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    Merkle's

    3.5 (187 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    Merkle's Photos

    Business Info

    MERKLE'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Juke Box
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Merkle's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Jason K.

    Probably my favorite dive bar style grill in Wrigleyville. The food is good and the drinks are even better. What I like the most about going there is the live music after Cubs games. The front door style windows open fully on a nice day and when you add a live artist playing acoustic guitar, it really brings out the vibe of the bar. The staff is super friendly and don't forget to bring some singles so you can hang them on the wall!

    Where to go!
    Trevor P.

    If you haven't been to Merkles for the wings then shame on you. This place is awesome. Old-school Chicago bar great environment and anything you want to drink. Iowa Bar and feels like Dazed and confused! Holly Cows Band plays after the Cubs game. Come check it out. It's legit

    The bouncer on 9/25
    Nadia H.

    I go to wrigley with friends but this the first time in my entire life have I ever been treated so disgustingly and it's honestly a huge wake up call to a part of the world no one should have to experience. I went here with a group of friends, 3 white people and 3 southeast Asian people. We got separated and me and my 2 friends stepped outside to try to call the others in the group and then go back inside. The bouncer last night refused to let us back and said they're closing (it was 1am and the bar closes at 3am). When I asked him to go get my friends since he wasn't letting us back in, he yelled "get the f*ck out of here, I f*cking said no". I have never been spoken to in my life like this. The craziest part is during these interactions, he let 3 other white girls inside and later a black couple tried to get in and he rejected them as well, saying they're closed. My 2 southeast Asian friends and I waited 25 min outside until my friends finally realized where we were and came out. We were all disgusted with this experience and can't believe this bouncer was hired and treating people like this. I really hope Merkles chooses to take a closer look at this bouncer (working on the night of 9/25/21) and realize how is affecting the image of this place and individuals that are impacted by his actions. Edit: I'm seeing past reviews and it looks like this place has a history of hiring racist bouncers. For the benefit of the doubt I was suggesting this was a one time case but it appears Merkles is continuously choosing to run their business like this. I'm sorry to all the people who have been affected by this blatant racism.

    Disgustingly racist. I have no trouble coming in. Bouncer would not even look at my id. He told me and my other friends of color that we were not allowed in. After denying us, he laughed and proceeded to let in the group of white people behind us in. My friends and we're not going to be treated that way so we questioned him. His only response to it was "your attitude sucks get the fuck out of here". The manager said they had a one in one out rule, but let four people, white, in when nobody came out. Him and the establishment should find help in bettering their treatment to people of color. By previous reviews, doesn't seem like they give a shit enough to change. I won't stand for the racism & I hope this even just helps turn away one person from going to this place. Wish I could give a negative star.

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    Russ B.

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    Page 2 of 5

    Ask the Community - Merkle's

    Review Highlights - Merkle's

    This is a great place for any Cubs game, Iowa Game, or if you want good pub food at any point.

    Mentioned in 22 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    DryHop Brewers

    DryHop Brewers

    4.0
    (922 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    On my first visit, I had an excellent, relaxed outdoor dining experience. The single smash burger…read morewith bacon and lemon aioli was really, really good. Beer was great and Bethany, my server, was wonderful. I felt welcome as a single diner, which isn't always the case at some restaurants. My second visit was a little less wonderful. I sat inside, had a different server on a busy night and felt unappreciated, to be honest. The pace was frenetic with servers and bussers rushing around throughout the restaurant. My server was OK, but I don't think she cared one way or another about my experience as a patron and it showed. Servers really can make a big difference in dining experiences. I know that it's not an easy job, but something to think about for any servers reading reviews. FYI - the reserved signs on the outdoor tables simply mean that you need to see the hostess. The tables are not actually reserved. They really should use different wording because I almost kept walking, thinking that all the outside tables were taken.

    What a cute little brewery! They have a handful of beers, with a good variety (i.e. 75% are *not*…read moreIPAs). Plus, I think it's fantastic that their menu describes the flavor notes! The prices are extremely reasonable, with most 10oz pours costing ~$5-6. The flight of the 'core' (shall we say) six is $20... not bad at all if you ask me. I ordered 10oz of the Liquid Baguette, as the menu described, Earthy, Crisp, and Refreshing. While not my favorite beer on the planet, it was very respectable for a craft brew. DryHop also has a proper food menu, with mostly American classics with some a little more out there options, like the Kangaroo Steak Frites or the Hunter Stew (I don't recall what kind of meat, but not exactly something readily available at Jewel's. The cup was a large enough portion, even made me wonder if I was given a bowl by mistake. The broth was rich and savory, with an ample amount of protein. While a little more meat and smaller pieces of potatoes would have been welcome, this is more personal preference than a critique. Something which was less than fantastic was the service. I felt it was inattentive and a little slow, especially given the brewery was only moderately busy at the time. Maybe I am becoming an impatient, old curmudgeon, or maybe there's some truth to my observation, you be the judge. Final verdict: I think DryHop would classify as a micro-brewery. In that regard, they have a solid selection and good variety. To have something for the beer to wash down there's a solid food menu. While beers and grub are of a high standard, the service leaves something to be desired.

    Photos
    The bar, notice the whiskey offering on the far wall
    The bar, notice the whiskey offering on the far wall
    Cheese Cauliflower and Curds
    Cheese Cauliflower and Curds
    Out door seating

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    Out door seating
    Felix Modern American Dining

    Felix Modern American Dining

    4.4
    (51 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$
    LGBTQ friendly
    Locally owned & operated

    The food was absolutely fantastic here! We went here for Mother's Day and got a little bit of…read moreeverything to share. All the food was prepared carefully, tasted amazing, and looked spectacular. The service was top notch since they were bringing out the food so quickly and were always asking to make sure we had everything we needed. They even cut up the cake we brought and made sure all the entrees were cut up if needed. The ambiance was very simple and modern. I liked how there was a decent amount of seating and the setting was a mix of casual and fancy. Would definitely come back again!

