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Belmont (Purple Express, Brown, Red)
Mon-Tue. 6:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Wed. 2:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Thu. 6:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Fri. 2:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
Sun. 2:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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My only experience in the Town Hall Pub was very positive. Its a really nice looking joint, with a really friendly atmosphere. I enjoy a bar that has a varied clientele. Rather than being a place for all the young hipsters to hang out, or a place for all the old retirees, it has a bit of everybody. Its not an overly large place, but its on the nice side of dive.
The beer selection is good, and it tickles me that they have my absolute favorite beer, Sapporo, on tap. The prices are quite good for intercity bars, too, with pints of Pabst Blue Ribbon for three dollars if you like drinking rubbing alcohol, or good stuff like Sapporo for four bucks. I was pleased that when I was there, they were out of PBR so Sapporo was only $3 a pint.
They have open mic on Monday nights, and occasional live bands otherwise. In my interactions with the staff, I was pleased with how pleasant they were, having called since to inquire about getting my band a gig there. In my in-person experience, despite the place being pretty packed, the bartender was lovely and very speedy and on top of things. I look forward to getting back here, but its a bit of a commute for me on the south side. I would recommend that if you are in the Clark & Belmont area, though, that this is the bar to head to.
Wow, I really like this place! It's an oasis of low-key enjoyment on this zany, throbbing stretch of Lakeview. It seems a little grimy, but in truth it's only semi-divey. They have good beer (such as several Great Lakes varieties) but good prices too ($4 pints/$12 pitchers)! A friendly bartender, and plenty of seats on a Saturday night at midnight. What more can you ask for?
Well, if that's not enough, they have a jukebox and a photo booth. And one of those hunting video games [rolls eyes]. Plus the bathroom is cleaner than you would expect (always a relief). They sell pizzas if you have a bad case of the munchies (I'd guess that they are frozen) but I am more interested in the vegetarian jerky advertised behind the bar--spicy, barbecue, and plain. I need to try those next time! I will be back because it's good to know a place in every neighborhood where you can go for just a few casual beers without any hassle or pretension.
Sometimes when you find yourself on Halsted and you want some adult beverages, your style-of-venue choices can be a little limited. Hello, Town Hall Pub. It's dark, it feels kind of like those German bars your older friends or parents went to, and it's really mellow (probably due in part to the hippie presence behind and in front of the bar).
Decently-priced beers ($3 PBR pints, $4 fancier pints), $7 specialty house cocktails and wait...what...? Vegan jerky?
I didn't get the typical bar experience here, because I was there on a Tuesday for a special comedy night they were having. It might have been able to get 5 stars, had I not experienced a super crappy vodka tonic.
But the place redeemed itself with 2 awesomely tasty and strong Long Islands, a great bartender, comfy seating, and surprisingly good food options. They even had some vegetarian and vegan options, which you wouldn't normally be able to get at a bar.
Now the comedians were mostly kinda sucky, but I don't let that reflect poorly on Town Hall!
What a fun, hole-in-the-wall pub. Sometimes you just have to stick to the drinks and not get all fancy. Here, you get what you come for - liquor or beer and a fun lil' ole bar.
We went to the Town Hall Pub for the Vice Presidential Debate Bingo, which was super fun! The bar itself is kind of small and looks like it may have once been a place with a kitchen counter and a bar in the back (I'm not sure - the layout is a bit weird). The bar is kind of dark and pretty small - it feels even smaller when you realize there's tables crammed in near the wall behind the bar. There's also a small stage in the back for open mic night and such.
The bar has a lot of great beer and they had $7 PBR pitchers. Awesome. You really can't beat a deal like that in Lakeview on the night of a Cubs game. They had a full bar stocked with every kind of liquor imaginable AND they had three crazy vodkas: jalepeno vodka, mango vodka and another I can't remember. They actually have big decanters of the vodka on the bar and it's actually still infusing with the food inside the decanter as I write. I'd definitely go back because it also seems like the kind of place that isn't really crowded on the weekends, which is definitely nice for the area.
I love the Town Hall Pub. Even though I never remember leaving the Town Hall Pub, I love it. Even though I almost got into a fight with a tranny outside, I still love it.
It reminds me of the days of my youth, when I could go to the bar with $15, and then stumble out with some change leftover. Six dollar, three shot margaritas (which can be made with their own flavored tequila), aren't the best idea on a weeknight, but do actually get you pickled when your belly is already full of Chicago Diner goodness.
They've got a photo booth, and though the jukebox is lacking, I've been in there more than once when it seemed the bartender was playing from her own music library, which was much better. Either way, a nice change from the same dance beat that emanates from every other establishment on Halsted.
