Archie's Iowa Rockwell Tavern — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

I checked out Archie’s as part of the Chicago Bar Bracket - an NCAA style bracket to find the best bar in Chicago.

I feel that if it had not been for the Bracket that Archie’s may have gone another decade without seeing someone who is not already a regular. I don’t mean this as an insult to Archie’s, but it very much came across as a very local, very neighborhood bar in which the best part is that everyone know’s your name.

As for the bar itself it’s a pretty bare bones corner tied house. Something pretty typical in Chicagoland. Not to say that I wouldn’t mind having Archie’s on the corner of my block (I’d probably become a regular pretty quick).

While the bar looks fairly unassuming it packs a pretty good beer list. Still, I ended up going with a Hamms and Jim Beam special for $5 - a deal that’s pretty hard to pass up regardless of a bar’s beer selection.

The service at the bar from the lone employee present - Bradley the Bartender - was friendly, and there’s not much more to ask since Archie’s does not come across as an establishment worth visiting because of it’s crafty concoctions.

The bar boasts a single TV in the back, a pool table, and a decent selection of board games. We ended up raiding the dice from Yahtzee to play a game called 7-14-21. I highly recommend this game - rules can be found on the Chicago Bar Bracket’s website in the matchup between the Duke of Perth & Archie’s. Or you can probably just google the game.

Overall Archie’s felt like going to a house party without knowing the host or any other guests. We never felt unwelcome, but it really didn’t feel like we enjoyed the main attraction of this bar and it felt like we never would unless we committed to making this “our bar.” Unfortunately neither any of my friends or I live close to Archie’s so this will likely never happen.

My recommendation is that if you live within walking distance, check it out as it may become your favorite watering hole. However, if you don’t live nearby you can probably take a pass if you’re coming from a distance and looking for the best bar in Chicago.

Unfortunately, for this reason Archie’s fell to the Duke of Perth in the Chicago...

We liked that the bar was within walking distance from where we were staying. Quite, clean and they let you bring dogs in. However the bartender may have been having a bad night. My BF order a dark beer and she questioned him about his choice. "are you sure you can handle it?" felt like she was talking down to him. Also it was just a dang bourbon barrel aged dark beer and it was his first drink to order. Anyway we expressed to her he would be fine with the beer (which was delicious). She gave him a glass, then she turned around and put a glass in front of my friend and walked away. She thought it was for her beer, turns out she sat a dirty glass in front of her. My friend had already poured her beer in the glass and taken a sip when then bartender sorta freak out and insinuated my friend should have known it was dirty. We only had one round then went back home... Where we could have whatever beer we wanted without being questioned and the glasses are...

I had had a poor experience with one of the regulars at this bar, to the point that I didn't have the desire to return. I recently had a chance to speak to the owner of this bar, and I am really glad we had a chance to speak.

When I tell you I have never experienced such genuine warmth and empathy, I am not speaking to flatter. She provided a listening ear and she validated my emotions. Not to mention - she makes a mean G&T.

This bar has been a staple of Humboldt for 80 years, and they're obviously doing something right to have been around that long. Come here for a delicious and perfectly priced beverage, and make sure to stay for the charm and wonder that the finest bar in Chicago has to offer. You won't want to miss a second of...