The California Clipper is a Chicago classic. Excellent cocktails, and a good destination for jazz and swing on the west side.

I asked for the (bald & ) (big) guy's name as the bouncer at the front & he refused to give it to me lol. Mind you he did not let my friend in for absolutely no reason while he (bouncer) was drinking on the job. Made absolutely ridiculous comments while we were waiting outside for our uber. Someone in line told me how they were prejudice to them as well. Bouncer was beyond rude and unwelcoming. Do not recommend this place whatsoever. They always have shitty music anyway. DO NOT even bother coming here 0/10!!!! read more

Upon arrival the bartender accused my friend of being too drunk because she tripped, and he wouldn't serve us. Felt a bit too hasty to come to that conclusion, considering we just arrived. We agreed to do a walk in a straight line test or whatever. Bartender ultimately apologized, but after all the arguments it was a damper on the night as you can imagine. Left feeling really upset especially since it was my friend's birthday. read more

This place has been on my list of places to try for a while, so I decided to come on a leisure Sunday and check it out. I love the fact that I could sit anywhere. It wasn't super crowded, but there was a nice little crowd there to experience the live music. Their cocktail menu is pretty decent. I have a $5 Party Shot. Today, it was the PB&J shot with whiskey, strawberry, rhubarb, and lemon. For my cocktails, I had the Millionaire (crown royal) and the Stolen Kisses (rye whikey). The Millionaire was sweet and tart. You usually never think of Crown as being refreshing, but this was. Stolen Kisses was different - think Old Fashioned, but with umami. The menu describes it as "herbaceous," and that's pretty accurate. If I had to order again, I would stick with the Millionaire. Today's live music was provided by Phnx, and they were really good - very talented. Don't expect table service - you have to order at the bar. Since it wasn't terribly crowded, having 1 bartender was fine. Hopefully they have more or busier nights. #ImNotAFoodie #ImJustAGirlWhoLovesFood #YelpEliteSquad read more

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I came here this past Friday for the first time. They were having a jazz show from 6-9 and a friend & I wanted to check it out. I will say that i really enjoyed my time here. The artists that played were super talented and had so much passion. The vibes were very vintage and had a great feel. The staff was nice and the drinks they made us were soooo good! It felt inviting and there was such a diverse group of people here. I absolutely loved the sign they had in the bathroom. I will definitely be back and will be bringing more friends to enjoy this wonderful bar. read more

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The California Clipper is a great spot for cocktails! We went early on Saturday night, around 5:15, and were able to walk right in and have our pick of seating. Seating is plentiful and I loved the cozy booths. They had live music going and a great ambience. Drinks are reasonably priced for Chicago (~$15) and the bartender was making them strong. Service was good, although a little slow, as there were only 2 bartenders working and while the night started out slow, by 6:30 all the tables and most of the seats at the bar were full. The bar is dimly lit, which resulted in a great atmosphere for a date night! The bathrooms (which had complimentary menstrual products - a nice touch!) and tables were also all very clean. Even though this is an older bar, there were no sticky floors, grimy tables, or dirty bathrooms. I wouldn't hesitate in coming back! read more

We came here on Saturday (03/15), the day the city just happened to be celebrating St Patrick's Day. We Ubered to the California Clipper to see a DJ that people in my friend group have been following for a while on Instagram. Here's the situation. Myself and 3 others got out of our uber, and I had a souvenir St Patrick's cup filled with ice with me from another bar. I dumped the ice out immediately getting out of the Uber, and then we got into line with the other 3 people of our friend group. As I was showing them this cool, green, EMPTY cup, a bouncer came up and without saying anything, snatched the cup from my hands and chucked it into the garbage can nearby. He missed the can, so my friend got out of line and properly threw the cup away. We thought that was the end of it. We then proceeded to wait in line another 20 minutes, not thinking anything of it. When we finally got to the front of the line, a different bouncer, with a severe short man complex, told my 4 friends in front of me that they were not allowed in because they had been in line with a cup and drinking. A few problems here... 1) The four that they were not going to let into the bar, never had the cup. I did. 2) The cup was EMPTY, so no one could have been drinking in line. 3) Why wouldn't the first bouncer who took the cup originally tell us that we weren't going to be allowed in? Instead of making us stand and wait in line to get turned away. Is this so that the bouncer at the door who was maybe 5'3" in heels had something to go home to tell his mother about? Was he trying to feel like a 'big boy' turning away 5 females who could look down at him? This door bouncer then very rudely, instead of listening to the scenario that had played out, tried shushing our female friend, fingers over lips, living out his Pretty Little Liars moment, like we aren't all adults just trying to clear up a miscommunication. Embarrassing. Overall, the drinks and ambiance may be great here, I wouldn't know. I personally, do not suggest that anyone pays anything to a place that would hire such a misogynistic bigot to work their front door. All this over a miscommunication that could have easily been discussed, and we still would have left out of respect and understanding. Instead, we left over doing nothing wrong, being mistreated and disrespected. read more

