Wow, I just created a Yelp profile soley for providing a review of Bull and Bear. I had never been and spent but a few minutes there this past weekend however, I thought my experience was best shared. The employees had completely inappropriate behavior (ie: male bouncers touching me) and most importantly, made racially insensitive comments to two of my friends. Please do not support this bar-not due to the possibilty that you will have a parallel experience, but because of what this type of behavior represents. Competely unacceptable, hurtful and unprofessional treatment of women and diverse populations. Thanks for your support by not giving any to this venue.
(1)
Zen M.
Named for the stockmarket (sorry Chicago fans, it's not the sports teams!), this is a comfortable, dare I say "swanky" hangout. Pretentious? No. Not when I was there. The staff was laid-back, fun and welcoming. A manager, Luke, stopped by to see how the food was and took honest criticism with ease. My friends and I appreciated that. The self-serve tap at the table was fun and ensured cold brew all night long. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the bathroom attendant. She was very nice and kept the facilities nice, but I feel awkward having someone else pump my soap and hand me paper towel. I would go back to this place any time. If you're in the area, give it a try!
(4)
Joshua S.
Good sports bar. Plenty of TVs. Smallish place, so it can get crowded. On weekend nights, it is a little more trendy bar than sports bar, so if you just want sports, head somewhere else. If you want sports on as a background, but really want to be seen, maybe dance a bit, and act a fool, then it is a good spot for a Friday/Saturday night. The DJ on Fridays plays all the old school jams that bring me back to my glory days (last time he even busted out Warren G.)
(4)
Jessica S.
Oh man, where to begin? Do I even bother with the second star? I'm glad I waited almost 24 hours to write this because it would have been even more harsh than it's about to get up in here... We were invited here for a KU/Texas Alumni Association Happy Hour. "Specials" included half price wings and quesadillas (still $5.50 for the quesadilla - are you kidding me?), $5 bloody marys (isn't that what they usually cost?), and $3 bud light (woop dee freakin' doo, it's bud light, it should cost $1). So here we are at this overpriced, overcrowded bar filled with a f*ck ton more people than just our alumni event. A group of 8 of us squeezed into a booth and ordered a round of drinks after our server, Sarah S., took over 10 minutes just to find out what the specials were for our event (and to find out what time our event officially "started" even though we told her it started at 6 she didn't seem to believe us). We order the drinks, and I get this craptastic blood mary. A lime and a lemon wedge for garnish? Get with it folks, where's my pickle spear? A prosciutto slice? An olive? Nothing. We order 5 quesadillas, 1 order of wings, and a chili. The food came out and my chicken quesadilla was delicious though I would have NEVER paid the full $11 for it. However, even though we ordered 5 quesadillas, 6 came out. The food runners just left the 6th quesadilla on our table even though we told them we didn't order it. So now comes the bill and guess what? Not only did little miss snooty face waitress add the automatic gratuity on there (since she probably knew we weren't going to give her jack shit), she charged us for the 6th quesadilla. AND she gave us total attitude about it. When she walked away to find her manager, she huffed and puffed and when she spun away, she rolled her eyes - TWICE. So here comes the manager, Iggy, struttin up to us in his cheap Men's Warehouse blazer and gives us attitude about this damn quesadilla. Guess what guy? It's $5.50 - just comp it. You're a GD manager - take care of it. We're dropping a ton of money here, what's your beef? He finally goes to comp it for us and then throws out some snide remark about how Jayhawk basketball "isn't even that good this year." Regardless of how false this statement is, why on earth would he give us attitude about KU when half of the bar was filled with Jayhawks? What a d-bag. So, in conclusion: -overcrowded -overpriced -snooty, inexperienced waitresses who wear so much damn eye makeup they can't hardly see what they're doing. Seriously, they need to hire some better girls here because her customer service was terrible. I had MUCH trashier, poorer, and ruder people when I worked at Dave and Buster's in KC and I was 10 times as nice to them as she was to us. -cocky faced managers who think because they graduated from some double wide that passed for a business school that they can be dicks to their customers -terrible bloody marys -no concept of what a "special" means I will most certainly not be back, thanks to Sarah S. and Iggy.
(2)
Scott N.
Great food prepared by a very talented chef. The place is packed despite the economy and you can't do anything but tip your hat because the ownership group obviously knows how to pack them in. Definitely worth visiting.
(5)
Kelly G.
Pretty much everything sucks here except the food, let's just put that right out there. My friend and I came here on the first truly fall-feeling day of September (chilly and windy) and were informed that we had to sit outside because they had no idea when a table would be available inside. Really? Your entire job is JUST to seat people, and you don't know when you can do that? They offered us the bar, but that was cramped and loud as fuck so we said no. So they sat us outside (even though it looked like it might rain) in the damn wind tunnel of downtown. Now, the waitress was nice, I will give her that. And she braved the chill to get our orders and make sure we were okay. We ordered 5 buffalo wings, 5 asian wings, the sausage fest (lol), and the truffle fries. Once the food arrived, we were super pumped - not only because we were hungry, but we were hoping the hot food would warm us up. But of course, not 10 minutes into eating, it started to rain. We asked to go inside and the waitress said she wasn't sure we could. Wait. What? We were just told we could sit at the bar, and now it is THAT packed? She ended up seating us at a private table on the second level that was reserved for 7:15. It was 6:30. So, pretty much, we could have been sitting at the table the ENTIRE TIME. Damn. Since the waitress apparently only did outdoor seating, she asked us to order the rest of what we wanted so she could close our check. We ordered the s'mores but they were out - wtf? how do you run out of S'MORES?? It has THREE INGREDIENTS. So we ended up with another round of drinks and the cinnamon sugar doughnut holes. I gave her my groupon and she was off. The food was great. The medium wings were spicy, the asian wings had a great sauce, the fries were fucking AWESOME, and the sausage (lol) was great. Well...the lobster sausage was kind of gross. But the other two were tasty. Almost done with our food, she returned saying the Groupon pretty much made us even. Rad, I thought, waiting for her to return with the usual tax and tip fees. We got our doughnut thingies, which were the worst food served of the meal - bland fried hollow balls of dough. Avoid them. We pushed them to one side and started working on our drinks. And waited for them to bring our check and clear the table, since they had a reservation. We waited. And waited. After 40 minutes (WAY past the supposed "reservation" of the table), we threw down some cash for tip and headed out. I guess we were forgotten at our supposed "high priority reservation" seating. Overall, the food is good but not great enough for the spotty service and crammed loud bar full of d'bags.
(2)
K. A.
This place is upscale bar food, but they have a good variety of salads and sandwiches and so far I've liked everything I've had there. The inside is dark and a bit loud (it's a bar) but they also have nice outdoor seating, which I love! All in all, I actually think I want to try going back there more often.
(4)
Michelle Marie R.
Hit up this place on a Wednesday afternoon for a quick drink. We wound up staying! Of course it gets pretty full after the market closes but that's part of it's charm. Great half price happy hour and wide selection of beer specials. Try the buffalo chicken strips (not fried!) or the boneless wings! They were a big hit!
(3)
Brendan O.
Patio is great for people watching and food is great for lunch! Shopping round the Mart and need a place to bring clients or entertain friends for lunch then this is the spot for you! I met a friend for lunch on a lazy Monday afternoon and we sat on the patio which offers a sidewalk view of passerby's. We were seated towards the end of the patio which was great because we were far enough away from the table next to us that we were able to talk shit without them hearing us. The food was what you might expect but everything was done well. Quesadilla bites were a bit saggy, almost watery, but that's what happens when you add more cheese than chicken. The guacamole was very good. We split the Bull and Bear Burger, which was the best burger I've had in a while, and the Fish and chips which were tasty. The grapefruit tartar and the bacon aioli were delish! We ended up splitting the Molten Lava Cake with berries and needless to say we weren't disappointed.
(4)
Adam P.
Had a friend from out of town staying near here and we wanted to watch the ALDS games so went to this "sports" bar. I'm not trying to be too harsh here, it wasn't awful, it's just not really a sports bar. It's a club/bar that happens to have a ton of TV's w/ sports on. Crowd was mostly 20-something professionals - with a healthy dose of jersey shore. Solid food (Bull & Bear burger w/ guryere cheese and truffle fries was great) and a decent beer list.
(2)
Ellie B.
Kind of a confused place. Went on a Friday evening for dinner. It was really crowded, so we ended up sitting at the bar, which gave us a really good view of the skankily clad bartenders. We had mac and cheese and wings and a beer each. The food was really delicious, especially the mac and cheese. They played a weird selection of 90s music -- a combination of pop rock, pop punk, and other random stuff. The crowd was also a strange mix, of young people just off work and old people trying to look like young people just off work. The menu tried to be cute with dishes like "Smore Money, Smore Problems" and "Just for the Halibut," but who wants to pay $8 for a chocolate chip cookie just because it has a cute name? In general, good food, weird scene.
(3)
Andrew T.
Good variety on the menu although it's not huge.. I must admit I only had the wings ("Unbearabulls" and they were spicier then I thought they would be) and a desert... I can't believe that people order the wings regularly as the waitress claimed. The waitresses are super-nice and borderline flirty. A little loud but a nice, clean bar environment with a lot of tvs all around. A little pricier but definitely worth it.
(4)
Tina M.
Wow what a terrible place. I came here for Sunday brunch and it was full of loud, obnoxious frat boys watching the game (which game, I couldn't tell you). There was about a 15 minute wait for a table, which was fine. Our server was very sweet. Perky is probably the best word to describe her. My friend and I passed on the build your own mimosa bar, prefering not to spend $9 on one drink. My friend ordered waffles, which were just ok, and came with a side of congealed fruit. I ordered a vegetarian wrap...which came with chicken. The server was apologetic and made it re-made for me right away. It was pretty good but absolutely not worth $13. Yes that's $13 for a vegetarian wrap with nothing on the side. I felt dirty. There is absolutely no way I would return.
(2)
Ela G.
Went to Bull and Bear for a birthday party this weekend. We got a great booth with the beers on tap right there for us! This was so novel that I enjoyed the freedom and accessability of having a beer ON DEMAND, although some of our guys needed a tutorial on how to pour the proper beer without a mountain of foam on top:) Our server was attentive and friendly, the music was great, and the food was delicious! The sliders, wings and tuna tartare were excellent. In addition, I noticed that all-in-all this was a gathering of pretty good-looking people (me and my friends included, a-hem!). If you are single, both men and women are here looking around and both are making a considerable effort to get to know one another. In general I thought this place had a great energy, everyone was friendly and having a great time. My only complaint was that at a few points in the evening it was a little TOO crowded, but when it opened up it was very pleasant. I'll be back.
(4)
Bharat W.
I had heard good things about wings from Bull & Bear. I am a huge wing aficionado and get random strong cravings for wings. So on a Saturday evening when I am starving I did a pick up order from Bull and Bear. Never before have I eaten wings this piss poor in quality. I am known as the human garbage disposal for practically eating anything however these wings were not edible. I had to spit half of them out because they were so dry. The wing sauce was decent but I could not bring to feed these wings to my dog. A week later a business partner was hosting a happy hour event for our team at B&B and also ordered the wings and they were completely a disappointment. I am sorry, wings are not the toughest thing to prepare and when every bar and restaurant consider it a staple appetizer, not sure how B&B manages to fail so miserable. Fast forward 10 months, we did a delivery for their Kobe burger and the no bull burger, delivery took close to 2 hours when ETA was an hour and our orders were missing the fries. A good restaurant is one that oversees and delivers consistency in its quality, Bull & Bear is not that place. Cool place to go have drinks but food serving and food quality are not their thing. Zaaaa!!
(1)
Brooke W.
Great place to grab a drink and the food is absolutely amazing! I love the location--very trendy! Me and my friend come here ALL the time and always have a great time, especially on Thursday nights! Trendy place, cool atmosphere, and sexy people--you can't go wrong!
(5)
Jason M.
This place was great, the bartender was awesome, very friendly too. The drinks were reasonably priced and they had a great selection. Some of the clientele seemed to believe they were better than everyone else there, which was a drawback. But other than that, the atmosphere was good. Definitely would go back when in Chicago again.
(3)
C. B.
This is a trixie & trader bar --not my normal scene, but also what I'd expect the bar to be --so I'm not knocking them on stars for not being my ideal crowd. I've been to B&B a few times before and had a decent time but it seems the issue has now become, as other recent reviews have mentioned, the service. Or complete lack thereof. I went to Bull & Bear this weekend with a group of friends. We had an 8:30pm reservation at one of the tables with the keg taps directly at the table for a friend's birthday. Cool idea! We arrived at about 8:25 and were told they were kicking the people out of our table, and we'd be seated shortly. Great! We got drinks from the bar and waited by the hostess stand. Where everything started to fall apart. The 2 hostesses completely ignored us, avoided eye contact, and actually called one of my friends a b*tch when she nicely asked for an update on timing for getting our table. This was after waiting 35 minutes with NO update from them on what was going on with our table. Other people we didn't know who were also in the front of the bar also overhead the b*tch comment and came over to tell us what she'd said. Unbelievable. Unprofessional. Talk about turning people off to a bar that we'd spent quite a bit of money on in the past. We asked to speak to a manager, who was apologetic -but we were just done by then. The short story: Bull & Bear has the most unprofessional staff I've ever seen. And let me assure you, I've been to a lot of bars! If you're just going for standing up and flirting and drinking at the bar -totally fine. If you have a reservation or need to work with or speak to the hostesses or waitresses at all -good luck. I'm very disappointed in the rudeness of the staff and will not be going back any time soon .
(2)
Kelly C.
I'm only giving this place an extra star for the trouffle fries...however you really can't go wrong with those. Which is also what I though about the kobe burger that sounded delicious (I think its called the Bull and Bear burger) for $18-well I figured it was worth it-boy was I wrong. First of all if you're gonna charge almost $20 for a dinner item please cook it to its correct temperature. I asked for medium rare and it was well. Flavor was so bland and put together poorly-what a disappointment! The waitress offered to get a new one for me but by the time we got our food it was totally packed so I said forget it. Also tried the mini crab cakes-boring. Bull and Bear will probably continue to get a lot of business because its considered a hot place-why I'm not really sure. At some point you have to take a little pride in what you serve and clearly this place does not.
(2)
Jen B.
Bull & Bear is a sports bar meat market favored by young and wish-they-were-still-young professionals from the nearby law firms and investment banks. It's a good place to meet other singles but not a good place for chilling with friends and coworkers. At 10pm, the music gets loud, the lights get low, and the clientele gets douchier. On the spectrum of upscale bars in this area, I'd rank this as slightly better than English, slightly worse than Theory, much worse than Fulton's, and with at least as good a food as Hub 51 -- but who wants to be here long enough to eat?
(2)
c d.
Made a stop in for lunch. Like the decor and the menu has a good selection. The calamari appetizer was really good, very crispy. The dipping sauces were tasty. The fish tacos were a great choice, the mahi mahi sandwich not so much. The bread was not great, and was too large compared to the amount of filling. It also came with BBQ potato chips that had a cocktail sauce dipping sauce on the side. Icky mixture, but I am not a BBQ chip fan in general. Don't think I will be back for lunch but I would like to try it for happy hour and 1/2 price appetizers.
(2)
Brett K.
lowering for rampant douchieness
(2)
Karen R.
Came here today for the first time for lunch and I thought the place was super solid. The food was really yummy, our service was excellent and the outdoor patio is nice too. The tabletop taps are a cool novelty, but I for see the excitement wearing on that one in a couple of years...
(4)
Christine H.
If you visit, you must try the truffle fries. YUM! Other great food on the menu and good service when they are not packed wall to wall with people. While the food is really good, it is a little pricey. The novelty of having taps right at your table wears off quickly when you realize how expensive the beer from those taps is. Great place to visit when it is not busy, but not worth visiting when busy. There is often so many people crowded in that you really can't move, get to the bar or get the waitress' attention. When not busy, I highly recommend! If busy- avoid!
(4)
Mike T.
My friend and I are on the lookout for spicy dishes in Chicago and this place was #3 on wingfest. This must mean that the wings are spicy, right? Umm... not really. They are very good, but not spicy really. Oh well. Check out my full review on my blog. This establishment is confused, is it a bar or a club? It's hard to say. On one hand they have a ton of TV's playing sports, a sports ticker, and taps at the tables. On the other hand the decor is decidedly trendy and there is a chair in the bathroom for a bathroom attendant. Great, like I need to pay someone to pump my soap and hand me a towel. Overall I'm not sure about this place. It will do well because it's in a busy area but it's not really a bar to watch a game nor is it a place to seek out for night life. The service is fine and my experience was average. I doubt I will go back.
(2)
Alison R.
If you like a mojito, this place is worth it just for that. I could probably drink them by the gallon. Not everyone knows how to make a good mojito. In fact, most places DON'T make a good mojito. But the Bull and Bear makes a fantastic mojito. Aside from that, the grilled chicken sandwich is awesome. I wish the place were a little bigger, and the fact that you have to reserve the tables is annoying, thats why they only get 4 stars.
(4)
Eric C.
If you want to hangout and watch a football game while standing in a crowded room, this is the place for you. It is always happening and busy, making getting to the bar for a drink a small challenge. There is minimal seating, but more seats outside if you brave the elements. The staff and crowd are always cool. I was visiting for a few days and hit this bar every night I was downtown.
(3)
Tavo N.
Great Bar, Great atmosphere vlassy look what else can I say. I went sat Feb 20th and it was a great experience. I had stoooed by the saturday before but the lind was tooo long lol...so I went back and found out why...it was well worth it will deff be going back there again for sure
(4)
Duane M.
I've walked by Bull & Bear a number of times, even once around 1:30am when they were closing up, but I finally decided to go in for lunch one Sunday. I'm not feeling very verbal so short and sweet today. The service was good and the food was OK. For the price, i was honestly expecting better. The outdoor seating was a very nice touch and the weather couldn't have been more perfect for us, but I probably won't go back for food. Drinks are a different story, one that I will probably write soon.
(3)
Sara O.
I've only been here twice, but I have yet to been let down! While the food seems to be a little overpriced, it sure does taste good with an ice cold brew. Bull and Bear is probably the only place I'd pay 18 bucks for a burger and fries, but trust me--It's SOOOO worth it!! And the half-price appetizers during happy hour makes it a little easier on the wallet.
(4)
Jordan S.
Andddddd we're back. But this time for brunch. I try to shy away from brunches in general, and when i do im all about the egg white omelette, but my friends and i were having a celebratory meal so i allowed for this one indulgence. and wow was it worth it. We basically ordered family style - everything that sounded great - and just passed the plates around trying everything. Pancake flight of plain, blueberry and chocolate chip, home made pop tarts (sweet and savory), belgian waffle, eggs benedict and the peanut butter and jelly french toast. Everything was ridiculous, but i gotta say the blueberry pop tarts were legit one of the best foods I've ever tasted in my life. And the peanut butter and jelly french toast? Well, you can guess how fantastical that was. Thankfully I had my gym bag packed and headed straight over for a workout, so i only felt half bad about our brunch feast.. I heard their omelettes are really great as well, so maybe I'll head back for a less guilt-ridden brunch soon.. with a side of the banana french toast.. ;)
(5)
Amy T.
Meh for service and food. My mac and cheese tasted like burnt peanut butter. Guacamole was pretty bland and service was a bit slow for my taste. I did like the atmosphere and the music at least!
(2)
Michael S.
I come here on Sundays usually and it's pretty good. It usually gets really packed and have great music selection here. They don't have a lot of area for you to dance here especially when it's packed. Overall a good place to go with friends for a few drinks and relax. The only negative thing I can say about this place is that at times the bartenders are really slow.
(3)
louis S.
Fun loud bar atmosphere, lots of TV screens and games going. Note bathrooms down a long flight of stairs in basement. Great food wonderful home made "pop tarts" and unique menu items galore. Over $100 for five of us with only one liquor drink. Had a small issue and the "manager," hardly show any concern. A 100% great waitress.
(4)
Christina M.
Bull & Bear has a great patio and ambiance when it isn't busy. My significant other always orders the chicken wings from here and enjoys them, but feels they're average. I've ordered a plethora of vegetarian items here and agree with the average rating. The hummus appetizer is good, but I think they put champagne in the roasted tomato and it's slightly off-putting. The Greek salad (minus cheese) is also good, but the serving size is very small compared to what they are charging. And finally, the crispy brussels sprouts appetizer (minus aioli) is terrible - they were literally in a pool of oil/grease when I ordered them and quite gross.
(3)
Natalia K.
i come here to drink the lush on the patio and to bake in the sun.
(4)
Corey H.
Met some old friends here and when my mom heard the house music, saw the 20-deep line, and that special twinkle in my eye that means the night has taken a turn... she hailed a cab and split! And I forgot what it means when "capacity" is just a meager suggestion. What a fun, packed crowd!
(4)
Neil R.
This place is decent, somewhat posh but a general pub in my view. It can be a good place to grab a drink but its not like there are no other options on Hubbard street. I've had the brunch and it was "good" but again, better options elsewhere. I will say, I was pleasantly surprised by the naan and hummus. There are some specials and it may be worth checking out.
(3)
Lauren-ashley B.
Love the logo and concept of the bar, very custom to Chicago. It's a nice atmosphere, they serve food at night, dj is decent. It's not a large space and not really much dancing going on. Would come back here.
(4)
Lauren F.
Average. We stopped in on a Saturday afternoon so we didn't have to deal with the sardine-like crowds that other reviewers had mentioned. The cocktails were good but the service was just, well, meh. They have TVs...and it's a sports bar (I guess?)...but I really wasn't feeling the atmosphere, nothing about it seemed very special to me. 2 stars? 3 stars? I couldn't decide. We didn't have a terrible time, but odds are you won't be finding me at Bull & Bear again.
(3)
Shradha A.
After my second try, I give up. I called ahead to make a reservation for 8 on a game night and asked if volume would be on. We get there, they squeeze us in a tiny bar table, even though the place was empty at 6pm, because they were preparing for an industry night at 10pm. How about making some dollars off the patrons in the next 4 hours before a free industry night starts? And how about telling us that on the phone when we called to make a reservation for 8? Food was meh, service was meh, and experience was meh enough to teach me not to suggest Bull & Bear for another game watch! And oh, the hostess decided she wanted hip-hop music rather than the commentary on the game.
(2)
Michael N.
I want to go to Trivia night tomorrow but all of my friends (2 people) are busy. I can't reserve a table for 1 on Trivia night! I'll be laughed at the whole time. Who can I yell "THEY'RE CHEATING!" and "OMG WHO WOULD KNOW THIS?!" to? On the other hand, everything I've ordered from here has been delicious. The burger, turkey club, chicken sandwich (best ever, they are very generous with the avocado slices), and grilled cheese with tomato soup are very tasty. I once took the Metra into Ogilvie and walked here in 10 degree weather. That's a decent walk in cold weather. Oh, it's not? Well guess what, I live in the suburbs and we don't walk for shit up here!
(5)
Pizz o.
Three of us went because we had a 50 dollar gift certificate. Hostess told us we could have this booth but we had to be out of it by 8pm. The other tall skinny hostess didn't even acknowledge our existence and rolled her eyes at us when we asked her where the bathroom was. With that said out server was super nice and helpful. We had the trio of philly. And the trio of Kobe. And the little chicken quasidillas. And some hot wings. All were very good. We also had 2 rounds of hard liquor. Bill came to 100 but only 50 after the certificate which I found for 15 bucks on one of those deal websites. Although the food was great I probably wouldn't go again unless they had a groupon or restaurant.com deal or something.
(3)
Justin S.
Stopped by here on a Sunday night and the place was bumpin! Lots & lots of beautiful people out. The place was kind of small but maybe it just seemed that way because I was shoulder-to-shoulder with everyone. They had a couple of bars and a bunch of booths or tables to chill at. The drinks aren't too expensive (I mean they did have $6 Patron shots). Also, have a bunch of big screen TVs in case there's something you were hoping to watch (aka ESPN's Top 10 hah). Bottom line is this place is definitely somewhere I'd come back to...
(4)
Michael M.
I went to Bull and Bear after leaving what turned out to be a waste of my time interview a few blocks down. It was lunch time and I was alone. When I went in they were on a waiting list it seemed though I saw quite a few open tables outside (and it was a beautiful day). I went to the bar. The flatscreens all turned to different channels was nice as I got to watch two different ballgames before the Cubs game without really having to move my head to much. The decor is dark woods and very yuppie. Power lunch central since it's so close to the Merchandise Mart. I saw they had Matilda on tap and ordered one, and the bartender (unfortunately he didn't give his name) was gracious enough to buy it. That started things off right. As I was perusing the menu he said that if I needed recommendations he could help--- another plus in the service dept. I ordered the bison burger w/ brie and mango salsa. It came out quickly, and perfectly cooked (med-rare). The fries were hot and oh so delicious. A friend joined me a little while later and though it was busy we were able to have a conversation w/o shouting and we got to watch the Cubs game. I can see why some of the complaints were on price...they are a bit pricey as it is easy to get the Matilda for less than the $9 they want. While there, though, the service staff seemed to be moving and taking care of their tables and the bartender was very friendly. I will definitely go back, but probably for lunch since I'll admit the reviews have scared me off a bit for dinner/late night.
(4)
Angie T.
way too crowded - WAY too loud of music - waaaaaay too many married dudes hitting on 20somethings. when this place first arrived steps from the merch mart i was stoked. yay new happy hour spot. oooooooo and the menu looked like "good" bar food! aaaand there are cute little personal taps at each of the booths? how fun! well all of this is true. the food is good, esp the burgers. but please stay away from their house cheddar slime or whatever they spread on their gorgeous kobe patties. the onion ring tower - though soaked in grease, is also delightful. and the quesadilla bites are a personal fave. perfect ratio or spice and sour cream. now i have never had a chance to sit at one of the fun booths, but i can imagine the sweet satisfaction of pouring your own draught right at your table. despite the edible perks, the overwelmingly douche-baggery outweighs it all. bull & bear, i've given you a fair chance - but three (maybe four or five) strikes and you're out. big thumbs down!
(1)
Chi Y.
Great Food (the appetizer wings was amazing), great service, reasonably priced. a little loud for family with small children, but a great experience.
(4)
Rich K.
Not sure what all the negative press is about, we had a great time on a Thursday. The ratio was probably 70/30 in favor of guys. If women want to meet professional men, this is the place. Marisa the bartender was fantastic, she juggled about 20 people; we waited no longer than 5 minutes for our drinks. Drink prices are normal for an upscale bar in the city. Food was great!
(4)
Roberto M.
A really great place to have after work drinks and appetizers. The calamari was a generous portion, and they had goose island green line, which is a fantastic ale only available I'm the Chicago city limits. A little pricey, but for the area that it is in (River North/Merchandise Mart, its acceptable. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Laura M.
This was a good stop to rest our feet after a day of shopping. There were some fun specialty cocktails on the menu (typical higher priced Chicago 'totties' - around $9-$12) and the food options were fairly plentiful for a bar. The Reuben sliders and gazpacho (a specialty menu item for the summer) were good. One of the managers also stopped by the table to check on us as we got the food - good sense of humor, but not annoying. Our server was also friendly.
(3)
CJ R.
A great bar to watch sporting events at. Highly recommend reserving a table with built in taps.
(4)
Cristine K.
Not a fan. This place is like an upscaled hooters with the way they dress and serve their food/drinks. It has a convenient location for after work happy hours. But that's about it. No thanks.
(2)
Cristina T.
Coming into this eating experience I had bad feelings about Bull & Bear. Their website was blasting with music and seemed really clubby, yet I needed to use my gift certificate before it expired in 2 weeks. We made reservations on a Saturday night and were seated promptly near the back of the bar. Unfortunately there was a group of drunk people surrounding the table and they really didn't seem to care that we were eating. That group of people aside, our server was friendly and attentive. I ordered the "Health Club" sandwich and it was great. The avocado was fresh and the bacon was tasty. Even better, the sweet potato fries were sprinkled with a bit of brown sugar-to die for. My boyfriend got the skirt steak and was disappointed to see that when it was served to him it was already cut up. We both found this odd, but it was a flavorful, spicy piece of meat nonetheless. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Bull & Bear and may even be back in the near future.
(4)
lana v.
I work at the next door, so we come here for lunch and happy hour all the time. The bar is always crowded, and it is hard to get a drink. However nothing compares to the horrible service we have received here when we came for lunch on several occasions. We have experienced everything from a really long wait, to orders being messed up, to being given the wrong check. The waiters never come over to refill drinks, remove plates, etc. The food is OK, typical bar food, nothing special. The only thing that I have really enjoyed and has never been messed up is the giant chocolate chip cookie dessert. It is huge!!
(1)
Deirdre R.
There seems to be an emerging trend of luxury sports bars in the city. Bull and Bear fits nicely into that category with a beautiful modern interior, tons of flat screens, bar food classics done with a gourmet twist and......wait for it....wait for it...... huge comfy booths outfitted with individual beer taps. Although a little gimmicky (I'll admit) I love the idea of pouring your own beer at the table- I asked an employee and you can even reserve specific booths based on your beer preference! In addition to the booths, there are two large bars, a ton of high top tables and a very cozy VIP area that is elevated from the main floor. All of the servers were friendly, upbeat and very knowledgeable about the menu. By the end of the evening I had managed to try several of the specialty cocktails. They were all delicious, very creative and strong. The Vallarta was the fan favorite with blueberry infused Patron, it tasted like a grown up margarita! Usually sports bars with a good beer list don't have the greatest cocktail - this place really is the best of both worlds. All of the apps I tried were great. In sticking with the gourmet bar food theme, the nachos are made with a spicy turkey chili and homemade chunky guacamole- they were very tasty! They also have a selection of small sandwiches served in groups of three. We had the Philly cheese steak, and although they were a little stingy with the amount of meat, the flavors were great and the bread was perfect. The star of the evening was the house cut fries served in a brown paper bag with a side of Aioli. Wow. I snagged a menu on the way out and all of the entrees, although a little pricey, sound great too- I can't wait to try them. For us non-club types it's nice to have a bar like this where you can class it up every now and then with fancy drinks and food. It's great to catch the game and avoid the bouncer/techno scene at a sophisticated place. I'm excited for this addition to the River North area, great to have an option like Bull and Bear around the corner from my office.
(4)
Meredith H.
i've only been here twice - before and after different yelp events. wacky. i like bull & bear and am looking forward to snagging a coveted table tap spot sometime soon. yeah the crowd is douch-trader-y, but what do you expect? instead embrace the selection of beers, sweet tvs, and high ceilings. and the fantastic restrooms, holla!
(4)
Digital M.
Food is very good. Raquel is a great waitress. Management is attentive. Prices are fair. A lot of times it's a sausage fest of professionals hanging out in the city after work so beware.
(3)
Tom P.
Went here for the NCAA games yesterday and it was a mistake. It was more dance club than sports bar. Lots of TVs but the music was so loud you could not even talk to the person next to you. Super crowded too. Really bad choice for watching sports- how can you not have the sound on for the games? Maybe I am just old!!!
