I wrote this in tips last year, but I think the tip feature is gone? Jake's no longer allows dogs in the bar, except for the employees'/owner's dogs. That was kind of the main draw to this place, I'll be honest. Prices aren't exceptional, the beer list is long but still basic, and the bartenders are always talking to other customers and must be flagged down to take an order. Lots of people say it's a great neighborhood bar, or great local dive, but if newcomers can't get folded in to the neighborhood atmosphere, then it's simply not a neighborhood bar and certainly not great. read more

Super beer list was the most positive thing about this bar. The wait staff is lame and they expect you to deal with the poor slow service because the owners know they're making a mint off a "cash only" establishment. It felt pretentious. The bartender was really hard to flag down. And when we did get him, it took forever for him to get our drinks because he didn't go straight to making them, but instead started taking multiple orders from other customers. Look, this is a bar for kids, or grown-ups who never grow up. Roy was very strange and acted like he was on cocaine or something. Leave this bar to the idiots that work and patronize this shithole. Oh, and that freaking dog. WTF? read more

Ehh, I go here for girlfriend outings. This is a pick up spot or for those women who are PC, a meeting place. Lots of choices, MILFs, cougars, college aged whiny snowflakes, stuck up stressed out career gals who need to relax or shall we say, needs a good story to tell her pals.... If you're looking for a hook up, go there! read more

Was in town on business and wanted to a quick bite to eat close to hotel as it was -20 with windchill. BRRRR. Enough about the weather. The service was super friendly (love the midwest people). Ordered the pork slider sampler. They all tasted good to me. Skipped the fries. Plenty of tv's to watch a game. 4 stars is based on its quality as a bar. compared to top quality restaurants it would be knocked down a star. read more

Pool, old Skool darts, electronic steel tip darts, good vibe, good beer. Feels like a locals place. Big friendly husky dog hanging out. Bartender chick was awesome. We had just come from Duke of Perth and it's similar in atmosphere but we liked the fact that Jakes has darts. But it stank a bit like stale beer. read more

Jake's Pub - Pubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I used to go to Jakes quite a bit, but this place has absolutely gone downhill. The service is terrible. This isn't the cheapest bar in the world, which was fine because it had a great atmosphere, but the wait for drinks can be excruciating. The bartenders all have their friends come and visit and drink at the end of the bar and unless you are one of their favorite regulars or a friend you will be ignored until the bartender has to walk by you for another reason. They used to be dog friendly, and put up a sign saying they aren't anymore. Ok, that's totally fine... Except for the fact that the owner always has his two huge dogs in the bar and they are usually right by the front door below the "No Dogs Allowed" sign. The owner likes to sit at the end of the bar and proclaim "I am a professional alcoholic" to the friends of the bartenders and act like it's something to be proud of. His niece is one of the bartenders and she regularly gets wasted on her shifts and has been too drunk to serve me and my friends on more than one occasion. This place is purely coasting on its reputation at this point. read more

The best bar in this area hands down. Their beer list is outstanding especially for a bar with a "dive bar" feel. No kitchen but the bartender had a thick binder full of menus of local eateries that delivered straight to the bar and he was helpful in selecting a good meal (great sushi, bad pizza, good chinese...) He even had plates and silverware behind the bar! Prices were very reasonable for the area and it's just the perfect distance from Wrigley, weeding out the drunker douchebag cub fans that can't stumble that far. I always meet someone new or a "regular" everytime I go and it's always a great time. Pool table in back and a killer jukebox even if there is one too many Uncle Tupelo c.d.'s... Everyone is friendly and the staff is so far great. SPOILER ALERT!!! Reviewers....If you go at 11pm on a weekend night TO ANY BAR, guess what, you're gonna get 11pm weekend night service!!! Go to Jakes on a Monday or Tuesday and you'll find yourself in great company. The minus- They open at 3pm and I like to have my first pint by noon. read more