So happy that they did not close down especially because I had only been a couple times before! This place has great vibes. You can say that it's the GreenMill of Humboldt park with handcrafted drinks and good live music to listen too. On this visit, they were throwing a Halloween party with 2 DJ's. We definitely danced the night away and had a lot of fun! read more

The California Clipper - a picture of a restaurant - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place was on POINT when it came to drinks, atmosphere, and music. The atmosphere felt equal parts refined and artsy. It has classic energy that has remained timelessness. The space brought out a client base with such diversity of age, gender, and identity. It felt very inclusive. read more

The historic California Clipper, a 1930's bar lounge with an impressive bar and a great Saturday night DJ. It had all the cocktail culture vibes. We went late on a Saturday evening and it was filled with the usual characters you might expect, girls-night-out in luxurious coats and short skirts, low-key friend groups, Tinder dates, and some groups we couldn't quite figure out. The music really was great and I ended up with a perfectly drinkable Hugo (unsure of what to order, I am admittedly not well versed in cocktails, which were $13 for house cocktails). Seemed like the hopping place to be? We snagged the only available table when we walked in, by the door, but at least there wasn't a wait! read more

The California Clipper - The Hugo - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We came here on a whim on a Friday. We've lived in the Humboldt Park area for years but never went here for whatever reason. It was poppin and we definitely will be back! The exertior is deceiving for sure, which is I guess their goal. Well hidden gem. We got two seats at the bar as people were leaving. The dance floor was full and all of the tables were full. We were very impressed with the vibe/atmosphere given this place is fairly large. The drinks are not over priced. I believe they charge $14 for any cocktail even one you name yourself. For instance, I ordered a vodka with lemon and it was $14 and obviously not on the menu. As I said, we'll be back! read more

The California Clipper - Vodka with lemon - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really like this place. A lot. In a "like you like you" sort of way. I've been through most of the cocktails on their list; they are well made, and I appreciate they keep the list tight and mostly classic. It has a chill vibe when there isn't live music, the booths are comfy, and the bartenders know their shit, so treat them well (especially since they don't do table service). It's my go to when I'm meeting friends in the city and we don't have specific plans in mind. read more

A classic old Chicago vibe. Took my son there to see his first gig. Staff, service & entertainment were top-notch. My son says: try the lemonade as it had just the right amount of lemon, sweet & ice. read more

Great bar, good music, good vibes! My sister said she loved this place "favorite bar" but I think it closed during Covid and reopened under new ownership. I went last weekend to check it out. I can see why she loves it! Definitely a cool bar, interesting floor plan, lots of red lights, fun crowd and nice bartenders. Reminded me of some of the bars/lounges I used to frequent in LA when I lived there. They have a DJ and I've heard also do live music on various nights. Definitely going to go back at some point! Cheers! PS. My friend doesn't drink and has NA cocktails. They do a great old fashion there for those who enjoy without the alcohol. read more

Snazzy yet a very chill neighborhood spot, known for well crafted cocktails and live music. I happened to go here on a Thursday evening, right around opening time (no cover hrs) so had plenty of seating options. We took a booth by the front, at the entrance. However, if I was to go again, I'd sit at a booth towards the end, where the stage is..easier to appreciate the musicians. Cocktails are fairly priced & pretty solid. I had the lions tale and whiskey sour. Also tasted old fashioned.. I'd say all of them were top notch. Kinda gets busy during 9ish even on a weekday, so plan accordingly for good seats. Although, the stage is elevated and the music is pretty clear in the whole room. Also, they usually have a cover. ATM inside P.S- Love the ambiance and red lights read more

