Amazing spot to slow down and connect with friends! Amazing cocktail list, impressive beer selection, and plenty of board games to be played! Stop by and check out this local gem Pro Tip: food is available for purchase but you can also bring your own food in Pro Tip 2: Pequods pizza is across the street :) read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Inside + great drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great drinks, vibes, and books. I have come here a few times, once with a friend and another time with my partner, they have a lot of great options. I got the espresso martini, and an IPA previously. All very good. I have tried the hummus plate which was also very good, and fresh options on there. I do not believe kids are allowed here due to the nature of it being a bar first, then a bookstore. However I am not sure. There are multiple areas within the space, including the back area which can host a party or a reading of some sort. They are also available for small parties in the middle area where they have a semi private room. Overall an incredible environment. The service is good, at one point my drink went to a different table and they brought me a new one. read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Espresso martini and beer - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A really cool spot to meet up with friends and play some games. They have a no WiFi so it forces you to slow down and be present. Definitely a place to hit up with friends in town. I recommend trying King of Tokyo if you haven't played before. read more

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super cozy and quaint spot with a large collection of books and board games. loved that it is internet-free and the staff are super friendly. they have small bites and themed drinks on the menu but youre also allowed to bring outside food in. i loved the vibes in here read more

Checked this place out with my girlfriend for the first time for a date! We hadn't gone out in a some time and she had looked this place up! Games, books, booze, and food? What more can you ask for? Cocktails were great, food/snacks were also great. We were even discussing reserving a space for my birthday lol. Definitely a space for some form of a group hangout or if you're ever just interested in doing some reading while sipping on a Moscow Mule. I also learned how to play Mancala and Othello while we were here. read more

I loved this place! Theres a ton of seating (tables, couches, bar stools, etc) with a very welcoming atmosphere. They have a large amount of games you can play like checkers, puzzles, board games, etc. Theres also a decent menu with drinks, savory food (charcuterie, pizza, hot dogs), and desserts (cookies, ice cream, etc). It is a really fun place to just sit and read or just hang out with friends. I would come back again! read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cute spot This spot has decent cocktail menu and beer list. Service was friendly. They have books and games. It was nice to be at a bar where people aren't on their phones. They have a super tiny cramped parking lot. I parked down the side street for free. read more

This place is overwhelmingly beautiful! Your eyes can catch so many bits of character, literature, games, etc. It really is a place where you can have a drink, a shake, a cup of coffee, play a game or read a book. I did come close to closing time but even then, customer service was great and my drink was delicious. I think I was shocked at how many rooms this place had and covered with books, records; there's a room where you can listen to music or watch videos. I have not yet gotten to everything this place holds but will be back. Please check this place out and let me know what I missed. read more

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Very nice chill bar perfect for lounging. I love that they have plenty of book and games to choose from. Their espresso martini (4/5) was also very good! read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Espresso martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Lovely place to read, play board games, and have some top notch cocktails! Genuinely enjoyed my 2.5 hours there reading and playing some card games prior to a night out. It is a bit chaotic with seating and ordering but that may be because I was there on a Saturday in January and it just might have been very crowded at that time. Not sure if you should go here if you only want to read as it is not a library but noise filled environment Nonetheless, the concept is quirky and fun read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Tea - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I went there right when it opened around 4 with a friend of mine. Nobody greeted us until 4 mins after which I found weird. I ordered a hibiscus tea which tasted fine. I also ordered a charcuterie board which for 10 dollars I would say was definitely worth the price if not a steal! The ambiance was so cozy and nice and it felt like a distant nostalgic memory. If you want somewhere to hang or chill with a friend or to go on a nice dinner date, this is definitely the place. read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Sitting area - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Such a wonderful space. Everyone talking, playing various board games or doing art! They even let in outside food if you spend at least $15. This worked out so well for us as we couldn't make reservations at perquads - so was able to order to go and enjoy here. And honestly it was sooo much nicer than eating at the restaurant. read more

I can confidently say I've never been anywhere quite like Kibbitznest - as the name suggests, a unique mix of books, drinks, and games. My friend and I came on a Friday early evening and it was already busy but even busier when we left around 9 (there was a small line forming). It was a little hard to figure out what to do/where to order and they seemed short on menus as well as workers so it was a little chaotic. But that sort of matches the vibe - the place is decorated with random knickknacks everywhere, and they offer everything from beer to tea (served in a pot) to snacks to ice cream. There are 4 different rooms - a front room that seems like a mix, the main room with bar, a quiet and small library room, and a big back room with plenty of seating for groups & games. We found seats in the front room to play a game first and then tried to read but it was a little loud for that - I would come back during the daytime for a better reading vibe. For drinks, I ended up ordering their chamomile tea which was a cute touch served in a pot but unfortunately the tea itself wasn't that good - too light tasting so mostly like hot water with a hint of chamomile. But still a fun place, I'd just order something else next time. read more

