I've been here a few times now, it's a very cool place, I especially like the look of it, they have a wide variety of good cocktails, haven't had one I haven't liked, pretty good selection of beer, there's couches and comfy chairs to sit at which is cool, just be aware it can get pretty crowded weekend nights, they also have waiter service if you're sitting at a table and not at the bar, it's located in the same building as dusek's and thalia hall on 18th street, so right in the heart of pilsen, definitely a popular spot read more

This might be one of my favorite bars ever. The only thing wrong is...I don't live in Chicago anymore to enjoy it regularly. It's in the lower level of another bar right on 18th street in the heart of Pilsen. It totally has all the elements needed for an old speakeasy vibe minus any pretenses: in basement dark and kinda seductive old style bar seating round leather seated tables drinks served in antique punch bowl sets toast and free shot for everyone @ 12am Good vibes, good convos and an overall good time. Whenever I'm home again, I'm going back! . read more

I want to give 5 stars, but I'm just not quite there yet. The cocktails are pretty yummy, some better than the other. The jello cocktail was interesting, but not one I'd recommend unless you're really into those sort of "hipster" flavors of booze that tastes ... weird. I love the environment. It's like stepping into your cool uncle's basement that hasn't been renovated since the 70's. I love stepping into a time-warped space and then having food and cocktails that pair. The spot gets super heavy with traffic, especially on a weekend - so be prepared to do a lot of standing and waiting for your drinks. The bartenders haven't been overly friendly - but I guess they're just paid to make the drinks anyway. read more

I've been here twice now -- once for NYE, and more recently to kill time while we were waiting for a show at Thalia Hall. The vibe is okay, in my opinion. It's dark and there's nothing about the decor that makes it stand out -- it's not particularly cozy, or sexy, or anything really. Just not sure what atmosphere the place is going for. Beyond that, it's a good place to chill out for a bit. The cocktails are okay, if a little pricey. The burger is a solid 7/10. Beef fat fries are 8/10. This place is more like 3.5 stars, but alas, not an option. Next time, I'd rather just hang out upstairs at Dusek's. read more

Went last night and it was awesome... the music was on point they were playing reggae. The drinks are stronnnnggggggg--- but still so delicious. Couldn't even tell their was booze in it but 2 drinks is all you'll need. Actually honestly could've been fine with 1 drink but it tasted so good. I tried the purple haze I think it was called it has whiskey in it. Definitely going to come back. And they do this thing at 12am midnight if you're sitting at the bar, a free shot and a song they toast to. It was awesome. Great vibes here. Great feel. I wanted to try the cheese fondue which is 25$ but the girl said they only allow you to do that until 11pm and I didn't even realize the time, that's how good of a time I was having. Free pins also!! I love pins. I'm a pin collector that's why. All around 5 star spot. read more

I know I'm in the minority with my low review, but I felt super claustrophobic down in this basement bar! It was really stuffy and hard to breathe, and extremely crowded. It was also really hot when the weather that night was in the 40s! Needless to say, I decided to go to Tack Room a short period later where it was easier to breathe at ground level. Maybe if I got super drunk, I probably would have enjoyed myself more. Other than the stuffiness, it had a really cool vibe with friendly patrons and everyone definitely seemed to be having a good time. read more

In just a few words - Punch House gets it. It's one of a few authentic places in this segregated city where you can see mixed crowds (I can't even stress it enough how much of a big deal this actually is). You got black folks chilling with some hipsters or plain whities, you got your tight skirt wearing latinas, asian invasion is there and even some random scandinavians or czechoslovakians or what not... Anyways, I might be a little biased because I'm a fan of old school hiphop which they apply handsomely, but musically speaking their core principle seems to be just good ol' vibes... you'll hear some funk, some R'n'B, some kind of house flavor and everything that sounds timeless (sure enough that is not all and there is some legit new flow in there as well). What I love about their vibe is that it is the very opposite of pretentious, it flows and it's lack of uniformity feels very much natural. Drinks are on point too. PS: It's not a big space and it gets crowded on the weekends so make sure you come in all smooth and chill. read more