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I had a really negative experience with the owner - he told me his name was Joe and he had long shoulder length black hair. He asked me and my friends to move as we were blocking a pathway (a 100% reasonable request which we complied with right away with NO hesitation) Joe did not identify himself as an employee or the owner originally and was wearing plain clothes so we had no indication he worked for the bar or owned it. He thought he was just another patron who asked us to move so we we made a harmless joke about "that patron being the fire Marshall" Joe then got really aggressive with us - he came over and started swearing at us and told us we did not need to "talk shit" about him because he was security. We were so shocked and taken aback because we genuinely made a harmless joke to our group of friends. He continued to swear at us and yell at us and when I told him we were confused because he did not identify himself as an employee and was dressed in plain clothes. He then waived his miniature flashlight in my face and said "does the flashlight not show you I'm security" and I told him I could not see the two inch flashlight in his hand. I attempted to apologize as we truly meant no offense but Joe continued to me very aggressive with us - mocking my apology and telling me "he didn't need my apology but I can say whatever I want to make myself feel better about myself." Our whole group was arguing with me and then Joe yelled at me (the only Black person in the group" to stop putting my hands on him." To be clear, at NO point did I touch or put my hands on this man. My hands were to myself and at no point did I violate his personal space. I then walked away because I could tell the situation was escalating and that is not what I wanted. Despite walking away, Joe then identified himself as not just a security guard but also the owner of the bar and I was told that I - the only black person in my group - had to leave because I was being aggressive. Despite the fact that A) my entire group argued with him and not just me and B) I NEVER put my hands on him, I was the only person kicked out of the bar. I implore you to review the security footage - I never once put my hands on this man and despite arguing, I maintained a calm demeanor the entire time. I have never experienced such blatant racism in Chicago and I will never be back to the California Clipper again. read more

I have been to this bunch of times now and every time I had a great experience. Last time I took my friend there for whom it was a new experience and he really enjoyed it too. They usually charge $5 cover (cash only, but they do have ATM machine right by the door with $3.50 fee charge). Unfortunately they do not offer food nor do they allow to bring your own. Their drink menu offers wide verity to choose from. Old fashioned is my favorite drink but I would love to try their Ice Cream drinks and Knock-Out Punch. I would suggest checking out their even calendar to see who will perform that night. They are open everyday starting at 8pm. If you like live performances, dim lights atmosphere with retro vibe and great old fashions this place will make a perfect date night spot or fun night out with friends. read more

Super cool spot. Love the ambiance. Sat in a cozy booth. Came on a Monday night for some live music. Was incredible. Had an old fashioned was good. read more

This used to be a phenomenal place every time we went there. And we went quite a bit even though we weren't nearby. The only thing I noticed was that the music went from interesting to popular style over the years. But still entertaining. About fiver years ago, we loved the jazz that was being played that we requested them to pay out wedding. There was some conflict but the band hooked up with another band that one of the and emended also played in. Always good music playing and cocktails, while limited, we're exceptionally crafted. Very sad that this place is closed down. read more

Interesting classic Chicago bar. Great esthetic. I don't think I got a $14 classic cocktail. Good enough but......

Super cute cocktail bar with various live music. I don't know how this was my first time here but I'm glad that I found it. The prices are reasonably and the decor makes you feel like you are at a swanky lounge of the 50's/60's! read more

Stopped by last Friday night for some drinks before grabbing dinner at segnatore. My total was about $41-43 and I left a $10 tip. I go and check my bank statements a few days later and these silly bartenders added a $24 dollar tip instead... Yiiikes. Never again. read more

Man I love the California Clipper. The two times I've gone it's not packed. You don't have to scream at each other to have a conversation. Listen 5 years ago, I was all about the clubs, Hubbard street. But now that I'm old (LOL) I just want to chill with friends, have a good cocktail and enjoy each other's company. This place delivers! Drinks are great! Menu is very simple. It's right above the bar. To the left are "easy drinks" to the right are "hard drinks." Love the hard whiskey drinks. And it's affordable! $10 for a strong stiff good old fashion? Sigh me up! Also free live music on certain nights. Love this place. Will always be back! read more