What an awesome neighborhood hang out spot! I had some time before a late night train and decided to pop in for a quick drink. Place felt very welcoming and casual. I was worried I would stand out as a solo person, but there tons of people sitting by themselves reading, coloring, or writing. It was a great mix of groups and solo folks. I went later in the night and service and was pretty quick! Prices very fair for Chicago - less than $15 for a cocktail is a STEAL! Give this place a try! Would be a perfect place to visit on a rainy day and watch the world go by. read more

Love the vibes. If your party is less than 5 people, you can walk in and sit anywhere. You have to make a reservation for a party of 5 and more. I came here on a Friday night with a friend to play board games and read. It's a comfortable environment to socialize and disconnect from technology. The board games are in the front room - you or someone in your party have to buy a drink or food in order to play board games. I ordered a cocktail and a scoop of the chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. Parking - they have a parking lot for smaller cars next to the entrance but it's a pretty tight space read more

Such a cool space! My friend and I had only planned to stay there for an hour or two but wound up staying for four hours! We really liked the selection of drinks...like you can even buy spiked hot chocolate?!? Nothing is more cozy than that! They do sell some food but not a lot and allow you to bring food in, which is what my friend and I did. We ordered food for pickup from Cornerstone Cafe. Kibbitznest has a nice selection of books, board games, and we didn't even realize until towards the end that there's so much more space in the back behind the bar area. Will definitely be back here! read more

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I came here for a book club meet up on a weekday evening! The place has lots of cozy seating for individuals and group seating. I got a vanilla ice cream. Very vibey place! read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - vanilla ice cream - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Basically it's a bar and a bookstore. It's a pretty hip nerdy concept. Kibbitznest is one of the most interesting late night places I've been to. Has a bar along with a few tables, or go in the back and find a quieter area. There's lots of books to check out, and there's often guest performers. A pretty interesting thing about this is it's both a bar and a bookstore. It has both coffee and alcohol on the menu. There's also food but what they have is pretty limited, so it's not a good idea to come hungry though. Last time it wasn't that busy. We sat at the bar at first. It has a few good deals on drinks. The prices aren't that good but not that bad for quality. Each of us got the My Way Martini. It's $10 to get it customized how you want one. This has a choice of gin, and get it dry or dirty, so you can choose whatever. I got it with Beefeater. She got it with Tanqueray. As for the food, there's not a lot and there's few vegetarian choices. We got Jose's Chips And Inca's Salsa. It's about $5 for a good amount. The salsa had a nice spice. Finally before we left we checked out some of the books. It has a good selection of new and old ones. There was an author speaking in the back so we listened to a reading and other things. read more

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Had a great evening here sipping some beers and playing games. Really like the concept of an internet free bar, refreshing to see no one on their phones and actually interacting. We had to cheat a bit because the game we wanted to play didn't have the rules attached so we had to google lol. Love all the books and games stacked high to the cieling, it creates a really cool vibe. Got a couple flights of beer to taste and ordered pizza from the place across the street and brought it over which was great. Bartender was awesome and gave us some great recs for the area. read more

Super cozy spot in Lincoln park! Went on a weekday and got an iced tea + played cards. They don't have WiFi either so no one is head down trying to get work done there like most cafes - it's all just pure conversation and vibes. read more

Passed by this bar a few times on the way to the movies. Finally got to go in and check it out for myself. So it's a Bar, Bookstore, Artsy type feel plus they sell ice cream. Can't go wrong with the vibe here, unless you want wifi. This is a non-free WiFi zone. Love this. So Retro. We came in for Happy Hour before our movie at Regal Theater. We definitely could of spent more time here. We opted to grab drinks and head to the backroom for some competitive fun. Only time for one quick foosiball game. A really nice gentleman that works there or owns the joint suggested I let my husband win. NOT. I lost fair and square 10 to 8. For drinks I got the Happy Hour (4pm to 6pm) White Wine for $5 and my husband grabbed a Whiskey (Jesse James) & Ginger for $5. We both enjoyed our drinks. I was fan girling the CD section where you can pick an album and jam away. No time for this today but there is always the weekend. All in all, I would be back. I liked the vibe here. I also snagged two used books about Chicago (still new to city) and also a Gladiator DVD $4. Clearly I am stuck in the 90s and early 00s and I love it. They do have unused books and other items to purchase. Tip: free parking attached but small or compact rides only. read more

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This is the coffee bar of my dreams: - Books - Fireplace - Good drinks - Comfy chairs - Board games - Good atmosphere - Reasonable prices - Charcuterie boards This place is a gem, and I will definitely be back! read more