The punch house has a fun, speakeasy vibe and the punch itself was delicious. Dim lighting and neon bulbs set the ambiance, and intimate booths allow for conversation while people watching around the room. read more

Punch House - Punch House! - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Don't get these two stars wrong, I LOVE Punch House! The drinks are fantastic, the bartenders are attentive and friendly, the food is good, and the music is always spot on. But the heat. The heat is unbearable! It is nice and cool upstairs but the second you descend down the staircase, the heat hits you like a truck. Everyone is obviously sweating and uncomfortable! The bartenders look miserable and I can't even imagine how the poor waitresses feel when it's packed in here. Please, please Punch House, deal with the AC issues! This is my favorite spot in Pilsen and it would be a roaring 5 star review but I can't handle this heat! read more

I came here during the Aaliyah + Sade music event and it's an okay spot. It's a hipster basement with some average drinks. It's as chill place to go to listen to music but not sure I would totally rave about the place. read more

Great selection of pre-mixed punches with A kick ATMOSPHERE: Dimly lit, intimate atmosphere that is great for a date. On the weekends, this place can get pretty busy, so if you plan on coming with a large party, get here early. The place has a strong culture: every night at midnight, they feed the fish in the tank behind the bar and give out free "shots" to everyone. I put "shot" in quotes because the shots are close to the size of the blood-of-Jesus shots they give out in church. More like half-shots. SERVICE: Bartenders are flirty, talkative, and attentive. Your glass will not go empty unnoticed for more than a few minutes here, particularly if you sit at the bar. FOOD: The fries, the fries, the fries. Just order them and fall in love. And tell them to call me back while you are at it. Even the ketchup is pretty heavenly. DRINKS: Great selection of punches, there is definitely something for everyone here. I particularly like the regent punch and the milk punch. Beware if you are a light drinker: these are smaller glasses, but they have a decent amount of liquor in them, despite how sweet they might taste. read more

First things first, get the pretzel. That mustard is going to knock your knickers right off. Simply amazing. I recommend getting a bowl of the Space Juice with some friends and just laying back and taking the night in. The service is impeccable, the bartenders treat you like as if you're at Cheers. This place is a perfect blend of unrefined and refined with a lot of awesome music. If I could party here all the time, I would. read more

This place makes me say, "Oh shit... I'm drunk." Let's be honest, I was already drunk when I got here for the first time after a Sox game, and upon my graceful (I'm sure..) exit, I was resembling a flesh eater in a zombie apocalypse, but rather than desiring brains.. I think it was more like pizza... This joint is a huge success. I don't remember the name of my first drink...DRUNK. Sorry, I'm not sorry... but we did split a carafe that looked like it belonged to my Great Grandmother of the Philadelphia Fish House Punch. We poured the delicious mixture into delicate tea cups... stop, it's adorable as well as incredibly enjoyable for your taste buds. The ambiance is super funky with a retro feel to it. It feels like you are in a good friends basement that happens to be able to whip up some killer drinks. I wish there was more seating downstairs, because it's not as chill upstairs. Overall, you're a 5-star in my book. read more

Punch House is perfection. Easily one of my favorite places in all of Chicago. The punches are all amazing, and the rotating options make each visit a different experience. The atmosphere is great, too. The basement bar feel - complete with a fish tank and secret door - makes it feel like you were invited over to an exclusive party at someone's house. The service is always good, even when the place gets crowded. Tip: sit at the bar and stay until midnight, when free shots are distributed to folks at the bar and the bartenders lead a friendship chant while feeding the fish. read more

What a fun time I had here. We came in after some friends suggested this place, we found a nice couch right away and that's were we planted our asses all night. That's what lounging is right? ;-) I love the seventies vibe they got going on. It's definitely different and exactly what we were looking for. Warning, they have very potent punch bowls. VERY POTENT. A few drinks in and I was laughing at the dumbest things possible. I love me some stiffies. Fun times indeed. read more