I met a former co-worker here for lunch and I will say that everything everyone else is yelping is pretty spot on. Over Priced River North Locale....$20.00 for a small salad and an iced tea. I think that is a bit steep, but it is what it is. Young, good looking wait staff. The hostess was a little snotty or just stupid....either way they should consider having someone else that greets people. Cool place...big menu. outdoor seating.
(3)
annie c.
Cologne rhymes with alone!! Total Chode-Fest. Won't be back.
(1)
Wendy V.
I sent Bull and Bear an email about the aforementioned experience with the hostesses, and one of the managers got back to me within 12 hours expressing how disappointed they were in the staff's behavior. I was so impressed with this act of customer service that I will be going back to give it another shot, and it proves that Bull & Bear is serious about customer experience.
(4)
Rob D.
Not a terrible bar, but the descriptions on here about this being a Club scene sports bar are pretty on. Though that's not my typical sort of place people were still pretty friendly. Albeit too friendly for the women at the bar fishing for free drinks (one asked if I was a contestant on top chef, clearly looking for a drink). My biggest complaint was I ordered some shots for some friends and I asked for well whiskey and vodka (considering it was the point in the night when the shelf taste isn't going to matter much) and I got a Gray Goose and Jameson. Not awesome when I specially asked for well, my tab was not pleased. Wasn't a bad time, but I pry wouldn't go out of my way to go here again.
(2)
Marlena G.
Went here last night because one of the girls that I was hanging out with knew the head of security. This place was insanely crowded. From the moment that you walk in the door you are surrounded by men. Staring men. Don't get me wrong that is not always a bad thing but these guys were sort of the yuppie/jerk type. The majority of the girls were dressed in their skanky going out attire. I felt very informal in my jeans and converse shoes. The building was nice and I liked the music. There was a dj. The music was a little too loud. For me to say that it must really be loud. I had a fun night there overall. It was fun people watching and we got a couple free shots. We also found the secret passage to the bathroom but after a few times using we were discoverd by a mean bouncer and escorted upstairs.
(2)
Zach M.
Weak as far as atmosphere. Upscale sports bar with top 40 blaring, and "dudes". Must be about 80% guys each time, I've gone in. And the traffic flow sucks. The food is surprisingly good, though. Not much to choose from, and yeah, it's dressed up bar fare, but at least they put some effort into it. Go for the grilled cheese and tomato soup. In conclusion, a great first stop for a weekday night of drinks.
(3)
Manja C.
Ill venture to say this place will be crammed for the next year or so. Not because it has unique qualities, drink specials, or friendly staff-but because it's a TINY space. The bar in the back is TINY. The boys are just-out-of-college-wannabe-big-swinging-d*cks and the girls are only there because its a new River North bar (watch how B&B will be overrun with dudes in 2 months, at most.) The Good: taps at the tables (not sure how the billing for that works though), food looked alright, many TV's The Bad: everything else.
(2)
Kim L.
Really LEREVE patio n menu...but a little stumped by the mandatory PJ uniform? Why make staff endure that?
(4)
Tom S.
Ate lunch here... had the calamari (smelled fishy, should have been first clue) and a chopped salad. Salad lacked flavor. Service was ok at best.
(1)
Jen W.
Nice looking space with lots of TVs to watch games. We went for lunch today and it was ok. Service could have been much better - our server was not overly friendly and we were never asked if we wanted drink refills and used plates were not removed from the table. The menu is laid out very nicely and everything sounds fantastic. However the end result didn't really work - all of us though our food was ok, somewhat bland, and we all wouldn't order our individual selections again. Best part - the bread basket and garlic butter was fantastic and we liked the music. In general, I would go back for drinks after work...not the food.
(2)
johnny b.
The fries are great and the kobe beef burger is pretty solid. Worth a trip to try it out. Good spot to watch a game
(4)
Cara S.
Fun place to go for a drink after work. Tight quarters, not a ton of seating but environment is quite cozy with exposed brick walls, large flat screen tv's, modern light fixtures and a pretty upbeat crowd. Did I mention there are table taps in selected booth tables? Oh and you must try their truffle fries.
(4)
Dom R.
Was in Chicago visiting and came here late night on a Saturday. I'm a fan of the name and the logo of the bar. Bull & Bear. Cool. I was trying to think of a similar type bar name for the sports teams in Philadelphia. Doesn't work out as well or sound near as cool. We had a booth with the innovative table tap system. Pretty freaking convenient, and dangerous at the same time. Had several 312's from the table tap. I was already pretty inebriated before coming here but it was a nice night cap filled with beer and dancing. I'd normally avoid a place like this in my hometown of Philadelphia, but since I was in Chicago, I had a good time. I'd definitely go back.
(3)
Irena A.
I don't know why most people did not like this place a lot. I can understand the part that the place is filled with 20 year olds looking for a rich trader but besides that the food was good... Our waitress was timely. They had the 1/2 appetizers special so my friends and I shared the grilled calamari, quesadilla, chicken wings and it was all verry good... I will def go back there.. And it's easily accessible by the brown line.
(4)
Sweet D C.
I was really excited for this place to open and some of my old college friends were even involved in hyping the place up. However, I am pretty disappointed overall (I've given it several chances). I thought that the bartenders had a lot of unnecessary attitude, especially when they seemed inexperienced and didn't know how to make some pretty well known drinks.
(2)
James M.
This place has a great atmosphere for a upscale bar, but I would rather watch a game somewhere else. They do have the table taps which is a cool feature. I had the Kobe Burger and Truffle fries and it was really good. The down side is that it is $18, but I would order it again when I go. The only reason it didn't get a five was the some of the waitress's were a little slow.
(4)
Nikki S.
Just a so so spot in my opinion--and would not say one of the best sports bars in Chicago. It was definitely very crowded for the recent football game I watched. They try and crowd more people than would normally fit in the booth that is for sure. But definitely get the cookie dessert...so damn good.
(3)
Andrea H.
This review is base solely on food since I ordered takeout for dinner. I was very pleasantly surprised with my food. We had the Quesadilla Bites as an appetizer, we had it with the vegetables and it was fantastic. My boyfriend had the Griddled Salami sandwich and I had the Fish Tacos and we were both equally impressed! I'm glad I tried it since I hate to cook and live 2 blocks away, I will be ordering takeout again!
(4)
Darryl M.
Service is not at its best here Food is ok I was visiting and this was a second choice and should have been last on the choice
(2)
Lily Z.
My Happy hour group came here after a meh experience at Hubbard Inn. I wish we came here earlier to take advantage of 1/2 off burgers on Wednesdays! The only hiccup was that a party of 40 put in an order of food before us, so we ended up waiting about 30-45 minutes for our food. Our waitress asked if the manager had come over and spoken to us and we said no. When he did arrive, he explained the situation and said our burgers were on the house. We greatly appreciated the gesture. Aside from that hiccup, the food was good. The fries were crunchy. Although I asked my burger to be medium rare and it came out well done, I was happy with the overall meal. Plus $5 beers!
(4)
Shambavi K.
The draw was the daily specials. When we went, it was half off burgers. they also had half off apps and drink specials. The baked or boneless wings was really just cut up grilled chicken breast which was meh. The dipping sauces that came with these and the burgers were great though. Service was attentive and friendly. Good location. Nothing to rave about otherwise
(2)
Ed A.
Well, the place looks fantastic and the people quite friendly. It's a great stop in the neighborhood. Need to fix elevator for those in wheelchairs. Kind of a bummer to be seated and stopped because of malfunctioning equipment. Still, I would come back, if you know.
(3)
Mande B.
I enjoyed the brussel sprouts and truffle fries for dinner and I was pleased with both. We had a decent sized group but the service was pretty slow. The LUSH cocktail is a MUST.
(3)
Jacqueline B.
It seems as though it's the trendy thing to do to hate on B&B, but I honestly can say I had a great experience. Now granted, I've never been here for the night life scene, but a Wednesday lunch at 12:30 pm was terrific! Our waitress was super friendly and on top of her game. We were seated right away at a high top table at the front of the restaurant. We were served waters stat and they never went below half full before getting topped off again. Our waitress rambled off the specials, gave us suggestions, and checked in on us often. A+ for service (or should I say 5 stars?). I was a little taken back by some of the prices (especially for lunch), but then again it is River North, so I should have expected it. I ordered the No Bull Burger -- house ground turkey, smoked gouda, fried green tomatoes, and sweet mustard aioli on a challah bun. It came with what they called "regular fries" that I could have subbed out for sweet potato fries or another side from the menu. But I went with the reggo fries and let me tell ya - there was nothing regular about them. In a good way! They had who knows what kind of seasoning on them but they were de-lish. Almost too delish. I for sure ate way too many. But that's neither here, nor there. The burger itself was really good! It was the first time I've had fried green tomatoes on a burger which was a tasty fun touch. The smoked gouda and sweet mustard paired perfectly as well. However, it's not the ultimate best dining experience I've ever had (kind of missing a wow factor), and I really don't like dropping $16 on lunch, so I couldn't give Bull & Bear a solid 5 stars at this point. They do have an intriguing brunch menu I'd like to check out though, and their trivia nights sound pretty decent too.
(4)
Sally Y.
I've been to Bull & Bear for drinks and apps in addition to their St. Patrick's Day party. Let me start off by saying how the nachos were AMAZING. I would 100% recommend getting those, and they're perfect for sharing as it's a pretty large plate. The wings may have been a little over fried - but that's a personal preference, sliders were great, and the sweet potato fries had a light sugary coating. The food for the St. Patty's day was a little underwhelming. Rather than having an open buffet, they had servers roam throughout with little mini bites. I understand how this would prevent people from wasting too much food, but it was tricky to manage having a few beers and also hunting down food as people were getting rowdier and rowdier throughout the morning. I would have much preferred to have arrived, eat, then drink instead of trying to manage the eating and drinking together in a crowded room without seating. Overall, Bull & Bear is a great place. Tons of TVs are also available if you want to go there to catch a game while having a beer. Definitely recommended.
(4)
CL C.
The cheddar sausage biscuit was amazing. We also got the wings, which were also good and came with a nice assortment of vegetables.
(4)
Daniel S.
I got the salami sandwich, which was great, good portion, with cheese and mustard, as good as I've ever had, tho I asked for tomato and they gave me one, and the beer selection is solid tho mine was kinda warm, they have beer taps at the table which is really cool, and it was half priced apps so we got the calamari which was also good
(4)
David M.
Bull & Bear Kobe Beef Burger w/ Truffle Fries B&B Kobe Burger Sweet Red Onion Marmalade, Melted Gruyère, Smoked Bacon Aioli, Brioche Bun, Truffle Fries - $18.00 If you think this is just your typical burger, you're dead wrong! First off, it's Kobe Beef... Did you hear me? It's Kobe! The meat is generally considered to be a delicacy, renowned for its flavor, tenderness, and fatty, well-marbled texture. Essentially, this means it's a fantastic burger through every bite. Now, most of you probably have never heard of Gruyère, nor will ever try it. However, it's a must. Gruyère is sweet but slightly salty, and is often described as creamy and nutty when young. Melted atop this Kobe Burger, it's nothing short of outstanding. Now, add in the Smoked Bacon Aioli and your mouth enters into eternal food bliss! In regard to the atmosphere, this is a nice, business-casual bar. It seems to get quite busy from 2pm-3pm on, so be sure to reserve your seat ahead of time if at all possible. Whether your there for a drink, or to enjoy their menu fare, you're sure to be pleased!
(4)
Jessie H.
Four us came here for brunch. I got the crab benedict $14 (it was a decent amount and pretty filling). It came with alot of sauteed garlic spinach on the muffin. There was also some fruit on the side. It's basically your standard poached egg with crab topped with hollandaise sauce. The reason I gave it 4 stars was for the PB&J Stuffed french toast ($11) - I am not a fan of french toast or jam but this was really good!! The flavors just blended really well. My friends got the mimosa ($5) but it's a big mini bucket which probably equals like 3 regular mimosa glasses. It's a sports bar so I think a lot of people come here to watch games and drink. The service was friendly. We came here saturday morning, no reservations but there was no wait.
(4)
Lisi Z.
Ordered over $50 in takeout from bull and bear. The food came late, and cold as Siberia. The microwave was in full force re-heating our chilling meal. Mac and cheese was the worst I've ever came across- a good comparison would be overcooked noodles drenched in flavorless goop. We are now sitting here with stomach aches and an empty wallet- never again
(1)
Noel S.
I love this place for what it is. A nicer bar with an awesome casual brunch. Between here and Sienna tavern I spend 95% of my hangover saturdays. I highly recommend that you jump on board. They change the menu about every 4 months. Large portions. Good food. Including breakfast, burgers, love the chicken sandwhich. They offer healthier options too. For example the chicken sandwhich comes grilled or fried. The turkey chili is customizable with 10 different topping from bacon to avocado. I always get the chocolate chip cookie skillet which they make to order. It's like warm chocolate chip cookie dough....seriously! I never make resos. I just show up around 1- 4 pm. No wait.
(5)
Katie F.
The food is pretty good, basic, but they do a pretty good job. The service was a little slow, but the waitress apologized for it which I appreciated.
(5)
Jonathan S.
Looks like an old school, high end bar that was converted into a sports bar. Burgers are pretty good. The most interesting thing about this place is that all the booths in the back have beer taps built into the table. How cool is that! No waiting for a refill while watching the game! No, not here, just help yourself to your own keg! But they need larger screen TVs. Love the wood bar and high ceilings. That night our bartenderess must have been hung over or something. Not a smile the whole night. Tough to leave a good tip when your server as exciting as watching grass grow. The best thing about that night was watching a couple who seemed to be on a first date and it was SO clear that he was interested in the Bulls game and she was like, ugh, WTF (let me check my cell phone for the 100th time).
(3)
Edward M.
Kinda dead on a Sat night, nice looking bar, and management were super nice and obviously working hard to promote the bar. Drinks were a little lacking but expensive. Not sure I'd go back anytime soon. Maybe give it a little while to mature. As a tangent, watching the drunk cougars hitting on the bartenders was quite a fun sight.
(3)
Jeanine Z.
I came here on a Friday night and sat a high top table. We were seated right away and ordered a drink. We ordered margaritas and a cosmopolitan. The drinks tasted weak, which we weren't happy about. But, 4 stars for food. I wasn't expecting the food to be good because bar food is usually mediocre. We ordered chicken wings, which were awesome. The sauce was really good. I ordered a beet salad with skirt steak. I asked for the steak to be cooked medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. My friends had truffle Mac and cheese, chicken club sandwich, and the miso crusted salmon. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Overall, I would return.
(4)
Cynthia G.
Walked in after a local recommended us the location. Bar is pretty nice and has a good vibe! Was Sunday night and they played old school hip hop. I asked for a pomegranate mojito but they didn't have the mixers so I settled for a strawberry mojito. A little sweet but did the job.
(4)
Kristine B.
Nice atmosphere terrible service. Watch for Taylor. Your cups will be empty more often then not. Best wishes
(2)
Shannon D.
This is for their carryout service only: Word of warning: Don't order their awesome wings for carryout. You'll received cooked wings and some sauce, and apparently be expected to prepare them yourself from there. Could not believe what I saw when I opened the bag when I got home. I spent $30 for a quick and easy dinner for me and my husband and now I've got to go to the store to buy more Frank's wing sauce since they didn't provide enough for me to even toss these myself. Also going to pick up some jalapenos since the whole two slivers per dinky cup of sauce doesn't really give the 'maximum' hot flavor we're used to. Also, no scallions? What exactly did I pay for here if I've got to basically do the work myself?
(1)
Cody H.
Listen... this place is full of douchey collar poppers and frizzy trixies. That being said, I like this bar. It has very good food and a wide range of delicious libations. I came in with a five top reservation to watch a sporting event, which should be this place's wheelhouse. For our entire stay, we got our food and booze within what could only be considered a reasonable amount of time. Yes she forgot an occasional order, yes they were out of a few menu items... it's fine. I'm a forgiving person. What I don't forgive is juicing the tab. I used to serve for a long time and will always appreciate the job, but don't arbitrarily round up how many drinks I had. One of two things happened; either the server was inept to the point where she ordered more items than her table did, or she was being intentionally dishonest for the purpose of a couple extra bucks. I tend to avoid both when I go out. And if you are the same, you should avoid Bull and Bear until they get their stuff together.
(2)
Ankit M.
Standard bar food and drinks. Easy to get in & out for lunch. The interior always feels a bit cramped since it's a long rectangle. Good fish tacos & burgers. They could upgrade their salad offering.
I can't speak for the food since I only had drinks but they have this ridiculously large pitcher of Sangria for $25 during happy hour ($30 regularly) that we split between 4 people. Everyone was able to get about 3 glasses out of it. Great deal, service was awesome too. Would definitely return, the food did look pretty good as well.
(4)
Laura M.
Had dinner here with my husband a few days ago, and overall, I enjoyed the restaurant. We sat outside, which afforded us a neat view of the Merchandise Mart. I ordered the blackened fish tacos on corn tortillas, and my husband ordered a classic single cheeseburger with sweet potato fries. The fish tacos were truly delicious, made with a fantastic citrus cole slaw. The tortillas, however, fell completely apart after one bite. My husband's cheeseburger was definitely good, but what made his meal great was the side of sweet potato fries, which were honestly some of the best I've ever had. I also had the Lush mixed drink, which had watermelon and cucumber elements to it and tasted very fresh. The service was very good, and our server was quite friendly. The meal was a little on the pricey side though. Overall, I'd recommend it to a friend visiting the area to try.
(4)
Kristy B.
I don't hang out in River North often at all. But this place definitely has me changing my mind about hanging out there. When I think of River North, I usually think $$$-$$$$ most of the time. But this place was surprisingly reasonable with their prices...which got me wanting to come back! I met up with some friends here on a Friday night. We were there for a group event in which there were $5 drink vouchers given out. Already starting out on the right foot! The place was packed beyond belief. The bar had a decent selection. I was surprised that they didn't carry Sierra Nevada, as that brand is pretty popular in most Chicago bars. But it didn't bother me too much. I got an Angry Orchard cider for $6. Not bad! As the bar itself got more and more crowded, my friends and I ventured upstairs towards the back area. There we found giant oversized booths with drinks on tap at nearly every table. Our group had something like bottle service with Absolut and the servers were pretty on top of things. There were about 3 or 4 guys running security too, which keeps the trouble away. As for the food, I didn't eat anything except the nachos - which were fully loaded and came in a very large portion. The bathrooms were decent too. Nothing to write home about, but they were clean. I guess what I really disliked was the fact that there was not much room to dance. But then again, this isn't a dance club. However, the music was SO loud, I thought I was in a nightclub for sure. Even if it were one though, I doubt I'd be dancing to Snoop Dogg or OPP, which they were playing a lot of. The DJ's music selections ranged from 1989-2002. Not even kidding. The service was pretty decent enough, considering the fact that the place was jam packed. Prices are pretty average too, which is good. Nothing crazy there. I would definitely come back. I hear their brunch is amazing too! Bonus (one more redeeming factor!) : There is a coat check downstairs outside of the bathrooms! Win!
(4)
Kristen D.
This review is for the calamari alone. It is unbelievable, and one of the best calamari dishes I've ever tried. It wasn't rubbery at all, the batter was perfectly crunchy (not at all soggy) and not too heavy, and the aioli and marinara was a perfect compliment to the dish. I will be back and absolutely will order this again! To top it off, the appetizers were half off and I had no idea. I'd have ordered a second plate of it!
(5)
Greg S.
My office is right around the corner, so I often come here for business lunches. It's a good bet since the staff are welcoming and attentive. The noise levels are subdued and the menu caters to various tastes. The interior has a very cool design, with lofted ceilings, lots of wood, and very comfortable booths in the back. My coworkers often rave about the fish tacos, sweet potato fries and No Bull Burger (a.k.a. the turkey burger). I will not be coming back here anytime soon though as a coworker and I got food poisoning from the No Bull Burger. Luckily my manager and an interview candidate did not eat the burger, so they were fine. I notified the restaurant manager and he sent us gift cards to the restaurant as a gesture of apology.
(3)
Nicole D.
We were waiting for our table at the deep dish tourist trap next door and decided to wait in here rather than out in the cold. It's your typical sports bar, though it looks slightly more upscale than a totally divey sports bar. Seemed like a good place to watch the games.
(3)
Elizabeth G.
A Thursday night in a NON-crowded restaurant should NOT sound like a Saturday night at Hangge Uppe. Thanks for a night out with friends where I couldn't actually TALK to my friends. :/ I ordered to the burger sliders medium which came out raw. The positive : the manager made up for it by comping the meal. Thank you! All in all, hoping it was just an odd night for you all and others have a better dining experience. Don't think I'll be back anytime soon unless it's 3am and I can't hear anymore. K, bye.
(2)
R P.
We came across this place today while exploring Chicago. Loved this place. They have great food. Must try! Service is great. Ambience is perfect for breakfast/brunch!
(5)
Liz K.
Ohhh Bull & Bear...what little memories I have of you... Fact-During Sunday's Football games there are major specials... Opinion: Their morning mimosas are dangerous....cheap but very dangerous! Fact: They have a newspaper-like menu Opinion: Great bloody Mary and Mac & Cheese Came here for a Sunday Funday and I got more than I bargained for. Overall service was excellent, food was good (except my omelette), drinks were strong, and their specials were great. On a side note...I left my phone there and they immediately called my house phone to tell me that they had my phone! I was so grateful for their honesty!
(4)
Karolina K.
I just Love Bull & Bear- the food is amazing the atmosphere is perfect. You can custom order almost anything! Who can complain this bar rocks!!!
(5)
Justin W.
Four of us took on the brunch menu with zeal this past Saturday, and the outcome was inspirational as much as it was enjoyable. Everything we ate had a home cooked feel to it, and the chefs among us all were saying "I can't wait to make this for my friends." To start we had breakfast nachos and a savory pop tart; in both cases the standard taste of sausage egg and cheese benefitting from delivery mechanisms that let them pop. The Tart is a must - share it with the table. Following that we shared four plates: Short Rib eggs Benedict were a stellar showcase of shredded beef done right. I'd prefer a smokier BBQ flavor to go along with the rich hollandaise, but hey, there's Tabasco for a kick. Chorizo quesadilla Benedict was the weakest offering of the morning. Just two flavors that didn't really mesh - the hollandaise was much too potent for the cheese and mildly spiced sausage. Sausage and egg with home made cheese biscuits were a crowd pleaser. A breakfast sandwich for the storybooks, a case study in good bread making a meal. There's no good sandwich without good bread, and these biscuits were wonderful. Lastly and most importantly was the PB&J stuffed French toast. This sweet and rich dish went the fastest of all, and left everyone smiling. Washed down with a white stout, there wasn't a better bite the while time.
(4)
Juan A.
Great truffle fries and sliders...
(4)
Chris G.
Turkey burger! Smoked Gouda. Yum. Tall glass of Malbec on their sunny patio. View of Merchandise Mart and CTA trains slowly slinking around corners. Attentive servers. Great for lunch! Carry on.
(4)
Traci D.
The hubs and I had a drink and an appetizer in the bar area here during our Chicago trip. It was pretty crowded on a Sunday night and we were lucky to find two seats open at the bar. Our beers were moderately priced. Service was friendly and prompt. We ordered Boneless Buffalo wings for our appetizer. Now, I will admit, I didn't read the description completely for the boneless wings but it was sliced chicken breasts in buffalo sauce. It wasn't bad but I was just expecting deep fried bonless chicken in buffalo sauce. What we got was probably a better alternative for us especially since we were getting deep dish pizza after our stop at Bull & Bear. Like other reviews have mentioned, its a great spot to hit up while waiting for your table for Lou Malnatis.
(4)
Alex T.
Expected better on a Saturday night. Food has taken over an hour to get to our table. Waitress was really nice and good atmosphere, but there just needs to be better service here on a busy night. Food is good and they did give us free drinks for taking too long to serve our food.
(2)
Michael E.
Burgers are awesome a little pricey. Short rib Benedict is amazing. Truffle Mac and cheese is the cheesiest. Outdoor seating is pleasant because traffic is not too bad.
(4)
Andrew H.
Food was decent. Drinks week. Douche watering hole. From LA and I've never experienced such doucheness. The door guy was easily 10 years younger than me and gave me shit about my ID. This place would make a good filming spot for the jersey shore.
(2)
Mary J.
I gave this place three stars because it is ok, not great but not bad. Came here around 1pm Sunday and there was no wait. All the other brunch spots nearby had waits. They have brunch on the weekends and I tried the sausage biscuit and the junk yard salad. Honestly for the prices of the food here I was underwhelmed. The sausage was an interesting flavor and texture, the party was falling apart. The biscuit was good, nothing to rave about. The junk yard salad was a huge portion but I would have liked a bit more dressing. It was VERY light.
(3)
Jon W.
Terrible atmosphere. A ridiculously glorified sports bar with a classist, sexist dress code. i'd prefer never to go back to. I was turned away for inappropriate attire (a fully satisfactory tank top) while at least five females in the immediate area had on spaghetti straps and other apparel that covered much less. Another gentlemen was turned away for inappropriate footwear and the reason stated is they were trying maintain a certain class, a "nicer" environment. Yet the scrolling bar displaying all the stats, lusacris on the screens, the dj in the corner all clearly were raising the bar in classy. Recommendation: avoid this place.
(1)
David S.
Good layout and design of the bar and restaurant. It's nice to be in places where you know where things are instinctively. They have Kobe burgers and sliders which are really good and really rich. Definitely a hunger defamatory. If you like Jameson, order up a 'whisked away.' It's Jameson, orange liquor, and agave nectar, and it might be my nemesis. It tastes so good I could drink two or three without being careful. They loose a star for a waitress bring me that third drink after me telling her I didn't want one.
(3)
Robert G.
Went here for Thursday lunch with the guys. It's a nice place to eat, with a great theme (speaking as one coming from a futures background!) But it's awfully pricey, and the melt was just OK. I got a turkey melt with spinach, mushrooms and, just to try it, goat cheese. I actually ended up forgetting what I ordered, because a plate landed in front of me and I started eating the melt... and then a small plate of chicken was brought out right as I finished one half of my melt. Now, remember, I ordered turkey. But at that point, I wasn't really about to complain, since they agreed to comp my meal. The chicken was well seasoned but a bit dry. I don't think the goat cheese would have helped with that. In the end in spite of the good ingredients the melt was pretty small and ordinary, and not really something I would've chosen to spend $9-11 on again (without any sides!). So for now, I'm going to have to put a SELL rating on Bull & Bear.
(3)
Karolyn S.
Met a friend downtown for brunch on a Saturday. Very friendly waitstaff, very attentive. The problem I have with Bull & Bear is that the Junk Salad I ordered was missing half the junk. No avocado, no hard-boiled egg. Once we got some, it was better; however, to chop the eggs so small you can't even taste them is problematic. I took half of mine home and realized then that they also forgot the croutons. How do you forget 3 of the main ingredients in a salad? I'd give this place 2.5 stars based on the waitress and the naan that they get from the Indian Restaurant down the street. Sad that something they get elsewhere is the best thing I had. The chefs need a refresher as to what goes in the salad.
(2)
Madison L.
Love the lush here! So light and refreshing - def my favorite drink here. Ran into Amar'e Stoudemire here a couple years ago.
(3)
sidney l.
wtf. 90 %whites in this joint and they are playing ghetto shit. Music. Please stop.
(1)
Natalie V.
My husband & I are in Chicago on vacation & we decided to stop in here for dinner. We loved it! Loved everything about it, the food was unique and tasty and the restaurant was spaced out well. No complaints, only recommendation!
(5)
Mark A.
Just ok... wish the table beer taps worked better during our visit. The entire 3 hours we had the table, spent nearly 3 hours pouring foam into the tray which they "deduct" from the bill at the end of the night. Seems wasteful and poor way of figuring out how much beer was poured. Then the taps were turned off midway through the Hawks game on us, not sure why but again just cut into our time (if they were changing kegs, maybe just a heads up from the server to keep us informed would have been cool..) Service although friendly, was terribly slow, and the place wasn't even busy. Saving grace, the nacho's and other apps were very good. For my money/time, head over to Highline down the street.. similar concept, newer space, WAY bigger TV's.
(2)
Tom M.
I liked it, even though I probably ordered the wrong thing. I had a Southwest salad, which was hampered by its chipotle dressing (it would have been better with a vinaigrette, IMHO). But it looks like a good gastropub, and next time I'll be sure to check out the more substantial dishes such as the burgers, etc. At the same time, ya gotta love a place with taps at the table. Considering the taps are different at each, I suppose it's a crap shoot whether you'll get to snuggle up to your favorite brands. So might be worth getting there early to lay claim to your BFF brews.
(3)
Brittanie K.
Great place. Great atmosphere. Turkey club is very good. They have a delicious chipotle mayo. Service was good. Good place to grab a beer and watch a game.
(5)
Clarissa B.
I love this place for happy hour! Their patio is also awesome. Close to the brown line
(4)
Leah C.
For what this place is trying to be, it's doing a great job. I would describe this place as a slightly upscale sports bar. The restaurant itself is large, open, and airy with lots of dark wood - reminds me of the industrial chic look of Au Cheval. Overall, it's a darker atmosphere but there is still plenty of natural light - I'm assuming it's decorated with the male clientele in mind. This place has at least a dozen TVs throughout the bar and general dining area. As far as I could tell, they were all HD flat screens. I've only been here on the weekends for brunch but I've ordered both breakfast and lunch items. Everything has been at least good with many of the items being REALLY good. I would highly recommend the kobe burger, parmesan truffle fries, and truffle mac & cheese - but not all in one meal! The truffle mac & cheese is so rich and cheesy that you definitely need to share it with at least one other person. Another option to consider: the seasonal "pop tarts" - They are always serving one sweet and one savory option (each order comes with 2, mix and match if you please). They change often and every time we've had them, they've been outstanding. They are not hard like traditional grocery store pop tarts - instead they have a flaky croissant/phyllo dough exterior. The only thing that irks me about this place is that the bathroom is downstairs (oh well) and one time the service was extremely slow when it was not busy at all. Overall, I would give it 4.5 stars but my boyfriend loves it so much that I pushed it up to a 5.
(5)
Susan S.
I was really impressed with the B & B. I had chicken tortilla soup and a melt sandwich. B had a polish sausage. The food was really good and the service was great. Colleen was our waitress and she was attentive and friendly. I highly recommend this place for lunch or dinner. They also have a great bar and a nice selection of wine.
(4)
Holly C.
Went for Sex and the City trivia last night. Hugeeee salads, amazing cocktails! Try the Dubai themed one on trivia nights! It's the best! Food and drinks were great!!
(5)
Felicia M.
Great Bar in River North. Food is always pretty good (it's bar food so don't expect it to win awards) but still a cut above the rest. Good service too and the trivia on Tuesday's is fun.
(4)
Chirag P.
