Blind Robin
853 N Western, Chicago, IL, 60622
Blind Robin Menu
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Address :
853 N Western
Chicago, IL, 60622 - Phone (773) 395-3002
- Website https://theblindrobin.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : No
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Loud
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Mon, Wed, Fri
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : Yes
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JAMES M.
Yes you might pass this place everyday and not even know its there! I know I did. Look at it its so tiny form the outside................. But go inside and wow its huge!!!! Yes you will have your Hipsters hanging out there thinking theyre cool and stuff. but theres also regular people! and a TV!!!! We were watching a football game and having a blast even witht the hipsters there. The place has a library feel to it. But its all good once your past the 4th Alpha king who the hell cares where im at!!! shake and Bake seal of approval for this place!
(3)Sarah H.
Blind Robin is literally on my block.. and for that I am thankful. I moved away from Lemmings and wondered where I could get that same laid back, good drinks, good people, good music kind of vibe. Well Blind Robin is the place. Especially in this fridgid snowy winter when I can hardly be expected to venture far. I suppose it is kinda out of the way for anyone not in the area, which may play a role in it not getting super crowded. It's probably wrong to say.. but that's a-okay with me. I like always finding myself a seat!
(4)Phil F.
If I want a late night drink, like I did last night....I would like to go here. Its a good vibe, not full of a-hole bartenders like someplace a little farther north on Western. I always feel like I just wanna be a loaf here. Which is how one should feel at a bar. Right? And this is where I won the Mac 'n Cheese Off too, so it brings back memories.
(4)Michael F.
$2 Pabst pints and an excellent selection of other beers if you aren't cheap. They also have games like Connect Four if you find time while pounding down PBR and whiskey. There was a DJ who was playing everything from Shellac to Neutral Milk Hotel. I've been there on two Saturdays and both times there were seats at the bar available for most of the night. I like this place much better than when it was Vertigo. The only negative is that it's not too close to the El and there is no good reason to ride the Western bus.
(5)Nicolas H.
I like this spot. They've got some great beers on tap, some that you really don't see elsewhere around town. They've got plenty of seating for such a small place and the bartenders are nice enough...
(4)nancy n.
Pretty good selection of craft beer here. Never uber crowded, bartenders are always friendly. The crowd as well...many times I've had random conversations with people that weren't annoying. I wanted to specifically review this place because often I bring in really random things to eat from Rich's Deli. Nobody ever bats an eye when I lay out some stinky polish spread. That's pretty cool. And though I like football, last year I wasn't interested in the game, so the bartenders put on the puppy bowl instead. niiiiice. (if you don't like polish food, a tamale guy will always come through here for something else to eat).
(4)Rachel H.
Any place whose decor includes a Barbie and Ken in the 69 position has got to be a good time, right? My perpetual drinking companion suggested this place, most likely because we are both dead broke and they have $2 PBRs, but I was happy with his suggestion. I also snuck in a couple Jack and cokes at a decent price, and the place was pretty chill, and a good place to chat out our miseries, tell tales of our misspent youth, and try to figure out the mysteries of how one might end up with a bike lock, but no bike. I'll be back. Plus there's a birdie on the sign.
(5)Andrea J.
I don't know if they got a new set of bartenders to make up for the seemingly terrible old ones, but this place is great if you want to grab a drink and actually hear the person you're talking to. It shares owners with the Green Eye, so it has a similar laid back feel (just much closer to my house!), the beer selection is great, and the bartenders that we have regular contact with are friendly, talkative, and fun to hangout with. It is never packed, even on the weekends, which is fine by me because that means less crowds to wade through and more conversation to actually hear. This has become my and my friends' go-to place to get a drink.
(5)Shana M.
After repeated run-ins and running away from the bar around the corner, my roommate and I were lamenting the travesty that is a neighborhood without a good bar. Then we spied the newly opened (just finished it's first month of business) Blind Robin and my thirsty roomie practically sprinted over. My refreshing Tanquerray and tonics were only $4.50 a piece! That's cheap! I sat, enjoyed the nice, clean lined, if hipsteresque atmosphere on a quiet Sunday night while doing the crossword, and snickered because I'll never have to go the that OTHER bar again.
(4)Julie A.
I dig the Blind Robin. Bar choices in the UV in that area are slim, and by far Blind Robin is the best. I've never been there when it has been crowded or anything, prices are good, and beer selection is great. I'm a huge exposed brick fan, and this place has it - and they have Skip-Bo. Its crazy to think that this is the old Bar Vertigo space - looks nothing the same.
(4)Matty O.
Somewhere between a show at Empty Bottle and a last stop slice at Village Pizza, I rolled into Blind Robin w/ Timmay and his brother. I stroll up to the bar and make myself comfortable. I see Lonestar on the menu and can't resist. So I give the bar the once over. Something is bothering me. So I take another look. This bar has an uncanny resemblance to Green Eye. Then I look over the beer menu again and look at the bar style and tables and the surrounding space and decide it has to be the Green Eye's twin sister. The bartender confirms my suspicions. Same owner. We really only made it in for last call and Andy (I believe) was cool and discussed the Red Red Meat show we had just come from. Andy is a Chicago native and was very familiar with the band which made for good conversation about the band's heyday in Chicago. By the way, what do you call a Chicago native/local? In Tucson, it's a Tu-lo. Can Chicago be a Chi-lo? ... Anyway, I digress. I'm not sure how to rate this. I really enjoy Green Eye. Blind Robin is a carbon copy. In a way it's good, b/c it means double the goodness. However, do they lose originality points? Something I'm going to have to throw back and forth in my head for awhile.
