Old Town Ale House

Moved in the area recently and got to check out Old Town Ale House, and so glad I stopped in! I was actually given a tip to check it out by some other local bartenders in the area... which is always a good sign. Cash only, great beers and a cool dark wooden vibe. They even have a CD player with the album flipper from back in the 90's/00's. I kept saying the only thing this place is missing is a self service popcorn machine :)Overall if you're looking for a cool classic old school bar, stop in for a beer and don't be surprised if this becomes your new weekly spot

If you're into politically hilarious and filthy art, this place is a must-visit. ***It's cash only, so be prepared for that.***Beers are $8 each, which is pretty standard for the area. The vibe is super laid back, perfect for some daytime drinking. The atmosphere is dark with cool, mellow jazz tunes playing in the background. Highly recommended for a chill and unique experience!

Old Town Ale House was featured in a couple of Anthony Bourdain episodes, and also conveniently located right across from the Second City theaters, so we just had to check it out. It's not quite a dive bar, the owner's savvy and humorous paintings cover most of the walls, creating fun and relaxed atmosphere. At night, its warmly lit, almost as if it was a romantic restaurant. There seemed to be a lot of locals, maybe a few tourists. No cover charge. Beers ranged from $6-8, wells gin & tonics $8, making this a very affordable drinking hole. Doorman and bartenders were all friendly, as well as the regulars. Great place to chill before or after your Second City show, or just in general.

Awesome little neighborhood dive bar filled with locals & art. Drinks were strong & done right! Bar is cash only but they do have an atm on premises. Directly across from second city so it's the perfect pre or post show spot for drinks.

After nearly ten years of stopping in every few months, this remains one of my favorite bars in the city. Not necessarily for the beers or mixed drinks, you can get the same or better just about anywhere else. It's the vibe. It's the incredible jukebox with records ranging from Count Basie and Tony Bennett to Howlin' Wolf and Tom Waits. It's the crazy paintings on the wall, showcasing the heroes from across the street, and the criminals who permeate our government. It's the kind of place that's too few and far between, your classic watering hole filled with regulars, folks who know, and visitors from all over the country. The bartenders will happily strike up a conversation with you, and just as happily leave you alone. You'll see people who might as well have their name on the barstool, folks who have probably been kicked out more than once, and people just having a really good time over a couple of beers. It's always a pleasure to come in and feel like you've transported forty or fifty years back. This place isn't trying to be trendy, and it certainly isn't desperately trying to be cool or coax people in. But it doesn't need to, like the owner himself, it wears who it is proudly on its sleeve and demands a little bit of honesty, humility, and for you to leave your bs at the door. Come in, have a beer, and enjoy the best jukebox and wildest decor in the city.

For sure this is what a dive bar should be. It may not have the cheapest drinks, but there's lots of other things about it that make it so. Old Town Ale House has been around for a long time. Gets so dark inside even during the day. The walls are covered with the most interesting artwork, and that alone is reason enough to check it out. Basically it's a classic. It's had a lot of visitors come through. There's evidence of this on the walls. Paintings of the celebrities who have been here fill one side of the bar. These include Anthony Bourdain, Jimmy Kimmel, and many others. Cool artwork above the bar. There's some funny nude paintings of politicians. Other than the art, the main thing is the drinks. There's cheap and expensive. Cheap beer comes in cans. It's about $8 for a Stiegl on tap. Good liquor choices. It's about $10 for most cocktails. This place isn't as cheap as it was but there's still a few specials. It's cash only. The only bad thing about this place it seems. Good place to check out artwork and get drinks. It's pretty crowded because space is limited. The bar is cash only so before coming out some money in the wallet.

Solid old school dive bar with comfortable ambience. Good draft beer served very cold. Views of the street life while you kick back with a drink are quite nice.

Cash only but there is an ATM available. If you're a Trump fan, you probably wouldn't appreciate the paintings hung of him in a straight jacket. There was some interesting artwork through the whole place. Our group didn't have any cocktails so you can't really mess up drafts, bottles, and cans. I wish the windows opened bc it was a little stuffy. Typical old dive bar that met that expectation.

Great place with a lot of history. If you're looking for a fancy bar, this is not it. But for the political types it's a must visit.

Incredible art inside, Anthony bourdain approved and an overall fun vibe, good beer selection, no food.