The place is ok, but if it's crowded the lone bartender is too distracted to even glance at your direction. I stop by on occasion partly because I live close by and feel guilty about not supporting a local bar, but I usually leave about half the time without getting a drink. It's best to go with someone you know, the clientele are regulars that stick to themselves, and sometimes the bartender is part of these cliques and will only pay attention to them. read more

I just can't help myself. Maybe its the $7 pitchers or dark danky feel, either way the atmosphere is relaxed - don't worry about sucking in your stomach here. People are friendly and the juke-box is well stocked. The bartenders are funny and sarcasim is welcome. Its a mix of old and young and girls, you are welcome, but brace yourselves, the bathroom is dirty and the toliet seat is sometimes "optional". read more

First visit to The Anvil tonight, and I'll definitely be back! No pretense here; it's a bar. Plain and simple. Our bartender, Gary, was an absolute HOOT. Funny, engaging, and attentive to everyone in the bar. Inexpensive drink prices by Chicago standards. Clientele was friendly and not the least bit pretentious. GREAT time. read more

Based on previous positive reviews by women, I dropped in to see how the Anvil was (I'm aware it is a gay bar and not geared to lesbians, but one hopes all are welcome). I got the cold shoulder from an unsmiling, impatient bartender and the male clientele. Wasn't checked on or asked if I wanted another beer. I left quickly. Still five stars, because I can see the appeal for older male locals...they seemed comfortable with each other, but not so much with the dyke who came in from the cold. read more

Shit.....you get what you get or give. It's a HOLE, fo sho...but nice staff, cheap prices, funky ol' crowd, and so damn dark you can hide away from earth....but if you park in back, DO NOT forget to get the paper-thingy from the bartender (QUICKLY!) that says you're there, and put it in yer windshield (learned that the hard way, $115). What the fuck did you expect, Roscoe's? And, Feathers, dammit. read more

Living so close, probably helps my appreciation for The Anvil. I've always found the bartenders friendly. (cause no trouble, get no trouble) The clientele is a broad range, although you will quickly identify the regulars. Best of all the drinks are cheap! They also have a patio out back, so you can enjoy our fine Chicago weather. It isn't the most chic bar, but if I want cookie cutter it's only a train ride away. A true neighborhood bar at it's finest! read more

I live in the neighborhood and enjoy the local watering hole. Steven could not be more friendly and accommodating. An unfortunate feature of this bar is that one of the bartenders who everyone knows has a tendency to be moody and frequently gossips about patrons making the experience unpredictable and often unpleasant. I was there earlier this week and immediately after I departed this bartender which I will call (lanky) began bad mouthing me. Friends of mine texted me alerting me to his comments. It made them feel awkward and left them wondering why this unprofessional behavior would be allowed by a conscientious bar owner who works so hard to build good will only to have it undermined by petty immature gossip. read more

Yes, it's a dive. Yes, it's broken. Yes, I have more fun at this bar than any other. No attitude. No Halsted Street BS. Just a bunch of gay guys (an occasionally a woman or 2) drinking. Usually talking politics (you'd better be up on your politics to join these coversations!) Diversity of people range from the neighborhood drunk to the Gold Coast Divas. The bartenders poor long and hard, and make sure your drink is never empty. Plenty of smokers on the patio. Just sit down and start talking....to someone, heck even yourself. Tell'm Bill sent ya! read more

Have been to this bar a few times I've the year and each time I remember why I don't go there. The service is horrible, bartenders are rude and try to rip you off. They won't serve doubles so they can charge you more per drink. I would avoid this place when there are many other bars in Andersonville worth you time. read more

The Anvil is THE place to go if you want the opposite of the Boy's Town Bitchy-stuck-up-you are wearing-yesterday's color shirt- crowd. You can walk in and sit down. No need to stand. It usually isn't SO loud that you cant have a good conversation. Most people I have met here are friendly and will talk with you. The bar tenders all do a good job and you never have an empty glass in front of you for long. The prices are cheap. The music on the juke box is great - Johnny Cash style music. The place is a dive bar, a good place to go, sit, drink, talk, relax and enjoy being alive. read more

Awesome place!!! Super strong drinks for a ridiculously cheap price, and not because they serve cheap alcohol. Great environment, super welcoming and you get to meet all different kinds of people even though it's technically a gay dive bar. A great pregaming place or a good time for the whole night! read more

Where else in the city can a tranny walk into a bar looking like Holly Golightly at noon on a Sunday, get wasted, and come back in the evening and dance on a stripper pole and feel accepted? Everyone is friendly and the beer garden/patio is fantastic. This place is a gay gem. read more

I went back to this place and after 6 years Frankie and his beautiful partner still are there when you walk in, full of smiles and good cheer. I've always loved this place and I always will..... Edgewater will always have a place in my heart and the Anvil is a huge reason why. read more

A total neighborhood dive bar. Cheap, classless and not pretending to be anything else. And the place has carpet on the walls.

Back in the 1960's Joanne Bishop and Mike Costello turned this into a Gay bar. It is probably the oldest Gay bar on the North Side. Not continually owned by same people but still the same concept a Dive Bar and a comfortable place to drink. I will have to go in soon, did not know they had remodeled the place. Hope it has not changed too much. read more

This is a little hole in the wall bar that caters to a more mature audience. Cheap drinks and an outdoor patio...plus stumbling distance from the red line at Granville! read more

I mean, its a cheap dive bar under the El. Our beers were like 2.50 or something stupid cheap. The bartender was super friendly. Unique, comfy space inside. If I lived up here, this could definitely be a regular spot! You wanna hang in a chill place with nice folks and drink cheap beer? Yep. Granville Anvil. read more

A perfect Dive bar. Wade was our bartender and he was such a friendly guy to chat with. I was visiting from Los Angeles and wanted to find a neighborhood spot. This place was perfect. The prices were extremely reasonable and the service was wonderful. I'll definitely go back next time I find myself in Chicago. read more

Tucked away on Granville but always find a fun group of guys to spend the night flirting with. Drink, play, get weird ha! Always end up with a funny story to tell after spending a Friday night here. read more

Edward one table for bitter comming right up haha. Seriously though the Anvil is a great little dive

Loves me some Anvil. Gary, Franky and Steven are great. Cheap and strong drinks and a friendly crowd.

I have been coming to the Anvil for the past 2 years since I moved to Chicago, love it. Dive bar, cheap strong drinks until Friday September 9th. One of the main reasons I go is because they are (were) a dog friendly bar. I had relatives in town who have been there with me and my dog before who is a mere 10 lbs a pomachu sweet, who I hold the whole time. Well we went in there on the above date with my dog and the A hole bartender who is always loud and ignorant says "No dogs allowed" the minute we walked in, I said "We have been here with her many times". He says "Not on my shift" and turns to talk to the other customers. I'm not sure if his name is Chuck or Frank or something I'm sure regulars know who I am talking about. Either make it dog friendly or not, and an employee who works there does not decide the rules just cause "It's his shift". Sad to say I use to like this bar, now I will look elsewhere for more friendly bartender and dog bar. read more