Kasey's Tavern

Kasey's TavernKasey's Tavern
Kasey's TavernKasey's Tavern
Bar, Eatery

701 S Dearborn St
Chicago, Illinois, 60605-1837
United States

(312) 427-7992 | map
kaseystavern.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.17
Reviews:
9
Ratings:
14
pDev:
6.71%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by misternebbie:
Photo of misternebbie
Rated by misternebbie from Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +0.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.25

Feb 04, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of MaltMartyr
Reviewed by MaltMartyr from Illinois

4.86/5  rDev +16.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 5
It is a traditional setting with enough on tap to make you think. It is located within walking distance of two retail liquor stores worthy of a trip thereafter and the Jazz Show case located in Dearborn Station should you appreciate jazz. The service is knowledgeable and can make recommendations and provide samples. However, pick a day when things are not overwhelming to visit. Nicole is quite good at managing the place, as are the bartenders in servicing regulars. It has enough and for most of us, including me, this is near perfect for what it is.
Nov 30, 2019
Photo of Harrison8
Reviewed by Harrison8 from Missouri

4.06/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.75
Cozy sports bar that, for whatever reason, draws up memories of Patty's Pub in Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The difference between the two is the staff here is respectable and the patrons are mostly young professionals letting loose after work. There is a TV behind every inch of the solid-wood bar, displaying sports, with the area opposite the restaurant-length bar being high-top 4 seaters. Tap list is pretty formidable, offering up a large array of beers across nearly all styles, with a few bottles/cans available as well. Although it's quick to get loud, especially during hometown games, it's still a cozy bar to visit for a pour and conversation. Pizza is cheap - very cheap ($5), and while it may not be anything special, it's still not bad. It comes out piping hot, so be warned.

If I lived nearby, it would certainly become my 'watering hole' of choice.
Oct 27, 2019
 
Rated: 3.89 by cryptichead from Illinois

Jul 04, 2017
 
Rated: 4.25 by maxcoinage from Illinois

Sep 11, 2014
 
 
Rated: 4 by TheRealPour from Illinois

Dec 14, 2013
Photo of drumminbrewer
Reviewed by drumminbrewer from Illinois

4.31/5  rDev +3.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Great little spot right next to where I work. Have frequented it many times and know many of the barkeeps.

A small - dimly lit place in Chicago's "Printers Row" area on Dearborn. Not much to look at, average size but not particularly accommodating to large groups. I believe they have frozen pizza and such, but I've never eaten much there outside of the popcorn.

The selection and service is what makes this place shine. Solid amount of drafts, but the bottle list is what makes this place great. Rare cellar finds (got a 2009 Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi last time), and things like KBS, the 3 sisters from Goose and other things rare to Chicago have been spotted there. Great selection of Belgian stuff too - God I love that oak aged La Trappe.

Great people. Danny, Chevy and Kali (believe it's with a K, don't think it's an abbreviated California) are all great, attentive folks who really enjoy talking to the customers and get to know people by name.

Absolutely worth your time, a great neighborhood haunt that's a destination too. Cheers guys.
Sep 22, 2011
Photo of dirtylou
Reviewed by dirtylou from Oklahoma

3.73/5  rDev -10.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
Late on a Sunday night, we decided to venture into the South Loop for some craft desires and a quest for karma.

kasey's is a cool enough place, very much in the Chicago mold...lots of Chicago sports swag, dark and narrow with sufficient bar stools and nearby tables. the taplist was pretty common - 3F gumballhead, a few two brothers, metropolitan and other common micro brands in the midwest.

the bar itself was cooler than nearby Hackneys, but the tap selection at the latter was superior. they had a few interesting bottles, but there isnt really anything to set the selection apart from dozens of other places.

worth a stop if you're in the area, but chances are you wont be. also, if staying in the main "hotel district", its a quick ride on the red line to the printers row district.
Jul 27, 2011
Photo of spointon
Reviewed by spointon from Illinois

4.44/5  rDev +6.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
I visited Kasey's today (1/23/2010).

Kasey's is located on Printer's Row near the old Dearborne Station. It is a stereotypical Chicago bar, which is to say it is narrow and deep, with high (tin) ceilings, and lots of old, well-worn woodwork. There was a good selection of classic rock playing...loud enough to enjoy but quiet enough to hold conversations with others. There were also 8 flat screen televisions showing sports but they didn't dominate the place.

The beer selection was pretty impressive. I counted 18 taps which included the ever present Guinness and Smithwick's, but the rest were all "craft" or super quality beer. As other reviewers have noted the selection leans toward American craft brewers with a large percentage being Midwest selections. I noted Bell's Two Hearted, Winter Ale, & Hopslam as well as a couple GLBC taps, Green Flash IPA, FFF Gumballhead, Metropolitan's kolsch, Lagunitas IPA, and a couple Two Brothers beers (Northwind RIS, Cain and Ebel). All in all a great variety. The bottle selection was pretty impressive too, with a heavy lean toward Belgian ales and lambics. Of note was Rochefort 10 and De Dolle Oerbier, both of which I am always thrilled to see offered in a pub.

I visited on Saturday and was blown away by the fact that every beer on tap (except for Hopslam) was just $3.50 all day, and served up in full pint glasses. So, Northwind RIS for $3.50!

The bartender was very knowledgable about the beer (she had previously tried all of the beers and could hold an intelligent conversation about them).

There is no kitchen, but they will order in your food from the surrounding restaurants (Hackneys, Flaco's Tacos, Bar Louie) and then add that to your bar bill for you. Pretty cool. You can also bring in your own food if you wish.

All in all a great little place that I will definitely visit many more times.
Jan 24, 2010
Photo of bound4er
Reviewed by bound4er from Wisconsin

4.44/5  rDev +6.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
I visited Kasey's twice in the last week and really like this place. The service is friendly, knowledgeable and prompt and their prices are more than fair. Their tap beer selection is very nice - I took a shining to Green Flash IPA, something I have never had before. Their bottle selection is very nice too - I was with a business associate from Brussels and he was impressed. The place has a friendly vibe to it from the employees to the patrons. If you want to watch sports, they have plenty of TV's. There isn't any food cooked on site per se, but they do have a local restaurant that will deliver burgers and other similar chow. If you are staying downtown near the south loop area, I would highly recommend checking this place out.
Oct 10, 2009
Photo of emerge077
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

3.94/5  rDev -5.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Strolled into Kasey's today on a mini-tour of the Loop/South Loop. Front and back doors were open for a cross breeze, and the sun was shining. There were a few patio tables outside, with some tree shade and flowerboxes. Inside it was more barebones with 8 flatscreens playing sports and a Golden Tee. Tap handles were towards the center of the bar, highlights were Cane & Ebel, Hop Juice, and Gumballhead. The tap selection leaned towards US craft with a few random imports. Bottle selection was pretty impressive for the loop, some De Dolle, Ellezelloise, GLBC, Victory (6-8), 2 FFF, several Two Brothers, etc. Something for everyone, nothing too obscure, but a wide selection.

The crowd seemed pretty local and townie. There may be free wifi, I saw a girl with a laptop. Most were swilling macros. Next to me sat a guy with an escort several years his senior, decked out in flourescent orange spandex. Yeesh. There was branded glassware behind the bar, and service was timely. Not a bad stop near Hackneys & Villains.

2011: Not as eclectic a selection as in years past, still some good midwest craft staples and cheap specials. Gouging $20+ for KBS isn't cool.
Aug 07, 2009
Photo of JToad
Reviewed by JToad from Indiana

4.3/5  rDev +3.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Randomly stumbled (literally) into this place while in Chicago yesterday. Just assumed it was your typical neighborhood bar. Boy was I surprised!

18 taps, with the only common beers being Miller Lite and Harp. 2 different Lagunitas brews, which we don't get in Indiana, so I was stoked. They happened to be only $3 for Laguinitas pints that day, so I had the Gnarlywine, and my friend had the IPA. They also had Southern Tier's Phin and Matts Extrodinary Ale. 3 Floyds Gumballhead, and some Bell's offerings.

Their bottle selection was fantastic, but I stuck to drafts.

All in all. great quiet little bar. Awesome brews and great prices. Loved it, and I wish they made bars like this is South Bend!
Jul 18, 2009
Photo of Maction
Reviewed by Maction from Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 2.5
At first Kasey's might seem to be trying to be all things to all bar-goers. Is it a neighborhood dive? A classic pub? A sports bar? A craft beer haven? It certainly incorporates elements of all of the above:

Classic pub: They have the 2nd oldest liquor license in Chicago. The interior is dark wood and exposed brick, with minimalist furnishings. The service is friendly and relaxed, but they know how to pour a beer and maintain their lines.

Sports bar: Eight big flat screens and one huge projector, which are always tuned to sports channels, although the sound is usually kept fairly low unless it's a big game for a local team.

Beer haven: Upon my last visit, 18 taps with only two corporate macros. Tap highlights include Allagsh White, Bell's 2 Hearted and Porter, Cane & Ebel, Lagunitas IPA, Dekoninck, Sawtooth, Dragon's Milk, Phin & Matts Extraordinary, Rogue Juniper Ale, and New Belgium Bier de Mars. Also over 70 bottles, mainly American craft beer and some Belgians, including branded chalices etc. for some of the Belgians. Check out their website for an idea, but be aware that the lists are not up-to-date.

Neighborhood dive: You have two choices for food from Kasey's: microwaved popcorn or frozen pizza from the toaster oven. But, they don't mind if you bring in take-out from other places in the area. The prices are also very reasonable for the Loop, and according to their Website, all Drafts are $3 on Saturdays.

Overall, Kasey's saves itself by not trying too hard. It's a relaxed bar to relax in, and the disparate elements are more gestalt than disjointed.
Jun 03, 2009
Kasey's Tavern in Chicago, IL
Place rating: 4.17 out of 5 with 14 ratings