I went to Punch House for a party, and absolutely LOVED the whole concept. First of all, it's located in Pilsen, which I believe is the next Wicker Park - I like to hang out in Pilsen whenever I get the chance. Punch House is located in the basement of Dusek's, and it's set up to be like your grandfather's old basement back in the 60's, with the wood paneling and everything. The retro vibe is different and refreshing. They have a huge aquarium right behind the bar, which is beautiful, and at midnight, they stop everything to feed the fishes. If you are sitting at the bar, then you get a free shot, which is a bonus. There are several varieties of punch to choose from, and many of them are on-tap. Whether you like dark liquor or light, there is something for everyone. You can also order a punch bowl if you are seated at one of the tables downstairs. The punch I had was lemony and refreshing (I don't remember the name), and I tasted the punch of a friend of mine, which had more of a dark-liquor profile. Definitely ask the bartender about which would be the best according to your taste. The music the night that I went was great, and I enjoyed the crowd as well. Down to earth, casual, unpretentious, cool people. The Punch House is on my list to be another one of my frequent winter destinations. read more

After dining upstairs at Dusek's, we headed down to check out the Punch House. Nice atmosphere, which made me feel like I was hanging out in someone's nicely appointed 60s/70s, nautical theme - decorated basement bar minus the mildew smell of the many thrift store treasures. The punch concept is an interesting niche twist on artisan cocktails. Our server was the sweetest woman. I asked for advice, since everything looked good and I couldn't make up my mind. She suggested a few options and explained that the menu was divided into contemporary and current concoctions. I went 'current' and ordered the Sanyal Punch, which was the most delicious curry cocktail with pineapple, citrus and chili. Liquid India. SO good. My husband tried the Rack Punch, which was modeled after the oldest cocktail recipe they found. The rosewater in that one made me think of grandma perfume, but didn't taste awful. We also tried the Milk Punch (surprisingly un-milky, but with a nice, light lemony, nutmeg flavor) and the Space Juice for Jered (tequila based and really nice.) The menu also contains a few food options from Dusek's upstairs and we saw quite a few people ordering food to accompany their punch. So, if one wanted to surpass the dining experience upstairs, Punch House would be a nice option for small plates, dessert and delicious booze. read more

Finally, somewhere thats hip but not too crowded to really hangout for a drink. I was hesitant to come here because I had heard the decor was very kitsch which is not my style at all but I figured I'd give it a try and I'm glad I did! Came here on a Thursday night for drinks after dinner at Honky Tonk. I wanted a cocktail so we came here and was pleasantly surprised to see small booths (good for 2-4 people) and a lively crowd. The bar was full and so we grabbed a booth, we were happy with the atmosphere, enough people where it wasn't overly crowded but had a good vibe to it, a nice waitress, and they serve desserts there! We got dessert right away (the chili churros) and it was the best churros I've ever had! My drink was called the negroni and it was a little too strong for me but overall this place was great for after dinner or if you just want to hangout for a few drinks. read more

Pretty laid back. Great music! Very dim, comfy, cozy, basement vibe for sure. Tried the space punch pretty good. Had the fries OK... atmosphere great. Not easy to find..but cool place to check out read more

I love Punch House! Sneaky drinks! Great late night food! Sit at the bar at midnight for a free whiskey shot!! Super fun atmosphere and great energy! read more

Maybe I need to go back, I really really really wanted to like this place. I like a good lounge almost as much as I like a divey bar. But this place... Enh We tried several different types of punches none of them were fantastic it seemed they were just novelty. We did not have dinner upstairs and were completely underwhelmed by their food options. Also not to be "that guy" but our bartender that night, was kind of a dick. Not just to us but also to the servers who continually brought us someone else's order. It took them 3 tries to make a correct Sapphire and Tonic. By friends tab was inexplicably closed and his card was brought to him. It was like a quiet and polite, "I think were done here" . And the feeling was mutual. The only reason that I gave it two stars is because of the duck fries... which came from upstairs. Nuff said. read more

Average ambience. Average drinks. Average bartending service. There wasn't really anything memorable or indicative of a signature about the place- not even the punch. read more

Punch House - Inside - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love this bar and love the neighbourhood. Seems like it's a chef's hangout too because ordinary people don't stand around gabbing about lemon zest. I had some whiskey cocktails which were good - boozy, not too sweet and priced reasonably. I also had the burger with the bacon marmalade. IT was good but what blew my socks off was the simple buttered brioche toast. The bread was just fabulous. The place is laidback and chilled out. You do get occasional bitchy hipster, perhaps angry to see so many people at a place that they knew before it was cool... Whatevs. Otherwise a cool, hip joint and I plan to be back here again. read more

