I think they should rename this bar Kellie's, due to her coming here enough to know everybody. My first experience with Simon's was kind ehh, it was packed and the bartender was soooo slow. But my latest experience with Kellie and a select group of cool yelpers was much much better. Simon's is a dive bar with some exceptions, like it's cleaner, people are more tolerable, and .......well that's probably about it. It's cozy, it's dark, it has descent music, and the drinks are cheap. You couldn't ask for more, ok how about getting rid of that one bartender then you're set. Either way I dig it. I will see you soon Kellie's Tavern read more

Great crowd of people, great staff, Nice and laid back bar. Love it! During the winter..Close to x-mas this place is a must. TRY THE Homemade GLUG. You can even buy it by the Jug for your own Holiday parties. Best warm you up drink ever man! For those not in the know this is glug. Glug 8 ounces water 1 cup raisins 3 cinnamon sticks 5 whole cloves 12 cardamom seeds 2 dry orange peels Boil ingredients for 10 minutes in saucepan, then add: 1 gallon port wine One 750-ml. bottle brandy 16 ounces rum 1/2 cup sugar Bring to boil and let simmer 1 minute, then turn off burner and ignite. Allow the mix to burn for about 15 seconds. Serve hot . read more

This bar fits right in with the style of bars that I like: old, well-worn, a very neighborhoodish feel to it. OK, it's a dive, and that is why i am liking it so much. Met a few people up there to enjoy some Glogg the other night. I have heard so much about the Glogg here for the past couple of winters and I finally decided to try it out. This stuff was very good and very strong. I did notice that they had a very good beer selection before i tried my Glogg, in case I did not like it. The layout of the bar is long and narrow and for a while there was only one person working behind the bar, so I had to wait a little bit when i went up there but nothing too out of control long. As the night went on and the place started to get a little more crowded, I started feeling a little more claustrophobic. read more

When you look up "dive bar" in the dictionary, you will find a picture of Simon's Tavern. It is a classic dive in the sense of the word, the kind of bar that your dad and your dad's dad enjoyed back in the day. The long bar from front to back, the liquor bottles arranged on the shelves behind the bar and the old-fashioned cash registers reminded me of the days when I practically grew up in the tavern my grandparents ran on Armitage and Francisco (RIP Armitage Buffet). The interior may look small and cramped but there is actually plenty of room for a small get-together of thirsty friends to sit, drink cheaply and have a relaxing time. Bonus points for being allowed to bring in your own munchies! Can't wait for Christmas time to try the glogg! Drunken Countess Ahoy!!!!!! And is there a Swedish discount for my Swedish Count??? Just kidding ;-). read more

I shall attempt to keep this brief, a venture that often fails. So here we go: Vodka & tonic: $4. Woodchuck Dark & Dry (which I've *never* found at a bar before): $4. Jukebox: Packed with great music, from Arcade Fire to Hüsker Dü, Fleet Foxes to Social Distortion, 2/$1. Staff: Friendly and efficient. Come on. Need I say more? read more

Well, it doesn't need to be called Kellie's anymore. My roommate doesn't frequent that establishment that much any more *wink*, but as a straight guy this is an oasis in a sea of gay men and women's bars in Andersonville......and to quote Jerry Seinfeld...."not that there is anything wrong with that....." But Simons is an old soul when it comes to being a bar...I mean Hopleaf down the street and In Fine Spirits in the other direction all have many aspects which Simons doesn't, but this place is truly old school. The decor, bar, and overall feel is a bar that has stopped in time. And though the patrons have changed from the 1940s to the 21st century, when you walk in it has a nice neighborhood feel to it. The fire place in the back can be a cozy little area during the cooler months. Bathrooms are small and the bar staff is a hit or miss, but all and all this is the place to go when you just want to have drinks, conversations, and a laid back night in the hood. read more

Came here for a nightcap or two with some friends after a cooking class down the street and we found ourselves a cozy corner and happily caught up. The atmosphere was lively and comfortable and the staff was pleasant and welcoming. Attractive crowd too. Drinks were reasonable and plentiful. Not much more needed for a good neighborhood bar. If I was local, I would definitely frequent this place. And if I'm ever in this neighborhood again, I know where to go for drinks. read more

