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The Long Room
- Nearest Transit:
-
Irving Park-Brown (Brown Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 5 pm - 2 am
Sat 5 pm - 3 am
Sun 7 pm - 2 am
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
184 reviews for The Long Room
Review Highlights
"The beer selection changes every other week."
(in 43 reviews)
"And the Tamale Guy frequents the place."
(in 14 reviews)
"The third beer was Three Floyds' Moloko Milk Stout."
(in 6 reviews)
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184 reviews in English
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Review from Kyle H.
12/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Long Room has been upping the game in North Center for over ten years! And it's good to see it hasn't really changed. Got there early on a fun Saturday night and a few couples and regulars were there, then by 11pm it got really packed! But in a good way.
This place has a great beer and wine list, friendly quick bar service, and is good for dates, friends or groups!
Whoever was manning the music had my ear, and it wasn't so loud you couldn't talk to the person across from you comfortably, which is big in my book. I'm a huge fan of a good beer list, and was sampling from their 12 Beers of Christmas all night. Bell's, Great Lakes- what is not to love?
I see myself coming to this area more often, so I definitely see more Long Room in my future!Listed in: Oh, The Places That I'll Go!, Get Your Suds On
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Review from Lala S.
Chicago, IL
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
I like this place. I first came here with my bff and her dad back in the day. He had read they had Old Fog Horn on tap and of course they didn't have it the one day we went in for it. I'm pretty sure they don't have it anymore all around.
I've been frequenting this place a lot more regularly in the past 2 years and it's a nice bar. It's not very loud so it's a great get together spot. They have ample seating and a back enclosed porch area (which I just found out about).
Prices are decent and aren't over the top. They also have free parking (bring a designated driver lol) -
Review from Courtney W.
Chicago, IL
11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I must say, I was very apprehensive about trying this place out. I don't hang out in this area very often so I wasn't sure what to expect. A friend of my boyfriend hangs out here quite often and convinced me to come out for a few drinks. I'm so glad that I did!
First off, they have a parking lot. It's small and is shared by one other place but if you can snag a spot, it's great. It's also right across the street from The Diner Grill and The Piggery so if you get hungry, you've got options. True to its name, it's quite a long bar. I thought it would be packed at 10 pm on a Saturday but to my surprise, it was just busy but you could still move around. We were able to grab two stools near the back near my boyfriend's friends. It was loud but not too loud and the music as adjusted depending on the amount of people in the bar, a definite plus.
Now for the menu. I was shocked by the amount of beers on tap. They had Great Lakes Christmas Ale and at $5 a glass I couldn't pass it up. I wanted to switch it up for my second round so I ordered an Original Sin Hard Cider, pretty tasty. For my last round I got an Allagash White. There was so much to choose from, I was very impressed.
It did get a bit hot and people were starting to sweat on me. That's when you either need to open the door or turn the heat down people. I know this is typical of bars on busy nights but you have to adjust to keep everyone comfortable. There wasn't any dancing going on, just people have a good time with an awesome selection of reasonably priced drinks. -
Review from Hillary M.
Chicago, IL
1/25/2012
Really great beer selection and atmosphere. Never obnoxious, crowded or loud. The patio garden is magical in the summertime.
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Review from Jelena Z.
8/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Long Room = Long list of awesome.
Vintage photobooth
Beautiful beer garden
Bounteous beer list
Parking lot
Terrific tunes
A friendly vibe that's more mellow than the yellow
Cute + charming bartenders, without the smarmy slickness
What else do you need? I can dig it, all night long... you've got a new fan in the 'hood! -
Review from James D.
Chicago, IL
12/16/2011
This is a weird mix of a neighborhood dive combined with an ever changing array of awesome beer. I really love the inside and it's vintage bar and woodwork. Service seems to be great sometimes and terrible other times. They do have their regulars so you may feel out of place if it's hoppin' in the long room. I like to go here when I know its going to be slow. Its just a cool place to sit and have a beer.
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Review from Patrick B.
8/31/2011
All I can do is to echo some of the more informative reviews of the Long Room..
My brother and I were looking for a unique bar to check out that we had never been to, different from the usual North neighborhoods sports bar establishment.
On paper the Long Room sounded great; laid back vibe, notable beer list, and cool venue.
In reality as other reviewers have noted the truth meant impossibly long waits to get a drink, not as impressive beer list as one might've expected, and a strange environment and ambiance once inside.
