Fizz
Categories: Lounges, Music Venues [Edit]
Neighborhood: Lakeview3220 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60686 (773) 348-6000
- Nearest Transit:
Paulina (Brown)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 4:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Sat 12:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m.
Sun 11:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Music: Live
- Best Nights: Mon, Tue, Wed
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: Outdoor Area/Patio Only
- Coat Check: No
60 Reviews for Fizz
One of Fizz's Favorite Reviews
Fizz has all that one could reasonably look for in a city bar. Their beer garden is really nice and very large. Inside, two floors of boozing... Yowza! The bottom floor is pretty typical of most bars, but props on the decor. The play-list always seems to be really good the times I've been there, I think I counted 8 songs in a row that are on my iPod. I've only been upstairs a few times, but they have a nice variety of live music, comedy and other acts if you feel the need to be entertained by something other than drunken bar-goers.
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I hope I was there on a bad night. Fizz has the atmosphere to be a potentially fun time. Yet, a larger group of us went there on a Saturday night and weren't really impressed. Our service was super shoddy. The bartender didn't even bother to look up at us-- yes, he was avoiding us (and everyone else) because he was so swamped. I realize that this is not *his* problem. Management needs to be sure to have their bar well staffed. But, when a bartender is avoiding paying customers because he's too swamped, something has got to give. Unfortunately, it was us. I left. Bummer. I'd go back to check out their outdoor patio, though. Also, the women's restroom was having some flushing difficulties. (yuck!)
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I really should be giving this one star because of the service, but the food was actually pretty decent. I was here on Sunday in the early evening and my table was one of three in the bar. The service was downright awful.
We were greeted pretty promptly when we first came in and that was the last time we were able to get the waitress to our table unprompted. She took a drink order and proceeded to deliver it. Then she disappeared without asking if were ready to order. At that point, she was actually sitting at the bar for 10 minutes before we motioned her over. Then it took forever for our food to show up. We were starving and starting to lose patience. Finally we grabbed her on her way by and she said she heard the bell ring a couple minutes beforehand so it would be there soon. 10 minutes later, the food comes out. The waitress never stopped by to see if we have everything and my friend actually had to get up and get our silverware for us. We never got a refill on anything, from our water to an offer to get us another beer. (Which we all wanted.)
I have had some shitty service before, but usually you can chalk it up to a busy night or a waitress that has too many tables. When you only have 3 and you take long breaks sitting at the bar and laughing with your friends, you don't get a second chance.
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The outside seating/beer garden was one of the nicest I've seen in the city. It didn't feel like I was in Chicago. Lots of space, plenty of seats, and even some christmasy lights hanging around.
I think our waitress was in a bad mood. She wasn't too friendly, and reacted really badly to small talk. I just wanted to know why she was wearing a knee wrap! Also, I'll chalk up her slowness to said wrap.
My friend and I split an order of char grilled chicken wings. They tasted ok, but I expected a hell of a lot more than six really skinny strips for $8. Let's do some quick math: (3 bites per strip * 6 strips) ^ sadface waitress / $8 = no rush to come back.
To be fair this would be a cute date place.
My secret beer garden. Why don't more people talk about this beer garden?! It's huge, offers seating for 150, and has heaters. My girlfriend and I got the appetizer sampler, which was so-so. Pulled pork was likely shredded and tasted like Lloyd's if one is familiar with that. (I was not a fan.) Tempura-battered chicken fingers were great, but the rest of the platter was simply sustenance. There's plenty more to the menu that I want to try, such as the jalapeno bottle caps.
This place makes the best potato salad Ive ever had, but the service is absolutely dreadful. Every time I've popped in here with friends, we are always VERY pleased with the drinks and bartender and food && yet found the service severely lacking in friendliness or even common courtesy. I mean, I know it's a bar && most people are coming here to drink, but I could never be drunk enough to overlook some of the shenanigans the waitstaff has tried to pull. Come On!
