Joe's On Broadway
3563 N Broadway St
(between Addison St & Brompton Ave)
Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 528-1054
- Nearest Transit:
Addison (Red)
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Music: Juke Box
- Best Nights: Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour: No
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Coat Check: No
13 Reviews for Joe's On Broadway
It's a total dump, but I love it! I have a good friend in the area, and she and I have spent many a night drinking way too many vodka tonics and telling each other ALL. This is a great bar for those sorts of activities. I think we hatched a plan here, long ago one night, to move to Germany and open a hotel/cafe. Yeah. Watch this space for how that pans out.
I'm sorry to be the party pooper, but it's time to be the Kindergarten Cop when it comes to Joe's. Listen, I love a good dive more than anyone. My favorite bars include Home of Champions, the Sovereign, and Christina's. But there's something about Joe's I just can't shake. See, it was my first "round the corner" place when I first moved to the city. I think I may have spent too much time there breaking in barstools. Ever see "Trees Lounge" with Steve Buscemi? That's what Joe's is. A bar for folks to die in. I feel weird when I walk past it these days. Kind of a reminder of some weird times in my life.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
This is a true neighborhood bar. I grew up in Milwaukee where there are 2-3 bars on nearly every corner. Just a simple place to relax, sink into the woodwork and forget about the day's troubles.
The clientele? Everybody. I't mostly straight, but as a gay guy I've always felt welcomed there. But this it's not the kind of place I'd go for any kind of pick up--straight, gay or in between. It's just a plain old American neighborhood hang out. Go, relax, enjoy and go home. Conversation is relatively easy and plentiful. Just be nice and that's what you'll find in return.
And they even have carry outs, so you can take a six pack or a 1/2 pint hip flask home for those really rough nights. Welcome to America!
How could you not love Joe's? It's got a screen door, which is a sure sign of a quality dive. Staff is likeably surly - they'll gladly chat with you but they won't take crap from anyone. Drinks are cheap, the music isn't too loud, and now that the smoking ban is in effect, I can actually breathe inside!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
I came her with a friend after seeing her show, we were looking for a place to have a few drinks, some conversation, catch up and have a good time. We walked around and found Joe's.... Is it fancy? No. Is it pristine? No. Is it fairly inexpensive, friendly staff and interesting people watching? Yes. Will I be back? Sure.
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Funny (2)
Cool (4)
This place is a great dive. The bar smells, the bathroom is too small, the dart board is a piece of shit, and the jukebox has outdated selections. However, when I went to Joe's on a cold November afternoon to kill time, that was exactly what I was looking for... a mellow place to get my drink on. The staff was friendly, the bar stool was comfortable, and the drinks were reasonably cheap. I half expected Norm's fat ass to saunter out of the bathroom with a pithy quote for Sam Malone. What more could you ask for in a neighborhood dive? Also, if you are looking for a place to bring a large group of friends, Joe's probably isn't the place as the seating is very limited.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
D-I-V-E! Everyone knows that! What's so great is that the crowd that hangs in there is super chilled out, the staff is friendly (and always it's the same few bartenders), the juke box is old-school, and the GIANT Newcastle beers they serve are MUCHO FRIO! Yes, they serve these gigantic, super-cold bottles of Newcastle beer for like $6 or something. They must be like, double-bottles or something. So very refreshing on a hot Summer day. All of the above is why I go to Joe's (that and the fact that I live around the corner!).
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Oh Joe, I can walk to you easily, push open your screen door and order a drink while inhaling an entire pack of cigarettes in one deep breath. I like the windows seats, they make for good people watching. The jukebox is very classic rocky, which is appropriate for this place. The bartender may look like your sweet gramma but she's not taking any of your crap so don't even try it. I love the list they have on the wall about how much they charge per lie if someone calls looking for you...one of the lies is to tell the caller you're over at Jewel.
People thought this was:
Funny (3)
This is my local and I love it. It's like the bartenders and the regulars have a sixth sense about patrons. I've never had a bad experience, but I've seen groups of folks who would probably be happier in a trendy club walk in, turn around, and come right back out, complaining about the dirty looks they just got. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that it gets unbearably smoky in there. I know, it's part of what makes a dive bar a dive bar, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
A nice monday night, sipping a beer and listening to the jokes of the people around. I like the atmosphere of this place.
Good thing I have it around the corner.
Good place to go whe you have a quiet evening at home.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
This place is an absolute dive... but a complete breath of fresh air to the Lakeview/Wrigleyville scene. It is small, worn and gritty... yet is quaint, quiet and the prices are great. I believe I had a few of the 22oz Newcastles for like $6 or $7 a piece.
There comes a time when it is nice to go to a bar with a couple of friends, have a few beers and hold a lengthy conversation about some ambiguous subject... Joe's on Broadway is the place for that. They will have a jukebox playing, but not so loud that you can't hear the person next to you.
This is not the place to go hook up, dress to impress or run into some guy you knew from the days in the fraternity.... But it is a great place to calm down, enjoy a drink, enjoy a friend and enjoy an atmosphere.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
5 stars on the dive bar scale.
Bartender was very friendly and attentive.
Low(er) price for beer.
If you sit near the window it is a nice view of broadway and addison.
This is the best bar to hang out in Lakeview. Lots of regulars and normal folks. Has gotten more crowded in recent years. I remember the days of being the only two people in the bar and chosing which channel to turn the TV but then again that was 9 years ago! Very cool place. Lots of history and good cold beer! Bartenders are very friendly. Love the tiny restrooms!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
My Neighborhood
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,… -
Obligatory Dive Bar List
Everyone's doing 'em - dive bars, that is. I've…
Hot and New
- Mado
31 reviews
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
- Mixteco Grill
37 reviews
Neighborhood: Lakeview
- Tiztal Cafe
15 reviews
Chicago, IL
- Sura Thai Bistro
115 reviews
Neighborhood: Lakeview
- CJ's Eatery
29 reviews
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park
