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    Ph.D Pub

    4.3 (85 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Ph.D Pub Photos

    PH.D PUB ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Ph.D Pub

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    Proper Twelve
    Steve A.

    Finally, a bar that makes you feel smart, at least compared to most bars. It's surrounded by UIC buildings so there's always faculty and students hanging around here. Ph. D Pub gets an A for effort, with high marks in prices and service. Maybe there's not a whole lot to choose from. The stuff they do have is pretty good though, and while there's no food, you can bring something to munch on. As I already mentioned, there's not that much of a variety of beers and liquors. It has some basic stuff. They have a pretty good amount of whiskey. It's about $7 for a pour. There's the usual things, but among Irish whiskey there's also Proper Twelve. A thing to be aware of is this place is on a college campus. Gets pretty busy when UIC is in session. Even so, waiting for service usually isn't long. They don't have a food menu, however they allow you to bring some things. Bad thing about it is no food. It's usually okay to bring something, and there's a few places around here. The bar can get crowded with college students, but come here in the summer it seems too quiet, and you'll wish there were some hooligans causing some chaos and whatever.

    Trust me...Im a doctor and the drink was perfectly fine
    Wes F.

    I rated this 5 stars just based on what it is! A little dive type bar in the heart of the University district. We landed here by chance. Stopped in to have and appetizer at 11:30 on Sat morning, Well they don't serve food so just went with a drink. Moonshine Lemonade served in a cute little plastic cup. Old school bar and backbar decorated for St Pattys day. 7 TV's all on March Madness. Welcoming and friendly bartender. Its nothing special but I think thats what makes it special.

    Moscow mule
    Shirley P.

    My friend suggested that we come to this bar. I hadn't been back here for 5 years ever since graduating from UIC. So, it was nice to go back to our old stomping grounds. The drinks here are decently priced, and it is bring your own food. The bartender was really friendly and efficient. It was super busy for a dive bar, and she took care of everyone. Our drinks were accurately made. Me and my friend were wanting a Moscow mule, and while I was slightly disappointed that I wasn't served it in a copper mug, the drink did taste authentic even though it was in a plastic cup. I don't mind it too much since they give you a new cup each time, though it is kind of bad to the environment. I do get it though due to Covid, and it's probably for their's and our protection. My partner had a couple of beers. It came out to anywhere between $7-10 per drink, not bad. I'd return, and I'd recommend this place to anyone in the area looking for a dive bar / hole in the wall. They open late, and there's also limited seating at the bar and at the high tops.

     a jar of liquid on a table
    Ebony W.

    The PhD Pub was everything we hoped it would be ... quiet, intimate, and a place to regroup and talk with fellow PhD grads. If you're looking for a special and unique spot to meet, try this one.

    Andy N.

    One of the best local bars that my friends and I frequent for many occasions: games, farewell drinks, and simply I-can't-right-now drinks. The atmosphere inside is very chill, and you've got ample seating indoors and outdoors. They have a BBQ grill in the back which you can reserve for various occasions. The beauty about Ph.D Pub is that they are BYOF (Bring Your Own Food), so you can feel free to grab some small bites to enjoy with your drinks. The beverages here are cheap and stiff. They have daily specials including $4 shots, so it makes a good spot to start the evening. There are a ton of games to keep you and your friends entertained, such as life size jenga. Or if you just want a good spot to catch the game, then you've also come to the right place. Surprisingly very few UIC students frequent this spot (at least that I know of). I am okay with that!

    Mason Jars... Need I say more?
    Yesenia G.

    Quite frankly - most people are confused when I say Ph.D is a BYOF joint (Bring Your Own Food). However, it really doesn't impact the experience too much. You can always stroll in with whatever you're craving from nearby restaurants and enjoy a great brew with the game on. There's a lot of seating options, high top, regular tables, couches, and of course their outdoor seating area. Sports fanatics do not fret -- for there is a projector and 2 TVs outside always streaming some game that you don't want to miss. One of the best local bars that's a hop skip and a jump away from work. I highly recommend any of their mules - you don't get drowned in ginger beer when you're really hoping for the vodka bite.

    Fundraising/Family event at Ph.D Pub.
    Stephanie R.

    This place is great to grab a drink and catch up with friends for a good time. Awesome place to hangout in their patio, anytime of the season. Good drinks, nice beer selection, and bring your own food! Gotta love it! Did I mention they have Mario Kart on N64?!? Go Wario! ;) I've held events here, and even a fundraiser with at least 50 people. It was a success. Bartenders and the owner, Marc are all awesome people. Thanks to Ph.D Pub, my softball team and I had an unforgettable season!

    Bags set up on patio

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    12 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

    A great bar. Good folks.. no frills. Order delivery food. A locals bar that welcomes out of towners.

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    8 years ago

    Good pub in UIC campus and the staff is very friendly. It doesn't provide the food and you may buy food from the nearby pop eyes and pizza.

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    9 years ago

    Had a pretty fun time here. Love the video games at the back. Such a fun time! Drinks could be better though. A bit on the weak side.

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Nicest bar in the area. Really good drinks & very cool vibe. Friendly people. Always have a good time there.