This place is great! A bit busy on a Saturday night but what makes this place awesome are the waitresses busting their ass! They are incredible and ridiculously nice (like genuinely nice, like I want to be your friend nice, not fake nice). Additionally the food is fantastic and drinks are tasty and the vibe is super chill. Great place to go with friends, especially if your a Millennial and want to live out your Brooklyn fantasies in Chicago. read more

So think of it as a snazzy lounge for hipsters and those funky types of Bridgeport & Pilsen that like to let loose their foots to the beats of 80s & 90s rap, soul and funk favorites. Or maybe that was a special night of music by a specific DJ. The center piece of this bar is that luminescent salt water aquarium seen in their Yelp photos. If management were listening, I would suggest a black light tube to make the colors of the plants & stones really pop off. Check out the photos of the layout and imagine a place lit like a swank jazz club. Music was not obnoxiously loud, it was the perfect volume to allow for loud conversation and some dancing. Since the venue is located in the basement of Dusek's, it's easy to forget the weather outside and escape to a much happier place. I checked Punch House out recently with a few friends. This was one of a few bars still open on a very late Friday evening. Last call came thirty minutes before closing . I liked their list of assorted Punch and we got through about six of them before the time came that they started running out of ingredients for the different concoctions. At eight dollars a pop, each differed in taste, spirit and type of glass. Some were tasty, some were strong and others were just alright. We sat at the bar and got stellar service. That late at night the place was busy enough. All kinds of folks were present and grooves were gettin' on in all senses, if you catch my drift. People watching was pretty good on that night. There were a few people that were far too eager to help groups snap a friendly photo and a few guys that could've used another drink or two to help them with their whack game. As previously stated the Punch house is downstairs, so don't let the strength of those drinks inebriate (fool) your better decision. We watched a funny fellow wipe out and as a six year old might, slide the steps on his bum. read more

Drinks from these punches previously made were very good and bartender service was kind. Too crowded for me, not enough seating.

I came here to surprise a friend for her birthday. The thing that sucks is that you can not make a reservation so we had to get there 30 minutes before the birthday girl to get a table. When we arrived at 9:00 pm on a Saturday night, the place was already packed including the bar stools. Our group ended up standing by a table of people who looked like they were about to leave. Within 10 minutes, they paid their tab and we grabbed it! We ordered our first round and the birthday girl arrived a little later. The only drinks I remembered trying were the Sanyal Punch and the Space Juice. The good thing about this place is that you can try the punch before you order a big jug or big punch bowl. The Sanyal Punch had a weird taste to it so we passed on that one. We ended up getting the Space Juice for the second round, which we chose out of 3 others. . They give out tea cups to drink out of, which is unique and fun. read more

Dusek punch is where the money is!! You dont taste the liquor but slowly creeps up on you! Was there for a friends bday party and we ended up in the private room downstairs. The place is pretty chill/laid back to just have a drink and enjoy the company. Had a great time there until and have gome back since :) read more

Went here last night on a Friday... the lounge is such a cool chill vibe. I love the style of the place makes everything so relaxed. The music was cool maybe I'll come on another night so I can hear a different type of music (newer songs) but we had a good time. read more

Punch House--a basement bar modeled after a '60s-era rec room, serving proper five-note punch by the glass, carafe and bowl--combines my love for fun drinks, mid-century furniture and lounging in the living room. In other words: Yes, please. read more

Strong drinks, comfortable vibe, but docked two notches for the world's most boring DJ last Saturday night. If you're going to drown out the music, at least do it with something less monotonous than an hour of dub reggae -- unless that's just a strategy for clearing the room. Worked for us. read more

Extra cool atmosphere on a Friday night. This place is small so expect it to be packed. If it's two of you, y'all likely be fine after waiting a few for a seat. But if you have a large group, it may take a while for you to find a table. The cocktails are great but the atmosphere, to me, is the apart of the reason to check out Punch House. Cool vibes, good music, great drinks. We didn't have food, so I can't comment on that... read more