I went to Fizz on a Wednesday night for the comedy show, which was actually pretty funny. About 7 or 8 local and drunk comedians each performed a 10 - 15 minute set. The show was supposed to start at 9, but didn't start till closer to 9:30. I wasn't terribly impressed by the margarita I ordered, which is a special on Tiki Wednesdays (along with a number of martinis, mojitos, and caiparinhas), but at least it was a large drink. I will definitely go back for the comedy night, which is $8 or FREE if you can find the event listing on craigslist a couple days in advance. It looks like it could be fun on a nice day too; the beer garden is huge. Unfortunately it was freezing when I went and no one was really there just to drink.
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Does three times in a week make you a regular? At this bar, that is definitely not a bad thing. My favorite night was the birthday pub crawl. This was the starting off point, and the bartenders were very accomodating to this drunk girl as far as choices go. They offered me several different options before I could decide. :) The food here is really good, too. The burger is much better than some of the other hood bars.
I was also there on Wed. night for comedy hour, which had a good crowd and some good laughs. Rumor has it that there is also a swing dance night, which has some good potential for fun since I love to dance.
The best thing about the bar is still yet to come, which is the spacious beer garden. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to enjoy it this week with warmer weather!
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GO ON TUES OR THURS FOR 1/2 PRICE APPS!!!!!!!!!
4 apps+2 beers=$23
Bob Dylan's "everybody must get stoned" playing in the background!
you can't beat it.
Onion rings are pretty tasty. Not sure what they put in the batter, but it rocks!
Huge quesidillas, Huge Nachos, try the caprese bites-toasted bread with pesto, mozz and tomato.
Comedy on Tues & Wed Night 9pm
OK, I'll admit I'm a teenie bit biased. I help run the swing dance party every Monday night...
I am an expert on the Loft since we're up there dancing. It is a really nice space and they are very helpful with all kinds of equipment - tables, chairs, sound board, and stage. I've been able to put on several live bands in the space. I don't think I mentioned the bar upstairs. It's pretty good but sometimes we'll need to go down the stairs for more beer choices and specialty drinks.
And this the part of the review where I geek. I LOVE the specialty drinks that the new bartender is making! Soon, they are going to have a new drink menu featuring turn-of-the century drinks. Drinks that the bartender needs to make his own ingredients because the original ingredients called for in the drinks are extinct.
My favorite is the Silver Fizz. and then there's the Bee's Knees with honey! YUMMY! Order up the drinks AT THE BAR and watch Peter in action.
As for the food, you can't beat the 5 dollar special on Mondays. They've a new menu I have to go through. Everyone I know loves the fried potato salad!
Though I've mostly been there on Mondays, its the place to go to hang out with friends. Love the beer garden and you can actually hold a conversation w/o having to yell.
Only major fault is the server and kitchen's timing can be off. I often have to wait longer than expected and then then food can be cold too.
It's my bar away from home!
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Cool beer garden. I like the darts incorporation. It looks as though they put a tarp up when it rains. There are also heaters.
The service sucks.
When one orders a miller lite, waits 20 minutes, and receives a bud light... it is an automatic star reduction. Keep in mind, this was mid-day and the place was empty.
Fizz - great place to meet up with friends and an awesome beer garden on a perfect summer day. But you can read all about that in everyone else's reviews. I'm here to tell you what a perfect place it is to hold your event and hey, even your wedding!
It could have been a disaster. Long story short, tight budget, 3 months to plan, and we were trying to get hitched in late fall (Thanksgiving weekend to be exact) which meant outdoors was right out. Friday of Labor day weekend, I started calling around. Fizz was the first to call us back (same day!) and after a chat and a visit to the space, we had our venue booked.
Yes, we got married in the loft above Fizz Bar and Grill and it was the best time of our lives. They provided everything we needed including catering, table, dishes, linens, PA, a stage, bartenders and staff. They worked wonderfully hard to make our wedding everything we wanted it to be. We were able to decorate how we wanted, have our own DJ's, and bring in our desserts from outside as well.
