The Beer Bistro

(312) 433-0013

1061 W Madison St (Aberdeen Street)
Chicago, IL 60607 41.8816 -87.6545

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Neighborhoods: Near West Side, West Side

thebeerbistro.com

Hours:

Sun-Fri 11am-2am

Sat 11am-3am

Last updated 10.15.11

Category:

Bars & Pubs, Bars & Clubs, Neighborhood Bars, Restaurants, Taverns

Payment Methods:

American Express, Cash, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Notable Beer List

Bar & Club Special Features:

After Work

Minimum Age:

21

Smoking Permitted:

At bar

What People Are Saying About The Beer Bistro

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – A gorgeous vintage mahogany Brunswick bar enhances the old-fashioned feel of this spacious high ceiling'd tavern. Beer is the main course here, with 75 choices in bottles and an eclectic mix of drafts that includes little-known European brews like Lindeman's Framboise, Maredsous Dubbel and Paulaner Hefeweizen, all served in the appropriate glassware. Even the food menu suggests beer pairings for every dish, e.g. nachos washed down with Pacifico beer from, of course, Mexico.

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Each menu item is paired with a recommended beer.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. The inside is very comfortable and their specials for each day of the week make it a great bet no matter what night you choose to go.
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. Best thing, "cheap" beer is virtually non existant here (fans of Rolling Rock and Coors Light are SOL).
  2. What first caught my eye was the fact that they carried my favorite beer and wings for 25 cents a piece on Sundays.
  3. The food was pretty good for a bar.
  4. live a block away and we have like 10 Bars next to me but this bar is the best!
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. The food was pretty good for a bar.
  2. The grilled chicken tenders were quite good.
  3. The food we ordered from the menu was great and the bartender hustled for my party of 60 all night.
  4. What first caught my eye was the fact that they carried my favorite beer and wings for 25 cents a piece on Sundays.
  5. And the food is good too.
  6. The food is outstanding and the space and the staff are great!
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. The food we ordered from the menu was great and the bartender hustled for my party of 60 all night.
service
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. The food we ordered from the menu was great and the bartender hustled for my party of 60 all night.
  2. The waitresses were rude, and one of the waitresses said that they would give us separate tabs and then when I received the tab she did not separate the tab.
  3. The food is outstanding and the space and the staff are great!
value
100.0% positive
  1. Best thing, "cheap" beer is virtually non existant here (fans of Rolling Rock and Coors Light are SOL).
1 Star Rating: Poor

01/11/10

WORST PLACE EVER

by LIZZZ at Citysearch

The waitresses were rude, and one of the waitresses said that they would give us separate tabs and then when I received the tab she did not separate the tab. Then after spending a lot of money at the bar they yelled at us to leave when they were closing, they were not considerate enough to ask nicely. Plus according to the news they were closed in July 2009 because of health violations, they had COCKROACHES and didn't supply soap to their staff!

Google Beer Bistro Chicago closing for details

  • Cons: They were rude.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/21/09

Love this place!!!

Contributor at Citysearch

This place should be 10 stars!!!! The food is outstanding and the space and the staff are great!! I live a block away and we have like 10 Bars next to me but this bar is the best! the price, the food, the staff, and the space are all 5 stars... Just try am you will see!!!!Thanks and see you there!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/09/08

Great selection of beers, personable bartenders and sufficient food

by jumboiowan at Citysearch

I went to Beer Bistro for happy hour after work and was very happy with the choice. There is a great selection of beers and the bartenders were more than willing to talk knowledgeably to you about the choices. The food was pretty good for a bar. The grilled chicken tenders were quite good. After work the ambiance in this place was unbeatable. It was not too loud but still held a lot of people so there was no wait to sit down.

  • Pros: Great beer selection, great ambience, decent food
  • Cons: Getting a table was not as easy, but plenty of room at the bar.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/01/08

Great place to have a private party!

by BAngieB at Citysearch

I needed a place to throw my 40th birthday party at and found The Beer Bistro! All I can say is that it was the perfect spot. The wait staff was right on time. The food we ordered from the menu was great and the bartender hustled for my party of 60 all night. I couldn't bring in my own DJ, but I was still able to load MY music onto my ipod and it was pumped down into the room. I have absolutely no complaints about The Beer Bistro and hope to use this establishment in the future.

  • Pros: Great place if you're looking for a place to have a private party.
  • Cons: Parking got a bit tricky, but what can you do about parking in the west loop?
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/04/08

More types of beer then most

by butterfly7978 at Citysearch

The Bistro is such a fun and relaxing place to hang out and try different types of beer that you might not be able to find at other bars. The inside is very comfortable and their specials for each day of the week make it a great bet no matter what night you choose to go. I recommend having your first drink be their monthly beer special. It's normally something I haven't tried before, yet it always seems to be great!

By the way, while your there try their deep dish pizza. I'm surprised they aren't better known for it because it is wonderful!

I have only one bone to pick. Almost ever time I've gone there has been a problem with being over charged on the bill. Normally an extra round or two will be added. When ever I've pointed out the mistake they have always been quick to fix the problem, but it is a little annoying and after a night of drinking it puts you as the customer at a disadvantage.

  • Pros: Selection and pizza!
  • Cons: Make sure to check your bill before you pay, 'extra' drinks might show up if your not careful

The Details on The Beer Bistro

Place Categories:

  • outstanding food
  • great bet
  • best non
  • perfect spot
  • great staff
  • favorite beer
  • great space
  • very comfortable inside
  • quite good grilled chicken tenders
  • best bar
  • love place
  • rude waitresses
  • favorite wings
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