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    The Barrel

    4.2 (67 reviews)
    InexpensiveCocktail Bars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    The Barrel Photos

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    THE BARREL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Hipster
    Casual

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    Recommended Reviews - The Barrel

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    Oscar S.

    I LOVE THIS BAR!!!!! James is the BEST!! Been living in Pilsen over a year now.At first I didnt know exactly what to make of this place.Now they are my GO TO BAR in the neighborhood.HANDS DOWN 5 STARS.Might take a minute.lol

    Menu
    Shirley P.

    My partner and I came here for drinks after our dinner at Maribel. The bartender is friendly and checked on us several times throughout the evening which I appreciate. They serve pretty much anything you can imagine from mixed drinks to seltzers to beers. My partner ordered two handshakes (Malort shot + Old Style). I ended up trying one of their mixed drinks called Spring Fling which has vodka and other ingredients in it. I appreciate my drink being on the stronger side, where you can taste and feel the alcohol in it, but there's still a bit of flavor and fruitiness to it. There's ample seating at the bar and in the back. It's a fun time, they had the Soxs and the Cubs games on on their TVs. It can be a bit loud where you can hear each other's conversations. It was pretty busy on a Tuesday evening. They also take card and cash here which is convenient. I'd recommend this place to anyone in the area looking for a good time and affordable drinks.

    Front sign
    Pat S.

    I missed the Pace bus so I went in for a drink. Orders bourbon, 1792 on the rocks, bartender stated he could not serve me the bar was empty, he stated I had to wear a mask while I drank my drink. Well I left. How does one have a mask on and drink out of a glass. No wonder the don't have anyone in the bar. Recommend everyone go elsewhere.

    6 6 17 tap beer list...
    David S.

    The Barrel just keeps getting better. They have a great cocktail list for under 10 bucks. Authentic COCKTAILS. No skimping on the ingredients. I had an original Mai Tai that just blew me away!!

    Stay classy.
    NARDO Q.

    A while ago there was a DJ group who would be in the Barrel busting beats and then they went MIA. I found them not too long ago and turns out that they were fired/ kicked out from their weekly set due to having played "Latino music" They were told that the people who go to the Barrel do not want to listen to that and that they needed to stop. Aside from that little racist incident. I had gone a few months back and had a seat in the back of the bar. 1. it was cold AF back there. 2. They moved us to put in a horrible jazz band. 3. the jazz band was real bad. 4. The band was extremely loud. 5. It takes too long to get the ONE bartenders attention to order a drink. Not good experiences the few times I have gone. I believe that there's great bars you can go to with drink specials and signature drinks when in Pilsen. Do not waste time and money at this dirty, racist, inconvenient spot.

    The tap list at The Barrel. $5 local craft beers!
    Micah P.

    $5 local craft beers in Chicago! I really don't think I need to say any more, but I will. I have driven by The Barrel several times not knowing what lays inside. All I saw was the Export Ale sign out front. Then one time I noticed a particular local brewer's sign in the window. That peaked my interest, but it still took about two months for me to stop in... I kept forgetting where The Barrel was located. One day, my ladyfriend and I were looking for a place to get a beer and she said "what about that place under the Damen Pink Line stop. I said "Oh Yeah! Let's go." And we did. When we arrived (around 4pm), it looked pretty dark inside, and the local brewery's sign was not turned on. I stuck my head in the door and asked if the bar was opened. The guy behind the counter said yes. We made our way inside to find a few things... First, there was a bar with several whiskies lined-up behind it (this is a great start). Second, there was a giant chalk board with 10 or 11 local craft beers listed on it [all but one was listed at $5 (the other was $6)]. Finally, there was a funky smell in the air, but nothing that stayed long enough to make me want to leave. Oh, at this point, I should mention, The Barrel is cash only. There is a Chase ATM a block and a half south though. The beer was cheap, but awesome. How can you go wrong with pints of local craft beer for $5 a piece. I haven't seen prices like that since I lived in Washington! The owner who was behind the bar was super friendly. He chatted us up and informed us about all the things that the bar does throughout the month (live music and the like), how he got into the business, etc. All-in-all, this was a delightful experience. I will definitely be back again.

