Hopleaf

StoneTSR

Colorado

3/5  rDev -30.9%
vibe: 1.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 1 | selection: 5 | food: 3 | $$$

This is the most pretentious beer bar you will find in the great State of Illinois. The service is wrectched and sitting in the bar during prime hours is nearly impossible because it is so packed. In fact, before I lost 45 pounds I was literally incapable of sitting at most of their tables in the main bar. It was simply too tight of a squeeze.

What keeps people coming back, however, is the buzz and the beer. The selection is incredible and it is far and away the most well-known beer bar on the North Side. So you look cool for knowing about it.

What really bothers me about this place is the bartenders. I am one myself and so I know how to treat them, I understand their plight and I have the utmost respect for them. Sadly, they do not return that favor. Even a fairly well educated beer geek like myself is made to feel like a moron for asking any question about any of the beer, which is a shame.

If you know what you want, and you can't find it elsewhere, check out the Hopleaf. If you want to learn about beer and explore, find another place with a smaller selection, but a more helpful staff. There are plenty of other spots in Chicago.

11-07-2010 01:42:43 | More by StoneTSR

HopsMatt

Kentucky

2.85/5  rDev -34.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 1 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$$$

Average tap selections were priced reasonable. Anything limited on the menu was not available. Anything interesting was so inflated it was stupid. $75 for a 3F Schaerbeekse Kriek? Are you insane?

We waited about an hour but it was Friday. Whatever. What really pissed me off was the service. Our waitress had an attitude and decided to be a general bitch the entire night. She had no personality to speak of. She came to the table, said two words and vanished. I had been rather excited to try this place but after my experience with her as a waitress, I will never be back. There are way too many better bars to spend my money in than waste my time here. You're better off avoiding this place in favor of an establishment that treats its customers as if they want them to return.

02-20-2013 09:07:30 | More by HopsMatt

Hopsiam14

Minnesota

4.48/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 5 | $$

I had the opportunity to visit the Hopleaf in 09 and really enjoyed it. A sweet beer list and the layout was super cool as well. Bartenders knew their beer but service was a bit slow. I would like to try the Maproom in my next Chicago visit. I didn't get a chance to try their food either, so many good restaurants in that town.

01-24-2013 03:17:50 | More by Hopsiam14

Stinger80OH

Ohio

4.3/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Located far from the tourist downtown Chicago, Hopleaf represents what I believe to be a "destination beer bar". The large selection of drafts and bottles is one of the best of have seen anywhere in my travels. The atmosphere is nothing flashy and is perfect for consuming and discussing great beer. There are no TVs. All drafts are poured into appropriate glassware. Service is attentive and can answer any questions regarding their various selections. I did not try any of the food they serve however their offerings appear to be good pairings for the beers on hand. Overall, if you are visiting Chicago and want to find a great beer bar, this is your place.

01-06-2013 15:25:35 | More by Stinger80OH

hopfotch

4.2/5  rDev -3.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Upscale bar in a nice northside 'hood; recently remodeled which improves atmosphere and ability to hold a conversation dramatically. Liked it before and put up with the noise and crowds for the incredible selection of Belgians (served of course in the appropriate goblet) and local high-quality microbrews. Like it even more now with all the goods still in place but double-plus the floor-space!

In addition to drinks, food selection and quality is well above average, and shows thoughtfulness to drink pairing. Small wine selection and fully stocked cocktail bar rounds out Hopleaf's capabilities.

A top tier bar - in the top three beer bars in Chicago, no question. A great place to meet friends, end the day, or ring in the weekend or special event. Also, the mainshift bouncer's goatee is highly impressive.

01-03-2013 19:15:39 | More by hopfotch

FEUO

Ontario (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev -1.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Dropped in for dinner and a couple beers on 10/29.
Atmosphere was relaxed and warm. Sat in the front room in a booth. Had to go to the bar for service which was fine as the staff was pleasant.
Beers: Bruery Autumn Maple, Oskar Blues Ten Fidy, Allagash Fluxus.
Dinner: starter was the rabbit sausage (good), main course was the brisket platter (excellent) with mac and cheese.

Vibe was really nice. Big place with back room and apparently an upstairs.
Combination of vast beer menu (bottles and taps) and a dinner menu with interesting selections makes this a must for the next visit.
They had monkfish on the menu! Say what? Wasn't in the mood for seafood that night but normally would never turn down an opportunity for something like that.
Thanks again!

11-05-2012 12:19:33 | More by FEUO

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -3.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Stopped in here on a minor pre-wedding pub crawl. I've only heard glowing compliments, so expectations were high.

The place, at least the front area, seems somewhat small, but, for once, the word cozy could be used without being a euphemism for cramped. It's lit well enough to escape dimness, but not so much to be called bright. Nice. As I am wont to do, I went right for the bar. Being fairly early in the afternoon, I wasn't surprised that the place was nowhere near full. The bartender was friendly, prompt, and definitely seemed to know her stuff (I overheard her making recommendations to others at the bar). The selection is decidedly Belgian-heavy, though local and other miscellaneous stuff remains plentiful as well. While perusing the tap list I noticed many offerings not available anywhere else (or, at least, not yet, anyway). Always nice. I was offered tastes of anything I was on the fence about, which helped make my usually-poor decision-making a much easier task. Proper glassware was always employed. Prices were not higher or lower in any appreciable sense from other places in the City. I didn't try any of the food, nor did I even look at a menu, but I've heard great things. Maybe next time...

And, trust me, there will be a next time. This place lived up the praise. 'Nuff said.

10-03-2012 14:36:38 | More by TMoney2591

sethmcconkey

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$$

One of my all-time favorite bars in Chicago. Guaranteed fun night any night of the week. Fantastic selection, great food...you have to try the fries! Knowledgeable and mostly-friendly staff. Atmosphere is great...cozy feel, nice option to drink at main downstairs or the smaller upstairs bar. You can normally find a table without waiting for too long, even on Friday and Saturday nights. Nice rotation of brew...love that they stay committed to serving some great local beers as well as featuring beers from amazing breweries from all over the world.

09-09-2012 02:49:30 | More by sethmcconkey

Etan

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +2.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Pretty impressed with Hopleaf. The taplist rotates pretty frequently and always has lots of good local stuff, and usually something a little harder to find. Of course there's the gigantic Belgian selection (many on tap even), and every time I've been there they've had some nice 3F and Cantillon bottles in the back (highly priced but that's understandable considering the circumstances...).

The place has a friendly staff, and is generally pretty crowded, but it's always pretty easy to get a seat at the bar. The wait is pretty long for tables on weekends, but not quite as bad as other hyped bars/cocktail places in the city. Charming decorations as well.

The food is pretty awesome (the duck reuben is one of my favorites, the fries are always good). Great place, a shame it's so far north...

08-07-2012 19:23:10 | More by Etan

socon67

New York

4.85/5  rDev +11.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$$

Came here to finish a pub crawl around Chicago. Stopped in to try some local stuff I can't get in NY. Bartender not only made suggestions, but even gave some samples of other local beer that she though we would like. Big Win! A couple other craft beer drinkers were there and made good conversation. didn't have food but the options of blegian food looked good.

Needless to say, the generosity made us buy another round and tip well. I think this was an awesome place with fair prices given what was on tap (FFF Seasonals, and NB Tart Lychee). I can see why Hopleaf gets such rave reviews.

08-01-2012 00:31:36 | More by socon67