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    Half Sour

    4.1 (405 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 3 weeks ago

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    HALF SOUR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Casual
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Half Sour

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    THC drinks
    Julisa W.

    Came here after an architectural boat tour because it was walking distance and had a meal with a large party. Our server was so pleasant and they answered all my questions, gave suggestions and overall had a glowing personality. I will say, I am an AVID pickle lover. I don't normally like half sours but these were so good!! A friend offered the table part of hers and I had to get my own. We shared the steak and frites; the steak and chimichurri lacked flavor and the fries were nothing to call home about. Delish THC drinks were available which I am always surprised to see (country gal) but it is a great option for someone who doesn't want to drink but wants to feel the vibe. Some people in my group had allergies and were vegetarian and they didnt find anything they could eat as a meal, so I felt bad for that. Can't please everyone and they had a lot of food restrictions, so not sure I can place blame on the restaurant for that. I'm not in the area so we probably won't be back but it was a quick and easy spot to grab a bite. Attached is our receipt (which they don't split, so be aware!) for pricing as needed.

    The Jeremy  - a twist on the Reuben
    Barbara L. A.

    We sat down and Dari came to take our order as the kitchen was closing soon; the menu has appetizers to share [or not, if it's your favorite;) ] I had the Latkes and a cbd drink called Apple Pie by Marz : delicious! Then we had some cocktails while finishing eating. This venue had a wonderful, friendly and welcoming vibe - if I lived here it would probably become a favorite place to come in and chill! Everything went very well: Dari is such a lovely person!!! Thank you Half Sour for a great time :)

    Triple XXX
    Monica M.

    Great place! Stopped in for dinner the other night and happy we did. The place has a great neighborhood bar vibe with lots of indoor and outdoor seating as well as at the bar. I ordered a spicy margarita and the bartender did a great job. For entrees I had the fried xxx sandwich. Huge portion, not overly spicy, very saucy and the fries are perfectly seasoned and delicious. My husband had the other chicken sandwich grilled, and it was a smaller portion but still very good- he loved the sauce on it. We had great service and the prices were fair. Great spot to hang!

    Nachos!
    Ahmad O.

    We stepped into Half Sour for a quick meal before a movie and were seated right away. The waitress was great as well! I decided to get the nachos but they weren't my favorite. The nacho cheese was a little grainy which took away from the experience. But all my previous meals at Half Sour were faultless so I'll chalk this up to a bad pick. Beers are fire though!

    Nice long bar!
    Jim K.

    A nice bar and grill. You have the choice of a grilled or fried chicken sandwich as one of their main dishes. I opted for the grilled chicken and it was cooked perfectly. The bun was quite fresh and the french fries were quite good. They were nice and thin and crispy! The bar service was excellent. And, they had a very good draft brown beer!

    Elgin B.

    4.5 Stars - Half Sour, 755 S Clark St, Chicago, IL I was looking for a laid-back brunch spot in the South Loop, and Half Sour fit the bill perfectly. My sister, her friend, and I went on a Sunday afternoon. Despite being downtown, I found parking fairly easily on Clark--around $7 for paved parking, which isn't too bad for the area. The interior has a casual, slightly divey feel--somewhere between polished and relaxed. No need to dress up; streetwear is just fine. Even the staff sported laid-back outfits with ripped jeans. The vibe was welcoming and unpretentious, with TVs showing various sports (captions included). We arrived around 2 p.m., so only the brunch menu was available--which worked out since I was craving breakfast food. Our server was sweet and helpful, quickly correcting a few small oversights. It was a slower time of day, so we had attentive service. I ordered the French toast, eggs, and breakfast potatoes. The French toast was especially memorable--soft like bread pudding, topped with strawberries, and served warm. I'll definitely return for that! Everything was seasoned exceptionally well--kudos to the kitchen. My sister had a waffle she thought was just okay, but her friend enjoyed the strawberry shortcake. We also tried both the hash browns and breakfast potatoes. While the potatoes were tasty, they included a few French fries, which felt a little out of place. The hash browns, however, were perfectly cooked and seasoned--they're what I'd recommend. As someone trying to cut back on caffeine, I appreciated the option of decaf coffee, served with cream and honey on the side. Overall, I'd give Half Sour a strong 4.5 out of 5. I'm curious to try their evening menu next time--if the flavor and seasoning carry over, it could be a five-star experience. If you're in the South Loop and craving brunch, Half Sour is definitely worth a visit .

