to me finally said "can she order a drink?" And I said no thanks I'll go somewhere else. And as I walked out she screamed "FUCK YOU BITCH" after me. Haha keep it classy Gold Star. I noticed all the other one star reviews since new management so clearly not the only one whose noticed how badly this place sucks now. Unfortunate read more

I like this bar a lot. I have been here a handful of times, and service is always excellent. I have been given a few free rounds because I am so handsome, so that's cool. I usually just order a PBR in cans for 2 bucks I believe, it may even be a dollar. I usually meet up with other musicians in the area, so drinking cheap is the way to go here. The patrons are mostly industry people, or kids that just moved from the burbs and think the area is neat-o. Personally, any bar that is haunted is a favorite of mine. I'm a ghost hunter...and a bowler. read more

The perfect spot to take a foreigner and explain what is a dive bar. Great atmosphere, cheap drinks, free pool and popcorn! The tamale man was welcome, the door man friendly and the bar man was a generous one! The jukes tunes were random and awesome, the bathrooms clean and the joint didn't smell while we were there. The art was eclectic and if I lived here, I'd be happy to call this one of my fave neighborhood joints. read more

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Gold Star is a bar for neighborhood regulars. I find myself there on more Friday nights than I'd care to discuss here. It's a very nice "go get a beer after work" bar. If you're lucky enough to be there on a night when the tamale guy comes by, grab a bag for $5. It really adds to the Gold Star experience. Don't order strange cocktails or exotic imports. Just throw back a couple of Kalamazoo Ales and try not to get hit by a car while crossing Division. read more

I live around the corner from Gold Star. I used to hate it. Now I give it the top review, here's why: Before I used to hate all the hippy dippy weirdo cyclists that litter this bar. But hey, I live in this neighborhood. Lighten up a little bit, right? It was also too smoky. The night I changed my mind was about a month before the smoking ban started. I went with a group of friends who stand by Gold Star. Finally, my eyes were lifted: cheap drinks, friendly barstaff (I love you, Susan!) great jukebox, free popcorn! Now that its smoke free I will definitely attend more often. I have been converted. Baptize me in PBR. read more

This place rules. The bar has free popcorn, amazing artwork (shark dicks anyone?) and an all around groovy atmosphere. I called them last year to inquire about purchasing a shirt for my boyfriend's birthday; we had moved away from Chicago sadly, and Gold Star was one of my boyfriend's favorite neighborhood bars there. They were out of stock of the shirts at the time I called; his birthday passed and I didn't think about it anymore. I just got a package in the mail almost a year later with a free shirt from Gold Star Bar. Wow, talk about customer service! They'll clearly have good karma because they just restored my faith in humanity! So nice!! So yes, this is clearly an excellent bar!! 5 gold stars to you, Gold Star Bar. Thanks, Alena & Luke read more

My favorite dance-hall-brothel-turned-drug-den-turned-haunted-neighborhood bar to hang out at. Bartender Susan says the ghost, a lady in green, has been spotted behind the bar by other bartenders. I've never felt more at home when I wasn't at home that when I'm here. read more

Went there overdressed on a blind date I didn't want to go on. No one was an ass or even cared that I looked slightly out of place. Bartender was awesome and heavy handed, thank you dear god. I like the divey place as much as the next guy and like everything about this except the pool police. They were snarky mcsnarksters to a little lad who wanted to shoot some stick. I was like Whoa..its Tuesday. There were ten people including me and "saving the world, one soul at a time" horrific date. Let the kid put his stick into the game please. Great prices, great service. Oh and big plus...the Tamale Guy-smooched me when he came in-just enough to scare the saint I'ld been set up with! read more