Its a shame there aren't many other bars around there because we were definitely wanting to head elsewhere after finishing our first round. -
Review from Lakshmi R.
Chicago, IL
6/27/2011
Whoa. What a surprise. Met up with a friend here and were expecting just another neighborhood dive. I've driven by The Long Room a hundred times and never thought twice about it. From the outside, it looks like any other super dark bar.
Well, it is super dark. And that's only one aspect of its charm. The bar has a GREAT draft beer selection, is very reasonably priced, and offers lots of bottled options too. The woman behind the bar was super nice. And the patio hidden in the back was even better. Oh - and there's a photo booth!
This may be my new favorite spot for summertime drinking. -
Review from Stacey A.
Updated - 5/18/2011
If The Long Room was a person, I would have married it by now.
As it stands, it's my go-to bar for just about every instance I can think of:
- I want to dick around in a photo booth
- I want to drink beer and also take my dog to the bar
- I want to pay $1 for a can of PBR
- I want to pay $2 for a shot of Jim Beam
- I have an uncontrollable urge to drink a bar out of Duchesse de Bourgogne (THE MOST DELICIOUS BEER KNOWN TO MAN) again
- I want to say hi to all the bartenders
- Someone is visiting Chicago and likes beer
- I'm thirsty1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/9/2009
I've lived within stumbling distance of this place for about 2.5 years and had never been until last… Read more »
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Review from Jackie O.
Chicago, IL
6/13/2011
The longness of the bar does weird you out a bit, as if looking at it, the bar is half the length with a floor-to-ceiling mirror creating that double-length illusion designers use in tiny bars. When my friend and I came in here, we grabbed the first open seats we saw. I'm now very curious about this patio I heard of on here....
This place has everything I love about a bar. A vintage inspired style, a crafted beer list, and a staff that can explain that beer list to you. No TV. Hipsters, squares and suits alike gather here. There's the old execs who've been out since happy hour knocking back rocks glasses of whiskey. There's the beer aficionado who gobbles up the bartender's time and leaves everyone else waiting for drinks. There's the 21 year-old spending his last $15 on cans of PBR. But do you know who you don't see? Drunk cock-teases in four-inch heels, or the Miller Lite and Jager Bomb slamming "bros" that follow them around. It's fantastic. -
Review from Malana W.
Oak Forest, IL
8/9/2011
This is one of my most favorite places to go to on a Friday after a rough work week! If you have an issue with crowds this spot is usually packed on the weekends. However, on a Friday night after work you can expect a fairly quiet evening.
We've become regulars at this location for multiple reasons. The Parking lot is most definitely a help! Especially since I hate searching for parking on the street. There is also this neighborhood bar feel when you go there enough Friday's in a row. The bartender knows your favorites and more importantly knows how to make a stiff drink when need be. The extensive beer list helps too! My personal favorite that I cannot seem to get anywhere else is Original Sin.
Another fave is the music. We never feel the need to hit up the juke box when we are there. Many wasted dollars have gone into the juke box at other locations because the music simply sucks. Not at the Long Room--there is always a good eclectic sound going on in the background.
I have yet to visit the beer garden or the photo booth. I'm one who'd much rather enjoy sitting at her favorite table where it's cool than outside. There is always an intent to hit up the photo booth but we never do. Oh well! Maybe someday.
Give the Long Room a shot and you won't be disappointed! -
Review from Aaron K.
6/12/2011
Nice little neighborhood joint with a delightful selection of craft beer on tap. The place is a small slice of the late 1940's - early 1950's Chicago bar scene. Such a gem! The patio out back is a great place to meet up with a few friends on a sunny afternoon and enjoy the latest selection on draft.
The Long Room does not have a kitchen, but I have witnessed people ordering in (I believe they even store delivery menus behind the bar.) They also don't have TV's. This means you actually have to have a conversation with your companions - what a refreshing concept. -
Review from dan l.
Chicago, IL
10/29/2011
I've never been here not on a date, if that helps. It's dimly lit, has a fabulous beer selection, and as the name suggests, is a long narrow room. They generally play terrific music and have always been welcoming. I dig this place. Recommended!!
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Review from Christine S.
Chicago, IL
6/7/2011
Wow, what a long room you have here... hahah, yup it's called The Long Room for a reason.