I don't want to break anyone's heart here, but I have a serious complaint about this place and feel it necessary to share with all of you out in yelp land. Let me start with positives: good music, super friendly patrons, and an overall nice, neighborhoody, divey atmosphere. The negative? I cannot claim that this is a common practice, but last night at least, they were up-selling cheap liquor. I ordered a Crown and Coke and was given a watered down version of a lesser whiskey. Seriously. It happened. The bartender grabbed a bottle of Crown and I immediately noticed that it was lighter in color than what Crown typically is. My best friend who drinks Crown pretty much daily (that makes him sound like an alcoholic, I know) noticed this right away as well. I told the bartender that we asked for Crown and Coke, she said, "I know", and I said, "this is not Crown Royal." At this point, she looked down and was clearly agitated. I demanded my money back. She gave us our money and quickly took off to the other end of the bar. It was late and everyone was pretty much drunk when we got there - so maybe they thought they could get away with it. I won't assume that the bartender herself was in on anything, but her reaction gave it away, and I am positive she knew what I knew. I give Simon's two stars - since I refuse to give any place one star. Moral of the story? BUYER BEWARE. read more

Simon's has a great beer selection. Unless you ask for the first six and they have none of them. In Simon's defense it was 1: 30 am on a Saturday night. Another yelper and I ducked in here to avoid another torrential downpour that was threatening to drown us. The bartender was apologetic about being 0 for 6 in the beer selection. And as we left, hailed a cab, the bouncer ran out to give my friend her phone and wallet. Thus avoiding yet another huge lost phone debacle. We've decided to duct tape it to her from now on. read more

I know, I know, I know. "Only three stars? What gives, lady?" Well, thing is, because it's not my neighborhood tavern, Simon's to me is just another bar. I'm not invested. Sure, I absolutely adore the glogg in the wintertime and I have a new found affection for the gentleman bartender who poured me my beloved Leffe Blonde in a pint glass and only charged me $5 for it, but Simon's itself doesn't grab me like it grabs others (looking at you, KK). I like the couch thing, the bathrooms are clean, the beer selection is nice and varied from cheap PBR to the better stuff (Rouge, Leffe) and it is a friendly joint. I just don't typically make it a destination. That said, between Hopleaf and Simon's, those are some of the best reasons to make the trek north to Andersonville. read more

Forgive me, Kellie. It was just okay. I came here on New Year's Eve Eve to meet up with some other Yelpers. From the second I walked in the bar with Jackie P and Jelena Z and everyone in there gave us weird looks (we were the first to arrive), I didn't feel comfortable in there. Now, don't get me wrong - I LOVE a good dive bar. And maybe I just came on an off night. But the bartender was kind of mean. And impatient. And I worked in the service industry, so I'm well aware that he was just overwhelmed with how busy it was and he was the only one behind the bar. But it just rubbed me the wrong way. Drinks were well poured and inexpensive, though. And one of my non-Yelp friends who met up with us said she had been in a few days prior and Sean Hayes (of Just Jack!/Will & Grace fame) was in there. So that's pretty cool. I'd be willing to give it another shot if I was in the neighborhood. But I still refuse to Glogg. ;-) read more

When the bartender tells you that Malort tastes like falling off your bike and eating the dirt/grass/sweat combo beneath your bloodied face, you've got to try it. And try it we did. After that, the details get a little hazy. We came here for 4 reasons: #1) it's close to home. #2) the jukebox has a solid mix of punk staples on rotation. #3) Anthony Bourdain gave this place a nod and well, I'm kind of a sucker for him and his shows. #4) they serve Malort. And after going to many a Chicago bar and asking the locals if they know where to find it, I was tired of getting confused faces and "what the hell is Malort?" responses. Pro Tip: Bring cash. You're gonna need it. read more

I'm all glögged up! Since this was my first time here and I had heard great things about their famous glögg, I knew I had to try it. Served hot in a golden Turkish tea cup, it warmed my tummy and my brain. I liked that they put almonds and raisins in the bottom, so I had a little snack once the glögg was gone. I'm glad I tried this Scandinavian treat, but one glass once a year is good enough for me because it's seriously strong! However, I did like the festive decor and the coziness of this sweet little bar and can understand why this is such a fun hangout for the A-ville crowd! read more

