Roscoe's

04/24/2008 Posted by BeetleMan

Everything you hear about this bar is true...both positive and negative. It is a fun bar if you tend to skew younger and are from the suburbs. I don't understand why that phenomenon occurs, but it is true. It can be fun if you want to go with your (younger) friends and shoot some pool or dance. As with bars that attract that age demographic, they do tend to overcharge for drinks, not to mention a cover (a cover!!!) on weekends. I frequented Roscoe's 10 years ago when I lived in the burbs, and immediately found myself repulsed by it as soon as I moved to the city. $5.25 for a mixed drink in a small plastic cup is unacceptable. A cover charge to simply enter the bar on the weekends (when none of their neighbooring competitiors do so) is unacceptable. They have a dance floor, but are by no means a dance "club". The bar is poorly layed out, doesn't appear to have been updated in decades, and has a stifling ventilation system. On crowded nights, you will find yourself pushing your way toward the back/middle part of the bar (before you enter the dance floor) to stand under the ceiling fan...or invoking the ultimate option and simply leaving. The above are not bitter, catty musings, but informed observations from a Chicago native who has frequented many estabilshments. I'm merely offering some advice for improvement to a Chicago mainstay that needs a little work.

Pros: Nice Sidewalk Cafe

Cons: Bar Layout, Prices, Atmosphere

11/24/2007 Posted by gychii

Roscoe's defines the epicenter of gay Chicago, being located at Roscoe & Halsted (that epicenter is migrating in recent years, however). The bar boasts some of the hottest tenders in the area, while still being friendly too. They don't pour the greatest however, but beauty before brains ;-) j/k guys. Roscoe's is probably best outside of the late night times. It's especially fun Sunday afternoons in the summer.

Pros: Good for post-softball hotness

Cons: Getting to feel a bit decrepit

08/10/2007 Posted by aleksandr111

If you’re in your twenties or thirties Roscoe’s is probably the best gay bar to meet people in the Boystown area. It’s a pretty fun spot. I highly recommend getting trashed Sunday afternoons during the long island iced tea special. Very fun. There is some attitude at the bar during busy nights. Overall the bar is a bit small, but it’s the best around so enjoy it!!

07/10/2006 Posted by rhouston

picture this: you leave your personal belongings in the bar, they close the place down, you go back to get your items, and the whole staff is screaming "we can't open the door and give you your things"....meanwhile, saying "get them tomorrow" while waving the stuff in front of your face...bottom line- a bunch of washed up men who see their position as a bartender or bar staff as a means of showing some misguided perception of success and/or authority...remember ladies....you are still running a business and you just made your establishment look like yourself....tired...go back to school..find something that makes you happy and allows your patrons to feel happy too... the truth hurts.. peace

Pros: the boys

Cons: the staff...

05/29/2003 Posted by HeyJustMe123

I think that Roscoe's is one of the funnest bars in Chicago! If you are either a gay man or a woman that loves them you will have a good time. Drinks are Great, Music is Kicken, and the croud is always outgoing and inviting.

Pros: Good Music, Good Drink, Great People

11/21/2002 Posted by cjchicago70

Cant beat $10 pitchers of Long Island Iced Tea. Other than that, stick to the other bars.

11/21/2002 Posted by uptown_chiboi

Well what can I say this is the bar with the youngest crowd and the cutest boiz. Although the crowd varies little with alot of the regulars stopping in, this bar is still the probably the best Chicago has to offer. The measured drinks are bit ridiculous but whatever, because the pitchers on Fridays and Sundays more then make up for the weaker mixed drinks. One or two pitchers and even the biggest drinker will be buzzin hard. =)

Pros: Cutest crowd, Busiest overall bar, Very friendly to all

Cons: Weak drinks, Slightly overpriced, Same crowd

08/26/2002 Posted by ChgoGuy

Too bad the hottest thing about the place is its indoor temperature! Com'on Jim, if you have money to give to all the politicians you must have some left over to upgrade your cooling system.

Pros: Employees

Cons: Owner

08/26/2002 Posted by dbunte

great hangout if you like your men young and suburban better options for "men" of chicago

Pros: unique, good music, well lit

Cons: attitude, young, girl guys

08/15/2002 Posted by duchessofyahtz

As a straight female, I've had more fun, and oddly enough more action, at this bar than any other! Besides having awesome bartenders who are friendly and serve great drinks, the crowd is really easy going and it's sort of "whatever goes" here, which is really comfortable. The music is always pretty good, but definitely the people who come to Roscoe's are what make the experience.