Ward Eight was a place we frequently visited when we lived nearby many years ago. We were in the…read morearea recently and decided to stop by...we discovered this gem from our past has only gotten better! High quality and innovative cocktails, reasonable prices, and a chic/classy ambiance make Ward Eight must-visit! I tried two cocktails when I was at Ward 8: Remember the Main and Vieux Carre. Both were decadent, delicious, and boozy. Triple threats! I loved them both, but the "Remember the Main" was different from drinks I've had before, so that was my favorite. My husband had a local beer. They have beer, wine, and NA options for folks who aren't into cocktails. They also have food which looks scrumptious, ranging from high-end appetizers to full meals. We did not come prepared to eat, so we'll have to come back again to try food in the future! The staff were welcoming and professional. The space was clean and Gatsby-style chic. There is plenty of seating and an outdoor space for when it is warmer. It is a fancier places, so prices are higher. But you pay for the higher quality ingredients and innovative recipes. If you enjoy cocktails and cozy cocktail bars, Ward Eight is definitely the spot for you!

Cocktail was neither worst nor the best rendition of a Vieux carre that I've had. I've said it…read moreseveral times that many things that originate in New Orleans are hard to replicate outside New f the big easy. I got the feeling that the staff were putting some effort into their craft. The place was crowded & there was even a live band performing. The bar had some above average bottles such as Hibiki & Bookers. I was pressed for time but there were at least three more menu items I would've tried.

I love the atmosphere- I really dislike all the sports TV's…read more- Outside of that , it's a fun place to meet new people ‍‍‍

School of Rock had a performance here on a Sunday afternoon. There was a separate area with stage,…read morelounge and table seating , pool table and bar. In the bar area there were several TVs with sports events on. They had an extensive drink menu and our group had a variety of beers, ciders and cocktails. The bartender was very accommodating and offered samplings when we were undecided. The bar is women owned and is known recognized for women's sports.

Here's what. I went there for the first time a couple of weeks ago and had a burger. It was all…read moregood. SO, I've been thinking about it. And tonight I ordered the mac & cheese and bring it home and it's like...ugh. That's a nope. Like watery cheese and noodles. Nope. I do play to give Peckish Pig another chance, but I'm going to say: Go with fries.

While the interior made me feel warm and cozy, and our server was super down to earth and friendly…read more the food, however, did not give me the same warm and fuzzy feeling. Their Caesar salad tasted overly fishy from the dressing, so if you're into the anchovies you may like it more than I did. The sauce on the ribs was nice, but very sweet- again, you may enjoy it if you like sweeter sauces. I wasn't very impressed by the meat. The potatoes were solid, but it's pretty hard to mess up potatoes. I'd personally only come back if I were meeting someone for drinks and maybe an app. Or if I wanted an entire meal of solely mashed potatoes. (Which now that I type it out might not be a bad idea..)

Music plays juke box style! Full bar!…read more Seating bar tables high or low. Seating outside also. The server was friendly upbeat and helpful! The smoked chicken was shareable . Corn bread was awesome! Every one's meal was great! I enjoy this place been here twice and will be back again!

We didn't feel welcome when we moseyed into Whiskey River one weekend afternoon. It was high noon,…read moreblistering hot, and all it needed was the tumbleweeds rolling by. It was very dark inside and we could make out the barkeep and some other patrons at the bar. We sat in a dark section (stuffed trophy animals overhead). I brought my elderly companion to the restroom, it smelled strongly of chemicals, paint? Industrial cleaner? We sat for a few more minutes but no menus, no music, no drink offers, nada. Should we have bellied up to the bar? Not our vibe. We got the heck out of dodge. Maybe a different mood, crowd when the sun goes down?

Nice little neighborhood beer bar. Good selection of beer and liquors. I was in the hood and…read moreneeded a place to watch the Bulls game. This popped up and it hit the spot. Chill crowd, friendly bartender, clean bathroom. I wouldn't seek this place out, but if I'm in the area I'm happy to stop by. No food that I can. Maybe the biggest downside.

Very chilled little bar in a weird location on Peterson, about a block west of Clark Street…read more Barrelman is located on the short stretch of Peterson that is between Clark and Ridge. If you are like me, trying to make that light, you will never see this place, but it is there and it is super cute. There is a lot of dark wood that just gives the space a cozy feel. There are also two garage doors that I assume can be opened when the weather is good. For you folks with dogs, beer drinkers who drink beyond the basic beers, bubble drinkers (like me) and those that want to bring in their own food...this is your place. We went there to meet some friends and to watch some football. For such a small place, they do have plenty of TVs with multiple games going. It was great to be able to have pizza delivered, with the bartender providing paper plates, and napkins for us to use. The bartender was also very cool about bringing our drinks over or picking up empties as we were sitting a a table away from the bar. I didn't get his name, but he was cool. There is street parking but not on Peterson itself. I would say, depending on the day, it might be hard to find a spot as you have to park on Ridge or some of the side streets. There is a new Metra station down the street that is about 2 blocks from the bar. Not sure if there is public parking available, but worth checking out. I could see myself coming here just because I can bring my own food and still get bubbles. While they do not carry bubbles by the bottle, the stuff they had in the can was good. I would love to go there when the weather is nicer and they have the garage doors open. And it is a happy compromise to hanging out with friends who have dogs that they just can't live without who also like to drink. This is a place we can definitely hang out with them and have a good time.