(3)Jessie B.
This place is cool for a drink or two on a Tuesday night. Why? Because PBR's are only $2.00 for a pint. That gets me every time. What can I say, I just love cheap beer & like the fact it is near my house.
(3)Natron Z.
This is a cool bar that recently added Rescue 9-11 pinball! Remember that show? Pretty good. Slotted right after Max Headroom or something. The beer selection is always tasteful and it's never too crowded - even on weekends you can usually find a place to sit. Everyone is usually friendly and the music selected by the bartenders is usually very good. They recently even had a 2 year anniversary party which was incredible - free food and 1/2 price (of already pretty cheap) beer. I'd give it a whirl on a Tuesday or Friday.
(5)Henry L.
Great bar. Good selection. Good prices. Good staff. Good drinks. Generally good music. Comfortable. Ample seating. Highly recommended.
(4)Justin G.
Walking in at 9something PM on a Saturday and being able to get a seat is a good thing. Some might disagree, because they want a place packed at all times, but tables are nice. The beer selection was somewhat lacking. No, it was actually kind of bad. I kept trying new beers; not because there were so many great beers to choose from, but rather because I didn't really like any of the ones they had. Although we did not use them, they had board games, and seemed to have decent music. Laid back and relaxed atmosphere, good lighting, not overcrowded. There's a lot more that this bar could be, but a bar should be judged on what it has, not on what other bars do.
(4)Mark W.
Service is horrible. Bartenders rude and not interesting at all. basically a dump. if you want to have a shitty night, head on over. lol. Walk down to the empty bottle if you wanna have a good time.
(1)mdo s.
The Blind Robin has made it into my group of standby bars that I'll go to a couple times a week. I first stopped in at the Blind Robin the week it opened over this past summer. The place still smelled like drywall and paint. The entire bar had been gutted and most of the old Vertigo was gone. The bar has been flipped around and is actually the bar that was in the old Lava Lounge before they decided to move to Milwaukee Avenue and become crappy. I think the Robin is a great home for such a fine bar. The room itself is long and narrow. There is a smattering of tables along the side and up front by the windows. Towards the back there are about 5 steps to go upstairs and another 10 or so tables are up there. Nice space, clean lines, exposed brick, comfortable bar stools. Now that they've been open for a bit the new bar smell is gone and has been replaced with stale smoke. I like that; even though I don't smoke a bar should be smoky. A bar should smell, well like a bar. Adding to the ambiance at the Blind Robin is a large list of board games they have that you can play. My friend and I spent one night locked in an epic battle of Connect Four. Music- varies depending on who is bartending. There is no jukebox so you listen to whatever the bartender or door guy is listening too. I like the fact that it's never so loud that you can't hear the person next to you talking. Staff- From the bartenders to the guys who check i.d.'s at the door- all top notch people. Always friendly, very personable, can't say enough good things about them. Drinks- If you're a beer lover this is the place for you. 10 beers are on tap, and probably another 25 or so in bottles and cans. Liquor- they do an excellent job of having all your favorites. Prices- this is the best part, the place is cheap. Things that stop them from getting 5 stars from me; they are a cash only bar. Yes there is an ATM on site but for me it's a pain in the ass sometimes. No wait staff, so if you're sitting upstairs with a group you need to walk back and forth with drinks. Those two issues and those alone stop me from giving this place 5 stars; this is a quality bar, they hit the mark in all areas and I have a feeling that it will be here for a long time.
(4)Mike K.
Nice cozy place.....I have certain nerd tendencies, its true. I love Angel/Buffy. Ive seen Star Wars hundreds of times. I love comic books, been to way too many Ben Folds concerts, even play video games online....but as me and my gf noticed, i have way too much testosterone to be in this place. I like the doorman, the bartender and even the patrons seem pretty cool, but i felt like that bully from the Simpsons who would smell or sense nerds and beat them up. Oh hipsters, enjoy your bar.
(3)Darcy L.
Is tonight one of those nights when you want the best? When a scummy dive bar just won't do? When you think your new girlfriend might be the kind of person who likes to get sloshy but also likes clean bathrooms? This westside bar is IT. They have ample bike parking, a lovely and cheap beer selection, sweet tunes, and places to sit. So there. But, I do judge on originality, and the blind robin ain't got much.... so, 4 stars. Overall, it's a pleasant jam.
(4)Martha Z.
A cool little watering hole on Western Avenue. Still not to trendy and hip that I feel out of place or too old. The drinks are cheap and strong. Although by the end of the night I noticed that the bartenders were pocketing my change each time I paid my round. I maybe drunk but I still know how to do math!
(4)meg g.
