Old Town Ale House — Restaurant in Chicago

Old Ale House is everything an individual like myself wants in a local dive. A Great 4am dive with a lively late night crowd.

This totally unassuming bar brings characteristics unlike others you've been to. The first thing you will notice upon walking in are crass, I'm talking wholly NSFW, political satirical portraits donning the walls of the establishment. That barely precedes the jazz standards that you will hear above the loud chatter of the bar crowd. You will come to know this jazz is being played out of an old school juke box that only holds jazz and classical music to be chosen.

The bar offers a small but satisfying variety of options at reasonable prices. But by the time I get there I'm usually just sticking to some PBR. Also be prepared and bring cash as the Ale House is cash only. If you get hungry you're typically out of luck, however, there is a friendly fellow who comes by every night selling hot, delicious, homemade tamales.

The service at the bar is focused on the efficiency. If you want friendliness talk to the door man, they are always friendly and respectable even with all the hammered mid-20s aged kids around. Speaking of that the crowd is typically pretty diverse and gets younger as the night wears on. It appears to also attract the second city crew from across the street.

All of these things combine to make for a fantastic late-night experience (like after 11 pm). Don't ask me about what it's like before 11 because...

Have you ever wanted to get into the "Dive Bar" scene but don't know how to get your foot in the door. Well, how about "diving" feet first into the Old Town Ale house. Located on North ave, right across the street from the famed Second City, this quaint bar fits all your dive bar essentials: eclectic decor, friendly regulars, and not a bad beer selection.

This bar isn't first date material, unless you're the adventurous type or a motorcycle enthusiasts. For you see the "eclectic decor" includes various political artwork that would make your mother or father blush, unless of course they're the adventurous type or motorcycle enthusiasts!

I would recommend this place of perhaps the 4th or 10th date or you're in a relationship where bodily functions like passing gas is a "no biggie."

Plus, you can actually have casual conversations at this bar, as the music is never too loud and patrons tend to be less rowdy types.... although adventurous, not sure about motorcycle enthusiasts, but hey why not.

(Note I do not mean to make marginalize or judgmental comments about the adventurous or motorcycle...

A classic Chicago cash only bar. This place has an amazing crowd and everyone seems to be very friendly. The bartenders on the other hand only seem to like the regulars which I understand, but a smile here or there wouldn't hurt. Everytime I have gone to this place I meet new people and we talk like we are friends already. A lot of Second City people come in here too since it is right across the street. They can certainly make you laugh! The drink are the typical cash only bar drinks. They have about 8 beers on tap and lots more in bottle and cans. You can get a mix drink and depending how you talk to the bartender you will probably get a decent drink. I have never had a bad experience here I just wish the bartenders were as friendly as the people...