I'm about to do something that I'd normally consider a no-no on yelp- I'm giving a few bars the same review. Friday night began innocently with drinks at a local neighborhood bar. Around 11pm our waitress told us that our table was to be turned over to the DJ and that we could move to another table or pay our tab. We chose to go across the street to Phyllis' Musical Inn and check out some of the "hole in the wall" bars in my neighborhood. I've walked and driven by these establishments a lot but haven't been in all of them. And let me tell you- I was missing out. Now I have been to Phyllis' Musical Inn and Gold Star in the past, but the other stops of the night were new to me. And YES, I'll return to them all. In fact, a spring time 'hole-in-the-wall' pub crawl is already in the planning phases. Phyllis' Musical Inn: As I said I'd been here before. When my friend and I arrived Friday night it was a full house. But we still managed to get two seats at the bar. I LOVE that they had a live blues band playing. I loved even MORE that while we sat there they pumped out 'Sweet Home Chicago.' Not going to lie, it really made me smile from ear to ear. This was the sort of bar the Blues Brothers would love! We each had a (cheap!) PBR. A kindly patron bought me a shot, the bartender was awesome- explained that many in the crowd had just come from the wake of a young man that had been a regular at Phyllis'. The place may be a bit of a hole-in-the-wall but it also has a welcoming atmosphere. I like this place lots and shall be back- especially if the live band returns! Gold Star Bar: This is another one I'd been to once before. Last time I was here it was the middle of the day in the summer and it was empty except for the bartender and a random man at the bar having a cold one. It was a bit boring on my first visit. This time however the place was packed. We lucked out (again!) and found two seats at the bar. One of the bartenders was hot which helped. We enjoyed some more cheap beer... then things started to get fuzzy. I just remember smiling a lot... I will absolutely return. It's a GREAT Friday night crowd- totally different experience from my previous visit. Zakopane: Being a nice Polish gal, I had to try this bar. I loved it. Immediately people in here recognized my face as being that of a nice Polish girl. Immediately people were buying this nice Polish gal shots. And I found a $5 bill on the floor- and $5 bills are my favorite bills, so that was a happy moment! The bartenders were two awesome gals as well. There was nothing about this bar not to love. CAN'T RECALL THE NAME OF THE 4TH BAR: Cheapest beers of the NIGHT!!! Unreal how cheap the beer was! I think it was $1.50 each! AWESOME! I feel so bad that I can't remember the name. Again, things were fuzzy- plus it was late! Rite Liquors: The evening ended here- when they turned the lights on and ushered everyone the heck out. We had a blast here! This was my first slashie ever. Yes- it's a liquor store- situated inside a bar. I've never seen a bar with more bottles in my life. The wall of bottles of booze was endless. But it was also a liquor store. We loved it. Who even knew these establishments existed? I plan to return. It was so much fun! It was the most diverse crowd of the night which added to the experience! Some people had all their teeth, some people had no teeth. Some people were young business professionals such as myself, some people haven't had a job in two decades. It was fabulous! I MUST return! Friends- keep your eyes peeled for a 'hole-in-the-wall' pub crawl invite once the weather warms up. And in the meantime, you'll likely find me frequenting my new favorite watering holes. God I love my neighborhood! read more

Great bar. Hands down, the friendliest bartenders I've ever experienced. Great tunes on the jukebox. Cheap beer/whiskey combos. I'd knock off half a star for it being too bright in there, but then I'd just be a nit-picking asshole. read more

Dear Gold Star, I am your 100th review and I'm a big fan. You have cheap and delicious beer, an excellent crowd, a fun dive-y vibe, a friendly owner who serves up beer like a pro and a great location! I like you very much and I hope to see you again soon. Thanks! Love, Carri read more

Sorry Gold Star, i am giving you a bronze. I like the art deco high ceilings, and the curvy counter at the bar, the clientele is a good mix, at least the night I went to...It is probably my fave bar on Division, but that's not saying much... read more

Used to be a great bar. Now it has zero character and a lot of fake furniture to make it look fancier than it is.

Dirty, Stinky, Smelly, I love it. There's not too much to ask here, cheap beer, an eclectic mix of people, some characters to include the bartenders. I think the best part is that I met my fiance here - really. At Gold Star. So weird we met at Gold Star, and he almost got into a fight in the bathroom, but hey, its that kind of place! Pool table, juke box, no frills kind of place - the bathroom is either hit or miss - usually a miss, but I have seen worse! read more

This place is one of my fav places to sit and BS with my fellow dive bar fans. I love it cause I can bring my pooch on most days and she has as much fun as me. I usually stick with the PBR cause its cheap and easy. Low lights and good music is always a plus for me. Check it out. Parking can be a bear, but it's worth it. read more

If I lived closer and/or wasn't so lazy, I would definitely be a regular at Gold Star. I absolutely adore everything about it. The staff is awesome and incredibly polite, the formica furniture is lovely, they always have something interesting on the small TV and the patrons are usually very cool. They have Red Bull/Vodka and it's a helluva deal - love it. I definitely, definitely recommend Gold Star. In fact, everyone should go there. It would be a damn shame for a treasure like this to disappear because of some cheesey new sports bar down the road. GET THERE! read more

