Classic Taverns & Dive Bars
Old-school corner taps, beloved dives and decades-old neighborhood bars.
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Old Town Ale House
A dark, cluttered dive across from Second City since 1958, known for its jukebox and walls of satirical paintings.
Simon's Tavern
A 1934 Swedish tavern with its original Art Deco bar and the neon herring sign out front. The heart of old Andersonville.
Jimmy's Woodlawn Tap
Open since 1948, the University of Chicago's dark, storied hangout for students, professors and longtime regulars.
Chipp Inn
A tiny corner tap on a residential block, dating to 1897 and a speakeasy during Prohibition. A textbook old Chicago neighborhood bar.
Rossi's Liquors
Half liquor store, half bar, with decor unchanged for decades. A cash-only dive hiding among River North's glossy spots.
Rainbo Club
A dim Division Street dive that has anchored the local art and music scene for generations, complete with its classic photo booth.
Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar
An old Bridgeport corner tavern with a liquor store up front, turned into a beloved neighborhood hangout with a deep beer list.
The corner tap
Chicago was built on the neighborhood tavern: a corner bar with an old beer sign, a jukebox and regulars who've been coming for decades. Many date back to before Prohibition, and a few operated as speakeasies during it.
What to expect:
- Cheap domestic beer and a shot. Order the local classic, a bottle of Old Style.
- Cash only at plenty of them. Bring some just in case.
- No pretense. These bars are about the people, the history and the stories on the walls.
Good to know: a dive bar is a great place to try Chicago's infamous bitter liqueur, Malört. Read more in the Chicago Food Dictionary.
For craft beer, see Beer Bars & Imports. For something fancier, see Cocktails.