    Drinks
    Shelby M.

    This was such a cute spot. Open seating so just take a table/chair when you walk in. We just got appetizers and drinks, but everything was great!! Would love to come back and try different drinks and entrees.

    Cheese Curds so good!
    Katrina M.

    I really like the menu options at this place. It's comfort deli food with some flare to it as well. The cheese curds were very good which I didn't expect them to stand out so much from other cheese curds but they did! The latkes were also great. We ordered them with the smoked salmon dip, but the dip seemed more of a tuna salad type than what I thought the smoked salmon would be. I also ordered the reuben which I did enjoy, but it was extremely peppery. The service was great, we were checked on at a good rate even though we were only one of few tables outside.

    Charred Wings
    Randy S.

    I. Love. Half. Sour. I've been to Half Sour a few times now and I can't stop raving about the service that I receive. The bartenders and waiters are both helpful and receptive to questions EACH TIME. I'm a Wing & Burger guy so I always get those two. I prefer my burgers Medium and my wings with a bit wellness to them...I'm never disappointed. The fries are the best role player that I can't say enough about. I'll never say no to a trip to Half Sour

    Nolan F.

    I ordered: Cheeseburger - Sharp American Cheese, Diced Onions, Roasted Garlic Aioli, House Dill Pickles, Shredded Lettuce Brioche Bun It's a near perfect burger in its own right. The bread and burger as a whole holds well/doesn't crumble apart. The ingredients work well together as a flavor combination. So flavorful and juicy. The beef just needs to be seasoned! The fries are crispy, fluffy, and perfectly seasoned. Service was good. Lots of seating for small to medium groups.

    Salmon on house made bagels - Smoked Salmon Bagel
    Tiffany B.

    Happy to have this joint in my neighborhood. How often do you find bagels made in-house?! I wonder if they make the smoked salmon in house, because it absolutely seemed like it. Quality matzo ball soup also. Staff is friendly. Low key vibe.

    Cheese Curds
    Isabel W.

    Cheese curds are a must. Crispy, great portion and tastes so good!! was excited for their drinks, maybe we ordered wrong but the two we got were underwhelming (spill the tea and pickletini). Our friend's early wedding drink was good though

    Rosemary Hash
    Stacie B.

    We stumbled upon this place while out exploring and given it was time for lunch we thought we would check it out. I loved the interior feel which was a mix of a bar with a high end coffee shop/brunch spot. It was long and narrow with dark paneling but had tons of light so it didn't feel dark, more intimate and cozy. You can sit anywhere so we found a table near the kitchen to view the street and people watch, and hitch is an added bonus of this location as it is on the way to a local park. The waitress was prompt and friendly even in the midst of their rush. I ordered their house made ginger lemonade and it came almost immediately. It was delicious and a huge favorite. I would highly recommend it! A thirst quencher for sure. The menu was brunch at the time but you could also order lunch. We opted for rosemary hash and latkes, as those are things we don't make at home ourselves. Very fresh tasting despite being fried. I was very surprised by how light and airy they tasted d, and how the spicy honey pushed the latkes to even more flavor. The hash was plentiful and had perfectly cooked eggs on top (runny just as expected). Very delicious food! We would return and maybe try other options, but did love what we tried. A fun and festive vibe and a great place to eat with friends or have a drink.

    Chicken Sandwich

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    3 months ago

    Went here in 2023, great food great portions. Returned today and was very disappointed. Portions substantially smaller.

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    Up charge for half a salad. Not satisfied. Great waiters, and we should have fair pricing for subpar meals.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - Half Sour

    Do they still have the speakeasy down the basement?

    Good for brunch/football games?