This place is fairly big - which is nice. The bathroom isn't terribly divey. The beer isn't terribly expensive. However, hands down this place has one of the BEST jukeboxes I have had the pleasure to experience in Chicago thus far. Plenty of ska & punk tunes. Even a little Motown never hurt anybody now did it? PS - if you're bored, hang out near the bathrooms like I did because a line usually forms and drunk people in Chicago will talk to anyone about anything....especially when they got to pee. read more

Gold Star is exactly what it needs to be. No frills, not too decorated, not falling apart, great jukebox, free pool, liquor. Being there last Wednesday was excellent. A cheap glass of Maker's Mark on rocks, the jukebox loaded up with everything from the Kinks to Ministry to Miles Davis, a couple of friends, some drunken attempts at trick shot pool... I don't see what else I could want in a Wednesday. Beware, however, that if bumping into coke-whores checking each others nostrils for coke residue is a put off, then you ought to get a table away from the ladies washroom. read more

We stopped here after seeing a House Theatre show at the Chopin on St. Patrick's Day weekend. Mostly, I was just delighted to find a place not packed with idiots in plastic green hats. But Gold Star is also a great place in its own right. It's like they took the aesthetic of a dive bar and put it into a cavernous room with a big bar counter and a pool table in back. While I'm used to my dives being dark and claustrophobic, this place made the differences work to its advantage, providing more seating and mingle room than a normal dive while keeping those all important dive traits of cheap bear, a haphazard decorating scheme and been-around-the-block bartenders. A great place for a laid back, no frills night of drinking. read more

YES! great bartenders, stellar jukebox, friendly regulars, popcorn, patio furniture, free pool table, stop on chi haunted pub crawl...so many +attributes. read more

I heart Gold Star. This was another on my ode to Dive Bar Crawl night, but I had completely forgotten (or lost) about it until a friend and I wandered in one night after an early dinner. The bar is super long, the staff is crochety or friendly, drinks are inexpensive and strong, and the patrons typically live in the neighborhood so it eliminates the air of pretension that some of the other bars on the strip of Division fester. Much love. read more

Alright, I've been debating on how many stars to give this place. I usually start with 5 stars and make downgrades from there. I have nothing bad to say! So 5 stars it is... The drinks are cheap, good and strong. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done and really, when you walk in, you don't expect martinis or speciality cocktails. There's a decent beer selection to keep any boy (or gal!) happy. The bartenders are a bit homely, but I like that. They serve free popcorn. LOVE pocorn. The crowd is definitely eclectic and friendly, if you pipe up a bit. I wish I went with a larger group (vs. just me and the bf), but if I lived in Chicago or nearby at all, this would be my go-to spot. read more

$5 SAYS YOU CAN TAKE OVER THE JUKEBOX FOR A SOLID HOUR Hands-down my favorite spot for a beer in the neighborhood. Probably in all of Chicago. My crush only deepens with each visit. $2 Bells on tap on Monday? Yes please. Blatz in a can? Absolutely. Classic films like Highlander on the tiny TV?? You're damn right. My buddy from NYC is quite smitten with Gold Star, and remarks "you could fit an entire bar from New York just in the space behind the bar." Yup. Read up on its kick-ass history: http://www.chibarproject.com/Reviews/GoldStar/GoldStar.htm read more

One of my favorite bars to frequent. They are all business here, booze, badass juke, and pool. No frills, just exactly what you came for. Old Style and High Life are cheap, which is really 4 ot of the 5 stars right there. Jukebox is packed with great tunes, and the pool table in the back occupies the time (but it's usually in use with a long line). After checking out a few places this past New Years Eve to try and go to, I ended up at Gold Star - it was free to get in, and there were free cold cuts set out. I can't think of a better way to ring in the new year than Old Style and polish style ham. Go and check it out. read more

This is my favorite bar to frequent in Chicago. First of all, the owners are cool as hell! The beer is cheap, cold, and the service is great. The best nights to go are when the owners are there. They are extremely nice, cool to talk to, and very down to Earth. The jukebox has the best selection of music I have ever seen at a bar, lots of metal and punk, and the customers generally are pretty cool. They got free pool in the back and play good shit on their televisions. Free popcorn, too! Parking aint too bad. You generally can find free parking within a block or two. It is cash only which sometimes can be a bummer but there is an atm machine nearby. I almost forgot-The Tamale Guy comes by most nights, but make sure you don't get ripped off! I was drunk and bought tamales and he gave me no change back. I paid double. But maybe I was just too drunk and he gave me more than I thought. But I am pretty sure he ripped me off. read more