Old Town Ale House

Bars, Dive bars Old Town
4 out of 5 stars
(3user reviews)
Winner<br/>2016

Winner
2016
Winner<br/>2016

Winner
2016
Old Town Ale House
Photograph: Martha Williams

Among the framed drawings of regulars cluttering the wooden walls of this saloon-style staple are posters boasting that you’re in “le premiere dive bar” of Chicago. We don’t know where this place gets off speaking French, but it’s been around since 1958, so we’ll grant it bragging rights.

Posted:

Venue name: Old Town Ale House
Contact:
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Address: 219 W North Ave
Chicago
60610
Cross street: at Wieland St
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 3pm–4am; Sat noon–5am; Sun noon–4am
Transport: El stop: Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Sedgwick. Bus: 11, 72, 156.
Price: Average beer: $3.50
Do you own this business?
Static map showing venue location

Average User Rating

4 / 5

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star:0
  • 4 star:3
  • 3 star:0
  • 2 star:0
  • 1 star:0
LiveReviews|3
1 person listening
tastemaker

A classic dive bar for sure, but with better beer options. A charming, dirty atmosphere displaying walls filled with crude, satirical art. It is cash only, but there's a Walgreen's nearby for Chase bank users. A fun place to chat with friends or make new friends. 

moderatorStaff Writer

This neighborhood dive is an Old Town institution. There are no frills here, but there's plenty of crazy art on the walls. Come after a night at Second City and you're bound to run into cast members hanging out.

moderator

What a great bar! You're bound to find Second City actors and writers having a drink before or after their shows here, as the historic Old Town Ale House is right across the street. Just keep in mind, this bar gets PACKED on Saturday nights, but it's such a great atmosphere, so you shouldn't mind. Plenty of weird art to look at, too.