Since I came in after 11:30 pm, for a wedding post party on a Sunday. We called them around 11 and told them we're coming with a large party 30+ folks, they said no problem and actually had put a couple of tables aside for us which was great. The crowd was what I'd call the "meatheads" but luckily they were all in the back room, but seriously it was like I was out on a Sunday night in Vegas. I'll admit, it was fun, since it was packed on a Sunday night, but that also made it a pain to get any drinks at the bar. Didn't have food and didn't pay any attention to the decor, since it was packed, but had fun, so it gets 3 stars til I can go more in depth at the place.
(3)
Laila C.
Unfortunately we come here all the time for lunch. it's close, it's fairly cheap and it's got a huge menu so you'd think everything can find something they like here. But truthfully, the only good think about B&B at this point is the close proximity of its sunny patio to our office. I've tried a ton of stuff on the menu and at this point, I'd probably rather order an app as an entree than eat any more of their actual entrees. The brussels are good but literally swimming in grease. I think the only thing that's still edible on this menu are the nachos and the hummus. The pepper steak with the szechwan glaze is sweet, sweet sweet! When I ordered it, I specifically asked the server whether it's sweet and she tried to school me on what szechwan is. "No, szechwan is a Chinese sauce and means it's spicy, it is not sweet." Thanks for the education on my own culture, ditzy white girl. But seriously, it's sweet. It does have some heat. But it's sweet. Their burger is HUGE but just not satisfying. Also by the time it came, I had to run back to the office for a meeting, so I asked them to put it in a to-go container for me...that took 20 minutes. The melts are gross. Even the salads are somehow just wrong. Last time I ordered the Southwest Salad with avocado and dressing on the side, it came with dressing in the salad and no avocado. Maybe it means the food is bad, it definitely means the servers are idiots here. They can't even bring out beers in under 10 minutes. Next time someone suggests coming here, I'll just duct tape their mouth shut and pretend I didn't hear.
(2)
Margaret H.
We came here on a Sunday morning for brunch and the Bears game. We had a reservation for 15, which they reserved only 2 non-connecting booths for us. If you don't like reservations that large, then don't make them; but do not make it and not provide adequate seating accommodations. Our server took our drink order, then came back 5 minutes later to tell us that she was done with our shift. Then someone had to physically get up from our table to order drinks at the bar, which they refused since we were at a table, so then we had to go find our waitress after 15 minutes of waiting. The food was okay, but nothing special, just a standard burger and fries. The atmosphere is fun as a bar on a Friday/Saturday night, but lacks all customer service as any sort of restaurant.
(2)
Justin E.
Great truffle Mac and cheese. The short rib eggs Benedict was amazing too. I had buffalo wings, which were nothing special but not bad just average. If your beer drinker you might like the tables here. They have built in beer taps at the table, which you select which tap beer you want. The ambiance is nice rustic wood, dark environment. Clean and friendly wait staff, we were seated immediately for lunch on a Sunday. All in all it's a good restaurant, but nothing to write home about.
(3)
Rosemary Z.
The Junk Bond is a Junky Salad. I've been here multiple times... For lunch, for dinner, for apps and drinks, to watch the game, and for private events. 1 Star - Food 1 Star - Service 3 Stars - Environment, Location 1.5 Stars - Food: The Junk Bond salad was 60% iceberg lettuce, 20% cabbage, and 20% romaine. Who puts cabbage in the mixed greens? The egg whites were so finely chopped that my friend, a blue cheese hater, could not pick out the blue cheese from her salad. The salad was garnished with a max of six cherry tomatoes (sliced in half) and the avocados were missing from both of our salads. The big bonus? My salad included one lonely black bean, which made up for the lack of protein I received from the small portion of chicken that was included in the salad. The food gets the extra half star for satisfying late night cravings, and that's it. 1 Star - Service: While Grub Hub is a nice service, delivery does not work for lunch hour at Bull & Bear. I waited nearly two hours for my food form the start of my order placement. TWO HOURS! As for dining in, I've always had to wait for my check. 3 Stars - Environment, Location This place works because alcohol is served and you can watch the game here. It also is in a good location. However, it's kind of a one and done place. You won't want to keep coming back. It's just not good enough.
(2)
Sheila K.
Came here on a late Sunday night after dinner and the place was packed! We snagged and table and had some drinks. The music was bumming and the people were enjoying themselves. Service is basic. If you are looking for a place to get drink late at night, this is the place to go. Most places are closed especially on Sunday in this area.
(3)
Tim O.
The Blue Chip Burger was great. The bacon was chewy, but, who cares, it's bacon. The meat was cooked correctly and the bun handled the runoff quite well without becoming soggy. The serving of fries was liberal, and in that I mean that there was a gigantic pile of fries on my plate. The calamari appetizer got the job done. No complaints.
(4)
Andre W.
3 times here and 3 different experiences 1st experience: Lots of empty tables but me and my crew of 4 were not allowed to sit @ any of them. The tables had reserved signs on almost every table. We were confined to a corner of the mid section bar. We were hungry and did not have enough space to eat in the small area we had. Sad to say, the four hours we were there none of those empty tables were ever occupied. We more than likely would have spent good money on food if had we had enough space to eat. 2nd experience: Not so bad as me and my buddy were able to get a couple of beers on a warm, rainy saturday afternoon. Decent selection of bottled beer. The guy behind the bar serving us was pretty cool. 3rd experience: Came on a Friday evening and the music was so loud that you had to scream @ the person next to you. Not an exaggeration. Service was a little up in the air as the girls behind the bar was so engulfed with their convo that they sometimes didn't realize we were trying to order another drink. I really want to like this place, but it really needs to stop playing into that whole douchebag/River North bar stereotype. It has a good chance to stand apart from the others.
(3)
Kelly R.
This place is great! It was my first time and I was very impressed. Great waitstaff- the service was spectacular. The chili and the fries, along with the salads were the right choice. The portions are good to share and my friends and i nibbled off each other's order. Nice selection or alcoholic beverages and such a cute atmosphere. Not too bar-like but not too high end. Great find!
(5)
EstherLynn P.
Awesome Place! Love the taps in the booths! Food is great. The atmosphere is always good. Great place to watch a game.
(5)
Jennifer C.
My hubby and I went in for lunch and had a great time. We sat outside and the server we had was quite good. To eat I had the Kobe burger and truffle fries. They were both extremely good and I would get it again. The truffle fries come with a delicious sauce that really enhanced everything. My husband had the regular cheeseburger that came with regular French fries. His was fine, but it wasn't as good as mine. I will definitely get the Kobe burger again when I'm in the mood for something yummy, however, this is not a light meal and I felt a few pounds heavier after eating it.
(4)
Emil M.
Just ordered the southwestern salad to go, it was so disappointing to get all the way home and realize they did not add the chicken. I'd sort of understand if it was an extra ingredient but this salad is supposed to come with blackened chicken. When I called they said they could only refund me if I went all the way back, that they could not do it over the phone. Never getting dinner from there again.
(1)
Romana Y.
Tons of tv's here to catch all the games, which follows a very rowdy crowd. It's a busy, loud spot, with a cool crowd. The menu is in a newspaper format. The drinks are good. They have taps at tables, and the taps are different at each. Beer selection is good, mixed drinks are strong. The chips/guac are good, as are the classic burger and grilled salami sandwich. Because this place is always congested, you have to get here early to snag a seat/table. As busy as this place always is (which is the least desirable aspect here), the service never fails (service being the best). Good experience at a decent spot.
(3)
Cindy G.
We checked out Bull & the Bear on Sunday night and I was BLOWN away by this place! So every Sunday they run $5 20 oz special for any beer on tap. So yes, you can get a stella, bud light whatever you want. We also got 8 free wings just for coming in to celebrate the Bears game. Not sure if this happens every Sunday or if this was a special occasion, but either way the wings were great. We got both the medium and asian, both were packed with flavor, and crispy on the outside. The atmosphere is stunning with dark wood and beautiful lighting throughout. They also have cozy booths you can rent with taps at the table. Great for groups and game days! Overall a super solid place. Great specials and perfect high end sports bar feel.
(5)
Travis M.
Stopped in for dinner when I was in town solo and overall was not impressed. I decided to try this place based on a foursquare recommendation since I liked Gilt Bar around the corner, but it was not on the same level. Though the food prices were a little cheaper, it was obvious why. I ordered the "Kobe" burger (don't get me started on that sham) but it tasted more like a typical ground chuck burger. Don't get me wrong, ground chuck has its place... but not for $18. However it was cooked a perfect medium rare. The truffle fries were good, though a little on the soggy side. I was disappointed in my cocktail - I ordered a whiskey cocktail but it was actually very sweet. I figured since it was made with agave nectar and not typical simple syrup it would still have the whiskey bite, however it was unfortunately washed out with a wave of sweetness. If in the area I wouldn't completely avoid Bull & Bear, but I wouldn't seek it out.
(2)
Krista C.
Visited from Orange County, CA and had a great time. We need a place like this - great drink specials, good music, pour your own beers at some tables, lots of TVs and did I mention music?
(5)
Genie B.
I've been to Bull & Bear quite a few times because a few of my friends are servers there but only for drinks, never for the food. But, I recently went for brunch with some people and it was pretty good. I ordered the cheddar sausage biscuit with the home fries, so good. We also ordered a pitcher of the red sangria! If you're going here for a night out, come early! It gets so crowded at night and the place is pretty small...
(4)
Mace W.
Good bar food but overpriced. Service has been slow multiple times but all around nice place to have brunch or watch a game. Also, table taps are slow to setup and the beer has been flat on two occasions. I would stick to bottles or the beer from their regular taps.
(3)
Laura L.
Nice spot for lunch. Food is decent. Bartender, Rebecca, did an awesome job keeping things moving during the lunch rush. I will definitely go back again.
(5)
Nancy S.
Great patio. Great interior decor. Great place to wait for a Lou malnatis reso :) The nachos are amazing!!! Highly recommend them. Nice flavours and great crunch.
(5)
Belle L.
Brunch at Bull & Bear is carb-centric. Menu sounds better than actual food flavor. And, it takes 25 mins to get unsatisfying, unbalanced flavor. Truffle Fries -- priced as an entree meant to be shared. Overcooked normal sized fries with sparse Parmesan cheese and just right truffle oil drizzle. Bananas Foster -- stay away! 1.5 oversized diagonally cut challah bread (that makes 3 pieces) and unevenly cooked. Sparse banana was uncooked, soggy and nasty. Maple syrup missing. A poor execution of a New Orleans classic. A smell of beer in a lousy dive bar greets you when you enter the well air-conditioned establishment. I shall NEVER return!
(1)
B C.
Chose to celebrate NYE here. Overall, our group had a nice time, however, the atmosphere itself at Bull & Bear was not the best. The bathrooms were filthy, coat check lost a friend's coat and pretty much told her she was SOL in the freezing temps outside. While this whole coat check fiasco was going on, the remainder of our group was trying to stand inside the doorway. The workers were so incredibly rude and kicking us out, even though there were so many sloppy drunks still inside that needed way more attention and to be kicked out. The bad experience continued when we went back from brunch the next day, because when we purchased the tickets for the event, it was stated on there that there would be discounts for all party goers the next morning's brunch. Big group of us showed up (about 12 people I believe) and the workers had no idea what this discount was we were speaking of because the tickets they sold for NYE were sold through a third party company. Awful communication on their part. Food was only decent and with all the great brunch places in Chicago, we would have never chosen Bull & Bear if we weren't under the impression we would be getting a discount. Will not be returning to this place.
(1)
Courtney H.
Went last night for Harry Potter Trivia Night. I felt like it could have been organized better, it was very loud and although people were warned not to use cell phones to cheat, there was no one enforcing that. The service was slow, but the waitress was nice. I had the truffle fries, roasted brussel sprouts and the Kobe sliders. Everything was ok, but not as good as I would have expected. The appetizers were 1/2 off until 7pm so at least I didn't pay full price. My boyfriend had the ribs from the special trivia menu and it was clear he didn't like them. He said they were fine, but the server could tell and told a manager who took it off and bill and apologized. I thought that was really nice. I wanted to try the bloody Mary, but at $11 a drink I was not going to spend that. The Butterbeer float was Butterscotch gelato and Guiness and my friend didn't like it. Overall, I would possibly go back if someone else wanted to, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
(2)
Meghan S.
Started out the night going to Lou Malnati's. When we realized they had an hour wait we decided to come here instead. I'm glad we did. The quesadilla bites were the best I have ever had. I also really enjoyed the turkey club. Stumbling upon this place was a very happy accident.
(4)
Kristen G.
We did the Ditka Dash 5k last weekend, and the race advertised this place as one of the restaurants/bars to go to post-race. My fiance, friend, and I headed over there around 1230ish. Walking in, the place was pretty crowded but walked up to the hostess stand to see how long the wait would be for a table. The hostess kinda snottily (if thats a word ;) ) informed me that the restaurant was full with reservations until 2pm but the bar was first come first serve. I said ok well can we put our name in for a table? She again said no because they were full with reservations. WHAT KINDA PLACE DOES NOT ALLOW WALK INS??? Total BS...We ended up grabbing some bar stools and luckily opened up. Bartender was good/service pretty quick. Food was ok, nothing that would keep me coming back. Overall, probably will not be back here.
(2)
Mandy M.
This review is specifically for trivia nights. I've been here twice now, both nights for trivia. I was here yesterday (8/20/13) for a Harry Potter trivia night. My friends and I were some of the first to RSVP to the Facebook event, and we immediately went to their website reservation system specifically for trivia. Showed up...they don't have our reservation. We were told the best way was to email them, since their online system is unreliable. It didn't say anything online about a confirmation email, so we had no idea that our table wasn't saved, so we were just out of luck since they were totally booked up.The event coordinator apologized and gave us a gift card and told us we could still stand and play. Then she left for the night. So we kind of stood around awkwardly for 40 minutes, moving out of the way, hoping a table would no-show, which to our luck, they did. So it ended up working out, and hostesses were even able to accommodate us to stay for the 8:30 game as well. So well done on them for handling the situation. They had themed cocktails and bites, which we took advantage of. Made for a more magical experience :) The trivia company, Geeks Who Drink, had a great Trivia Master and definitely chose some stumpers. My only suggestion would be to tally up the scores and announce the teams scores at some point during the competition, rather than just announcing winners at the end. I give Bull & Bear three stars because the hostessing staff and servers made up for the event coordinator's error.
(3)
Rebecca N.
This is a good and easy place to pick up american food in river north. It is kind of expensive, but they have some interesting things on the menu. The turkey burger was really good and my friends enjoyed their bison burger and chicken sandwich. The fries were nothing to write home about and they came with the burgers which was not said on the menu. The truffle mac and cheese was outstanding but VERY RICH. I
(3)
Audre L.
Fine for a drink during an off our, or if you are going with coworkers or something, but I wouldn't ever come here to "go out". Tons of people from the burbs, etc... but again if this is where your friends are going, it won't be terrible. Just keep your expectations low.
(3)
Kyle H.
I got 99 problems, but Bull & Bear ain't one! They've got an outdoor patio. They've got beer taps at each big round booth. They've got food. They're ATM charge is outrageous. They're decor is not. I wish it were. Three star dreamin', two star givin'. Don't ask, if you go, you'll know what I'm talkin' about.
(2)
Jaime G.
If you're around the Merch Mart in Chicago, and want a drink with lunch, try Bull & Bear. Service is ok and menu selection is good - esp the Bison Burger. Very good. Add the Truffle fries and a craft beer and we're in business. Another item of notes is the Kobe sliders.
(3)
Nessa M.
This place is a douchebag haven. Firstly the music is terrible and there's no where to dance (despite the terrible music). Secondly, all drinks whether it be a mixed drink or shot was $8 (or was my bitch of a bartender just being well, a bitch)? Thirdly, the ugly dudes at this joint were so drunk by 10pm on a Sunday that they grabbed at my friends and I as we walked by. Fourthly, unless you reserve a table, it's very hard to find a place to sit (since you certainly don't want to stand up and dance). EVEN the lady in the bathroom was rude. She just sat there and told me to use the towels when I wanted to use the hand dryer. I was so confused by how this place even exists with these conditions. My advice: DON'T GO.
(1)
Angie M.
I hesitate to give 2 stars to Bull & Bear because it really isn't that bad. What gets me though is that everything on menu seems really overpriced. In preparation, I perused the online menu to get an idea of what I might like to order. To me, it seemed like everything was just... expensive. $19 for a salmon sandwich. $16 for tacos. $12 for a plain old burger. $12 for three short rib sliders with NO sides. I was like, "Good God. For these prices the food must be amazing!" While certainly not amazing, the food is passable. My burger was fine. The fries were fine. But they certainly weren't spectacular. Service is also just fine during the day. No complaints. Based on other reviews this place turns into a complete shit show of epic proportions in the evening hours. Note to self: Avoid.
(3)
Stephanie L.
I have only been to this place for lunch & daytime drinks. I have to say, I'm a fan. I like the atmosphere...20's-30's ish. A little more upscale bar feeling. The food is pretty good. We had the nachos, burger, chicken sandwich & breakfast burritos. All of it I would order again. The burger was much better than I expected & came with truffle fries! Bonus! Bloody Mary's are excellent & mimosas are heavy on the champagne!!! Just the way I like them. Service is also pretty good. Each time I've been here, our servers have been very attentive with food, drinks & water. Not to mention, there are several tvs...everywhere so you don't have to worry about being able to see.
(4)
Meghan S.
I have been here a dozen times for different events or to meet up with people in the area. I am now refusing to return. I had some of the worst drinks of my life the last time I went in. This place isn't crazy expensive but it isn't dollar beer night either and the drinks were incredibly weak. I go out all over the downtown area and I have never experienced that. And every time I have been there the staff has been unbelievably rude! Why? I haven't had a single pleasant experience out of all the times I have been to this place.
(1)
Ashley B.
Great great menu! I had the crab cake benedict and it was awesome! I also really love that there are taps at the table. The overall atmosphere is pretty nice too, there are tvs but it's definitely not a sports bar. I feel like it would be good for numerous occasions.
(4)
Ginger G.
This place was okay! Guacamole was really good!! Service was a little slow.
(3)
Jon D.
***BRUNCH REVIEW ONLY*** You're going to have to excuse me, as I'm a little taken aback by the brunch served here. I agreed to go, but went with the mindset stereotyping B&B as just another douchy River North location that would probably offer bottomless mimosas, hot waitresses, and "meh" food. The first two were true; there are bottomless mimosa's and bloodies for $20, and the servers are, in fact, quite attractive. But the third item. Holy crap, batman, I was absolutely blown away by the grub. Homemade pop-tarts were the first to come out, one sweet, one savory, changed every weekend. We happened to have peanut butter and blueberry in the sweet, and smoked turkey, cheeses and....something in the other. The turkey was amazing, very homemade feeling, as if the chefs mother made it for you. The blueberry/PB combo was also tasty, although not as great, as I felt the pb overpowered and came on a bit strong. MUCH LIKE THE MALE CLIENTAL THE NIGHT BEFORE, AMIRIGHT?!?! Sorry, sorry. Moving on. Second were breakfast tacos on your choice of corn or flour, leading to another of those Billy Madison-esque "shampoo is better, no conditioner is" debates between girlfriend and I ( youtube.com/watch?v=N_Gj… ). Either way, tasty. Although could use a crunch element, and I know that makes me sound like a fool. Oh, also Benedict, also featuring smoked turkey, asparagus, and tasty. All tasty. Super tasty. Last, but best, was the belgian waffle. This isn't some namby-pamby Motel-6 make your own waffle by using the soda-type waffle batter dispenser. This is some dense, caramelized sugar bits and white chocolate and. Look, I don't order waffles, as I generally DON'T do sweet, but this is in a class of it's own. I could make some outrageous statement about sleeping with the chef to have one every morning, but I hate those people, and I couldn't think of a funny one. Coffee - surprisingly good. Service - came with a smile, but spend a bit more time reading the menu, and knowing whats on it. Facilities - Very clean. Booths - those backs were at a perfect 90 degree angle, that doesn't work for relaxing after gorging. TV's - a Plenty. Cocktail menu - uninspired.
(4)
Mary W.
I don't think I will ever go back after my HORRENDOUS lunch experience. I've always thought the service was less than desirable, but having to wait an HOUR for my lunch to come is ridiculousness. After being seated, the waitress took my food and drink order, and then didn't come back until I have been waiting for about 45 mins for my food. She apologized and said it should be out shortly. After waiting over an hour, the manager brought our food and offered to take care of the bill, which I gladly acccepted. The table seated near us had the same issue, but we watched other tables around us arrive after we did and get their food before us. Given that this is a typical Loop lunch spot, there is no reason for such slow service where lunch rushes are common. I appreciate the manager picking up the tab, but there is NO WAY I am coming back to this place.
(1)
Chris J.
They get 3 stars for being one of the few places that are happening on Sunday, which is industry night. They get 1 extra star because a couple of years ago I saw somebody get choked out here. Turning red and everything. Granted, the guy was okay, but it was still funny to watch. You will always catch a couple of greased and gelled up neanderthals walking around, but for a Sunday you can't beat it.
(4)
Meghan H.
Ahh, utter disappointment. I had "The Melt Down" (their verbiage for create-you-own-sandwich) of chicken + bacon + swiss on multigrain. Sounded delicious in theory....execution?---not so great. What was supposed to be the entire substance/backbone of the sandwich ended up being 2 MEASLY pieces of super dry chicken :( The swiss and bacon were just fine, and the bread was decent. But...ah (sigh) the chicken was just inexcusably wrong. The rest of my group had burgers and they didn't have much to complain about with those, but then again all these guys have for comparison are the hockey-puck-imitations-of-burgers that they get at McD's and Burger King... I suppose I should mention that the service was pretty good: attentive and friendly. Ambience was nice: this isn't some gross dive bar. On the contrary, it's pretty done up and modern. Although I did find it to be SUPER DARK in here.. Though I'm not legal, the bar seemed to be quite agreeable--so if that's all you're looking for, you probably shouldn't rule this place out. As far as food is concerned, keep walking.
(2)
Garrett F.
I don't normally write bad reviews but this place pissed me off. I wanted to have a nice brunch with my girlfriend before she had a busy day at work. We didn't have time to wait for yolk so we kept walking and decided on Bull & Bear. We got a table right away and ordered coffee and and our meals. We had a few cups of coffee and our server kept telling us the food was coming but it never did. An hour later some guy kept bringing out different dishes asking if it was ours. The manager said the kitchen was backed up which clearly wasn't the case as we watched people come in sit down and receive their food before us. He said he'll pay for our coffee. Sadly we had to leave without ever receiving our food. My girlfriend had to go to work with no food in her. THIS PLACE SUCKS!!!
(1)
Derrick T.
My co worker and I were looking for a good burger, and so after checking out various suggestions on different websites, decided to make the half mile short walk to Bull and Bear. Got in around noon on a Tuesday and got served with a 25 minute wait for a table? More popular for lunch than I thought... we saddled up to the bar to discuss some business and enjoy some food. Pretty faced bartender took our order, and was nice enough not to disturb us much during our business meeting. Appreciated it! Bull & Bear burger - truffled fries with ketchup and bacon aioli sauce were a nice side. Fries were crisped up well. I ordered up the burger as rare to medium rare, and found that it was medium to medium well upon eating... very disappointed that the kitchen couldn't get the order to the right consistency, and also a waste of kobe beef when cooked to that level of doneness. Sweet onion marmalade was quite a nice balance, sweetness to cut the salt. Verdict: If you're going to ask how I want my burger, please grill the burger right. Not gonna lie, it was a good burger, good bun, and well thought out combination of flavors, but it's a disappointment to not enjoy high quality beef like kobe at rare instead of the medium well they served it. I'd likely come back with a group to hang out, as it seems like a potentially fun place with decent food.
(3)
Jason B.
I don't really go here for drinks, more to grab food. I think their food is fantastic and the service is pretty good as well. We went here for brunch and the Bears game and we were happy with our meal. Last time I went here I had the grilled salami sandwich. It was spicy and quite tasty. I'd definitely recommend this place for bar food.
(4)
Amelia B.
Bull & Bear was THE trendy hotspot several years ago. Yet the staff somehow THINKS that it is still the place to be. Sorry sirs, I can do without that attitude, thank you very much. As a result of multiple bad experiences, I haven't been for over a year until I decided to give it another chance this past weekend. Yup, still as bad as I remembered, possibly worse. When we arrived around 9pm on a Friday night, the place mostly empty. Perfect, that's exactly what I wanted to have a drink and conversation before we headed to later, more drunken and packed venues. Despite the place being three-quarters empty, no one acknowledged our party after we sat down. Yup, had to end up going to the bar for a drink after 15mins. Lame. Further lame, the waitress who then came up and told us that the table was reserved in 10mins, and we needed to relocate. Well, first of all--there were no signs (other tables had them). Second of all, there are DOZENS of other empty tables. You really need THIS one? If you have a huge group and want to do the taps, then by all means, its a fine spot. If you want to head somewhere and just have a few drinks, go to one of the dozens of other places in the area. 3-stars for being an outdoor lunch spot. The dbaggery is under control, the people watching is great, and the food is decent, though wholly unmemorable. 1-star for anytime after 9pm on a Thurs-Sat night.
(2)
Dana O.
Went here on one of the first Saturdays that was devoid of college football -thank God! We sat at a table in the back of the first level. There weren't many people there when we first arrived, but once the place started to fill up it seemed unnecessarily cramped. A group of about 12 frat guys was occupying the booth adjacent to our table. There wasn't enough room for all of them to sit down so we had a bunch of annoying drunk guys crowding around the back of our table - kind of annoying. Either way, our waitress was only semi-attentive. However, my food was nothing short of amazing! I had the buttermilk pancakes and they were delicious. Not too much dough and just perfectly sweet. My friend ordered the nachos and they were poorly made. Bad nachos = cheese and toppings only covering the top 10 chips ( and this plate was HUGE); all chips on the underneath side totally bare. Kind of disappointing because the ingredients they used were fresh and tasted good, but it was too much of a hassle to have to take toppings off of the top chips and spread them to the bare chips on the bottom. Good hangover food. Not good if you don't like an unnecessarily crowded space. I will say that it is cool that they have a free "cereal bar" during brunch. I am a big cereal fan. Walk up, get your bowl, fill it up with cereal, pour in the milk and enjoy. That's something I've never seen before, I was pleasantly surprised.
(3)
Nick A.
Def make reservations!! Place was packed! Upscale sports bar is how I would classify this place. Everything about Bull and Bear is pretty typical for a bar of its kind honestly. Great Americana cuisine that offers quick bites/apps and entrees, great half off 22oz drafts/apps happy hour specials, and attractive/quick bar/wait staff! What makes this place mostly unique are the seating booths with built it beer taps!!! Don't get the boneless wings...they're not breaded and its essentially chicken breast cut into 6 pieces with sauce poured over it. Kobe beef sliders with amazing though!
(4)
Eli K.
A group of about eight of us stopped into Bull & Bear on a recent weeknight. It was close to last call, but a waitress still took our order and led us to a booth. Our drinks arrived, and about a minute later, a manager told us we had to leave because they were closing. Then a different manager came up and again insisted we had to go, even though we just received our drinks and hadn't even paid. When our group made this point, this second manager - who was clearly drunk - began using profanity and hurling insults at us. When we got up and left, without paying, the two managers and waitress followed us outside and insisted we give them the money. We refused, arguing that we hadn't been able to even finish our drinks and that they told us to go. They yelled some more, but clearly the drunk manager had no clue what he was doing, because he continued to insult us as we tried to talk this over. Horrible customer service here. Not coming back, there's plenty of other spots in the neighborhood to get a drink without being yelled at.
(1)
Alan K.
I am fascinated by their tap technology tables. Essentially, some of the tables (5 of them according to their website) have their own beer taps at the table. You can have your own beer on tap which makes things so much easier than having the waiters/waitresses come back to get more drinks. The decor and ambiance inside the restaurant was upscale. For a sports bar, it is a really nice one. I think the next time I come here, I would like to try the tap technology tables and bring a nice group of friends to have beers with along with a couple of appetizers of course to soak up that alcohol.
(4)
Dan M.
We we're here for half an hour before finally being addressed by someone who could serve us a drink. Another half hour later we gave up, put our money on the table and left.
(1)
Dan R.
My friends ordered a burger here and it has taken more than an hour and a half for it to arrive. Avoid this bar if you want food in a decent amount of time
(1)
Irbad C.
Although I had a bad experience the day prior, my following experience was outstanding. Our stunning waitress, Amy, was exceptionally pleasant and accommodating throughout the entire evening. She recommended the pan roasted rustic chicken which was perfect for any heavy meat eater! It would have been nice to be greeted by the manager at some point, especially with such a large party. I feel it is proper restaurant etiquette nowadays. Overall, great experience and food.
(5)
Erika G.
Nice place. Swank. Predictably expensive, caters to the downtown, see and be seen crowd. We popped in here, thirsty after three hours of Tango and had a very well-made and painfully dry martini. We tried to use some drink tickets we'd gotten at the Yelp Xmas party, but it seems the guy who gave them to us (who had been fired) neglected to put the date on them, which rendered them unuseable. PROPS to the charming, friendly bartender who did the right thing, and honored them anyway after a bit of persuasion. There's a man who knows how to do business, and makes it more likely we'll pay a return visit. Those Kobe beef mini-burgers on the menu looked gooooooood, as did the fries with garlic aioli.
(3)
Cory A.
Just, wasn't that good. I'm a vegetarian so there is definitely not a lot available for people who don't eat meat. I went here on a trip for school. I ordered the truffle mac, which I must admit for an appetizer was pretty huge. I must not like truffle oil though because it was way to rich for me to consider it comfort food. When I eat mac and cheese, it makes me astoundingly happy. This was the opposite. I also ordered the Greek salad. The ratio of cucumbers, grape tomatoes, and olives to lettuce was pretty much astounding. There was way to much going on. The restaurant is nice on the inside, but I wouldn't eat here again, despite our really awesome waitress. Someone in our party also found a bug in her food. They gave her a 50 dollar gift card.
(2)
Salil G.
Came in LATE on a Thursday and it was starting to die down. We got a table in the front and it was fun. Drinks were fine, not weak, not super stiff, but good. Place is fun, so be ready to have a good time. Only issue is that their closing time is variable. They weren't as busy as "they wanted to be," so they made the decision to close a bit early. That kind of sucked as there were still enough people in the place to have some fun. Anyways, nothing good happens after 2am, so not a bad thing that they closed at 1:15-1:30...
(4)
Cat D.
Went to brunch this past Saturday -- menu is interesting (e.g., breakfast sandwiches on pretzel bread; breakfast tacos; bananas foster french toast), food is pretty good, service is great. There's seating outside; we got a big comfy booth inside.
(4)
Taufiq H.
Really nice place better than expected. Had house poptarts omlette eggs with poggled
(4)
Jennifer G.
My experience here was just o.k. The service wasn't amazing. My friend ordered a melt and the presentation was less than impressive. I ordered the turkey club that was pretty good. With so ma y other restaurant options in the area, I'd go back only for the truffle mac and cheese. It was absolutely amazing. So, if there is a game on and you want some apps and a few beers, head here. If looking for a better dining experience, as a whole, this is not the place to go.
