05/19/08

great staff

by chicagotouristtt

Visited Chicago last weekend for a convention and stumbled across this place Saturday afternoon. REally friendly, fast, and no attitude staff, the bar was crawling with regulars, and the hot dogs we're pretty damn good. Definitely worth a try if you haven't been before.

• Pros: staff
• Cons: not enough seating

02/23/08

Outstanding Service

by whitey014

Myself and 5 other friends were down in Chicago from Canada for the weekend last July. We ran across Pippin's by chance while touring the city and entered not knowing what to expect. We sat down in the back corner, all wearing Toronto Blue Jays hats and ordered as much as the table would hold. Eventually we were asked to come to the front. We were given private access to the juke box, rounds on the house and even help finding our next destination. We were so pleased with the service we came back the next two afternoon's. Helluva time at a helluva place!!!

12/09/07

Trip to the middle school lunch room.

by katatatsrophy

If you aren't sitting at the "cool table", you'd better forget about it. Apparently if you're not a regular, you're not welcome. I live in the downtown area, and this past weekend my boyfriend and I were out looking for the pub -style atmospheres to enjoy good conversation and a warming environment. We noticed Pippin's Tavern, which I've passed several times, meaning to stop by and check out their beer selection. So, we decided to stop in and check it out on Friday. The door men had wonderful, welcoming personalities, but besides them and the interior design of the place, the rest of the evening was disappointing.

We were basically discriminated against for not being "cool" enough to enjoy the place by pretty much all the employees except the door guys. One guy, I'm not sure if he was a busboy of some type or a patron, but he was hanging out with the waitresses all night and made unprovoked, offensive comments toward us that were overlooked by the waitresses and bartenders. We still aren't even sure what the guy's deal was, but aren't losing sleep over it either.

The most unimpressive part about that situation was the fact that the bartenders condoned his behavior by ignoring us the rest of the night and never giving us a second round of beers, even though we were sitting directly in front of them at the bar.

Overall, quite honestly, it was the worst bar I have been to in Chicago, but could have been one of my favorites if they were to hire less "clique-y" or more open-minded and accepting bartenders.

• Pros: The personalities of the door guys.
• Cons: Everything besides the nice door guys.

06/07/07

Not Sure What the Deal Was

by awg93

I went to Pippin's at about 12:20am on a Wednesday morning. There were about 15 people in the bar. My friend and I had just finished playing a show and had maybe 2-3 beers apiece already. As we entered the bar, an employee followed us to our bar stools and uncomfortably told us we would have to leave. He explained that he had a dicussion with the bar tender and manager and that it was obvious that we had too much to drink. This was a lie. We hadn't been in the bar more than 15 seconds, making it impossible to form an opinion and have a discussion. Our ages are 31 and 47. Not sure if we weren't trendy enough or what the case was. I thought maybe it was a local bar that tries to keep tourist types out, but that doesn't look like the case. Maybe we were just too old. Whatever the case, we were obviously thrown out for something about our appearance (we both had on collared shirts, close toed shoes, no hats). Maybe they just wanted to close early. Maybe they don't let males in without women. We are both white, but if we were black I'd think we had been descriminated against! I do plan to go back again just to see what happens. I wish I knew what the truth was just to have an ending to the funny story when I tell it.

• Pros: Didn't get to find out
• Cons: Their staff

07/05/06

A Younger "Cheers" - Chicago Style

by mllelupita

My boyfriend & I were visiting Chicago and wanted a place that was not a meat market but still not old-fogie. This place was kinda like a Chicago style Cheers... people knew the bartenders' names, the crowd was in their 20's, the whole place is wood panneled with dim/colored lighting, mirrors, and authentic memorabilia.

They offer local beers on tap and although they don't offer any food, the friendly bartenders directed us to several places all within walking distance. If you're planning on a beer crawl, definitely stop here!

• Pros: Friendly, homey, authentic
• Cons: Very Noisey

12/10/05

coolest funest regulars

by scottiray

Me and my girlfriends were in town for a Jenny Craig convention. Met the funnest guys,

Dave and Scott. Dave bought us oatmeal cookie shots and Scott played SRV on the Juke Box. Scott and I laughed all night and he didn't seem to mind my rotund figure.

Actually, I think he enjoyed it. Jimmy the Bartender seemed a little disgusted at Scott's choice in women, but Scott didnt care, he jest ordered me another shot of yeager. needless to say, a great place a us chunkies to get lucky. Left with memories of great laughs and a sore rear end.

11/24/05

best experience in Chicago this year

by gophererica

I visited Chicago over St. Patrick's Day weekend this year, and my friends and I all agreed that Pippin's was the best bar that we went to! We had a great time b/c of the strange 'Sconnie (that's Wisconsin, to those who aren't in the know) guys buying us shots, and some gal gave us passes to another club where cover was $20...but we got in for free! Needless to say, that club was not so hot, and I couldn't stand Howl at the Moon, but I would go back to Pippin's in a heartbeat! Skol!

• Pros: price, people/ambience, location
• Cons: a little crowded

10/11/04

Great little escape!

by smiledarling

This is the place to go when you want a comfortable drink amonst friendly people. They seem to be known for their peanuts. The service is spectacular with all the people that helped me being very personable and open. If you are there and you want a bite to eat, I recommend the hot dogs next door (you can eat at Pippins), although the sandwiches there are pretty good. For weary shoppers and neighborhood folks alike, this is the place to go for comfort on Rush Street. Simply put, a damn good place!

• Pros: Comfortable, Friendly, Good Atmosphere

10/06/04

I'd Go Again

by jwienand

I was in Chicago for just a weekend and just found this place walking around. Great Bratwurst from the place next door. Reasonable prices on drinks. Bartenders, servers, and paron were all very friendly.

04/02/04

An unpretentious, pocket-sized pub frequented by Loyola students, white collars and in-the-know Mag Mile shoppers.

by Contributor

The Scene
Burrowed into one of the giant buildings of Loyola's Water Tower campus, Pippin's offers a lot of atmosphere in a small, but by no means cramped, space. Its cottage-like facade, dark wood walls, low ceiling and year-round strings of Christmas lights make sure it always feels cozy, whether freezing or blazing outside (sidewalk seating's offered when the latter is the case). Waitresses can deliver drinks from the bar without moving a foot and, on good days, keep a constant flow of free peanuts coming.

The Draw
There's 16 draft beers, pretty much what folks drink here, though more bottled varieties and cocktails are also available. While this bar is the southern anchor of the Rush Street scene, it feels light years away from that yuppie corridor. Customers here are mostly in their 20s and 30s, but mellow, and the staff is strictly business. Video games, TVs and a jukebox provide diversion.