Love, love, love Simon's! It's arguably the best neighborhood bar in Chicago. The bar staff is great (but don't let your little visiting out-of-town cousin's pop off - once crossed the bartenders' sense of humor can be pretty scathing, which I love!) - crowd is awesome. You feel at home, in this totally unpretencious atmosphere. As mentioned by another reviewer, the jukebox is bitchin'. They were forced to replace Bell's w/ Red Seal Ale (due to Bell's Illinois distribution issues), but I LOVE RSA so yet another reason to head over to Simon's! Glogg / Glugg? is great in the winter - but potent! read more

Ah Simon, I want to curl up on that small couch in front of the "fireplace" with a nice glass of glogg and take a nap. Now this: I like you Simon but I think I need more time to figure out where this is headed. No, i'm not saying let's never see each other again. I'm saying I just don't know. I live so far and the whole long distance thing never works. Not to mention the fact that Kellie is over all of the time and i'm not sure what you guys have going on but I don't want to be a third wheel. For now, it's best if we take things slow. I'll keep coming back for the Glogg and you can continue to impress me. Maybe by summer we'll be spending weekends together! read more

Yeah....I'm totally into Simons! Simon is so cool that I bet he hangs out across the way at the Hopleaf when he's not hanging out at Simons. A good old fashion working man's bar gone comfortably hip. The crowd is so chill and there is not an ounce of pretenciousness found in the place. Its cozy and dim with wood paneling and the bartenders are sweet as can be. The jukebox rocks my world and if you're in the mood for conversation, its not too loud or overpowering. There are even a couple of couches in the back to kick back and relax on if you are so lucky to snag one. Great spot to grab a drink with a couple of people and enjoy the night. I can't wait until winter is upon us so that I can get some of the glogg that I hear so much about. read more

Let it be a testament to Simon's that I was dumped here on Valentines' Day + still remain a fan, though not as frequent. Though it's been mentioned that they haven't the selection of nearby Hopleaf (that's sort of the Hopleaf's schtick, ya know?), they do carry Rogue's Dead Guy, my standard when at Simon's (unless it's the winter season, then it's Glogg ...Delicious). Simon's makes me look forward to winter. One of the best jukeboxes, in the city + well worth a history tour if you're lucky enough to catch Scott (the owner) nabbing a seat at your table or next to your barstool. A comfy setting, smoking outside (in the back), generally full of neighborhood locals (a huge plus, mind you) + the bartenders are top-notch. read more

Simon's is timeless. They've been serving the same demographic of clientele for over 80 years, adjusting just enough to stay current without sacrificing their identity. I've seen customers of all ages rub elbows at the long bar, chit-chatting with busy bartenders who somehow never seem jaded. For a while I was worried that the rapidly gentrifying Clark Street strip in Andersonville would ruin this place somehow, but now I see I have nothing to worry about. So much in the neighborhood has come and gone, and still Simon's is at least 95% of what it has always been. (If you removed the Malort from the shelves and the electronic juke box from the wall, you'd have no idea what year it was.) Some bars are better places to start your evening, and some are great late spots. Simon's is both, and everything in between. You can come and go and talk to your friends and strangers and drink everything from $3 Schlitz to beers and other liquors more fancy. And you will never be bombarded with overhead TV's or other gimmicks. I'd like to say that Simon's is representative of so many old bars in Chicago have shut down, but honestly Simon's has always been out of their league. I hope someday it gets landmark status. read more

We had a great time here, sipping glogg and enjoying some pre-Christmas revelry. It gets a little crowded but there are a good number of chairs and barstools and everybody's cool. This is just a real mellow place to be. The mixed drinks were mighty strong and there's a great selection of beers. Get a group together and just shutup and go. You'll thank me for it. This is the dive bar that will convert non-dive bar people; I'm convinced of that. read more

Went through every bar/restaurant in Andersonville when working on a project. Being the super Swede that I am spent ample time in Simon's and had a repressed memory of coming here as a child with my Swedish grandparents. It was eerily familiar, as in I knew I had been here before. Turns out I was. Like 30 some years ago and nothing has really changed. I loved the bartender and the stories about the bullet proof glass and the check cashing service back in the day where they would cash the tradesmens paycheck so they could promptly spend it at the bar. I am all for cutting out the middleman. The drinks are cheap and the people are a dynamic group, hipsters and hoodlums. And my beloved Svenska's! Glogg is not the same as Grandma used to make but is the real deal.(It tasted so much better when it was the forbidden fruit and my brother and I ate all the raisins not knowing they were drenched in booze......but hey we were like 6 & 7). Nice to see a real bar with real people left in what was once a real Swedish enclave. read more