(3)
Courtney M.
Awful, just plain awful. To be fair, this is a review of their delivery/take-out, I have not actually eaten in the restaurant. I working late and my co-worker and I were looking for something to eat - decided to splurge and order delivery from Bull & Bear. He ordered a burger and I ordered the seared tuna salad. Delivery took over an hour (and we probably 10 minutes away). My salad arrived without any utensils (how do they expect you to eat a salad without a fork, Im not sure). The pieces of tuna were paper thin, not at all seasoned, about an inch in size and only a total of 5 slices on the salad!! Seriously??!?! It was like $16 or $18 and just awful... No taste at all. My co-worker ended up with a cold burger and cold soggy fries... My bf and I have ordered from here before, and neither of us was impressed with the food, so I probably should have learned my lesson the first time around. But I was giving them the benefit of the doubt and decided to try it again. Ended up throwing away the salad and $50 for dinner for two (including tax, delivery fee and tip).... Ugh, not sure what the hype is about...
(1)
Erica D.
One of the few places I've Found that are ALWAYS consistent. I've never had a bad experience at Bull & Bear. Between the awesome, upscale Sports bar feel, the amazing bar food, nice servers and AMAZING bloody marys, I'm always happy when leaving this establishment Sunday Morning brunch at 11am..only a couple tables filled... But lets just start with the amazing deal of Bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Marys for $20! You can mix and match too!! The Hostesses are always nice, greeting with a smile and no attitude (rare to find) The managers are always making sure Food, service and experience are exceeding expectations. My date and I ordered the Eggs benedict, a Great Hollandaise sauce is hard to find. Well, bull and bear nailed it.. Adding their own spin on it, paired with fresh fruit it was the perfect breakfast. I of course, love hollandaise sauce so much I could've used another side it was so good! Mind you, This chef is the same for Public House as well =) Delightful, 3 hour brunch with non-stop mimosas and bloody Marys I was VERY HAPPY when leaving!
(4)
Francisco M.
Well, wellllllll, where to start???!!!! Went on a casual Friday , and it was packed....I mean around 9pm,like really???couldnt order my drinks, people don't move mannnn....I'm like excuse me....I found myself blocking someone since I was standing the whole time....unless you go for a bday, don't go
(1)
Leslie S.
I used to work down the street from Bull & Bear and found myself here for lunch on warm, sunny days because it was one of the few restaurants within walking distance with an outdoor seating area. The portions at Bull & Bear are huge, the taste so-so. I usually order the Nacho Index, an appetizer big enough to feed three people. The Blackened Fish Tacos are an okay choice as well. Really, the restaurant offers plenty of menu options so finding something to eat shouldn't be an issue. The restaurant/bar itself is a bit dark inside, which is why I prefer the sidewalk. It can also get pretty loud in there, even at lunchtime. The waitstaff isn't overly attentive, but they certainly are pleasant enough.
(2)
Chris D.
lousy service, weak overpriced drinks. was standing at the bar when 2 people in front of us got up from their chairs to leave... we were about to sit in those chairs when a bouncer came rushing over, TOOK THE CHAIRS AWAY and said "No sitting allowed!" literally have never seen that before. especially since there were other people sitting in chairs at the same bar. he then stacked the chairs in a corner, sat down in a chair himself and played with his phone, never acknowledging us again or explaining why we couldn't sit. was that his way of getting us to leave? well, it worked. and we'll never be back. nice job, bouncer!
(1)
William K.
The funniest thing is the concept of making a 'reservation' for this place, which is something straight out of a college-town bar pretending to be a restaurant. I saw this spot in Chicago Magazine, and the food looked good. The main problem: me and my girl waited 20 minutes, and no table service arrived. Perhaps the worst table service I've ever received dining out. All the while, the tables around us were getting their orders taken and the drinks were flowing their way. I found it kind of odd that all we got was the busboy who at least gave us water. You know a spot is bad when the bus-staff encourages leaving, which is what we did.
(1)
Missy C.
Went to Bull & Bear for the very first time yesterday to play trivia with some friends. Trivia was a lot of fun - I liked that the questions were projected on the TV screens. We got third place...yay us! Also, they post a trivia question on their website every week, and if you get the answer right you get a $20 gift certificate which is pretty awesome. As far as food goes, I thought it was pretty good. I ordered grilled cheese and tomato soup and it was delicious. I suppose grilled cheese is pretty hard to screw up though. I also got a side of sweet potato fries which were probably the best sweet potato fries I've ever had. Our server, (Steph?), was super super friendly and very attentive. She stopped by our table multiple times to check on us. I'll have to check this place out on a Friday or Saturday night and see what's up.
(4)
Jami S.
Have been going to Bull & Bear for years as a happy hour destination and it always delivered. The crowd can be kind of snobby but the atmosphere is fun and the drinks are great for happy hour. Never really thought to go for dinner or weekend brunch. Until now... Love the outdoor patio and even more the fact they allow small dogs! Bull & Bear has def gone up several points in my book since not many bars allow dogs on their outdoor patios. Since we learned this we have been back 3 times at least for Saturday brunch. Also the food is (surprisingly) fantastic! I would never have thought since it is technically bar food, but it is worth going back for. Favorites: Sliders Truffle Fries Junk Bond Salad Southwestern Salad
(4)
Howard C.
Bull and Bear is just a really cool spot for unique salads, burgers and sandwiches. Tons of tv's and taps built into the booths. There could be a little more seating as I've seen people wait fair amounts of time during busy hours. The waitresses are always decent enough at their jobs and generally make up for any lack of brains with being cute. My main go-to in my handful of trips has been the chicken sandwich on a nice bun, honey mustard, bacon, swiss (I believe), avocado, etc. Very delicious. One time I went it was dry, but in all my other experiences it was excellent. The burgers look pretty amazing as well. I haven't had one yet, but if you have Merkts then you are my friend. They do have fresh cut fries, truffle fries, sweet potato fries to go with your sandwich. They are a little thin for my liking, but overall pretty tasty. I do try to avoid a plate-full of french fries if I can. This past weekend when I went my buddy got an egg white omelet with no cheese and no meat, just salsa and jalapenos and he thought it was awesome. Not my personal cup of tea, but he's watching his figure and was seemingly happy. I'm not a drinker, but they seem to have a nice selection of beers and top shelf liquor. If you're downtown, looking to watch some games or just looking for some good food in a nice, happy, sometimes loud atmosphere.
(4)
Sarah V.
I have been to Rude & Prude... excuse me, Bull & Bear, half a dozen times. Each time before I go, I think of the inventive table tappers, the over-sized booths for friends and I to shmooch together in, the delectable menu and the vast number of t.v.s. And then I get there... The hostesses are not hired to host or seat you. No no. They are hired to stare customers down, smack their gum in between "OMG"s and fake business. Once bypassing these girls, it takes a long ten minutes to step over and squish between the hoards of people packed in here like cattle. I always have horrid images of a fire breaking out while trapped at the back bar where breathing room is still found in small quantities. Finally, FINALLY make it back to the back bar and order my simple vodka and soda water with lime. Funny, I never remember forgetting to mention the vodka, and yet each time I get my drink it's sans the ingredient I paid $8 for. Hm. Quite a sneaky system they have going here. This place is always so jam-packed that watching the t.v.s instead of where you're stepping is just hazardous to your health. And forget eating, because getting a table is likened to going down the street and buying a Smart Car right off the lot. Impossible. I keep looking for the appeal here and yet I have never found it. I give up.
(2)
Riccardo S.
I've been here for lunch, and enjoyed myself, but have also been here after-work, and found it so packed and loud that I just turned around and left. The staff are friendly, quick to ask you if you'd like your beer to be a tall (yes, please!), and don't hover or push anything on you, but don't leave you forlorn. The truffle mac & cheese appetizer is a great side to order with your meal if you have a party of 2 or 3 at your table. By itself, I'd think it would be a good small unto itself. You really have to try the crispy honey-miso salmon. The fish itself was perfect, and the rice had this hint of miso that was *just* right. Oh...one other thing...the restaurant should really consider scheduling incredibly-loud pipe welding and maintenance in the rafters of the dining room for outside of business hours. Kinda detracted from the experience, all in all.
(3)
N T.
This is not at all the kind of place I go - with that being said, the drinks were fairly priced, and the staff were so friendly and chill - the door guys (the first door guys I've met where I wanted to stay and talk with them), the servers, the bussers - definitely a surprise compared to the other franchise bars around the neighborhood. Next time I find myself at a party in this part of town, I will convince my friends to go here (no cover either!) if only for the great folks working there.
(4)
Nick H.
Ugh. Not for me.. Felt like I was on the set of Jersey Shore. Full of pretentious wh$res seeking sugar daddys. Worst thing was the sl*t of a bartender: I ordered 4 O-bombs at $8 each, I handed in $50 and the bartender said 'Is that all you got?' felt like smacking her with the stupid hat on her head, WTF!!!!! Will never be back, thank God.
(1)
Lexie N.
Awesome and inventive food, and friendly staff. It was a great environment for a lazy Sunday brunch and it wasn't nearly as busy as I expected. We loved everything from the house-made pop tarts to the mimosas. We will most definitely be back!
(5)
Ryne D.
There are several sides to B&B. Surprisingly I haven't really hit it up for it's most popular reason, which is happy hour right after work. Dinner - The one time I came here I went for their signature burger. Is there any way to mess up American Kobe (I assume wagyu) and truffle fries? Nope, not really. Nightlife - Expect to stand in line to get in. Inside is almost always packed, but at least there are two bars to order from. Protip: they have a giant air conditioner in the back. They have table taps, but you need to reserve those in advance. Mardi Gras night - Ok, since this place isn't really a Mardi Gras crazy party type place. However, the night I was here with some out of town friends, and we were almost treated like we weren't wanted. Maybe our waitress had a chip on her shoulder because she wasn't out partying? Regardless, I've never had a waitress give us time to think about what to order, and that time span was only a couple minutes long. Nor have I ever seen someone so anxious to cash us out and get us the hell out of there. I'm sure I'll be back. Just not during any holidays.
(3)
Stephanie H.
I went here last Friday for the first time with a group of girlfriends. We were here for an event with a wristband deal. The music was good, drinks were affordable, and atmosphere enjoyable. My only complaint was that it was a bit overcrowded. They have booths you can reserve with taps that seem like they would be a lot of fun if you're going with groups. The bartender was also nice and friendly. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Galina M.
Not great service and food is very sub par but a step above for bar food! Id prob not go there again ...again this is for brunch/lunch. Its a fun place at night :)
(2)
Mahsa T.
Unfortunately this place doesn't deserve a smidge more than 3 stars. I joined my friend here on a Friday night for happy hour and quickly realized it was not my scene--frat boys and trashy girls in skintight dresses and platform heels. Then there were the more casual after work groups. Bull & Bear is just an upscale sports bar, nothing special and certainly nothing worth going out of your way for. I liked English much better. Only compliment I can give this place: good music. We finished our drinks and we were out of there.
(3)
Lauren Y.
Poor-to-mediocre menu and OBNOXIOUSLY loud! The place was only half full and no one at our table could hear / talk to anyone else. I don't know if they turn up the tv's extra loud so that people have to practically yell to simply talk to each other or what, but the layout is awful! As for the food, the nachos appear big, but that's only b/c they pile on the chips...very little toppings. They should at least triple the amount of toppings for the price they charge. The portions are skimpy too...especially for the price. Now that I've experienced this, I can also cross its sister restaurants (Siena Tavern & Public House) of my list of places to try!
(1)
Brandon T.
Really don't mind this place. Kind of cool, I always hear people see famous people here at times, but I haven't. Like the outdoor seating, and the wings are great. Decent beer selection, they have Leffe which has become one of my favorites lately. Crappy wines that are overpriced, but that has a trend in this area of bars I have noticed. Gets fairly busy at night. Not worth making a trip out of your way to come here.
(3)
Aubrey R.
Not sure why this place gets so many bad reviews. I've been there twice and sure the service isn't great, but it's a bar. It's so hard to find good service these days anyway unless you are at a nice, fancy restaurant. I think we get treated poorly as we look young, so servers usually don't think we are going to tip them well. Anyways... I enjoy Bull & Bear, the food is good. Love the truffle fries (which come with this really good sauce), the mac n cheese, the grilled cheese is also good. Ya, I love cheese. I've had their kobe sliders, which were a little dried and overcooked. The wings are pretty good. Unless you have a reservation, it's hard to get a table. I've tried coming several times for happy hour, but failed. It is always so busy. Place is pretty loud as well, so it's hard to have a conversation. Been here twice, once on a winter Tuesday evening at 8:30 and so it was dead. Then a couple weeks ago I had a group of 11, but we made a reservation. Wow, we racked up a 700 bill. We ordered a ton of food, beers and a few rounds of shots. Well, it was my guys birthday...
(3)
Laurel R.
Wow, what a pleasant surprise. Saturday pm, brunch menu is served until late in the day. Hubby tried an upbeat eggs benedict and I had the spicy gazpacho. Service on the outdoor sidewalk was quite good. We noticed a steady stream of patrons opting for indoors and it appeared a strong following of locals as well as some tourists. Gazpacho was outstanding as I like flavor and hubby enjoyed his food and service. I would definitely plan to return...not delighted with necessary facilities accessed by stairs, but that seems to happen a bit more frequently in Chicago than some cities.
(4)
Shruti M.
Crab cake Benedict was delicious!
(4)
Kendall R.
The food here is great. The chicken sandwich is top notch, the honey mustard aioli really sweetens it up. However, Franny is quite possibly the WORST server, I have ever experienced. If you're not an attractive single male, be prepared to get ignored. She didn't bring out or drinks, didn't bring out our appetizer. Went an hour without touching our table. From now on, I will order my food to go, this way I don't have to deal with the poor service.
(1)
Allen M.
This is a cool bar and they also have good food. I was told it was a sports bar. I would not go there to watch a football game though. There are not any big screens to watch the games on. It is more like a pub and restaurant. It is a fun place to hang out. Try the Mac & cheese. It is excellent.
(4)
Dan S.
What can I say. I have really tried to give this place a shot. I have been about a half dozen times and they cant seem to get anything right except hiring pretentious staff that have no idea what hospitality is. If the suck-service wasn't enough they can't prepare food the way you order it. Four times I ordered a medium rare 'bull & bear burger' THE SIGNATURE ITEM - and 4 times it came out OVER COOKED why ask me how i want it cooked if you're going to ignore what i say anyway. good luck going out of business, oh wait you won't cause you cater to mindless drones dumping alcohol down their gullet.
(1)
Johnny T.
I know it's hip to hate on this place, but I really can't. My experience was decent. My service was pleasant. My drinks were acceptable. I don't know that I'd ever come here for a meal, but I don't know that I would go to a shoe store for ice cream, you know? It's a bar. By the Merchandise Mart. (largely) Populated by folks who work in the Merchandise Mart and do Merchandise-y things (hence, the name). B&B is doing a majority of the guess work for you, folks. Meet 'em halfway. Come here on a hot summer night, sit outside and get faded. This is the best use of your time and money and B&B's assets. Everyone's happy. Because I am the prettiest of the pretty ponies, I started my trip to inebriation with a raspberry mojito and pretended I was in Miami. I wasn't in Miami. I was lured into getting it by the prospect of Bacardi Dragonberry. Rum + weird fruit! I'm on it. But once the muddled raspberries, lime and simple syrup were added, the drink was a bit too cloying -- even for me. The mint and soda, while necessary for the designation, 'mojito,' seemed like after thoughts. While the taste was a bit *much*, the drink had the desired effect and sent me to la la land. So, I ordered a Lush: cucumber Grey Goose, more lime juice, more simple syrup (back away from the syrup, folks) and FRESH WATERMELON. It's a wrap, folks. This drink was a bit more summery and refreshing... and MUCH stronger. I place the blame solely on this drink that I soon wound up at LaSalle Power Company. B&B will get you to your chosen state of blackout. 's good. Their website, though. Obnoxious. Don't have your speakers on. You've been warned.
(3)
Joel M.
Stopped here for beer and a burger before a night out. The draft beer selection wasn't bad - had Sofie, Green Line, and 312 on tap. The burgers were solid - bonus points for the bacon they topped them with which was thick, juicy, and generously applied. The truffle fries were pretty good (watch out for the high surcharge for adding these to your burger), but Rockit's are better. Atmosphere is pretty in line with what you would expect from a near north sports bar - lots of happy hour drinkers catching the Bulls game and a pretty modern look and feel. Overall, this place delivered what I expected but not a lot more.
(3)
Faye G.
TOO MANY AMAZING RESTAURANTS IN CHICAGO TO DEAL WITH THE RUDENESS OF THIS PLACE. Went the other night, (it was game night) and the not so brilliant hostess said the tables at the bar were available for first come first serve. As we sat down and ordered the beers, she said the table was reserved and then the manager came over (Corey I believe) asked us to get up from the table. I have never in my life been asked to get up from a table that was clearly not marked reserved. Could not pay me to go back here and do not recommend you wasting your money and time on this place.
(1)
Erick P.
I went here on a Sat night for my friend's bday. When we got there ( around 11 p,m), it was already JAM PACKED, nowhere to go and ppl spilling drinks on you trying to get by. I don't know if it was NBA or WNBA night but almost EVERYONE was taller than me. I am sorry but I am 5'10, I am nowhere near "short" I would say I am "average" height. However, 90% of the guys and girls were like 6"2 and taller, I was so confused. I turned around and this girl's boobs were at my EYE LEVEL. lol Thanks for the free show but I dont feel like jumping up to kiss you woman. The Music was decent and it was really crowded with a bunch of tall people. I prob won't go back here unless it was a birthday or special occasion.
(3)
Adriane P.
I tried it on a girls night out. The Lush and Lotus cocktails, though pricey were delish and we shared an order of the truffle fries. In less than an hour, I was approached by three doctors. Do I look ill? Is this a doctor hang out spot? Was there a medical convention in town? Their wing men talked to my galleons while they awkwardly stood around my high top chair regalling me with their stories. It is crowded and plays top 40 hits. Hey, I like Britney Spears, (so I said it!), and didn't mind, just wanted to catch up with my sweet girlfriends. After we finished the rounds the random Messrs bought, we wisely left for greener pastures and a guy ran out with a piece of paper he shoved in my hand while we climbed into the cab, with ten numbers scribbled on it. What the heck does that mean?
(3)
Glen H.
I really liked the setup here. If you're able to get a booth it's great for groups. Staff was really friendly. The Unbearable Wings were really good. Will highly suggest them.
(4)
RJ C.
This a great place to catch a game and have some drinks! I love Sunday fun-day's here. If you're in a big group, I recommend "The Heisman." For $100 it includes: 25 wings, 12 Mini Belgian Dogs, 8 Kobe Sliders, and 2 buckets of Bud Light bottles (12). Worth it.
(4)
Terrill W.
Went to Bull & Bear for a Sunday brunch and some bears football. The food was great--I'd recommend the sausage cheddar biscuit--but the true highlight was the bartenders. We didn't have a reservation so we got the only other spots available at the back bar, and those guys were great. Generously poured mimosas, shots after every bears touchdown, and free candy! Except the manager came by and took our candy because apparently he's not as fun as the bartenders. Anyway, this place was great and we are definitely coming back!
(5)
Brett F.
Eh. Wavering... 2 star? 3 star? Whatever. Let us pretend for a moment that you like 'meat market' type of establishments. You know, gussied girls, preppy boys, all preening and posturing for one another while simultaneously glancing over one another's shoulders seeking someone hotter and more 'interesting' to talk to. If you're lucky enough to get into an intelligible conversation with one of these aforementioned folks you'll likely be amply (and loudly) informed on the uberpricey dinner they just had at SUSHISAMBA Rio or Carnivale and how this, of course, is just their first stop on the partay train. So Major! Anyhow, in the case that you relate to any of the above, then Bull & Bear is still likely a 3 star spot for you. For the rest of us that don't enjoy being crammed into a sardine can filled with an overly indulged, overly superior and overly vain crowd that find a tap of cheap, domestic beer sprouting from their booth a valued novelty, 2 stizzars it be.
(3)
Kaitlin L.
Truffle fries and truffle mac- what dreams are made of, end of story. Fun place to drink too, but does turn into a bit of a nightmare if you're a quick drinker. The crowds around the bar get a little bit ridiculous, and the narrow layout doesn't help either.
(4)
Christina S.
After my recent Sunday Brunch experience, I'm not in a huge hurry to return - but I know I will, if only because of the location - and the banana pancakes...The banana pancakes alone almost bumped them up to 3 stars for me. Almost, but not quite.... Highlights: Great location, perfect outdoor seating, fantastic banana pancakes (even before the real maple syrup or housemade coconut cream sauce - both being almost (not quite) unnecessary on such crispy, banana-y flavor. Misses: Slooooowwwwwww service from the kitchen (over 30 minutes to get the first dish, followed by the second - which was incorrect and took another 10 minutes to be replaced); Our omlet came completely different from our order at first; and the replacement order was still missing one of the requested fillings (which we left unmentioned, because a) we were really not hungry anymore by that time and b) the manager had already said they were comping it; pretty $6 mimosas seem somewhat small (even for the price) and are weighed down with too-heavy fruit pulp that sinks to the bottom of the glass, creating a sort of fruit sludge. Note: We were sitting outside during the first Bear's game of the season. Indoors sounded great for Bear's fans - but would not have been a good place for anyone trying to have a conversation - we were getting constant updates on the game, overheard from indoors. Before going, you may want to check the game schedule...
(2)
Cara B.
I recently hosted a bridal shower here over the weekend. We did All you can drink mimosas and bloody marys package which was so great because if you had 2 or more, you got your money's worth. Also, they let us stay for about 3 hours, which is extremely generous to continuously serve drinks in that time span. Generally, you don't get to take advantage of a deal like this for a private party. I worked with Laura Faith (in events planning) and she took care of everything and was so helpful. She made menu suggestions for apps to be passed as well as items to choose from for an entree. For a sit-down bruncheon, the pricing was extremely affordable. Our waitress was attentive and great and we all had a wonderful time. Thanks for a great party bull & bear!
(5)
Kristen D.
Fun bar and great food selection. It gets pretty crowded so don't expect to be able to carry a quiet conversation here. The truffle mac and cheese is devine !
(4)
Alden V.
Dropped in here a couple times now. Most recently with a friend to settle a Final Four bet which I lost, embarrassingly, as he knows nothing of college ball. I have to say it's worth coming here for the truffle fries alone. Wings are good too, but definitely get the hottest ones as the "max" wings were more on the "min" side to me. The burger was supposed to be medium and it came well done, I was on a tight schedule, otherwise I would've sent it back for a re-do. But the bacon they use is as thick as your wrist, and was delicious, so I'd order it again. Beer selection is really sub par comparatively, and it's a little overpriced for what it is, I guess, but I come back. With a couple beers it ended up being a $60 bet all-in. Completely unrelated... the review below about the girl playing Sex and the City trivia is hilarious. But here's a better idea than writing a yelp review about it... maybe just don't play Sex and the City trivia?
(4)
Nadia S.
Yaaaay Bull & Bear has totally redeemed themselves! Decided to give brunch another try with my husband this time and so glad I did. We got amazing service and amazing food...Our waitress was really sweet and took good care of us. My short rib benedict was amaze... and the hubby's PBJ french toast was sooo good. I think when I came the first time last summer, it was probably just a super busy day.... I felt so bad for being so rough with my previous review so i deleted it lol.. Anyway, highly recommend this place for brunch!! Amazing prices too- be sure to get ur poggled coupon before going!
(5)
Dan D.
:: High 2.5 stars:: I had low expectations about B&B when I came here for a birthday party. Those expectations were mostly met with a big crowd and no room to move. Luckily, our party had reserved a private booth, up the stairs above, the washrooms. Our waitress was real nice and attentive. She was also quick with the drinks. The drink prices were pretty decent for the area. $7 tall draft beer. There were some pretty good eye candy, and I thought the music was pretty good. But, If it wasn't for the private booth, there is no way I would ever go back. Good luck walking up to the bar to order yourself a drink. If you are planning to go here, reserve a booth.
(3)
therese m.
I went to this horrendous bar this past Friday for a birthday party. The bar is packed with suburban douche baggery , wasted falling over 20 somethings.. A cocktail waitress with long blonde hair shoved me to her side, DELIBERATELY and without apology!!! I was there for a total of 8 minutes. When I walked out there were approximately 5 20 something girls that were so wasted they fell like a set of dominoes one top of the next and finally landing on a newspaper stand and tipped over a garbage can. This place is a dump!
(1)
Roli C.
Bull and Bear is a favorite for me and my friends. The food is phenomenal, especially the wings-- as usual! Yesterday I went for dinner with a friend a received outstanding service. Our server, Amy, was simply amazing! My biggest regret is not taking the time to let the management know of her OUTSTANDING service. Amy, thanks- you were incredible!
(4)
Jennifer Y.
Awesome brunch options at reasonable prices. American fare done well with most brunch options under $15. The bloody marys are really delicious here as well as plenty of beers on tap. Perhaps the most alluring option are the special beer tap tables. If I were a football ..insert your fav sport here... fan, I'd imagine this would be an awesome place to reserve a table and catch the game for a few hours.
(4)
Janette W.
This seemed like a fun, chill Thursday night spot. We sat outside and enjoyed the weather and cheap champagne. I'm a big fan of the nighttime happy hour specials. I also ordered a gin drink with fresh strawberry and basil that was very tasty and perfect for the start of summer, but a little light on the gin. My friends ordered lots of food that looked yummy and they seemed happy with. Later on we went inside the bar and I thought it was a fun atmosphere, but the bouncers seemed a tad on the intense side.
(3)
Jeffrey N.
The food, which we got to go, was decent. I enjoyed it. I'm not going to lie. But I won't tolerate rudeness from anyone serving me. You're in the SERVICE industry! If you don't like dealing with people (my girlfriend and I) then get the FUCK out of the service industry! The bartender was one of the biggest dickheads I've ever encountered in my entire life for just absolutely no reason. We couldn't of been more low-maintenance if we tried and for whatever reason he saw fit to be an asshole. Somebody burn this place down.
(1)
Michael M.
Ok, so does this make any sense? 4 of us arrive for the Tuesday night 8:00 trivia at about 7:40. We're told by the hostess the front back bar is reserved for trivia and to head back there. We do. The back room/section is nearly empty at that point. We ask what table we can sit at. She says: "None. They're all reserved. You can stand at the bar." as she started putting "reserved" cards on each table. Suffice it to say, we walked out and had drinks up the street at O'Leary's. Our foursome is in search of a good place to get in and play trivia in the River North area..and this place had the opportunity to lock us in as regular trivia night customers. Instead, we will never go back. While I trust they filled their reserved tables, it amazes me how business establishments kill off future income potential in the arrogance of short term success. Do NOT go to this place for their Tuesday night trivia if you're not on their "reserved" list unless you want to play standing up.
(2)
Luke S.
I would love to give this place a better review, but when you have a $500 tab and they tell you that you've been in your booth for more than the allotted time that's a big no no. I understand that the booth's with the tappers are a hot commodity, but we got there early had a decent sized party (8) and were constantly ordering drinks and food. They moved us to a table in the front, but I think it was somewhat insulting. The food was good, but pricey. I love the concept, but there are too many other places in the city that will show more appreciation for their customers.
(2)
Wesley R.
A bull market for relatively tasty food, a bear market when trying to get a quick lunch. We'll look at B&B from a lunch perspective this time (River North 'Runch!), and I'll promise to update when I go here from a Happy Hour / drinking perspective. Situated in a relatively accessible pocket, the upscale look and feel of B&B certainly draws an amount of people that want to see people or be seen by them. Me? I wandered over since they were doing a Rank Your Frank (Hot Dogs, that is!) Week. As soon as I saw that I would be able to get 5 hot dogs for $9, my lunch plans were finalized. I got there intentionally after 1 pm, and things were fairly busy. Expect a little wait depending on the size of your party, your time of arrival, and insistence to lunch al fresco. Otherwise, the staff seemed relatively friendly. How was the hot dog flight, you wonder? Not so bad. Of the 5, two of them probably shouldn't return as an actual menu item. I could see the other 3 getting decent votes.
(3)
nicole h.
Ok. So there were things I loved...and things I didn't. Loved: -Table tappers. -The music! It was like the DJ had tuned into my mental soundtrack! Think awesome 90s music seamlessly mixed with of-the-moment hits. No--seriously--AWESOME old school stuff. Which leaves me to what I didn't particularly care for... What I didn't love: -The crowd. Pretentious much? I'm starting to think I'm turned off by River North in general. Think cougars preying on barely legal boys buying bottle service. Blah. And did these barely legal boys share my 90s music enthusiasm? Probably not. I think they were still rocking diapers when "Ditty" came out. FML.
(3)
Jonny C.
After a long day drinking my way around the Chi, my friend and I settled into the sidewalk section of Bull and Bear for an early dinner on a gorgeous albeit cool Sunday. This is a tweener type establishment : part hipster chic, part yuppy, part neighborhood. Drinks were quick and plentiful, the Kobe sliders were delish and the service was friendly. - star for charging extra for fries after the waitress sort of implied they were included with the meal. Im pissed i didnt know of their prowess with the mighty Buffalo wing, because i would have gorged. If staying in near river north, I wouldnt hesitate to head hereagain for either a meal or a drink as it seems to have a reputation for decent food, drinks and talent of both genders
(3)
Annette V.
Ick, ick, and more ick. I am a girl who knows my crowded bars and my friends and I were in Bull & Bear for less than five minutes before bailing sans drink. Not only was this place packed way over any reasonable capacity measures, but they waited until way too late in the game to start removing bar stools (hint: when it's 10pm and packed, the boat has sailed). As I was trying to avoid getting run over by the bouncers removing bar stools while waiting to order a drink, a less than sweet and charming waitress yelled at me to get out of her way. This is when the slightly belligerent New Yorker in me came out and I asked her if she would like me to learn to fly, since I was blocked on all sides. At that point, we decided that no good could come from staying and bolted. Fail, Bull & Bear.
(1)
SS S.
The bar itself is okay, just another place to drink. Don't bother ordering from Grub Hub.. when you take the alcohol out of the equation, the food is dreadful! Over priced and disgusting and they obviously could care less how it arrives to your house. If your drunk and out- good bar food.. if not, don't bother.. YUK!
(1)
John O.
!!! DO NOT PLAN A PARTY HERE - WASTE OF $1000 !!!! Spent $1000 on party contract to allow all guests head of line between 9-12. They refused to let guests in that had already pre-paid $35 for all you can eat/drink. Manager refused to care. Guests left outside in cold while the 'cool people' got in. !!! DO NOT PLAN A PARTY HERE - WASTE OF $1000 !!!
(1)
Mary Ann C.
Fabulous lunch yesterday with my husband. I loved dining outside! Also loved the truffle mac and cheese, open faced tuna sandwich, and truffle fires. Husband enjoyed his burger. Really great lunch (yes, I was surprised, as this was a groupon lunch). Will be back for a meal and drinks!