The wooden art deco bar from the old Lava Lounge looks right at home in the Blind Robin. They've also got $2 Schlitz and a cool logo. Sipping from my beer can by the sodium vapor street light pouring in through the new store-front style windows, we discussed Reptoids, peak oil, and Canada, all while gazing at the timeless "OK'ed!" used car lot across the street. But, I prefer any one of the dives with an Old Style sign on that strip of Western Avenue. FYI: reptoids.com
(3)Riz A.
Stopped by here for a drink and a looksie at the bears game with a buddy today. definitely a cool bar, it's got a very kickball crew / hipster ( or anti-hipster, depending on how you look at it ) vibe going. The drinks are cheap - 2 dollar milwaukee something or others - and the staff is pretty friendly. They have some pretty cool games and pin ball machines as well - a pretty cool semi-dive type bar in a neighborhood that is slowly going yuppie. Worth a visit if you're local, otherwise not anything incredibly special.
(4)Laura I.
Should be called Robbin' me Blind. I want to like this more, I really do. It looks great inside with the split level and tons of tables on the upper level portion. The bathrooms are oh so clean, which any girl would appreciate. However, I just felt a bit out of place and when you're there drinking your drink, the last thing you want to feel is awkward. I mean, it only leads to more drinking, and let's face it: that can get ugly. And what the hell is with the no credit cards?! Do people actually carry cash with them in abundance for their night of sloshiness? I guess next time I'll have to pre-budget just how sloshed I feel like getting before heading over here, but that might lead to troubles if I feel awkward again and need more drinks to counter that. Ahh the vicious cycle of the Blind Robin! It's their evil scheme to rob me blind!
(3)colette s.
one of the only places near the empty bottle without a metal grill or old style sign on the door (I know, its trendy to like dive bars. I don't like beer, so they don't have a lot to offer me) plus they mix reasonably priced cocktails. Staff was friendly, bathroom clean, i'll come again next time I'm in the area.
(4)Jim C.
Another Green Eye but further from my house. Nice hipster bar that isn't a dive. Reasonable drink prices. Don't go there to watch sporting events unless you want to watch it with the sound down while you listen to some hipster discuss his most recent art project.
(3)Meghann M.
There are lollipops in the bathroom.
(5)Brian K.
This is my go-to neighborhood bar. The people are nice, the beer selection is good, and the prices are reasonable. I usually like the music playing (from an ipod behind the bar). They will have the game on if there is one, and it never gets TOO busy. They don't accept plastic, so be aware of that going in.
(4)Nell T.
If you advertise that you have Scrabble, don't look at me funny when I ask for the Scrabble board. I know it's a bar. You know it's a bar. We all know it's a bar. Just let me play Scrabble and drink.
(3)Josh C.
I like this place a lot. The beer selection is great. What really makes it a great spot, is the $2 Blue Ribbon pints which are always available. Good beer is nice, but sometimes you just need a cheap option to avoid going into bankruptcy in this economy, and one day finding yourself freezing to death in Pilsen with no pants on, while laying face-down in the gutter. The atmosphere here is great. It has nice lighting, and plenty of seating. It is never super crowded, which is nice. I also like how it never gets too loud, so you can keep a conversation going without having to just stare at each other and look happy while you slowly go deaf. Check this place out, unless you're mental.
(5)Julia H.
It's by my house. That is why I have been here... twice. I'm pretty much done with this place as of last time though. I like the chalkboard listed with all sorts of games you can play that are kept behind the bar (UNO, monopoly, yahtzee, etc) -- that's huge in my book. The two dollar PBR's, good, but you can find deals this like all over the neighborhood. The service? Terrible. (and keep in mind, it may have been an off night... who knows.) The bartender was absorbed in a movie and failed to see my roommate talking to her to grab her attention, and the bar was very slow at this time. (maybe 8 people) Then she shlepped down on a seat at the bar and started to drink her freshly cracked brew and then, her friend came in to chat with her, and it appeared there was no longer a bartender, rather just another customer having a drink. My roomie and I left promptly after this. I don't mind bartenders tossing back a cold one every now and then or taking a shot to stave off the boredom of a potentially slow night, or while having fun on a very busy night for that matter, but when it affects the service given to customers, it becomes a lead into bad business for the bar, and fewer repeat visits from customers. After all, the bartender makes the bar almost 90 percent of the time!!
(2)kelly c.
Man, no one's given this place a five yet. So there. In years past, I'd go to Vertigo to see some of my DJ friends spin, and it was elbow to elbow, ravetastic, smoky, sticky goodness. But then I got a bit older, and I no longer wanted to fight a crowd and walk out of a bar into a cold Chicago night moist with sweat and party atmosphere. Alas, this space has decided to grow with me. The most persuasive characteristic of this bar that keeps me coming back is that i can go there on a Friday or Saturday, and there is always a table for my friends and I to sit at. That's what earns the fifth star. Then, the prices are extremely reasonable. $2 pbr pints is not the special- it's the actual price! But whether you desire a can of Old Style or a fancier pint of Rogue Dead Guy, you're in luck! I also appreciate the set up. The platform in the back let's you people watch, but there are also plenty of dark corners to settle into. Like I said, nothing out of the ordinary, just everything you want from a bar.
(5)Amy J.
I like this place because it has a real neighborhood quality to it and it lacks pretension, having a fairly mixed crowd. It's a good place to go before seeing a show at the Empty Bottle down the street. There's a good selection of beer (along with the standard $2 PBR), and the bartender was extremely nice. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but it's a nice neighborhood place I'd go to if I was in the area.