The only thing keeping me from giving them 5 stars has to do with the food. First off, let me say it was great too, that wasn't the problem at all. We're vegetarians, as were many of our guests, but we didn't want to restrict our meaty guests so we ordered a couple meat dishes among our buffet style appetizer faire. I would have liked a few more creative veggie options - it was somewhat limited. However the real issue was the order of serving, the veggies were all served first and meat last instead of being better mixed. So our guests just thought they were appetizers. :( No one's fault really, it's a tough thing to manage - but by the time my husband and I made it to the table, there was no veggie food left.
So really, the problem might be all the food was too good and we should have ordered more.
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Fizz is... ok. Really, that's the only thing I can say. The food is ok. The booze selection is ok. The service is ok. I have no complaints.... but I have no raves about the place either.
There is nothing wrong with the place. If you're in the 'hood, it's a nice place to stop, but no, I won't be going out of my way for this place.
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I never made it to the second floor or the beer garden of Fizz so I expect there may be a surprise updated review coming if it ever gets warm again.
Like almost everything I review Fizz gets 4 stars. Until I can check out the beer garden because I like drinking outside. Also inside, underground, on planes, alone, with others, on the beach and after I've had a couple drinks.
Food here is pretty decent if not quite like finding jesus. I like trying to talk people into getting fruity girlie drinks in hollowed out pineapples while I drink whatever hobo beer is the special.
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Fizz, to me, is a great place if you want to go out with some friends, hear yourselves talk, have a nice table outside, and have a nice selection of beers and food available. Not really a meet market place, not a place where you shout to hear your neighbor, and I wouldn't really have any interest in going if there wasn't a beer garden.
but if you're looking for exactly what I described in my sentence, fizz is the place for you.
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the beer garden is pretty awesome. i tried eating out there once and the service was so bad we made our way into the bar area. much better service there. the veggie grilled cheese is the man. good beer, nice atmosphere, good music. i would love to make it out on a night they have live music.
Judging only on looks and neighborhood, I always assumed Fizz would kind of suck. Something about it just seemed overly polished and irritating. I was wrong, totally, and I'm glad I was.
The last time I was at Fizz it was for an opening party my friend was having, as the were putting her photos up on their walls. I got there early to grab some dinner with my girlfriend and "the couple". You all know "the couple", the ones you're scared to eat with because they're terribly picky orderers. The like to send drinks back for what seems to be no reason, three times. The ask to hear about all the different kinds of mustard available, etc.
Anyway, out waitress was incredibly kind and understanding, even after the third variation of the French Martini was requested. The service was quick and if she was frowning, rolling her eyes or muttering under her breath, she was nice enough not to make it obvious.
We ordered a couple different appetizers to split, and every one of them was excellent. Our food and drinks were moderately priced, and totally worth it.
I can't remember if the music came from a playlist or a jukebox, but I do remember being pleasantly surprised with how god some of it was. The place was really nicely decorated, and although I didn't make it upstairs, I understand they have comedy and some live music going on.
When the party for my friend started, the manager came by and set out huge trays of appetizer samplers. If only I hadn't stuffed my face before- all I can say is that the little pulled pork sandwiches were awesome.
Aside from the great service and good food, Fizz scores mad points for their really nice patio, which is heated, and where you can still smoke. It makes one nostalgic for a couple months ago.
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I know a booger on the wall when I see one. I don't mean nothin' by it, I'm just sayin'...
The first thing you will notice when going to a show at Fizz is the loooong staircase up. Fizz does their entertainment in the giant upstairs room. I'm told they also have swing dancing up there on Monday nights, but I have never been, nor have I eaten or had any drinks in the downstairs bar area. I was just there pre-smoking ban, and it was actually pretty smokey, but that is gladly a thing of the past everywhere now.
I spoke with a friend in the band, and they said they had to load in their gear in through the kitchen and take several steep, cramped doglegs to actually get upstairs, and it was a mighty unpleasant journey. The front staircase is wide and straight, if steep, but they don't let musicians load in this way so keep that in mind if you play here.
The second thing I noticed was that it was just as cold upstairs as it was outside. Once again, the heat was not turned on until the show started, so needless to say, I was freezing my ass off until just about the time the band was done. I can understand not wanting to heat a space while it is unused, but folks should understand the necessary rise time needed for a room to come to temperature. Start the thermostat a couple hours earlier on entertainment nights, please!
The room upstairs is spacious but a little unusual. There is a loft built over the stairwell to house the audio mix position/dj booth, and it cuts a sizable portion of floor space out of the room, though there is still quite a bit left. The stage is at the street end in front of a giant glass block window. It is the width of the room and maybe 12 feet deep. There is a bar at the opposite end, though it did not open until the very moment the first band started. Those waiting for the show to start had to make the long trek downstairs to get beverages.
I'm surprised the bathrooms are as cramped as they are, when there is so much free space available. I think they could easily do a simple remodel: move a wall and add another few fixtures. If this room was full, these bathrooms as they are now would not adequately service the audience. This is where I saw the aforementioned "booger" on the wall, strategically placed for continuous viewing throughout the duration of urination. This should not be a reflection on Fizz, so much as their clientele. Some people are just animals, I tell you. Unless of course it is still there when I go back...
I don't know why people think it's cool to have your speakers low to the ground. When the room fills up, no one will be able to hear at the back since all the bodies will be blocking the horn.
NOTE TO EVERYONE:
In general, the main speakers in your audio system need to be at least six feet from the floor to the bottom of the cabinet to get it up over the heads of a standing audience. Since Fizz's speakers are on telescoping poles this should not be a problem.
For mains, they had some consumer grade EV cabinets, which are always respectable. For monitors, they only had a pair of Mackie powered wedges. For some reason these were balanced precariously on a chair butted up against the front of the stage. Not only does this look lame, but it doesn't work because it didn't get the wedges at the right angle. The guy tried to tilt them but they kept slipping. Take 1 hour to cut some plywood, build a couple 4 or 5 sided boxes of the appropriate height, spray them black and call it done. No more messing around with chairs, and no more musicians complaining they can't hear. Though musicians WILL find something to complain about, at least it won't be that...
It sounded OK here. I had no major complaints really. I think with a little attention to the details I've mentioned, Fizz could be a cool place to play.
I didn't get a look at the mixer or front of house gear because the guy glowered at me funny, so I didn't want to intrude into his nest up in the loft. Though he must have a sense of humor, because there are a few scraps of Sonex-like acoustic foam halfheartedly placed at random points along the wall. To the untrained eye, it may look like they are strategically placed, but on a brick wall that is maybe 80 feet long and sixteen feet tall, 8 square feet of acoustic treatment has an effectiveness percentage somewhere right around zero.
Or just maybe, the "strategically placed" acoustic treatment was applied by the same person who strategically placed the booger...
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Fizz is just a good all around bar, especially when the relenting Chicago winter gives us all a break and you can actually sit outside. Tack on to that an always friendly staff and some nice specials ($2 mystery beers can't be beat, especially when you're the one that ends up with the oatmeal stout) and you're in business. Also, the few times I've had food here, its been a step above the usual bar fare. GO, drink, enjoy.
It takes alot to drag me out of wickerpark, but Fizz has two things going for it that get me in a cab: first, they have free darts, which is cool. Second, the free darts are located in an enclosed patio you can smoke on.
The first night I experienced this was heavenly. it was nice and toasty, I was able to smoke while throwing darts and wearing a tshirt. awesome.
We went back last weekend, and half of the front tent had been ripped down, apparently by one manager to comply with the spirit of hte smoking ban. This kinda sucked, if it's a technicality surely there is another, less mission critical panel that could be removed. As it stands, it defeats the pont. ANy non smokers dumb enough to come outside will still be subjected to trapped smoke, except now there is a blistering breeze. To make matters worse, the self service heatlamps were out of propane and only worked sporadicly. Darts (and drinking) is much less fun in a big ass coat.
Hopefully it was just an off night; I'd love to cll this one of my favorite spots, provided they can give me a warm place to smoke and throw dars I'll make the $9 cab trip over and over.
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Ok if you like that sort of place. Maybe I just don't like that neighborhood. Everyone there is transplanted from Michigan or the Northwest suburbs or something.
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I go mainly for the swing dancing on Monday nights, but I go early for the special: burger /fries and a domestic draft (like Three Floyd's Alpha King) for only $5!
A great way to fuel up for a night of dancing.
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Went yesterday and me and my friends shared pizzas, hot wings (pretty good), and a bunch of other appetizers. My friend said the Southwestern Chicken soup was great. Service at our table was excellent! There were a couple beers for $3, Three Floyds and a Rogue ale. Heard they have a nice smoking area, but it certainly needed those meat locker curtains yesterday, as it was 3 degrees and frigid air kept getting blown into the bar. I'd definitely go back for a weekday bar food gnoshing.
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I know nothing about Fizz as a regular bar. However, I've been coming here on Monday nights since before I lived in Chicago--it's the best regular swing dance night in the city.
I teach swing dancing, and Fizz is where most of the experienced dancers in the scene go. (Depending on who's DJing, you'll find music for lindy, Charleston, blues, and balboa--Chicago tends to be a fairly groovy city rather than one geared toward vintage music or fast dancing.) That said, if you're new to dance you won't feel alone--there are lots of newer people here, especially if you catch "grad night," where students who have just finished a session of classes at Big City Swing appear in force.
Upstairs opens at 9:30pm for dancing, but most people don't get there until around 10:30pm. It closes at 1:00am. Cover is $6 ($4 if you're a student).
Don't get too intimidated by dancers who are above your level--most of us are pretty friendly, and it's generally bad etiquette to turn down a dance if asked. (Exceptions include: genuine tiredness, your bad B.O., already promising a dance to someone else that song.) So join us on Mondays--it's miles above booty dancing at a club.
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I've been going to Fizz for years and I really like it. It has a cool but relaxed atmosphere and I like that the tables aren't cramped inside. It's also nice that they have a huge patio for the warmer months. It's the place I always end up when I can't think of anyplace else to go. The food is decent. I particularly like their pizzas. Wednesdays are great for their special tiki night when the drinks are decently priced, tasty, and stroooong. The only downside is I'm not crazy about their martinis and the service can be hit or miss. It's good for groups, especially in the summer. Thumbs up!!
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So far, I've only gone here to swing dance on Monday nights.
They have a great room upstairs that has plenty of dancing space for almost everybody. It has a stage, too, that looks like a great one for a band or open mic night or something. And the bartender doesn't cop a 'tude when the dancers ask for water. It gets hot when you're lindy hopping your ass off!
They play sports on the tv's downstairs so my non-dancing gentleman can enjoy something HE likes, too! Drink prices are reasonable, one waitress I've had downstairs is particularly slow when there are hardly any people in the bar, but it's okay. I'm not in a hurry, really. Oh, and they have an awesome beer garden!
Any place that provides swing music and a dance floor is good by me!
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I came here with some friends for the "comedians you should know" show last Wednesday. There's about 15-20 amateur stand up comedians doing 5 minute sets which is just about the perfect amount of time. Most people can make at least one good joke in 5 minutes, but if it really sucks it's over before you know it. There was no cover the night that we went but they said that they're going to start charging from now on--however it seemed like there were plenty of 2 for 1 coupons to be found if you ask.
The greeters were really nice and enthusiastic about the show and they got and gathered chairs to make sure everyone had a seat. The bartender actually knew how to make a gimlet and the drinks were really reasonably priced. I would have liked to try something to eat but waitresses upstairs (where the show was) seemed to be non-existent and the kitchen was closed by the time the show was over--which wasn't that late.
Not a bad place, a bit more upscale than a regular neighborhood bar, but not fancy-shmancy at all. I would definitely go back and try one of their swing dancing nights or hang out in the beer garden I hear so much about.
I should recuse myself as a friend owns this place but I like it and, dammit ,you should too!
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Stopped into Fizz the other night after reading reviews about it, got to say the burgers were very good,went in with some friends and we all had a great time .
I went here with my euchre club to drink and play cards for 3-4 hours on a Wednesday. The place was really low key, ambiance was cool, and the seats were comfy. Some Kahlua promoters were there so I played some Wii bowling and won a shaker. There was supposedly comedy upstairs at 9pm, but I didn't venture that far. The mojito was okay considering that I'm not really interested in minty cocktails. However, my preferred Guinness rather jacked up my bill. I'd give this place one more go-around if there were a night with specials that catered more to my taste. I usually hike my tush around this city, but there is free parking in the library lot after 6pm or so they say.
We went to Fizz after discovering that Wishbone was closed, and Belly was too loud. Fizz was much more conversation-friendly (mainly because there were only about four people in there), but certainly not the greatest place ever.
I had a pulled pork sandwich (a bit sour for my liking) with a side of tots (hooray!). Bekah had a very good-looking pear salad. The service was fine. She was marginally friendly & efficient, but didn't seem interested in finding a way to really make our day or anything. Prices were exactly what I expected.
Overall, it was OK; nothing was wrong, but nothing made me horny to go back. And frankly, I don't need to -- I can easily find a thousand other bars exactly like it.
Quality / Taste (40%): 3.5
Atmosphere (20%): 3.5
Service (20%): 3
Value (20%): 3
Overall: 3.3
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Fizz - did it sizzle? Or fizzle? Here's the shizzle my nizzle:
I went to Fizz on a Sunday after a FAILED meal at Wishbone (see that review and beware). I went with the same two Yelpers and we sat outside to enjoy a super gorgeous afternoon. My brunch drink mode was still set to "on" so I ordered a mimosa. Another Yelp buddy went the bloody route while the final Yelper went for some gingerale (yes Wishbone was that bad).
I really like the outdoor patio because it is back away from the sidewalk - between two buildings so it's not directly on the street. It is like a beer garden but with cement instead of vegetation. Our waitress was really cool - even when I ordered one $1 mini burger. Yes, just one. I know, I know, seemed pointless but that little guy totally hit the spot - perfect with a single pickle on top. The server originally gave the mini burger to the next table where some guy had ordered a HUGE regular burger. I saw all of this go down which amused me because there was this guy with a mother burger and my poor little burgie! The guy goes "what the?" but I motioned to the server that the burgie was indeed mine. I got it, ate it, loved it and would have ordered some more except I had literally just eaten another meal - ooops.
As for the drinks - yay on the mimosa, nay on the bloody. I like what Fizz was throwin' down that afternoon so I will be back if I'm in the hood again.
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Cheap buckets of wings on Thursdays. I liiiiike.
Yes, that's buckets of wings, not beers. Strange, I know. They put wings in the beer buckets. But it works, right?
The beer garden is perfect on a hot, humid evening. Cold beers + hot night = most excellent. The wings could use a bit more sauce, but the heat index was just about perfect. I'd only get the hot ones, though. The sweet BBQ paled in comparison to some others I've tried (i.e. Redmond's).
Our waiter was charming. He spilled a beer on me, but I can't even fault him for it.
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I liked the outdoor seating at this place, except for the ambulance that drove by and almost gave me a heart attack.
I didn't have much of an appetite when I came here so I just ordered the soup of the day which was cream of chicken and rice. The bowl was way bigger than I thought it would be and it was pretty good. My friend ordered chicken strips that he said were awful but he kept eating anyway. I was kind of regretting not ordering pizza when I saw a big pie delivered to the table next to us but made up for it by odering the Tiramisu. Actually I ordered the Chocolate Mousse Martini, but then our waiter came back later and told me they didn't have it. The tiramisu was good enough though.
All in all, I didn't get much of a feeling about this place either way. The food was OK, the service was OK, the patrons were OK, the decor was OK.
If I ever want to have just an OK time, I'll come back here.