Everyone likes a cold drink in the summertime. What people may not like is a solid block of ice misted with their alcohol of choice. I had two drinks at Jake's where the ice was packed in and then mounded above the edge of the glass. Not necessary. There were two bartenders working on a Friday night when I went in. Friendly yet hopelessly weeded would be the best way to describe their service. They were both running around like mad trying to serve everyone so I didn't mind the wait. When my turn came, the girl was breathless, apologetic and frantic. Her: "I'm so sorry!!" Me: (friendly) "No no, it's nuts in here tonight. I'll have a Jack Sour please. Here just use the same glass." (hands over empty Her: (busily jamming 2 pounds of ice in my tumbler) Jack and Coke? Me: (loud, very clearly) Jack SOUR. Her: (grabbing Mr. Daniels, frantic) Wait I'm sorry I forgot, you said Jack and 7-Up right? Me: (as if teaching diction to Anna Nicole) JACKuh SOW-WER. Her: Ohhh right. Jack sour. Six dollars! I'm not annoyed, she probably had hearing loss from working in this joint. Fighter jets are not as loud as the music they had playing in here. Of course... someone played Sweet Caroline, which instantly made me take up smoking and go outside. I bummed a Marlboro Light, that was a first... am I correct in thinking they're kinda pussy? I don't know about cigarette stigmas so much. Anyrate. This seems to be a great bar to go to if you're fed up with the bulk of Lakeview but are either too lazy or shackled to Boystown to move elsewhere. The punters generally aren't big bags of douche, they have a good beer list and you'll get to pet some nice dogs (read that both ways, if you're into large homely people there are some fine specimens here that are likely to rub their gut up on you on their way to the bathroom). Always appreciated. Don't get the Long Island Iced Tea unless you've been drinking since the cradle and your liver is by no means discerning. It's a full pint of the cheapest well-booze known to man. My friend pounded one and it sent her packing within 5 minutes of completion. read more

This place is AWFUL. We brought a group of 20 people in and their were some gay people in the group. This bar is HOMOPHOBIC!!!! They took our money but skipped every song on the juke box. When our friend pulled back his tip because of this, the bar back yelled at the group. This was totally unacceptable. The funny thing is, they lost out on about a $2000 bar tap. We took it down the street where the bar was fun and everyone loved it. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!!! read more

Simple bar close enough to wrigley to make it decent choice before or after game

I love a good dive bar, but rude staff ruined it for me. I was okay with the bartender having to dig through her purse for quarters when I asked for change to play billiards. I was okay with the pool table missing balls. I was okay with the bartender leaving the bar unattended while she went outside to smoke. But I hate rudeness. When I indicated surprise at it being a cash only bar, the bartender (I think her name was Ash) got huffy and pointed to a faded, ratty piece of paper that I couldn't even read when she pointed it out. She mentioned that it was posted outside as well, but I looked when I left and couldn't find it even though I was looking. I still tipped her 10% (instead of my normal 20%), but I won't be returning. read more

Staff was lazy or rude (not sure), drinks overpriced, bad bathrooms, bartender didnt even know how to make a manhattan, and if they dont like your songs on the jukebox they will just skip them. There are way too many places to go in chicago (even right down the street) that make more of an effort to make thier customer's experience better. this aint it. read more

Oh my home away from home. I heart Jake's. I heart the bartenders. I heart the never ending buckets of Jameson. Great beer selection. Unobnoxious juke box. I heart that I can read at the bar without anyone bugging me too much. The remodeled bathrooms are very nice and clean. I do miss the filthy graffiti in the ladies. I'm thinking about bringing in a sharpie and replacing some of it. I almost don't want to review Jake's because I'm selfish and don't wanna share. It's mine mine mine. OK if you're nice you can have some Jake's too. I'll share. read more

