Local Option

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev -3.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

I had the best time of the 3 days at this bar. There were some unusually good beers here, led by one of the four of their own brews, a style I had never tried (Kentucky Common) that yields a long mildly sour finish without cherries. The owner and head brewer and 3rd bartender are a flurry of activity, and could handle even a much bigger crowd than this rainy weeknight. Small Earthy bar, safe area with a lot of students in the street. I would make it a point to come back as these people really know their beer.

05-09-2012 20:16:36 | More by northyorksammy

pbass78

New York

4.78/5  rDev +7.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

The Local Option is hands down, one of my favorite bars in the world. They have a fantastic (if not enormous) beer selection, really good and reasonably priced food, great service, and Iron Maiden artwork on the walls. What more could you want? I'm in Chicago for three days, and have already been there twice. The guacamole and po-boys are delicious, and all the beers I've sampled (Dreadnought IPA, Jandrain-Jandrenouille IV Saison, etc) have been quite good. My ONLY complaint about this place is their beer board. The beer names are written (sometimes in abbreviated form) on a chalkboard, but the prices, serving size, style and alcohol content are not provided. Granted, the staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful, but since all this info IS avaialble on their website, it has always baffled me as to why they wouldn't provide this on a printout menu or on the board. That being said, this a WORLD-CLASS beer bar, and I will always make a point to visit when I'm in Chicago. Happy New Year!

01-01-2012 23:20:24 | More by pbass78

LornaLee

Illinois

4.9/5  rDev +10.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

This is without doubt my favorite beer bar in Chicago. I have been to many others, and for interesting selection, knowledgeable (and not snooty) service, this place cannot be beat.

I also like that the staff never condescended to me because I am a woman. I was able to clearly communicate my likes and dislikes, and my excitement for new beers, and try beers without being pigeonholed. That is sometimes hard to find at other beer bars, as the beer world is a boy's club, and it's sometimes hard for me to find my place in it. Note to other restaurants, a beer geek is a beer geek, no matter what kind of junk you pack.

It doesn't hurt that it's two blocks from my apartment in a neighborhood full of bars that aren't my speed, either.

I don't knock the food, but I'm a dick about food just like I'm a dick about beer. That being said, I have no qualms about having a date night with dinner at The Local. The guac is stellar, and you should only order the Muffeletta if you don't have dinner plans for the next three days... its' that big, and that delicious.

I love the constantly rotating taps, and the old standbys mixed in with their own brews, as well as other beers I rarely see elsewhere and probably wouldn't have the guts to try.

Extra points for no jukebox and interesting music always being played (metal, jazz, yacht rock, vocal groups, you name it), and the Big Buck Hunter game in the back.

12-29-2011 19:38:27 | More by LornaLee

stercomm

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev -6.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Have been here twice with my son while visiting him, both times we came in for a late lunch 1-2PM. Place was pretty quiet. Beer selection is very nice, the barkeep had some good suggestions and we were able to try out some really nice beers.

I was surprised at how good the food was, had the grilled cheese sandwich which was exceptional.

Service was good, since the place was quiet spend some time talking brews with the bartender.

Definitely a place to visit again when I'm in the Windy City, they do know beer.

11-04-2011 22:59:22 | More by stercomm

JoeySchlitz

California

4.31/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Also stopped by here on a business trip to Chicago. A bit out of the way - was staying downtown - but worth the trip. Near De Paul University and had an interesting tap selection - notably a Cantillon Gueze - which was quite tasty. A strong selection of Belgium beers with some good beers from the States. They had carbonated LA Angel's Share on tap - that's pretty rare in itself. Overall, looks like your standard college bar with nothing too out of the ordinary. Bar staff was attentive and helpful and prices were pretty decent. Would definitely venture back if I'm in town and they've got some good stuff on tap.

