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(312) 944-7020
219 W North Ave
Chicago,
IL
60610
41.911
-87.6352
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central
Hours:
Sunday To Friday From 12:00 PM To 04:00 AM Saturday From 12:00 PM To 05:00 AM
Last updated 8.07.11
Category:
Bars & Pubs, Neighborhood Bars, Bars & Clubs, Taverns, Dive Bars
Payment Methods:
Cash
Bar & Club Special Features:
After Work, After Hours, Smoking Permitted, 21 & Over
Minimum Age:
21
Smoking Permitted:
Yes
What People Are Saying About Old Town Ale House
Featured Review
Contributor
Contributor
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…
Editor's Tips
- Know Before You Go:
- The 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 Extras:
- This spot is so dog-friendly, bartenders keep a supply of Milkbones behind the bar for four-legged regulars.
| drinks | 0.0% positive |
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| food quality | 0.0% positive |
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| overall | 100.0% positive |
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| service | 0.0% positive |
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| value | 100.0% positive |
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09/30/08
If you're wondering where ptomaine goes to die
by WanderingWanderer at Citysearch
Then wonder no more. The service is terrible, the drinks are watered down and what passes for food wouldn't be attractive to a starving dog.
As well - the walls are lined with this crappy art, and it's a hang out for old hippies who didn't get being a beatnick right the first time around.
Honestly, if you're deciding between going here and staying home, stay home.
- Pros: None - it's awful
- Cons: Hippie/pot head hang out. Bad service. Overpriced drinks watered down
09/13/05
Affordable and quaint
by rgk at Citysearch
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
09/07/05
A great tradition
by joandrone at Citysearch
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
09/06/05
Outrageous regulars - great prices
by littlefeather at Citysearch
Unbelievable evening in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. I watched the passage of construction workers, professionals, editors & writers, Second City actors, bartenders and neighborhood families visit this bazaar art-ridden haven. Not to be missed....they surprise me every time I visit - even after 3:00am
- Pros: fun, artsy, late night
- Cons: none
08/28/05
Great Art - Great Prices - Funky Customers
by mitchellt49 at Citysearch
Love the permanent sexually explicit art collection....incredible value on ale....every time I went in ....completely different atmosphere...always crazy...always fun....a legendary DIVE bar.
- Pros: PRICES, ATMOSPHERE, CONVERSATION
- Cons: CROWDED, SMALL
The Details on Old Town Ale House
Place Categories:
- great prices
- unique tradition
- most eclectic
- incredible value
- affordable cocktail
- interesting conversation
- unique art
- terrible service
- full big shelves
- full neat local bar
- big shelves
- good music
