Hopleaf Bar

Recommends

skazoo

Joined 8 years ago

Outstanding Beer Selection. For any beer lover, especially lovers of Belgian-style beers, Hopleaf is a must-go... you simply will not find a better selection of this style at any other bar in the entire greater Chicago area. While the selection is staggering, the prices are, as expected, fair but moderate... usually between 5 and 8 dollars per bottle. Also, I wish they would provide descriptions of some of their beers - I'm fairly knowledgable about beers and there were quite a few I didn't recognize but didn't want to risk the money without knowing what I'd be getting. If it is not too crowded, you can ask the bartenders... but it is often crowded. If you go for drinks on a Friday or Saturday night, its best to get there before 9 pm if you want to sit down. If the downstairs is full, you can go upstairs, but there are only bottles (no taps) upstairs. I haven't eaten here because sources I trust tell me the food is average and there is better to be had for better prices in Andersonville.

Recommends

lishmry

Joined 7 years ago

Just ok. I met some friends here for dinner and drinks on a very busy Saturday night. The first one to arrive put his name on the list. We waited an hour and 45 minutes for a table after we were told it was only 45 minutes. The waitress was not very attentive and rushed us in taking our order. After we got our food we didn't see her until it was time to get the check. I orderd the steak frites which had amazing flavor but my steak was lukewarm at best. The herbed butter on top wouldn't even melt! The frites were awesome though as was the chocolate tart. Everyone else enjoyed their food but felt they could get the same thing better elsewhere. The beer drinkers gave thumbs up to beer selection. I think I will try it again, maybe on a slower night??

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Locals gather at this handsome Andersonville tavern for good conversation, upscale eats and nearly 200 craft beers.. In Short
Neighborhood regulars discuss current events (well-thumbed encyclopedias help settle disputes) among the booths, barstools and dining room of this spacious bar. There are no mass-marketed American brews--instead, an outstanding collection of nearly 200 international craft beers (30 draft), 100 of which are Belgian ales. Ciders, wine and cocktails round out beverage offerings. The kitchen serves upscale eats like duck breast sandwiches and, the house specialty, mussels steamed in Belgian beer.

Recommends

42774277

Joined 9 years ago

Go! Eat! Drink!. I've dropped by the Hopleaf several times, and have been nothing but impressed. Fantastic service, great food, amazing beer selection, and perfect for hanging out with friends. Love it. Try the fries.

Recommends

muadib1158

Joined 9 years ago

Pretentious staff and patrons. Last night I met a buddy for drinks at Hopleaf. While I appreciate the atmosphere the bar is trying to create, I think they jumped the shark. Each transaction with the bar staff was filled with contempt and an attempt at condescension. At one point the bartender had a 10 minute conversation with a barback while half of the bar waited for drinks. She also went so far as to take away an empty bottle without asking if it wanted to be replaced.

I've worked in the service industry in the past, and know that if I acted the way the staff did, I would have been fired.

Don't even get me started about some of the people around us. I now know where magnanimous jerks go to drink.

Recommends

katey herman

Joined 9 years ago

Food is spectacular. The Hopleaf has a great beer selection but I actually go for the food- they serve delicious little fried fish (smelts), and their ham sandwich is quite simply the best I've ever tasted.

Recommends

stormy9091

Joined 10 years ago

My favorite. This is what a bar should be. Not a sports bar, not a meat market. Just good drinks, good conversation, and good people.