    Absolutely! Not a sports bar but always play Bears' games with sound. Food is amazing!

    Does this restaurant offer gluten free options?

    Yes. GF bread

    What kind of restaurant is it?

    I feel like it's a cafe, they have a bit of everything. Most of the food could still fall under new American depending on how lenient your definition is.

    View All 5 Questions

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    Bisous - interior

    Bisous

    4.4(119 reviews)
    1.5 miFulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side

    The Chicago food tour commences... First stop, drinks at Bisous! This cocktail bar was listed no…read more 39 on the top 50 bars in North America for 2025. It was no wonder when we arrived that there was a line out the door. We waited around 45 minutes, and the bouncer was a really nice fellow who kept track of the numbers and people at the door. Upon entering, we were immersed in a dimly lit retro-style lounge. It was quite loud inside and packed as we walked to our seats. The server was great at taking our orders and offering suggestions. I opted for the French 75, which featured sparkling wine and mixed gin, brandies, and citrus. The drink was delicious, but STRONG. I don't know what they put in the cocktails in America, but I am always finished after one drink. Needless to say, we were all struggling to finish our own drinks. My favourite touch was the coasters, I ended up keeping all of them so that I can reuse them at my galentines event next year. The 'bisous' with the kiss on the other side is a perfect touch! I think the drinks are fairly priced for USD. I would love to return someday to try other drinks and bar bites, and also try their sister bar, Sparrow.

    My boyfriend and I were visiting Chicago (from Las Vegas) 2 weeks ago, and were very excited to…read morecheck out Bisous, as it looked nice inside and had good reviews. Imagine my shock when we didn't even make it past the bouncer because he was so rude, AS OTHER RECENT REVIEWS HAVE MENTIONED AS WELL! We had dinner nearby and walked to Bisous after, and saw there was a line of 5 or 6 people outside. We expected this as we knew Bisous is a first come, first serve bar. We were curious what the wait time would look like, so we approached the front door to ask a host or employee inside (we assumed there'd be a desk with an employee working it who could give us a wait time). We had no problem waiting, just wanted to see how long they estimated it would be! Before we could even fully open the door, the bouncer swung the door open from the other side and hit me with the door. I stumbled back a few steps and he looked at us and said, and I quote, "What do you want?". I laughed at first because I thought he was joking and putting on a tough guy act. He was not. We quickly explained we just wanted to see what the wait time was, and he said "don't you see there's a line outside?" We said yes, and explained we just wanted to know a rough estimated wait time. He just blankly stared at us while ushering us out. Both my boyfriend and I have worked in customer-service roles for a very, very long time. This encounter was not only extremely rude and unprofessional, but he also hit me hard enough with the door to send me stumbling back, and then said nothing about it and continued to address us in a tone that was nothing less than annoyed and irritated. We didn't end up going inside because that encounter left such a bad taste in our mouths. I don't believe in spending my money at establishments that don't treat their customers with the bare minimum respect they deserve! Bummed we didn't get to experience it, as I'm sure it was lovely inside and I can only hope the rest of the employees were much more kind and accommodating, or at least able to answer a simple question. Fire your "bouncer" (??) and hire someone with some basic customer service and communication skills!!

    Photos
    Bisous - Interior bar

    Interior bar

    Bisous - Inside

    Inside

    Bisous - Interior

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    Interior

    Clara - E Major

    Clara

    4.7(31 reviews)
    3.6 miWicker Park, West Town

    Cute-enough spot with small plates and cocktails. However, when we visited last night, we waited 15…read moreminutes for our one wine and one cocktail, despite the restaurant being less than a quarter full. We watched our waitress make multiple attempts to pick up my husband's drink from the bar, spill, set it down, pick it back up and spill more, and finally give up and run it to us. As she set down this sticky, wet, under-filled mess, I asked her exactly how much of my husband's $16 cocktail she had just spilled. She said, "Yeah, the bartender over-poured," and walked off. We then watched her do the exact same thing to every mixed drink she ran. Way, way too expensive to be delivering messy, dripping, quarter-empty cocktails. Skip Clara and go to Le Midi, where the service, ambience, and wine list were perfect.