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    12 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    I only drank 4 drinks and they judge you . I thought that was a place when you can relax and drink

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Great place. Regular prices and long beer list.

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

    As a life long Chicagoan, this is one of the best bars I've ever been to. Friendly staff, amazing atmosphere, and fantastic drink specials!

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    8 years ago

    Great atmosphere, a wide range of drinks, Friendly staff, and excellent special drinks.

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    12 years ago

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    Page 2 of 3

    Ask the Community - Ph.D Pub

    Is it allowew to smoke cigarettes in the patio?

    Yes

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    Review Highlights - Ph.D Pub

    Surprisingly very few UIC students frequent this spot (at least that I know of).

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

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    Pleasant House Pub

    Pleasant House Pub

    4.4
    (1k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Warm and lovely British pub with delicious pies and efficient service…read more My dining partner and I tried the mushroom and kale and the rocking vegan pies. The mushroom and kale pie was nice and cheesy and the rocking vegan pie was more savoury, with a variety of vegetables and chickpeas as stuffing. The crust was neither too soft nor too crunchy. The highlight of the meal was the curry chips: potato wedges lightly fried with masala and curry leaves. The dipping sauce that came with the chips reminded me of tikka masala sauce, and paired beautifully with the chips. Dessert was toffee pudding: the caramel sauce that came with the pudding was delectable - the pudding itself was excellent and not overly sweet. We tried a variety of NA beers, and I was pleased with how many options they had. Service was quick, and we were well looked after. The ambiance is warm, with dim-ish lighting and a lot of dark wood. The restrooms were gorgeous - special shoutout to the lovely floral wallpaper. Overall, I highly recommend Pleasant House - the vibe is chill and understated and the food is stellar.

    Everything I could ask for in a English pub. Great beer…read moremenu, enough different options but a clear focus on bitters, ales, pub ales, etc. Started with a scotch edge and it was delicious. The sausage was very tasty, the breading on the outside was incredibly crisp, light, and the egg inside was cooked well. Both the steak pie and the chicken pie were very good. The chicken pie I think really needed the chutney that you can get separately. But that made it so much better and made it my preferred pie. The steak and ale pie was better than the chicken pie as a standalone, but needed a bit more gravy I think to elevate it. Sticky toffee pudding again was delicious. Surprisingly light, not overly dense so I was glad it came with the custard which was very flavorful. Overall, will definitely return!

    Photos
    Timmccoyphoto
    Timmccoyphoto
    Timmccoyphoto
    Timmccoyphoto
    Breakfast pie: spinach, egg, and cheese

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    Breakfast pie: spinach, egg, and cheese
    Miller's Pub

    Miller's Pub

    3.8
    (1.6k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Cool vibe. Great menu selection…read more Classic Chicago pub restaurant. Came here on a Saturday evening and was seated within 5 minutes. Great service too.

    I recently tried this local staple for the first time. I wanted to get bbq and they claim on their…read moresign to have the (best ribs) More on that in a moment. I entered the place on a Wednesday night and it wasn't busy at all. They ave a security guard posted at the door for reasons unknown to me but raised an eyebrow. The host greeted and seated me right away. I was seated at a booth that had lots of crumbs on the seats which says to me you're need retrained at cleaning especially since the place was slow. The server was very nice and helpful but I didn't get his name unfortunately. I iordered the half slab of ribs and 1/4 chicken with side of green beans which also came with corn on cob and Cole slaw. I also had a slice of apple pie to go. Everything came out pretty quick and temp was good. Sorry no pics this time though but it resembles what others have posted. So let me just jump right in on the ribs. They were ABSOLUTELY no where to being on a top 10 list of ribs so not sure where or who gave them the title of (best) but it definitely falls in the category of false advertisement. They were pretty tough and flavor was average at best. The chicken was moist and pretty good as were all the sides. The best part for me was the apple pie. Definitely changed my mood after the disappointment of the ribs. I'm not condemning this place but I can't recommend it either based on the misleading rib statement so proceed with caution!

    Photos
    I love the holiday decor
    I love the holiday decor
    Extra crispy flavorful fish and chips!
    Extra crispy flavorful fish and chips!
    Virtue mitten fennville, mil, burbon barrel aged apple cider

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    Virtue mitten fennville, mil, burbon barrel aged apple cider
    Industry Ales Brewpub

    Industry Ales Brewpub

    4.3
    (90 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    My husband and I came with our daughter here and we were blown away. The atmosphere is really cool…read more We really loved the vibes and the decor. We both got flight flights and then I had a avocado Caesar salad salad with chicken and my husband had a Smashburger. We ordered my daughter chicken burgers and fries of course lol. Everything was delicious and we would 100% go back.