10-24-2011 05:01:33 | More by JoeySchlitz

crossovert

Wisconsin

4.78/5  rDev +7.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$$

Went here on a Wednesday evening before a Devin Townsend concert (I heard it was a "metal bar")

It is a hole in the wall in a mostly residential area. It is nice inside with 31 taps and some bottles. Lots of rare goodies. There was no metal music but it was a nice quiet vibe.

I got a Dark Horse Plead the Option and it was a bit too cold. The food is well-priced and delicious. Not too spicy but there was hot sauce at the table.

The bathroom is unique.

The beer is pricier here.

Overall a solid place if you want to try some rare beers.

Been here many more times and I think it is the best place in IL.

10-20-2011 18:53:00 | More by crossovert

bkett01

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Stopped in for dinner/drinks before the Bruins/Blackhawks game. It's certainly a place you have to seek out and don't just stumble upon.

It's a relatively long but narrow dimly lit room with a bar running along the the wall in the middle. The first thing that caught my eye was the army of tap handles across the front of the bar. Right next to this is the chalkboard where 30 impressive draught beers are listed. I had Evil Twin Before During and After, 3F Gumballhead & SKA Steel Toe stout (nitro). All were very good and the prices are on par with what you'd expect for beers of this quality.

The food (jumbalaya) was good and had a moderate amount of heat to it. Our server/bartender was excellent. Thoroughly answered any questions and made some good suggestions for my wife and I.

I'm not sure why there were so many neon Miller High Life signs in the place but if you're in Chicago looking for some good beer and/or a completely blacklit bathroom you should give Local Option a shot.

10-19-2011 16:28:07 | More by bkett01

Skeksi

Illinois

4.95/5  rDev +11.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Best owner, best bar staff, best selection, best atmosphere, of any bar I've ever been to. This place almost seems like it was invented specifically for me. Metal, unique tap list, awesome, knowledgable staff, good pub food, and they throw awesome parties. What the hell else do you want? Stop in and try a Dampf Loc.

Every stupid bar in this city has craft beer and decent imports on tap these days. A new beer bar or brewpub opens up once a month. The shelves at Binny's are exploding with hundreds if not thousands of different beers. The reason I keep going back to this bar is because with the insane selection of taps, I am pretty much guaranteed to try something that I've never heard of before, or couldn't have gotten my hands on in the first place. Like DH Plead the Fifth aged in WR bourbon barrels. Where else, literally?

My main regret is not finding out about Local before last year.

This place is my Cheers.

10-10-2011 08:02:05 | More by Skeksi

KDawg

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -6.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

A very different vibe than what is normal in lincoln park. That can be a good thing depending on your perspective. Since I'm fine with lots of different vibes it was gonna work for me in the first place. But, it was nice not having to deal with a bunch of people who want to order miller lite and high five each other.

What they have on tap is generally really good. A lot of it are beers that one would normally get at retail in bomber. All of the selections are put up on a chalkboard for you to look at. The chalkboard isn't the most obvious though. It's up there to see for sure, but its a bit off to the side from the bar with a lot of spaces where beers were.

The food was very good. They try to go with the cajun theme, but I didn't feel it was truly a cajun place. Its not a knock in all honesty as it seems their focus is on beer and bringing good beer.

10-06-2011 16:44:04 | More by KDawg

sweethome

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -5.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

I've been here twice. Great variety - one of the best in Chicago for unique beers - particularly some craft european beers. Mikkeller in particular. I've had a number fo their single hop IPAs here.

Simple interior is rather stark upon entry - but fits the vibe of the place. Again - great selection including midwest focus with Summit, Jolly Pumpkin, Tyranena, Central Waters Three Floyds, etc. Only thing keeping me from a perfect score on selection is a need for a few more high quality quaffers - could use a couple local/regional pils or pale ale to round out the big stuff.

The food really surprised me on our first visit - excellent guacamole! Crab cake was one of the best I've had in Chicago - really blown away by quality fo food in this local joint...that is the best way to describe the place - it's local joint with great beer and food. Best drafts are higher than other places - but overall a destination for good beer in Chicago.

09-07-2011 16:11:41 | More by sweethome