GOLD STAR BAR — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

I don't normally review places until I've been enough times to really have an opinion. So after about six months of floating through the bars in Wicker Park with a pool table, I’ve landed on Gold Star as my favorite. I started out only coming every once in a while, but lately it feels like I close my Sundays through Thursdays at Gold Star even though I participate in APA at pool halls outside of Wicker Park. So why Gold Star? The staff and patrons make Gold Star a fun and friendly place to shoot pool, drink, laugh, and have great conversations. The inviting atmosphere allows you to get to know everyone, whether it’s one of the bar tenders or any of the regulars at the pool table. Arthur, Cass, Courtney, Julian, and Liz keep you entertained and having a great time. Prices are more than fair and drink selections are plentiful. Drinking on a budget? They’ve got you covered. Not sure what you feel like drinking? Someone will make a great recommendation. Feel like sipping on Pappy? They’ve also got you covered. Just don’t be that idiot that knocked his glass over. If I could, I would definitely show up more often and earlier to be able to participate in APA at Gold Star and then stay to close out the bar with the many friends I’ve...

I hate to leave a 1 star review because of one bartender who doesn’t reflect the entire staff but the experience was so bad it merits a 1 star. I live literally next door to this bar and have been going consistently for a year, but after this never going back and will recommend everyone to avoid. Keep in mind we are in our 30s and we were maybe 1 drink in so stone cold sober, we tried to order a drink Sunday night. The bartender refused to serve us after we asked for a specific drink (which is on the menu) saying “we don’t serve that here”. I responded and asked if she could make a very well known cocktail (Negroni) and just switch the liquor to bourbon. I kid you not she just stared at me and said no, then just walked away. I’ve never seen anything like it, couldn’t believe it so we just went to another bar and on the way out she goes “buh bye” like legit tauntingly. Such a weird vibe. Needless to say we won’t be going back, there are so many bars on division with awesome bartenders who actually enjoy their jobs so don’t even bother going here and risk the awful and...

Got denied by the bouncer yesterday who accused me of having a fake ID. I’m 23 years old, from NJ, and just upgraded my license (in November 2024, see below) to a real ID (expires May 2026). I was dead sober and very confused by the interaction with the seemingly unbothered and rude bouncer who fiddled with my ID for 2+ minutes before turning me away. Stinks as I’ve been to this bar several times before and always had a good time.

EDIT: rewriting this review because the establishment tried to gaslight me in my last review by claiming my ID was expired. Really strange behavior by them - would recommend staying away just because of that. I messaged the owner of the bar on LinkedIn to resolve this cordially, so it felt pretty odd for them to go the route of making up lies here instead of investigating what went wrong...