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    The Cove Lounge

    4.2 (104 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    The Cove Lounge Photos

    THE COVE LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Juke Box

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    Erika W.

    The Cove is your friendly neighborhood dive bar. If you are looking for a place to meet new and interesting people, grab a drink after a long workday, or hang with friends on the weekend, then this is your place. I love it here because you can get a super-boozy Old Fashioned for only $10. You will also get friendly bartenders who actually enjoy meeting patrons and making conversation with them. I like grabbing a seat right at the bar (when there is a seat available because it is typically crowded) because that is where you can meet the most interesting characters. This is not the place to come if you are looking for drinks with frills. This also is not the place where you can get some nosh with your liquor, but I have seen folks order and bring in food. There's not live music (i.e.: a DJ), but there is a paid jukebox in the back. #ImNotAFoodie #ImJustAGirlWhoLovesFoodAndDrink #YelpEliteSquad

    Natasha J.

    We were running around the lakefront near 53rd and decided to drop in to get out of the sun with our dog (yes, they are dog friendly!) and have a cold beer. The bar is nothing fancy but it's spacious, good music (90s/2000s hip-hop) and chill vibe. The bartender was very friendly and was very accommodating. It's not much to look at, save the cool Chicago mural in the lounge area of the bar, but I don't need a lot of fancy to have a good time. Check it out!

    Inside
    Francis R.

    We had ventured out to the University of Chicago to check out some free museums in the area and then Yelped to find somewhere to grab a round or two to get warm. Let the Sunday fun-day commence! The Good... -Cheap drinks, I'm talking $5 draft pints & $2.50 PBR tall boy cans and Old Style bottled beers -Entertainment, they got TVs, a foosball table, and two dartboards -Plenty of tables and seating and relatively empty when we stopped by on Sunday afternoon -Bartender was super friendly. Only one guy seemed to be working the entire place but there was only a handful of us there. -Fellow patrons we're pretty friendly and respectful as well The Bad... -Cash only! Bring those dollar dollar bills. Luckily ATM is on site and only a $2 service charge -Only a single wall stall in the men's restroom, if you have to go number two you're literally SOL Cheap drinks and mellow times. Bring that cash! 'Til next time, cheers! 16/365

    The Cove is dog-friendly.
    Suzanne E.

    And now they even have a tent! And hot drinks actually ON the menu, including cider with whiskey, and at least one additional fire stove. The tent is very long and has a wide entrance, for lots of ventilation. I hope they manage to make this work all winter, though it would be tricky. They are nothing if not resourceful. After all, if Londoners held Frost Fairs on the Thames when it froze over in the seventeenth century, we ought to be able to amuse ourselves outdoors in the winter in a socially distanced manner.

    Grant A.

    I'm not a fan of dive bars. I consider this place divey but the cut of the jib of the bar is nice. They have craft beer bottles, let you bring in outside food;even have plates and napkins. They have most mainstream liquor. It's in Hyde Park so you get a good mix of people that live in area, U of C students, work around. Not sure when they open but was certainly here after a haircut at like 3 pm. I don't want to romanticize drinking but it's noteworthy to me how this little stretch of Hyde Park seems immune to gentrification. It's a bar with no pretense. Lack of tourists too.

    a mural of barack obama
    Tony H.

    Best dive bar in Hyde Park. They have darts, juke box and an awesome selection of craft bottles. Cocktails are simple and inexpensive. Always good people, and good conversation. True to the Hyde Park culture huge painting of Obama on the wall. Open late, and even through they don't have a kitchen, you can always bring something with you or order in.

    step inside!!

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    4 years ago

    A true dive bar! And cheap drinks! This was my 1st and only bar I've been to in Chicago so far.

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Cool place. Enjoyed it. We were visiting the area from out of state and found this bar via Google. Nice find.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    A nice chill spot.... open mic on Thursdays nice atmosphere reasonably priced drinks friendly people

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    Page 1 of 3

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    Rossi's Liquors

    Rossi's Liquors

    4.2(432 reviews)
    6.9 miNear North Side
    $

    Friendly and lively dive bar (4/5 Green Stars) Waiting for…read moretake-out from nearby Lou Malnati's, we wandered into Rossi's for a quick drink. It's a reasonably-priced busy dive bar in the heart of Chicago. I asked the bartender if she had a beer + shot deal and she said "no, but you can order a beer and shot." And so we did! Noise level is fairly high, thanks to a lively crowd plus a jukebox. They don't normally serve food but I think are fine with customers bringing in your own food, and you can also place an order from a nearby restaurant (I don't recall which one). And yes, it's cash only so bring some money if you don't want to pay ATM fees! 4 out of 5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact. I like bars that allow customers to bring (or order) their own food - it allows for all diets! The one thing I'd like to see is more beer on tap - even just one good rotating local beer (e.g., Goose Island). Draft beer has smaller environmental footprints compared to bottled or canned.