Large patio. Friendly Staff. PHOTO BOOTH (always a favorite of mine). Decent drink prices. Free parking lot.
They also have a good selection for some late night intermissions (i.e., Diner Grill) -
Review from Nick M.
1/20/2011
I know I should have written this a few months back when I stopped in for the coolest person in the world Vanessa M's B-day party but it's ok because in Yelp Land it's like it was yesterday.
I understand where they got their name with how long their bar is but it could have also been called "The Kick Ass Room" because this place kick's ass! I mean come on, a place that Queen Colleen, Andy, Michelle, The Mick's, and a few others give five stars how could you go wrong?! All the cool kids are hanging out here.
Besides the long bar it has a few nooks to chill in. This guys here (points to self even while typing this) is a big fan of the nooks! Plus the patio rocks as well. The only thing I would wish for is a better bartender or maybe even two so so ones. It took way to long to get a drink she just didn't pay attention and she moved very slowly.
You would never guess it by looking at the front of the building but this is a very cool hangout. It's a BYOF kind of place but the tamale guy stops in. Oh and there is a photobooth to get into trouble with. Sounds like a good night to me!Listed in: Lakeview
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Review from Meghan P.
Chicago, IL
2/3/2011
I finally feel compelled to review this place... its been a few visits to get a real read on it and I dig it.
There's a real chill-ness to the place that really is inviting to all types. It can seem a bit hipster in the dark and when it gets more crowded, however its a really fun place to come and enjoy a variety of beers! The selection of beers is truly unique and one of the best in the area really.
I love going with a friend to sit at the long sultry bar... because lets face it at first it seems awkward and then you realize you can saddle up to the bar amongst many and its like this experience that's truly pleasant.
Or you can cozy up in a booth with a little group of friends and its totally fun! Especially in these cold winter months...
and when you're feeling a little crrrazy hop into that photo booth to make your memories of a truly fun and authentic evening in chicago.
This place really does have the essence of Chicago's upscale-dive juxtaposition down. -
Review from Heather R.
Chicago, IL
5/30/2011
Yes, it's a long bar in one small room, and that may seem like it's nothing special, but it truly is. It has a lot of heart, a lot of good beer, friendly bartenders, and again a lot of good beer.
I love the attitude of this bar, as well as the people who work at it and visit it. The bartenders always greet you with a smile, say "hi", and notice when you are standing, waiting to get served----unlike 90% of the other Chicago bars. They have a ridiculous list of beers, and for a great price.
If you have a well behaved dog, you're welcome to bring it with you. If you're hungry? Rest assured, the tamale guy will show up at some point during the night, or you can ask for their box of take out menus and order your food. It's my favorite bar to go to in the winter, but I could go at anytime. No d-bags or snobs allowed!!! -
Review from Craig D.
Chicago, IL
1/23/2011
Checked out The Long Room for the first time last night and was very impressed. We live a bit West and are always hesitant to try new bars in the area because we've found that so many are stuck up and overpriced. At the suggestion of a friend, we all met up here to down a few and try out their Manhattan special ($5). To our surprise, not only were the Manhattan's tasty (and strong) but the atmosphere was perfect. Laid back, ample room to stand or sit, and the music was kept at a level to where you could still hear your friends.
After the Manhattan's, we sampled some beers and found their list of draft's and bottles to be pretty extensive for what seems like a small neighborhood bar from the outside.
Would recommend to anyone looking for a laid back place to meet up with friends and down a few tasty libations. -
Review from Michael G.
Rockville, MD
9/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
Lakecenternorthview is all growned up! This area, when I lived here about a decade ago, used to be nothing but Lakeview High School, the Popeye's, and Diner Grill (which closed down for health violations at one point when I lived near it). Now it's a cosmopolitan mishmash of everything restaurant-wise. But while this area has put on its big kid neighborhood pants, one thing has remained constant - The Long Room. This place is an institution. In fact, it's so much of one that no one I've talked to can remember exactly when it opened.
This confusion has led some people to conclude it's just always been there and made for a cottage industry of "Tall Tales About The Long Room." Here are some of my favorites:
- Al Capone used to conduct business on its beer garden. Here's a little known fact: Alfonse was a sucker for the Long Room's $1 Pabst Blue Ribbon special. Except, you know, back in his day it was .01 cent PBR. He liked the anonymity the spacious wooden patio provided.
