John Barleycorn: User Reviews

Ghost of former self
By Warren from crystal lake, November 10, 2008

Overall rating:

Well, John Barleycorn is a shadow of its former self. My wife and I visited the place on November 1st after a show. Well, gone is the classical music and art slides. In their place is a cavernous expansion room, numerous flat panel TVs on the walls, that night showing a hockey game and a couple of college football games.

The food is still very good, the Barleycorn burger still twice as big as it should be (1/2 lb vs. the late lamented Mugsy burger [1/4 lb]) and they do cook it to your specifications, including rare!

But if you're looking for a nice quiet place to have a drink, listen to "Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini" and marvel at Van Gogh's impressionism, you're going to be out of luck. Maybe try the Old Town Ale House.

The worst bar for DePaul
By Barlover from Lakeview, June 28, 2008

Overall rating:

Every campus has a bar that has bad service, but this Barleycorn takes the cake, It's not even that...I always order a martini to start the night, I was told by the bartender that I was a nuisance for ordering a martini. Really? I ordered a Jake and Coke, got well wiskey. There's no reason at all to go here, unless you're looking for really attractive people. It may actually be one of the worst bars in all of Chicago, and I'm not kidding. At least at the "main" Barleycorn, the staff actually trys. Ugh...

Service???
By Michael from Lincoln Park, December 31, 2007

Overall rating:

Went there last night with 4 friends for drinks and dinner. Were seated at a table behind the bar. After waiting 15 minutes for someone to come over, went up to the hostess to ask if anyone was going to take our order and she told me that no one was working that section, so we would have to go to the bartender to order. No problem if they had told us that from the start. We ended up moving to a different section where wait staff was sort of working. Ordered drinks and dinner as soon as we sat down. Never were asked if we wanted another round of drinks. We finished our food and left, but not after being served water refills in 2 dirty glasses with food floating in them and lipstick on the ring. Too many good places in the area to waste time here

Food could be better. Good...
By Amanda from Chicago, IL, June 1, 2007

Overall rating:

Food could be better. Good crowd and hot staff. One of my standby bars!

Anyone who has written that...
By Luka from Chicago, IL, March 14, 2006

Overall rating:

Anyone who has written that the waitstaff is inept is quite accurate with their descriptions. You might be at the bar waiting for 15 minutes for a beer. The bartenders seem to have no sense of urgency which strikes me as really dense since the work for tips.

Rude Waitstaff. Bouncers think...
By Alan from Chicago, IL, February 12, 2006

Overall rating:

Rude Waitstaff. Bouncers think they can set their own rules. Overprices drinks for the atmpshpere.

Rude uninformed staff. Creepy old guys. Bottom...
By Jordan from Chicago, IL, November 1, 2005

Overall rating:

Rude uninformed staff.
Creepy old guys.
Bottom shelf booze.
20$ min. on credit cards?
Not cool enough for any
minimum.