Friday evenings there seem to dedicated to stout and furry men. Don't go there with a collared shirt - you will feel out of place. Bartenders are overwhelmed. Crowd a bit creepy -- not because of dress, grooming -- just creepy conversation. Saturday eve is DILF night. Same dress code, a bit more grey head hair. All that said, it tries to be a great place. Sometimes, though, retro bear chic scares off the less-outed. And the bar service is not good. read more

I've been here several times, but I particularly enjoy this bar if you're looking for a laid back gay bar on a Sunday afternoon. My partner and I stumbled in here during the summer while apartment searching/bar crawling (hey, you gotta check out the local pubs when looking for some new digs!) We ended up staying here for hours playing pool, talking to the Sunday regulars, and enjoying the welcomed neighborhood dogs that came in. More recently I came here on a Friday night. As others have said, the bartenders are extremely friendly and the crowd is much more laid back than any gay bar you'd find in Boystown. Come here on a Sunday for a relaxing afternoon bar scene (and bring your dog!) Or on the weekend for a nice alternative to Boystown. read more

I went to SoFo around 9pm to kick off a night with my girlfriend. Reading all these reviews on Yelp made me think that this was a lesbian bar, or at least mixed. We walked in and the bar was full of men. Not a problem, just a little awkward. We only stayed for one drink and a quick game of pool. The Captain & Diet I had was pretty stiff and tasty. I love playing pool but the bar was getting pretty crowded at this point so I found myself not really having enough room to play. My girlfriend and I were still the only women in the place after we were done the game and we headed out. I probably won't be back unless I have some guy friends along and want a stiff drink. read more

Sofo is, literally, my corner bar. And I'm glad it is. First off...it's dog friendly! Bring in your pooch while you sip the beverage of your choice. The staff and patrons are really friendly and welcoming to all, and there is a big patio in back for those warm evenings. Earlier on or on quieter nights, it's fun to sit at the bar and watch music videos (they still exist!). I'm happy to have Sofo in my neighborhood. There have already been several good memories created here, and I foresee many more to come. read more

Fabulous little dive bar! With friendly bartenders and polite patrons, it was a very fun visit. Drinks were good, prices were right, and there was popcorn. I'll be back for sure! Oh, and someone brought this adorable puppy, which made my night complete. (They let him bring his lil doggie into the bar with him!) I'd say ask before bringing your own dog with you though. read more

Size doesn't matter. ...In regards to bars. SoFo may be a small bar but it has a great atmosphere and a nice back out door area. I frequent this bar quite a bit and each time I'm there it's always a blast. They play pretty good music and recently started showing Project Runway on Thursdays. The staff there is really nice and if you go there often enough they have your drink ready when they see you walk in. The price of the mixed drinks is a little high ($7), but they come in big glasses so you feel like you get your money's worth. They also, and I'm not sure that many people know about this, have a game where you can win shots and drinks. I have yet to win a drink, but I did win a shot once. They are also associated with T's so usually you can order take out from T's and have it delivered to SoFo. If your looking for something to do they have a pool table, one of those game machine things, and a dart board. They also have a great dart team that usually throws there on Thursday nights. They also set up a Wii you can play on one of the flat screens. So, if you have yet to check SoFo out, definitely go. read more

After spending 15yrs in San Francisco, it's no surprise I judge all things (gay) by CA standards. And Sofo Tap, you could hold your own in the Castro. If any of you go to the Castro, go to the Pilsner (or The Pils, as the locals call it) and you will find a very comparable bar/vibe. I love me some friendly gay boys and the bartenders were the most helpful in helping me navigate Andersonville on my maiden voyage. Thank you boys! Sofo is wonderfully divey and if I lived in the hood I would be a frequent consumer. The bar is dog friendly and just plain friendly. I felt very comfortable kicking back at the bar and enjoying my beer. There is an awesome little nicely lit back patio that I can't wait to go back to enjoy in the warmer months! Sofo I like you and would like to go steady. Circle yes or no. read more

