Chicago’s Old Town Ale House

The first time I heard about the Chicago’s Old Town Ale House, located in Old Town on the corner of North Avenue and Weiland Street (near Wells Street and Second City), was from a friend who lived in my neighborhood when I asked of cool spots to check out. Then one Friday night my coworker Veronica and I decided to go check it out because we couldn’t get into Castaways due to a private party. We walked in and were immediately taken back by the chill vibe the place exuded.

One of the Ale House’s strongest appeals is its atmosphere. The décor is also unique to the Ale House and its regulars. There are portraits of the regulars covering the walls. Upon inquiry I discovered that it was the owner, Bruce, who paints the portraits himself. The portraits littering above the actual bar show many of the regulars in compromising situations, which makes them all the more fun to look at when the real person is sitting next to you (trust that they are an interesting person to talk to if they can make it up to wall status…). We ended up staying there for a few rounds watching the Sox game (it’s a Sox bar on the Northside!!!) and decided we had to come back. It was great, the people were great, the bartender bought us lots of shots, we wanted to make the wall why not come back??

This is a come and chill with your friends and knock back a few or get blasted destination.

A few days later Veronica and I were planning our next Ale House Outing as my boss was walking by, and asked him if he’d like to go. He stopped mid-stride and said “WHAT about the OLD TOWN ALE HOUSE?!?!!!” We told him we were going, and that we really liked it. He sat down and started talking about how he used to hang out there during the 60’s. He said his picture was on the wall!! We were in awe. He told us that during the filming of the Blues Brothers Belushi used to drink there. He joined us there later and told us where the risqué portraits are now there used to be a large painting of a naked woman lying on a couch. Then he pointed out various folks on the wall that he used to hang out with. I later found out my own father used to kick it at the Ale House when he lived near it!! The Old Town Ale House is one of the dopest places in the city. You need to experience it.

The Ale House has a real life “Cheers-y” feel. Literally everyone there knows your name. The owner is always hanging out at the bar. He’s a very nice, funny, welcoming, and accommodating gentleman, who loves to befriend his patrons. It is always cozy, and did I forget to mention the drinks are reasonable and strong?!! My drink of choice is a Jack and diet…at the Ale House it only runs me $6.00. The bartenders are an eclectic group, and they’re always in the mood to shoot the shit with the patrons. They also make one mean Cadillac margarita. The jukebox only plays jazz or opera, adding to the already relaxing atmosphere. I feel with all my praise I should warn you all: this is not a bar for those of you looking to go out and get ass. This is a come and chill with your friends and knock back a few or get blasted destination. I was once told I was too young (I just turned 25) to hang out there.. For me that adds to the appeal. You never know what type of person you’re going to meet there. You do know they will fall into the following criteria:

· they will not be an asshole looking to start a fight ( I have never seen a fight there in my 6 months of frequenting)
· they will most likely be in the 30+ age range
· they will be courteous
· they might want to talk to you and even buy you a drink

When I told Bruce that I was going to write and article about his bar for YBP he was really excited and enthusiastic about the exposure. When I told him to expect more people of color to be frequenting his bar, he smiled and said “Great!! You get two gold stars for that one!! (In my quest to make the wall) We’re very open here!!”

I’ll see ya there.