Weeds Tavern — Restaurant in Chicago

Open Mic Poetry Reading Mondays at 10:00PM - Sign up at 9:30PM

I have to be upfront and let you know right off the bat, this was not only my very first visit to Weeds, but also my very first Open Mic night in Chicago. With that established you are aware that I have no frame of reference of what makes a good Open Mic night or what a good service or even a good crowd is for this place. What i can say is that everyone from the Bartender to the MC, to all the clientele were all warm, welcoming and friendly. I probably would have hung out longer and schmoozed had a killer migraine not been kicking the back of my eyeballs out of their sockets. I will definitely try to get back there this coming Monday to participate in the fun again and give a glass of their red wine a try.

The poetry Open Mic was an interesting cacophony of talent, expression, cleverness, and performance swirled up in a din of bawdy introductions, spiced with profanity, blended with fresh innovation, garnished with just enough mediocre poets to make the good ones stand out, and all served steaming to your ears at a volume level only people in southern Uruguay could not hear. It would have been delightful (and from what I could see everyone who wasn't having a cranial vascular event was thoroughly having a great time) but my headache just was not going to take it.

The patrons were all from what I could see, sincere fans and very supportive, attentive and responsive to everyone who read and that makes this place a new regular hang-out for this poet and receives my official (4) out of (4) Raven feather rating. Its obviously adult-themed so not probably a place to bring dear Auntie Clarisse who gasps when someone says "Shucks" but definitely a warm and fun place to go if you are looking for something a little different and dont mind the...

The reason why I am putting this low final score is because I felt racism there. I strongly oppose unfair treatment and especially in America when people are treated with prejudice. I lived in New Zealand and never felt it. I was trying to be good with the bartender, but she gave me unfair treatment. I didn't like it at all. I am doing a 30 day Amtrak train trip in the USA and never felt like this before. Katie, I think that was the bartender name, was overwhelmed with customers, and overworked. I was observing how she treated me compared to others. Really felt bad. I haven't experienced this type of treatment anywhere in the USA before. Sorry for her behavior. There should be an additional person to help her. The place is doing slavery (kind of slavery) making her work harder. Is this America? When you treat someone with respect you expect a little bit of respect back. I had a totally different picture of Chicago. Everyone was helpful and treated me with respect. Except this place... I understand the problem is with the owner and the girl is just made to work hard. A private party is given...

We live a few blocks from here and after a few years in the area I decided to give this place a try. We visited on a recent Saturday night and the place was packed as expected but there was room at the bar for us. The woman who took our drink orders at the bar was just what a person tending bar should be - attentive and engaged with her customers and seemingly enjoying being there. Although no food is available to order, you can always bring something in from a nearby spot. And I noticed that most of the pubs with no food options are dog friendly as this is so great to know our Labrador Retriever can join us. I love the digital jukebox too and there is a small area in the back with a dart board and pool table. With the warmer weather nearing, looking forward to sitting out in the patio. Overall, we had a great time and will be back often - making this our regular Saturday spot seems worth it. If you are commuting here by CTA - you cannot beat the options - Red Line subway station a block away, and 8 and 72 buses as well. Don't pass...