Small Bar - Logan Square

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.94/5  rDev -4.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

This place was the last stop on my latest Chi-Town excursion. It's a small little place a few blocks north of the Logan Square train station. It comes off as a strange combination of dive bar/cozy neighborhood joint (if that makes sense). Up at the bar, I watched a bit of one of the football games in progress and perused the chalkboard. They were out of the two I had ventured there to try (they'd kicked the day before, apparently...dammit), but the bartender, who seemed pretty knowledgeable about her offerings, was accommodating, and patient with me as I made my decision for a replacement. The drafts were pretty nice, with the standout keg at the time being Meantime's Naval College Porter, which is what I settled on and got served in a nicely appropriate snifter (and at what seemed like a nice temperature for it, too...). The rest of the taps weren't really anything hullabaloo-worthy, but everything was solid and worthy of m time (were I not such a damned ticker...). The prices seemed pretty much in line with any other Chicago bar I've been to. Overall, this a great little place in the LS area, one I'm likely to be returning to in the future.

10-19-2012 19:47:02 | More by TMoney2591

stouts4me

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

A: very pleasant atmosphere, nice bar, good seating choices - tables with high seats, bar seating, booths.

Q: I am going with quality of my beer on this header - Templeton Rye aged Mr' Hyde - smooth, tasty, and very fragrant, almost like something lightly floral.

S: service was pretty attentive, and friendly, knowledgable about both beer and food.

Sel: great selection of beers, pretty equal between craft and belgium styles, large bottle menu also.

F: quality, tasty selections. I ahd tomato bisque soup and chicken club sandwich. The bisque was fantastic, chicken was sort-of smoked with a great sauce.

V: I thought the price of food was very reasonable for CHGO, the aged beer was a tad steep at $10 for 8 oz. But I did enjoy my visit and would go back to this nice spot in a great little neighborhood.

05-22-2012 14:46:46 | More by stouts4me

Northsider

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -4.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I used to live 1 block from this place. It seriously looks like a drunken old man bar, where you'd find slumbums sprawled over the bar. Rest assured, the inside is a bit better than that outside visual. It's dark, and bit small. On peak hours this place is just jammed packed. It's for sure oddly placed, at the end of a random street, not near buses, not near the L, not even near a major street o get a cab. Selection of beers is nice, and the food was decent.

Overall I don't think it's worth the trek to this secluded area. for the correction of many reviewers, this is Avondale, not Logan Square. Be warned as well, this is still very much gangland. while I was living there 2 kids got shot in a gang conflict right across the street from Small Bar. 1 block south 2 more kids got shot and killed in midday. Be safe.

06-17-2011 17:54:36 | More by Northsider

yeahnatenelson

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -1.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

Proper neighborhood bars are a dying breed in Chicago. Thank goodness places like Small Bar exist. While it doesn't belong on the list of Chicago beer destinations like Hopleaf or The Map Room, it's a cozy bar with a better than average beer menu.

The staff is friendly and attentive. It's a kind of place where regulars are known on a first-name basis.

The atmosphere is very inviting: warm wood surrounds a gently smudged mirror, a Lagunitas sign gently hums in a window, the tin ceiling gently glowing from reflected light. if only we could all have a bar like this down the street...

The tap list is better than the average neighborhood bar. With about a dozen taps, all craft, there will more than likely be something to slake your thirst. The food is fine, decent pub grub; no more, no less.

if you find yourself in Logan Square and want a good beer in a warm environment, then by all means go. If you happen to live in Logan Square, well, you already know about this place.

03-18-2011 02:55:01 | More by yeahnatenelson

jrallen34

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

I treked over here for the Stone event the final stop of the night. Location basically sucks. Its on the end of residential street, not anywhere close to a major street and leaving takes at least 15 minutes to find a cab or you need to call one. Now if i lived on that street I would be there all the time and my mind would change. A total local place, don't make this is destination. Inside is a total small local bar feel, small and nothing to see...The quality and selection of beers is nice, above average for Chicago but again haven't really seen anything special here that would make me come.

A decent local joint but nothing more than that.

10-08-2010 04:01:52 | More by jrallen34

emerge077

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

This is a nice little oasis tucked into the neighborhood north of Logan Square, 5 blocks from the CTA blue line station. Everyone else has described it well, I would add that Sundays are "movie night".

Cozy, dim lighting cast from orange lamps, dark wood bar with a rail, room paneled midway to the floor with similar dark wood. Nicely detailed wood columns behind the bar. Sunday crowd was small, a few leftover football fans, and neighborhood folks. Certainly less trendy than the Division street location. Wish they got the exclusive taps here instead.