- The (now antique) photo booth was once used by Marilyn Monroe to take saucy pictures with Richard J. Daley. These, unfortunately, are not featured on the wall of regular customers that decorates the back room and its soft leather couches. They used to be, but they were stolen by John Cusack on a dare from Jeremy Piven.
- The serving bar is so long (how the place gets its name) that Cubs batters mistakenly aim for it thinking that it's an extra wall at Wrigley Field worth double the home run points (yeah, I stopped following baseball a while ago and have forgotten its rules).
- There is so much seating that during the Great Chicago Fire, it was used as a refuge for those with a taste for "the devil's mead" and their extended families to pass the time while their homes were being reconstructed.
- So many Belgian beers are served, that a small portion of the aforementioned bar is occupied by the "office" of a "cultural attache" from the Belgian embassy. At least that's his cover story (SPY!).
The truth about Long Bar is this: it's just an incredible bar. The music tends toward alternative from the 1980s and 1990s (there was a lot of The Smiths). The crowd is laid back. Plus, it's a popular hangout for people who work at the Threadless warehouse - if you want to get in good with them and get free shirts and such. The beer is cold and the service quick. And it really is a staple of the neighborhood. No matter how long it's been there (ten billion years or so).Listed in: Lakeview Schmakeview
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Review from Vanessa M.
Chicago, IL
9/17/2010
I have lived in this area for the past couple of years and finally made it over here on Tuesday to celebrate my birthday. On a recommendation by Mike K and Mike S, I decided to celebrate here with friends. I tried calling a couple of times before Tuesday to give the bar a heads up that I was coming in with 25-30 people, but no one ever answered the phone.
There's a great beer selection, including the drafts. They have your standard Buds and Millers, but the real stars are the hard to find beers that many bars are just starting to carry. The bartender, Nicole, tried to be on top of things as best as she could. We even did a birthday tequila shot together.
Other notes: casual, has a photobooth (which I forgot about due to some tequila), and a nice patio. They don't have food, but you are able to bring it in, if need be. And the Tamale Guy frequents the place. A good, solid bar all around.Listed in: Into the Great Wide Open/…
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Review from Danielle C.
Chicago, IL
9/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
WHY do I ALWAYS forget about this place???
My brain, for no apparent reason, seems to totally blank on this WONDERFUL, COMFY, Non Pretentious, NON Stinky old man, BAR! But- to keep it accessible, you can forget about it too!
Great photo booth- and quiet room surrounding the photo booth with COMFY couches.
Friendly, easy pouring bartenders.
AWESOME selection of beers.
Music at a level where you can talk but still enjoy the tunes!
Back beer garden.
Parking (if you are driving and not drinking)- there is a lot and ample street room.
Close to public trans if you are indulging- not to mention- pretty easy to grab a cab!
ENJOY!Listed in: Places that I have had a few…
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Review from Dan G.
7/5/2011
It's true. It is a Long Room. Not only that but an ever-changing lineup of topnotch, "dank" beers on tap. They practically give you a beer menu the size of War & Peace. Friendly bartenders that will give you suggestions not only what is on tap but the extensive bottle and can list. And don't forget they have the cheap stuff for well...cheap prices PBR, Schlitz, and Old Style all can be found here for a hell of a price. Decent tunes, jazz sometimes on Sundays, and usually a fun crowd. Great beer, long room, and plenty of smiles, that sums up this great bar.
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Review from Ryan F.
Chicago, IL
4/1/2011
I really wanted to like this place.
I checked this place out for there dogfish head night of the dogs event. I was excited to try all the rare beers and better yet at a bar in my neighborhood. The place was packed with people who love beer they could have used a couple more bartenders but i didn't mind waiting for a drink. The problem was when they started filming a PBR beer commercial inside the bar and had a fake bartender for the commercial. REALLY guys you decide to film a PBR commercial at your bar when your having a Dogfish head beer night? It's a slap in the face to the promotion that everyone was there for. I was shocked closed out my tab and left and wont be back. -
Review from Sid V.
Chicago, IL
8/5/2011
The Long Room is just that, a long, dark room. But it's a long room with a great beer list that puts it among the top 10 places for beer in the city if you are one who seeks out new and interesting malted beverages. The outdoor area was a sharp contrast, like a little slice of Wrigleyville moved a mile northwest, but the inside is nothing like that but rather a proper tavern with generally good music playing, competent servers and a general ambiance conducive to as much or little drinking as you care to do for the evening. They have a parking lot too, courtesy of the folded-up-shop Merlin Mufflers next door.