(4)
Katie F.
Went here for a lunch date with my boyfriend, and we both decided to try it out again. First, the greats.... Great Kobe sliders! I actually rarely order burgers that aren't build your own, so for me this was a bit out of my comfort zone, but I'm glad I ordered them because they were delicious! My date ordered the grilled chicken sandwich, and although he felt they skimped him on the sauce, our waitress quickly brought him some extra. Our server was excellent. She was attentive without being pushy; she was friendly; and she was patient (my boyfriend arrived about 15-20 minutes after I got there). She also had great knowledge of the menu and answered our questions smoothly & clearly. The not so greats.... First, the bathroom wasn't as clean as I'd prefer/expect (especially for 11:30am on a weekday). I didn't mind that it was downstairs, but I definitely felt like the maintenance is an afterthought. Second, there were many (5? 6?) female employees standing near the hostess stand doing basically nothing. To their credit, once the lunch crowd came in, they started actually doing some work, but from 11:30-12 ish they just stood around chatting, whispering, and half-heartedly attempting to pull their shirts down to a modest length. (Our waitress was not in this group - although it took her a while to first get to our hightop, I never saw her standing still - she was always doing something). Likewise, there were several male employees who were either running around attending to customers, OR, if they were standing still, they were standing solo holding water waiting to refill glasses. Overall, i'll definitely be going back. Great food and good service (minus the gossiping employees) are enough for a second try.
(3)
Grace N.
I live in River North and have seen half nekked bodies packed in this place weekend after weekend, and finally caved in out of curiosity on a Friday night. Good points: they have blue-cheese stuffed olives and play decent dance music. Bad points: everything else. Middle-aged men ogling women and making lame excuses to touch/bump them. Servers that got excited when I pulled out a black credit card, which faded when they realized it was simply a black colored credit card. Pretentiousness only ecllpsed by the price of their drinks. Am I too young, or too to old go to this bar? I can't tell, but I'd say this meat market will be going bear soon, similar to most trendy RN bars and clubs. Let the good times roll away!
(2)
Aaron N.
Bull and Bear is definitely a hot spot in the loop that you need to check out. I've come here for both the food and the night life/drinks and I wasn't really disappointed by either. In regards to their food, I would definitely say get a bunch of their appetizers because they are slamming. The calamari is unexpectedly phenomenal, so make sure you get that for sure and use the orange dipping sauce. Also make sure you order the hot wings. These things are freaking good and freaking hot. I mean there are literally jalapenos on the wings. I heard the burgers are slamming as well, so make sure to jump on that. The nightlife is very trendy and kinda shaky for my liking. The servers are amazing, but I truly think all of the clowns in Chicago that live in the loop come here for drinks before they go to Underground. If you're going with a group of people, make reservations for a table with a table top thingy (it dispenses alcohol at your table). I would stay away from this spot for late night drinking, but if you are coming to check out a game, B&B is a decent spot.
(3)
Carol K.
Bull and Bear has a long way to go if it is going to stay in business and compete with other similar places in the city. It's a a sports bar, plain and simple so forget any of the hype you hear. Plasma TV's everywhere. They even show games on the wall where there is no TV. In my opinion, they should stay with what they know. Offer up bar food and beer and call it a day, as to think this place is anything else is a mistake (which was my downfall as I believed the hype that it was a restaurant) We went for dinner. I was told that the back area was less of a sports bar so I asked to sit there. But be forewarned- it doesn't matter where you sit- there will be TV's glaring in your face. And there is no difference between the front and back room of this place. We ordered a couple of drinks. Before the server could even put mine down- I looked at it and knew it wasn't made properly. So back it went. As for our food- their tuna appetizer has very little tuna and was "well done" versus seared. The mini Philly sandwiches were okay. When our entrees came- both the pork chop and steak were also overcooked , the sweet potatoes undercooked, the truffle mac and cheese was pretty good once you dug under the burnt topping and everything was under seasoned. What the heck? While the server tried- she was new and under trained as she should have noticed some of these things before the food and drink ever hit our table. The manager did buy us a drink to try and compensate as the server told us that they have been having issues with their kitchen (thus the second star) This place is expensive which is why, I guess, I expected more. Dinner for two with a couple of drinks each was $150 before tip. For that kind of money- I can pretty much eat at any place I love and have a great experience. If you go-I'd stick to beer and bar food. Because anything else they are obviously incapable of getting right.
(2)
Sara C.
This place was overpriced for how Mediocre the food is. We went there for brunch and for the place not being busy my food was dry and room temperature, the entree is not included in the overall brunch price like other places. I probably won't go back nor would I suggest it for brunch
(2)
Emma M.
Overrated. Well, based on Yelp reviews, it's not even overrated. We came here on a Saturday afternoon prior to a wedding and sat at the bar. The drinks were way over-priced and the bartender definitely had an attitude problem. I think we eye'd him for about 15 minutes before he came over to get our drink order. We ordered the nachos for an appetizer and for the price of them we got like 9 chips. Not worth $12!!! Not going back.
(1)
N C.
BOTTOM LINE: Perfect place to meet up for brunch and watch an early game. Must try: Bull and Bear burger For context: I have only been here for brunch or had food delivered. For a bar, the food here actually very good here. However, prices are fairly high here - you are probably paying for more than what you get. But, they do have a deal on Boggle all the time, so make sure you buy the deal on poggled.com before coming.
(3)
Raphael D.
Low service... Horrible fries!
(1)
Susan F.
If you're lucky enough to get a seat outdoors on a week day, jump on it and don't give it up! While the sounds of EL don't bode well for any juicy gossip you have to share, the half priced apps from 4-6pm on weekdays make the trip worthwhile. Their short rib sliders are fresh, the boneless buffalo strips (come in other flavors) are pretty solid, but the wontons (Go Fish) left a me unimpressed at their small stature.They serve tall boys, too, and have a decent beer list. The clientel here ranges from fake boobed blondes with their half balding ibanker types to regular old folks like me and my bf (as good looking as we are, har har). This really is a place to just grab a beer or two and some apps. I wouldn't consider coming here any other time, especially when my day-to-day outfits don't consist of 5 inch heels with a half see-thru cootchie dress. Ok, it's not THAT bad, but still. I thought our service was fine. Our server was polite and nice, not snooty at all. We had a gift certificate from a Gilt purchase, so our meal ended up costing us close to nothing. When it comes down to it, if you work in or close to the Merch Mart and you want some cheap eats (aka not Gilt or Kinzie Chophouse), swing by B&B.
(3)
Giuseppe D.
Though I'm pretty sure this couldn't be emphasized enough after reading some of the other reviews, I'm going to give it a try anyway. The place gets slammed. One reviewer described it as being crammed into a sardine tray, and rightfully so. I've come on a few separate Sundays and the environment seems to be the same everytime: packed, plenty of the same people, and some good food/sports thrown in there. Aside from how busy it typically is (for Sunday's anyway), it's not a bad place. Parking is pretty non-existant, so you might have to valet or take a cab, but it's the city, don't act like you didn't expect that already. The space itself is nice, tall ceilings, big windows, nice bar setup. Again, another user has already noted the service, or lackthereof, from the hostesses. I've been here multiple times and never get properly greeted. Now I just get excited if I'm greeted at all. Anyway, onto the good stuff. Bull & Bear features some really cool booths (available for reservation only I believe, so call ahead of time) with table tappers built-in. For those who haven't experienced a bar with this feature, you're in for a treat. It's different, it's convenient, I personally like it, I know others will argue against it (boo hoo). The food is pretty good from what I've had. Obviously you're not going to order a linguini or steak dinner; but as with most bars, the appetizers are where it's at, and they definitely suffice here at B&B. The DJ is usually playing some good music, a little mainstream, a little old school here and there, it works for me anyway. But the big thing about Bull & Bear is when there are Chicago sports playing. During football season you can find this place in a rage on Sunday's. During basketball season, if you can't make it to the Madhouse on Madison, UC, or anywhere near there, this is where you'd wanna' be. Surrounded by other avid Chicago fans in a great location. Overall, I like it, for smaller groups anyway. If you're looking for somewhere to go with upwards of 10+ people, you probably don't want to pack into here. But otherwise, a nice place to checkout.
(4)
Vivian Y.
This places certainly oozes more BULL than bear. Watch out for all the FAKE 5 star reviews from people who either own the joint or work for it. (Hint: only 1 review exists for them and they have no picture posted). Read my reviews and know that I am real. I didn't plan to have a big night, I just wanted to check this place out since the hubby recently became a stock market hobbyist. He agreed we could go out on a school night - but we'd be good and just drive there. I called about 1/2 hour before departing and was informed that they DO have valet parking for $12 - fine - it would cost more to cab it. We rolled up and were told to drive our own car to the parking lot kiddy corner from the bar. Some valet service! Luckily, hubby got the LAST spot in the lot. We approach and were greeted by a stocky man dressed warmly representing The Carpenters Union - he handed me a flyer regarding the BULL about the Bull & Bear - and how it should be boycotted due to wage and benefit issues for the workers. I've scanned it and attached to this review. Now on to the vibe & interior: It's a fricken' BAR people. Why do you have guido's in suit manning your front door? At first glance, I thought the place was pretty cool with nice flooring and big mirrors, pretty, glossy 42" plasmas all plastered against the walls and the gimicky stock ticker grazing the top of the main bar, but I soon realized that this place wasn't for me. It was the "grand opening" event which in my experience should be all about the bar showcasing all their best stuff. Some free food, some free drinks - NADA. The only thing this place had going for them were the scantily-clad and good looking waitresses (who by the way, were very SLOW) with their service. There were a ton of empty booths which were all marked "reserved". I asked our waitress what we could do to get a seat- we wanted dinner. She said it would cost "$500". I think B&B must be having some sort of identity crisis, not really knowing if they are a club or a bar? There's no dance floor - so it's not a club. But there are booths like a bar, so it must be a bar? So, why the $500 table? Figures, the owners are the same guys that run the douchebag clubs on Randolph. Eek! Methinksnot! This place is just stupid. We ultimately left after downing our $4.50 budweiser f(we wanted out asap) and headed next door to Lou Malnati's for a deep dish instead. Yes, Lou's and B&B are at completely different levels but at least at Lou's - I know I'm spending my money on quality and not crap. I can find alot more things to do with $500.00 than to buy seating at a booth.
(1)
Nicole L.
I love this place!!! Their truffle fries are to die for!!! The American Kobe burger is just YUM!!! I need to go back and try different things on their menu but I keep going back to my regular order...DEEEELISH!!! =)
(5)
Andrew B.
Bull and Bear offers fine nightlife, but the food is average at best. Admittedly, I only had the tomato soup, grilled cheese, and a slider, but nothing tickled my taste buds. The tomato soup was the best offering if you like it a bit chunkier. Many of the tables here have the personal beer taps, which is always fun. I recommend staying away from the food, which is priced a little higher than it should be.
(2)
Gregor G.
It's loud, music isn't good. Drinks are ok and food too. There are definitely better places in Chicago
(2)
An P.
Snap your fingers it's 5:00 o'clock on a Friday and it's time to rush to happy hour. No one knows your name and there is nowhere to sit because the reserved tables have been empty for hours. Luckily there are a few coat hooks to relieve yourself with the overwhelming burden of coats. Had I a table I would have liked to have tried some beer on tap but being the case that every booth was reserved and empty such a move was scarcely warranted. Finding no room to sit and barely any room to stand, it made sense to watch some of the nice TVs while elbows jabbed my ribs and other people kept brushing past. No waitresses to be found, the only place to get a drink was the bar which required much squeezing. The redemption was that they sold jumbo beers and had Stella on draft for $8 in a tall glass. For the rest of it all, I am not coming here unless forced against my will. Good company was with me, but that did not mitigate the overcrowding of the bar and the fact that reserved tables sat empty for hours. NEXT!
(2)
Takis K.
Cool spot to go with friends and have fun ;0). Not too much space when the place gets full! Be aware of the malakes and poutanes!
In the great search for The Best Bar to Watch the Game, one is bound to come across some duds. Or more to the point, dudes. Or bros. Or brohams. Meatheads. D-bags (and the ladies who love them). Enter: Bull & Bear. Whenever I'm looking for a game bar, I describe all the things I want and all the things I don't want. Thankfully, Bull & Bear will save me all those adjectives for the latter, I can just refer to it directly. The nachos were indeed good (which is how we wound up there to begin with, one member of our party needed them), the truffle mac n cheese was pretty delicious, but when I think of a good sports bar, this ain't it. Expensive beers, the overt attempt to also be some sort of nightclub, bathroom attendants (who are on their cell phones no doubt talking about what a lame sauce job they've found themselves working) and pretty much all the things that make watching a game about as far from watching the actual game could get. Makes Bar Louie look awesome.
(2)
Sarah S.
I have to say this place is pretty disappointing!! Yes: DISSAPOINTING! First of all, the place is like a hallway with booths. How are you even suppose to walk around in there if you are constantly bumping into people or booths? And I went during lunch hour, I am sure the place is just horrendous at night for people who just want to drink and hang out! Secondly, who are they trying to be? A sports bar? A club? A restaurant? It's no different than any other place in Chicago!! Honestly, it was just a pricey Bdubs TRYING to be cool and trendy in formal wear. I do not want to wear my party heels to a sports bar nor eat chicken wings in my cocktail dress. All you yelpers out there know that Bdubs doesn't have the greatest food, but they don't try to be something they're not. It's a great place to gather, eat food, drink and catch the game. What else is there? If you want to go clubbing with the IN crowd go to the Underground. If you want a fancy ass, foo-foo cocktail that's $12 dollars go to Martini Park. Lastly THE FOOD!!! NOT. GOOD. We ordered two appetizers. First the Onion Ring Tower. It was 5 TINY o-rings on a stick in the corner of this huge wooden plate. It was the BIGGEST joke I have ever seen. I could have eaten all 5 tiny rings myself and I was with 2 other people. And it was on a stick. Not a tower!! We also ordered the chicken wings. They were okay and I wouldn't even be complaining but this place is way pricey. And you could tell the wing sauce was butter and hot sauce. That's it-I figured the secret out! You could taste the butter. It was not good. Then I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich. It came with FATTY bacon. And let me tell you, I'm like Doug on the King of Queens-I use bacon as a condiment. This bacon was so gross I picked it off. And the chicken was seasoned with something that tasted not good. I opted for the "healthy side" of grilled veggies. Same nasty seasoning on them and BURNED to a crisp. Seriously, why did they serve me burned veggies and call it food?? So friends, save yourself the $$ and time and go somewhere that's NOT trying to turn watching sports and eating chicken wings in jeans into the social event of the century.
(1)
Bethany W.
Overall I had a good time there. However, I went on a Saturday night and made the mistake of opening a tab at the bar. I rarely ever open up a tab at a bar and I ended up leaving without closing out. I was shocked the next day when I went to pick up my card and they charged me $24.00. That night I had 2 bud lights that were $4 each. So my bill went from $8.00 to $24.00. When I tried to explain to them I was told there was nothing they could do. I didn't have the patience to argue with them on this but a 16.00 increase for no reason is ridiculous!
(3)
Candice R.
I went here for lunch. We had two salads, the junk bond and a Cesar salad, and had two blood marys. I asked for mine extra spicy, and it was a good bloody mary! The salads were pretty great, but not amazing. Mine could have used a more flavorful dressing, but everything else about it was very good. My boyfriends Cesar had anchovies in the dressing, but he liked it. The only thing that wasn't cool was that our server told us how delicious the giant chocolate chip cookie was, but when we ordered it, she came back and told us that it wasn't available. Not a big deal. We left with more in our wallet because of it, and happy. A note: don't go here looking for a great wine list. They had Rex Goliath's merlot on the list. Boo. Don't bother as you can buy that from CVS for $5 a bottle!
(3)
Niki C.
I've been here a few times, but this is specifically for one recent visit. A group of about 10-12 of us came in at 4:15pm, looking to celebrate a co-worker's upcoming nuptials. We were told to go straight towards the back, which we did. About 10 minutes later, a waitress saunters over. Strike One. After fiddling with the taps of the tap booths or whatever you wanna call them for about 5-10 minutes, we are finally told that the Stella isn't working. 10 minutes LATER, we're told that, oh, yeah, well, we can fill up with Stella if we go to the bar. Strike Two. After all of that & all of the money spent, two of us remained. We were still seated at the booth, drinking our Bud Lites from the tap, & were going to continue on to dinner & more drinks ... JUST as someone who was not our waitress came over, looked us up & down, & asked, "Did you guys just sit down here?" When we assured her that we had been here for a while with a large party, we were JUST about to ask her for menus when she smacks her mouth, rolls her eyes, & puts a sign down on the table that says something to the effect of "Ask Server if you want to reserve this table & we'll kick these two broads out." Strike Three ... Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd we're out. You know that line in Pretty Woman when she goes back to the rude salespeople? Honey, we spent a lot of money after we left B&B. You're paid on tips, right? Big mistake. Big. Huge.
(1)
CeeCee Y.
So I've been to Bull & Bear multiple times because I like the atmosphere, the music, and the people are always pretty. Plus a lot of NBA guys like to go there and I like to fan it up and take pictures with them haha. In terms of table service though, WHOA it's a joke. I had my birthday party here last year and the chick that was serving us was the most inattentive server I've ever had at a bar. If it's a birthday party and we've had the table reserved for us and we've bought three bottles already, the service better be good. But it just wasn't. It was the opposite. She kept stopping to talk to her friends at another table and literally would hang around that table talking and laughing. We had to literally GET UP from our table and fetch her! WTF! Bull & Bear if you're going to hire a pretty face make sure it has a brain behind it! I've also ordered delivery from them through GrubHub. They got our order wrong. The food itself is good though. I'd recommend their Bull & Bear burger with the truffle fries. Also, talk about watering down drinks. DUDE. My vodka soda shouldn't taste like pure carbonated water. Oh Bull & Bear, quit effing up so bad and maybe I'll come back...what am I saying, of course I'm coming back. But only for the NBA guys.
(3)
Trisha F.
The place is cute, dark and typical of a night time bar/restaurant. The service was fabulous, but the host could work on smiling. The salmon dish was outstanding, but the "ring chip" thing (still have no clue what that was) could do without. The brussel sprout appetizer is unique and very tasty!!! The female bartender was great and made perfect Vodka grapefruits. I'll be back ;) See yah there ;)
(4)
Sanju B.
Great Sports Bar and... "The Bull & Bear Burger", enough said.
(4)
Mollie H.
You know that song, "I love this bar" ? Well I hate this bar.
(1)
Charles W.
We were in River North and stopped by the Bull & Bear for the Bear's game. It was busy, but not out of control. Lots of TVs and good drink specials. The nachos were great too.
(4)
Patrick H.
We ordered food for our office. $200.00 total tab. The food arrived on time via grub.hub, but was room temperature. The restaurant incorrectly made several dishes, and nothing was labeled so it caused confusion deciding which meal went to each person. We all agreed that it was overpriced.
(1)
Eileen M.
I went here for Tuesday trivia and had a blast! $25 pitchers of sangria on Tuesdays!! While I only had their white sangria- my friends ordered an app and it looked delicious and fresh. Everything on the menu looked good and decently priced. Our waitress was very kind, on her game and composed- which I can't imagine being an easy task on a trivia night. The place was very chaotic. My only complaint was the noise level. It was impossible to hear the announcer for trivia.
(4)
Jaclyn O.
We made a reservation for Bull and Bear for a Saturday evening at 9PM, and when we arrived we were promptly seated in a cushy booth. We tried the southwestern salad ($14) and the spinach salad ($12) which were both good. The ingredients were fresh and our server was helpful and attentive. The lighting ambience was cool, and there are some tables that have beer taps at them.
(4)
Rebecca M.
I went here on a Friday night for a $30 open bar from 9-1 and immediately regretted my decision after buying a wristband. It was the same temperature inside as it was outside (about 100 degrees) and you could barely move in the crowd of rude suburbanites visiting from Naperville. Service was absolutely dreadful. There were only two bartenders at the main bar and were as slow as molasses. It doesn't help that they would completely ignore anyone patiently waiting and serve any ole person to wander on up. Talking to anyone was not happening, either, as the music was unnecessarily loud and the dj clearly thought he was a god. For this place being so close to all of the bars on Hubbard, I don't understand why anyone would ever come here unless they wanted to punish themselves.
(1)
Mari Y.
I'm mainly writing this review so I can remember I went here. Obviously not a memorable place for me. Now, I was only at the front of the restaurant in the bar area. It was a typical bar with TVs and little round tables. I had a Stella. My friend kept talking about the gorgonzola mashed potatoes and as a game time decision, he ordered, was served and ate them in 8 minutes. Bull and Bear is a little out of the way since it's pretty far west on Hubbard but it's just fine, whatever. I can move on with my life.
(3)
Robert M.
I really have mixed feelings about this place. I'd come back for a bite to eat but I doubt I'll ever come back at night . After 5 or so visits, these are my thoughts: Their patio is dog friendly and they were super nice to my dog. They brought him a water bowl and fed him a treat or two after asking if it was alright. Really liked this, and one of the main reasons I was able to give B & B 2 stars. I must say it got a little creepy that one of the bus boys, after seeing my dog, was inspired to tell us how he's taking loans out and working overtime to pay for his dog's surgery. While he was sincere I would do the same if presented with the same situation, I went there for a meal not to hear some random dude's life story. Like a lot of people said, their food is surprisingly good. The appetizer portions were pretty large and all of our meals were delicious. Their beer menu satisfied me, and the sangria was pretty good. That is all I can say that is good about this establishment. If you're looking for a dog friendly place to grab an above-average meal on a nice day, you will enjoy bull and bear. Prices werent too crazy either. Definitely average for the neighborhood. Do not under any circumstance come to Bull and Bear on a weekend night looking to have fun. Every experience Ive had here at night has left me unsatisfied. This place is just not fun. A ton of dudes, minimal girls. While I was never going there on the hunt, I think the girl-guy ratio is very telling of a bar. This is probably the youngest crowd you will see in River North. You could tell there were a few groups of underaged kids there every time I went. Someone who isnt me and all of his friends used to go here as 18/19 year olds with horrible fake ids. The guys checking ids are a joke. I really didnt come to river north to hang out with people as old as my younger brother. I will say that for some reason the patrons to this establishment have always been incredibly nice and that is something I cant say about all river north bars. Its a long and thin layout so youre bound to bump into a couple people. Last night about 6 times the people I bumped into (my fault) turned to me and said sorry! Dont buy into the wristband deal, youll be lucky to get your moneys worth. The wait at the bar can be dreadful as it becomes a mosh of drunks pushing and jockeying their way through to get in front of the people that have been patiently waiting. Bull and Bear really needs to get with the times though with their payment systems. There are two bars. After waiting in line at one of the bars and ordering a round of shots, I was informed that I couldnt pay for them with my tab that was opened at the other bar. Do you not have a computer system that interacts with both bars? I reiterate, dont buy into the wristband deal. The drinks are alright but Ive never seen a drink with that much ice in it before. Clearly, that is their policy for those that buy the wristband. They have to make money somehow and this is the way they choose. I was able to get 2 drinks last night in the hour I was there and then I was kicked out by a busboy that clearly was on a power trip. I will be the first one to admit what I did wasnt "right" per-se, but the actions did not warrant kicking me out. As I mentioned the drinks are incredibly full of ice and its to the point where I couldnt even drink my beverage. With no empty glasses near me, I gingerly took a handful of ice out of my cup and set it on a table in the corner. Again to make clear, what I did was wrong. Next thing I know, a busboy aggressively grabbed me and informed me I was kicked out. Not enjoying the night anyways, I shrugged, said alright and began to walk towards the exit. Then the busboy proceeded to put his hand up against my back and push me out. Let me remind you I was already on my way out. I went to another bar alone since all of my friends purchased wristbands there and didnt want to leave. I had way more fun alone than at bull and bear. Come for the food and patio. Stay far away at night time.
(2)
Robert B.
Kind of pricey, great food selections though. Definitely a bit confined so no questions about the noise level-- it gets loud, but if you head over for an after work drink it shouldn't be too packed. I love industry night at B&B; definitely a good place to start if you decide to hit up the bars along Hubbard. Should probably anticipate rocking "downtown" attire. Again, the drink prices aren't all that friendly, but that's the cost of going out in River North. The food is great; not too bad of a wait either.
(3)
Caroline M.
I hate writing 2 star reviews. I feel so cynical doing so but hopefully this info will help someone. I came to this revered yuppie hangout for a Sunday brunch. Sadly, I was immediately put off by the server's coordinated outfits (Sloppy and baggy looking plaid pajama pants, tight t-shirts, and orange skin.) Very sorowhore-chic, which some people might dig, but certainly not me. The food was mediocre. I ordered a turkey burger which was dry, crumbly and very bland. I have become a believer in the bird after having a very succulent and tasty turkey burger at Rockit Bar and Grill but unfortunately I was very let down with the turkey burger at Bull & Bear. I ended the meal with an order of the homemade donuts, which were the best part of the meal, but probably won't be enough to warrant a return from me. If you want a similar atmosphere with excellent bar food, I say head to Rockit.
(2)
Pamela C.
I love the layout and when the place first opened I thought I would be a new regular...an upscale sports bar with truffle fries and taps on the tables!? I'm with Colleen on this one. Way too pretentious. And for what? Sliders and beer? The place almost seems hurting for business by the number of specials and ads they put out. Maybe business would be better if you treated your customers better. The hostesses have serious attitudes. I recommended that a group of coworkers and I meet up with out of town business guests for dinner/drinks, and I'm sorry we did. We stood for almost 2 hours waiting for a table only to find out we weren't on the waiting list as they thought we only we wanted to sit outdoors. What? Aggravating watching dude bros around you be immediately seated while you stand their with business professionals waiting for a table for 2 hours. Something's up. I will say if you are forced to put up with the atmosphere for a while the Mac n cheese is to die for.
(2)
Thomas C.
Been a few times, most recently with my wife to use a Groupon. Sat outside which was nice, food was fine (Truffle fries are great, mac and cheese drew raves from the wife) service was fine. The place draws a crowd, bit on the young side, but at least well behaved (at least before midnight), but it's not really a sports bar to us, more of a place with TV's that wants to be something else.
(3)
Kathleen C.
I either love this place or hate it depending on whether I am in or out of their doors. It is overpriced, has snobby patrons and is tough to get a seat. Even when I have gone there for happy hour and SEE tables open, the hostess will say they are booked. I get they might be filled soon but think you could let people sit there for a bit. Although I have learned my lesson and now book reservations. And it is tough to pay so much for bar food, even if it does taste good. I went there for lunch once and ended up paying $20 for a wrap with no sides and diet coke. Yet, the food is good--or great, my husband loves sports so it is easy to get him to go to dinner here because there are TVs in every direction, and I always have a great time. Unfortunately the great times are at the expense of my wallet as I always spend way too much. I love their salads and wraps. They are filled with tasty creations that are so fresh. Everything else that I have tried on their menu has been fantastic as well.
(3)
Rebecca S.
A friend of mine just started working in the city again and was craving a burger. I've read the reviews on here about Bull & Bear and thought it might be a good place for us to catch up and enjoy lunch. I heard about the restaurant opening from Urban Daddy. I forwarded the website menu link to her earlier in the week. She said her mouth was watering just looking at the menu. We decided to go today and we wanted to beat a lunch rush, so we decided to meet at 11:15. Unfortunately, it was raining and the doors were locked because we forgot to check what time they opened for lunch. Not a problem it was only drizzling, so we headed to a dry spot and started catching up while we were waiting. I haven't seen her in over 2 years. Once they were open for lunch, we walked in and were greeted in a friendly manner right away and asked where we'd like to sit. I've just read reviews from people on here, so I said the back. Also, I didn't want to sit by the door, since it was a little chilly out. The back seating in the restaurant is not bad, since it was lunch, but can see how this can be a super crowded place to eat when they are busy. The hostess took us to our table and gave us the menu and our silverware. Right away, our server Amy came to introduce herself, offer us beverages and ask what kind of water we wanted (?). My friend and I were still catching up and every time Amy came back to take our order, we weren't ready. Can you believe it?! I can't remember how much time passed, but we were finally ready to order and along comes Amy, at just the right time ;) Since my gift certificate from Chicagoland Savers was worth $50, Amy was nice enough to let me know that we could order something else so we don't waste any money. We placed our order and then continued catching up even more. I ordered the Junk Bond salad (no tomato) and my friend ordered the Bull & Bear Burger. Since we had a few extra $ to spend, I ordered the sweet potato fries. Yum! They were good without any sauce. My salad was good and the portion size was just right. My friend said the burger was good and she really enjoyed the truffle fries. Service was good and the staff this afternoon were nice and even had smiles. I'm not sure if it's the crew or the patrons, but we didn't have a bad experience like others on Yelp. They even said thank you as we left and hour and a half later!!! I might want to buy another one of those certificates. (UPDATE: I just checked the Chicagoland Savers site and the coupons are SOLD OUT!!) I'll keep my eye out and if they offer it again, I'll definitely grab one. I rated 3, but would probably give 3.5 stars just for Amy!
(3)
Connie W.
I came to Bull & Bear to grab a casual dinner with a friend. Between the two of us, we shared the truffle fries, crispy brussel sprouts, and a skirt steak melt. I was pretty impressed with the brussel sprouts as they were roasted perfectly and seasoned just right. They were served with some type of white sauce that added just the right amount of zestiness to the dish. The truffle fries came in a huge portion and was more than enough for probably 3 people to share. They were also delicious but pretty consistent with truffle fries I've had at other places. Their melts are sort of build your own so we added mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and onions to our skirt steak melt. The skirt steak was a bit tough and chewier than I would prefer, but overall the sandwich was alright. I liked the outdoor seating since the weather was so nice out, but the close proximity to the train line meant that every 10 minutes, our conversation was drowned out. For bar food, I'd say Bull & Bear meets typical expectations.
(3)
Stacie K.
This is just a couple blocks away from me...and I love it here! I have come here for dinner, brunch, and just to get really f-ed up. Sunday nights (Industry night) are freaking NUTS. I am not in the industry and I just went out that night for some reason...and maybe it's always that nuts and I just can't hang. But it was seriously one of the craziest nights I've seen at Bull and Bear. Of course that was like..8 months ago...so who knows if it still is that crazy. I had my birthday here last year (in August) and I had a great time. My server was great, the atmosphere was great..it was honestly one of the best birthdays I've ever had! Brunch...they have all these different benedicts...so I had one with short ribs I think? Maybe? I don't remember...all I remember is that it was delicious. The bloody marys are pretty standard. I wouldn't complain if they stepped up their game in the bloodys with maybe a pickle, shrimp, or an extra olive? Please? Dinner...I've had the mussles which are delicious and a chicken sandwich with the sweet potato fries. The sweet potato fries have sugar sprinkled on top accompanied with a delicious, zesty dipping sauce. I love it! I've also had the calamri which is pretty legit...except the last time I had it, it was REALLY salty...so I had to send it back (i NEVER do that). I've also had the bison burger which was grilled to perfection! The buns aren't chewy or overbearing either!