Oh Town Hall Pub. I have been going to this place since the day I turned 21. Anyway I have to say some of my fondest memories in Chicago have been from this bar.
As people have said, its small but there are plenty of chairs and tables to enjoy a pitcher with your friends.
Town Hall Pub has a great jukebox as mentioned by other yelpers. It also hosts great great great shows. Dan Deacon, Japanther and Best Fwends just to name a few. Also local DJs flosstradamus used to have a monthly night there.
Great bartenders too!
Its a great place. 5 Stars!
So me and a bunch of buddies were trying to decide what the hell to do for New Years. We didn't want to go to some venue that was going to make us pay a cover--or pay 60 bucks a head for some shitty bar thing. SO last minute we found this place listed on citysearch or something like that. It read: free jello shots, no cover. DONE.
Let me tell you, we had so much fun! Indeed they had free jello shots, and they weren't stingy with them either! I got loaded and danced my ass off. The icing on the cupcake: they had a dj spinning some amazing funk/soul all night. It was so groovin' even my straight laced republican 65 year old dad would have had a hard time keeping still to that beat!
Considering that this was probably the best NYE I've ever had, I'll certainly be back on a reg. night for some more debauchery!
How does this dive bar continue to exist in the middle of Boystown? Why does it vaguely resemble the interior of a Wendy's or Pizza Hut from the 1980's?
I was here last night for the Green Flash lit-magazine release/Black Umbrella Brigade show and loved it. Cheap beer was cheap, better beer still pretty cheap. Golden Tee and a photo booth from the future for those who need additional stimulation.
Love love love love love this place.
I was a little disappointed when a friend and I walked in only to find the place completely empty. I'm actually glad it was though after the awesome experience I had.
The bartender was so great. He was the first bartender I ever actually wanted to stick around to join in the conversation. We stayed much longer than expected because of the cheap drinks and this gem of a bartender.
I just wish I could remember his name.....young, heavy set guy with dark hair. Been working there since he was 21.
I'LL BE BACK
ahh, i love this place. my friend tim thinks it smells like throw up, i think it smells like pizza. and throw up. I love maryanne on fridays perhaps one of the best bartenders in the city. they get good comedy and have a great juke box. I gotta say it is a dive but i would rather drink here than with douche bags in some lame club down town. Bottom line, its magic without the magician.
I lived around the corner from Town Hall for three years and never ventured in until the smoking ban went into effect. Of all the places we could've visited in Chicago, this was one of the very first on our list--and I think we were wise in choosing it.
Town Hall is one of the most friendly, laid-back bars I've ever been in--there's absolutely no pretension, it's cheap as hell, there's a mighty fine jukebox and the patrons seem to have good taste in music (I say this because we left before I had a chance to hear my jukebox selections, but I didn't mind because everyone else's choices were so good). Hell, there's even a photo booth, but it was busted on the night we visited. Laura B. and I sat in the damn thing for like, 20 minutes waiting for our little photos to come out and then were so excited to take more, we gave the thing more money before we got our first pics. Luckily the bartender was happy to refund our dumb asses when nothing ever came out. ;)
I'm bummed to have moved now that I could visit the smoke-free, comfy, basement-esque Town Hall Pub. It could've been my Cheers...
When I walked into this tavernesque looking dive the first time I went, all I could think was that this place would be great for bands to rehearse in. Its down on the mouth appearance however is botoxed back to life by its customers, who have no distinction other than trying to be as distinctly unique as possible.
The bar was a sticky mess (and we helped im sure) and had there been more us there the bartender (Stu I think?) would have been seriously in the weeds. However the booze here as most have mentioned is http://v.cheap. There were $1 shots, which while craptastic, might well have been offered at other bars for the special of $4.
My shot of choice was in my familiar see-through bottle with its black stamp, however was not the product that I know only too well i.e an inferior liquor was in it. I commented on this to my bartender friend, and was well afforded a drink or two on the house, which I thought well-apt and was a good make-up...kinda!
All in all this spot in Lakeview is one of the few straight(ish) bars on a mostly gay-dominated street, and I have to say I have a lot to thank it for outside its mere existence :)
Let me set one thing straight: this place is really two bars. One is more populated with hippies and the other is more populated with hipsters. The wood-walled, 1970s rec-room feel somehow fits with both motifs.