What a fantastic spot! Everything from the aesthetic, service, live music, customers, down to the signs in the bathroom about consent. They also offer tampons and pads in the women's room which is always a helpful offering. This space is beautiful, clean and a great spot to frequent. The bartenders are polite and informative. I went for the first time last night and I CERTAINLY will be back. read more

The California Clipper - a red table and chairs - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We actually just moved to West Town, and decided to go for a dinner to Segnatore across the street. Because of the wait , the hostess recommended going to CC for a drink and omg I am glad we listened. They had an amazing band playing jazz, great cocktails and a fantastic service! It is a great little gem and I highly recommend to visit ! read more

richard was an absolutely incredible bartender, one of the best i've seen, he is a true whiz with all the stuff he does. my best friend took me to this place bc she went a week before and had a good time. i enjoyed it a lot! music is good, drinks are strong, and the red vibe is my favoriteeeeee, definitely coming back asap read more

Do you like the color red? Well... you're in luck! Decent when it's crowded, better when it isn't.

I think this is my new favorite hangout spot. Been here twice now. First time was on a Saturday where they had live jazz. There are two drink menus. One labeled strong. They aren't playing around. Those drinks are mighty strong. The location is on a smaller street. The exterior is unassuming so if you aren't scowling for the spot, you'll probably miss it. It's in West Town/Ukrainian Village, which also explains for the reasonably priced drinks. Mahlor shot goes for $4. Cocktails range from $8-$13. Most drink are $10/$11. I had 3 from the strong menu. Two of the old fashioned and one of the Toronto. One mahlor shot. Let's just say I don't remember anything after that. I do remember the music being upbeat and people dancing. Everyone in the place was jiving to the music. It gets LOUD. We had to wait for breaks in between sets to talk. There's a $5 cover on Saturdays. I was super lucky. Got there by 9:30, and was the first to arrive in my party of 4. A booth had just opened up (the only one available) so the lady at the door let me go through to grab the table and waived my cover charge. Small win for no cover charge but getting the table was a big win. The place got crowded fast, so it was really nice having a booth to sit at and catch up w friends, at least before the place got super loud then it was impossible to talk. Second time came on a Sunday. No cover charge. The band that night performed folk music. I don't normally care for that, but can appreciate it. The female singer's voice was angelic. I'll be back soon and will likely bring all my out of town friends. I'm really digging the live music scene in Chicago. Note: The bartenders are friendly and efficient. They make you feel acknowledged right away and comfortable. I left my blazer here the first time after having too much fun and got forgetful. I emailed and they responded quickly and kept my blazer safe and clean until the day i picked it up. Warning: place gets crowded quickly so get there EARLY to snatch a table. I suggest 8pm. Or be prepared to stand for the evening. Bring cash for that $5 cover. read more

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What a great find. We had a day of adventures around town and wanted a last late afternoon drink before heading back to the house for dinner. We got here right as they opened and immediately felt at home. Friendly staff, delicious drinks and we bought a shirt to commemorate the visit. Would definitely visit again! read more

The California Clipper - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nice little spot! Good vibe, good drinks, lots of good live music. Board games at the door like every other Chicago bar (when did *that* happen?) A little on the pricey side as far as cocktails go, but all in all, a good spot. read more

My wife and another couple had dinner in the area last Saturday night. A quick google search led us to this place. We were excited to check out a local spot, have a quick drink, and head home. Much to our surprise, there was a $5 per person cover charge. I was surprised to discover that in order to get In the door at a Humboldt Park dive bar, it was be $20 for our group to spend 20 minutes inside where we would pay for our drinks of course. I asked the doorman what we were covering, he said a live band. I respect that, at least there was cover charge for a reason. That being said, the band wouldn't start for awhile and we would be gone by the time we started. After calmly asking a few more questions, the doorman goes 'I'm not here for an interrogation, man!' Needless to say, we left. I would like a follow up on this unprofessional doorman, see picture below. Jerk! read more

The California Clipper - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Heard great things about this place for a while. Earlier was last week was my first time going. It's spectacular and unique. Its like walking back into a time capsule as far as the decor and drink menu. The night my friends and I went there was a funk band playing and they were quite enjoyable. Live music is something special worth cultivating and compensating the $5 cover seemed like small potatoes with how much fun I had! read more