(4)
Marc M.
This place is terrible. We were warned about it but like idiots we didn't listen. First, the service is slow. Real slow. Second, they were showing drag racing and a replay of the Holiday Bowl college football game from like 6 months ago. During World Cup. Third, we ordered food and got no napkins, no silverware, and no plates. Ever. We asked for them several times. We had to use cocktail napkins that we stole from the bar. I ordered bourbon and ginger and only got ginger. If you need to know more, the place was absolutely packed with what I can only assume was dudes at a Jersey Shore reunion. Never go here on purpose.
(1)
Mike W.
Good place for a happy hour drink. Server was very friendly and attentive.
(4)
Morris D.
Well folks, I'm back at it again. I've been to Bull and Bear a few times and have enjoyed it. Fri and Sat nights were ok and for lunch the food is really good. But I came here last Saturday with my girlfriend and the rest of the group and everyone had a awful time. First of all, they need to cut down how many people they let in. It was way to packed, you seriously could not move in here without bumping into people and both of you spilling your drinks on each other or the floor. I mean seriously folks! Second, we scored a sitting area in the back bar and a few of us were up dancing while one of our friends was still sitting at the table just hanging out. When all of a sudden, some douche-lion jumped all over the table scaring our friend first of all, and probably knocked down all of our drinks (didn't see for sure since things were about to go down). As we stick up for our friend, the douche-fork, keeps telling us that he is the owner of the bar saying "this is my bar" a few times while the rest of his little entourage is also repeating the same thing. I don't care if your the owner or not, that is not cool to be jumping around on random tables your customers are at. Why would you want to piss your customers off? It's not like we live in Maine and Bull and Bear is the only place to get twisted. I can very easily go down to Social 25, Rockit, Theory, or the other places in River North. I mean seriously folks.
(1)
Porsch K.
I came here for a Sunday Brunch because of poggled and was really excited about trying B & B. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon so my party of 5 wanted to be seated and eat outside...forget about it. They only have/had seating for 4 ppl per table and didn't have enough room to seat us :-(. So of course we sat inside. Now, it was a Sunday (early) afternoon and was not crowded at all. Our server though cute was SLOW and too non chalant for me. This isn't a cheap place (drinks) and I expected her to be a bit more helpful. Her cleaning (empty) tables was more important than tending to (money) us. Whatevs, we all ordered drinks and OMGsh, they were SO GOOD!! Though our server was borderline sub par, she did do a great job giving us recommendations for drinks. Hell, our drinks were more expensive than our food. My friends order the B&B burger (I think) and all 4 of them said that it was delicious.My burger was good and the fries were amazing but dammit, I LOATHE room temperature or outright chilled fries. On top of that, I specifically and reiterated at least 2-3 times my instructions for my meal...when it came out ALL WRONG. I fully think our waitress was simply not paying attention at all to some of our requests and just didn't give a damn. All in all, I will return for drinks but will NOT return for food. I'm a stickler for good service and though we had a damn good coupon, we are very liberal tippers....but,not today...home-skillet got the exact same tip as we received service & though it saddened me because I expected greatness, I was not about to fork over a shit load of cash for shitty server...na ah not I. Hopefully next time, things will be better.
(3)
Marie T.
Came here for their Pajama Jam during Brunch... Granted my girls and I were still pretty exhausted from the night before. We got the spicy chicken strips and nachos... Chicken wings weren't memorable. But the NACHOS?! I'm drooling right this second thinking about those nachos. We tore that shit apart... yummy nommy nom in my tummy tum tum... We sat on the patio, and it was a beautiful day. I def want to visit here again. Maybe at night... and not in my pajamas. lol
(4)
Dora V.
To make a medium-length story short: 1. Bull and Bear is HIGHLY convenient to the Merchandise Mart. 2. Bull and Bear boasts the legacy of having won Wingfest three years in a row. We had the un-bearable wings: they were fantastic. 3. The crowd may or may not be for you, depending on your personal taste and style. I don't wish to insult anyone with a spot-on caricature of the "type" flooding the place, because it's not their fault. In fact, they have found home. Brandi, our bartender, was attentive, friendly, and helpful. I'd go back if I were in the 'hood and hungry, but I'd be in and out of there pretty quick. Congrats to you on your wings-win, Bull and Bear! Three consecutive years topping Wingfest is a feat upon feasts!
(3)
John W.
The first day of my new job, and I was more excited about my new happy hour options than finally getting a paycheck. I met my wife and best friend on the patio, who had already burned through the first round of appetizers and and a drinks (The wings were "delishouuus"). Our waitress was the cliche hot girl that's forcing herself to be waaaay to perky -- which always makes me anxious -- but the table of salarymen behind me were eating it up. God bless her for laughing at their golf jokes. With half-price apps and small plates, we put a serious dent in the menu. The Sloppy Joe Sliders were my favorite, their texture and spice stood out in a table full of (delicious) grease and carbs. I had a few of the specialty cocktails, which were pretty average. By the time the bill came, I was pretty ready to go. THe specials were over and the entire Near North was turning into Cocoon at Spring Break. But it was a great place for a quick hit.
(4)
Alexander M.
So came here with the Wife to check out a Bulls playoff game and met up with her best friend. parking isn't the greatest but it is the city right but other then that they have city paid parking lots. once inside the atmosphere seemed great, lots of TVs surrounding the bar and tables. had a great scoreboard going across the bar as well that helped with the cubs game until they put it on a couple plasmas. did not get a chance to check out the entire bar since it was so full and the table her best friend had gotten was close to the entrance. once sat down did not take long to get asked if i knew what i wanted to eat and drink. waitress was real quick with me and my girls drink. ordered spinach dip app and some wings and let me tell ya that food was pretty flame. everything tasted great and was at the table at an acceptable time even though no rush to eat. the beer was nice and cold in a tall glass and always filled up once gone. all around a great place to meet some friends up or go with your special someone to enjoy a good lunch/ dinner and have a drink. good place to watch the games going on and have a good talk with your people and possibly meet some new friends. the only bad part that i reviewed with 4 stars rather then 5 is because of the issue with finding parking and that is was so damn fool the day i went at least.
(4)
Elvin Y.
My girl friends and I often ask each other the question, "Where are all the hot guys in Chicago?" Well ladies, a good portion of them hang out at the Bull & Bear. But please note that this upscale bar brings out the douche bag out of them. However, if you are looking for entertaining conversations, good music and guys eager to buy you a drink after a three minute conversation than you have come to the right place! I have to warn you... the mix drinks tend to be a bit weak... and a little expensive. After I downed my first vodka soda in under five minutes (and no, I'm not a lush), I asked the bartender if he could make my second one extra strong. Greg, the bartender totally delivered a solid drink...and on the house! My friends and I were at the Bull & Bear for a b-day party. They gave us a nice sized booth with great service. My friends devoured the chicken wings and the sliders...so if you are eating, give both those a try...you won't be disappointed! The ambiance of the bar is nice- dark wood, nice tables, lots of flat screens w/different sport games. They also boast a good looking crowd who likes to dress up...think lots of dresses/skirts, leggings, high heels for the ladies. Think sports coats and button down shirts for the gentleman. All in all great night and a solid place for a group of friends to hang out at on a Saturday evening!
(3)
Sara Y.
I would like to thank this establishment for saving my birthday. I had a wonderful time, your staff was great, your dj on the night of 10/5 was AWESOME, and the drinks were well priced, easy to get and well made. I will be definitely returning - thank you once again!!!
(5)
Frances A.
BLT was amazing. Devoured the whole thing even the sweet potato fries. I have a blast during trivia. The Mac n cheese is also one of the best in the city.
(4)
Anne C.
I can take or leave this place. We live nearby so we have gone a handful of times-- for drinks, brunch, lunch, and dinner-- and sometimes the food, drinks, and service are great and sometimes they just aren't. Typically, their brunch is pretty good and it's a great time to go since the place is usually a little less crowded than it is at night. Love the crabcakes benedict and the PBJ french toast! They seem to have a lot of turnover, so the staff is always different or new. Some of the girls are great and really attentive, others seem to have been hired for their looks and not for their work ethics or personalities. It's never awful so we always go back, but with a little more attention to their service we'd probably go even more frequently.
(3)
Katelyn C.
boo horrible service and sketchy crowd, yipppeeee fun times with friends and free drinks. three stars are applicable and on the fence for this place!
(3)
Sara F.
I went here around 7pm on a Friday with a few girlfriends. I have to be honest, the first thing I noticed was that it smelled really funky, reminiscent of a frat house. We made our way to the bar, grabbed a few beers, then managed to push our way to the back. I don't mind a really crowded bar and standing every once in a while, but not when I literally can't find a spot to rest my drink and put my coat down. (I think there was a coat check at the front, but it was too crowded over there for me to want to even attempt to figure out where to go.) The bar was full of a 20s-30s after-work crowd, which I like for happy hour; however, when I can't find a place to stand where I'm not in the way of waiters and waitresses, I'm not a huge fan.
(2)
Yaw N.
Unlike most of my posts, I will keep this short. This is a great place to hangout, especially if you can reserve a table for a big group on game day. It's your standard Chicago bar with pretty decent food and a good selection of beer. I had their Kobe sliders which were good but their truffle fries has an overwhelming garlic flavor (although that didn't stop me from eating them all.. My girlfriend on the other hand felt pretty sick afterwards). I have nothing bad or overwhelmingly great to say about this place. In my mind, it's just another one of the solid sports bars in the city.
(3)
Stephanie T.
The only thing this place has going for it is the atmosphere, which is was quickly ruined by the rude waitress/staff. Drinks clearly had no alchohol in them, and when we asked if we could have vodka in our vodka cranberry the waitress gave us dirty looks and then wouldn't come back and wait on the girls in our group. She would only smile at the men and totally ignored the girls. I thought this was in poor taste and very unclassy considering I use to be a bartender and waitress and tip really high. Won't be going back, ever. Oh yeah and the ATM didn't work.
(1)
Katie M.
I walk past this place all the time and I never stopped in. We finally went for a friend's birthday on Saturday night. The whole place was packed, but my friends already had a spacious booth towards the back and had ordered appetizers and drinks. I think if we wouldn't have had a seat, I would have had less fun because of the crowd, so I'm guessing arriving before the masses is a good idea here. The only food I tried was the fried mushrooms and the parmesan fries, both of which were surprisingly good for bar munchies. The DJ played some of the songs multiple times, which was a little bit annoying, but he played a really good mix of new hip-hop and pop music with some classics so I always felt like singing along. I was pleasantly surprised with how energetic the whole place was. I went in expecting a laid-back sports bar, but ended up having one of the most fun nights I've had in a long time.
(4)
Rachel R.
First off I'd like to address an issue a yelper had about a discriminating doorman. I go here just about every other Sunday and the doorman on those nights is a very professional and nice black guy. I don't think that Bull & Bear was at the root of that review about discrimination, I think it was solely the doorman just not being a good person. Either way, I hope they fixed all that because that should never happen. Moving along... I really enjoy Bull & Bear! I call it the sports bar for clubheads. Sunday is industry night and the jams are bumping. Like, jams you would probably wouldn't hear in a *normal* bar. But I really dig the atmosphere of the place. I think it looks really nice inside. This is a place I've sent 35+ year olds and 22 year olds. It's enjoyable for everyone. It's fun and not obnoxious. You get the perk of dancey tunes in a bar without people dancing like idiots on the dancefloor (since there is none) and there's no frat guys holding plastic cups doing jagerbombs whilst grinding on some broad. TRY THE TRUFFLE FRIES! They're SO yummy! The kitchen is open late... I think I ordered food at like 12:30 or so. Mini kobe beef burgers are pretty tasty too. I'd love to come here during the day to grab some lunch. Overall, I think early evening drinks would be a nice place to wind down right after work. I think you could potentially have a real fun night if you came here with friends to party. Or to even watch a sports game, they have 'em all playing on their flatscreens.
(4)
Ashley P.
100% agreed on Jessica S's comments below. We were there as a group for happy hour after work. We were dressed and acting appropriately, but somehow treated like second rate patrons because we were getting a special group deal of $5 bloody mary's and $3 bud lights. Everyone at our table was ordering drinks and everyone ordered food. We didn't just camp out in a booth for an hour drinking water. Iggy was not helpful (in fact, as a "manager" he made it WORSE, not better) and Sarah S. our server was rude and overly rushed from the beginning. This place is a great concept with awesome decor, but my group sadly had an awful experience. I will probably not be back.
(1)
Matthew W.
Good food. Decent specials. Cool atmosphere. TVs everywhere. Great for sports fans. They even have a sports ticket above the bar so you're always up to date on scores. The food is a bit pricey for a bar but it's also slightly better than most bar grub. They have table taps, which is a cool idea but definitely overpriced. The stools are sort of uncomfortable, but I'm also a bigger dude. Overall, I like this place for every once in a while. Not an everyday sort of place. The Bull and Bear Burger with Truffle Fries is worth at least checking it out.
(3)
David S.
This place has gone down hill in a major way. The owners need to get their act together. Overpriced slop in the kitchen. Drinks are nasty and light. Come on people. We are in a recession and this is the time to go above and beyond for you customers. Risky business trying to skimp.
(1)
Matthew P.
Great place to grab a couple of drinks after work; If its on the company dime :). They have this whole selection of fruity ass drinks, I had one with some blackberries, pretty tasty. Oh, the quesadillas are really good. Can't see myself back here on a Saturday, but a really good joint to enjoy on a Tuesday evening.
(3)
melissa a.
Your own personal tap at the table....genius! Closing out bars downtown takes a lot of energy!!! GEEEZ man i dont know where the time went while i was here! Last nite was my first trip out to this bar, its smaller than i thought it was going to be...anyways they have a nice set up, i like the look and feel of the bar itself, downfall to layout bathrooms are in basement. drunk people and stairs usually dont mix well. If you make reservations you can get a table with your own tap. It really is a cool idea EXCEPT the beer cost more! We had stella and miller @ our table...but miller bottles were $3 and the tap cost about $6.50 after we figured that out we strictly ordered from the bar. My table ordered some appetizers, which was inhaled. Nachos were actually tasty and my friends said the Mac and Cheese is delicious. After midnight (damn i stayed out to late last nite) the waiters walk around with platters full of finger food and every body gets to help themselves (i hope every one washed their hands. gross). Bartender that i kept going to was nice, remembered my beer and got my drink immediately. Damn forgot his name but he was super nice he worked the bar in back. I strictly drank beer out of feer cocktails would cost a lot, they had a handful of beers on tap and a bunch of bottles, bar looked stocked too. Typical price...$5 draft, $7 for tall glass and bottles ranged from $5-10. So like any typcial downtown bar....you see a lot of people who look like they follow the GTL way of living(sorry for jersey shore reference). Lots of fake girls...and by fake i mean teased bleach blonde, silicone boobs & collagen lips in a pleather mini skirt. A big percentage of the guys definately look like they are auditioning for the "jersey shore" fresh hair cut, fresh fake tan, roid muscles and over priced tshirts that should be a size bigger. I can deal with the crowd if im with friends but i cant deal with their attitudes walking around thinking they are entitled. This place is definately the place you want to go to if you are trying to find Mr or Mrs Right for the Night. Guys who get bottle service sit on top of their booths vs in them, acting like they are hot sh*t...watching the crowd from up top trying to make everybody else envy them and their expensive bottle of kettle one. You do get a slight mix of crowd, lots of after work people, some hipsters etc etc The place is what you make of it. Luckily I was with good company and it definately made the place bareable. I will say, i like the BAR & the staff (minus the guy who tried to tell the birthday boy he couldnt come back in after his cig) itself not the people it attracts. I wouldnt go out of my way to hang out here, but if another friend had a birthday party here i might go. Wish i could say more nice things about you Bull and Bear, i really wanted to, sorry.
(2)
Angel S.
This place is around the corner from my office, and I have been here enough times to say that I just don't like it. The salads are an odd combination with so many poorly matched ingredients that it's close to impossible to try and create something appetizing by making modifications. Same goes with the fish tacos, why multiple sauces on a dish that traditionally is intended to be "fresh"? The mussels have too much garlic and were not fresh either of the 2 times I had them. After trying most things on the menu, I will say the steak tacos and calamari were good and I would eat them again. But why go to a place filled with pretentious people to order a dish that anyone can make? I'm going to be nice and give this place 2 stars, although it's an over priced Hooters, the beer taps on the tables ensure that I always have a full beer.
(2)
Carol J.
I was really kind of pleasantly surprised by the B&B. I've been a few times and its been consistently decent service, always slightly crowded and passable food. Most recently attended an after party following a charity event and aside from the fact the staff wasn't really ready for the onslaught, they pulled it together pretty quick. Our super sweet server, Jen?, even figured a way to wrangle us drinks of choice while getting us Sugar Free Red Bull which wasn't part of the deal. Tons of plasma and a huge wall projector made it possible to see the world series from any given angle. Comfy booths, with and without taps. Nachos were really good, truffle fries okay. Crowd was a nice mix of post work Mart employees, hotel guests and randoms. Very good looking crowd. Adorable staff. Really clean bathrooms! Did I mention they serve SUGAR FREE RED BULL?
(3)
Gwen P.
I went to Bull and Bear last night with two friends for drinks and dinner. This is the second time I've been there...the first time I went was with my boyfriend, just to grab a quick drink. We were seated outside, which was just fine because we had a lot to talk about and inside was little bit loud from the Happy Hour crowd. We were seated quickly (even at 6:45) and the hostess was friendly, as was our server. We had to wait for our third friend "C" to arrive for about 15 minutes, but while we were waiting the busboy brought water, the server greeted us and brought menus, and we got our drinks (wine for me, a raspberry mojito for my friend "M"). My wine was moderately priced at $8, and "M" liked her drink, which was HUGE for a mojito ($11), served in a pint glass! When our third arrived, the server reappeared almost instantly and got her drink order, and a second round me ("M" was still working on her giant mojito). For dinner "C" and I both ordered the grilled chicken sandwich, and she got the sweet potato fries while I stuck to the regular kind. "M" got the quesadilla bites and a side of truffle fries. The grilled chicken sounds great on the menu, with avacado, bacon and smoky aioli on an onion roll, but I found it kind of bland and on the dry side. "C"s sweet potato fries came dusted with sugar, which she said she liked. "M" chose the best out of the three of us...her quesadillas were cheesy with a really tasty salsa verde on top, and homemade guacamole on the side. Her truffle fries were *awesome*, and probably the best thing on the table. All in all, we had a nice, al fresco, casual dinner with decent upscale bar food, good service, and slightly pricey drinks. I'll probably go back for drinks with friends, but with so many choices in River North, I'd try another place for a casual dinner.
(3)
Kelsey G.
I have been here twice for lunch, therefore I am only reviewing the food (not the drinks or evening scene). As a lunch/brunch spot, I am definitely a fan. The truffle-fries are a must and are the best I have had in Chicago (loaded with garlic and parmesan, comes with lemon aoli dipping sauce). On Mother's Day they had a complimentary Bloody Mary for all moms, which I thought was a nice touch. I have tried bites of the Health Club, Turkey Burger Sliders, and Fish Tacos and think all are far-above-average bar food. Check it out on a Saturday or Sunday for lunch and enjoy!
(4)
Hanna S.
I've been to Bull & Bear a few times and have always enjoyed the scene, but a few weeks ago I went for a Kansas/Texas Alumni Happy Hour and could not believe the service we received. We had a large group of us in a booth and we all ordered food and drinks throughout the night. Our waitress was pleasant for most of the night, but when we questioned her about the additional items on our bill we did not order, she immediately became defensive and stormed off rolling her eyes. It's amazing how an establishment can go from 4 stars to 2 in a matter of steps. After requesting to speak with the manager, he put up a fight about the extra orders and eventually, said he would take them off. He then walked away saying "Kansas basketball sucks". As we sat there with Kansas stickers on our shirts at the KANSAS/Texas Alumni event, we couldn't believe this. And it wasn't just a "oh, you guys blow" comment. He legitimately stood there telling us why Purdue was better. I have no desire to return to this place after the unprofessionalism the staff presented. And I also hope Kansas Alumni events no longer take place at this establishment.
(2)
Amanda Z.
WARNING: This might be the snottiest review I've ever written. Deal with it, this place bugged me. I bet Bobby Bottleservice would love this place. I hate to review places based on the clientele, but this place is just begging for it. The servers and hostesses are very young and cute and the clientele is, well, River North. Suits and perfectly blown out man-cuts and tight t-shirts are all the rage here. Menu is pricey. Come on, if you're gonna up-charge me for a side that costs the same as the other side, give me a heads up. I just feel like I am being nickel-and-dimed. I don't mind dropping a pretty penny on a nice meal, but this was lunch. At a bar. I know you are trying to make it fancy with your bottled water on the table, making your bus boys refill our glasses over and over. I get that you are trying to make us feel taken care of. But give the servers a tip: Refills are good on Diet Cokes too, especially when you're charging $3 a pop for them. All in all, you'll get a better-priced lunch, and better served too, elsewhere. And in case you are wondering, here's Bobby Bottleservice, look him up here: funnyordie.com
(2)
Alix R.
I hated this place pretty much as soon as I walked in. Went for a friend's birthday. They had a booth, which was good because I eventually hunkered down in there until people were ready to leave so I could avoid being pushed and elbowed in the head. You *cannot* move in here on a Saturday night. I feel like they make enough on weak drinks to possibly cut down the number of people they let through the door. And the clientele was fairly obnoxious overall. There were girls in a booth two over who were standing on their booth having conversations, because no one would be able to see them/be in awe of them if they fraternized with the rest of us groundlings. In my two passes through the bar there were quite a few mid life crises in full effect. You would think that by your late 30s/early 40s you would learn how to check a girl out without being so obvious and skeezy. I don't think anyone said excuse me once or even tapped me on the shoulder/back before smashing me up against someone or something. The drinks were weak and mostly ice and it took so long to get to the bar and get someone to pay attention to me that I ordered two rounds so I wouldn't have to go back. The bus staff was really on top of spills and clearing empties, so hopefully the bar staff tips them out well, but I sorta doubt it. The music was fine, not great, but what's the point of a D.J. playing dance music when there's barely room to breathe, let alone dance? I'd like to say that I'd be willing to give this place another try, because it still seems like a cool place in theory, but it's unlikely.
(1)
Maria C.
Went last Friday night and it was super crowded for the Yankees game but thinned out as soon as the game ended. The crowd was very mixed as far as ages but the they all seemed a little yuppy to me. The people were kind of snotty and pushy and not very friendly at all. I would not go back.
(2)
Stephanie D.
Did they send all their good chefs and competent wait staff to Public House?? The service was SLOW, the drinks were poorly made and the food was just meh. Not what I've come to expect from B&B, but I haven't been there since PH opened. I hope this is not the direction they intend to go. We were a party of four on a Tuesday night. there were only two tap tables taken and two other parties seated in the back. Not a busy night. we had to ask for our server to take our order. Our drink order came quickly, but they weren't well made. The 'New Fashions' they were too sweet and had way too much OJ. After 25 minutes, the server came to our table to tell me they didn't have a mixed vegetable, but they could do roasted asparagus instead for my side. I said that was fine, but was annoyed it took 25 minutes for that question to come up. The food came after 50 minutes. It was too long to wait for food to come out on a slower Tuesday night. The mahi mahi I ordered tasted bland and the asparagus had a weird sauce on it and it was burnt. Like eating carcinogens burnt. I felt like they had a chef-in-training make my food. i wasn't happy, and it's too bad because before this trip I thought B&B had decent food. I will not be rushing back anytime soon.
(1)
Diana S.
Bull & Bear is sort of a weekly staple for me because all my friends like to go there. They like to go there because the "girls are hot there". There's no question the girls are attractive there but there's a reason for this: the guys are attractive there. If you are an attractive girl looking for a hot finance guy, that's where you go. That being said, the crowd is attractive - as far as the personalities of the people, it's a toss. I've met a lot of attractive men there but I only want to hear 30% of them speak. On a warm day, this place has a ridiculous line. On a cold rainy day, this place has no line but it's decently filled. Considering how people like to hibernate in bad weather in this city - I'm going to say that that alone is impressive. If you are looking to be around a lot of people, this place is a safe bet. Although, put your d-bag radar on silent because it's gonna go nuts in there. Tap tables: You absolutely have to call ahead to reserve one. If you are looking to get one on Thurs-Sat, I'd call early in the week. I really would suggest a table because it get super packed in there and it's nice to have a homebase if you're going out with a large group. You get 2 taps - one Budlight and the other varies (ie: Blue Moon). They charge you by the ounce. You pour your own after the first one (which your waitress will pour for you). Don't do tap tables when you have a cheap alcoholic friend in your party. Food: The burger is good here. One of my friends rates it #1 on his Chicago Burger list. The fries are SOOOOO yum. The truffle fries? Hi. Marry me. The sweet potato fries? Delish. Needless to say, we haven't done much more eating than that here - there's only so much room in our stomachs for drinking and eating. ;) Music: Hip-Hop/Pop40's/90's/BonJovi Service: Usual bar service of downtown Chicago. It's hit or miss. However, the bartenders being mostly women - are better at being attentive with their male patrons. Understandable. I used to bartend too so I won't penalize for that. Overall, I have a love-hate with this place. I love this place most of the time as it will always offer a lively crowd, drinks, and the crowd is attractive. BUT, the crowd is slightly uniform. If it's a Thurs or any other weekday, it's a sea of light blue button-downs (what is it with finance boys and this particular color button-down?) and blackberry's.
(4)
Amit T.
Great service. Our waitress was hilarious and was so much fun! I ended up with a ridiculously girly drink, followed by a nice beer to attempt to reclaim my manliness. Cocktails were stronger than I thought and outdoor seating always makes me a happy clam, but aside from that, nothing to rave about. Staff makes it that I would come back though!
(3)
Jennifer B.
This place is aptly named "Bull & Bear," because it is certainly reminiscent of Wall Street bars in NYC....many guys in suits, power players likely talking about their latest deals. We sat at the bar and while the bartenders aren't exactly the overly friendly type, the other patrons are! I feel like Bull & Bear is a place you can go where everyone looks cool, but doesn't act cool. It's simply a place to chat, drink, and eat. I liked it.
(4)
Gary M.
I just had my birthday party here last night, it was fantastic! The food is awesome, I recommend the quesadilla bits and the buffalo wings. The host, manager and waitress were nice. The music was great, overall this place awesome and will be returning.
(5)
Jason Z.
This place excelled at being slightly below average. We walked in for lunch on Friday, and was asked if we had a reservation. We didn't, because, it's a bar, it's lunch time, and it's a bar. We were placed at a table that fits 4 uncomfortably. The busboy came by with a bottle of water, filed are glasses, and left the bottle, but then still came around every 30 seconds to refile our waters. Just leave the bottle and leave, this is a sports bar, not Tru. The waitress came by eventually, took our drink order (2 diet cokes, 2 waters), came back quickly with the drinks, then disappeared for 10 minutes. When she finally came back, I ordered a burger, for $11. My friend ordered a turkey club with avocado spread (not sure why they called it a spread, it's just slices.) Third ordered the fish tacos, and forth ordered a turkey burger. ......5 minutes pass.....10.....20......30......40......45..Oh, the food comes, and finally our waitress. We were able to finally refile our $3 cokes. My burger, which I ordered Medium, came back well done. None of the food was good, just OK. $60 for a OK lunch, sorry, that's just not good enough. There are other places in the area that charge $11 for a good hamburger, I don't need to pay that for a substandard one. We went on a spur of the moment decision, won't make that mistake again.
(2)
Rajiv H.
I don't feel like writing much about Bull and Bear because there wasn't much too it. I also won't resort to using stock market analogies in my review. I get enough of that crap at work. The crowd is pretty, but full of d-bags. The taps at the table are a cool idea, but they shouldn't cost anymore than the same drinks at the bar. The interior is nice, but nothing incredible. I had to get the Bull and Bear Burger while I was there, and damn was it good. I'd put it on my top 5 burgers I've had in Chicago, though it's definitely not the best. It's also the most expensive one I had at $18, though, at least it comes with truffles fries. The truffle fries are the best I've had in the city aside from DMK. The burger is extremely juicy, flavorful, and filling. I wasn't even able to finish my plate of fries, and that hasn't happened in a while. I wouldn't go back to Bull and Bear because of the crowd and because it's too pricey for what it offers, but I also don't regret stopping by.
(2)
Amy H.
Great spot for happy hour, prices are reasonable,staff is friendly. Flat screens everywhere,awesome place to watch any sporting event. The taps at the table are also a huge advantage. Love this place!
(5)
Sarah K.
Beware of Bull & Bear. If you are planning a private event stay away. Our party was going well and everyone was having a good time when the bill came our waitress had billed us for something we never ordered so I asked for the GM and he refused to take it off our bill because we "weren't nice enough to him." He also added a generous 20% tip and told us if we didn't pay it he would call the police. We just wanted to get out of their so we paid the bill in cash, counted it in front of him, he came back with a smirk on his face and said we were $100 short! And guess what? We couldn't prove anything because we paid in cash and he had already taken it to the back. So we ended up shelling out even more. By that point we wanted to just get out and paid them whatever they asked for; but I tell you the things people will do for money these days! It's not good business and it's terrible customer service. The venue has great potential but if you are going to go there make sure you pay with a credit card!
(1)
Rachelle B.
This place is a fratty sausage fest meat market, but I have gone a few times for happy hour with friends and coworkers and still had a good time. Most recently on a Friday night, a bunch of people from my team went out for happy hour at Bull & Bear, a bar around the corner from our office. We called ahead to reserve a tap table for us. I've been to Bull & Bear before, but only to the bar area. This table area was new. Here's how it works: Each table has two beer taps, one Bud Light and one something else. Ours was Bud Light and Stella. Some of the other tables had different kinds of Goose Island beers. The waitress gets you glasses and starts the meter and then you are free to help yourself to all the beer you want. There's a computer with a screen that displays how many ounces of each beer that you have poured. It's a pretty cool concept. Dangerous. We had so many people we were kind of all mingling in front of the table and the table was serving as our own private bar. I can imagine people sitting at the table and just drinking glass after glass without even the delay of wait staff going to get your drinks. Also, we wondered how many people had gotten totally bombed and put their mouths under the taps! I'm sure there's the obvious reason for this, but just seeing how many ounces you've poured without a dollar amount attached is pretty useless. 72 ounces? No idea how much that bill is.
(3)
J W.
my experience of this place got better as the night went on hence the 3 stars (negative 1 for the first 30 min then 4 or 5 for the rest of the night). When we first got there while waiting for our table, the bouncer and waitress were very rude! it was a bit busy near the entrance so they were very pushy and insisted on me and my group of friends to stand near the door where there was a blizzard and gusting wind out (it was like back in feb)! Don't care how good of a place you are, I don't think you should ever treat your guests like that. Then we finally got sat down at our table, our waitress was very nice and pleasant. it was busy but she tried to check on us as much as she could. the food was decent. we had ordered pretty much all the appetizers. they play pretty good music, hip pop and house, makes you wanna dance but there is really not so much room so that's a bummer.