No good ever comes out of Jake's. Especially if you're here past midnight. Don't get me wrong...great neighborhood bar, friendly staff, busy, but not frat-boy infested busy. A Juke box and pool table can be incorporated into your night of tomfoolery here. Many long nights have started here. read more

I have been coming here for years and years. (With Maggie R.!!) The service has always been impeccable. I am only disappointed in the latter-year patrons. It has somehow transformed into a typical "Lakeview" bar on certain nights, but aside that, still maintains it's charm. This place is great. You can score a can of PBR for 3 bucks, or an 8 dollar bottle of amazing micro-brew. Beware, they only accept cash and their ATM is perpetually out-of-order. This place is the Denny's of my 'after-youth.' Holla Jakes! read more

Ah Jake's. Good assortment of beers; from PBR to Old Style to Delirium Tremens. They recently did an update, new ceiling, new floor and new bathrooms! It has been awhile since I was there, but it seems like it got a bit more popular. The crowd on the Eve of Eve's was pretty eclectic. There were old towne's, hipsters, yuppies and trixie's. This makes for a better mix to make everyone happy. Score a seat at the bar and trade shots with the bartenders like my friend did. Eventually they'll start tripping on stuff and breaking stuff. Amateurs :) read more

I'm happy and confident saying I will never venture back into Jake's for as long as I'm in Chicago. I have never witnessed a more pretentious and nasty waitstaff. This place is dirty and the crowd it pulls in are awkward and pretentious as well. 2 thumbs way down. read more

I wish I had a bar across the street from my place like Jake's Pub. Seriously. It's dark, kinda divey (okay, very divey), they play good music and it's unpretentious. Instead I have Mexican restaurants, but I digress. So after Megan G.'s poker game got busted by the cops, we had to find another place to drink beers and keep the good time flowing. Jake's hit the mark. It was crowded, but not packed. Absolutely perfect. I noticed there was a wide variety of bottled beers available, but most of the patrons were just drinking PBR cans. The bartenders were so lovely and friendly. They treated us like we were regulars (hell, some of our group very well could be) and added to the great ambiance. Jake's only take cash, so if you're a perpetual tab starter like me, come prepared. Luckily I had a fat stash of $20s in my wallet from my poker winnings. read more

I liked it but...no where to sit if you get there at 11!!! You can barely chat with your friends if you are all sitting next to eachother on the stools, if you get a stool! Cash bar only too, what's the deal with that? The drinks were good and so were the shots...not too much complaining... read more

This was one of the first bars that I became a regular at in Chicago. I lived two doors down from it for about a year and I fell in love with it. they have every Belgian beer I can think of off the top of my head including my two favorites: Kwak and Val-Dieu. The two bartenders that are still there, Char and Kris (female) are fabulous and even though its been 4 years and I don't go more than a couple times a year, Kris still remembers me by name and what I drink. It's one of my favorite neighborhood dives bars, I just no longer live in the 'hood! read more

Probably my favorite neighborhood bar. Great jukebox, bartenders and vibe. They recently updated their bathrooms....very nice! Jake's is dog friendly...so bring your pooch if she's nice! read more

Jake's is like sitting at home and watching awesome PBS shows...without the alone...without the PBS...with good company...and great bartenders...and all of the right glasses for their massive stock. Mouah. read more

Jake's is sweet - great beer, great music, great bartenders, and a bizarre, friendly, exciting mix of patrons. It's dog-friendly, so just keep one eye on the ground at all times and don't accidentally step on any puppies that might be running around the bar! read more

the only acceptable bar for a non-trixie/chad night in Lakeview. great atmosphere. schlitz in a can. what more do you need? read more

Jakes is a good chill bar. And most of all I LOVE that it allows dogs. I can see how this actually may be a turn off to some people, but I love petting people's dogs, and plan to take mine here once she is trained well enough. (All the dogs that were there were SUPER calm and well behaved). read more