(3)Beth D.
Love the Blind Robin. It's a sister of my favorite The Green Eye and they look almost identical inside. A low key neighborhood place with friendly bar tenders and chill patrons. No food, so that's a bummer but this is my favorite place in my new neighborhood.
(4)Timothy M.
Good addition to the Uke Village drinking options. They have good beer on tap (including Hacker-Pschorr the last time I was there - one of my faves) and prices are normal. Nice place to hit up after an Empty Bottle show if you want to relax, have some good beer, and wait until someone says, "Hey! We should go to the Continental!"
(4)daniel s.
i like coming here for several reasons, but seeing as we've had such a crappy winter, i'd say the biggest reason is that it's so damn close to my front door. i feel like every time i'm there with a group, i overhear people around me talking about how they really like the place, and while i wouldn't say the atmosphere is amazing, it certainly has its charm. the large open space on the raised level in back is great for accommodating large groups of people while the lower level in front provides a nice spot to hang out with one or two people. a major selling point for blind robin is the $2 pbr pints. they have a great selection of other beers on tap and in bottles/cans, and you can find a lot of imported favorites. another good deal is the $5 sprecher heffe that comes in a nice tall glass. i wouldn't recommend blind robin to those who like cosmos, martinis, white russians, etc. unless you want a funny look from the otherwise pleasant bar tenders. as i type this, i'm remembering all of the things i like about the bar, and i just remembered their games! they've got a nice collection of card and board games they'll loan out while you're drinking. my personal favorite would have to be uno ;) the fact that it's a cash-only bar isn't so bad, but their atm charges a $2.50 fee which sucks. i recommend going to the gas station down the block for a cheaper atm.
(4)Kate D.
The blind robin is great for a low key but fun atmosphere. The bartenders are great and attentive, and pick good music. The drinks are reasonably priced and there are board games behind the bar. Also, in the girl's bathroom there are hidden dumdum pops. Awesome!
(5)Anne M.
1 star is pretty generous seeing as how we never got served. Friday night, 7:00 pm, only 2 other people at the bar. Three super cool hipsters smoking out front. Is one the bartender? Who knows. Apparently we weren't worth acknowledging because he never did; not on our way in or 10 minutes later on our way out; drinkless. Don't waste your time here.
(1)Joe S.
Caught up with some friends from high school here last night. Nice new place. Used to be Vertigo? Never went when it was. My friend is part time doorman there so we sat in the front window with him and got shined for about three hours. Unfortunately that wasn't the end of it. No pretentious crowds and a little elbow room was a plus.
(4)Loarah P.
I love the BR. Now, this is probably due to the fact that I live 3 blocks away and their good beer on tap is within my budget....and it's also the kind of place where you can order a drink, find a seat with ease, and just hang with friends & chat or play a game of Scrabble. Simple, relaxed--particularly good for a hot Sunday afternoon. The decor is great, the bartenders have always been quick. I would agree that it becomes pretty smoky and that's a downer in my book. But, all in all, I think it's a great addition to the 'hood. Don't miss the dum-dums in the ladies room...
(4)Scott B.
This place goes along well with my B+ lifestyle. It gets the job done and is rarely, if ever, obnoxious. I'd go here all of the time if I never wanted to try anything new.
(4)Matt B.
Their chalkboard out front has a picture of a glass of whiskey that says "soup of the day- whiskey." They have a good beer selection and delicious soup. Good enough for me to walk two blocks and get a drink and a light meal.
(4)Liz O.
Perfectly nice neighborhood joint. I need to come here more often since I live so close. I've only ever been here at weird times, like 4:00 on a Sunday afternoon to study or meeting with friends to do a craft project or something, but the bartender is always really nice and they do have a great beer selection.
(4)Lilli S.
I walked in ready to have a nice Bud Light; however, I soon realized that their offerings included Miller Lite. After making sure that I wasn't reading the list wrong, the bartender suggested a beer on tab and offered a sample. Cheaper than most, I stayed and had a couple. The bar was really nice and relaxed. Nice people with cheap drinks.
(4)Kate S.
Tables! On a weekend night! One of my favorite bars for a weekend (or weeknight) when you want to go out and actually sit with your friends. Good beer selection, reasonable prices. In one of the stalls of the women's bathroom, there's a drawer that has candy inside it. I guess food in the bathroom is possibly a turn-off, but it's wrapped so I say, "meh." Also, the space is used about 1,000 better than the old Bar Vertigo that used to be in the same spot, and you don't get the actually-succumbing-to-vertigo feeling at Blind Robin that you would from the old painted black and red walls of Bar Vertigo. Excellent makeover.
(5)John B.
Cool stuff here.... they have Beamish on tap... they support Independent music there... mostly because this is where the onekindradio.com 2nd Annual Listener party was held!! The staff and patron are all cool... the music is usually some choice cuts... and I just get a good feeling coming in there. this is the place you go to drink and have a conversation with friends...
(5)Dao N.
nice neighborhood bar that is not too crowded with a good selection of beers at affordable prices. it's a great place to hang out and chat with friends for a casual evening. a good first date bar if you actually want to get to know your date. i like the ambiance-dark, down-to-earth and clean. they have tables with bar stools.