There's just something about a burger that actually lives up to the hype--and Little Bad Wolf does…read moreexactly that. Stacked unapologetically high, this burger is everything you want and more: juicy, perfectly seared patties layered with melty cheese, crispy bacon, and those golden, crunchy fried onions that take it completely over the top. Every bite is rich, savory, and just messy enough to remind you you're eating something seriously good. The toasted bun somehow holds it all together (barely), soaking up every bit of flavor without getting lost in the chaos. And then... the shoestring fries. Thin, crispy, golden perfection--light but addictive, with that ideal crunch that makes it impossible to stop at just one (or ten). They're the kind of fries you keep reaching for without even realizing it, especially dipped in that creamy, tangy sauce on the side. And let's not forget the drinks--just as good as the food. Refreshing, perfectly balanced, and the kind you sip slow while taking it all in (but somehow they disappear way too fast). It's not just a burger--it's one of Chicago's most iconic bites for a reason. Bold, indulgent, and absolutely worth every single napkin you'll need after. The ambiance inside is GORGEOUS!

My husband and I walked in on a Sunday evening for dinner and were able to be seated right away…read more The atmosphere is dark and moody, and it made sense once I realized it was the same owners as Gretel. Loved the 90s female R&B playlist they had going! Little Bad Wolf has been on my list FOR YEARS to try the burger! My husband got the burger with fried onions and I got some Bao because those also looked delicious and were a popular menu item. Honestly the 3 stars are only that high because of the service. Our server was friendly and attentive + the food came out hot and quick. Unfortunately, the food was pretty disappointing. The burger was swimming in a puddle of grease and just picking it up made your hands greasy + was dripping grease. The fries that came with it were floppy, soggy, and sad...but at least warm? I personally wouldn't order this again. The Bao were better, but small for the price and honestly were just okay? It was nice they gave you sauces you could add, but I found the Bao's to already have enough sauce so I didn't need them. Overall I left feeling confused and disappointed. I don't feel the need to come back here - Little Bad Will was a one and done experience for me.

Amazing booze selection. Mike the owner is a great guy. I will be a returning customerread more

Came here on a saturday with a large group of friends and had to leave after 30 minutes because the…read morespace was so small and packed you couldn't really move. Id recommend coming with one or two other people if you'd like to stay a while. My only complaint was standing at the bar for over 10 minutes waiting to get a drink and kept being overlooked or ignored. The drinks were okay, I got a high noon so can't really go wrong with that but I heard their mojitos are good.

Food was very tasty.Service great! Love the rustic ambiance.There was a full house and noise level…read morewas perfect.

Burger is fantastic, as well as the French onion soup. Staff is great and welcoming…read more Good cocktails, will do it again.

Cute spot! Limited hours so finally was able to check them out when in the area. It is located near…read morethe Riverside BNSF stop and there is also street parking available. We met the owner who is very passionate about his business. His bartender made some tasty cocktails. Prices for cocktails are very reasonable.

Nice selections of their own liquors. The bartenders are personable, knowledgeable and…read moreentertaining. The owner and his wife are also really nice people. Clean intimate space with a Small bar and limited hours but definitely worth a try. Try the distillery tour if you are interested in how things are made.

Stopped in after a recommendation and was greeted with a friendly staff and crowd. The menu here…read morestuck out, both the bourbon and food menu are well above average. The shrimp and grits are the best I've had in Illinois. I wanted to try three or four other dishes as well but settled on the shrimp and wow what a surprise. A+

I think this is our third time here. The food is alright for what it is, and I've never felt blown…read moreaway by anything I've ordered. It seems like many people love it here since it's always crowded on the weekends. The nashville hot chicken sandwich and nashville hot chicken bao buns are delicious. The chicken is crispy and the flavors are good. The bao buns were so soft and the texture was great. All the flavors from the chicken, slaw, and pickle worked so well together. We've also had their brownie for dessert a previous time and it was delicious. Idk if I remember their mac and cheese being this dry from the previous times because if I remembered it that way, I probably would not have ordered it this time. It basically just tasted like plain noodles. There was like a tsp of thin cheese sauce at the bottom of the plate. For a side that costs $8 I don't think it's worth it, especially because I didn't want to even eat it. It was also served to us cold, so perhaps it was just sitting out for awhile.