    To celebrate the holidays, we recently tried Felix for the first time with friends. They are big…read morefans of Bites Asian Kitchen + Bar--located a few doors north--the Bites owners also happen to be the owners of Felix. You enter through a front room with a long bar before moving into the main dining area, which is lined with large windows. Warm wood paneling and colorful graphics give the space an inviting, energetic feel. Our server was excellent--friendly and attentive--and both the owner and a manager stopped by during the evening to check in, which was appreciated. Felix has an extensive cocktail menu, and servers were busy delivering trays of beautiful drinks throughout the night. I ordered the Windy City Sunset mocktail, while my husband chose the Smokey Old Fashioned. Both were very good. The food, however, was more of a mixed bag. We started with the meatballs for the table; unfortunately, they were overcooked and hard, and even the marinara sauce couldn't save them from being dry and unappetizing. I ordered the bacon cheeseburger, which was delicious and generously sized--easily enough for two meals. My husband ordered the chicken Parmesan with a side of pasta and found the chicken somewhat dry. Our friends ordered a pasta dish to share, though they didn't eat much of it while tending to their very well-behaved six-month-old. While the bar and dining room are attractive, the bathroom was a major disappointment--dirty and unkempt, especially considering it was early in the evening (around 6 p.m.), not late enough to excuse the condition. The owners and staff are genuinely kind, and the menu shows a lot of promise. At the moment, though, the food doesn't quite live up to what they're serving at Bites. I hope Felix can work out some of the inconsistencies and find success--it certainly has the potential. I would like to give Felix 3.5-stars, but Yelp does not accommodate this option.

    Photos
    Felix Modern American Dining
    Bruchetta
    Bruchetta
    Felix Modern American Dining

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    Wilde Bar & Restaurant

    Wilde Bar & Restaurant

    3.9
    (1.4k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    The service was quick and friendly! Tons of seating, both moody and library-esque inside with a bar…read moreand outside that is dog-friendly. They also have a jar of dog treats and water available for pups! Overall, the food was tasty! Nothing particularly amazing, although my mom did say the toffee coffee pie was her favorite dessert she'd had in a long time (and she just came back from France/Belgium). I thought the apple pie was tasty and unique, with a thinner crust than typical pie.

    Back for round 2 and Wilde was even better than I remembered! We visited near St. Patrick's Day, so…read morethings were even more festive and busy than usual. Every time I visit, the decor never ceases to impress. It's classy but unpretentious and you can tell folks are there to have a good time. We arrived at about 8:30pm on a Saturday and it was packed. Luckily, we were able to snag seats at a bar before a table opened up around 9pm. A note that they don't take reservations (but I kind of wish they did!), so this isn't the place to go if you're in a rush. They had a special seasonal menu going for the holiday, and we started with the reuben hush puppies. While they were more like croquettes, they were extra crispy, cheesy, and juicy with the most delicious thousand island dressing. I wish they would offer this year round! For mains, we ordered the corned beef and buddha bowl. I really liked the horseradish aioli that came with the beef- while the meat could've been more tender, it had a great flavor overall. The cabbage actually tasted pickled and the carrots sweet; non-traditional, but tasty! The buddha bowl had a very wide range of veggies and perfectly cooked rice. I could drink that spicy peanut sauce. I appreciated how large the portions were, which definitely softened the price as we left with plenty of leftovers. All in all, we had a great experience- if you haven't checked Wilde out, I highly recommend doing so!

    Photos
    Fireplace Seating-2023
    Fireplace Seating-2023
    Reuben hush puppies
    Reuben hush puppies
    Wilde Bar & Restaurant

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    Drew's on Halsted

    Drew's on Halsted

    4.0
    (694 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Our visit to Drew's was on a Sunday evening so the vibe was very subdued and may not reflect what…read moreit is like on a hopping Saturday night. The butternut squash ravioli were enjoyably sweet with both pumpkin and apple pie notes. The pasta was firm, maybe a little gummy but enjoyable. The BBQ chicken pizza was extraordinary. I've literally never had such an indulgent yet thin and crispy pizza. The cheese was so luscious it reminded me of a béchamel sauce and the presentation was very sharp. We eagerly ate every crumb. I'm sure this place has a lot of loyal customers who appreciate the relaxed vibe and wide ranging menu.

    Let me start with this, if you can, request Rob as your server. Bar none, he absolutely made our…read moreexperience top notch. Super helpful, charming, attentive-I would come back just to sit again in his section. We were out and about on a Saturday afternoon and stopped in for brunch. They do have a bottomless mimosa special but since we had to drive back to Wisconsin, we opted for a single cocktail. Drew's has a full bar and a great cocktail menu. I oped for the Old Fashioned and it didn't disappoint-perfectly boozy. Just like their cocktail menu, their food menu is also extensive. We ordered the garden omelet and the crabcake benedict. Both delivered and came out piping hot-definitely deserving of the high review. But I will be honest, even if the food didn't deliver, I still would be rating this as 5 stars all because of Rob!

    Photos
    Drew's on Halsted
    Keylime Pie
    Keylime Pie
    Cherry Pie - I wish it were a hair sweeter

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    Cherry Pie - I wish it were a hair sweeter

    Merkle's - bars - Updated June 2026

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