Bowman's Bar & Grill: User Reviews

Terribly managed
By MattPais from Lakeview, July 4, 2009

Overall rating:

Our group was harassed for about 15 minutes by a man known by bar staff to be a troublemaker--the waitress informed us that the man's friends previously "sucker-punched" her husband--and little was done about it until we sounded the alarm multiple times. At that moment bar staff was not equipped to handle the situation, and it was noted that the man--who is, apparently, a frequent customer--was a friend of the owners. Shots were given to account for the situation, which should have been acknowledged before it became a problem. Avoid this bar.

It's All Good!!!
By DJ from Roscoe Village, August 20, 2008

Overall rating:

AMEN bks10!!! If you want 5 star service...go to a 5 star restaurant!!! We recently started hanging out at Bowmans. I love the relaxed atmosphere, it’s a great place to grab a burger and a beer with friends – and watch the game. Wonderful outdoor patio too. I agree that the service can be slow…but we are always able to find our server if we just ask. And I think management has taken notice and is trying to do something about the service. They are very visible on the floor working with the staff and helping out. We will be back!!!

take a chill pill
By bks10 from bks10, August 13, 2008

Overall rating:

I have been to bowmans multiple times. It is sad that the yuppie idiots from lincoln park are moving up to this area and expect the same yuppie sucking up they got in lincoln park. Grow up and realize some service is meant to be more fun, more of a welcome, your my friend, hang out attitude, than kiss your you know what attitude. If you don't like to have a good time, then go back to lincoln park. Stop leaving comments that you expect 5 star service at a bar. You and your doctor husband can find a great place to suck up to you on the gold coast. We don't want to hang out with you at great places like Bowmans and are glad you don't like it. Good luck to you in the rest of your boring life.

Consistently Bad Service, Average Food...
By midway980 from North Center, August 4, 2008

Overall rating:

I live nearby Bowmans and have eaten and/or had cocktails there about a dozen times, and let me be clear that I WANT to like Bowmans because of its great location and layout. However, the awful service lets me down every time. I've had it up to here with Bowmans' lazy, bubble-headed waitresses, who prefer socializing at the bar and pantry to the inconvenience of waiting on customers. If nothing else, count on them serving you up a quick dish of attitude and indifference.

Disapointed
By BLG320 from Andersonville, July 20, 2008

Overall rating:

I've been to Bowman's a couple of times for lunch and was happy with the food and service. My husband and I went for dinner on a Sunday evening and will never go back. The waitress was invisible and when I asked the busboy to wrap my leftovers to go, he proceeded to put the garbage from the table on the plate with my half sandwhich that he was going to wrap to go. Needless to say I didn't take it with. We had to ask another waaitress for our check.

Terrible Service, stay away
By davidmw from north center, June 7, 2008

Overall rating:

The worst service I've ever experienced. The WORST. The waitresses spend more time sitting at the bar drinking with their friends than serving anyone. I don't know what happened to this bar. It use to be a nice place. Now, it's a total disaster. If you want to be frustrated and sober, then go to Bowmans.

Full time
By Salvant from Roscoe VIllage, June 3, 2008

Overall rating:

I have been to Bowmans a couple of months ago and it was very slow and low key. Which is nice...sometimes. I recently revisited Bowmans and the new management has been able to make it a more inviting crowd and seems to welcome everyone like an old friend. Good drink specials.

So Terrible
By Yahoo from Lincoln Square, May 23, 2008

Overall rating:

Have given this place several chances since it is so close to my apt. Won't make the mistake anymore- the service here is so bad in every aspect (slow, rude, bad food) there really isn't much elaborating necessary. Looks like fun from the street, but so do a lot of other places.

new management
By sparklesII from lincoln square, May 7, 2008

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a couple of friends and i recently stopped by bowmans for a drink and happened upon their "new management party". i had been there before and returned for their above average bar food and atmosphere. with the new management came a new menu. there were so many typos on the menu it was almost impossible to focus on what to order (they misspelled chicken? chikicen?) but two of us decided on the crab cake sandwich and my other friend got the pulled pork. i have to say, this was the worst bar food i have ever had. the crab cakes were soggy and the bun was mushy. even the tator tots were over salted. i have never written a review for any bar before but my experience was so horrible i had to warn others not to go, and if you do, i would advise against eating and stay for drinks only. hopefully, the new management sees this and makes some changes.

Great Local Spot
By JB Griggs from Lincoln Square, May 6, 2008

Overall rating:

I like this spot a lot! Food is very good and, although it can be a little slow at times, I usually don't equate a service at a bar to be a 4 star restaurant. If anything, just flag down a waitress to get a drink, I'm not that shy....why complain about service when you can initiate some of the service? TV's are big, food is good, wide variety of drinks, and a VERY diverse crowd. What more do you want? The beer garden is an optimal spot to people watch in nice weather.