(4)Jason P.
Great place. A play on Trinity with the 2 level's. It actually feels like this is Trinity with an exceptionally better beer list, only the bar is on the opposite side, and the tv's aren't as good. Will frequent this place every chance I get. Great service, the only downfall is they don't serve food.
(4)Betty B.
Great beer selection, nice customers and bar staff, and a very cool looking interior. What more could one want?
(4)One T.
Blind Robin is one of my favorite bars. The drinks are nicely priced and well made. The bartenders are awesome and nice and the clientele is chill and laid back. It's a great bar to hit up at any time with some friends to sit, drink and have a good time.
(5)John Y.
I found nothing fabulous about this place when I dropped in. I did find the bartender on duty was more interested in keeping' court at the far end of the bar, rather than doing her job. It was the doorman that summoned her ass to get me a beer. Try Cleo's, you won't be waiting around to get served.
(2)matt w.
great beer selection.. they got something for the light pocketed as well as a nice selection for the high class beer drinker.. tons of space in the room up the small stairs, we always grab a table without an issue.. Cash only but there is an ATM in there.. and a video bowling game which is fun.. they feature an artist on the walls every so often, always cool stuff.. this is one of my fav bars that doesnt serve food.
(4)Tara H.
last night was the first time i went to blind robin. i didn't even know it existed until 20mins before i walked in the door. it looks like your average chicago bar with a better beer selection and plethora of board games...you should definitely try to play "hook-a-ho" wink-wink, nudge-nudge. there's not much more to say about this bar that differs from most others, EXCEPT the blind robin and it's patrons have the biggest hearts. i don't know any of them personally and i didn't know any of the patrons that were there for their loved one...but to witness such camaraderie, support and love was truly humbling. if anything, you should go there for the exceptional, genuine people.
(5)Josh M.
I like this place. It's laid back. The board games are fun. The people are interesting. It's not too busy and the drinks are reasonable. This is just a great neighborhood hang out.
(4)Tony G.
My first impression was 'why is this 18-year-old hanging out in front of this bar'. But then he asked me for my id and told us to enjoy ourselves. So much for first impressions - I found Blind Robin to be very welcoming and filled (well, not filled, but there were a couple dozen people in there) with friendly folks. They have a pretty good beer selection with prices clearly marked on the large chalkboard/menu behind the bar - this, I like. My only real complaint is that it is very very smoky, and they don't appear to have any sort of ventilation system. I don't know that I'd go there on my way somewhere else, because then I'd smell like smoke all night. However, it seems like a cool place for a nightcap. Additoinally, cell phone reception inside is spotty - not that I'm complaining.
(4)Victor A.
I stopped in for a few drinks with some friends after a show at the empty bottle. A very long and narrow space with exposed brick and art on the walls. Friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere. I read somewhere that the bar used to be the one at the old lava lounge. maybe that was why this place seemed so familiar and comfortable to me. I will definitely be back when I am in the area.
(4)brendan b.
love this bar. most of the bartenders are super nice, and take good care of their regulars. music is never bad, and they play entertaining things on tv (zombies to sports.) good drink specials. decent selection of higher end beers. never too crowded. i want the bar to do well, but i love that it's sort of unknown.
(4)Shawn L.
Good new joint. They get an extra star from me because the bartender had a Mclusky song on her mp3 playing when I walked in. Anyone playing Mclusky gets an extra star from me. It's my rule. All in all, thumbs up.
(4)Phillip D.
Smells like pinesol, damn smoking ban. This is a great neighborhood bar. Nice staff. Decent prices. Great selection and it's very clean.
(5)claire l.
very cool staff. erin and sandy are both especially great. decent beer selection. silver strike bowling!! (extra points- i was bummed when rainbo ditched theirs). lack of a crappy juke box. pretty inexpensive. never too crowded. i recommend it!
(4)carrie m.
this is not your granddaddy's local Polish bar but rather a reflection of the hipster infiltration of the area. it's just a good bar - good vibe...good music...good drinks and friendly service. no credit cards taken but they have an ATM. no food except for bags of chips behind the bar. if you're in the neighborhood and looking for a place to grab a drink, read the reader and chat with your friends--this is it.
(4)Dave M.
Not full of itself, just a bar. I like this place, not to loud, not to crowded, no attitude, just a solid bar. I've been here a few times now and it suits me. Solid list of beers that changes a bit from time to time, deep enough selection to keep the hop heads happy, and pbr to keep the hipsters whining to a minimum. Fair prices as well. Of the four bar tenders that I have met so far, all were good. Chatty if you want it, but pro enough not to bother you. Interesting music, kinda goes all over the place, but never to intrusive or loud. Interesting mix of people here too; bicycle kids & hipsters, yuppies (or whatever they are called now), working stiffs from the neighborhood, boring guys like me, interesting new arrivals from e. europe and places south, chotch lawyer/developer guys, and I'm not sure, but I think that I did recognize some local brewers. Cool crowd, good mix of m to f. Cash only, no food, & easy street parking.
