Old Town Ale House
Chicago, IL 60610-1224
Phone: (312) 944-7020
- Cross Street:
- Wells Street
- Directions:
- El: Brown Line to Sedgwick
- Best of Citysearch:
- Dive Bar 2007, Dive Bar 2006, Dive Bar 2005
- Hours:
- Sun-Fri 12pm-4am, Sat 12pm-5am
Editorial Review for Old Town Ale House – by Citysearch Editors
The Scene
Walls are a jumble of knickknacks, Halloween masks, old Chicago photos, discarded toys and found artwork. More than 100 friends are immortalized in the portrait mural and in the head-shot collage of lesser-known Second City grads behind the bar. There's even a lend-one-take-one library of paperbacks.
The Draw
Everyone's here. Grizzled regulars heatedly arguing movies at one end, a young couple chatting in the front window nook, a few frat brothers playing pinball near the back, the lone visitor swapping stories with the bartender, the eccentric playwright nursing coffee in a corner. More Second City alumni have wound up face-down here than in any other bar in Chicago. Everyone from John Belushi and Bill Murray to well-known TV barfly George Wendt have awakened in a daze, vowing never again to be lured by the Ale House's grimy siren song.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoThe jukebox's classic jazz and blues made it a local legend for years, though it's now expanded to take in some rock and pop music.
The ExtrasThis spot is so dog-friendly, bartenders keep a supply of Milkbones behind the bar for four-legged regulars.
User Reviews for Old Town Ale House
09/13/2005 Posted by rgk
If you are looking for a place to take a moment and unwind with good music and an affordable cocktail, then the alehouse is the place. Nothing fancy about it, but a place to feast your eyes on strange memorabilia, unique art and interesting conversation.
Pros: location, price, atmosphere
Cons: parking
09/07/2005 Posted by joandrone
The Old Town Ale House is a neighborhood treasure, has been there for many years. The clientele is as varied as it gets and always interesting. The juke box has always been one of the best and most eclectic in the city. All the greats from nearby Second City have frequented it. Hope that it will continue in its unique tradition.
Pros: Unique, Inexpensive, Untrendy