    Checked out this hip looking brewery. It certainly is one of the many places to go to in The Loop…read more Industry Ales is a place that has a lot more than just beers, which is a good choice, because there's all kinds of people who crowd in and want to have fun times. Amazing that fun isn't always beers and chugging. The food is actually good and can be talked about in reviews because some people actually come here to eat, which tells you how they actually have a kitchen. Believe everything is good here but we came for the beers of course. It's certainly the main product made here so why wouldn't it be important. They make more than you can believe which is impressive because there's all kinds of crowds who pass through. For sure everyone wants beer. It's $6 a pint at happy hour. Pretty great for craft beers compared to lots of places it seems. Best one we got was the Bucket Hat. This is a Belgian style witbier. Has notes of bubble gum, coriander, and orange. The food isn't an afterthought so get some of that. It's about $18 for a burger. Vegans have options. Certainly one of these is the Veggie Burger. This is an amazing thing with a spinach patty topped with chipotle tomato marmalade, cremini mushrooms, mixed greens, pickled red onions, and sweet potatoes. All on a fluffy ciabatta bun. The rest of the menu contains meaty stuff. For sure it feels like a place for the hipsters but it's pretty great for anyone. It's located at the intersection of Jackson and Wabash close to lots of fun. The brewery has food that's better than expected but many other things about this kind of stuff are typical.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Flight
    Flight
    The Burger

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    The Burger
    The Duke Of Perth

    The Duke Of Perth

    4.1
    (686 reviews)
    4.7 mi
    $$

    A great Scottish Pub in Chicago. Had the Fish & Chips (of course) with a side of Stovies. The fish…read more& chips comes with green peas and chips. We were there on Friday, so the fish and chips were all-you-can-eat. So crispy on the outside and flakey on the inside. So yummy. The chips were crispy and paired perfectly with the fish splashed with the malt vinegar. The green peas were good, but my favorite was the Stovies. If you've never had proper Stovies, this is your chance to try them. Potatoes and onions with bits of roast kind of like mashed potatoes or a very thick stew. So yummy. They also have an extensive drink menu.

    Now we're talking. DoP is as close an authentic Scottish pub as anything I've been in, in this…read morecountry. The atmosphere alone is worth the trip. Whiskey fans, you'll love the huge selection along with the impressive beer selection. Yelp should really hype this as a whiskey bar, too. It more than qualifies. The cuisine is phenomenal. Definitely a place to bring a large party on your first visit, so you can sample a multitude of wonderful creations. Pro Tip: if you can tolerate a large quantity of fish, visit on a Wednesday for their AYCE Fish & Chips. I've had many hum drum AYCE dinners that are drab and only fill you up. Not this one. It's a great meal and a great deal. The Shepherd's Pie was fabulous, as was the Bangers and Mash. They've created a Haggis Burger that has to appease Americans, yet, still be haggis. A tall order since most would hate "true" haggis. Fear not, it's not your grandfather's haggis, it is a tasty burger. The fries were great but I'd recommend the Tattie Skins. We tasted so many different malts it was hard to pick a favourite. No foolin' they had island malts, highland malts, speyside and even a couple from the lowlands. Easy to spend over two hours in this public house. We did. Can't wait to get back to this town. This is a must! 02/26

    Photos
    Duke of Perth
    Duke of Perth
    AYCE Pollack Fish n' Chips
    AYCE Pollack Fish n' Chips
    Bar and dining area

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    Bar and dining area
    The Gage

    The Gage

    4.2
    (3.7k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Had lunch here and were seated right away. Our server greeted us promptly and took our drink order…read moreimmediately. We ordered the venison burger and, honestly, I was hesitant at first because I was worried it might be too gamey. However, our server did a great job explaining what to expect, and she was absolutely right. The venison patty was juicy, flavorful, and exceeded my expectations. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. Service was attentive and efficient throughout our meal. They also have an impressive selection of signature cocktails. I didn't end up trying one because the drink I was interested in sounded a bit too strong for lunch, but it's definitely given me a reason to come back later for drinks. Overall, I left as a very happy customer and would gladly return.

    To be fair, we've been here before and absolutely LOVED it. However, this past visit on 6/19 was…read morerather problematic. After we sat down, our server took her sweet time getting to us and was largely absent the entire visit while the servers for the others tables were attentive and present as I've come to expect. We started with the Crispy Brussels and Burrata Toast which was an amazing and fun combination of flavors textures with the sherry glaze and pickled onions providing a perfect counter to the richness of the cheese. Our second course was the Gage Caesar which we've had before and have enjoyed sharing multiple times, but this time the lettuce was full of grit as if the prep chef did not even bother washing the lettuce. The server never came by to check on us so I had to wave the manager to complain about the salad. The server also never checked to see if we wanted refills on our cocktails so we placed our orders with the manager. The final dish was the venison burger which was perfectly cooked and seasoned if you like venison, which I do so we enjoyed that greatly. The condiments that came with it were perfectly matched to balance the game of the meat and the fries were perfect as usual! The server then FINALLY got more involved with our dinner and was predictably perky and present at the end, something that always irks me when they have been otherwise absent for the meal. The ONLY reason they are getting 3 stars instead of less for this visit was the flavor of the food and the response of the manager in dealing with the lack of service (and the gritty salad). I would give the initial server a zero if I could.

    Photos
    The Gage Bar
    The Gage Bar
    Blueberry French toast
    Blueberry French toast
    The Gage Bar Area

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    The Gage Bar Area

    Ph.D Pub - pubs - Updated July 2026

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