(3)
Caitlin U.
I went for a birthday party on a Saturday night. Standard packed sports bar on a Saturday night, however you don't get to choose a table (despite reservations) and therefore can't pick what beer is on tap at the table. Also makes paying the bill difficult, because no one is sure how much they drank (though that's the fault of my friends, not the bar). However, I will say that I didn't see the waitress at all after she dropped off glasses, then acted like it would be the biggest inconvenience EVER to let someone pay for the first round (which would involve closing out then reopening the tab). It wasn't even busy in there yet! Then we get the bill and of course tip WELL, because we aren't jerks... but really she didn't do anything but give us glasses then bring the check 4 hours later. So, all in all, nice place, probably a great spot to watch a game, the table taps are ingenious, but I wouldn't recommend anyone having a large group or a party there.
(3)
Jackie G.
I tried to go to this bar for their anniversary party. I had RSVP'ed and received a confirmation, so I was excited for a fun Thursday night where one hipster site told me I could find my next Republican boyfriend. Fine with me. When I walked to the place with a friend who RSVP'ed through another site, we saw the long line at the door. (One plus for the place, it's close to El stops.) Anyway, we also saw the people were being turned down at the door. Confident that I would get in, I waited in the line. Long story short, we weren't let in because, according to the bouncer, the site confirmed too many people. As we walked away some girl opened a side door, screaming "happy anniversary!" and throwing her hands into the air, let two of her friend in. Seemed like a good place, but turning away so many people caused an unfortunate change of events for many Chicagoans this Thursday night.
(1)
Miriam B.
I had read the menu online before going to this restaurant. We were looking forward to trying the mini burgers and smores dessert. Unfortunatly my family and I got immediatly sick after eating the mini burgers. Most of the rest of the food we tried was bland and overpriced.
(1)
Samantha B.
Let me start out by saying, I like this place, I really like this place. From the reviews I expected that I wouldn't enjoy this place a bit however it is right down the street from my apartment and it is always packed so I needed to see what the fuss was all about. The atmosphere is what you would expect from a River North "upscale" bar, flat screens, pricey food and pricey. I also expected business types that work downtown and are dressed to impress. This is the kind of atmosphere that I usually despise yet somehow I enjoyed myself. I was starving when we got there so I ordered the blacked fish tacos which were a bit over priced at $16. I usually don't expect much from bar food however at $16 I was expecting some pretty good fish tacos. Good news guys...THEY WERE GREAT! I ate them like it was my last meal, very tasty. I will order them again. Moving on to the drinks, I started off with my usual blue moon and decided for my next drink I would be a bit more adventurous. I decided on the Strawberry Basil Martini, another hit. The drink was $12 but that seems about right. I was so excited to see them use fresh strawberries and basil, the fresh ingredients made all the difference in the world. Bull & Bear is not cheap...If you have a game you want to watch I would not recommend this place, it is very noisy and no one really goes there to watch the game. However if you are looking for good food, great drinks and people watching it is the place to go. I will be back Bull & Bear so be on the lookout for me, I look forward to checking out your table taps. Sounds like a partay!
(4)
Brooke S.
Went here with a girlfriend Saturday night after a terrible experience at English. We had such a blast at Bull and Bear - got drinks from the back bar and a wonderful bartender named Greg had so much fun with us - even a couple of free shots. Kudos to you Greg for knowing how to have fun and keep people coming back for more. Lotsa guys here but a single gal can't complain if that is the case! We sang, we danced, we had a great time. I will go back! :)
(4)
Brian F.
Fun spot for dinner or out with a group. Pros: Table taps (can be a con as well) Nice sidewalk outdoor spaces Delicious BRUNCH (bloody mary bar) poggled.com deals Great location TVs all over for the sports lovers Good Eats: Burgers and fries (love the Blue Chip burger) Calamari Club sandwiches Cons: Service VERY iffy... Super crowded nightlife especially weekends No rockin' drink specials "Wings" aka grilled chicken breast with little-to-no sauce (I'm all for healthy eating options, but when I want wings I want WINGS!) Overall, a good establishment with surprisingly tasty food options; but at the end of the day, a bar's a bar...and most of the time the service unfortunately emphasizes this point. Highly recommend checking out this hot River North spot. Just make sure you're going in having decided dinner vs drinks -- experience differs accordingly.
(4)
Dan N.
For River North, Bull and Bear is one of the better sports bars with TVs covering the walls and a rolling sports ticker above the main bar. The positive of Bull and Bear is that they have great "food" happy hour specials, 50% off appetizers. The negative is that their drink prices are on the high side, even a Coke is $3.00. Swing by and eat the food. Then go to one of the other local watering holes to get a better deal on your drinks.
(3)
Lola C.
Just had lunch at Bull & Bear and LOVED it!!!! Crabby cake slider was so incredibly tasty! Was my first time there and I was so impressed. Could barely decipher who my server was because everyone was helping each other out, and was SO friendly! The manager Morgen even stopped to make sure we enjoyed everything, so nice! Will definitely be back, and also want to check out there other bar Public House!
(5)
Melissa R.
I had passed Bull & Bear many times going home on the brown line and always thought, "I have to look that place up and give it a try." Yet, I repeatedly forgot about it. Luckily, I was meeting someone for dinner in the area, we happened to stumble upon it, and now my curiosity can be put to rest. I wasn't really disappointed by anything, but I also wasn't wowed. My feeling after the dinning experience was: they are trying too hard. Everything on the menu was pretty regular upscale bar food, but they were trying to make it seem fancier than necessary. When we walked in I got the impression that every person that worked there was a 19 year old girl that wore too much makeup. However, our waitress was nothing but helpful and suave. We sat outside and as soon as the first drop of rain hit the ground, they came out and set up an umbrella to keep us and our food dry. I had their "No Bull Burger" (turkey burger) and had it with just lettuce and tomato. When my friend wanted the exact same thing, only with beef instead of turkey, it was like he just ordered in French. The waitress seemed very confused and almost taken aback that he didn't want all the crazy fixins, but graciously made it happen. Their french fries were crispy and had the skins still on them which I happen to appreciate because it makes me feel like I'm eating a potato instead of fried goodness. I wouldn't necessarily run back to Bull & Bear, but I would go there again if someone suggested it. I would especially try it again for a drink (or two) after work...their bar area and outdoor seating is legit.
(3)
Mari S.
THANK YOU for having a pet friendly patio! It 100% made my brunch. "The Lush" and Southwest Salad hit the spot. We'll be back soon and often.
(4)
Courtney W.
This place was tasty for brunch... as they advertise bottomless mimosas from 11-4 on the weekends. However, they don't inform you that you have a 2 hour table time limit until you sit down and they will only bring you one drink approx. every 20-35 minutes. It would have been cheaper to go elsewhere and pay for my mimosas individually than to have thought I was ordering bottomless and really was placed on a limit. As far as the food and service, the food was good- but the service was terrible. We practically had to beg our waitress to come back to our table if we needed anything at all and my empty plate sat on the table for an hour and a half after I was finished with it. If you are coming here for one drink... it could be a good place, but if you are going to have a Sunday Funday... there are better places in the city to go to. That being said...I may stop in here for one drink (because they don't need to refill it). But I will definitely not be going back for a brunch on the weekends again.
(1)
Elaine C.
I came here for a birthday. The epitome of Hot Chicks with Douche Bags. Two stars for the beer tap being in the booth. It's like a grown up keg party. After I said that, one chick in our party did a keg/tap stand.
(2)
Nancy H.
Upscale bar, I'd call it. 2 beer taps at every booth too (do they actually work?). But, not at all diverse in here. I felt extremely out of place. Nonetheless, the music was ok (B96 type stuff) and was extremely crowded by 10 PM on a Thursday night. Looks like a place where people eat/drink for happy hour and stay.
(2)
Linda G.
Its OK ... food was good and it's a great bar atmosphere. Service could be tweeked a bit. One thing to remember when going here for lunch, is that YOU have a job and get to go in and have a lunch hour while some of the people waiting on you have to pay off their MBA loans and are a bit pissed about it. So cut them some slack... They weren't trained to be in the service industry. We'll all get through this.
(3)
Amanda P.
Went here for the first time and I can honestly say I really liked it! We had a table tap, we all loved that. I had the truffle mac and cheese, and wow so good! Nice atmosphere and clean. I for sure look forward to going back.
(4)
Kristy B.
Went here for some holiday cheer with co-workers this evening. I was disappointed that we weren't offered one of the beer-tap booth since that's their schtick and I'm really into places "schtick". We asked but they said it wasn't open until later. Huh? We were seated right by the window and I got a nice view of the interior. I felt very comfortable and cozy in this bar. LOVE the brick walls, scrolling electronic board with both stock numbers and sports updates. The music was upbeat but not too loud. The food was average. We all split the fries (great), buffalo chicken (totally gross, like processed chicken with some bland buffalo sauce on it), and the quesadillas (nothing to write home about). I love the beer they had on tap and my co-workers found the cocktails and wine pretty good. I didn't pick up the tab so I'm not sure how much damage we did. I would definitely go back if I was in the neighborhood.
(3)
Jackie H.
Went here last week for a work lunch. It was okay, but nothing particularly blew me away. The service was good--almost too good. All four of us were drinking Diet Coke and they kept bringing more, even when we weren't nearly finished with the ones we had. The table we were at was small, so it got super-crowded and I ended up drinking way too much Coke! At least the servers were attentive. The food is pretty much upper-scale (but not too fancy) bar food. They have some slider trios...One of us ordered the lobster roll trio and said it was bland. The meatball sliders seemed to be a hit, though. We had two appetizers, truffle fries and nachos. The nachos were nothing special--pretty much the same as what you would get at any sports bar. The truffle fries were pretty tasty. My sandwich came with sweet potato fries, too, which were the best part of my meal. The sandwich (Health Club) was okay. This place didn't "wow" me, but if someone suggested to go back, I wouldn't object...There's still plenty on the menu I'd like to give a try!
(3)
Max M.
Lots of white people. Acting drunk and silly. NBA ballers ( Jimmy Jackson last night. Ben Gordon Thursday). Nice bar. Cute waitresses. Way too many 30 something frat boy types. Have to come here on mellow night.
(3)
Amy L.
I went here and bough a single round of drinks for $25. When I got home the next day they had done 3 transactions on my credit card. One for $25 and the other for $110!!! Bring cash if you go here.
(1)
Kristen H.
I went here for lunch today, it seems like they are still working out some kinks. We made a reservation, odd for lunch I agree but last time, they asked us and then responded with, "oh, you don't have a reservation? two hour wait", so I made a mental note. I made a reservation (mental note - Check-), we arrive and the place was empty, and they had outdoor seating (add .5 stars which is a lot when you are only giving 3) .The food was good, outdoor seating was great, the service was lacking to say the least. When you make reservations they tell you that your reservation holds the table for three hours. My response was oooo well its lunch I just need an hour and I promptly (prank) called my friend and told her we had the table for three entire hours. It took forever for them to bring our food, we were there for an hour and our food had not arrived. Our server was nice and took a few items off the bill because she knew it took forever. So I would go there for a leisure lunch, or when you don't have a time frame. Use those three hours people!
(3)
Michael H.
It's really nice inside, taps on table/bottle service/Hot Waitress etc... I thought the staff was totally pretentious, asked about getting a table? Oh, those are all reserved! Thanks!5 PM? Really? What for an 8 PM rezo... Joke, Bunch of really hot chicks that don't really want to facilitate anything at Bull/Bear they just want to talk about what they did the night before and text their friends! Bartenders? Same, no personality whatsoever , a girl came on towards the end that was really cool however.. So that made up for alot! All in all liked the place did not like the worthless staff!! Fire Em!
(3)
J P.
RACIST. THESE PEOPLE ARE SO RACIST. First, I don't quite understand this place...they have tables you can reserve, but its supposed to be a sports bar but it is trying to be a club..its a sports club. Also have you ever seen a douchebag in the flesh? If not take a trip to bull and bear and look at the bouncers. I went for a friends birthday party (hes white - i'm not), and they refused to let me and my friends in with immediate access and they made us wait in line, they said that we couldn't go in because the reservation was 830 and it was only good for two hours. Listen buddy, I know the look in your eye, I know your lying to me. So whatever we go to the end of the line and proceed to call our friend, who makes things happen after much persistence and then they only allow three of us inside, not even all of us so I guess they are limiting the number of brown people they are letting in. Whatever. I'm upset but not really PO'd. Once we got in, I didn't understand why I even wanted to be there. I felt like cattle, that was stuck in one spot, not able to move in any direction. Getting jabbed every 5 seconds. Now I understand why they weren't letting minorities in...NOT. Now this is what PISSED. ME. OFF. A trio of (white) girls also met my friend and us inside, they let us know they were able to immediately walk in - it was the same bouncer and everything!!! Are you freaking kidding me Bull & Bear? What a bunch of BULL shit. So 1) THEY ARE RACIST. 2) This is a FREAKING sports bar, not a club. Why the need to be so pretentious? 3) Don't be jealous of my year round tan & 4) I don't understand why they still let people in after capacity, they shouldn't have just been turning people they didn't like due to skin color away, they should have stopped when they reach capacity. The cops should know both about this discrimination, and the fact that they were drastically over capacity. I could only imagine if something happened and the stampede that would ensue if there was an emergency and everyone had to exit - I would probably die in that mess!! Thank god for shots and the exit. I wish this place could be given 0 stars. But sadly, I'll have to give it one, at least of one of the patrons commented on my fucking fantastic shoes.
(1)
Keith O.
Don't mess around - get the $18 Bull & Bear Kobe Burger with Truffle Fries. It's one of the best in the city. I know, I know - its expensive...well if you pay $11 for an average burger, this one is well worth the extra cash. Trust me.
(4)
Candyce P.
Bull and Bear always has a mixed crowd including after-work corporate groups, dressy girls and very casual groups of friends. Drinks are great, never watery, and the music later at night is on point! The DJ plays all the faves from MJ, Poison, and B.I.G., to new tracks from Guetta, Drake and Usher. It's a great mix of everything and everyone's welcome.
(4)
matty z.
While I would not return for evening activities (just not my scene), I was actually impressed with the lunch I had. My compatriots and I had a Friday lunch with excellent service, and the food was quite good. I went for the turkey-sandwich-healthy thing, and while I wish the bread would have been toasted, the sandwich was delicious-- along with the sweet potato fries. I was also impressed with the price-- $9 at this River North hot spot apparently does go far.
(3)
Janet X.
Tried this place for the first time on a Friday for dinner and was completely taken aback by how much it resembled a Lincoln Park bar at 11 pm. My friend and I got a table but we were jostled by about ten thousand people from all sides. Even worse was the fact that people kept on putting their drinks on our already minuscule table without asking. Music was really loud, but my friend really loved the fact that he could watch four different sports games without moving his head one inch. We tried the quesadilla bites for an appetizer, which were surprisingly good. Our entrees were kind of eh, nothing special. Despite the number of people in the place, our food came promptly and my waitress was very attentive. Might come back for drinks and apps, but I think next time I'll get a sit-down meal at one of the ten thousand restaurants in that area.
(3)
Hanna A.
Sausage fest.. good for me but not really. I am over that scene and trying to act interested in men that, frankly, I wouldn't normally talk to. But because I am nice and all..eh you know. My lame ass is too tired to stay out late as well so I was an even bigger loser. Either way it was pretty crowded had very strong drinks (maybe to cater to all those men there.) Good music and pretty good decor ...I wouldn't necessarily be dying to go back but would consider giving it another try. Making a trip to the bathroom I wanted to die, it had the worst smell of vomit ever(so hopefully they have this resolved.)
(3)
Luan N.
Shaz wanted to get some NASCAR action, so Raveen arranged for this trendy sports bar. I have to say it was one of the nicest sports bars I've been to and I like the idea of the personalized taps. However, I'm gonna have to deduct a star for such a lame beer selection. And half way through our stay, it smelled like a septic tank spill.
(3)
Misse D.
I am embarrassed to even write a review that I went to this place. It is lame. With the exception of the light fixtures, which are actually very cool, the decor reminds me of something out of the burbs. There is nothing attractive about the venue. Peter G says that there aren't many places to sit down with good drinks and food in River North. I completely disagree. There are at least a dozen places better than this. I think this fact was very obvious since I had just come from RockIt. Bleh. Skip it.
(1)
Lucy L.
Nothing too special about this place.. typical upscale america dive-bar..no dance floor. bar in the front.. bar in the back.. the place gets crowded on weekends.. Music top 40s.. private seatings on the second floor. standard drink price. one of the popular spot in chicago.
(3)
Sean R.
We stopped by to rest our feet from being tourists in Chicago. Sat outside in the sun, just got some drinks and appetizers to tide us over until dinner. Casadillas and an order of sweet potato fries were good, nothing special. Service was adequate, maybe a bit slow. For out of town tourusts like us, it was cool to see the train rumble by, but I can see how it would annoy others.
(3)
Bianca J.
Interesting that a couple of the 5 star reviews were from faceless folks with one review each. Vanessa's reads like copy from a PR agency. We managed to get seated at one of those ridiculous $500 tables without paying $500, but we were mostly there because had free drink tix from the Yelp Christmas party. To their credit, the drinks were alright but for $10-$13, I'd rather go to the Drawing Room or the Violet Hour for something nicer. I was also a little disappointed by the selection at the beer tap tables- every single one had bud light, and the other was Bass at our table (I would have been into the 312 taps, but we didn't have one). The food was mixed- the aioli fries were decent, though $8 is a bit steep for fries, the middle eastern plate was excellent with the exception of the inedible hummus, but they've been open a week so I'll cut them some slack on that. Mostly it was the crowd I couldn't deal with. Fake boobs, fake bake, waitresses who all looked IDENTICAL so we couldn't tell them apart. Not my scene, but wasn't expecting it to be.
(1)
Dana D.
Had a great experience- very frirendly waitress, helpful with the menu- attentive to our table- the food was a bit pricey even for river north- but delicious none the less. i had the skirt steak tacos and they were awesome. pretty good sized portion too. again, $16 for 3 tacos is a little high even for River North, but other that that great experience
(4)
MELEK L.
The pretension in this sports bar is unbelievable. The manager, Shannon, walked around with her nose stuck high in the air all night. Bull & Bear, bring your head out of the clouds if you want to impress Chicago.
(2)
Michael H.
This fairly new addition to River North might as well be called Casey Moran's South. Same general feel and demographic packs the place. Did not try the food and am planning on coming here for a Friday happy hour. Word to the wise, when you sit at a table your drinks include a tax whereas when you order directly from the bar it is cheaper as they ignore the tax. I have NEVER seen that before and cannot explain it for the life of me. This tax can add up with a round of shots so buyer beware! Very narrow bar where people jam up the middle where washrooms are located. Don't be afraid to throw an elbow to get by. Otherwise, attractive and young crowd in a vibrant atmosphere.
(3)
leyla a.
Ugh! I cannot believe I was not the first to review! I just left the bar...Peter G. how did you beat me to the punch? I was there tonight for the "soft" opening of the bar/grill. We were able to sample many things off the menu and my friend and I had the following: - Mashed potatoes with multiple types of cheese - Philly steak minis - Bison Burger - Fries - Apple pie - Vanilla desert wih liquor (can't remember the name) My favorite was the mashed potatoes with cheese, thick and cheesy, absolutely delicious. The mini philly cheese steak are great because I don't think anyone else does a mini philly cheese steak and they are tasty. The bison burger comes on challa bread with a fantastic relish on top and (I believe) brie cheese. Eater beware, if you have not eaten bison before, please note that it is a very lean meat so you must order it Medium rare to Medium (at most). Bison is not juicy (fatty) like a beef burger. My favorite part of the meal was dessert, I loved "Grandma's Apple Pie" the crust was perfect. My friend prefered the dessert beverage. Sepciality cocktails were great, we tried the Gin cocktail with strawberry & basil. But...what EVERYONE is going to be talking about will be the beer tappers on tables. Yes, beer tap on your table. You can pour your own beer, the allotment is measured electronically and you pay for the ounces you've consumed at the end of the evening. What a concept!
(4)
Peter G.
Bull and Bear is a great bar. Seems like gimmicks on the way in, and there are a few, but if you want a good place to sit with good drinks and food in River North there are really very slim few choices. Good appetizers and sandwiches, anecdotally declicious selection of sweet sappy drinks from vodka to tequila to gin, and tabletop taps. This is the biggst trick, but c'mon- who doesn't wish they could pour their own? Polished service, friendly staff (eye candy). The interior smells of nouveau whatever, but it's comfy and they've got tons of square feet of HD tv's which look awesome. Great happy hour deals. It might be my new place to get kicked out of often. PS. the bar has really bright lights underneath it- sort of highlight the lap area, dress (in)appropriately.
(4)
Sean F.
My girlfriend and I went here the other day on a YouSwoop coupon, so we were pretty excited to try out the place and feel like the only purpose was online reviews and to masquerade as food critics, and ignore that real money typically has to be paid for these sorts of services. We sat outside at a table in the sun, and their staff was really quick to get an umbrella on request, which was good as we would have melted away in a matter of minutes otherwise, and that would have made it difficult to submit a full Yelp review. Inside, this place was super loud and really packed. If you are into that, maybe sit inside. If you are not, I imagine don't go here in the winter when there is no choice. There was a World Cup game going on, which is the one where people from different countries run around for an hour and a half or so playing tag in rainbow colored shorts. Understandably, people inside were intense about it. Best part of the meal: We saw a guy walk out of the bar, throw his hat on the sidewalk in anger, stand there for 2 minutes, say nothing, pick his hat back up, and walk back in. +10 YelpPoints for this entertaining display. Food was really good, the burgers were awesome. Drinks a little expensive. Convenient to the merchandise mart and downtown area. That place has so many windows! Next time I will ask their staff if they know how many, and if they can answer first try, I will add another star. Also, their menu design was awesome, which is my biggest concern at these types of places. Well done, B-and-B. Let this be a lesson to you other restauranteers! Don't cheap out on fonts and use shit, no one is going to buy a Steak that is listed in "Marker Felt."
(3)
James K.
Two things inspired me to write my first yelp review: 1) This is the worst bar in Chicago. 2) The obvious fake PR from Bull and Bear workers on here. Went to the "Grand Opening" looking to try out the buffalo burger and to have a pint or two. We stroll in I see several open tables, all with RESERVED signs on them, I was confused, are we in Ghost Bar? Am I getting bottle service? WTF? So I ask a waitress if we could get a table as we came to get some food. Yes! There are some available, for $500. What a joke. We waited around for 10 minutes and finally got a beer, at that point I drank it as fast as possible because I didn't want to have somebody I knew see me in this crap hole of a "bar". Better than Rockit, lol, give me a break!! Rockit is a thousand times better than this place. Nice try at boosting the rating with BS, real yelper's like my wife see right through the crap. Bottom line, we live in Chicago, why waste time with places like this when there are hundreds of other great places to go to.
(1)
Gamaliel E.
I came here with a buddy during the opening and thought the place was nice. Tons of flat screen tvs, a couple of bars, and a pretty attractive wait staff. The entire staff was very nice and accommodating, including the door guys. I normally expect douche bag customer service when at a luxury sports bar, but this wasn't the case. We had complimentary mini burgers and seasoned fries w a mayo sauce. Both of which went well with the beers we were drinking. The place isn't huge, so it can get a bit crowded. Overall, the B&B was a good experience.
(3)
Thetalkingdeck ..
Had a good buddy in from out of town looking to enjoy the chicago scene. We tried a couple of different bars and then ended up here after numerous recommendations from patrons at surrounding bars. Suffice to say, there's a lot of eye candy here, i mean serious eye candy....If you are of the suit wearing-7 series driving-poor people scare me-i make more than you-but i'm an ugly guy variety, then there a lot of women for you....lol..I kid!. Lots of pretentiousness (meaning outside the regular norm of a chicago bar scene)...Had a good time though, I think the bar patrons here think they actually live in NY and not Chicago. The drink prices were fair and you'll be quick to strike up a conversation with a good people even with mere good looks and nice attire :)
(3)
marc z.
Just gross! Food should not be served, the city should come inspect this place once in a while. Service is nonexistent and when they do show up it's as if the service could not give a s..t about you. Please go somewhere else.
(1)
Gabby R.
Horrible. Went here for brunch and our waitress got the order completely wrong, then charged my credit card 3x for what the bill was. Got it fixed luckily, but I've never had such a bad experience before.
(1)
Lisa A.
I think this place is STILL trying to figure itself out...are you going to be a bar or a club. The potential to be one or the other is there but NOT both. Its a great spot and I think that if they were more laid back and went the sports bar route they'd be more successful and people would enjoy going more often. The fact that they have bouncers in black suits tells me they'd like to be a club but perhaps the space and location didn't allow that to happen. I won't try to guess but I won't be hitting this bar anytime soon. I will say this...we have MORE then enough uptight clubs in downtown Chicago..be original and just make yourself a fun sports bar and dump the mean bouncers in the black suits.
(2)
Nisha E.
Came here to meet up with some friends....it's a nice place and it's close to work. We just ordered drinks, so I cannot comment on the food. The service was great. The atmosphere....eh. The crowd...mixed...You have the after work happy-hour folks, and then there's the "Woo! woo! There's a new bar in town!" crowd. The moment I saw a girl giving smooches to the mirror in the bathroom after reapplying her lipstick, it was time to leave.
(2)
Quantas G.
CAVEAT: I went on my company's dime. I did not pay for a thing so I don't know how expensive this place is or is not. I will say the place can come off as a little pretentious but hey, it's the vision of someone out there. It has the elements of a sports bar (TVs, music, beer, eye candy) but the decor and security personnel of a nightclub. But just because it doesn't fit with the typical definition of a sports bar doesnt mean it isn't. I loved the place from the moment we walked in. The decor was gorgeous, the service was fast, the food was spot on. The wings, nachos, truffle fries, and calamari were tasty and filling. One problem I did have was too much service. No less than 3 managers/supervisors, 2 busboys, and 2 servers were attending to our table. At face value that may sound like a good thing but it was too much, leaning towards overbearing. Hot towels and lemons to clean our hands? A suited bathroom attendant? Excessive water fill-ups? Replacing a "dirty" appetizer plate with a clean one? I can only imagine the final bill was up there but I had a good time otherwise. I love nicely designed bathrooms, decadent interiors, good service and good food. A must-see at least once...you may want to keep coming back. I may stop by again on an off-night to avoid the crowds.
(4)
Sonja S.
Several weeks ago, weak from an inappropriate amount of drinking (for a woman of my distinguished years) My dear friend Auntie Fab called and suggested we meet for brunch at Meile. ( i have no idea what they serve there but judging from the lines on the weekend it might be crack). Of course there was a 60 minute wait so we debated and decided to give Bull&Bear a shot. She warned me up front that it is a "guy place" bleary eyed and makeup free I was not deterred and into the dark leathery woody halls of B& B we went. at 11:am it was empty... EMPTY so we crawled up into a roomy cigarette burned booth and set about ordering. I chose a Benedict with Green fried tomatoes, Serrano ham and a chipolte hollandaise, coffee, water and a mimosa ( you know what they say about falling off the horse) *stop* let me add I am fussy about eggs, they have to have hard cooked white and runny yolks, an almost impossible feat I admit. When the dish arrived it was cold and the eggs were wet and mucous like. So I sent it back and what arrived ten minutes later was a magical dish, savory , spicy , salty , fatty , fresh and so good I joined the clean plate club for the first time in months, I even enjoyed the crispy hash brown / home fries. I have been thinking about that dish ever since. So this morning ( its Easter) on my daily amble with Cash Money Svenson ( best dog in Chicago) I noticed B &B was open. A quick check showed that Auntie Fab was also available so back we went. Ugh While waiting for AF - I ordered the Pop Tarts ( knowing they would take 15 minutes to arrive. By the time AF arrived we were both starving. Then here came the terrible service. REALLY terrible, TERRIBLE service from a very young, very attractive girl. Let me tell you the staff was having a ball - chatting laughing, flirting, me and Auntie Fab, jonesing for coffee and a Bloody Mary , not so much. We finally had a chance to order and requested the same Benedict that I had enjoyed the prior visit. The pop tarts came in a toaster, cute - but almost ridiculous to get out of the toaster. No complaints though, both the savory and the sweet were delicious. But when the Benedict came the crushing blow of disappointment was delivered. Eggs properly cooked, but cold, the ham was chewy , the chipolte sauce hovering on he verge of separating, NO HASH BROWNS or Home fries whatever they are and our ooh so precious waitress - perkily unavailable. I am starting to understand why real critics visit a restaurant more than once. Had I reviewed after the last visit B&B would have gotten a solid 3 1/2. Only the Pop Tarts kept them in the 2 zone today. Maybe next time we will just stand in line at Miele?
(2)
Tiffany S.
Honestly, I read some of the horrible reviews, and I must say I am a bit shocked. Being the most critical of Yelpers, I went to this place with a watchful eye. We had a reservation, they honored it, and didn't do anything shady in the meanwhile. The food I had was excellent (the turkey burger is HIGHLY recommended) and the one of the owners (Luke, who is cute, so maybe I'm impartial) actually bothered to come over and say hello to us. Considering the place just opened, I'm super happy that they cam over to say an introduction (however a tad lame), but actually wrote down the suggestion I had about their champagne offering. When you hang out downtown, one would expect fake boobs, yuppies, and suburban d-bag types. While you get a lot of that, there are also some pretty cool Chicagoans just looking for a great place to hang out. So high five to Bull and Bear. My food was great , the service was excellent, and the crowd was exactly what I was expecting. The only reason that they aren't getting 5 stars is the pricing. I had 3 glasses of wine, a Bud (don't ask, it was for a friend) and a turkey burger that amounted to $104 including tax and tip. While I checked the bill thoroughly (though we had them split it like 50 ways and who knows what happens when you do that). I was a bit shocked at the sticker price. I've had much cheaper nights out for $104, of equal quality. BUT, the crowd was fun, the food and wine were great, and I'll definitely be here again.
(4)
ForTheLoveofFood M.
Bull and Bear is my go-to place for drinks and upscale bar-food. Ever since the day it opened I have been hooked on the music, the atmosphere and the people that not only work but go to the bar as well. B&B although usually packed to the brim, is a really chill place for after dinner drinks and some (semi) gourmet bar food. You'll want to try the truffle fries and their wings for sure, but most of all save room for dessert (if you're with a group of people) for the ridiculous big cookie- seriously, it's amazing, especially if chef is there cooking that night. B&B is the best place for groups- seriously. If you call and make reservations for a tap-table, you WON'T regret it... Bring your wallets though, because this will not be a cheap night- but at the same time you'll be having too much fun to worry about the money you'll be dropping. The one thing they are lacking however is a veggie burger. I myself am not a vegetarian but my best friend is- and lets be honest, in this-day-in-age, there should be a basic veggie burger on any menu. All and all, Bull and Bear is a great place to go to- especially after work. You won't regret it. It's my go-to place and always will be.