    This place knows what's up! It's beautiful, easy to get to, their service is always phenomenal and…read moretheir drinks are delicious. Their snacks are totally worth getting, and the staff are so friendly and knowledgeable. Every time I've asked for a recommendation, they do not disappoint! It's become a regular spot for a night out with the gals. PS - Their live music is so good!

    Photos
    Clara - The drummer and bassist of Solomon lindenberg trio

    The drummer and bassist of Solomon lindenberg trio

    Clara - Two Smooth Sailing cocktails. Featuring Whiskey, Lemon Juice, Maple Syrup, and Benedictine.

    Two Smooth Sailing cocktails. Featuring Whiskey, Lemon Juice, Maple Syrup, and Benedictine.

    Clara - Festive Lion -- mezcal, tequila, grapefruit syrup, and cardamom bitters.

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    Festive Lion -- mezcal, tequila, grapefruit syrup, and cardamom bitters.

    Lazy Bird

    Lazy Bird

    4.2(256 reviews)
    1.3 miFulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side
    $$$

    I stopped by Lazy Bird on a Wednesday night after dinner, and it ended up being such a great…read morechoice. We made a reservation ahead of time, which I'd definitely recommend, but it wasn't overly packed and we were seated without any issues. The vibe in there is top tier. Dim lighting, live music energy, and just the right mix of chill and upscale. It's the kind of place where you can actually enjoy the atmosphere without feeling rushed. This was my second time here and I remember it being just as good back in 2022. The drinks were immaculate. I had two mocktails that were both well-balanced (not overly sweet, which I appreciate), and he ordered an old fashioned. You can tell they take their bar program seriously and can go beyond a gin & tonic. Overall, it was a really good time. It can give you a great midweek outing or a laid-back night with a little something.

    Lazy Bird is a cute Chicago speakeasy but let me tell you something -- this place is CROWDED. I…read morecame early in the evening and got the last spot at the bar (I was by myself), and within 30 mins while I was having my drink I looked around and noticed that the room was near totally full, and the majority of people were standing in the open because all the tables were full, as was the bar. People were standing right behind me to order drinks; I didn't feel overly crowded by any means but some who aren't used to that kind of bar/clubby vibe might feel that way. The music was a little loud to be heard over all the folks there, but I wasn't talking to anyone so it didn't bother me (was just sitting and reading a book). The bartender was really nice and attentive despite the fact that the place was so packed. I had a drink called the "Gentle Fish" which the bartender rec'd as a sweeter/more floral drink. Admittedly it was a little strong, but the flavor was nice! It was different from most other drinks I've had, and I enjoyed it. Was strong enough I definitely did not need another though. Of note, this place is downstairs under "The Hoxton" hotel, there's no entrance directly to the bar from the sidewalk/street (you have to enter the hotel lobby, then follow the signs toward the back and go down the elevator and/or stairs). There is a person who checks your ID when you enter and seats you if seats are available. The bathrooms were very clean. Not sure about parking but street parking is definitely very limited; I imagine a paid lot would probably be the easiest thing or taking the train from wherever you're staying if you can (which is what I did).

    Photos
    Lazy Bird
    Lazy Bird
    Lazy Bird

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    Three Dots and A Dash - Orchid garnish

    Three Dots and A Dash

    4.1(4.2k reviews)
    1.2 miNear North Side
    $$$

    This place is a yes, yes, and yes! I have a buddy that loves Tiki bars and found this place/made a…read morereservation, so our group came to visit on a Sunday night. The vibe is speakeasy-ish; the entrance is off the street in an alleyway but the interior is very nice, low light, and would be fun for a date night! The staff were attentive and very friendly. My friend got some shots, which were surprisingly good given they were kind of sweet, and I ordered the "mystic lamp" cocktail ($16) which was VERY memorable to me as someone that loves floral drinks -- it was very floral, slightly fruity, and had a lovely chunk of lychee it came with which was delicious! The drink was decent sized too; I've been charged a lot more for much less drink at other speakeasies (those of which I don't plan to visit again any time soon haha). In my opinion, this spot has the perfect combo of great drinks, nice ambiance, cool speakeasy-vibes, but also cheerfulness given the tiki-theme inside. Would definitely rec a visit to anyone visiting Chicago who likes cool bars!