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    11 years ago

    Chicago brewed beers;George (the owner) is awesome. Great place to watch all Chicago games and live music Friday nights. Very cool place :)

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    11 years ago

    It's funny how you claim to sell "only Chicago beer" but you have Tecate, Modelo, and Corona. Those are not Chicago beers.

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    8 years ago

    Great beer list. They put the game I wanted to watch on. And there were dogs to pet and video games to play. Will be back for sure.

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Good spot, small, has a touchtunes and drinks are priced well. rough hood so be careful. not my go to but definitely not a bad little bar

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

    I like this place. It's cozy with a vast beer selection. The live jazz on Friday nights significantly adds to the charm.

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Barrel

    Review Highlights - The Barrel

    George and Patrick are awesome and they're friendly (as is everyone), but they care about their bar.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    Bisous

    Bisous

    4.4
    (119 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    The Chicago food tour commences... First stop, drinks at Bisous! This cocktail bar was listed no…read more 39 on the top 50 bars in North America for 2025. It was no wonder when we arrived that there was a line out the door. We waited around 45 minutes, and the bouncer was a really nice fellow who kept track of the numbers and people at the door. Upon entering, we were immersed in a dimly lit retro-style lounge. It was quite loud inside and packed as we walked to our seats. The server was great at taking our orders and offering suggestions. I opted for the French 75, which featured sparkling wine and mixed gin, brandies, and citrus. The drink was delicious, but STRONG. I don't know what they put in the cocktails in America, but I am always finished after one drink. Needless to say, we were all struggling to finish our own drinks. My favourite touch was the coasters, I ended up keeping all of them so that I can reuse them at my galentines event next year. The 'bisous' with the kiss on the other side is a perfect touch! I think the drinks are fairly priced for USD. I would love to return someday to try other drinks and bar bites, and also try their sister bar, Sparrow.

    My boyfriend and I were visiting Chicago (from Las Vegas) 2 weeks ago, and were very excited to…read morecheck out Bisous, as it looked nice inside and had good reviews. Imagine my shock when we didn't even make it past the bouncer because he was so rude, AS OTHER RECENT REVIEWS HAVE MENTIONED AS WELL! We had dinner nearby and walked to Bisous after, and saw there was a line of 5 or 6 people outside. We expected this as we knew Bisous is a first come, first serve bar. We were curious what the wait time would look like, so we approached the front door to ask a host or employee inside (we assumed there'd be a desk with an employee working it who could give us a wait time). We had no problem waiting, just wanted to see how long they estimated it would be! Before we could even fully open the door, the bouncer swung the door open from the other side and hit me with the door. I stumbled back a few steps and he looked at us and said, and I quote, "What do you want?". I laughed at first because I thought he was joking and putting on a tough guy act. He was not. We quickly explained we just wanted to see what the wait time was, and he said "don't you see there's a line outside?" We said yes, and explained we just wanted to know a rough estimated wait time. He just blankly stared at us while ushering us out. Both my boyfriend and I have worked in customer-service roles for a very, very long time. This encounter was not only extremely rude and unprofessional, but he also hit me hard enough with the door to send me stumbling back, and then said nothing about it and continued to address us in a tone that was nothing less than annoyed and irritated. We didn't end up going inside because that encounter left such a bad taste in our mouths. I don't believe in spending my money at establishments that don't treat their customers with the bare minimum respect they deserve! Bummed we didn't get to experience it, as I'm sure it was lovely inside and I can only hope the rest of the employees were much more kind and accommodating, or at least able to answer a simple question. Fire your "bouncer" (??) and hire someone with some basic customer service and communication skills!!

