The Matchbox: User Reviews

This is hands down the smallest bar that I've been to since moving into town and I'm fairly sure I'll be hard pressed to find smaller. This is not a bad thing to me. I'm from a small town and this smaller then my small town bars.

For sure the best cocktails in town. Go for an old fashion or a margarita. It's not going to be what you expected but in the best possible way. Get selection of all your boozes and a fairly above average beer selection. I'd give their tap a 3 outa 5 but I generally go for the booze not the beers.

The music is always rad, bartenders are always top notch too. I've always got a good laugh from all of my bartenders and 9 times out of 10 I'll land some sort of free one on the bartender and its not like I'm a big spender or a great beauty.

A great choice for start or end of a date location. Just one of those type of places. Being directly (no joke you can see it from the window) across from the Chicago Blue Line stop makes it just too easy to get to not to go, at the very least, every once and again.

The vibe of this something to experience as well. As small as it is it doesn't get claustrophobic. Its more of a homey / intimate setting. Its old as hell too which makes checking the bar and behind always fun. I always notice something new. Try and find the cranes.

Want something mellow, no crowd, go home with a nice layer of booze coating your brain night? The Matchbox is your ticket to happy town.....now boarding. a great choice for start or end of a date location.

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Best drinks ever..........can't wait to go back..........

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The Matchbox is a tiny, quirky, neighborhood bar. If your neighborhood bar served the best drinks in the city. Many have a powdered sugar rim - Margarita, Cosmo (I've seen others but those are the one's I've had) - a delicious change. Fresh squeezed lemon and lime juices. Go earlier in the week if you have lots of questions - when it's super busy the bartenders are in "making drinks" mode. Can't blame them.

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This place was rough to stomach. I realize it's supposed to be intimate and charming... but just because it's unorthodox doesn't mean it's good. The bartender gave horrible service and made one of the worst cocktails I've experienced... there was this creepy old man who kept hitting on the guys I was with... and when we requested that he leave, the bar said he is staying... so we left. Never the less, the place was interestingly narrow, but that's about it.

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I came here a couple weeks ago to meet some friends for a drink. We sat outside. The coctail server was upbeat and helpful. She recommended a Manhatan, so I ordered one. It came with a skewer of real brandy-marinated cherries in it (no Marachinos here!)! My only regret is that it was super strong and I left the Matchbox that evening quite tipsy. I finished my drink inside, and I really loved how intimate it was. I met a math professor from the University of Chicago. It's probably impossible not to meet somebody here, because you are right on top of people. Really cute, authentic place. Highly recommended!

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Quirky and fun place to go once or twice for a drink. Bartender was low-key and not very talkative, which is not a bad thing. A rare find.

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Great place for boozy drinks. Good tequila selection. Not a placed to linger too long as usually there's no place to sit...and walking to the bathroom may be a challenge, no less an experience where you get to know your fellow patrons REALLY REALLY well. Went there one time after a New Years Eve Chicago Mass ride. Had a blast.

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Bartenders here are nasty and rude. Place is way too small.

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I don't see the hype about this place. It's extremely crowded, no place to sit or walk, and very smokey. The gimlets are good however.

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The Matchbox is the best bar in the city! Awesome drinks, great bartenders -
can't wait to go back

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