Inside Chicago’s Essential Dive Bars: Photos From 14 Iconic Watering Holes

Chicago’s Classic Dives
This is part of a series on Chicago’s dive bars. Learn about how the term “dive bar” was coined tomorrow and the history of the city’s relationship with such establishments on Wednesday.

CHICAGO — Good dive bars are neighborhood institutions.

They can be reliable places to find familiar faces or just great spots to hide out and take it easy.

Block Club took a very deep dive into 14 classic Chicago dive bars across the city. It is by no means an exhaustive list. We know your favorite spot might not be on it, but there could be many more stories to come.

Reporter Linze Rice and photojournalist Colin Boyle hit up many of the classic Chicago spots. Here’s a peek inside and outside the ones they visited.

For the full story about the bars’ histories, vibes and clientele, click here.

To check out photos, keep reading.

• Newark Nook, Norwood Park
• Cunneen’s Bar, Rogers Park
• Sovereign Liquors, Edgewater
• Simon’s Tavern, Andersonville
• L & L Tavern, Lakeview East
• Rose’s Lounge, Lincoln Park
• GO Tavern, Logan Square
• Rainbo Club. Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village
• Archie’s Iowa Rockwell, Ukrainian Village
• Chipp Inn, Noble Square
• Bernice’s Tavern, Bridgeport
• Woodlawn Tap/Jimmy’s, Hyde Park
• Cove Lounge, Hyde Park
• Mr. C’s Midway Bar, West Lawn

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1. Newark Nook, 6443 N. Newark Ave., Norwood Park

• In a nutshell: A historic neighborhood tavern in a residential neighborhood with live music, a beer garden and an Irish flair. 
• Payment type: Cards accepted, but cash is king
• Food: No but you can bring your own

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• In a nutshell: A long-time, cash-only corner bar on the Far North Side with handmade woodwork and decor that makes for a cozy cabin-meets-living-room-meets-rec-room vibe.
• Payment type: Cash-only
• Dog policy: Allowed
• Food: Possible bar snacks or delivery/BYOF is allowed
• Malört: Yes

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• In a nutshell: Part bar, part liquor store for nearly 90 years, this former wild saloon is an eclectic Edgewater staple.
• Payment type: Cash-only
• Dog policy: Allowed
• Food: Bagged snacks like chips and popcorn; outside food allowed
• Malört: Yes

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• In a nutshell: If you like Sweden, Christmas and ghost stories, this is the place.
• Payment type: Cash-only
• Dog policy: Allowed
• Food: Small chip bags or BYOF
• Malört: Yes 

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• In a nutshell: Haunted house-meets-bar. The epitome of a dive bar. Like Malört, it’s a thing every Chicagoan and visitor should have to experience at least once.
• Payment type: Cash-only
• Food: No, but bring your own or wait for potential tamale sighting
• Malört: Yes

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• In a nutshell: An iconic floral exterior with a cottagecore, year-round Christmas vibe that feels like home.
• Payment type: Cash-only
• Food: Outside food allowed, plus possible Bugles 
• Malört: Yes

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• In a nutshell: A liquor store, a hometown bar and a quirky cafe somehow had a baby and named it GO Tavern & Liquors. 
• Payment type: Takes cards
• Dog policy: Allowed
• Food: Candy bars, bring your own, or pray for spontaneous tamales
• Malört: Yes

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• In a nutshell: Polka-turned-artsy hangout with an Indie rock history and a stellar photo booth. 
• Payment type: Cash only, but there’s an ATM
• Food: None, but the Tamale Guy is known to show up

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• In a nutshell: Corner bar in a residential neighborhood with deep Polish roots and an iconic Hamm’s sign.
• Payment type: Takes cards
• Dog policy: ENCOURAGED
• Food: Cheese puffs from a giant container; small snack baggies
• Malört: Yes

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• In a nutshell: One of the city’s oldest bars in a house-like building with Slim Jims, pool, and an antique aesthetic.
• Payment type: Bring cash or stay thirsty
• Food: Random assortment of bar snacks like chips, cured meat sticks, and peanuts
• Malört: Yes

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• In a nutshell: Vintage family-owned neighborhood bar with an artsy twist located in a former funeral home.
• Payment type: Cards have no meaning here — cash-only 
• Food: Some small chip bags and wooden bowls for cheesy poofs, or BYOF 
• Malört: Big time

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• In a nutshell: A Hyde Park institution known for its University of Chicago ties, Swiss hamburgers, and love for longtime owner Jimmy Wilson.
• Payment type: Cashola, exclusively 
• Food: YES, an actual kitchen with greasy spoon classics 
• Malört: Yes

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• In a nutshell: Possible watering hole to Kurt Vonnegut in a 1930s Art Deco building with one of the best neon bar signs in the city.
• Payment type: Cash-only 
• Food: Feast on chip baggies or bring outside food 
• Dog Policy: Welcome
• Malört: Oh yeah

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• In a nutshell: If you love drinking and watching 737s land, this exceptionally wood-paneled Midway Airport neighborhood bar is the place to be. 
• Payment type: Paper or plastic, your choice 
• Food: Mini-bagged snacks may be available, or bring your own  
• Dog Policy: Come on in

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