Old Town Ale House
- Neighborhood: Old Town
- 219 W. North Ave.
- Chicago, IL 60610
- 312-944-7020
(7 ratings)
Open since 1958, the Ale House has had plenty of time to develop character. It looks like the living room of an old woman who's cross-addicted to antiques and books. Japanese masks hang behind the bar and on the back wall is a giant papier-mache face that once graced the front of Figaro's, a defunct local bar. There's also a mural of regular customers, painted in the 1970s, and the ''Old Town Ale House Book Sharing Library,'' a case of paperbacks that patrons can borrow. ''You don't have to buy a drink,'' said a bartender named Sharon recently. ''You don't have to leave a book. Some guy came in here yesterday to leave a bunch of books. He said, 'I always take some.' People read everywhere in here. Nobody bothers you. It's not a meat market.'' The Ale House has the endorsement of the actor who played the most famous barfly in television history, George Wendt, who drank here . . . and the Ale House has his picture to prove it. (Wendt is second only to Jim Belushi in number of pictures displayed in Chicago bars and restaurants.)
Getting There
- Cross Streets:
- North and Wells.
- Parking:
- Street
- Public Transportation:
- Accessible by city bus (72-North); taxicabs available.
- Wheelchair Access:
- Yes
The Basics
- Hours:
- Noon-4 a.m. Sunday through Friday; noon-5 a.m. Saturday.
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Bar Style:
- Neighborhood. Chicago classic.
- Music Style:
- Jazz
- Recreation and Sports Activities:
- Pinball
Features
- ATM:
- Yes. Next door.
- Features:
- Afterhours and On-site Merchandise. T-shirts. No food Snacks only.
- Worth Noting:
- Recommended
- Payment Methods:
- Cash
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
Write a review
Rate Old Town Ale House
"I agree. This place is..."
Anna from Chicago, IL - June 27, 2007
I agree. This place is surviving on memories of John Belushi and Chris Farley ... and because it's a 4:00 bar. Hire some bartenders that aren't so...
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"This place is full of..."
Jeff from Chicago, IL - June 2, 2007
This place is full of itself. Their beer selection is fairly limited, and the prices are relatively high, but the worst part is the service! The ...
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"The Old Town Ale House..."
Charles from Chicago, IL - July 12, 2006
The Old Town Ale House fully lives up to its title "Chicago Premeir Dive Bar." The jukebox is one of the best you'll find in the city. The welc...
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