ALES IN COMPARISON…read more The bar formerly known as Brixie's is still a solid place to enjoy a beer. I can't recall exactly how many times I'd given the previous tenant my business over the years, though it has to have been in the dozens. I loved their vibe which could be described as relaxed at best (and dingy at worst), and though the kitchen was no great shakes I appreciated specials on their burgers and pints. Fast forward to 2022, and this place is now exclusively a brewery under the name Imperial Oak. They've also got a location on Archer Ave that I've been to several times. Funny enough, both have 2+ pinball tables and tiny parking lots, however this location on Ogden Ave is much more accessible than the Imperial Oak in Willow Springs. Speaking of pins, their two machines (Simpsons Pinball Party & a retooled Medieval Madness) are $1/game and play beautifully. They've got shuffleboard and some events throughout the month like weekly bingo & trivia. They don't have a kitchen, but sometimes a foodtruck comes in and you can always B.Y.O.F. Bartenders are easygoing; if you aren't feeling an IPA or barrel stout they also have hard seltzers as well as a full bar. The crowd is predominantly locals and after-work peeps. If you can't find a space in their lot, try the angled spots at the Sherwin-Williams next door (just be discreet). * TL;DR * A couple brews, a couple score-based replays on pinball, life is A-OK. Back when this place was Brixie's, it was much quieter and business seemed slow, but I liked it. These days, it's usually bustling with activity whenever I stop by, and that's great news for Imperial Oak. Beer is reasonably priced (Buzz Lite is a delightful honeyweiss for $6/pint) and the taps are varied. I'm switching jobs in the next few weeks, so the odds of me coming through here again are slim but I'll always keep them in mind should I find myself in the Brookfield area. I'd recommend Imperial Oak, for sure.

I stopped in due to Cousin's Lobster food truck. Which was amazing. The venue is a nice size,…read morepatio, and roll-up window availability. The service was good, fast, and the bartenders were friendly and personable. You can see regulars come in whom they knew personally. A family friendly birthday party was being held that day because I was shocked to see kids. Lol. Lots of beer options. I would return. I hope the music is nice in this place as then it would be my new local spot.

This place is such a vibe! I usually come here for Summer on Saturday nights because she is such a…read moresweetheart and amazing! However, I stopped in on Thursday and the bartender Kim was so accommodating, efficient and friendly just like Summer! I will definitely be coming back !

Y-E-S!!!! Love this place. Dive bar? Maybe. Ambiance? Bright lights. Service!? Super friendly…read more(Kim!) Food? Yes! Deep fried but that is ok. Mozzarella sticks. Cheese curds. Cauliflower cheddar bites. Cheese fries. Mmmm mmm! They have Hamms! Woo! Best Hamms decor ever. The old Hamms clock is so neat. Thank you, Kim, for your bubbly personality and great service.

KELLY the bartender is one of a kind!!!! She comes around and greets everyone each and Everytime I…read morehave been there!!! she's an absolute sweetheart! It's a great place to just kick back and forget about your troubles Donna

Jim-may, my man! Nice place ya got here buddy…read more I was seeking a bar that was roughly halfway between Oak Park & Orland Park (meeting someone, heh heh), and I happened to stumble upon this über-divey treasure. Miller Lite was the only beer they had on tap, but you could get a bucket of it for like a nickel. Hyperbole? Maybe. A 60oz pitcher of the classic domestic swill cost only $5, which is pretty damn tough to beat if you ask me. Liz behind the bar was super friendly and introduced herself not long after I sat down. Once my +1 arrived, Liz was nice enough to make a bag of popcorn that she gave us to munch on. Talk about being given a warm reception! They don't accept Discover and have a $10 minimum on credit card purchases, but for a small operation like this it's to be expected, so I can't fault them for that. Some of the barstools are a teensy bit ripped-up, although in a dive bar setting like this, I find that they truly 'complete the look'. Great homey feel and a jukebox loaded with tons of tunes for 50¢ or a dollar per song. They've got billiards tables and a few slot machines that I imagine get a lot of play from their 'regulars'. They also feature Karaoke on select nights of the week. There's a very tasteful piece of nude art behind the bar, which I'm told is a painted portrait of someone who works there. Being a big fan of all things naked people, I found this to be a nice touch amidst the cans of Old Style and half-empty Smirnoff bottles. ....and unless I'm mistaken, I definitely met/talked to/received free shots from *the* Jimmy of said namesake bar. His taste in Huey Lewis & The News (along with his great taste in hats) didn't go unnoticed. He was hilarious and insisted that I stick around for a while [keep in mind this was at 11pm on a Wednesday], but I had to decline. Lyons is generally off my radar, but for the way I was greeted and taken care of at this establishment, I'd not hesitate for a second to stop back in, if I were to be in the area again.

We visited JC's Pub yesterday, and it had been quite a while since our last visit. After this…read moreexperience, we regretted waiting so long to return. The restaurant has a classic old-school Italian supper club vibe. The staff is very friendly, and the owner, Joe, is almost always there greeting guests with a warm smile and a handshake, which adds a nice personal touch. We sat at the bar and were immediately acknowledged by Gia, who has served us before and always provides great service. She took our drink order and returned shortly afterward to take our food order. My wife ordered a 9" thin crust pizza topped with cheese, sausage, tomatoes, green peppers, and mushrooms. She said it was one of the best pizzas she has ever had. The crust was thin and crispy without being overcooked, and all of the toppings were fresh and flavorful. I started with the fried smelt appetizer. The lightly battered smelts were cooked to a perfect golden brown. The light breading allowed the flavor of the fish to really come through, and the house tartar sauce complemented them nicely. For my entrée, I ordered the corned beef and cabbage dinner special, which is available throughout the month of March. The dinner includes Parker House rolls (which could be a meal in themselves) and a choice of soup or salad. I chose the tomato bisque. The soup was creamy with a rich tomato flavor and small pieces of tomato throughout. It was easily the best tomato bisque I have ever had. The corned beef arrived nicely trimmed and had a great, hearty beef flavor without being dry. It was served with a cabbage wedge and sliced carrots. I appreciated that the vegetables remained slightly firm while still absorbing the flavor from the corned beef. I also requested a side of creamy horseradish sauce, which paired perfectly with the dish. Overall, we had a truly great experience and are already looking forward to our next visit.

The food is great. The service is great. Very reasonable prices in comparison to other places I've…read morebeen to. Also , they don't skimp on the portions. I highly recommend JC for an event or just a wonderful dinner.

Bartender Lana is the best . She's the only reason I go there. I like the conversation with her she…read moreis on the ball.

This is a fun, relaxed neighborhood bar. I don't live in the neighborhood, I live in the next…read moresuburb over, but everyone was welcoming and a lot of fun and the tacos! The tacos they have here are the best ones I've had anywhere in the area, including Mexican restaurants, restaurants.

Burger Antics is one of the most fun and delicious burger spots in the area. They're always coming…read moreup with creative, flavorful combinations, one of my favorites had a ramp chimichurri that was so good I actually asked for a to-go container to take some home. The burgers themselves are top-notch, great blend, cooked perfectly, and packed with flavor. The drinks are also excellent, with a solid variety to pair with whatever you order. The staff is always friendly and attentive, which just adds to the experience. It's a place that clearly puts thought and creativity into everything they do, and it shows.

Great glutton food if you're looking to splurge for a night. Might need to go for a walk afterwards…read moreand undo the top button of the pants, but, well worth it.

I have enjoyed BD since it's opened and it's special events. First, the beer is excellent and they…read morealways shake it up with new releases to keep things interesting. Second, this spot is about drinking and enjoying beer, it's not a sports bar, it's no frills, listen to some music, have a conversation, and maybe play a board game. The one thing that does bother me is that it is too family friendly for my taste. I have been there on many occasions where parents bring their 6-12 year olds on a Saturday night after 8pm. I don't enjoy kids screaming, having melt downs, while I'm having a good time with friends. BD, maybe cutoff having kids in your brewery after 6 or 7PM? Otherwise I recommend this gem!

BuckleDown is such a fun, laid-back spot. Their beer is always solid, and they throw one of the…read morebest anniversary events around, it's something I look forward to every year. The taproom is clean, the service is quick, and even though it's on the smaller side, it has a great atmosphere with fun games and a friendly crowd. It's definitely a family-friendly brewery, you'll sometimes see kids there, and it still manages to feel relaxed and welcoming for everyone. A great local spot to grab a beer, hang out, and enjoy good vibes.

Bottom Line: Thankfully, un-corporate, unpretentious , great bang for the buck. Definitely worth a…read morestop. Unplanned stop here but what a welcome surprise on a winter evening at this neighborhood pub that hits the sweet spot somewhere between "watering hole" and restaurant . Lively and cozy, "Livozy" (oh yes I did just coin that) is the best descriptor for this cool little pub right across from a commuter rail stop. Very decent selection on tap. The crowd is mostly local and very friendly. The tenders crushed it in terms of friendliness and efficient professionalism. Zubar has figured out that if you deliver a satisfying experience at very reasonable prices--good value, you will ensure return customers--again and again. (As an aside though, it is a bit of a shame Zubar has not "claimed" this Yelp page projecting the "we're too cool (they are) who cares" vibe but there's a lot of good vibe coming there way...I'll bet they peek anyway.)

Check out this kind of unique zoo themed bar. It's next to a zoo: the Brookfield Zoo to be exact…read more Zubar is a convenient stop for those coming from and going to the zoo. Even those not going to the zoo can enjoy it. This is right off the Metra zoo stop, and I'm wondering how many times I can mention the zoo in this review, maybe 20 times or so. A convenient stop along the Metra gets you here. It's almost seriously there as soon as you get off. This is obviously located on the way to the Brookfield Zoo. It makes a pretty good stop when coming back from walking around. This is pretty much just a little bar with drinks and slots. It's about $5 for a simple cocktail. There's basic liquor. Good place to hang after walking around the zoo and needing to get a drink. It doesn't seem to have food anymore but you can bring some in. There's also entertainment like a jukebox and pool table.

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.

Another great place among a few along Ridgeland Avenue. They have a really nice patio and often…read morewill bring the TVs out there to host watching parties for various games. The servers are super super nice, checking on us frequently to make sure we are good. I really like that on some of these hot summer days, they had some free water bottles out for folks. Another establishment that lets you bring your own food. All around, one of our favorite places to hang out if there's a game on!

Casual & comfortable neighborhood bar. Very simple, nice and clean local watering hole. Very well…read moretaken care of and it shows in the appearance! Inside is as nice as the outside. Simple drinks, nice people, very nice beer garden. Again, emphasis on the nice people. They also have casino gaming machines to enjoy on your visit. I joined friends from the neighborhood here when I first arrived and it was a nice night out. Everyone was very nice and it was an enjoyable place to just unwind and relax with neighbors and friends. Located in a quiet residential area.