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Review from Borracho G.
Chicago, IL
7/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
For some reason I always thought the place was a hip martini lounge. Turns out it's a long darkly lit dive bar. When I say dive bar, I don't mean a dirty urine smelling bar with the sad faces, I mean a bar that doesn't need to rely on fancy decor or cheap beer specials. The Long Room has an extensive beer list with a great selection of craft beers on tap. Thankfully this place seems to attract the true drinkers and the easy going bar patrons with good attitudes and less of the fist bumpers and hootch heels. Looks like this bar will soon be high on my check in's.
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Review from William R.
Chicago, IL
8/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
First Sunday of every month they have a great blues band that plays, Tuesdays they have $1 PBRs, friendly staff comfortable atmosphere!
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Review from John W.
Chicago, IL
7/25/2010
Something about this place just did not sit well with me. I was expecting something chill and friendly, but there was something hostile in the air all night...from both the bartender (owner?) and the crowd.
The beer list is pretty alright, not huge but big with lots of things I wanted to try.
But there are better, friendlier places all over the city. -
Review from Kaitlyn P.
Chicago, IL
8/1/2010
I wanted to like this place a lot more than I actually did.
The bar itself was a great space: a long, worn wooden bar, funky retro liquor shelves strung up with lights, and a small but cozy patio out back. The beer selection is good, with lots of Belgians and microbrews that you won't find at your average bar. But the overall vibe was just kind of weird.
It was hard to get service (and the long bar is no excuse - I stood for about five minutes just a few feet away from one bartender who couldn't be bothered to look up from whatever was going on under the bar. A bar back finally came over to give me a menu.) There was no server on the patio, and the service we finally got inside just wasn't that friendly. They also closed the patio on us when we stepped inside for a second, which was a bit surreal.
Overall, just okay. -
Review from Brittany C.
Chicago, IL
7/7/2010
I love the extensive beer menu: complete with vivid and fail-proof descriptions of each brew. Including alcohol content: DOUBLE PLUS. GREAT prices: TRIPLE PLUS.
I love the bartender: non-intrusive, friendly enough.
I love the parking lot: for those that need to make it so far north and aren't having the brown line.
I like the outdoor patio, quiet enough, large enough. Bright enough.
I like the bring your own food concept. BYOF!
I like the photo booth and atmosphere of the indoor space. Kind of old-school, understated sexy.
I don't like that I saw a certain critter, usually associated with trash, about the crawl up my sandal.
You could say it was a fluke. You could say ALL places in the city have such critters. You could say that I was outside and I should expect this. And I would say, you are probably right. But I am still disappointed that out of all I liked, this is the persistent thought in my head. Darn. This was going to be my new favorite place...Too bad I am such a girl.
Maybe I'll come down with a case of amnesia. -
Review from Karen A.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 8/22/2010
The owners have not figured out that the bar is so damn long that they need more bartenders.
You could wait a half hour on a weekend just to catch the bartenders eye, let alone a drink.Listed in: SPECIAL, Slackertime. Yeah., Lusty Libido Lounges, Average at Best
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/13/2007
Size matters:)
Nice local, very long, bar. Nice whiskey and beer selection, and the tamale man has… Read more »
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Review from Colleen C.
Brooklyn, NY
Updated - 8/21/2009
This place *might* win my heart...best bar in the city? The world?
It's truly, and convincingly possible.
Allagash on draught (oh, thank you PDX) + a vintage photobooth = most of my bar-like dreams come true. Frothy "black 'n white" smiles are utter perfection.
The music is never intrusive, nor are the patrons/staff (excludes Fridays/Saturdays). People have discovered the charms of this place, I recommend a weekday, if possible.
Sidenote/random bonus: The lot next door is free parking for Long Room AND Diner Grill is across the street. I've just planned a perfect night for you! Enjoy ;)
ps. Anyone know where they get those radical light fixtures? I want one.Listed in: X80, baby!, Bars I do not hate., Allagash White Beer, Photobooth Mission: Smile x 4!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/15/2008
Jimminy Christmas, what took me so long to get here? I love this place!
Great beer selection (though… Read more »
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Review from Kim J.