Jungle juice was never my thing-- they kind of just taste like bad decisions and regret-- but Punch House definitely does punch right. It's a dark basement, complete with a giant fish tank, retro decor, and maybe a rocking chair or bench. You might have to pull our your phone to see the menu, but even if you blindly make your selection, you will most likely be pleased with the choice. You can also order food, like the Juicy Lucy, downstairs which is awesome. And yes, my friends still kind of giggle and laugh at me every time anyone mentions a Juicy Lucy :/ My only quibble about PH is the music. I'm not sure if it was just really loud that night or if the speakers are a little janky, but something about it bothered me. Other than that, PH is a great place to grab a drink or two or four with friends or a casual date. Actually, maybe not four. Pilsen is a little inaccessible without a car so have a DD or call for a car. read more

My go-to spot, for sure. You feel good after one glass of punch and it doesn't matter what punch you get because it's all so good and so worth it. They usually have dj's playing on weekends and that never goes wrong. I had a bad experience with a bartender at the Dusek's upstairs bar so I ended up opting for my fave and it never let's me down. There was a guy who was very helpful and seriously gave the best service after hearing my complaint about the Dusek bartender. He wore glasses and had dark hair- I didn't catch his name. He is truly a great asset to this business. My husband and I met here, so you can understand why I have the time. read more

Cool place located in the basement of Dusek's. The punches are on tap and there's a big saltwater fish tank in the middle of the bar. No TVs which is a nice touch. Good 70's vibe going on in here with some non-mainstream music choices as well, which is always a good thing in my book. The bartenders are really nice and were quick to serve us. The gin #3 drink/punch is really tasty, I enjoyed the rosemary flavor. At around 10 this place gets super packed and loud so if you're looking for conversation try coming a little earlier in the night. Pretty cool spot, I'd definitely make the trip to Pilsen for this one and Dusek's in the near future. read more

Punch House was pretty fun. My friends and I got two punch bowls. One was more fruity and pretty good, the other had sage in it and it tasted very ... herbal. LOL I guess that's to be expected. I also ordered the Thai Sausage Sandwich. I forgot to take a pic, but it's essentially a hot dog with a pork sausage and Thai-inspired toppings. It was pretty tasty. Ketchup was super weird though. There was also a Latin night going on which consisted of lots of Selena and salsa dancing. I was entertained. read more

I can not believe I am the first to mention: secret door. And it's huge. You'll just have to find it on your own. read more

Myself, my S/O, and two friends wanted to get a drink here on Saturday night, but were stopped by the world's rudest door man. Obviously we knew the place would be busy, and we had no problem waiting a few minutes to grab a seat, but the door man wouldn't even give us the respect of even addressing us. I asked how long of a wait we might expect. He stood there and looked blankly into the distance, ignoring me and our party, acting as if we weren't there. I waited a second and asked again. Again nothing, no reaction. He couldn't be bothered by me or anyone else. After seeing the lack of reaction my questions garnered from the dude, others in my party tried to get some information from him, like basic shit like how long we might expect before we get a table. Door dude wouldn't even look at us. Other staff members at the host stand just stood and watched. It seemed pretty obvious that no one cared about the service they were to provide. We looked at each other like "wtf is going on" after the door man continued to ignore us after several attempts to get some service. Eventually turned around and walked out because the situation was SOOO AWKWARD. Yeah, the place might be at capacity, but that doesn't give the staff the right to disrespect all those who are not yet seated. Literally that dude could not be bothered by us and looked like he was about to pop from how annoyed he was. Other staff members watched on, complicit. The whole situation reeked of the staff's pretentious attitude, as if we should be thankful for the privilege of attending their business. We went to La Luna and then the Green Room across the street, where we were actually greeted by the host and doorman (imagine that) and had fun. Will never be back. read more

What makes the Punch House great are the people working there and not management...Sarah Ruthless you will be missed!

I really like this spot. Classy with an old school nautical Brady Bunch theme going, it makes me want to drink at least a few well crafted punch drinks. I'm not a huge fan of the sweet drinks for headache reasons, but damn they are refreshing! This will definitely be on my next Chicago trip again. read more