Most nights, the Dead, the Allmann Brothers, and other psychedelic favorites blare from the jukebox. The bumper stickers decrying war, extolling flower power, and featuring multi-colored bears cover the walls. I'm not sure where they come from, but Chicago has hippies and they definitely tend to prefer Town Hall for their bubbly drinks. (Apparently, it's not good enough that every bar in town now carries Fat Tire and has at least one Pink Floyd album on the jukebox.)
On certain nights of the month, most notably "Get Outta the Hood" night, other elements are present. And by "present", I mean they come in droves and spill out all over the street. Formerly called "Get the Fuck Outta Wicker Park", it is fairly obvious that hipsters will flock here from that trendy little enclave to the west. In this case, you will be greeted with a giant dance party, usually hosted by Flosstradamus --- the moped riding, mish-mashing duo. Prepare to be squished like a sardine amongst sweaty tattooed, black-haired hipsters and suburban hip-hoppers.
In either case, if you're here, order a Long Island for $5. Then sit down because you'll be wasted. Bonus stars for cheap, really strong drinks (as low as $1).
As mentioned in my Chicago Diner review, this is thee dive to hit up following a tasty veggie meal across the way at Chi Diner. No, it's not cause some of my best friends bartend here, although yes, that helps, but for first timers, it's the ambiance, the people, the JUKEBOX, the PHOTO BOOTH, and the cheap drinks and eats(veggie dogs, veggie jerky, homemade salsa, etc.) to boot.
One of the only (if the only) straight bars on Halsted in the middle of boys town (though gays are loved & welcome here!)- Town Hall features good and super cheap live shows weekly as well as some of the best local dj nights. It's usually not crowded and has clean and pleasant smelling bathrooms as an added bonus. Not too hip or pretentious for its own good, this is just a comfy, no frills good ol' drinking time with cute and sweet ladies who have no problems pouring you a stiff drink for your dollar.
Did I happen to mention my friends work here? Go now!
I've been here a handful of times and I must say I like it a lot. I always feel at home. Everyone (people who work there, people who don't) is always really friendly. The bartender is a complete sweetheart. It took her awhile to get to my friend and I one of the times we went...and she said the drinks were on her! It was great.
And probably the only bar I know of that serves hummus. Oh Lakeview dive bars! How can you not love them?
One of the only things I was disappointed with was the fact that they don't accept cards here. I pulled mine out to pay and the bartender pointed me in the direction of the ATM by the front door. Its a little annoying...but only a little. So just beware - bring cash.
I've been stepping into THP on a somewhat regular basis for the last 3 years. In this time, an ATM and a photo booth have been added to the dank bar. I give this pub 5 stars because you can always get a drink that's cheap & fast. The bartenders are great, too. Sam makes the most incredible bloody marys. This is a great place for meeting up with friends for a quick drink before going out. I think it's an even better place for hanging out with friends for the night. Oh yes, they also have PhotoHunt.
Update: After trying THP's 3-shot margaritas on Cinco de Mayo, I'm now hooked. They're awesome! And you don't wake up the next morning feeling like crap. Each margarita is made fresh when ordered without the use of any nasty, pre-made sour mix.
When I was little and didn't have a full grip on the realities of the world and imagined a "bar scene," it was, in fact, Town Hall Pub.
Dark wood decor, feels like my uncle's basement, not too clean, drunks being denied drinks, cozy atmosphere, etc.
I went on a weekday night to see a friend play and it was overall a pleasant experience. Besides the obnoxious girl a few seats down from me who wouldn't STFU, I enjoyed it. And the blonde bartender with all the tattoos makes an EXCELLENT bloody mary...and I don't like bloody marys.
Next time I'm in Boystown clubbing it with my boys who like boys, I might sneak across the street to hang out with some boys who like girls.
Fun. Will be back.
An attraction to a dive bar is a healthy one. It's comforting to see the old timers sitting up at the bar, thick with drink, thick with sorrow. It is good to expose yourself to the underbelly of society, to commune with that underbelly, to suffer with that underbelly.
That's what drew me to Town Hall initially... that and its convenient location, nearby The Playground Theater, where I perform occasionally. But the underbelly of the Town Hall Pub is growing extinct, and it's now often filled up with happy people.
There's nothing wrong with a happy bar. Town Hall has an incredible juke box, great drink specials, a friendly staff, and is rarely overcrowded.
Going to Town Hall is like hanging on the set of a movie about a dive bar.
There are no gays here. THANK GOD!
PS I love this place and you will leave smelling like Charles Bukowski's laundry basket.
One of my friends introduced me to this place and it has become one of my favorite hang out bars. My friend was friends with one of the bartenders, Julia, who is so awesome too. I feel like I'm hanging out at someone's house more than at a bar, which makes me happy. First of all, the interior is amazing. It is old fashion and friendly. Yes, it is also a little dirty and dark, but so are most dive bars. And they have a photo booth in the back. A place is always fun with a photo booth.