This was a very unique and eclectic spot! We love books and saw this around the corner from Pequod's when we were waiting for our table so came in to browse. There are lots of books but we felt like we were in the way of guests at tables if we went to look at all the shelves--some of them were very close and we didn't want to be rude. We ended up just looking at some and then grabbed a drink and played a quick board game while we waited for our table to be ready across the street. The drinks tasted good; I wish they had been a little quicker so I could have had time to enjoy it fully instead of having to chug the last bit to go dash off for our dinner table, haha! The seasonal pumpkin drink I got was tasty and fun! read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So glad that Kibbitznest survived the pandemic and appears to be thriving here in the fall of 2022! We hadn't been since pre-pandemic, but kept it on our radar. On a fairly gloomy and windy November Saturday, looking for something different to do we couldn't have chosen a better place than Kibbitznest. I've always loved the vibe, great music in the front and back rooms, with scores of books and board games to keep you entertained and engaged in different ways for as long as you choose. There is a fairly sizable menu for both drinks and food (snacks), the Applejack Warmer with brandy remains a standout. I almost wish there was some way to truly enforce people not being on their phones, because there were a few folks fielding phone calls or texting incessantly- that's not the point of this place at all! Kibbitznest is like the coolest library you've ever been to, or some rich person's incredible finished basement or tree house or something. I love it here, and will definitely be a frequent visitor throughout the cold months of the winter. read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Applejack Warmer (Brandy) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've been here in the evening for a date (years ago) and then again for a friend's baby shower (recently); a great space for both!! This space is so cute! I love the idea of a meeting place that is wifi-free. Coffee, cocktails, books, and board games. What more could you want? This space is a must-visit. And I regret only having been here twice before, will prioritize returning STAT :) read more

TL; DR: great for groups or dates, cozy This is a great place for a cozy vibe and casual hanging. You can play board games (provided or you can bring your own), read a book, chat with a friend, or eat/drink something they sell. Also I saw a lot of early dates here and it seemed like they were going well! The interior has books all along the wall in the back (like veryyyy back) and a cool stereo system. I would definitely go back here for any of the above activities read more

A gem! A bar with books and comfortable seating! So glad my daughter and I found this place. We had a wonderful chat, with a delicious margarita and a mojito, along with a cheese plate and some spread. This was exactly what we needed as we caught up with each other's lives in the last few weeks since we last saw each other. The servers were efficient, there were a few other customer groups (some just chatting, other group playing BattleShip in the front room). We placed our order at the bar and it was promptly brought to our table. We explored the books, but otherwise just settled in for a coze. There is a small parking lot alongside the building and metered street parking nearby. Will definitely be back! read more

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Cozy atmosphere, lots of games to choose from, snacks, alcoholic beverage, and friendly staff. Many reasons to continue coming back here, and I definitely will. I will note that my friend and I tried coming on a random Wednesday night in the winter and it was packed so we had to wait for a spot to open to sit. It's clearly a very popular space! Also, supposedly you can bring in your own food here which is a great perk. read more

I had the pleasure of book The Reading Room for my birthday celebration with family and close friends. The price of the room plus gratuity and taxes came out to just about 500$ all together for 3.5 hours. Our server Evan was amazing, and patient when dealing with my wild and free family. With the rental you can bring your own food and cake bring your own utensils of course. The amount spent on the rental go towards the tab and for 10 people 370$ worth of alcohol was a lot to get down haha but the drink top shelf. 10/10 would highly recommend either for small date night or family gatherings. The ambiance of the space was perfect and the working typewriter was an amazing added touch. read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Reading Room - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Kibbitznest is the really cool bar across the street from Pequod's Pizza. We hung out there waiting for our pizza and then had a couple of slices. The staff here could not have been nicer. Very comfortable bar with books and board games. It's definitely the kind of place that could be a local favorite. While waiting, we tried an amazing beer flight. It also looked to me as if they had some lighter food choices available. I'm so thankful to the young lady who suggested we stop in and wait for our pizza. read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Really good beer flights! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cozy neighborhood vibe. Appetizer food. We got the Brie plate and it came with different fruits and honey! Also go the bread with different jams. Good and just what we were looking for! We got the summer spritz flight with aperol spritz, hugo (a drink I first had in Switzerland and fell in love with) and the cherry spritz (tart spritz that brought balance to the flight). Lots of board game options. We played bananagrams. Great place for friends catching up or a first date!! Staff kind and helpful. Music perfect and fits the vibe read more

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Super cool place!! The hot chocolate w/ Bailey's was a 10/10 on a cold evening! The games are a bit old, so some of the peices might be missing (my friends and I played Clue). The space is much bigger than I thought towars the back. OH, eat prior or have eating plans after because all they have is finger foods and charcuterie boards. read more