(5)
Jenny B.
This place is a piece of shit,bad attitude,bad food...as i know include me there are a lot of people just never go back again
(1)
Danielle T.
After hearing all the hype about this place, some friends and I decided to go for dinner/happy hour. We made it 3 minutes after the happy hour so I was a bit disappointed that the waitress wouldn't honor the prices - but I get it. The service was great, our waitress was attentive and quick - without being overbearing. The food was good - lobster short order - amazing. What wasn't amazing was after I ate a good portion of the boneless chicken wings - was that I found a black hair cutting into the last piece. Disgusting, showed it to the waitress and she comped that off the bill - much appreciated - the hair, not so much. I did like this place, however, I don't think I'd go back much. Its extremely tiny and congested inside and there are only about 10 tables. For some reason through the advertising of my friends on facebook - I was expecting something a bit more lavish. But it was all around a good place to have a couple drinks and grab some food!
(3)
Benjamin G.
Went for lunch. It's definitely a bit pricier than I usually do for lunch, but the atmosphere was cool. Tap at the table, very attractive wait staff. If you want hot post-sorority chicks waiting on you..... As other reviewers said, it feels pretty fratty in here. I had the fish tacos...meh. There's plenty of cheaper, better fish tacos in the city. They were coated in bad salsa and too much sour cream, I think to cover up weak fish. The food took a pretty long to come out and the waitress was pretty disinterested. The killer though...is their credit card policy. I was with a party of 5 and we all only had credit cards (because it's 2010, not 1964) yet they only allow the use of 4 cards per party. The waitress took nearly 20 minutes to figure out how to split the bill. I was a sever 5 years ago and I can say with the "modern" equiptment back then, splitting a check was as hard as pushing a button. This girl acted like we were asking her to do calculus. One of us ended up going to the ATM...nothing like adding a $2 ATM fee to your meal in order to pay for it.
(2)
Andrew M.
All style, no substance. The place looks great, is well designed and modern. The staff are clearly very new, and seem awkward in their roles. One thing that sets this place apart is the "self-serve" beer at the table. This is technically very neat - with an embedded computer screen in the table keeping track of what you drink. In practical, the bar staff does a pretty good job of keeping up, so the this isn't really necessary when you're stopping in for lunch or dinner. To me, this is a gimmick - a neat gimmick, but one nonetheless. The food was good, but clearly overpriced. I had a turkey club sandwich that was decent, but too expensive. It came with sweet potato fries that were soggy. The portions were huge, too much to consume in one sitting.
(2)
Elle M.
I have a mixed review. LOVE the atmosphere at night. BUT when we went for brunch last Sunday we a had a horrible experience. We have a reservation for 15 people and instead of putting us in the massive 2 booth- booth or the large bench table on the top floor, or put together some high tops they put us in 2 separate booths. Our server was really slow and kept forgetting drinks. We ended up bringing 25 people; eating and drinking from 11am-4pm. (Not by my choice) The food was GREAT! large portions and delicious! However, the Bloody Mary was REALLY bad. I know at least 3 of us ordered it and not one of us ordered a second. Sorry. But I would pass on the next brunch invite.
(2)
Steve T.
Too fruity, the drinks, that is... so much so, that I could barely tell if there was any Vodka. Now, work may have turned me into an alcoholic, but I like to believe it has only enabled my ability to sense a drop of liquor within 50ft... and there didn't seem to be any to be found... I was with coworkers and we all had similar reactions... I'm sure there was *some* vodka in it, but definitely not the way I pour. Thankfully this was on the corp card, so I didn't care all that much, but if I had been paying on my own I'd have had more of an opinion. The quesadillas were delicious and the gals really loved the weiners in a blanket, probably because it was the most weiner they were going to see that night. Regardless, fun times, good interior...I just wish they had poured more of their top shelf booze into my drank.
(3)
E F.
I came here recently on a Wednesday night at about 9pm and was surprised at how crowded it was. I felt like i had just landed on Douchebag Island. I arrived before the person I was meeting and was suddenly a little scared to go and wait there by myself in the midst of all the drunken first year investment banking analysts. Luckilly for me, the hosts up front were nice. One of them led me all the way to the bathroom when i asked her where it was. Our waitress was helpful (blond - i didn't catch her name though). we missed the happy hour and just got beers, which were not too expensive. Didn't order food but the menu looked pretty good. I am thinking about going back for their Sunday Brunch (using the $10 coupon that came with our receipt) Overall I was pleased with the place. The only thing I didn't like was the rest of the clientele. Listen, douchebags, just because you're in a bar with your buddies, doesn't mean you have license to push people or smother people who are just minding their own business. And wearing a nice suit when you're an ugly a**hole doesn't make you hot. Just sayin.... Liked the place, just wish it attracted better people.
(3)
Mandy P.
I'm not sure I've ever been so thrilled with a cocktail menu. I should have known how great they would be when the girls next to us at the bar said they were there "practicing" which drinks to have for a bachelorette party next month. Bitchin'. My practice included the strawberry basil martini, a sip of the sangria, a sip of the raspberry mojito, and a dive into the perfectly muddled mango margaritas. The food was good, but who really cared? I would have eaten paper towels just to be sure I had enough in my stomach to ensure thorough absorption of at least some of the alcohol I was ingesting. I want all of the cocktails and I want them now! (Ok, well after work would probably be better).
(4)
Angel B.
I wish I could give this place zero stars but it's not an option. I will no longer be a customer at Bull & Bear. One of the bartenders called my sober and kind-hearted friend a "f*cking delight" and later called her a "c*nt." No customer deserves this type of indecent and unprofessional treatment, especially my friend.
(1)
K W.
I've only been to Bull and Bear for work lunches, so this review is for food only. I've tried their Kobe burger, one of their regular burgers, and several of their appetizers. It is all about the Kobe burger. Super juicy and tasty, and accompanied by amazing truffle fries. I'd consider it on par with the Rockit Burger. One odd thing, last time I went I asked for my leftover to be boxed to go, and they gave me the burger but left out my fries. Very sad.
(3)
Stuart K.
I had dinner at Bull & Bear Saturday night with 5 friends. Our 7:30pm reservation was honored immediately with a booth that had a Bud Light and 312 beer tap built right in. The staff here is incredible. Throughout the night we were visited by one of the owners, a manager and the head chef. They clearly want to make sure that things are going smoothly and that their customers are happy. Our waitress was great and very attentive. The food here is as good as it gets for a sports bar. For appetizers we had the wings, nachos and pigs in a blanket. All three were excellent. The nachos had the perfect amount of cheese and toppings. The pigs in the blanket were like nothing we'd ever seen. Our table split the chopped salad and the junk salad. Both were great, with very good dressings and generous servings. For our main course we had all 7 sliders. Each slider had a unique presentation, with different buns and sauces for each. The consensus hits were the Philly, Kobe, and the Meatball. My personal favorite was the Lobster Roll. The chef sent out a complimentary round of vodka milkshakes that were just incredible. For drinks we started with the built-in beer taps which are really a lot of fun. I was pretty suspect about them at first, but the waitress was very upfront about the cost and how it worked. At our table a Bud Light was $3.75 and a 312 was $5. We moved onto cocktails towards the end which were very generously poured. The menu says they have half-price appetizers and sliders every weekday for happy hour. I'll definitely be back for that with some work friends.
(5)
Nicole K.
I decided to have my birthday party at Bull & Bear due to a recommendation from a friend and I wish I had ignored their advice. I worked with the event coordinator to set it up and specifically told her, I wanted to reserve two tables without a package and people would be coming in randomly throughout the night. There would be a total of 40 or so people. She was fine with this and informed be that there could only be one tab per table, which I was ok with. Come the night of my birthday party, I walk in and I was told my entire party had to be there to be seated. I explained my situation and the hostess told me if I could get 5 people, we could be seated. So my boyfriend and I opened up a tab at the bar. Finally 3 other friends came and we could be seated but THEN were told, they couldn't hold the second table until 5 more people came which was a pain because I had clearly stated a head of time what I wanted. Then, as the waitress came over, I explained that we were all ok with paying on 1 tab per table but she stated that people were paying in cash which was fine. Come to find out, she was upcharging all of my guests $1 per drink!!! So I sent people to the bar, or people started to not tip. Lastly, not only did the place get too crowded, but as I went to close my tab at the bar at the end of the night, I waited patiently by the bar until the bar tender came up to me, told her I needed to close my tab. She looked at me and then started to help someone else. I thoguht she was going to help the next person and then get my credit card but instead I had to wait while she continued to help 15 + other people. I then had to get the hostess to help me close my tab, and the bartender passed her up too!! I will never go back to Bull and Bear, never recommend anyone to go there, and hopefully people will see this review and know if you want terrible service, overpriced drinks and an overcrowded bar, this is the place for you.
(1)
Mihir P.
I have to knock off one star from my previous review below. I was there yesterday and want to start a tab and then pay with a credit card but they have a $25 MINIMUM for CC's. F'd up! __________________________________________________ Bull & Bear is more of a sports "club" verses a bar. Primarily a vanilla crowd until my mocha crew rolled in. There is good energy in here with the bright lights but the music is too loud and it is difficult to have a conversation without someone spitting in your face. It also gets packed in here so for those of you with space issues, be warned. I do like the taps at the table feature but you may not get what you want. Even at the bar they had a limited selection of beer. They didn't have: Dos Equis, Sam Light, Heineken Light, or even Miller Lite. Pretty sad.
(1)
Donn M.
Great service with average pricing. I really loved the Bull and Bear Burger. In my opinion it is in the top 10 burgers I have had in my life time. I am only 23 though and have a more more burgers to try. When I went they played songs from the 80's through the modern top 40.
(4)
Jacqueline S.
I had a kobe beef burger here, it was delicious. Also the cashew crusted chicken salad (or whatever it was called) is wonderful. Great and a little upscale bar food. Would recommend. Never been to the actual place, but ordered food from here.
(4)
Chris S.
The Pros: Upscale bar with dark wood, plenty of plasmas. The staff I finally encountered was friendly, but I really only got a couple of drinks from the bar. The beer selection is really good. They have taps built into some of the tables, and purchasing kegs is a rarely seen option. Digital readout on the table shows you how many ounces of beer you have left. If nothing else, kind of cool. The Cons: The prices - $9 for Goose Island Mathilda which can be had for $6 at Hopleaf. Also, seating became a problem quickly. I arrived at 5:20pm on a Tuesday, and both front and back bar were full, as were the half dozen upright tables that sat 2-4. Herein lies the problem: all those tables situated for kegs are reserved for parties of 4 or more. I understand the reason for this, but the result is that the bar got PACKED with pairs of people. People blocking the bar, people (myself) blocking the door, people pretty much standing on top of each other...all while seating for about 30 remained available, but kept off limits. And while there were a half dozen cocktail servers, they were focused on the tables, so even though they were all over the place, I had to jam into the bar each time I needed a drink. This might just be a great place to bring a group of friends to watch a game. The taps on the table are cool. But for a date or with a small group, it just doesn't work.
(2)
marisa s.
it's the in between going out hard/getting your groove on bar that river north's been aching for. ok, there's Hub...but it's nice to have another choice and especially one that is casual & chill (but still super busy all the time). the pluses - the table taps and the kobe beef sliders the minuses - narrow and not so big love the food. (what i tried so far - kobe sliders and truffle fries) love the location. love the concept. ...and 3 loves equals 4 stars
(4)
Sara P.
Argh...another instance of wishing there were half stars available. I'm giving Bull & Bear 3.5 stars in my mind. Especially since I haven't been here in the evening- where you can tell if a place turns into douche-mode or not. But having been here for lunch on a Friday afternoon, I was pleasantly surprised. We requested a seat at a table with a topper, and were excited that we were seated at the table with Stella. Oh the possibilities of a table with all you can drink Stella at our fingertips. Imagine my dismay when we realized the tap was out! But not to fear, the waitress fixed it right away. The real reason I enjoyed this place, other than the suave decor and multitued of TVs with every sport available...was the food. We had the boneless chicken wings, which were quite good, and split the cheeseburger. This was a seriously awesome burger. The fries were really good too. I'm definitely in for trying this place again. And I'm very curious to see what this place is like when it gets more crowded.
(3)
Heather L.
$12 for a Johnny Walker Black, $10 for a cocktail. It's 2:00 in the afternoon on a Saturday and this is little more than a sports bar with boring sports bar appetizer menu. No thanks, we'll be moving on.
(2)
Gabby A.
The past two times I've been to bull and bear have convinced me that most of the staff is incompetent. Each time I ordered the same thing and both times I got exactly the opposite. I ordered a salad in a wrap with no avocado and no cilantro. Both times it came with avocado and cilantro. Plus, it didn't even have dressing on it. Not only did it cost me $15 for, essentially, lettuce on a stale tortilla, but they couldn't even get it right. These past two bad experiences aren't the only ones I've had at bull and bear, but they will definitely be the last because I will not go there again. Would not recommend this place. Bad service, dumb staff.
(1)
Nicole M.
Walking through the city on our visit we stumbled onto this place. We enjoyed our meal outside because it was Saturday and the bar was packed with all the college fans we couldn't get in anywhere! That must mean it some fun!! The food was really good brunch all day, the service meh. The 4 stars for the tables with your own bar and wine tap!! Will definitely be back next time!!!
(4)
candace l.
A couple friends dragged me here for happy hour, and the place was packed. Not particularly my scene; thus, I really wanted to hate the place, but I didn't. Here's why: They make a strong (albeit spendy, but that's to be expected) Greyhound. The place was packed with a chatty, fun crowd. I wasn't looking for a hit-on-marathon, which I didn't find (although others have). Their bathrooms are spotless and plentiful, which is a praise worthy foresight. Although, I don't like making the trek down two flights of stairs, especially in heels. Speaking of, this is why I will not be back to B&B: I tripped down a few of these stairs, right into the arms of an [unsuspecting] gentleman walking up them. There you have it, folks. I have clutzy moments that prevent me from frequenting bars on a regular basis.
(3)
Ricky R.
Where to begin ... Came here with a buddy 2 weeks ago while we met in the city for lunch . Ordered wings, a health club? "turkey sandwich" , and he ordered a burger . The sandwich was supposed to be $11 as stated but came out on bill as $15 , also had bloody marys $11 a piece?! , and the burger was $18 . Food was just ok , but WAY over priced , and the prices on the bill were more than stated on the menu . $15 for a turkey sandwich that was supposed to be $11, $11 for a bloody. $18 for a burger ?! This is high end entree pricing not sandwich / finger food . Food was not horrible but just ok, based on pricing and the fact the bill does not match menu I would have given a one star but the waitress was attentive and nice . I will not be back , and watch your bill at the end because we had 2 errors on ours .
(2)
Valerie R.
I've only been here once and it was for lunch, but I enjoyed the food. I had the beet salad and my boss got the junk salad, and also enjoyed his lunch. Good iced tea, they were a little crazy on the refills though. I like not having an empty glass, but I had two full glasses waiting for me as I finished my first. Not sure what the strategy was there... I'd definitely try Bull and Bear again but I won't rush back, they're a little too hard on the wallet.
(3)
Zach T.
Yelp nails this with 3 stars. I'd love to get here when I can drink, but I went for lunch. We sat in the bar and had burgers. I had the Bull Bear Burger (I had a youswoop). It was very good and cooked right on the money. Fries were good. Service was fine. Good ambiance. I won't rush back, but I will likely go back when I can have a drink.
(3)
Mai T.
-1 one for the racist clientèle who call people out for their race and color of their skin and for the shit bouncers to harass people who are leaving the bar. If you are anything other then white they are going to be totally inappropriate to you. so GOOD
(1)
Eugene N.
Main reason we stumbled upon Bull & Bear was because Lou's was packed and with over an hour wait! Saw the beer taps at each table so we gave it a shot. I ordered the Kobe Beef burger and I was pleasantly surprised! It was really good! While it's cool to have the beer tap our table, it would be nice if it had worked. Ours was broken so we didn't get a chance to experience that. I see a lot of 3 star ratings, but my experience was good. Food tasted great.
(4)
Riz A.
bull and bear contacted me after this review, and offered to buy me and my friends dinner/drinks in return for taking down my negative review - and they claimed they had 'reprimanded' the bouncer that was racist towards myself and my friend. i told them to eat it. i'm not selling out for free beer and wings. whackness is whackness, and this bar personifies it.
(1)
Kimberly G.
I've been to Bull & Bear twice since its opening, on opening night (a Thursday) and on a Friday night. I like the place, the food is good, a notch up from bar food with some cool options (truffle fries, seared tuna.) Both times I've been there it's been almost unbearably crowded. And with the clientele it's going for I'm not surprised they're charging $10 for a vodka soda. Beware of the happy hour guys who have clearly been drinking since 4:30pm, they make up an obnoxious portion of the largely male clientele here.
(4)
Yuriko N.
Bull & Bear is a new sports/stock market themed upscale bar in River North, owned & operated by the Stone Lotus team. The crowd is a direct representation of all of the above. The space offers up a warm, fun atmosphere, with a little more flavor, for people to just hang out, maybe watch the game, maybe flirt with friends & coworkers, definitely eat n drink, and have a good time. Having to wait for a table (even if there are open tables with reserved signs, which are prob expected to be seated within an hour - decades to you, but not enough time for you to be done before they get there), or thirst for a drink a few extra minutes because it's really busy, can't possibly be the worst thing you could say about a new spot. The $500 booths were for opening weekend (and I think Super bowl Sunday too). Not at all the case regularly. Yes, I AM a bartender here, and yes, I'm only giving us 4 stars, because like all new endeavors (and as the negative responses clearly state), we're still working out the kinks. We've been open for 2 weeks. Perfection doesn't come without great strides.... and let me tell you, maintaining a concept is no easy task. We're doing our best to stay on track. I'm not gonna go into all the logistics & many hurdles involved in opening a new space (I've been behind the curtain on that one a few times). Though I can assure you that no matter how long you train your staff, how much money you spend, or how much you plan, you can never be fully prepared to expedite an incredibly popular response - it's what everyone hopes for, and what we've been very fortunate to have.... I'll skip all the details on what the space is like, or the menu (for now), so as not to piss off the PR police, but what I can certainly tell you is; we're doing our very best to get your drinks to you as soon as possible, offer up better bar food options, and welcome you with open arms.... So far, I've noticed that it's definitely one of the more interesting places to hang out in that little neck of the Chicago woods. See for yourself.
(4)
Kenta Y.
I really like this bar, probably my most favorite in Chicago. I'm not a Chicago Bears fan, but when I went there on a Sunday night during the Bears game it was a really cool atmosphere. Lots of tvs but it can get crowded though. They have the beer taps on some tables and I would like to try that one day. Their food is pretty good also, the Sliders are the best. Packed during happy hour too.
(4)
Anthony C.
I've never been to this place, nor do I think I will. I decided to write a one-star review because they send me spam. Constantly. I've never signed up on any Chicago-area bar or club email lists, and I don't frequent sports bars at all (I hate televisions in bars, am not a sports fan, and can't eat any of the sports bar food). How I got on their spam list (or Transit's, for that matter) I will never know, but I'm not forgiving of spam in any case.
(1)
John O.
Never a bad one...Ive been in there probably 10 times, some visits as couples and some with just guys. Each time the experience is different but always good. The owners have it figured out, hot waitresses, serve yourself beer, great food and flat screens everywhere. I deal with Morgen (she is awesome) to reserve my booth. Reserving a spot a few days in advance is key as they do sell out, especially for big games. It can get crowded but it's a good crowd.
(5)
Molly S.
More often than not I feel that Bull & Bear is fine for what it is, a trendy bar/restaurant that is slightly overpriced. However, I was there the other night with a friend and chose to order beers, several sides and the turkey burger to split. We were really pleased with the sides and beers (obviously) but the turkey burger was horrendous. Our server, Jennifer, happened to notice us not eating it and asked what we thought since the recipe had recently changed. We admitted we weren't in love but enjoyed the rest of the meal and left it at that. When it came time to pay the bill we noticed she had removed the turkey burger without telling us and without us asking. We were so pleasantly surprised! Bull & Bear, give Jennifer a raise!
Went here today for lunch and it was great! Great outdoor seating and the food was really good! We enjoyed the quesidillas and the cesar wrap and fries. Some people in our party had salads, pulled pork sandwiches and turkey burgers abd everyone agreed the food was yummy!
(4)
Samir B.
Bull and Bear was a good time (I went last night), but there are a couple drawbacks that I really can't get past. First, the good stuff: music's fantastic - all the top stuff and a good variety of 90's mixed in. The sports on TV was solid, they had college football and the Blackhawks on, can't ask for more than that on a Saturday in November. The atmosphere and layout is really nice too, it doesn't feel uncomfortable at all, and it's very well located, easy to reach by cab or CTA and parking isn't impossible. The table taps are ingenious too. Now the negatives: the table taps - where do I start...first of all, when I heard about this, the marketing made it sound like they were at the table making beer very easy, so I thought they'd be exclusively on a 2nd floor or in booths away from the bar. No, they are at the tables as stated, but those tables are literally 3 feet from the actual bar. Now yes, they are convenient, but at what cost, it is unreal. I was with 10 people for 4 hours and the total cost was $700. The time spent debating who owed what for that kind of unreal cost is not worth ruining a great night at the end of the visit. It worked out to something like $70 per person for BEER and that's only mathematically, because nobody just drinks non-stop. Give me the $5 Bud Lights at the bar and I'll be happy. So in review... Definetely go, it's a fun place, just don't do the table taps.
(3)
Gfiddy F.
Drunken businessmen always make for great conversation.
(5)
Francesca R.
Foods awesome, staff is even better. All the haters I'm sure are regulars who wait two hours to get in. I wouldn't pick anywhere else to go on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Can't get enough of this place
(5)
Brittany E.
This place is FANTASTIC! I came here with two other friends and my boyfriend and we all loved it! Great food, followed by excellent service! My friends were visiting from out of town and wanted to experience the whole city so we had ate at many different, highly regarded places all around the city. This place was so good however, that they insisted we go back the next night! Why even try something different when they've got such a great thing going! They offer a great variety of organic food. Its a perfect mix of sports bar, while still having some class, without being overly pretentious! All of their food and drinks were excellent! One night we just got appetizers to share and the next night we got entrees...all fabulous! And make sure if you go in, you request Colleen! She was one of the best waitresses I have ever had- and I used to be a waitress myself- so I am tough person to impress! All in all, GREAT service, EXCELLENT food! I highly recommend!
(5)
Allison B.
Hmmm...I'm on the fence with this one. Went on a weekend for lunch. It was busy but a low key crowd. We thought we were in trouble when we saw the PYT waitresses but the service was actually very prompt, pleasant, and professional. The menu looked yummy and when our meals arrived (quickly), there was good presentation. But the food was...a bit bland. As my hubbie commented "The Philly sliders tasted a lot better after six beers last time." If you're a sports nut, there are TVs everywhere, even a large screen wall projection. The booths looked fun to sit with a group of friends. It looked like it would be a good neighborhood hangout joint if they could just punch up the flavor with the food.
(3)
Christian P.
went into bull and bear last week to have a little post work drink and snack. the bar area is very well done and cool looking, though i have to agree with the other reviews, its [pretty narrow and the tables but practically up to the bar area making it hard to get to the bar, and even if you get a table, a little crammed as people navigate through you to get their drinks. The drinks were a little on the pricey side given the bar atmopshere. If i'm paying $14 for a glass of wine or $10 for a drink,be nice to have somewhere to sit and not get bumped into. We did order some sliders and the sweet potato fries, both of which were really really tasty... kudos to them for the food. the menu also offered lots of other tasty sounding treats and most the people there were also eating. sadly though i can only give two stars because of the space, and also as other mentioned the crowd. Worth checking out, but they gotta figure something out to get you to come back after the initial lookey-loo
(2)
Michelle T.
The food is good, atmosphere is definitely "sporty" and the service nice, except for the manager! We were there when they needed to accomodate a wheelchair customer and couldn't get the lift operational. They accomodated the group in the lower level, but when my group asked the manager about the situation (how he was going to "make-good" with the group), his attitude towards us was horrible!! For his attitude alone I may not go back and you better figure out the lift situation - i don't believe that's legal!
(2)
Lisa K.
My friend and I went to Bull & Bear for a pre-Thanksgiving party. It had special prices, $3 cheap domestic beer and $5 well drinks and wine. The well vodka was Absolute, so not terrible for a cheap drink. The staff was very friendly and helpful. When I arrived I asked the bar tender what the specials were just to confirm. When I asked about the mixed drinks, he double checked for me since he wasn't certain himself. You don't always see that extra step. He got my drink and remembered the next time that I like a cherry instead of a lime in my vodka, very nice service! The bouncer had come to take my chair, assuming I didn't have anyone with me. When i explained my friend was just in the bathroom, he was a bit embarrassed but left the chair and explained when the bar was crowded, they would have to take the chair. He also explained the drink special and said an all night wrist band was also available. When my friend came, we were not kicked out of our seats at all like I have been in other bars. It was nice to be able to sit down for a little bit to unwind first from a hectic work week and not have our chair taken away mid drink. The drinks were stiff considering the discount, so no watering down here. The venue was a little sold out and the back of the bar was so crowded you could barely get to the bar but fun overall. The taps at the table are fun for a group but are mostly domestic ones I don't drink. I would like to try Bull & Bear again on a normal night and try some of the food I saw being served. HUGE portions, definitely enough to share.
(3)
Lizzie R.
Awesome food! The menu is terriffic! Wings and the french onion soup is awesome. Great atmosphere too. I wish they had a 2nd floor or something becasue there arent enough tables to eat at and they are always crowded. Hopefully a bull and bear 2 is coming.........
(5)
Jeff B.
Never been there at night, but for lunch it was spectacular! Great food, love the built-in tappers in some of the booths. Wireless internet, and even XBOX 360 at one of the booths. Great atmosphere. And our waitress, in particular (Jenna) was insanely knowledgeable about the menu and never let our glasses go empty, even though the tappers were right in front of us. Go there.
(5)
Kelly P.
This restaurant has great food, a decent wine selection, and a great outdoor patio! The extra plus is that the patio is dog friendly! All the staff was so nice, too!
(5)
Joe B.
I bar/restaurant must be doing something right if it can appeal to different groups in different ways on different days. B&B has that going for it. The question/problem is figuring out which time slot is right for you and your group. Some nights B&B is a sports bar, some nights it's a bro fest, some nights it's packed to capacity, and some nights it's closed for private events. And there's brunch on Sundays. The food, for dinner and brunch, is good. The drinks are pricey, of course. If you can roll with the atmospheric changes, that's fine, I just prefer a more consistent experience since I know in advance what vibes I like and which ones I don't.
(3)
Katie S.
Sure I had a great time, but I can't attribute that to this establishment. Five stars for the bathroom attendant who sprays and wipes each stall after every use. I did not dine here, so I can only rate the "night scene." Interesting concept with the taps at the tables. Prices are expected for a River North bar, about $6 for a decent pint. When we first arrived it was crazy packed and I wanted to turn around and leave, but we were assured that the crowd would dwindle after the fight ended, sure enough it did. Decent service...cough. The table next to us was celebrating and ordered a bottle of champagne, the bartender dropped the bottle on the way to the table so it was well shaken. She's getting ready to make the pop and she is actually aiming the nose of the bottle directly at our table. A few of us squinted and tilted back and she looks at us and says, "it's not gonna hit you." ... POP! My friend was drenched, she got sprayed good and her hair turned into a disgusting sticky mess. It wasn't just a small spray, she was hosed. She's not one to complain, and she didn't. The bartender never offered an apology. Most bars would at least have the decency to apologize and offer a drink for the unfortunate circumstances, but nope, nothing, nada. The guys at the table with the champagne apologized a bought her a drink and offered us some champagne, very nice of them, but it was the bartender who should have been apologizing. I'm not rushing to go back. Other reviewers noted that this is a hot spot for d bags and that was also confirmed.
(2)
Karen S.
Went for happy hour on a Wed night. It was busy, but not packed. Service was fantastic. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. The manager fed the meter for us. Food was good - loved the hummus plate. Burgers and fries at Rockit are better. Ambiance was nice and lighting was perfect. We stayed at the bar so we didn't sit at the giant booths with tap on the table. Next time. The afterwork crowd was mostly 30 somethings there to unwind. Everyone was friendly - talking to other tables and having a good time. I'll be back soon.
(4)
Chi G.
I cannot stress enough to not plan a party here. In 25 years of planning corporate events I have never encountered such incompetence. Basically this place will charge you an arm and a leg, promise the moon and stars and deliver very little. Spend your money elsewhere. I would give this place zero stars based on staff attitude alone, but yelp makes you use at least one.
(1)
Blake D.
Wow. Made a reservation weeks ago for a large group. Called the day before to confirm the reservation. All good. Show up and have to deal with an unbelievably abrasive manager, Ben. Finally we got seated in a mediocre corner table with no tab on the table, like we requested weeks before. Needless to say, the table of 4 girls sitting at a booth for 14 weren't drinking a single beer. The food is good but not worth the bother. Hopefully if you go here you don't have to deal with Ben. Frankly, he ruined the dinner for a large group.
(1)
Ms. A.
I never wanted to give such a negative review but the patrons of Bull and Bear made me. Upon entering, the hostess seemed too care free and that seating us was not a priority...so I sat myself at a table up front. There were two of us at a table for four and I have never been so crowded or uncomfortable..ANYWHERE! Pro: Our waitress ( I believe Diane) was a sweetheart. ** If it wasn't for the excellent busboys being so prompt, picking up the glasses as soon as the RUDE patrons placed them on our table we would have walked out.** ***The crowd is the worst. I went with a girlfriend for drinks and appetizers which were good but nothing special. Before I even sat myself at the table I found, some lame put his sport coat on the back of my chair and kept putting his empty beer glasses on the table like he owned it. Two LADIES minding our business while being elbowed constantly trying to eat the apps that came an hour later. The thing that bothered me the most is the crowd that sticks their noses in the air and have no home training. They may be educated, but they act like they were raised by wolves. Every two seconds guys were putting their empty glasses/beer bottles on our table. All around rude! Supposedly trendy = the most annoying crowd I have ever experienced.
(1)
Amanda Z.
this is a solid happy hour spot...only prob is it's too darn crowded! i like the big booths in the back where you can pour your own beer on tap - great idea - but its virtually impossible to get one of those tables unless you reserve it way in advance, and how many people really PLAN happy hours in advance?? i will say, this place has some really good bar food...i was very pleasantly surprised! the sliders and the truffle fries were ridiculously yummy! i would never go here on the weekends, but it's a solid weekday joint to meet up w/friends after work for a beer and a burger if you're around River North.
(2)
Christa C.
I reviewed this place in the spring, and finally went back to check out their patio, so I just wanted to give some insight! My friend and I went during happy hour on a thursday, and it was half off all their appetizers. