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Hungry Brain
- Hours:
Mon-Fri, Sun 8 pm - 2 am
Sat 8 pm - 3 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
177 reviews for Hungry Brain
Review Highlights
177 reviews in English
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Review from Aminda S.
1/1/2012 1 photo
I love this place - from their wonky assortment of furniture right down to their $4.50 craft beers (decent selection I may add).
Jukebox has a nice selection of classic and indie tunes. But watch it - it only takes ones and fives. Don't even dream of putting a ten in there. You're not getting anymore plays than you would for a fiver, but you're losing your full ten spot. Believe that. (Special thanks to the bartender who gave us five bucks to make up for our jukebox loss)
My favorite Roscoe Village dive bar - and really my favorite Roscoe Village bar in general.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Tiffany K.
Chicago, IL
4/15/2012
Came here for a joint birthday party and I had a pretty good impression, but everyone hyped this place up way too much for me so I think my expectations were a bit high. Hungry Brain itself feels like a friend's basement hangout spot - cozy, dark, and friendly. Everyone here was cordial, and drink prices are relatively cheap compared to other bars in Chicago. They have a killer jukebox machine, and it was a lot of fun looking through the records they have.
However, this place is in a pretty inconvenient spot that isn't around a lot of "foot traffic" so it's hard to get to conveniently if you don't bike or have a car. There is also not a lot around these parts, so if you wanted to get here from another place or go to someplace else from the Brain, you'd have to rely on public transit or catch a cab (if you don't have a bike). The Belmont bus drops you off right in front of the bar, but I'd have to transfer from another bus to the Belmont bus to get to this place. Arg! (Yes, I am complaining about this, but it's my review so I can complain all I want!)
With that said, I had a good time and saw many good friends. The crowd that comes here is a bit older, like around late 20s - mid 30s. Just not the kind of atmosphere where you can rage and stuff like that, but definitely a cozy spot for a chill evening with close friends. I think I want to come back on a weekday and see what it's like. -
Review from Jillian D.
Chicago, IL
3/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
smells like grandma's basement - and yes, that's a positive :)
i had my birthday party here this past fall and it was awesome! it was a friday night, and we got there right when they opened so we could lay claim to the raised loungey area. great music. great bartender. and a great crowd! very chill. will return. -
Review from Pete M.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 1/22/2012
Great atmosphere and a good bar but it's cash only.
It's a great bar to have a conversation with friends on a crowded night.
It also has one of the best jukeboxes in Chicago.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/19/2010
Before you go to the Hungry Brain, you need to know what it is... It's Mos Eisley Spaceport from… Read more »
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Review from Michael M.
Los Angeles, CA
5/17/2012
I've been going here 15 years since I lived in Roscoe Village. Friendly bartenders, dark, convivial, near the lowest prices in town, interesting clientele, great bookings including a long running jazz series. good place to hang with friends and make new ones. Live in LA now, but I get back to Chicago a few times a year and Always make sure to have a few drinks here.
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Review from Shanti N.
Chesterfield, MO
5/7/2012
I came here for Two Cookie Minimum's Industry Night. As far as I was concerned, the drinks/venue were ancillary to hearing local writers and publishers expound on their craft, and read their works aloud, but I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and come here, making the train-to-bus transfer necessary to do so. The setup was not daunting at all and I'm pleased that the ambiance read cozy and careworn versus dark and forbidding. The drink selections are reasonable and the bar staff friendly, which is all that I ask out of my establishments. I most likely won't seek out this establishment for its own sake but will definitely make it a point to investigate future industry nights here as they arise.
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Review from M H.
Chicago, IL
3/24/2012
Good crowds, good music. Cash only bar, but the prices are reasonable. The atmosphere is especially good - casual with lots of places to sit.
They have weird hours, so make sure they're open before you head over. -
Review from T.J. K.
Charlottesville, VA
4/26/2012
Ok very cool atmosphere (dark, candlelit tables), but I came on a Friday night with a few friends and the ratio was terrible. Probably 15 guys and 3 girls. Overrated.
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Review from Mike B.
12/1/2011
Im not really a fan of dive bars, but eclectic/bizarre/craft beer dive bars?? SOLD!
I came here last week with a friend and was immediately drawn to all the crazy shit on the walls. Random eclectic artwork, craft beer signage, toys, couch sections, 1970's tables, and brain-affiliated items behind the bar really add to the craziness that is Hungry Brain. I had a bells two hearted and my friend had an original sin. At $4.50 for each drink, the pricing cant be beat, especially in Chicago. A couch area to relax and chat it up, good music playing on the jukebox, christmas lights, comfy bar stools, and a nice dark setting all tie in to make this a great go-to dive to close out the night. However, don't come here if you are hungry for brains bc they don't serve any food (as far as i know - i was pretty wasted). All in all, if you are a fan of craft beer like me, and dont want to overpay like most places in Chicago, Hungry Brain is the place. It just screams unpretentious =) -
Review from Dave S.
Chicago, IL
11/15/2011
Went here on a Saturday night and this is my kind of bar. A nice young, somewhat subdued crowd. We had a group of 8 to 10 and we were able to put a couple of tables together and have conversations. Nobody had to yell over music or any drunk bimbos. There were a bunch of drink specials. Nothing too amazing, but it was very reasonably priced. The bartender was super nice. She would also remember what you ordered and make recommendations based on your previous drink. There are some retro videogames, which is cool once you get a buzz going. I am not a bar guy at all and I really enjoyed my time in this place.
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Review from mike b.
Western Springs, IL
5/13/2011
I might have been the oldest dude in the place, but I can pull it off cause I'm a cool dude in a loose mood. A quirky, hipster joint with vintage furniture and lighting. Quite comfortable, living room feel. It does have entertainment venues. I was recently there observing a Lisa DeRosia and Lush Budget performance. Don't wear coordinated outfits in this place, cause that's a giveaway that yer non-Scottish. I don't know if it was part of the theme last night, or if the Skipper from Gilligan's Island look is all the rage these days as I seem to have spied an inordinate amount of Captains caps and Hawaiin shirts in the audience. But, I do know that if you have the compunction to wear a Russian Combat Helmet in public with Chuck Taylor knock offs you certainly can pull it off here.
All serious, though, it's a great place. $4.00 for the great tap beers and yer not limited to the Bud and Miller. No one bothers you here, and you are quick to blend into the wallpaper once you sit in one of the comfy Sofas or chairs. Even these Bohemian Hipsters are hooked on the cells and texting, so feel free to imbibe in your electronic addiction here.
It's located just down the street from Chicago PD's Area 5, so if you get locked up your buddies can literally bond you right out...but, no worries with that, the BRAIN ain't seedy, and dangerous at all. It's an intellectual crowd, and friendly. They kept calling me SIR, and I kept turning around to see if my father was there.
I'm definitely going back often. -
Review from Chrystina Z.
Washington, DC
6/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love dive bars, and this one is no exception. Non-pretentious, cash only, and just a little out of the way. The mismatched tables/chairs remind you of your grandparent's basement. Sweet cider on tap and good music. And who should appear last night but the tamale guy himself.
I wish DC had a tamale guy. -
Review from Anne M.
5/31/2011
Wow - haven't been to a good old dive like this in quite some time!
Yes, the Bulls happened to be playing in a playoff game the night we went, but the place was completely empty. We walked in to this very dimly lit big open bar to find lots of couches, loungy chairs, and old school booths, ordered a few beers and rotated our seating choice three times, just for the hell of it.
Good juke box, chill vibe, nice bartender, more unique than most bars - a good option for a bar you can actually converse with and hear your companions. -
Review from chris g.
5/3/2011 6 photos
Something off of the Sundance Channel. That's what I thought when I first visited this dark, 80's retro low-key bar, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. It's so easy to drive or walk right by this humble little bar and that's really a shame if you don't get to experience this gem.
After partying near boystown, a good friend introduced me to this cute little cash-only bar just a few doors east of Western on Belmont. We were warmly greeted by Luz, who went ouf her way to help us pick special beers. And make NO mistake about it, it's all about the quality beer selection on draught and in bottles. They don't serve food but encourage you to bring your own or have it delivered to the bar. Sometimes the "Tamale Guy" shows up. They're like the everyday person's version of Hopleaf Bar.
The prices are very affordable here and on some nights you have to keep your mouth closed when there's a live band playing, because people want to hear the music... not your puffed up convo. Take it outside! -
Review from Michael N.
Chicago, IL
3/20/2011
A Dive Bar with character.
This is exactly what we're talking about.
Beer selection: Strong. Enjoyed a Brekenridge Vanilla Porter on tap as well as a Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale in bottle.
Bartender on this early Saturday night was Luz. She's one of the proprietors and was very friendly and provided some excellent conversation.
The backstory is that my date knows one of the owners very well. She says hello to Luz, who she hasn't seen in years and knows a bit also. Turns out, some of the couches were originally my date's and donated many years ago! Well, this only added to the fun of it all. Ah, and let's not forget they actually have an old Gallaga game in there. Gallaga. Go figure.
You could spend hours in this place looking at all of the different memorabilia posted all over the walls, and the nick knacks on the shelves among the beer selections.
As others have said, don't go there for the ball game. It's a place to go and chill, have a good quiet conversation among friends. It's a cash only bar, so keep that in mind. But don't worry, the drinks are inexpensive. -
Review from Justin B.
Chicago, IL
7/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
My brother and his wife were in from New Jersey. I took them here for a drink because I like it so much.
"I like this place," my brother says. "All the girls are wearing glasses."
I looked around.
"Not true! That girl's not." I nodded in her direction. "Astute observation, but what are you implying?"
His wife looked at him, waiting for the answer. -
Review from Jim J.
Glen Ellyn, IL
9/12/2011
Nice layout & atmosphere. Nice selection of drinks.
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Review from Tim B.
Chicago, IL
10/30/2010
I'll say this, the place has character!
Went there for the first time the other night. Last Wednesday I think. I'm not completely sure, because well.....I drank enough whiskey to shut the place down....
Great space. I mean just a great space to hang out in. I'll be back very often think...
Heads up on the cash only bar though...I didn't know that and had to go get to an ATM....there's one at Underbar on Western just around the corner if ya need one....
How long did it take to find that many different tables and chairs that I wish I had in my apartment? I ask you! -
Review from Michael S.
Denver, CO
10/25/2007
DAMN, THEY GAVE ME A VERY HARD TIME ABOUT BRINGING MY KIDS IN THERE TO HEAR ONE OF MY OTHER KIDS PERFORM.
My 15 year-old daughter was performing here last night for her banjo recital along with her Old Town School of Music class. She was to be on stage with her entire class, consisting of about ten adults, for about ten minutes.
I arrived at the front door right at 8 pm when they open; the door was locked, so I knocked. The bartender came to the door, pointed at my boys, (ages 19 and 6), and says in the rudest of rude tone of voice: "What are THEY doing here?"
I explained that my 15 year-old daughter would be performing with the Old Town people and that we were here to hear her and would be leaving when she was done performing. Then the bartender says, "Well, if she is only 15, she can't even perform here; you can't come in."
I looked at my boys and said, "Come on, we're going in." and we did. We just walked in. The bartender said "I can't believe you just did that." I said, "believe it." She said, "you can't do that." I said: "we just did." The bartender stormed away in a huff. And, we proceeded to sit at a table in front of their stage.
As promised, we left forty minutes later when my daughter's class, first to perform, was finished.
I probably wasn't here long enough to give the place a fair shake, and I might go back after reading the many other positive reviews before I sat down to write this one.
But whatever happened to a little common sense and some manners?
EDIT: 10/29/07
Today, someone sent me the review below about the Hungry Brain, and suggested I remove my Hungry Brain review . This new review was written yesterday by Hollie S., who by the way as of today has no other reviews on Yelp:
10/28/07
Okay, just so I get this straight, you brought you kids to a bar, were told you couldn't bring them inside, and then you took them inside anyway? And then you have the nerve to complain about it?
And about the door being locked in a semi-secluded area at night while the bartender was there alone? [NOTE: HOW WOULD THIS REVIEWER KNOW THAT THE BARTENDER WAS THERE ALONE? I DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS ALONE. MY REVIEW SAYS NOTHING ABOUT THAT AT ALL!!! AND IT'S GERMANE, ...WHY, HOLLIE?]
You can go back to "give the place a fair shake," but I doubt you'll be welcome.
Hollie: Thank you for your feedback.
Out of curiousity, today I checked with the Alderman's office about their understanding of applicable law, and I read the pertinent provisions of the Chicago Municipal Code myself. Apparently, there is an Illinois statute that makes it legal for minors to perform (as opposed to drink) in bars. So, according to the Alderman (not a lawyer, I realize) it was legal for my minor daughter to perform at the Hungry Brain.
Am I nuts or is there something ironic and a little messed up about a bar allowing a minor to perform but giving the minor's parent a hard time about that minor's minor sibs, accompanied by an adult, coming in to see the performance? That is the gist of my complaint about the Hungry Brain (even if they have legal discretion to refuse service to anyone, adults included).
I think the Hungry Brain's exercise of discretion in this particular circumstance was awful, because (a) it was legal for me to be in there with my minor children and (b) one of my minor children was performing in there - legally.
The City of Chicago Municipal Code expressly permits a bar owner to allow a person under 21 into the bar if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Here it is:
4-60-140 Prohibited activities.
(a) ... It shall be unlawful for any person licensed to operate a tavern to permit any person under 21 years of age to enter or remain within the licensed premises unless such person is accompanied by a parent or guardian.Listed in: One Star Wonders
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Review from Justin V.
Seattle, WA
2/23/2008
I want to keep you a secret, Hungry brain, but then how would I shout your praises from the rooftops?
I suppose I could go to the rooftops and shout "I HAVE A SECRET!" really loud, but that's almost as annoying as those people who giggle or snort loud enough for everyone to hear but go "Nothing" or "Nevermind" when you ask them what's funny, even though they purposely made a noise so you would ask them what they're laughing at. It's like a game they play where you're supposed to keep asking until YOU look like the annoying one they have to put up with, like you finally pestered the secret out of them, which is ridiculous because they're usually ugly, lonely looking people and you didn't care or want to know in the first place but they kept giggling and it was disturbing you and finally you're like WHAT IS SO FUCKING FUNNY? and they go "Nothing."
I hate those people, Hungry Brain.
Do you know what I don't hate? You, Hungry Brain. I don't hate you at all. You are so dark, like a mysterious Arabic man. Like Sayyid on LOST or something, only a bar. Your jukebox is full and sexy, like a woodsman's beard (not a hipster beard). You have Galaga, and a stage full of sprung couches and thrift store coffeetables (and a piano). You serve PBR in BOTTLES, Hungry Brain, because you're fuckin' classy, dig?
What I'm trying to say, Hungry Brain, is ... well- Would you-
*gets down on one knee, proffers very large, building-shaped ring*
Will you marry me? I love you so much.Listed in: Whiskey Fountains, SO MANY STARS. OMFG.
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Review from neil c.
San Francisco, CA
8/9/2008 1 photo
IPA on tap? Check
Brain motif? Check
Awesome bartenders? Check
Good music? Check
Completely great? Check
Five checks, five stars, end of review.Listed in: Chicagoland
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Review from Kristin C.
Chicago, IL
7/23/2007
If Eric Foreman's basement had a baby with a retro diner you would get the Hungry Brain. There are couches on one end and diner-y booths/tables on the other. Strange, but brilliant.
I like this place. It has a very laid back vibe. I was waiting for someone to stand up and recite poetry but it never happened. Shoot. If you sit at the bar like I did, you can stare at all the kitschy brain-themed items on the shelf. Brain cave, pretty pretty brain cave. . .
I found the beer selection to be average- there were the usual hangover-inducing offenders and some nice mid-range beers. I actually forgot what I drank but it was cold, relatively cheap and bubbly so does it really matter? I would also like to give major props to the Juke Box. How did they know I LOVE Steely Dan??? -
Review from andrew d.
Brooklyn, NY
2/9/2009
Sometimes, at some bar in New York full of screaming people, desperate to prove that the $12 they just paid for some variation of a decent whiskey/vodka was totally worth it, I dream of the Hungry Brain. There, if you get there early enough, you can stake out something comfy and warm, it's like the greatest basement in the world, and watch the world go by with some friends, or somebody you like. And you can just talk, and occasionally get up to go to the jukebox - they used to have every Material Issue album there - and that made it feel like home, even if they only get played once in awhile - and I wonder if they still have all the Material Issue albums there.
It's not O'Rourke's, may O'Rourke's rest in peace, but it'll do while we wait for the heaven that has O'Rourke's. You can drink cheap here, cheap and good. And they don't mind if you go down to the burrito place on Damon and Belmont and bring back something tasty. And that burrito place is good.
I had one of the best conversations of my life here. No, I had two of the best conversations of my life here. I've seen friends perform here and when I moved to New York, this was the bar where I said good bye to Chicago from. Unlike some of the other bars in Chicago I used to like a lot, notably the Hopleaf, the Hungry Brain has continued to be pretty great and I'm happy there every time I'm back.
A bar should be comfy. A bar should be a place where you can drink in peace. A bar should have music that doesn't make you feel like an asshole. A bar should only rip you off a little, just enough to make you know the world's not a sucker. A bar should be a place where you can get a bit too passionate about friends, lovers, politics and art. A bar should have bartenders who don't make you feel like you've got a bit of snot hanging from your upper lip. A bar should let you bring in a tasty burrito when you haven't gotten around to eating. On all these things, I've got to say, the Hungry Brain fulfills every hope one can have.
There are some bars, where even when you're drinking alone, you don't feel lonely, you feel pretty good about the world, the Hungry Brain is one of those. God bless it. -
Review from Kiarash Z.
Lima, OH
1/10/2008
My friend jumped up off a couch and knocked a woman's drink out of her hand. He didn't get booted.
Then I saw Batman at the bar ... in January. Finally, I nearly broke my ass plopping down in an arm chair.
Hungry Brain is like a strange dream, and I wasn't drinking. -
Review from Hannah D.
San Diego, CA
11/26/2007
I once heard you can judge a place by where it lingers...in your heart, in your soul...in your hair.
Please let me preface this by saying that I had a terrible cold while here, and I should apologize to any hipsters I infected with my germs on Sat night.
That being said, I'm looking forward to checking out this place again when I'm well. The bartender was very nice, but not in that overly nice creepy way...just cool and attentive. Even to the point of asking my friend how many shakes of bitters he wanted. I felt very comfortable in the place itself, as I felt my butt sink ever so nicely into the green couch in the corner. If you are allergic to smoke, or perhaps hypersensitive you might need to avoid this place cause damn it gets smokey up in herrre.
All I had to drink was a 4 dollar Guiness (so you know I was really sick) and my friends had 2 mixed drinks that totalled to 7 bucks. Sweet deal! Just make sure you have cash on you, or you'll be hitting the ATM across the street. -
Review from Julia A.
Chicago, IL
9/12/2007
This is quite the hidden little gem. I'm familiar with the neighborhood, but I drove by three times trying to find the place. There's no sign or any indication that there's a bar in this storefront other than a string of Christmas lights in the window.
I liked the place from the first step I took inside. It looks just like my parents' basement circa the mid-80s: cushy vintage couches and mismatched coffee tables, Christmas lights, kooky lamps, and plenty of other kitschy things you have to pause and look at. All the furniture is arranged in small groups, so it would be easy to strike up a conversation with the person across the coffee table from you. The bartender was very sweet and quick to get me my $3 Lienie Red. Mixed drinks here are dirt cheap, nothing over $5 as far as I know, but it seems to be more of a hipster bar than a "dive" bar by definition. There's plenty of weird artwork and Pixies on the jukebox as clues.
Everyone I interacted with in the crowd was friendly, no attitude or pretense whatsoever. I wish I had known about this place when I used to work in the area. I will be back many times.Listed in: Pubs and Dives, Recommended to Me, A Slice of my Life
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Review from Ed T.
Chicago, IL
7/26/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I love the Brain. It's so... divealicious.
It has good beer. It only opens up later in the evening. It only takes cash. It's dark and dingy. And the crowd is not douchey. This is really all I ever wanted in a bar.
(Actually, I lied. It's not that the crowd is merely "not douchey", it's actually "anti douchey." I popped back to town in the midst of various Roscoe Village meat festivals / street fests / whatever else and every little bar was a weird stroller parade. Yes, even Miller's Tap, which you'd think would be worlds colliding in a way that would produce anti-matter or something. But Hungry Brain? Nothing but chill regulars.) -
Review from Jess S.
Chicago, IL
10/23/2006
I like the kitschy ashtrays. A lot. I think they are what keeps me coming back.
Or is it the cheap drinks?
Or the nice bartenders?
Or the couches?
Or the abundance of seating?
Or the awesome jukebox?
Or how I love coming here any day of the week with one person or 10 people.
Wish it was closer to my house. Thank god for the Western bus.Listed in: I'd be a regular here.
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Review from T M.
Chicago, IL
11/13/2007
There is a sign I want, an instance of which adorns the wall above the bar at the Hungry Brain. It's a very old Dewar's ad, depicting a nattily dressed gent reclining on a chaise lounge.
The caption reads: "A philosopher is someone who can look at a glass that's half-empty with a smile."
Given how intertwined alcohol and philosophy have been, attested to in works ranging from Plato's Symposium (and elsewhere in his corpus) to Nietzsche's snide remark in Twilight of the Idols regarding "how much beer there is in German thought," I can only conclude that advertising at some point may have aspired to loftier heights.
But if you've argued too long over whether Hegel is an idealist because of his epistemological and metaphysical principles or because of his conception of how and why world history develops in the way that it does, you can always play a game of Galaga or Arkanoid (with the dial control!).
All the bartenders here are very friendly, and the drinks are made well and reasonably priced (and what true student of philosophy is not on a heavy budget?). It can get a bit smoky, but in a few months that'll be over anyway.Listed in: Nightlife?
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Review from John W.
Chicago, IL
2/21/2010
Just went there last night for Letters X, Letters XXX would be better but I had a good time just seeing it with the one X. There isn't a reason in the world you shouldn't go see this show, it's free and its good. A little too short but again, free.
Not a bad bar otherwise either. The jukebox rocks! We heard Ramones, Gogol Bordello, Fugazi and all kinds of other shit.
They have a respectable enough beer selection as well but nothing too elaborate.
Even without a production going on I would hang out at this bar...If I lived anywhere near it. -
Review from Christian W.
Chicago, IL
10/24/2010
This is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it kind of place. The lights are real low (Which makes me even more attractive to the opposite sex, hooray!), the music isn't obnoxious, and everyone here is here to chill out and have a beer or two.
There are a couple of couches. And some lamps sparsed out. Reminds me of getting drunk in basements during high school, but even better. -
Review from John H.
6/16/2010
I don't know of many dives where you can get a bottle of Dogfish Head for $3.50. Holy crap. What cruel god kept me away from this place for so long?
Whenever you see a bar selling a beer like that at a price like that, you know you're dealing with owners that are more interested in seeing their patrons have a good time than anything else. I'm a fan.
Bring your flashlight. It feels like an old neighborhood power outage shindig. Fortunately the power is still on, though, and you get to reap the benefits of a phenomenally good jukebox. -
Review from Drea C.
Chicago, IL
7/24/2007
At the moment, this is my favorite bar. And I'm NOT a pothead...
Maybe I like to keep things low-key. Maybe I like to feel like I've stepped back in time. And maybe, just maybe I dig dim-lighting but no matter what the reason is for my attraction, this place rules!
You walk in and immediately your shoulders hunch just a bit, your hair becomes unraveled and your craving for fine wine is out the window. This is the type of bar you bring friends to and also the type of bar you MAKE friends at. The beer is cheap enough. The music is good enough. And those deep, vintage sofas make you feel cozy enough.
It also doesn't hurt that John, the bartender is seriously cute... My sister and I both agree. WINK! -
Review from Chris W.
Chicago, IL
4/24/2009
Coming here I was hoping it would be a wee bit more chill but honestly I was pleased after I got over how loud it was. Not just the music they were playing but the people were just obnoxiously loud. That's my number one complaint with certain bars is the noise factor. It's dim, there's a bunch of tables with relatively comfy seats but the best place to chill is up on the little stage like area which is elevated where they have sofas and tables. If you sit there, you're bound to have a good time. The bartender we met was a badass, he was a younger guy with longer hair. Everyone in this joint looks like a hipster by the way.
We were going to take some umbrella that somebody left and he went, "hey man I don't see anything!" which was cute, then when the guy who lost his umbrella came back and we returned it to him we told the bartender later and he ended up joking about ridiculous ways we should have given it back to him. Haha, he was a fun guy and made some sick whiskey sours. Art and décor is cute here. I wish it was more horror and or/smartly decorated though. For a hungry brain bar and all. My brain was still hungry leaving, but that's what late night Mexican food and conversation on the ride home is for I suppose.Listed in: Looks that are Decieving!
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Review from Jesse A.
3/8/2009
Letters/X was kick ass last night at the Hungry Brain. Hilarious.
Sure sure, the hungry brain was as crowded as can be, packed to the brim during Letters/X, but no one was pushy.
The beer is so cheap, with plenty of options to choose from. It's comfy, cheerful, and has a great stage. Moreover, the fact that it is called THE HUNGRY BRAIN just about earns it 5 stars on its own. We had a friendly bartender too.
And the Tamales man came, and made us even cheerier.
Bit of a pain in the ass to get to if you don't have a car and don't live near the Western bus... but hey, I'm glad I suffered through the torrential rain and long soggy bus stop interludes. -
Review from Valerie M.
2/9/2009
I went for a birthday party.
Just looking up the address for a place called 'Hungry Brain' (two stars)
Went to bar to order and saw scrawled on a small chalk board for specials "Harp $3" (up to three stars)
Free theatre, great attitudes and cash only - which sticks to bar top as you order up (four stars and counting)
I went to order a girlie shot for the birthday girl (chocolate cake to be exact), the bartender looked me in the eye and said, "I don't make that." (that's right, you've just gotten Woohoo! 5 stars)
It feeds my hungry brain. -
Review from Brian P.
Chicago, IL
4/10/2009
There's a bar for every personality type and the Hungry Brain is exactly what I need it to be. The times I've been here have been miniature-sacred experiences. I'm afraid I'll come here too much and end up taking it for granted.
It's this beautiful secret spot, quite removed from any neighborhoods that have busy nightlife foot traffic. It feels like a little far-out space station where everything outside temporarily goes on pause. Or maybe a submarine at the end of time. Or somebody's basement from an alternate dimension. Something like that.
I like this bar because you can walk into it and be able to find a seat no problem, be able to talk, and get a drink without a long wait. The empty weeknights are the absolute best. The bartenders are just amazingly normal, nice people. No attitudes or elitism. Drinks are relatively cheap. You can play Arkanoid and Ms. Pacman. There is some amazing artwork on the walls.
The Sunday night jazz shows, or at least the one I saw, was amazing. So good.
And any place that has a jukebox where I can force the entire room to listen to Ween gets an A+ in my book. -
Review from Rachel L.
8/14/2011
Love this place! The staff behind the bar are nice and laid back. The decor and furniture is comfy and eclectic. I didn't think it was possible to have a dive bar with personality, but they nailed it.
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Review from David G.
8/29/2007
As jaded as I am about most dive bars that turn trendy in Los Angeles, the Hungry Brain was a pleasant surprise and change of pace while I was in the Chicago area. Hanging out there with friends was further sweetened with the ample seating area, cheap-ass drinks and the lack of overbear music that usually requires shouting in a fellow's ear just to carry a conversation.
Big props to my boy, Makoto, for introducing my friends and I to this speakeasy-like dive bar. The atmosphere is both warm and inviting due to the unpretentious patrons, the dim lights and seating arrangements. It was nice to move the various seats around so that we could all sit in a circle and carry on a conversation. The bar was roomy enough to make frequent trips back to the bar for more and more drinks. Did I mention the drinks were cheap? -
Review from Timothy M.
Chicago, IL
11/20/2006
Almost reason enough to move to Roscoe Village. Well, that and maybe chicken and waffles.
This bar has great beer at decent prices and a Centipede game. I like the layout, it's very open with a bar, some tables, and couches. It's pretty unmarked on the outside, so you just have to know what you're looking for, I guess.
The clientle is pretty diverse, but mostly of the white young 20-somethings set. But no one is snobbish and it never gets annoyingly packed. Drinks are pretty cheap and seating is abundant.
I definitely recommend this place!Listed in: My Favorite Bars