(4)Laura T.
i want to like this place, because it is good to have a new bar in the neighborhood, but there are things about the blind robin that i can't ignore. firstly, they don't accept credit cards. c'mon this is the 21st century. yes, they have an atm. and, yes, it is one of those little generic ones that takes a huge transaction fee and probably steals your info! it just seems odd that a pub that is going for an indy shiek vibe doesn't accept credit cards. secondly, the wait staff is not friendly and are more interested in viewing the tatoos on their arms than taking your order--i'm not kidding. nonetheless, the drinks aren't overpriced and the decor is pretty cool.
(2)Claudia S.
Ummm....yes.
(5)Meghan B.
Cash only. Blind Robin is an amazing neighborhood bars. They are cash only but always rotating in new beers. The beer prices range from $2-8 so you can always find something no matter your budget, including an Old Milwaukee and a shot for a thrifty $5. They do not serve food but you can bring things in or order delivery there. We have often gone in with a big group and had the whole back area to ourselves. Great for an impromtu party or just a place to hang. Staff is wonderful and atmosphere is chill.
(5)Joanna P.
I love love love the Blind Robin. It's right around the corner from me, so it's *my* bar. I admit I don't often join the conversations but I like being around them. I like their mix of normal and craft beers. The bartenders are super friendly and the guy who checks your ID at the door is also super cool. I don't know anyone's names, so I guess I can't say the Blind Robin is my "Cheers," but I do feel like its a part of /my/ community. I recommend checking this place out, especially if you live in the neighborhood. Bring cash!
(5)natalia k.
Nice dive bar. Newer than the others in the area. Cash only. Cheapest beer is old style draft for $2. Chill neighborhood place.
(4)Andrew D.
Well rounded tap selection, cheap, tasty cocktails, pinball, and board games. Nice, chill, local place to go relax. Especially during the polar vortex! Not much else to say about this place. Fairly generic for a neighborhood bar.
(3)Michelle L.
Big fan of this bar. Not sure why it is called a dive bar - it is clean, service is friendly and prompt. Nice selection of beers. Will definitely be back.
(4)Eric S.
Is Pabst Blue Ribbon in cans your preferred beer? Have an aversion to bathing and/or wearing deodorant? Do you ride your fixed-gear bicycle while listening to Iron & Wine? Does your closet contain vintage flannels or sweaters with a defunct sports team logo in an effort to be ironic? If you answered 'yes' to one or more of the above....you're probably a hipster. And I kinda hate you. Shout out to James M and the @HipsterBeatings Twitter handle heyyy! I came here for one thing and one thing only: pinball. They have 3 tables, and as of 9/2/15 they are: Williams' "Funhouse", Bally's "Attack From Mars", and Stern's "The Walking Dead". They are all 75¢ to play and are in good-to-great condition. Unfortunately, the playing environment isn't super. There are no cup holders or places to set your beer other than the floor [unsanitary] or a table behind you [unsafe]. On top of that, smelly hipsters seem to be drawn to the flashing lights like a moth to a bug zapper (hipster-zapper? is there such a thing, and if so, where can I buy one?) so there were people milling around the pins but not actually playing them. Naturally they seemed inconvenienced when I asked them to politely move. They have $2 Old Style drafts and a halfway decent selection of beers on tap and in cans/bottles, as well as an eclectic divey atmosphere, but that's not enough to bring my yuppie self back beyond uno mas time. It's also cash only. Hygiene isn't a high priority for the folks here, because someone managed to leave their stink *on* one of the pinball tables. How does that even happen?? Besides having notably less body hair than anybody else--women included--I was wearing a graphic tee and flip flops which meant I stood out like a sore thumb. Some thick-rimmed glass-wearing girl remarked: "is your shirt a reference to 'Tombstone'?" Me: "you know it!" Her: "ugh that movie is totally cheesy, so stupid." Me: "I didn't ask for your film critique." Her: "I need another PBR." Me: "Goodbye." Goddamn opinionated hipsters. So grab your tin/jar/barrel of mustache wax and your indie rock playlist and come on down to the Blind Robin. You might even run into the bearded lady. Bring cash.
(3)Barry G.
Eric S. May I be the first to say that you are always welcome at Blind Robin? We are sorry if you judge yourself on your bodily hair content or your flip flops, but the staff and patrons couldn't have cared less. Who knows why you chose to go to a 'no cup holders' pinball place but, well, now you know. This place IS NOT exclusive and there are always just a lot of regulars from the neighborhood at the bar. Come back in and have a shot with the staff. Like tomorrow.
(5)Brett S.
Not bad but not great. Basically the little brother of Lemmings and Green Eye. Some cool kids hangin out here which is okay I guess. There are a few wonderful bartenders but also a few who think their shit doesn't stink. Whatever.
(3)Sarah C.
I think the reason Blind Robin is such a little gem to me is because it's different to a lot of bars here in the city. Like Green Eye you get the fantastically kitschy bar back and the eclectic art work. You can sit at the bar or switch it up and make it more of a romantic encounter with their candle lit tables. I'm not really a tequila girl, but their Paloma is really great on a hot day.
(4)Aja G.