    Recently stopped by Rossi's Liquors and this place is the definition of a dive bar, in the most…read moreauthentic way possible. After a quick ID check at the door, the bouncer let us know it's cash only (thankfully we came prepared). From the moment we walked in, dim lighting, loud music, and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds gave the vibe of a full-on frat party, but not in a bad way. It's chaotic, energetic, and unapologetically no-frills. There's even a self-serve cooler with drink prices clearly listed underneath. I grabbed a Sapporo Premium, brought it to the counter, and our friendly bartender broke our change and offered a chilled glass to pour it into. Simple and efficient. That said, it was loud, so loud that even whispering-distance conversations were a struggle. The space is small, seating is limited, and since we couldn't snag a spot, we ended up leaving shortly after finishing our drinks. This feels like a better weekday hang than a packed weekend night. Still, if you're looking for a classic, gritty, no-frills dive experience, Rossi's delivers exactly that.

    Photos
    Rossi's Liquors - Nightcap

    Nightcap

    Rossi's Liquors
    Rossi's Liquors

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    Bernice's Tavern

    Bernice's Tavern

    4.6(134 reviews)
    4.3 miBridgeport
    $

    Hidden Gem of a Dive Bar. If you're looking for an alternative to Maria's in Bridgeport, just to…read moremix it up, this place is perfect. Also a fantastic place to bar hop. Cash only. Mildly sticky floors (But in the good dive bar sort of way), overpopulated wall decorations, and friendly looking bar people who've been curating the classic rock playlist since before George Bush ran for president.

    Upon initial arrival, I'm not gonna lie - I was a little hesitant. Dive bars are my thing, but this…read moreone reminded me of one of those hillbilly country bars with sparse options in liquor and potentially boring vibes. One other bar patron was in. No music was playing. However...within five minutes, I could already tell I was going to like it here. Steve, who I later found out was the owner, was very hospitable & friendly, turning on music, catering to my silly request to see the stop light colors change, etc. Eventually, more people started arriving at the bar, including live music. Everything fell into place. It became a really great experience, where people were all friendly and welcoming. Bathroom was clean. Bar was clean. ATM works perfectly (it's a cash only bar). I love good bars and "good vibes" (and hate the phrase good vibes but whatever it works here ) and if the shoe fits, hey, enjoy it while you can! Oh and disclaimer - nothing wrong with a hillbilly bar, I tend to meet the best people at these hole in the wall establishments who've, ya know, actually lived their lives and have rich stories to share If I'm back in Chicago, this'll be a place I'll try to visit again. If you're local, better check it out. I'm an expert, trust me

    Photos
    Bernice's Tavern - Inside

    Inside

    Bernice's Tavern - Love the lighting

    Love the lighting

    Bernice's Tavern - Beer and pretzels

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    Beer and pretzels

    Cantina Rosa - Empanadas with red mole' sauce

    Cantina Rosa

    4.5(44 reviews)
    0.5 miHyde Park

    I love a good cocktail bar, and this spot definitely delivers. I am already a fan of Erick Williams…read morerestaurants, so I was excited to check this one out, especially after learning it focuses on tequila and mezcal, which are my favorites. It is also conveniently located on the same block as two of his other spots. I have been twice now and had a great experience each time. I am especially glad they did away with the reservation deposit. It makes planning a visit much easier. Most recently, I stopped by for their all day Sunday happy hour, which was a great vibe. They have expanded the food menu since my first visit, and everything I tried was solid. The empanada was my favorite, the quesabirria was really good, and the chicken torta was delicious. On my first visit, I only had the guacamole, which I also enjoyed. The decor is beautiful and intimate, creating a great atmosphere, and the music is always on point. The staff has been friendly and welcoming every time I have gone. This place is definitely staying in my regular rotation.

    Beautiful atmosphere, great music, every dish was delicious, and wait staff was friendly. I loved…read moreit here. The Barbacoa is a must try! My mocktail was delicious and had a spicy kick. It was the one with lime and jalapeno. However, for small bites, the prices were high in my opinion. Even the drinks - my n/a ginger beer was $10, which is high. Just a tad pricey but over all a lovely place I would revisit.

    Photos
    Cantina Rosa - Bar

    Bar

    Cantina Rosa - Camarones a La Plancha - grilled prawns, salsa huichol, cilantro oil

    Camarones a La Plancha - grilled prawns, salsa huichol, cilantro oil

    Cantina Rosa - Paddle cactus

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    Paddle cactus

    The Cove Lounge - divebars - Updated June 2026

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