Beer Bistro North

emerge077

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25 | food: 3.75 | $$

Stopped in here for lunch recently, and definitely see it happening again soon in the future. If you've ever been here when it was SmallBar, expect a healthy sense of deja vu once returning. Not much has changed regarding the layout and general feel of the place. What's new are several large framed prints of local breweriana like Fox Deluxe, a detailed chart of assorted hop varieties on the stair landing, and many tap handles displayed high on the brick wall opposite the bar. Vibe was relaxed during the day, and the open & airy feel was a welcome change from tiny cramped bars elsewhere.

Selection was good, many craft staples plus a few rotating seasonals such as Hopslam, Sixpoint 3 Beans, and Celebration. Local drafts like Alpha King, Daisy Cutter, Anti-Hero, and Secret Stache. Bottle list was pretty long and also updated on beermenus. They had a $2 can special advertised on their website, that turned out $3 with a list of 25+ to choose from. I had a Gossamer and a bowl of chili, which turned out to be fairly meaty and belly-warming on this cold rainy afternoon.

Service at the bar was quick and friendly. The bartender was a short haired brunette who knew her beers, and offered samples. Not much more you can ask for there.

Overall this location is an improvement over the west loop one, a classic tavern vibe with nice taps and good bar food. Not far from Local Option, Monkey's Paw, and Headquarters, which wouldn't make a bad pub crawl.

01-30-2013 20:24:08 | More by emerge077

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.94/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

This place stands where once the old SmallBar Fullerton location was all those years ago... Anyway, not much has changed, to be completely honest. It's still small-ish (though not really...it just kinda seems smaller than it is), modern, and cozily cold/sterile (if that makes sense). The bartenders are all rather amiable and generally knowledgeable about the beer. The selection tends toward the usual good crafts, though special kegs come through regularly (BA Old Chub, GLBC Rye of the Tiger, etc). I haven't tried the food, which doesn't seem to have changed much (if at all) from the SBF menu...which always sounded too hoity-toity for my tastes. I have yet to see this place all that crowded, which greatly surprises me.

Overall, this is a nice place for a good beer, but I think some better options (more Local ones, if you catch my drift...) are nearby...

10-03-2012 19:23:14 | More by TMoney2591