Chicago, IL
4/5/2009 ROTD 11/23/2009
A long list of reasons that I love the Long Room:
1. Holy beer selection, Batman! Usually 10-15 good drafts and 75 or so awesome bottles. And it changes!
2. Truth in advertising - this is one loooooooong room.
3. On Saturday nights, both the real tamale guy and the impostor are guaranteed to show up. (Confession: I like the impostor's cheese tamales better than Claudio's.)
4. The bartenders are super-nice. (And one of them thought my friend was cute! If he calls her I'll bump it up a star.)
5. A photo booth? Yee haw!
6. The back patio is absolutely lovely during the summer months.
7. They have a parking lot! It is just west of the bar on Irving. It's only open after regular business hours, but it's a nice feature.
8. They're across the street from the Diner Grill! You can drink all the awesome beer you want and then wash it down with a Slinger. :)
9. Chill, laid back patrons.
10. Live music! -
Review from Steven R.
4/29/2010
This bar gets 5 stars for being literal.
The long room truly is a very long room. Maybe it would be more appropriate if I said I loooooooooooooooooove the Long Room. And I do.
Right when I walked in, I was enamored with this place. The ambiance and mood are awesome, very reminiscent of some of the dark bars I used to frequent in San Francisco. This is definitely more a conversation and drinking bar than a sports (no TVs) or games (ie shuffleboard, etc) kind of bar. Tons of seating and the space is pretty good. It's convenient to the Brown Line which can kind of help given the shady parking situation because of Cubs games.
Of course as is requisite of most bars I like, this place also has an outstanding beer selection. A good number of interesting things on tap including Stone Imperial Stout, Mikkaeler Tripel, Goose Island CBC, Two Brothers Long Haul, Delerium and more. They've also got a pretty expansive bottle list, if that is your thing, ranging anywhere from the expensive to the exotic.
Overall, a great place to down a couple and chat. -
Review from Amanda Z.
3/1/2009
I've had a few trips to the Long Room, and none have left me disappointed. One was after an amazing non-date*, and the latest was with my lovely girlfriends, on a mission to continue our fun and fantastic evening out. (According to our cabbie, it was the first of ten bars we would visit that night.)
Great selection of beers, which is much appreciated. I realize that I just wrote a review singing the praises of the $2.50 Miller Lite, but I go both ways. Ugh, I mean with my beer drinking--I like 'em cheap sometimes, and sometimes I like 'em a bit nicer. For what it's worth, LR had a Three Floyds on special for $4 for a pint...not too shabby either.
Well, after the Three Floyds, i realized silly me, it's girls night, I should be drinking vodka. Unfortunately, they did not have my beloved blueberi stoli, but I settled for a regular. And know what? At $6 a pop for my fave vodka drink, I was pleasantly surprised.
Unfortunately, I have not ventured back to the photo booth at this place (shocking, I know), but I have a feeling I'll be back.
*non-date = dinner (or similar outing) where you are seeing someone socially, enjoying his/her company, yet not wanting a relationship. But you're probably making out with that person.Listed in: Beer HERE!
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Review from Kristin C.
Chicago, IL
4/16/2007
I'm all about a new bar experience. My friend Julie suggested a Friday night outing here and I was game. Only time would tell what The Long Room had in store that fateful Saturday night (don. . don. . .donnnn! . )
Well, they weren't messing around when they named this guy "The Long Room". It's a LONG bar. Skinny actually, kind of like a train car. There is ample room in the back for gathering but due to a reserved private party, we were confined to the longest, skinniest part of the bar. Per usual, I asked the bartender for the specials. $5 Manhattans. I think my Dad drinks those?? I got one (cheers, Dad!) and it was STRONG. Holy crappers. It definitely took me a while to suck that back!
I liked the scene here. A nice mix of regulars and irregulars. The tamale guy even made an appearance (but he was there around 10PM! Must be early on his rotation) The photo booth was an adventure even though my melon took up most of the pics. I would like to come back on a weeknight for a couple of beers (they're cheap!) and maybe if it was an unusually bad day, another stiff Manhattan.Listed in: Check your "rah-rah" antics at…
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Review from Kevin C.
The name explains the majority about this place but obviously can't say everything. This narrow building has very long bar and not to mention a long list of beers (the most admirable attribute in my opinion). You get more bang for our buck here, support some local brewers, and kiss that five-dollar Bud Light goodbye!