In a nutshell: Malort. 'Nuff said. Came here at the end of a night or drinking on a Tuesday. Don't hate....I was on vacation. I had a buddy taking me around, and before dropping me off at the CTA station, I had to take a shot of Malort. For those of you who don't know what Malort is.....I'm not going to tell you. You just have to take a shot. Since I was already pretty drunk, I asked the bartender what I could have as a back following the shot. He said, "....um....::shakes head::....nothing." I then asked him what it tasted like and he replied with "....::shakes head::....death." After that awesome pep talk, my friend (who was WAY too excited to have a shot) and I took our shot. Malort tastes like dirty water, yet surprisingly clean on the front end of the shot. No burn, just awful. What follows is what makes Malort so memorable: the bitter taste of death. I can't describe what the bitterness reminded me of, but I know it lasted a LONG time. I can now say that I've had Malort, and will now sucker....I mean motivate my out-of-town friends to try it as well. Overall, this was a decent bar, and the bartender's character when describing Malort made it a memorable experience. read more

YES! When the temperature drops, it's time for warm beverages and cocktails. I was craving mulled wine for the longest time and my friend took me to Simon's! Their Signature glogg delivered! It warmed by body and made me so happy. It definitely had a kick, which I presumed to be port and cognac. This bar is a cozy neighborhood dive with lots of character, a mixed crowd, and juke box. read more

I enjoyed my time at Simon's & found it to be a very lovely place. It's quiet, intimate, and warms up a cold night in an instant. I went here quite awhile ago for a hot whiskey drink I was told I had to try on a cold, cold night. So my bff & I jumped on the train & made our way to Simon's. I am quite glad we did. I drank that warm drink that had all sorts of almonds, raisins, etc in it & while it wasn't my favorite drink, it hit the spot that night! I curled up on the couch in the back & chatted the night away with friends & patrons alike! I have been back since & it hasn't lived up to my first visit, but all in all I enjoy this bar. Sometimes the people/bartenders can be total jerks & write you off for looking young or too hipster, yet this place still makes your heart melt just a little. I think I'm going to wait until it gets a bit cooler to go again & try to reenact one of my favorite winter memories, but this time with a different drink. read more

What a wacky/tacky place. It was entertaining, kinda downkey a bit, and quiet enough to have actual conversation. That alone for a bar, is pretty nice. I must say I'm amused they carry Schlitz since I think most people would rather drink absolutely anything else in the world other than natty instead of Schlitz. I would certainly live with water for an evening before considering that. At least they have a decent location and plenty of other options nearby :) read more

A nice old skool Chicago bar. Mismatched tables...ripped seats on the bar stools...old curmudgeons making inappropriate comments at the bar. LOVED IT!! There was also this cool mural on the wall that looked like it was carved out of wood. Little doe-eyed deers were staring at us while we drank ourselves merry. The homemade glogg is some seriously strong and yummy stuff. Do not drink it if you are on any type of medication because it will F you up! Consult your doctor. The gingerbread cookie is so tasty when dipped in glogg...and the almonds and raisins in the bottom of the glass were scrumptious. A big thanks to the Yelpers that made it out last night (you know who you are!!) It's always fun hanging out with you guys. :) read more

I want to give this place another star but I can't. I just can't do it. One of the bartenders was painfully slow with drinks and even ignored my side of the bar a few times. His fellow bartender tried to make up for it time and time again but seriously when I want another raspberry vodka and lemonade I want it NOW and not 15 minutes from now! I'm lacking in patience this I know but when one of the most patient people I know says something about the wait you know you have a problem. Oh and even with both doors open to this place it was hot as hell in that bar. Can we turn on a fan or something? read more

I would give Simon's 3 1/2 stars if possible. As anyone who knows me knows, I'm not a lover of dive bars. That said, however, I think Simon's is a pretty affordable spot that is generally less crowded than say, Hopleaf. I've never had a problem with any of the bartenders here. In fact, one of the last times I was at Simon's, the bartender saw that my boyfriend had a broken wrist and gave him several free shots of whiskey. Also, I can't really think of another bar offhand where I've had 5 dollar gin and tonics (excluding happy hour specials or something). All in all, I think this is a reliable bar in the neighborhood. The only reason I'm not rating it more highly is because there isn't anything particularly special about the atmosphere to me. They do have a good jukebox, however. read more