    Photos
    Interior bar
    Interior bar
    Inside
    Inside
    Interior

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    Interior
    The Alderman

    The Alderman

    4.6
    (55 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    The Alderman has been on my list for quite some time now. I am so excited that I finally was able…read moreto snag a reservation and check it out. If you didn't know, it is located inside of Pilsen Yards. It's a nice small intimate setting, but I loved every single detail about it. If you are not able to sit at the booth, there are four seats at the bar where you can still enjoy the experience. The ambience was amazing. It was nice and cozy, dimly lit, candles everywhere kind of gave a romantic feel in a sense. The art on the wall was like no other. Very bold, vibrant, and told a story. The selection of music was great, It was a vibe the entire time. My bartender's name was Scotty. Scotty was everything. He was so knowledgeable about the drinks. He had amazing suggestions and he could even put a twist on it if you allowed him. He's also very passionate about his craft and it shows once you a taste of the drinks that he prepared. I had such an amazing time. Not only did he prepare a great drink, but he was so personable and checked on everybody throughout the night and made sure everyone was doing OK. I loved it there. I cannot wait to go back another day. This is hands-down one of my favorite speakeasies. What a hidden gem.

    Beautiful intimate speakeasy with amazing cocktails it's hard to pick which one to start with! The…read moreservice was wonderful and we really enjoyed our time. I ordered the petal pusher cocktail which was delicious!

    Photos
    The Alderman
    Old fashions
    Old fashions
    Yeah, we tried a lot of cocktails

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    Yeah, we tried a lot of cocktails
    Lazy Bird

    Lazy Bird

    4.2
    (256 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$$

    I stopped by Lazy Bird on a Wednesday night after dinner, and it ended up being such a great…read morechoice. We made a reservation ahead of time, which I'd definitely recommend, but it wasn't overly packed and we were seated without any issues. The vibe in there is top tier. Dim lighting, live music energy, and just the right mix of chill and upscale. It's the kind of place where you can actually enjoy the atmosphere without feeling rushed. This was my second time here and I remember it being just as good back in 2022. The drinks were immaculate. I had two mocktails that were both well-balanced (not overly sweet, which I appreciate), and he ordered an old fashioned. You can tell they take their bar program seriously and can go beyond a gin & tonic. Overall, it was a really good time. It can give you a great midweek outing or a laid-back night with a little something.

    Lazy Bird is a cute Chicago speakeasy but let me tell you something -- this place is CROWDED. I…read morecame early in the evening and got the last spot at the bar (I was by myself), and within 30 mins while I was having my drink I looked around and noticed that the room was near totally full, and the majority of people were standing in the open because all the tables were full, as was the bar. People were standing right behind me to order drinks; I didn't feel overly crowded by any means but some who aren't used to that kind of bar/clubby vibe might feel that way. The music was a little loud to be heard over all the folks there, but I wasn't talking to anyone so it didn't bother me (was just sitting and reading a book). The bartender was really nice and attentive despite the fact that the place was so packed. I had a drink called the "Gentle Fish" which the bartender rec'd as a sweeter/more floral drink. Admittedly it was a little strong, but the flavor was nice! It was different from most other drinks I've had, and I enjoyed it. Was strong enough I definitely did not need another though. Of note, this place is downstairs under "The Hoxton" hotel, there's no entrance directly to the bar from the sidewalk/street (you have to enter the hotel lobby, then follow the signs toward the back and go down the elevator and/or stairs). There is a person who checks your ID when you enter and seats you if seats are available. The bathrooms were very clean. Not sure about parking but street parking is definitely very limited; I imagine a paid lot would probably be the easiest thing or taking the train from wherever you're staying if you can (which is what I did).

    Photos
    Lazy Bird
    Lazy Bird
    Lazy Bird

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    HIDE+SEEK

    HIDE+SEEK

    4.0
    (385 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    Hide+Seek was pretty good! Came here for dinner on a work trip and had the Parisian Gnocchi ($27)…read morewhich has lobster in it. The portion size isn't huge but there's a LOT of fat in this so it will make you feel full! I had had a drink beforehand too so I wasn't "starving," and I left pretty comfortably full. I was seated upstairs at the bar (there's an up and a downstairs bar) and the bartender was very nice, they served me pretty quick. I didn't hang about long but there were several couples clearly on dates, and I would say it's a nice spot for that -- not the fanciest, but certainly more upscale than casual. Bathrooms were immaculate too! Of note, I didn't have a car but saw metered parking directly out front and along the whole street there in shopping area. It was VERY packed but there was a lot of turnover so I imagine if you drove you wouldn't have to circle too long before finding a spot.