This is what a neighborhood bar should be: The staff is super friendly and was able to make great recommendations with accompanying free samples. Their beer list is largely local brews from around the Midwest including Goose Island and 3 Floyds in addition to smaller brewers you never heard of but instantly love. Their beer is reasonably priced at about 5-6 bucks They don't serve food, but allow you to bring your own The entire place just has that "stay awhile" feel to it. It is cash only, but the quality of the pours is worth the mild inconvince .
(4)S.E. A.
Great bartenders in a low-key but cool atmosphere.
(4)Jeremy T.
Come for the beer and stay for the cool atmosphere. I've been here about 5 times and I really like this place. They have a pretty solid selection of beer on draught that doesn't disappoint. What's even better is that most draughts are $5 and there are usually two beers on special for $4. The list is rotating and I always see new beers each time I visit. The good thing is that the bartenders are very generous with giving samples and suggestions. The bartenders are really cool here. They are friendly and inviting, especially the big guy. I really like the atmosphere of Blind Robin because it makes you want to stay all night a drink. It may sound odd, but the bar has a very warm and cozy feeling. I always want to stay here longer than intended. Which is good because the bar is BYOF. I highly recommend this bar for anyone who wants a low key night with good friends.
(4)Maggie M.
Definatley low key, came here with friends to play cards. Cheap, and great beer selection. Cash only and the night I was here the ATM was busted. Blind Robin is the perfect bar for catching up with friends, or date night. It's a bit forgettable, as it's usually not top of my list for a night out.
(3)Greg H.
Local beers nice staff. Got a window seat with the girlfriend.
(4)Sonya M.
Great bar. Not crazy about the music or the cash only policy but other than that's it's a decent spot. I went with a bunch of friends one Saturday night and we had an entire section to ourselves. (About 4 tables in a corner) It wasn't that crowded at all. Prices are reasonable but I wasn't too crazy about the mixed drinks. I had a margarita, jack & coke and an amaretto stone sour that weren't too hot. My advice is to stick to beer. Or maybe just avoid the bartender (male) with the crazy Afro/puffy hair!! He was cute but his mixology skills are seriously lacking!
(4)Kelly F.
Meh.
(2)Daniel H.
Hung out with some friends at Blind Robin and this is definitely one of my favorite bars I've ever been to. Tried the Orange Buck which the bartender described as being like an awesome alcoholic Tang drink, which it pretty much was. My lady had a few Amaretto Stone Sours which were made very well there and only cost $4.50. The bartender was cool too - didn't catch his name but he had arm tattoos and a shaved head - and chatted with us about where he's from (NYC) and where we're from (Portland) and all in all it was a great night. Loved the soundtrack on the stereo too - lot of punk rock and hardcore. I'm not much for bar hopping but I'd totally come back to Blind Robin anytime.
(5)P S.
Wednesday comes around and oh lookie, I have the day off and my recently unemployed friend does too. We have a walkabout and BOOM - Blind Robin - a bar I'd meant to go to for years. The afternoon included two Bear Republic 'Racer 5' bottles ($5 each, or maybe $4), two pints of PBR each and one game of Scrabble. It was empty save but a corner of the bar full of regulars and everyone was really, really nice. I liked it. Cash only, daytime TV tuned to the Food Network and thanks to their plethora of card and board games, it's a nerd date wonderland. Enjoy.
(4)Corinne M.
Blind Robin is my favorite bar. And not just because it's a block away from my apartment. It's comfortable, perfect amount of dim lighting without being too dark, doesn't get too overcrowded on weeknights (when I like drinking the most), but is never empty either, they got free wifi, drinks are reasonably priced, and ALL the bartenders are super nice and friendly, with pretty awesome taste in music. Not just one or two of them, on certain days... Pretty much any time you ever go in there, you will be greeted with a great, friendly, quickly responsive bartender. Also, their logo is just cute.
(5)Marc R.
This place is tucked away in the heart of Ukrainian Village (just a few doors down from Rich's Deli) and has a crew of super friendly bartenders and carries some amazing beers on tap. In the early evening folks might be using the free Wi-Fi or chatting at the bar. The bartenders are quite friendly (both men and women) and it has a really "chilled out" vibe. It is on a stretch of Western that really doesn't seem to be sidewalk cafe friendly, but this place would be a great patio bar in the summer if it had room for one.
(4)Lou L.
Tired of the usual six corners, overpriced, stinky bars and becoming increasingly irritated with the late night establishments on Division st, I'm super excited to have found Blind Robin. It's like a dive, but isn't. All of the charming qualities without the rancid pee smell and general dankness. Vodka tonics were only $4! I came with a group of 4 and we sat in the back that was filled with just the right amount of people on a saturday night. We didn't have to scream to talk to each other and the lighting was nice. Clean bathrooms, nice bartenders.. I was pleasantly surprised to find this place so enjoyable! I am looking forward to coming here on cold winter nights to play board games. It's two blocks away from my house, so I'm grateful that I liked it at all, let alone as much as I did.
(4)Pinaki S.
Its almost too low key of a place. Lots of beer selection, so if you're looking for a spot in the neighborhood, this is for you. Definitely not as cheap as the neighborhood. We somehow made "Apples to Apples" a two person drinking game which made this place ahell of lot more fun!
(3)Andrew S.
Incredible bar, incredible staff, and cheap prices. What more can you ask for from a bar? I can honestly say this is the best bar in the neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods.