Great neighborhood bar that I stop in when in Andersonville. They have theme nights, are dog-friendly, reasonably priced beverages, let you bring your own food in, and have a popcorn machine! The staff are always courteous and friendly, as well as, the other patrons. The patio in the back is a great place to grab a drink on a nice day, hang out with friends, and catch some rays. read more

Since my last review, Sofo has turned around. Apparently the same people who own Crew in Uptown own Sofo now. The new owners definitely have their pulse on the neighborhood, and have made the place vastly better with weekly events, theme nights, and a much better selection of music. The back patio is wonderful. The clientele mostly fall into the bear type, although you get a good mix of people regardless of the theme of the night. During off hours, it's a great neighborhood bar and folks from the neighborhood often stop in with their dogs to get a beer and talk with friends and neighbors. Later at night, there's much more of crowd. read more

This olace was amazing!! Can't wait to go again. The bartenders are fabulously delicious. The drinks were ahhhhhmazing. Atmosphere was ambiant. Would reccemend for anyone looking for eye candy and a good strong drink!! read more

I'm gay only because I'm happy. After a few drinks and dart games at SoFo with friends nothing could be truer; I will be happy. Or drunk. Or both. In a nutshell (pun intended!): friendly, neighborhood bar with darts and pool and enough TVs to please most watcher's eyes. Is it a gay bar? Yes, I suppose most of their clientele is gay but this is not the fetish gay crowd you see at other gay bars. Are they a little older than the 20-something idiots that rule Boystown and Lincoln Park? Yes, thank goodness. If you want to pickup a boy for the night DON'T go to SoFo but if you want a nice, relaxing night out with your partner or friends then by all means stop by this neighborhood bar for some drinks. Are the prices higher than most bars in the neighborhood? Yeah, OK, a little. I don't do mixed drinks when I go out for the simple fact that a cocktail at one bar is $3 then at another bar the same drink is $7. With beer you pretty much get the same $3 - $5 range with the same consistent beverage each time. So, stop complaining your cocktails cost so much when you go out; if you wanted to drink cheaply you'd do it at home. Or switch to beer that has a consistent flavor and generally stable price; $7 for a double-pint is a good deal no matter what the bar. The bartenders here are incredibly friendly and very accommodating. It is a neighborhood bar so if you're new to the bar you might have to wait a couple minutes while the bartender finished a conversation or pour with a regular. Get over it; every neighborhood bar operates this way. That's why they are neighborhood bars and the locals like them. I don't expect to go into your neighborhood haunt and get served like the guy at the end of the bar who lives there. Wednesdays is "Wasted Wii" night and Thursdays is league dart night. Food is not served in the bar but SoFo's sister bar, T's, will deliver to the bar no problem. We've done this many times. Also, late night, there is sometimes a pizza guy who comes in and sells pizzas for $8. All-in-all, a good bar for locals; gay or straight. read more

Now that I have been to this establishment more often because my peeps hang and play darts there, and the fact that I know the bartenders, Sofo is warming up to me. This is a very friendly neighborhood gay bar...does it mean you can't go there if you are straight...NEGATIVE. Couple decent drinks with a dart board and a pool table...and a fun atmosphere to sometimes people watch...and I am IN... read more

The music is good. The patio is very nice in the summertime and they do put some effort into offering some theme nights which can be a fun change of pace, so i feel bad leaving a 3 star review... but only slightly. The thing that makes this place drop in points for me is that the beer selection is very lack luster. I don't need 300 taps and bottles to pick from but I do like a little variety. They have one beer i like on the menu, Daisy Cutter, but I'm not sure they actually stock it as I don't think i've actually been able to get one. Free popcorn, darts, and patio are my biggest reasons for going. read more