I stopped in on a Thursday ($4 Select Micro Draft Special) with a friend for a couple drinks. Very inviting atmosphere, well versed and accommodating bar tenders, and close to my hood...why haven't I been back here yet? Well that is beside the point.
I take kindly to IPA's and when I have numerous options choose from you've already hooked me in. A couple (or hand full) of those delicious beers will leave you satisfied walking out the door and you might just forget how you actually got home (was it the train or a cab?).
And if you're a bit intimidated by the large menu, but know what you like, let the bartender know and you will be presented with suggestions or your description in a sample size. If you live in the area, or if you don't, grab a seat at the bar and indulge because you're bound to find something you like!Listed in: North Side
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Review from Mike V.
Chicago, IL
10/27/2011
Great place to hang and chat, especially in warmer weather. GREAT SERVICE as well.
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Review from Carly O.
Chicago, IL
9/14/2010
It's Saturday night. I want good beer, a seat at the bar or elsewhere, decent music, and cute boys. Enter The Long Room.
Yeah, that place by Popeye's chicken off Ashland and Irving.
Bartenders: efficient, no attitude.
Beer: extensive, plentiful, fairly priced
Crowd: what you'd expect for the location: not too hipster, not too Wrigleyville, seems to attract more boys than girls
Atmosphere: It is a long room, kinda skinny but spacious, dim dim lighting, outdoor space is a bonus
This is my go-to bar when I'm looking to escape A-Ville. Just close enough that the trek doesn't seem unbearable. -
Review from Karma O.
Chicago, IL
9/5/2007
I would give it 5 stars if it weren't so smoky in there but this has to be one of the best bars in Chicago. The atmosphere is vintage yet rockin'! It's a great first date bar as the lighting will allow you to be able to gaze in your would-be lover's eyes or if it's not a new thing, it casts the right mood. Trust me, I have been in both situations. It's also a great place to meet up with your friends too.
The drinks are good, they make one helluva vodka gimlet or any other martini for that matter. The daily drink specials are reasonable and includes beer and or liquor. The bartenders are friendly and attentive. Whenever that citywide smoking band goes into effect, I will live there!Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Chip D.
Chicago, IL
2/26/2009
Ah, the Long Room, where to start? To put it simply, this is perhaps the best bar on the north side of Chicago. There are a few others in the running, The Charleston, for instance, in Bucktown, comes to mind. And I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the raffish, down on its heels Nisei Lounge in Wrigleyville, but in terms of getting just about everything right, the Long Room succeeds on virtually very level.
First, no televisions. How many bars can get away with this? When you walk in the front door instead of being bombarded by a cacophony of sports fans and flat screens, you are instead ushered into a more or less serene environment with only the suggestion of background music (and most of it great). The feeling is at once convivial and intimate, even though the bar is lonnnnnnnng. I counted once and I think they have 35 bar stools. It's a wonderful place to actually have conversations with other adults.
Secondly, clean bathrooms. Yeah, I know, I'm a dude and I'm not supposed to care, but spit-polished bathrooms really do make a difference. It says that someone is paying attention.
Thirdly, magnanimous and down-to-earth owners. Clark and Jason started this place eight years ago and from the very start they've made everyone feel like a member of the family. In the summer, even if you are just a semi-regular, you'll be invited to their barbecue on the lakefront. It's always a blast and a sign that these guys really care about the people who keep them in business.
Fourthly, product. Yeah, their beer list is fantastic, but I'm a gin drinker and it is one of the few places left that actually stocks gin other than Tanqueray. I like my Martinis with Plymouth, but they also have Boodles and Old Raj if I'm feeling adventurous.
Fifthly, atmosphere. Because of all of the above, you get an interesting mix of adults here, especially in the early evening. In fact, Chicago Magazine last year named the Long Room the best "adult bar" in Chicago. I couldn't agree more. I've nothing against the youngsters but it's nice to have a place where I can mix with people my own age.
Lastly, sheesh, I don't know, just about everything. They have parking, there's a beer garden, the place is huge so you have different feels to the different parts of the bar. Want to chat up the bartender? Sit up front near the regulars. Want to have a intimate conversation with your mate? Sit in one of the dark, circular booths in the back. Want to be raucous? Try the garden.
Seriously, this place is almost perfect.
