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    Old Town Ale House

    4.2 (331 reviews)
    InexpensivePubs, Dive Bars
    Closed 3:00 pm - 4:00 am (Next day)

    Old Town Ale House Photos

    OLD TOWN ALE HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Juke Box
    Divey
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Old Town Ale House

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    Reviews With Photos

    Shawn C.

    This was a Chicago dive bar bucket list for me and my husband. We took my brother here who was visiting from Austin TX for drinks after spending the entire day downtown at Christmas time. We plannned on hopping a few bars in Old town , but my brother and hubby said " Lets just chill here ! Diggin the vibe". This place was featured by Bourdain and we love old town so we made it happen today. It is now our new favorite "dive" in Chitown. From the art work , the simple drinks, the people we met .... And just so you know ... cash only but an atm is offered . Just do it .

    a variety of portraits of men
    Chun P.

    Old Town Ale House was featured in a couple of Anthony Bourdain episodes, and also conveniently located right across from the Second City theaters, so we just had to check it out. It's not quite a dive bar, the owner's savvy and humorous paintings cover most of the walls, creating fun and relaxed atmosphere. At night, its warmly lit, almost as if it was a romantic restaurant. There seemed to be a lot of locals, maybe a few tourists. No cover charge. Beers ranged from $6-8, wells gin & tonics $8, making this a very affordable drinking hole. Doorman and bartenders were all friendly, as well as the regulars. Great place to chill before or after your Second City show, or just in general.

    Deanna S.

    Always a great option after comedy show! Many of the comedians also come here at night and can be good opportunity to chat! Cash only but so affordable it's worth it! Such good vibes and good people. Easy to have drink in hand any night of the week! One of my favorite bars in the city for sure!

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    Steve A.

    For sure this is what a dive bar should be. It may not have the cheapest drinks, but there's lots of other things about it that make it so. Old Town Ale House has been around for a long time. Gets so dark inside even during the day. The walls are covered with the most interesting artwork, and that alone is reason enough to check it out. Basically it's a classic. It's had a lot of visitors come through. There's evidence of this on the walls. Paintings of the celebrities who have been here fill one side of the bar. These include Anthony Bourdain, Jimmy Kimmel, and many others. Cool artwork above the bar. There's some funny nude paintings of politicians. Other than the art, the main thing is the drinks. There's cheap and expensive. Cheap beer comes in cans. It's about $8 for a Stiegl on tap. Good liquor choices. It's about $10 for most cocktails. This place isn't as cheap as it was but there's still a few specials. It's cash only. The only bad thing about this place it seems. Good place to check out artwork and get drinks. It's pretty crowded because space is limited. The bar is cash only so before coming out some money in the wallet.

    Kyle P.

    After nearly ten years of stopping in every few months, this remains one of my favorite bars in the city. Not necessarily for the beers or mixed drinks, you can get the same or better just about anywhere else. It's the vibe. It's the incredible jukebox with records ranging from Count Basie and Tony Bennett to Howlin' Wolf and Tom Waits. It's the crazy paintings on the wall, showcasing the heroes from across the street, and the criminals who permeate our government. It's the kind of place that's too few and far between, your classic watering hole filled with regulars, folks who know, and visitors from all over the country. The bartenders will happily strike up a conversation with you, and just as happily leave you alone. You'll see people who might as well have their name on the barstool, folks who have probably been kicked out more than once, and people just having a really good time over a couple of beers. It's always a pleasure to come in and feel like you've transported forty or fifty years back. This place isn't trying to be trendy, and it certainly isn't desperately trying to be cool or coax people in. But it doesn't need to, like the owner himself, it wears who it is proudly on its sleeve and demands a little bit of honesty, humility, and for you to leave your bs at the door. Come in, have a beer, and enjoy the best jukebox and wildest decor in the city.

    Cat N.

    One of my favorite neighborhood bars I've ever been to while traveling, and I can imagine would be a too-frequent haunt if I did live in town. I could tell why there were so many regulars popping in for a quick drink and hello and others staying to watch the game. I hate saying "the vibe," but the vibe indeed was warm and comforting, in a quirky but well-decorated space. The staff (Steve and Chris) were so friendly and helpful. I fully expected them to roll their eyes when I asked for a hazy IPA, but they patiently let me try what local drafts they had (I ended up really liking Half Acre). They knew I was a tourist, roasted me just the right amount, but fielded all of my questions about the best pizza and hot dog anyways. Most incredibly: Chris took the time to write down a TON of recommendations for me for not only pizza and hot dogs, but breweries, whiskey bars, and Italian beef joints he thought I would like. I immediately wanted to go back the next day, and would have if I didn't have such a short time to explore the city - and more cash, as they are cash only.

    Charley B.

    This is the neighborhoodiest of neighborhood bars and a dive among dives. Word says this is a popular hangout for Second City performers, and I can see why. Its walls are filled with wild art and the portraits of famous customers. It has a good taplist, too, a mix of macro and locally brewed beers. The locals are friendly and happy to discuss all things Chicago.

    Tracy M.

    Cash only but there is an ATM available. If you're a Trump fan, you probably wouldn't appreciate the paintings hung of him in a straight jacket. There was some interesting artwork through the whole place. Our group didn't have any cocktails so you can't really mess up drafts, bottles, and cans. I wish the windows opened bc it was a little stuffy. Typical old dive bar that met that expectation.

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    2 months ago

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    10 months ago

    Great, dark dive bar. Great place to escape the heat, or cold in Chicago. Cash only, cold beer, well mixed drinks

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    7 months ago

    Beautiful paintings on the walls, great service, chill vibes. I just came for one drink at 3:30am on a Sunday. Great late night spot

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    1 year ago

    The vibe is fantastic! The jute box, the paintings, the wood - I was so happy to be there!

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    2 years ago

    Incredible art inside, Anthony bourdain approved and an overall fun vibe, good beer selection, no food.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Old Town Ale House

    Review Highlights - Old Town Ale House

    My husband and I stopped in for a beer after a show at Second City - we love a good dive bar, and so we had to check it out.

    Mentioned in 33 reviews

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    Pleasant House Pub - timmccoyphoto

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    The Duke Of Perth - Duke of Perth

    Duke of Perth

    The Duke Of Perth - AYCE Pollack Fish n' Chips

    AYCE Pollack Fish n' Chips

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    We've been to The Gage many times over the years since it's one of our top sit-down spots near…read moreSymphony Center before or after concert. Our favorite dish is definitely the PEI mussels. The broth is the kind you want to keep dipping bread into and practically lick off your fingers afterward -- flavorful, savory, and a little briny without being the heavy creamy type of sauce that some places do. Very comforting but not overly rich. Honestly, I don't even remember all the other dishes we've ordered over the years, but our experiences have consistently been good. Service is polished, the space feels classic Chicago, and it's a great place to relax before or after a performance downtown.

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    Ambiance in dining room. Outside seating available

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    Old Town Ale House - pubs - Updated June 2026

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