Basically I couldn't ask for anything more in a dive bar. Cash only? Check. Badass jukebox? Check. Friendly bartenders so long as you're not asking for a Purple Hooter shot and wanting to start a tab? Check. Decent beer selection? Check. T.V.'s that tend to have something other than sports on? Check. Yeah, so five stars for being everything I expect and not a bit more. read more

When the weather is getting colder, head over here. Sure it can be crowded - but they have Glogg. For those who don't know: "Glogg, pronounced gloog, is a high octane, hot mulled wine made with a potpourri of spices and all three of the above: Claret (red wine), port, and brandy. It is the perfect cold weather drink, warming the body and soul from the inside out." Plus go there on a slow weeknight and maybe you'll get the bartender that tells dirty jokes. read more

I've had great times at Simons and I've had some of the worst. End of the day I really don't want to go back again. What is it- it's a dirty hunting lodge themed dive. The glugg comes at Christmas time. Why is it good? The drafts are nice and the glugg is good. Why is it bad? The bouncer/staff pretends it is a way classier place and you feel talked down to ordering a drink. When they stop serving after you come a long way to have that oh so limited glugg at 1:30 at this '2 am bar' and then give you a hard time because they want to go home you realize you really have been thinking too much of this place. I've held it up too high for too long. Last three times I've been it's been a real hassle and I've been embarrassed dragging friends there. Probably an afternoon works, but the Friday/Saturday service is simply too much to bear. I won't be back until I hear of a service change- the place will likely be crowded without me. Skål Andersonville! read more

This joint has the word dive all over it. It doesn't look like it has been cleaned or painted in years, no make that decades. Wow! Old and smelly. Super long bar with a ton of stools. There are several tables and counters to lean on while drinking your Schlitz on tap. read more

After hearing all the rave about this Andersonville dive bar, I was excited to finally be apart of the experience. After Kellie K posted an event to head up here on a Friday night--I was totally in! Walking into Simon's doesn't make you want to have that feeling of you need to wash your hands. It is a dive bar with being clean. And a neat freak like me can totally appreciate it. The service was nice here, and the music was good. Not too loud not to soft. Love it. Our group took to the back area where there were a couple of tables, and couches. How neat. I love places that have a special little background for people. Makes it very special indeed. Company was good, my grapefruit juice tasted good. I was a happy girl on a Friday night. Thanks Kellie for the invite! When I trek up that far north again, I'll totally keep Simon's in the back of my mind. read more

Cheap beer and the seasonal Glogg! Good eclectic crowd and friendly staff. One of the best bars in the city as far as I see it but be warned it does got a bit steamy. *CASH ONLY (ATM available) read more

Mmmkay. So. Justine and Scott and Ben Afflek Jr. are fantastic bartenders. And they handled the Zombie Pub Crawl crowd (crazy drunk undead people) like champs. Simon's has THE BEST jukebox in the city - hands down. And when we ran out of cash (because it's a no-plastic kind of joint), we even got a free refill of beer, just because. Go to Simon's. Bring cash. Tip ridiculously. Love your bartenders. You'll leave happy and have new best friends. read more

It's a winter Tuesday night at Simon's. The fresh flowers are in their vases, the TV's running AMC, and the Swedish melodic death band is at the bar doing shots. Moments later, the bassist woos me at the jukebox and throws in five bucks for me to buy up all my mom's favorite songs. (Fastest way to a girl's heart.) Tall, blonde, long-haired Nordic-ness aside, this place is fantastic and has become my go-to for grabbing a drink and playing a few tunes on the best jukebox in the city. As evidenced by the hundred-plus reviews here, Simon's is not exactly a secret dive anymore. But that doesn't mean you can't have a great time. The beer on draft is always fantastic, and the bartenders are friendly folk who mix a mean drink. The glögg, of course, is the first thing on most everyone's lips in the winter. But when seasons change, don't neglect the wonder that is... the GLUSHIE. Glögg's summer cousin, the glushie (glögg + slushie, natch) can be found at the end of the bar in its beautiful frozen state. I was skeptical at first, thinking that the mulled wine and spice flavors of winter could never translate to a hot summer night. I was wrong. And at only four bucks a pop, it's a tasty drink for tough times. Because I'm a nerd the other thing I love about Simon's is the history here. Take a good long look at the bar, folks. A thing of beauty is, indeed, a joy forever. As the bartender told it to me, there have only been two real owners of Simon's ever: the current owner and--you guessed it--Simon (and his progeny of course). Check out what looks like a broom closet behind the jukebox. That's the old bank where Simon used to set up shop during the Depression Era. Folks would cash their check here and Mrs. Simon would make them a sandwich in the back kitchen. Word has it that shades of the old speakeasy are still downstairs too. Gotta love feeling like you're cozying up to a bar that grandpa would approve of. Oh, and for the record, these Simon's jukebox songs go out to my mom, on behalf of Peter and the Swedish melodic death band: "Homeward Bound" -- Simon and Garfunkel "I Just Want to Make Love to You" -- Muddy Waters "You Got It" -- Etta James "Big Chief" -- Professor Longhair read more