Visited this establishment some months back to meet up with some gaming friends, and though it seemed odd to me it was close by a cemetery and an auto repair shop, the area and pub is still nice and respectable. Place is a bit dark, but has plenty of bar stools along the bar and some other chairs and tables, played some music though one can still have a conversation here. Washrooms are towards the back, with a back lounge. Bartender and staff were attentive and competent - cleaned up the place nicely, and got my pint served well, though I just stayed only for 15 minutes. Metered parking is fairly available, even by the aforementioned cemetery, though it becomes less available towards Foster Ave, where Hop Leaf is at. The CTA busses for Foster and Clark can be had though the UP-N Metra and the CTA Brown line Montrose train stations are a bit of a hike. If I am back in the area, I'll come back for a pint or two - this is a good place to put in the books! read more

I like this bar, its casual and comfortable. Plus the crowd is just normal bar people. If you MUST watch twinks while you drink, then avoid. Please. Its nothing more than a place to grab a beverage and shoot some pool if its a quiet night. For that I am thankful. As for music it suffers from the stereotype of being a little loud, but to their advantage the vids played are of good music. Last night for instance was all new-wave and 80s hip hop. Cameo? Word Up! Theres always room for improvement on the music front however, at least on the weekends. Also to their credit the drinks are doubles or pints. There aren't small servings here, even for shots. I'll def keep stopping in here when I go out in Andersonville. read more

Wonderful local hang-out bar! Five stars because of the wonderful bartenders (particularly Ryan) and the fun easy-going atmosphere, and of course the tasty drinks. They often have events (such as Glee Nights) and offer free pizza and drink specials)... Be sure to become a FB fan to get info about their promos. read more

WTF is with the volume on this music? Killing us. After we paid for a drink. Awful.

I like the place. The inside is small but friendly. I typically try a place out on a night when the crowd isn't as large. Sofo has beautiful lighting for folk like myself who are half blind at night. Bar seating which fills up fast, with some seats on the outside. If you're tardy for the party, you will be in the standing room only section. Hope you wear good shoes. Overall I think this is a great place and can't wait to try it out on a more busy night. Maybe have a bear sandwich or a D.I.L.F cocktail. Haha! read more

The SoFo Tap - Gay Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

SoFo is definitely what I consider to be a neighborhood gay bar. It's not pretentious, it's not rude. It's pretty low-key. The drinks are good (if a tad pricey) and the service is attentive. The patrons are mostly from the neighborhood, so like the 'hood, there's an interesting diversity. Is it a place I would want to spend an entire evening? Probably not (although I have been guilty of this a couple of times). It's a good place to meet up, chat, make some new friends and decide where to go next. It's also a HUGE improvement over the sketchy Different Strokes bar that used to inhabit the space. Sofo gets a solid three stars. read more

SoFo is a fun, unpretentious place to let your boys hang out. People are friendly, and the staff is nicer than anywhere. You can play darts, pool, video poker, or strike up a convo with whoever is sitting next to you. In the summer, you can sit on the patio and drink your juice. So good for you. There's always something going on, although when Sofo will be packed is hard to predict. The crowd tends to be slightly older and not-so-trendy, but I find that to be a huge plus: no high drama, low attitude, and everyone is welcome. Keeps me coming back. read more

My only complaint is about the music, which I wish was better. It's your typical bear/daddy bar. It really shines for day drinking in the warmer six months of the year. Great event nights, specifically the NSFW competition. It's a neighborhood place. I think it deserves four stars. Not five: four. read more

What a great place to have some drinks. The bartenders are a-mazing. Because it is a small neighberhood bar, you will get great service. Karaoke is great here too, a low key, no pressure kind of place. read more

The SoFo Tap is a great neighborhood bar with an amazing staff, fun music/videos and game nights. I go a few times a week and love it. Highly recommend. read more

Loved this spot! Just walking down Clark and people were dancing and singing. We thought, why not enjoy a night out. The drinks were priced well, even though it was after their happy hour. Service was fast, even with the crowd. It was also 4/20 so there was a little block party going on, the outdoor seating is a plus since it's small inside. We'll have to revisit. read more

Went here with some girlfriends a couple weeks ago. Had a blast. Probably stayed later than we should have (mostly because my friends were all infatuated with the staff). ;) Good food, nice drink selection, prices were on par with the neighborhood, and as my friends will tell you, cute and cool bartenders. Personally, being a single male, I probably wouldn't come back to this place alone. But out with the girls, good times. read more

Love SoFo! First bar I visited after moving to Chicago! Great bar staff, good crowd! Best gay bar outside of boystown (and better than if you ask me!) read more

great neighborhood bar. Awesome place where you can hangout have a casual drink and your pet can hangout with other neighborhood dogs and be social. Every night there are always new specials and events. Rating it the best bar in Andersonville. being new to the neighbor hood , it's quite friendly read more

You know, I try to give places the benefit of the doubt, but at some point you have to cut your losses. It's sad that the bartenders feel the need to override your songs on the Touch Tunes because they don't like them. I played 3 songs and all three were skipped by the obviously musically superior bartending staff. It is ridiculous that a bar condones the behavior (obvious select ordering and preferential treatment) that these guys show. In a city as big as Chicago, there are so many much more worthy places to go. I hate this because it's close and I wish it would not be such a douche bag place. read more

Great neighborhood bar great great friendly bartenders. They have rotating events throughout the week. The back patio in summer is a must, if you want a table, get there early.. Weekends after 10:30 get very crowded, read more

So unfriendly unfortunate since I have been here on different occasions and the same occurrence unfriendly bad customer service sad.

Fun bar, but it's hard to go to a bar that won't carry Captain Morgan... I didn't even know you could do that? Can't I just pay a premium or something? read more

Nice neighborhood bar, with a sweet patio area. Came here on a Saturday night and was pretty busy. This place is definitely for the bear/hairy/older crowd and the men who love them. read more

I agree with other reviewers that Sofo has some serious flaws. The crowd tends to be fat and middle-aged. The music is wayyyyyyy too loud and their speakers are tinny pieces of crap. The place is a neighborhood bar, not a freakin rave. There can be a serious bathroom shortage, especially on weekends when there are a lot of girls there. Mixed drink prices are crazy, but beer is reasonable. And the bartenders are really nice guys (I take that back if they're responsible for the music volume). Update: Dropped it down a star since they made their entire patio non-smoking. If it was a health issue, that's just hypocritical. They peddle alcohol. If it was because of that stupid 15-foot from a door rule, there's plenty of space on the patio to designate an area for smoking. I personally think that the manager, a former smoker, is just being a dick. read more

Don't forget to bring your ID. It has to be "physically present" and approved by the manager. Otherwise you get kicked out. It's their Friday special. And it's not an issue with international visitors only despite the management's hints. There were no disputes with the door staff either. Just they don't like you or your bad review -- to the point where they will block your comments and tell you how they don't care about them and bad reviews. :) They have a double standards policy about when to stick to the rules as I was told: because it's Friday. If you're so legally obedient, send people home right from the entrance instead of face checking them. I have not encountered this kind of trouble or selective attitude in any other gay bar in Chicago with our without my ID read more

Sofo is awesome. Ignore the bad reviews from bitchy self righteous queens. The bartenders are sweet, talented, and quick on their feet, and the clientle is friendly, diverse, and sweet. Sofo is a great gay bar! read more

Amazing neighborhood bar. If you don't like dogs don't come here. The entire staff is amazing. The patio is fantastic, and the drink specials are incredible. read more

Waffles between deadly boring and annoying sloppy-drunk as far as clientele. If it wasn't in the area I'd really not go there considering the other options in the area. read more

Love the drink specials, relaxed atmosphere and sexy clientele. Our dog is a big fan of the Saturday afternoon dog hang and so am I

Great place, love the "back porch". The scene is laid back and comfortable. I'm from a small town and enjoyed this place immensely; much better area and bar than Boys Town. read more

Nice video bar and its seem like the Sidetrack,but it is nice and warm atmosphere. It 's good to chill with friends and grab some beer , play pool or dart. The bartenders were nice and carry a good smile :) .The only thing that I didn't like was music video and the DJ weren't professional. .BTW we had a good time. :) read more