    I can't understand what the fuss is all about here. I couldn't wait to leave…read more This place represents itself as a tiki bar but is the most half-hearted attempt I have ever seen. I was excited for the experience having heard how busy it gets, blah blah. These positive reviewers need to seek out other tiki bars. After you negotiate the alley entrance and go down dangerously dark stairs, you are met with crazy boring decor. I kept thinking there had to be more right? The whole point of a tiki bar is to strike a mood, but hanging a very few polynesian masks on the wall, putting up a grass facade over the bar and dressing the servers in vaguely polynesian outfits is sad. I've seen private tiki bars at people's homes that are more exciting. Add to this a comparably boring music selection played far too loud over boomy lo-fi speakers and you'll wonder what's going on here. So what about the food and drink? Completely uninspired for anyone who's had more than a mai tai before in their life. About a dozen extremely common drink choices is all you get!! No specials, that's it. When I asked if this was the whole cocktail menu, the server said it was but they have a full bar so you can get anything you want. Well, I could get that service at just about any bar in the world, so big deal. Maybe it would be better if you sat at the bar and chatted up the bartender. One could also go taste their rum selections and other cocktails in the Bamboo Room, but I hate that kind of elitist nonsense. That's never been what tiki bars were about. The drinks we sampled were okay at best. Even the namesake 3 Dots and A Dash cocktail was lackluster and used cheap cherries for the dots instead of classic Luxardos. (If you know, you know) The appetizers were okay, but way overpriced. 5 tiny spring rolls for $18. Come on guys, enough already. I'd rather go to the bar at the Polynesian Hotel at Disney than return here. This place is a hard pass.

    Photos
    Three Dots and A Dash - Interior Entrance

    Interior Entrance

    Three Dots and A Dash - These Loaded Luau Cheese Fries

    These Loaded Luau Cheese Fries

    Three Dots and A Dash - Tiki gift shop.

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    Tiki gift shop.

    Machine Cocktail Bar - Bar area

    Machine Cocktail Bar

    4.8(39 reviews)
    1.7 miNear North Side

    Machine Cocktail bar was an incredible spot to go and test out a bunch of new cocktails with…read morefriends. They are known for their innovative cocktails, bold flavours and unique glassware and decor on the drinks to enhance the experience even further. I would recommend going in a group so that you can try many! They also have a happy hour that is worth checking out. We tried these cocktails: 1. Heart of the Ocean - spoiler alert - it's the blue heart image I've attached haha. I loved this, looks beautiful and was tasty 2. Savage Garden - interesting mix of spices 3. Pistachio Affogate - I had more expectations on this one. It was alright, tasty but nothing crazy. 4. Devil's Cup - maybe the best one we had. The chili chocolate is YUM 5. Love is a fog - strong and classy We really enjoyed our experience here. The only thing that was frustrating was that they were trying to kick us out towards the end of the night to close out early and we were having a great time and didn't want to leave. But highly recommend!

    Went here with a group of six friends after dinner for cocktails and absolutely loved the vibe! The…read morepresentation of the mocktails was so creative and beautiful. While the mocktail options were limited, they had a great variety of cocktails to choose from. Since it was Valentine's week, there was a violinist going table to table playing songs, which added such a romantic and classy touch to the evening. The ambiance overall was amazing -- stylish, fun, and perfect for pictures. Even the ladies' room and certain corners of the bar were great for photos! Definitely a spot I would go back to again. Service was good, well served

    Photos
    Machine Cocktail Bar - Before pouring Duck Duck Goose

    Before pouring Duck Duck Goose

    Machine Cocktail Bar
    Machine Cocktail Bar - Fowl Woodsman

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    Fowl Woodsman

    Half Sour - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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