There are also a lot of bans and other acts that come through here too on the weekends. I personally like it more when you can just hang out and talk, but sometimes there are some sweet bands, so that is nice. And to top things off, everything is so cheap.
I think I would like this place when its not full of hipster douchebags trying to be ghetto fabulous.
Its actually the hipsters that brought me here in the first place - "Get Outta the Hood" was super-awesome-fun-wasted time before it exploded this summer (or was it the spring?). That's when I stopped bothering.
I gave it four stars because I know if I lived nearby I would be here a lot. I'm not going to judge it based solely on the hipster disco nights.
There is a stand-up comedy show here the fourth friday of the month so I went to see my cousin perform. The bar has a very friendly atmosphere and although they were out of a peach cider I wanted to try, the raspberry was good.
So on to the comedy. Its hosted by a guy named Seth Thomas who was pretty funny. Of course you will have to sit through some not so good comics to get the good ones.
There was a comedien called Hannibal who had me laughing the enitire time. He was so good I asked a friend about him and they told me he had won Chicago's funniest comic. I was laughing even when he wasn't saying anything he was that good.
Then there was Cameron Esposito, who is my cousin so you might think I am biased, but if she wasnt funny I wouldnt be going to see her. Hannibal was a tough act to follow but she held her own and proceeded to make me crack up throughout her whole routine. Check her out, she's great.
It was one hilarious night.
sometimes you get 3 songs for a dollar on the jukebox, sometimes you get only one. it's like a game.
this bar looks and feels like somebody's basement. it's kind of bright in there (for a bar), and it's easy to get a seat. the drinks are very cheap and potent. i suggest trying the strong island. if you have too many of them, it will be a very short evening.
i give this place 5 stars mostly for having 24 Hour Revenge Therapy by Jawbreaker on the jukebox.
There's really nothing better than a dive bar that works. The problem with a lot of dives is that they don't actually give a shit. At least at Town Hall, you know they're trying. The beer list for one is a good indication of greatness. They have almost all the Rogue beers, and a good selection of drafts. Of course, never forget, Thursday is $2 Sapporo drafts!
The juke box is loaded with excellent bar fodder, although there are some questionable albums in there on which a few good songs come with a lot of bad, and so I wonder what happens if someone ever picks the really terrible ones. I've always wondered this about bars with juke boxes. Once at another bar I heard someone's song get cut off by the bartender it was so terrible.
Anyway, Town Hall also has live music occasionally, which makes it feel completely real, considering the stage is basically taking up a quarter of the bar and you pretty much sit and listen to the musicians right in front of you. The bands aren't always that great, but it's cool to have a place right in the middle of Boystown with free live music.
You can also take out beer and liquor at this bar, in the front hallway area, so that's always a good thing to keep in mind when you're in a bind for a place to get a six pack on Halsted at 1am.
All in all, this is a quality, cheap, bring-your-friends-and-just-chill kind of place. No frills, but no bullshit either.
This is one of my favorite bars in Lakeview. Good jukebox, good beer list (including almost all of Rogue's brews), cheap and strong drinks, and a couple of TVs that are tuned not to sports but to VH1 reality shows, classic Simpsons, or Seinfeld. All of this makes for some great bar conversation and geeking out (I have seen people reciting lines in sync with the TV when The Simpsons is on). The Town Hall Pub is also my standard pregame spot before a night of dancing at Berlin.
However, two caveats. Given its mid-20s crowd that's equal parts Wicker Park, Uptown/Ravenswood/Andersonville, and Lakeview, the Chicago Hipster Spit Web is in full effect. You're bound to see someone you've made out with. Also, the bar tends to attract its share of terrible bands, and I mean terrible. I'm sure some good ones play here, but I haven't seen 'em.
i love you.
uncrowded on a friday night? cheap, good drinks? absolutely the place for me! some bars are empty-ish in a creepy way, but i always feel comfortable walking in here even if i'm on my own. i like sitting at the bar. it feels as friendly as walking into "cheers."
my last visit was specifically aimed at checking out their new extended vegetarian menu, and i'm please to report that they *do* have quite a few options. i'm not sure the pita, hummus, and veggies was worth 5 dollars exactly, but it was tasty. i'll have to go back to sample the others. i guess the one downer is the hike from the cta, but once this weather turns around, i'm coming here all the time and things will be dandy:o)
We had a great time here on the Saturday before Halloween. I saw my favorite costume of the night here (besides my princess's costume): A guy dressed as Colonel Sanders of Kentucy Fried Chicken fame... white suit, white hair, bucket of chicken... he had it all and well done. Anyway, drinks were cheap ($3 Sapporo drafts... holy Godzilla!), bartender was busting his rump to keep all us thirsty scalawags quenched and doing a great job at it. I heard a little bit of the band before we left, and they were pretty good. I'd definitely stop back here again.
A good small dive bar. Quick friendly staff, good beer selection, smokey, lack of decor and a stage. A band was getting ready to play when I was leaving, I just wanted to save my hearing from getting any worse. Good local hangout in Boystown, but not my cup of tea.
Be prepared if you are going to "Get Outta the Hood." Its packed like you wouldn't believe and it takes forever to get a drink, simply because 20 other people are trying to at the same time. It's VERY fun though, even if it isn't your usual "scene."
Town Hall Pub has a cozy atmosphere, cheap drinks, and a friendly staff. Bands do play but the one I saw wasn't exactly the best. It can get slightly claustrophobic in there with all the people, but there never seemed to be a wait for the bathroom (so that's always a plus). If I were out in boystown again, I'd definitely hit this place up for a drink.
love it here. never come for the big nights. too small. too crowded. great bartenders. great folk. funny what leslie said about the cloning. i do look around and see girls that look just like me, brown hair, bangs. etc. but they act like me too. and that acting is nice. a bit hipster-y sometimes but not of the "we're better than you" sort. and i may just be saying this because they're all my friends. whatever.
anyhow. cheap strong drinks. $1 shots. and, let's all say it together now, a photo booth. but not the old school kind. but still it's a photo booth and it's there and god i love photo booths.
Went to Town Hall Pub for an improv show last Wednesday night. It's a pretty decent bar tho I'm not sure I would ever just stop in for a drink on a whim. The glass of wine I ordered tasted rancid so I switched to diet coke and malibus...mmm, malibu. Not too much more to say about this place...carpeting, tables and chairs a bar, a stage, divey...that's basically it.
I caught a Japanther show here this summer and fell in love with what is billed as "the only straight bar in Boystown." I hear they have a sweet jukebox, but I was too busy rockin' out to live music and half-naked bike messengers to care. The specials make it easy on the pocketbook, but if your fancy is a pitcher of beer, the bartenders are going to be hard pressed to find a clean pitcher AND glasses. If you like to drink right out of the pitcher, this is your place. They tend to have very under-the-radar live shows, but you'll find out about them if you keep an ear to the ground. They sell slices of pizza and have a photo booth, too! You'll never get bored.
I practically NEVER care for dive bars like this. But there's an all right jukebox, good prices, reasonable low-rent selection, and good people. All the times I've been here were a good time. Oh, and they have a kitchen, though I haven't eaten any yet. I'll get back to you on that.
flosstradamus. bump. cheap drinks. parking not impossible to find.
flossy- d has their monthly set here and it always draws the younger "hipster" crowd. the owners can be a bit rude when the venue reaches capacity (150-180 max) but the bartenders are friendly and serve strong drinks for cheap. neighborhood bar decor, but its josh and curt that draw the crowd during their "get outta the hood" nights.
i like it. i feel like i'm drinking in some cool dad's basement. what's not to like really? the bartenders were super nice, i got a decently priced great lakes on draft, and it's so unassuming from the outside that there's a freedom in knowing that the chances of some bras stumbling in from off the street is slim to none. hooray! i can't wait to see what happens on that stage, iawn!
I came here on a Sunday night with Ken, my friend and bandmate from my other band, the Strange Attractor. We came to hear Kate & Rachel (DJs with a weekly show on WLUW 88.7 FM) spin their inimitable mix of obscure tunes from the '60s and '70s. One thing I noticed about the place was the rec-roominess of the place, that it was so unlike any other establishment in this otherwise gay-oriented neighborhood -- a straight bar for non-homophobes, and one that "Family" members can still feel comfortable in. The other thing was the choices of alcohol. You couldn't get a Miller Lite even if you tried, and believe you me, that is indeed a very good thing. The most well-known beer on offer was Warsteiner -- hooray! In that manner, it reminded me a little bit of the late-lamented Bucket O'Suds on Cicero near Belmont -- DJs from WXRT and the occasional rock luminary used to frequent good ole B.O.S. Here, no famous faces, but the drinks were reasonably priced and the music was outta sight.
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Category: Gay Bars
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Category: Pubs
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
Category: Gay Bars
Neighborhood: Lakeview
Category: Dive Bars
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