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Well I sure do like the fact that you can smoke in their heated, enclosed patio. Disclaimer: I would have never come in here at all if it weren't for the ban. I went early, had a few appetizers that were definitely acceptable but nothing great. Beer selection so-so, 5 bucks for anything decent, a little pricey. There were a lot of almost pretty girls, some with big, fake boobs on display which was fun. The guys were your run-of-the-mill tool sheds complete with cheesy lines and creepy stares. No assembly required. Service was excellent. They have hot coffee with booze which helps if you're outside. We were still cold and ended up sitting inside. Still, it's very, very nice to be able to take your drink with you for a smoky treat. All in all, I'll probably be back to smoke and drink at the same time, even though the scene is somewhat depressing. Smokers, we should take this place over and send the Belly's crowd back to Belly's.
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I'm giving Fizz three stars because I really like the beer garden. If you are looking for a place to hang out with friends, have a drink or two while playing bags, then this is a great place to go. No doubt. However, if you are hungry, do not eat here. How can someone mess up a grilled cheese? Well, they managed to do so. The grilled cheese was burnt and not suited to even feed my dog.
Roommate and I went here last night with my favorite East Coast Neighbor to expand our ever-increasing repertoire of hot wings. And because East Coast Neighbor suggested it and his recommendations for greasy food that's bad for you are usually pretty dead-on.
Thursday night is their wing night, and they hold the distinction of serving them in a BUCKET that you get to reach your entire arm into to look for the last wing, which is probably hidden in folds of sauce-laden wax paper that will transfer to your arm and probably your armPIT and THEN if you have had enough beers, you can try to LICK all that sauce off your arm and your friends will all find this hilarious.
Anyway - wings are a tad dry in terms of the meat, and a lot dry in terms of the sauce. Maybe it says something about me that I like my wings swimming in a puddle, but I can't think of what that would be - other than that I like the sauce. But then again, East Coast Neighbor got BBQ wings because he is a va-jay-jay.
Our waiter...seemed...new. And nervous. And I feel for him, waiting tables is a thankless, and often shitty job. But he seemed jittery and scared the whole time. Though he did jostle his tray and drop some drinks - on my roommate and East Coast Neighbor - which may have had something to do with it.
Guinness was $3. Shots of Jameson were $4.
Exterior is ADORABLE. Beer garden is HUGE and perfect on a nice night - shit, it has a FOUNTAIN.
Yelp calls this place a dance club, and maybe since it was Thursday, they put the disco ball away? I didn't find it terribly dance-y. I DID find some broad in the beer garden, belting out Les Mis as though her life depended on it.
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This place just lost the best waitress, Leslie. She will be missed.
Notwithstanding that, Fizz isn't what it used to be. They are clearly beginning to cater to the overflow from that paragon of culture known as Bellys (BOO). I still like the mini burgers, though!
This place was better than expected. I don't know what it is about this place, but to every person that I mentioned I was going here, they all said something derogatory or made a face about this place. I kept waiting for some horrible service issue or rude people and it just didn't happen. I had a fun time!
I found the bartenders and servers to be friendly and efficient. Of course, I was with a large party and they fixed the service issue with the "old wristband" approach where you pay once and drink and eat for the rest of the night. I certainly made the most of my $32 investment!
The music was great ( that just means I recognized the tunes) No house music here- more like the best of the 70's, 80's and 90's (sounds like a radio station tag line) which was fine by me! We even pushed the tables aside and had a makeshift dance floor which they were cool with. Salsa anyone??
The food was okay- had a bunch of typical bar food and snacks- wasn't expecting haute cuisine so I left happy.
We went there so that we could celebrate in their very large beer garden but in true Chicago style, while the weather the day before had been in the 80's- last night it was about 47 so needless to say, we stayed indoors!!!
I will need to go back on a "real night" as the people in there were fun- but since we all knew each other and there were about 50 of us in total- I am not sure who the "regulars" are.
For me- the next time I go it will be to enjoy a "cold one" on a hot day in that big beer garden. I'll look for you there.
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Fizz is a great bar because they not only have a crazy selection of good beer, but they also play decent music. I always find myself singing aloud through dinner each time I'm there. I ordered the veggie burger and my husband ordered the turkey burger, which were both delicious. I love Fizz, especially in the summertime because they have an awesome beer garden. I'll definitely be back. The cost of two beers, and two burgers were under $34.00 without tip.
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