(5)Lois A.
This is a good bar. It's nice and clean inside and they have a lot of great beers on tap like Left Hand Milk Stout. They have a lot of games behind the bar and the music never makes me want to claw my face off. This bar is a lot bigger than it appears from the outside so it's not hard at all to get a table.
(4)Abbie D.
Y'all, there are dum dums in the drawers in the girl's bathroom. The drinks are stiff and it is perfectly fine to be a very drunk person here. Good work, everyone.
(4)Matt B.
Great people working at this place, and it's definitely my regular casual hangout place. Good selection of beers, but a couple more straightforward lagers would round out the list nicely. Also, I've noticed that Green Eye is carrying the Scrimshaw pilsener...
(4)julie q.
Blind Robin is great...Beer selection is good...and the bartender from Sunday, I didn't catch your name, makes a mean crazy good bloody mary...complete with two splashes of olive juice...oh yeah!
(4)Paul L.
Well, the $2 Old Milwaukee specials were nice while they lasted, however getting kicked out because the bartender's poor wittle feewings were hurt docks quite a few stars. I hope I can chose from the other thousands of bars in this city.
(1)Andrea S.
This has become my favorite bar in the neighborhood. The bartenders are always very beer knowledgeable, which is great as I am still trying to figure out what my favorite is. (and they have a lot to choose from) It's a great place if you want to hang out with friends or drum up some random conversations with other patrons.
(5)Kent S.
Before I lived in Chicago, let alone Ukrainian Village, I'd constantly end up here and I really never would have any idea where I was or how I got there. Either way, always a good time. In the early days, I went straight for the cheap route. $2 pints of PBR. Nowadays, I generally enjoy the lovely little little of fancy pants beers that my aging self prefers to consume. I'll never understand the one night that I got cut off after 4 beers though. Sure, I was being that weird guy in the corner that just came out to drink and play video games on his phone, but that sounds harmless to me. Otherwise, the staff is great and the bar is actually an exceptionally classy option, when compared to the many, many classic dives in the area. So don't be deceived, it only looks more expensive than the rest of what's lined up on Western.
(4)John W.
Chill, friendly. Not an overwhelming selection of beers, but enough unique ones to keep me interested. *Cash Only*
(4)Jess S.
Good addition to the Underbar / Green Eye family. If you like those bars, theres no reason you wouldn't like Blind Robin. Lots of seating, good beer (but with the requisite $2 PBR pint), low lighting, friendly people. A nice squeaky clean addition to the 'hood (although I probably shouldn't write as though its new as it took me so long to review, huh?). P.S. This place was Bar Vertigo, where I spent my 21st birthday, so I'm kinda sentimental about the loss of such a weird, ghetto, funky, cheap bar.
(4)Kate C.
LOVE! Cozy, good booze selection, good tunes, nice bartenders. Thumbs up all around!
(4)Erin B.
Cheap drinks, great music and a decent beer selection? I'm in. Plus it's never toooo crowded on the weekend so I can actually talk with my friends. And I guess it helps to be friends with the bartender :) Tip- They're cash only, but they have an ATM in the back.
(4)April K.
After recently moving to the area, this is my favorite bar so far. The bartenders are super friendly, the music is great, and the drinks are cheap. 20 ounce cans of Strongbow are 6 bucks (and are 11 dollars in liquor stores down the street for a 6 pack of 12 ounce bottles) , and mixed drinks are 4 dollars. When I say mixed drinks, I mean a cup of alcohol with a splash of pop for color. They also have really neat artwork on the walls that change periodically if you are into art. If you want a place to dance, or are looking for a super crowded bar with a DJ - this is not the place. If you want a relaxed, comfortable place to talk to some friends while drinking, this is your place.
(5)Kim J.
I have lived in the Ukrainian Village for a full year now, and I'm wondering how the eff I didn't make it to the Blind Robin until recently! This cute little neighborhood joint is on a very unassuming stretch of Western. It's got a nice beer selection for a bar this size (see the ginormous chalkboard on the wall opposite the bar for this week's selections!) and even has games available. It's not a happening spot by any means - it's just a chill neighborhood bar. On my last trip, I tried a new Bell's flavor, bought some tamales from Claudio, and sunk my boyfriend's battleship. What's not to like?
(4)Heather K.
I frickin' love this bar. I mean LOVE. I do have a soft spot for Ukranian Village as I think some of the best dives are nestled here. It's not too trendy and has the best bartender. The beers are great, drinks are cheap, and the fellow customers were just lovely.
(5)matty z.
Just like her cousin The Green Eye, Blind Robin is another sure-fire stop in Chicago. Excellent staff, straight-forward bar practices, and in this case the expanded space (with a loft area) make this one of my favorite places to go, even though I've since moved from the area. Highly suggested for day-drinking, and for an excellent beer stop with friends. You'll see many of the same accoutrement that makes The Green Eye so special.
(4)Andy M.
A good bar on this stretch of Western with plenty of seating for everyone. It also has one of the coolest logos I have ever seen for a bar and this alone makes it worthy of a high rating. the staff was friendly and attentive and the large amount of craft beer choices also made this a unique place people in Chitown should visit.
(4)