Moonshine: User Reviews

Don't Bother Going: Owners Rude, Overpriced
By jensie from Lakeview & Uptown, June 22, 2009

Overall rating:

Used to go to Moonshine every week and went there recently on a Sunday evening for a friend's birthday dinner. The NBA finals were blasting on all the tvs. Now, I don't mind sports being on, but when we asked one of the staff (who we later found out was one of the owners) to turn down the sound so we could have a conversation without yelling at one another he flat out said "NO". We thought it was a joke, but then he proceeded to mock, swear at, and pick a fight with the organizer of our group who was also celebrating his birthday.

THIS IS NO WAY TO TREAT CUSTOMERS. There are plenty of other options in the area that people can choose to patronize. I STRONGLY suggest that if you are looking for a spot around Division & Damen steer clear of Moonshine.

To all the people that hate it
By isobel from chicago, June 3, 2009

Overall rating:

I love Moonshine and have a regular for several years. I feel at home there and have a great time talking, dancing, eating, drinking, always.
And if all the people who wrote bad reviews liked it, this place would've sucked. So THANK YOU for taking your whinny faces elsewhere!

the food was good..........
By rachel5808 from west loop, May 2, 2009

Overall rating:

Being a vegetarian, I was not expecting much in terms of menu options, but I was very pleasantly surprised to find that all of their burgers also came as a DOUBLE veggie burger option! Our burger was delicious, but the service was terrible. We sat for about 20 minutes before our server came to our table, and simply asked if we were ready to order. Then come to find out from reading other reviews- moonshine brews its own beer! We were never given a drink menu or even told of the bar's beer offerings, so I ended up sipping on 312! I am a huge fan of craft beers and would have LOVED to try one of Moonshines beers! I would definitely go back for a veggie burger, but hopefully we will get a different server!

Nice Job Shine Crew
By CubbieBlue from east village, December 2, 2008

Overall rating:

The new menu is top notch for bar food with a kick. The burger selection looks fantastic and the pork sandwich is incredible. Friend had the short rib special. Holy Cow! Literally. The beers are fun too(taste and names).

Great Authentic Neighborhood Bar
By 9th Wonder from Wicker Park, November 14, 2008

Overall rating:

I moved into the new Wicker Park and was perplexed. This was once a neighborhood of artists and Wipsters and I had to search for a restaurant that had good food, entertainment (people and DJ's), spirits, ties to the community, and a vibe. Moonshine was home. The staff was cool. The crab cakes and their brewed on premises beer were awesome. Very local almost like "Cheers" once you talk to one person you seem part of the family. They bought me drinks. I'll be back for sure!

Loved It!
By Sunshine23 from South Side, October 22, 2008

Overall rating:

I finally visited Moonshine on Sweetest Day Night. The atmosphere was awesome and the bartenders made great drinks. My friend and I had a blast! It was so nice that I went back the next day and got a pizza. Sausage, Pepperoni and green chilies... It was awesome! Quite an experience! Loved it!

Meh
By skid from Wicker Park, August 25, 2008

Overall rating:

It was ok, not great. But I did like sitting outdoors.

Poor
By GWK from Lincoln Park, May 28, 2008

Overall rating:

This place doesn't have its act together. There was a big sign outside that said "Brunch Available", so I went in with a friend, before noon on a weekend, and lo and behold there was no brunch available. The uncomplicated lunch food that I ordered, tacos, took an hour, and was semi-cold when it arrived. Drinks took forever too. For long stretches of time, there was no sign of any sort of server, so I had no idea when to expect food. By the time the food arrived, I was so hungry that I would've eaten almost anything. Perhaps their strategy is to make customers wait so long for food that they will be so hungry that the mediocre quality of the food will be overlooked.

I don't get it...
By S.H. from Chicago, May 27, 2008

Overall rating:

Okay, I have now tried this place twice. The first time, everything was fine, except the food, which was blah. I mean, it's so enticing with the nice outdoor seating area and great location, and there are always people there so you think, It MUST be good. But you'd be wrong. Went there on Memorial Day. Waited 45 minutes for our food. It took me at least 25 minutes to get a drink. And on top of that, beware when they ask if you want sour cream and guacamole with your tacos. They're gonna charge you $3 for that guacamole. I mean, don't offer it if it doesn't come with it unless you tell me! I will not be tempted again. Too many other places around that actually have good food and good service.

nice date or "pregame" but mostly worthless
By suzzyq67 from east village, November 5, 2007

Overall rating:

I was very much NOT a fan of this bar. the crowd is nice enough, but this is not the "meet new people" sort of place. everyone keeps to themselves, especially in the dining area, which completely detracts from the whole atmosphere. who wants to eat dinner to techno, or dance to techno next to someone eating dinner? I found the management to be stuck up and rude. I would only return if I was on a date or grabbing a casual drink with a friend or two, and even then, I'm sure there are much better places to go.