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Hesitant to review because I want to keep it to myself, but this place is too good not to boast about. First off, the lighting is the perfect shade of pink. It's a happy middle between moody and obnoxious. The music was on point when we got there: a seriously cool 1920's vibe DJ set. The set up of the chairs and booths reminded me of a French patio, where onlookers sit admiring a bar instead of a street. I got a negroni (up) which was fantastic, and he got an old fashioned - very strong but with a good amount of bitters to bring some lightness. I have to say they have great ice cubes here, as lame as that may sound - it's all about the detail. read more

The California Clipper - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

CASH ONLY This place is dripping with history and has such a great feel, why did I never get there till only a few days ago?!? I walked in early on a Tuesday night into the glow of the red lights illuminating the walls and giving the room a cozy vibe, bellied up to the bar and ordered myself a drink. As I sipped at my beer and chatted with the bartender my eyes wandered around the bar taking in the images that so many have taken in before. She shared a folder full of old pictures, one dating all the way back to 1937... so cool. Pull up a stool and take a moment while you are there to think about all the generations that have passed through before you and revel in the fact there are no televisions to be found. Added bonus... it is allegedly haunted!!! CASH ONLY read more

Rolled over last night in honor of the Godfather, Destry's b'day celebration. What a great choice (my compliments to Mandi) for a party. nice amount of space and cool seating against the wall. They have another room inside, which I did not have a chance to explore. I noticed they did not have any televisions inside which is not a bad thing. Every bar should not be transformed into a sports bar I heard they have pretty creative drinks here. I had the honor of buying Destry a Purple Martian which he said is great! I myself had Makers and diet coke, which was great as well. The bartender really knew how to pour a great drink. I had two and they really did the trick for me. Lets just say I was pretty "nice" once I left. Good time at the Clipper and I look forward to returning again and trying the purple stuff. read more

I came here for the first time for the first-Tuesday-of-the-month Clipper Cabaret: Burlesque and Variety Revue ($10 cover - cash only, but bar now accepts credit). October 4 was themed for Halloween, and the artists were professional, talented, and very clever with their entertaining performances. The venue is cozy and initimate with a wonderful, relaxed atmosphere of 20 - 30 somethings, and the drinks are phenomenal - you seriously cannot go wrong - and worth every penny. A must-visit if you are looking for a chill lounge while in Chicago. read more

Excellent atmosphere, top notch bartenders and fabulous cocktails are complemented by a reliably fun crowd. Still one of my favorite spots in the city. read more

The California Clipper is right down the block from where I live. I am absolutely in love with this bar (though I don't go as often as I should). I love the dim, cozy, old school feel of this bar. The drinks are fantastic. The staff is so friendly. I also really like the fact that there are no televisions at this bar -- it actually forces you to TALK to the person you are with. Imagine that. What a concept. CC is awesome. I really need to get my butt over there again soon. read more

I can definitely understand the appeal of this place. As soon as you step in, you feel like you've been transported in time to another era (the 30's I guess since that's how long this place has been here, though it looked more like a 50's diner to me). Complete with retro booths, red lights, old-fashioned drinks, and bartenders that care to know your name, the Clipper's vibe is definitely unique. They have live music a few nights a week and a variety of musicians/bands play here. The only drink I tried was the California Egg Cream which was good but not great, I'd save yourself the calories and just order a regular drink. Crowd is very eclectic--I spotted an old couple (70+) at the bar, a few hippie types, some young kids, etc... Now having said all that, I'm not a fan of dive bars and I certainly don't make it a habit to hang out in Humboldt Park, so I can't say I have any desire to go back, but if retro dive bars are your thing, then by all means head over to the Clipper. read more

Definitely one of the coolest bars in Chicago. The interior is retrolicious, and looks original, albeit impeccably maintained. Well, it is a dark place, so maybe it's not impeccably maintained, but let's just go with yes, it is. It's definitely sort of a hipster hive, but I won't hold that against it. There was a cool band playing that night, with a vaguely countryesque, sort of ironic (see: hipster hive) air. I'd go back. read more