This place is the best and I wish I had had more time to spend there! It was the last night that my sister and I were in town and we had made an early reservation for Pequod's pizza across the street. I glimpsed Kibbitznest and told my sister we had to stop here afterwards. I 100% can see grabbing a couple of drinks and some snacks while waiting for a table to be ready or for pizza to-go, but this place is also just so cool that I would come here just for the books, the drinks and the vibes. I got an old fashioned but my sister was full from dinner so we kept it simple and quick (I think there was a rule about how much you had to spend for the board games, so we unfortunately did not stick around for much longer). Wish we had seen this place ahead of time so we could've planned to stay longer! read more

NOT A GREAT PLACE TO HAVE A SMALL PARTY OF PEOPLE. (See attached screenshot of correspondence with owner) Upon entering, I greeted the staff member at the counter and told her I had a reservation for 9. Her demeanor was very cold, unwelcoming, and almost militant, which was quite off-putting since I was there to celebrate my birthday with good friends. The food was lovely--lots of small plates to share--but the wait staff seemed distant, unorganized, and--again--cold. People kept coming up to our reserved table asking if they could sit down and I was terribly confused as to why they did not seat our party in the back, where there was a large room with plenty of open tables and books. Instead, we were smack dab in the middle of the main room at a long table. Additionally, one of my guests told me that wait staff demanded her credit card to hold throughout the night, though she was not the one who put in the reservation. I was absolutely shocked and embarrassed by this, since no one asked me--the host--to put down my card which i would have happily done. I was in consistent email and phone communication throughout the week with Kibbitznest staff, so I was fully prepared to pay upfront. It should never have been the responsibility of my guest to do so. I'm disappointed that Kibbitznest was unable to create the cozy, friendly environment it so prominently boasts on its site since they were unable to accommodate myself and the party of people I invited. read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Received this email from the owners of Kibbitznest after posting my review. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Used to be a cool vibe and I liked going in there. The staff is great, but the owner is incredibly rude and demeaning. Maybe she was having a bad day, but an experience like mine makes me never want to return. I certainly won't spend another dollar there again, and I hope reading this convinces someone else to skip it as well. While it's a cool spot, we should patronize places that are kind to their customers and their staff. read more

I really like the idea of this place, its vibe, and that it encourages us all to be off our phones more! YAY! Read a book, put on a record, order a drink or snack, and play a board game with friends. That's what we did and really enjoyed ourselves. They have books for sale if you really like what you get into while there. There are several rooms to enjoy, too. Great addition to the city! read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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From the moment I stepped in I knew it was going to be one of my favorite places. I've been trying to come here for months but a lot of times I was in the area were on Mondays or Tuesdays when it's closed. I came here on the last Wednesday of October and my life changed. Ambiance: Homey, warm, inviting, comfortable. Not too many people on a rainy Wednesday afternoon but this seems like the actual best time to go. There's a lot of nooks and crannies to read, play games, and catch up with friends. Also would be a cute date spot. It's a WiFi-free zone so it's made for human connection. I like that but of course I still had to take some pics. The furniture is a vibe that matched perfectly with my turtleneck. You can read the books there or buy them or bring your own. There are also two shelves of CDs where you can ask them to play whatever you pick. Alicia Keyes was the move. Service: Great! We were greeted when we walked in, orders were taken at the bar, and the bartenders checked on us frequently. Food: They have a few happy hour deals but we decided to not to order from that menu. I got a seasonal drink, spiked apple cider with your choice of it being cold or hot. I asked the bartender how the hot one is and she said she prefers it that way. So glad I got it!! It was perfect for that cold day. My friend and cous liked their drinks too, I don't think you can go wrong with whatever you pick. My other cous enjoyed her ice cream sundae too. We had a lovely time here- talking, relaxing, and playing card games. We never felt rushed. I would love to make this my spot! I just wish I lived closer. Definitely will be back to try the charcuterie board, other drinks, and dessert & hopefully catch a a live music show! read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Mood - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Very cute place with great drinks and super nice bartenders! I got the Maya Margarita and it was very good, I will be returning to try the spritz flight! read more

Cute place with an excellent cheese plate! This is definitely a place for socialization, so if you're hoping for quiet place to read, you've come to the wrong place. This is a space for conversation and collaboration. They have plenty of tasty snacks and a wide selection of teas, coffee drinks, and cocktails. I will definitely be back! read more

A very cute place for chilling late at night! I really appreciated that they had tasty decaf coffee and the ice cream sundae was bomb. It was SUPER packed so the seating process was a little chaotic and we ended up waiting in line twice and some teen girls stole half our table but it was alright in the end cuz the waitress was trying to do like ten things at once after all. It was a little claustrophobic with how many people there were on a winter Saturday night, so something to watch out for. But we had a good time playing games! read more

Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney - Sundae - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois