A lowkey bar/event venue. The bartender was super chill. We dropped by for a pitstop before continuing our nightout.

A divey Wrigleyville area bar that's underground, if you couldn't already figure. Underground Lounge is a bar plus a venue for live music and performances. It's not that great as far as being able to hear anything. Of course hearing is an important part of that but it has a cool atmosphere at least. The drinks are pretty average but there's a few good things. Better than many other bars around it. It's pretty much just bro bars so it's easy to beat these. This place usually doesn't get too wild. Beer selection is pretty limited but it's cheap. There's the PBR and stuff. It's about $9 for one of the house specialty cocktails. Lots of people come to hear music. Hearing isn't that great inside. The acoustics are kind of fucked up. Sometimes they charge a cover. The place is bigger than it looks, with a pretty big stage and a floor big enough to bust moves. Check this out before you try any of the douchey Wrigleyville bars. It's by far a better option. This is good for music, shows, or whatever. read more

Underground Lounge - Squirrely Dan - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Good service. Affordable drinks without all the crowds, if you get there early after a game.

Word on the street is that this is the last hold out for Neo regulars. RIP neo. Come here on Saturdays for your new wave, goth, industrial dance floor and DJ cravings. There's always a good crowd, it's dark and dimly lit for vampires, it's right in Wrigleyville but the dude bros know better than to even try it. read more

The Underground lounge a very nice to see your favorite play. A lot of action, participation very cozy and clean. Staff is very nice the bar has a high selection of drinks why not come to the underground lounge to kick back and relax. I came here and I was so delighted to be part of a yelp event the staff specially Angela so sweet. The sits and tables are so nice. You are able to participate when the play is in action or you can ask and take pictures at the end of each performance you get to meet the stars of the show. yay. I like the decor around the inside of the building and they have a room where you can sit and chill. Great fun nice place to have fun read more

Underground Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Can a dive bar really achieve more than two stars? Not really, it's a dive bar. It probably gets more street cred that way. Nestled in the bro-nest of Wrigleyville, UL provides a place for dirty and wonderful rock and roll shows. They serve a beer cheaper than PBR/Hamm's. Wow. read more

This review is based on my experience with their sound system. Their staff was OK. I went to see a show last Friday to see Skeler and a few other artists. It was supposed to be an electronic music medley of "Trap", "Dubstep" (UK and US styles), and "synth wave" (or just "wave" to some). The atmosphere was alright. A few Halloween decorations here and there. The staff was friendly. The people there seemed to be having somewhat of a good time. I was standing on the left side of the stage (my left, stage right) and I realized that the show sounded awful. Pure garbage. I was convinced at one point someone either filled up the speaker boxes with literal garbage, or cut up the speaker cones with a razor blade, as the sounds coming out of those heaps of trash were very distorted and muddy. You could barely make out any of the mid or high frequencies because the speakers were struggling work, just like a bunch of old people standing in a circle trying to wave a flag as fast as they can. I walked over to the right side (stage left) and that speakers sounded MUCH better, although there was a lot of distortion and crackling coming through even when the music would soften at times. Seriously, Underground Lounge, you need to invest in a few nicer speakers. You might want to look into spacing out 2 or 4 more speakers around the periphery of the room and not try to abuse the speakers so much. Full volume and peaking the lows does not always make a great show. If you give sound room to breathe, you'll allow the full range of frequencies to come out and play. Suffice it to say, I could not say through even the second set as it sounded like one hot streaming mess coming out of those speakers. I will say that I don't think the artists intended for their songs to sound like that, as I went to each of their Soundcloud accounts and listened to their stuff before I came out. Their songs sounded much cleaner on Soundcloud. UL, I'm willing to come back and take a look at your system. I'm betting, though, that if you even run a clean sine wave through those speakers, at the same volume you were using on Friday, you're going to run into distortion issues. XD read more

Not good way too dark and the jukebox was out of service not good for a bar.. they also dint have enough tables.. plus the Dj booth was empty not good at all read more

Underground Lounge - Aa 12 bars - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cool spot. Ambiance heavy. One of the many basement spots in chicago. Wish they would ditch the tvs tho

I like the ambience and the intimate stage area. This place has great potential but I won't go back here, at least not under its current management. I was there for a fundraiser last month with an organization I am active with, and weeks before our event, the bar agreed to collect a cover for us 100% and split the bar sales in half during the two hours our band was performing (for free-- not being paid by the bar) but I found out later that the manager apparently didn't communicate it, so the people working that night didn't know that they were supposed to split bar sales and didn't keep track and refused to honor it. When we reached out the next day, they still refused. This made us more than angry. I personally brought people for the event, and we ordered drinks based on the belief that the bar sales were being split with our charity. (We also overtipped because we believed half the bar sales were going to our charity and we appreciated their work). Additionally, when the block was over, I asked the guy at the door how many people he collected a cover from for our charity, but the next day, that number had somehow gone down by 15. Five bucks from 15 people is $75 that could have done a lot of good work for our charity. I don't know if the door guy had it wrong (but I trust him more than the sketchy manager who cheated us out of bar sales). Seriously, who steals from charity? That's just gross. The thing is, there were dozens of us there that night that, who, if we'd had a good experience, would plan on returning. Instead because of how they treated our charity, not only will many of us never go back, but I am writing this very bad review and telling you about it. This review could have been so different. Not cool, Underground Lounge. Not cool. read more

One word review: Sanctuary. More than one word review: The reason this is my favorite bar in the neighborhood is the very same reason most people who go to Wrigleyville hate it. It's kind of dirty, genuinely charming, and a very effective trixie repellent. The only thing that it has in common with Wrigleyfield is that it once had the aroma of vomit in the air. Which just means I missed a great night the evening prior. The bartenders are the best I've come across and the live music...not so much. Unless it's one of my friend's bands, then it's fantastic! When the pool table has all the balls required for a regulation game, that's also a bonus. They also have a great rotating selection of beers flanked by (somewhat) frequent specials on Jameson drinks. This joint leads to hijinks. read more

Thought this place was a club - didn't realize we were walking into a punk concert. I am glad I made sure my collar was not popped (not that I'd do it anyway). 4 stars for the comfy booths. read more

I'm going to start off this review by stating that I am musically lame. I admit it. I make no secret of it. I do, however, rely on my friends to break me out of my musically lame mold. So one night my friend says to me "hey, let's go check out my friend's band at Underground Lounge." And I says "Under-where?" After some head shakes and eye rolls from him, we were off to Underground Lounge. Amongst the piercings and leather I stuck out like a sore thumb, but whatever. I got a PBR and tried to mingle whilst hiding my lameness (and let me tell you, folks, it was not easy!) We listened to two bands before the band we came to see went on and even though I didn't really dig the first band, I was starting to dig this place. Underground Lounge is dark and grimy. Dare I say "grunge"? Oh yeah, I'm THAT lame! The bartenders were super nice and I loved they had the SciFi channel playing on the TVs scattered around the bar. The PBR stank, but PBR always stanks for me. I tried to hate Underground Lounge, but I just couldn't. We had a nice table and enjoyed three live shows on the cheap. Plus, the people watching was probably the best that I have ever experienced. :) read more

I've only ever been here on Monday nights, and then one Saturday for a pub crawl I organized. I am not really a bar or club kinda girl. But I love this place! It is just divey enough. Great for a medium-big groupf of friends, and the regulars are great too. Cheap beer, free bingo, and one of the best bartenders ever! Unfortunately, Matt no longer works there, and I don't think they're doing bingo anymore... so I haven't been for a couple months. I also want to give major props to the owner/manager (not sure which). When I was organizing a pub crawl for Halloween, he was great! He called me back promptly, and gave my group a special deal. Very accomodating! It was a great place to kick off a crawl! read more

I will give them one extra star because they are clearly trying to survive among a sea of douchy frat boy sports bars in the greater Wrigley area. But regardless, they aren't doing much to help their cause. This could really be a great spot for live music and drinks in a divey and relaxed atmosphere. It's a good sized and well laid out room with a pretty big stage. Unfortunately it doesn't look like they are doing much to promote the bar or the venue (I couldn't even find a website). During my visit the bartender was a bit suspect and he changed the prices for the pounders half way through the night, even though the marquee outside still said $4. As for the other beers, it was a bit too overpriced for people to hang out for more than 1 beer. The bathroom was surprisingly decent for the space, but the nest of electrical wiring visible from the hallway next to the bathroom raises questions on how safe this place is. Overall, I think well priced drinks, a management change, and a less dated looking marquee could really turn this place around. read more

I've tried to go here before the visit I'm about to review, but it had a cover and a scream-o band, so we turned around. Can't knock it, it was packed, so that may have been a hot night for people who enjoy this genre. My review is based on my St. Patty's day visit. I went there first around 9pm to kill some time. The DJ was playing early 2000s hits and despite its location, it was not wild (that night). I came back later with a friend and our bartender was so nice. I wish I'd gotten his name. My friend and I only had one beer that night, but it seems like a place I could've stayed a while. If the bar was like it was that night. read more

Good alternative bar in the midst of the frat boy/soroity girl hubs of John Barleycorn and the like. Great beer selection served in the proper glassware, which is a nice touch. Beer isn't too expensive either, Decent brews like Goose Island and Stoli are $5, super premiums like Unibroue are $7. Atmosphere is nice, not very big, scattered tables, a few booths and a lot of bar space. The live bad is the focus of attention. On the night I went, I saw three different bads, each unique. The last band over-amped the guitars, but other than that all was good. If you looking for a place to go that is a little different from the usual bar and want a refreshnig punk./rock/alternative music experience and enjoy good beer, be sure to stop by. read more

Ugh. This place is just gross. Don't get me wrong, I'm a MAJOR fan of punk bars, but this place is just filthy. Just because it's "punk" shouldn't mean it has to be "dirty" - literally. I sat at a wobbly table that should have been thrown into a dumpster somewhere a LONG time, and on top of it, the table had sticky stains on it and looked like it hasn't been wiped down in 3 months. The bathroom had NO toilet paper, so I had to use paper towels. Plus, it took me like 3 minutes just to get the damn door closed. Underground Lounge takes the term "dive bar" to a whole 'nother level. It's more like a dump, honestly. read more

They have an open mic for stand-up comedy here on Thursday evenings, which is the reason I schlepped up from the South Loop in the 10 degree before windchill atmosphere. The atmosphere inside the place was chill as well: I went fashionably late after 9 pm for the 8 pm starting time, thinking that there would be a larger audience (I was spoiled by Cole's when the wonderful Cameron Esposito hosted it). The place still had about a dozen people in it, nearly all comedians--it's tough to work a room that can't make much noise even if they are laughing. But it was still worth the trip. Cheap drinks: I had a well whiskey and Coke for 5 George W's. (Not Bush; though THAT would be a hoot! Washington.) Very nice bartender. I'm not sure how they get off calling it a lounge. It's an Underground Rec Room. Really a three-star bar, but the fact that they're supporting local comedians makes the place sparkle just a little more. read more

Just awful. I'm sure some will disagree/ be offended, but I was rather offended by the stench of vomit emanating throughout the entire bar. Granted I did not arrive for a show- I believe it was post Cubs game. The bartender, having just 5 customers that were obviously regulars (a dog was in there), didn't bother to acknowledge us until he was done conversing. We debated it, and decided we'd rather set down the over-priced Old Styles after only finishing half rather than put up with the vomit smell. I've been in plenty of frat basements and dingy bars, and that's an ideal environment for me, but this was entirely disgusting. I don't even have the heart to give it a second chance, or a single star here- apparently I have to gie 1 at least... read more

We went here last night for a friend's birthday party. It's not your typical Wrigleyville bar, which is a plus in my book. Anytime someone asks me to go to a bar in Wrigleyville, I immediately flip through my book of excuses not to go. I'm glad I went to this bar though - not really because of the bar itself but because I saw some old friends that I hadn't seen in years. The place itself is fairly small and dark and dingy. It's the epitome of a dive bar (and I mean that in the best possible way). I'd imagine it'd be a nice neighborhood bar to go to if I actually lived in the neighborhood (thankfully, I don't - I hate Wrigleyville and all the drunk Cubs fans). There is a stage in the front where my friend had a band, the Goodyear Pimps (who, by the way, were very good), play. The sound and acoustics in the bar was surprisingly good. I didn't stay too long though because I was pretty tired from a long week. I did stay long enough to have a PBR (everyone else was drinking it and it seemed like it was the only beer available). The PBR had a strange after-taste and I decided that would be the last drink I ordered for the night. read more

Aww man, I am running a string of hate here. My last few reviews have been bad, but quit honestly, these establishments do suck! Underground Lounge is a dive, yes. I do respect them for trying to keep it real, with good beer, good entertainment and lively crowds. The problem is, no one wants to go here because it's litterally like drinking in your basement. And bands do not want to play here because UL sucks the life out of everyone that visits: High priced drinks for a low level of entertainment. Our bands have played here a few times, and each time I was reamed out because we didn't bring enough people. I tried to explain that the weather had to do with some of the no shows (two of the bands wound up in ditches due to the snow storm), but they didn't want to hear it. The following day, I received a hate email from the promoter. I was like, damn. OK, whatever. About a month after that, I saw hella postings on MySpace from UL begging for bands to play...and lookie here, an email from the same promoter that spewed hate on me, asking if our bands could play last minute. No thanks!! You hate me, remember? It's not my fault bands do not want to play here and cancell on you. They get one star for having Jamison whiskey on tap, very cool! And their bartender Dave is cool as hell and a nice guy. Other than that, nothing worth seeing here. read more

After walking by here many times with no desire to go inside, I finally made it in for a birthday party. And boy oh boy, it really is underground. First off the band playing was terrible. We named them system of a korn. The music was waaaay to loud for this tiny space. I love a good dance party and all but this music was not danceable and I've never had more desire to have earplugs in my life. Except maybe that time my drunk downstairs neighbor discovered the song You are the Wind Beneath my Wings. My only interaction with the bartender was both of us saying "what" back and forth until finally this concluded with me paying $3 for an orange juice. It was very nice of her to have given me ice and a straw and when she handed it to me we both exchanged confused looks. I was very thankful of the bar to let us take over the music after the band ended. Of course our little party was 90% of the clientele that night. The only outsiders where some gangster lookin dudes who found our box of sparkly party hats and were sporting them in the back. I'm pretty sure they were celebrating the fact that the birthday girl was on stage treating us to a show of her tits (god love her). When the bar cleared out I was able to appreciate the seating arrangement , but not enough to stay here or ever return. Theoretically this could be the place to get the cheapest beer in Wrigleyville on a Saturday, but if your bartender can't lipread, than it really doesn't matter. Overall I left here really tired and wearing a bunch of glow stick bracelets. read more

I went there on a slow night, a couple years ago. The bartender Chris needed some company. We made-out. Next time I went to the underground lounge a week later, I heard he had a long-time girlfriend. Aside from cheatin' bartenders, it is a good place to catch a live band. But it wouldn't be my first choice of places to go. It's really super dark which makes it seem dingy. read more

Yes, it looks like the dark basement of a friends house. Yes, it's a dive bar. Yes, it is nothing like the other douche bars in the neighborhood. The bathrooms are a little scary. Depending on your taste in music, you may not like it. A friend of mine was performing there, so that's the only reason we went, and I would definitely go there again. They had a $7 cover and $4 Old Style tall boys. read more

This place is awesome. I've never been here when there are shows going on which seems to be the only time most people go which is a shame. The bar isn't like most the bars in the area that are so packed you cant breathe. It has a great atmosphere feels like your at a bar with all your oldest and dearest friends when your here. Did I mention half off all drinks every Tuesday night? Fuck yeah. read more

Underground is a dive bar. It also tries to be a venue for live music, which I think it could probably pull off with just a little more effort. It's not as dirty as other reviewers have made it seem, nor was it as beat down. Underground is definitely rough around the edges but it gets the job done. By the way, kudos to the bartender for not having an aneurysm when my girlfriend tried desperately to describe what kind of drinks she liked. He was really helpful, and knew what he was doing. read more

I loved the vibe of this place. I did not like the horrible speakers and band playing. I couldn't hear or speak to bartender. They do have cheap beer. read more

Alright, let's get the unpleasantries out of the way. Yes, it is in Wrigleyville. Yes, it is a dive bar. One false step down those stairs can mean a world of hurt (don't ask). BUT, they bring in some pretty great acts for the little stage they have down there. I went Saturday, and they featured the Spanktaculars -- a new burlesque dance company -- with comedic stylings by Gwen La Roka and GREAT music DJ Shon Roka. Great stage for -ahem- that kind of entertainment... the ladies were delightfully decadent and the drink specials were pretty on point ($4 well drinks) to help everybody loosen their collars. The crowd was pretty chill and sociable, so no need to feel like a stranger. Bottom Line :: If there's a great act, make the trip. read more

The Underground Lounge isn't what I would think of as a "destination." You don't plan your night around it, get all dolled up for it, and know that you're going to be there all night, having a great time and meeting all sorts of people that you're confident you'll like. Hidden from the world, about a block from all of the debauchery on Clark St. in Wrigleyville, the Underground Lounge is dark and gritty and not particularly inviting. Trying to meet a friend there who was with a friend who knew someone in a band playing, when we told in advance that there was an 8 dollar cover, we already knew, even before getting there, that the music wasn't going to be worth 8 bucks. So we spent our money at the bar instead--vodka cranberry cocktails (I'm such a girl) for $4--I am totally okay with that price. And it didn't taste like rubbing alcohol, either! The doorman was really cool and a great artist (he does tattoos, too) and the girl behind the bar didn't mean mug me for asking for a higher concentration of vodka in my second vodka cranberry. The bathroom was relatively clean, and the company enjoyable. The Underground Lounge could have been a lot worse. Maybe I'll come by not on purpose another time. read more

Perhaps back in the days when Wrigleyville was a rough and tumble part of town Underground Lounge was a premier place to catch an earsplitting punk rock show. Now it's a bar that is, in fact, underground with a distinctly forced dive feel. Were it not for the half dozen unwatched flat screens showing ESPN I would venture to call it a dive bar still. Selling at least one godawful cheap beer at an appropriate price would also help. The music tends to be of either a very high quality or volume and often varies by act. I've caught, by which I mean played with, the Black Umbrella Brigade here a couple times and watched the entire bar get cleared out by the next band playing on Marshall half stacks turned up to 11. read more

This is a pretty cool, underappreciated straight bar that straddles the thresshold between boystown's gay bars and wrigleyville's sports bars. The basement bar is appropriately dark, and the music is a decent variety of rockabilly, punk and rock. They have a stage that has music certain nights, and also punk rock karaoke. One of the best shows I saw there was Dante's Voodoo Cabaret. It fit the atmosphere perfectly. read more

Underground Lounge - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I recently went here for a local band's CD release party. It was advertised as $5 cover and $25 for open bar from 8:30-11:30. My group did not get there until around 9pmish and weren't sure if it was going to do the open bar thing because sometimes you don't get your moneys worth. Strike one: We go up to the door, the guy is like $30 each. What?! Okay, granted I was probably going to spend that much anyways, but they were charging everyone that; even if you didn't drink or didn't feel like shelling out $30. Strike two: There is one bar, two bartenders, the entire night. There were only four alcohol's and I think four beers on the list for the "open bar" The drinks were full of ice and so weak. Finally, people figured out to get their money's worth to get two or three at a time...toward the end of the night people started requesting six packs of beer and walked around with that. Around 10pm or so, they ran out of Miller Lite and Bud Light...what? Strike three: There was one bathroom with one stall, enough said. This place gets two stars because I did like the stage set-up--you could basically be right next to the band and talk to them--I like that kinda intimacy. Otherwise, big thumbs down for this place. read more

I hate this place but it doesn't deserve the flack it gets, bad frattitudes. I'm reviewing this solely on the merit of booking some outlandish music acts that needed more space, and not having too much of a problem with it. I suggest stage diving from the left, as the douchebag bouncers generally sit on the staircase to the catwalk area with a flashlight. FREE MOSH. Of course its overpriced and criminally underkept, its a bar/venue. read more

Went here to check out a friends band....unfortunately we showed up 5 minutes too late as they had just gone off of the stage. It was definitely an interesting place. Very small, but I kind of liked it! The ladies bathroom was surprisingly clean and nice. They have a pool table, not sure if it is free or not. They do not have a wide selection of beer, but they do carry alcohol so they will mix whatever up for ya. I did think my cranberry and vodka was a tad weak though. I liked it here - I could see myself returning to see some bands at some point. read more

Underground Lounge is a very relaxing bar with a great look of a true underground bar. Dan is such a nice bartender, that he deserves a hi-5 and tips. Btw he knows his video games! Todday read more

I've been curious about this bar for a veryyyyy, veryyyyy long time. So last night after trolling up Clark Ave yet another time, and realizing that I would rather just go home than sit in one more stereotypical Clark strip bar, we decided to check this place out. Yes, it is a complete dive. Yes, There are non-functioning holiday lights and fake pine garland still wrapped around pipes over the bar. Yes, the bar is made out of plywood that has been stained and it is peeling. Yes, It has a musty basement smell with the soft lingering scent of stale beer. And Yes, I think that the floors are also cement. I'm not gonna lie....This place is not a swank lounge. It is more like an old pair of shoes that you know you should throw out, but they are so comfortable that you keep wearing them even though they make your feet smell foul...which is a beautiful thing. This is a BeAuTiFuL place to hang out!! It is more like lounging in an unfinished basement. I loved it! The bartender was also soooo NICE! She couldn't make a dirty martini because they do not stock olives, but she did make me a citron lemon drop martini, which was perfect AnD it was only $7. (This is not a martini lounge). Also of note for beer fans,..they do sell cans of PBR and Hamm's. The music wasn't bad either and the stage is pretty large. The patrons seemed mixed with those out to support their band friends, those like me who were looking for a new scene within the confines of Wrigley, and those that were regulars. Great place to check out on the Wrigley strip!! read more

I literally know nothing about this place, I cant tell you about the staff, the bands, the specials, etc. HERE is what I do know, THEY HAVE BEAMISH IRISH STOUT ON TAP YEAHHHHH!!!!!. As long as I can have Beamish huge bombs could be going off around me and a live rooster crowing could be on the stage as the main act and I would not care. So maybe this place is ok maybe it sucks but they get 4 stars from me. read more

Wow a place in Wrigley that's not a douche hole. Like drinking in the basement I live in. Check it out.

Uh, only remember the drinks (nice well vodka and gin), but before that, nice place, very good action, clean place, my favorite songs. My friend paid the cover but it wasn't too busy - waste of money, somewhat. So, I suppose I remember more than the drinks. read more