Taps are 2/3 standbys and 1/3 rotating. Two Bros. Heavy Handed was on special for $4 when I went (marked on the chalkboard on the front door). Usually two seasonals, Spaten Oktoberfest and another fall seasonal were on. Rotating Rogue tap as well, described as a dry-hopped red ale. Several Hitachino bottles, Orval, Two Bros., Three Floyds.

Food was good, had a double BLT sandwich with tater tots and sweet potato fries that were nice and crispy. Specialty pizzas and appetizers were also available. Some were a cut above standard bar fare, such as baked goat cheese & tomato sauce. Fried cheese curds came with a spicy mustard.

Three tv's were a little distracting in such a small space, but it was fun when they put on a Jarmusch movie.

2008: Chalkboard beer list doesn't get updated much, they have been out of a couple for months now...ask the tender/server for what's on their 4 rotating taps.

10-01-2007 15:30:45 | More by emerge077

4thoseabout2bock

Illinois

4.14/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

We visited this original location for the first time last night (Friday night).
It is indeed a small bar. One room with 4 or 5 tables and a large beautiful old wooden bar along one wall with about a dozen bar stools. There is a dart board at the back and Golden Tee "complete" with Bowling near the front door. Also a juke box by the ladies room.

The tap selection was impressive especially for a small neighborhood bar. Last night they had: Anchor Steam, Point, Stella, Steigl Pils, Allagash White, Franzikaner, Summit Hefe, London Pride, Boddingtons, Sprecher Black Bavarian, Youngs Oatmeal Stout, Santa's Butt Porter, and Two Brothers Northwind Imperial Stout. Beers were $5 each (hefes in 20 oz glasses, most drafts in pints, Northwind and Santa's Butt in 12 oz goblets (whatever shape stella glasses are).

Service was friendly and informative even though the place was packed.

Our bartender took the time to describe beer styles to novices. Also, at first he charged me $10 for Santa's Butt. (rising prices at Goose and 8sih for Samichlaus in the past week have habituated me to high price tag beers, but this seemed a bit steep -- turned out he charged for two and politely returned the extra 5 with good humor -- I had already tipped him well, but he seemed like a fine bartender in any case).

We kicked Santa's Butt while we were there, and they put on a Winter Warmer by the same brewery (not sure which one, maybe Warm Welcome?)

The atmosphere is smoky but relaxed. Its a Logan Square crowd. And due to the 50 degree weather in Dec, some folks rode their bikes to the bar. I like the down-to-earth vibe at this location somewhat better than its newer, not-so-small sibling on Division which is more hip and trendy (although the Division location does also tend to have a slightly better tap list).

Small Bar is an authentic Chicago neighborhood gem with a great beer list. That and the fact that they offer food make it somewhat different drummer than most classic neighborhood corner bars in this general area like the Charleston. We didn't try the food but noted humorously that the vent from the men's bathroom empties into the kitchen.

12-30-2006 18:23:46 | More by 4thoseabout2bock

brushpig

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

I have been going to the Small bar for a few years now and have always had a very good time there. The atmosphere is very comfortable, nice lighting,Nice old bar back. About 5-6 small bar tables, 14 or so seats at the bar.

the quality of food and beer has always been fresh and tasty.

The service is always friendly and fast. They are knowledgeable about the beers, and will make good suggestions if you can't decide.

A lot of really good craft beers to select from, about 60 bottles. 15 taps. Impressive for such a small bar.

Food is bar food, but really good bar food. Love the fried cheese balls. (Heart Stopper Special)

Fair prices, especially for Chicago.

Check it out, or go to there other location on Division ave.

07-18-2006 19:48:11 | More by brushpig

beerinator

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4

The Small Bar (this location is their original location) is located north of Logan square and it is 4 or 5 blocks from the Logan Square stop on the blue line.

The atmosphere is nice. It was a bit smoky, but that's to be expected in a Chicago bar. From the outside Small Bar doesn't appear to be a bar. It's in a cute little neighborhood, and if you walk here, you may wonder if you're in the right place.

There are 15 taps, half of which seem to be focusing on regional beers. There is a large chalkboard broadcasting the bottled selections, of which most were imports or Micros. I think there were 50 or 60 bottled beers available.

We had great service at the bar.

The quality of Small Bar's beers are good. I spoke with one of the owners, and he seemed to know his beer and felt that beer was very important to his establishment.

The food was good. I had a chicken club sandwich and my wife tried their turkey burger. I will definately be back here, since it's close to my house.

04-06-2005 15:18:03 | More by beerinator