Woodlawn Tap
Chicago, IL 60615
Phone: (773) 643-5516
- Cross Street:
- Woodlawn Avenue
- Directions:
- Bus: 55 to Woodlawn Ave
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 10:30am-2am, Sat 11am-3am, Sun 11am-2am
Editorial Review for Woodlawn Tap – by John Dugan
The Scene
The black-paneled, three-chambered, six-bathroom Woodlawn is a neighborhood bar that's been a student hangout in Hyde Park since 1948. Often called Jimmy's, after its late owner, the bar comes alive Wednesdays through the weekend. While the University of Chicago is the antithesis of a party school, students need to unwind after those mind-bending stats exams. Casually disheveled fellows trade anecdotes with lady friends on black vinyl seats. Local old-timers and blue-collar folk are regulars, too. The third room has a Christmas light-lit bar and hosts live jazz Sunday nights.
The Draw
Pitchers of Miller, standard highballs, pints of Bass, bottled beers and ciders. The old-fashioned burgers (at an old-fashioned price) and Reubens are popular. A grilled cheese and basket of fries come piping hot. Get a bag to go.
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User Reviews for Woodlawn Tap
12/02/2007 Posted by secretjoe
Jimmy's really needs no review. If you live in Hyde Park, you know it's the only good bar in the neighborhood. If you don't live in Hyde Park, it's a trek (Red or Green line to the 55 bus.) Really the place to meet friends for beer and fries, or have a quiet drink -- the bar is mostly straight guys like me unwinding after a long week, and you're out of luck if you're looking to find a mate: this is not a single's bar by a long shot (although if you're just looking for conversation, people are friendly.) Getting served (contrary to grumpy people reviewing here) is not hard -- if it's crowded you'll have the usual problems but they're not understaffed.
Pros: friendly bartenders, cheap beer and food for a grad student's budget
Cons: not a place to meet your soulmate (even if you're looking for Hannah Arendt)
09/03/2007 Posted by bryncpr
After moving to Chicago only a few weeks ago, I've been looking for a neighborhood bar in which to share time with friends and classmates. Thankfully, my search has ended at the Woodlawn Tap bar just down the road from my apartment. I visited there last Sunday evening with my girlfriend, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The bar, while not empty, wasn't filled to the brim with thirsty customers (which I appreciated greatly. There's nothing worse when you go out than not being able to get a drink or find a seat in a bar!). I loved the decorum of the bar -- old, black wood makes up the majority of the surfaces in the bar, giving it a comfortable, almost cave-like quality, and while music was playing (a mix of mid 90s and rap music), it didn't disturb conversation. The staff was friendly and the drinks were stiff and cheap (I got a boiler-maker (a beer and a shot of bourbon), for about 6 dollars). They have a pretty good assortment of bar foods in large quantities for really reasonable prices. In the next room, a live band played jazz and blues for attentive patrons. I will definitely return to the Woodlawn Tap soon, and if you're ever in Hyde Park, I would recommend you make a visit!
Pros: Ambience, great character, live music, relatively inexpensive.
Cons: Not the largest assortment of draft beers or upscale spirits, not terribly inventive in terms of food.
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