    Great night! John sat us at a great table on the main level. We were 7 people, but sat in curved…read morebooth which was perfect because the conversation was great. Gigi was an our server and she was attentive and informative. For food we ordered a variety, cucumber salad, the burrata, fried artichoke, French onion bread, octopus, hamachi, rib eye, filet and ravioli. Everything was amazing!!!! It is a small menu, but so many amazing options, you can't go wrong. We then went to the night club. Gina was our server and she was amazing also. Everyone had a blast Venue is beautiful, food is great, staff and vibe made the whole night!

    Photos
    Immaculate bathrooms!
    Immaculate bathrooms!
    HIDE+SEEK
    The Dutchess

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    The Dutchess
    Osito's Tap

    Osito's Tap

    4.3
    (73 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    My first time here and it might be one of my new favorite bars in Chicago! First, I love the…read morespeakeasy vibe. It's located inside of a brightly lit liquor store, and it's a completely different vibe as soon as you enter into Osito's Tap. At 8:30pm on a Saturday, we were seated right away at the bar. There was a live DJ, but the music wasn't too loud which I appreciated. Sometimes with live DJs the music gets way too loud, but it was just some nice background music. The service was great, and our bartender was really friendly. We tried the For Ari, Nube Punch, and Jardinera. All the cocktails were delicious and unique. I typically don't like savory cocktails and usually cocktails with malort are intimidating, but the jardinera cocktail surprised me and I actually liked it a lot. I think the tomato flavor just worked really well with the malort. I would come back just for that cocktail, but there were so many other cocktails I wanted to try and didn't get to this time, so we'll definitely be back.

    I was really excited to try Osito's!…read more The space itself is lovely and moody. We tried a handful of things from the menu but would have tried more, but as they got busier, the service declined. Everything we tried was delicious--especially the salsas! Their drink menu was fun and interesting so I would definitely recommend stopping by for a few drinks.

    Photos
    Quezatlin - my Favorite
    Quezatlin - my Favorite
    Osito's Tap
    Duck Tacos, Wings, and Chicken Thigh

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    Duck Tacos, Wings, and Chicken Thigh
    The Aviary

    The Aviary

    4.0
    (1.7k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$$

    We went here for my husband's birthday after a night out to dinner because I thought the food…read morepairings would be very tiny or bite-size, but I was pleasantly surprised that they were larger so if you plan on coming, make sure you don't have a huge meal before you go so that you can best enjoy the cocktail and food pairing menu adequately. We had a prepaid reservation, which made everything very smooth from start to finish. Each drink was paired with a food and they went very well together. They were also very inventive and creative so if you like to have fun with your food and Marvel and the creativity of the bar staff and the chefs this is a great place to go if you're looking for something different. They also offer add-ons for your reservation so we got the truffle explosion dumpling soup dumpling and I wish I had 50 of them. We would like to go back and try a different experience next time we go there, but I highly recommend it as a first time in Chicago experience or if you live around the area or if you're just looking for a good time.

    An extraordinary cocktail experience that's absolutely worth it for a fun date night or a group…read moreouting. The bird-themed cocktail menu brings both creativity and drama, with presentations that feel almost theatrical. What really elevates the experience is how the hosts narrate the inspiration behind each drink, making it feel more like a storytelling session than just a night out. The mixologists deserve serious credit for their thoughtful experimentation with global flavors--balancing complementary and contrasting notes, surprising textures, and sensory touches that feel nostalgic and adventurous at the same time. The food holds its own too. Don't miss the giant onion ring or the Chip n Dip--both are as fun as they are delicious. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but the cocktail tasting experience makes it worthwhile. A perfect late-night spot for great conversations and drinks that ooze personality.

    Photos
    Truffle explosion
    Truffle explosion
    Interior
    Interior
    Drink your medicine

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    Drink your medicine

    The Barrel - cocktailbars - Updated July 2026

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