So after seeing Simon's on whatever recent incarnation of Bourdain's smut show. I remembered the love I had for this place back when we would hit it up before or after "the Great Beer Palace" (R.I.P.) . I have had some great day drinking sessions in here too whilst the street festival outside raged in late summer fun. Just as Anthony waxes sardonic about everyplace he visits, my opinion of Chicago bars are extremely reverent because they all are great unto themselves. To the point where when I go to a great bar elsewhere, my reaction usually equates that establishment with feeling like a "Chicago Bar". This is a Chicago great , a little tattered but no worse for wear, it is a long bar even by "long bar extremes". If anyone is familiar with Doc's Clocks in San Francisco , this is it's older non-updated sister bar. If you consider yourself dive bar aficionado do yourself a favor , after having some supreme beer a block down at the Hopleaf, then pony up to Simon's for some cheaper beer and liquor. read more

A classic dive in the heart of Andersonville. You see mostly neighborhood folk. A calm crowd and a louder, rambunctious crowd -- luckily, they keep themselves separate. Not too crowded at 1am. read more

Oh snap! Why the hell hadn't I been over here before? Maybe its because I have never hung out this far north. Yeah, probably that. I believe the previous forty reviewers have summed up the high points so I'll keep it short... Affordable craft beer on tap - check Great tunes - double check Friend who just moved into the neighborhood - triple check (That last one means I'll be stopping by much more often) read more

Do you know what "glogg" is? Neither did I until I started working part-time in Andersonville (which happens to be the Swedish and Lesbian epicenter of Chicago...) "Glogg" is hot, spiced, mulled wine. It's delicious on a cold, blustery winter day - which Chicago happens to have quite a lot of. Be forewarned, though - "glogg" also causes massive wine hangover, so be cautious not to over-consume. Simons Tavern is a great place for "glogg" -- and, it's a great dive bar in general. Negative one star because I lost an expensive umbrella there and the staff was less than helpful about trying to locate it. I mean I understand it was *just an umbrella* but it cost like $50 and I'd only bought it two days prior AND by the time I called them 12 hours later, after I realized where I'd lost it - it was gone with the wind... even though they were very uncrowded the night I was there. I suspect one of the bartenders is enjoying my "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Le Grande Jette" museum print umbrella. *crooky eye* read more

It only took 33 years, but I'm finally giving in to my rural girl roots and have gone cuckoo for country music. I've always had a vague affection for Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton, but this year something happened to my soul and nothing but the white person's blues will do. So last Wednesday when I learned the Western Elstons were playing at Simon's that night, I cancelled my other plans (sitting on the couch watching Roseanne DVDs) and headed over to Andersonville. It was my first time at Simon's and I was immediately smitten. I like my bars like I like my men: long, narrow, and full of hardwood. Simon's delivered on all counts. I only had one drink, a Murphy stout, and it was decently priced. If it hadn't been a school night I'd've gotten a shot of whisky and a beer chaser, because that's the sort of boozin the Western Elstons' music calls for. Their drummer was double booked that evening so for the first set they rotated drumming duties and threw a whole lot of Beatles covers at us, which I was delighted by. After their drummer arrived, they went into full on honky tonk mode, and my fate was sealed: I had a new favorite band and another favorite bar to hold dear to my heart. Simon's is a bit far for me to make it a regular drinking spot, but I'll definitely be there every chance I get when they have live country music. And a few times besides that to ogle that hardwood, of course. read more