This bar is great! The beer selection is wonderful and it is a super chill, local crowd that hangs here. Plus, it is a puppy friendly establishment. So, that is nice if you have a dog and you want to bring s/he along. The bartenders are always super helpful if you are not quite sure what you are in the mood for. Whenever I am back in the Windy City, I hope to make a stop in here. read more

Pros: -BEER SELECTION. Honestly, who knew? -JUKEBOX. -Lots of space. Cons: -JUKEBOX. (Prone to abuse. People kept playing Smash Mouth and Santana/Rob Thomas all night.) -JUKEBOX -JUKEBOX read more

I love living in Lincoln Park but rarely go to bars in the area because they're all terrible. Jake's (along with Delilah's) is an oasis in John Barleycorn-land. Dark, cozy, simple American bar. Juke box, pool table, darts (electronic but oh well.) Tables to sit at, delicious beers on tap, cool wood vintagey beer fridge behind the bar with the glass panels and the big metal latches. Love those. I just went back this weekend after not having been there for a year, and it's just the same except smells better! (Used to be pretty strong bathroom cleaner hiding shitty bar smell.) Way to improve, Jake's! *CASH ONLY *DELICIOUS BEERS (Little Sumpin Sumpin on tap, Stiegl with the tall Stiegl glasses! Yippee!) read more

Let me spell it out for you... Jake's is dog-friendly and has a great whiskey/beer selection, cute bartenders and free popcorn. Oh, and darts, pool and TouchTunes. So yeah, I'd say it's a winner in my book! Cash only, just FYI. read more

used to love to go to jake's. as mentioned before, definietly one of the few bars i find acceptable in the area. they have (or had) a creepy pencil drawing of neil young on the wall that i used to love to stare at as i got drunk. best part of it all, i had a friend that used to live up straris, dirctly above the jukebox. there was a strecth of time that folks would play "low" by cracker over and over right near closing time. used to drive him up the wall. still makes me laugh everytime i think of it. read more

Its a place for people that are visiting Chicago and don't know any better. The bartenders have seen better days like in the 90s

Jake's is one of the first bars i went to when i moved to Chicago 2 years ago, and i still love it. Weekend nights can be crowded, but the beer selection always makes up for it. The staff is really cool, and i love the electronic darts (with metal tips!). Look for the Belgian beers and Apple Ephemere from Unibrou. Classic. read more

One of my favorites in the city. Great beer selection (why aren't there more beer bars in Chicago), a good jukebox (no web jukebox here! yey!) and an interesting atypical lakeview crowd. It gets crowded and tough to get a beer on the weekends, but who cares when the beer you have coming your way is delicious! read more

Very good beer selection, and very knowledgeable bartender(though not condescending as some tend to be). Hasn't been too packed the times that I've been, but they don't have a very good ventilation system at all - it's smoky! Overall, I'd gladly go back whenver I'm in the area. read more

Great neighborhood bar. Always has customers--even at noon. People bring their dogs. I love it, this place has great character.

Holy Darkness in there! The only lights on were 1 string of christmas lights. It was late and raining so there was little to no light in that place. On the upside, there were plenty of furry friends to pal around with. Drinks were decent, they were out of one on special that I especially wanted to try. Definitely more catered toward a beer drinker. am slightly disappointed and probably will not be back since I like my drinks dog hair free (at least if its not my own). read more

Cordial staff and cozy, clean environment. I look forward to my next visit, this place is very welcoming

This is an example of a cool dive bar. They have an excellent beer list and the prices aren't bad. They have a pool table and dart board, so I always have fun when I come here. A cool place to grab some drinks. read more

Would you mind closing your back door? Its propped open by a brick at the moment. I live in the connected building and the courtyard off the back door of the bar carries the sound. It wasn't a problem in the summer because the door was closed -I assume because of the a/c- but it's propped open now and I can hear everything happening in the bar. Follow up - thanks! read more

Just go. Old school shot glasses. Great jukebox. If you get there early there is fun people watching all nght... stay on Red's good side though! read more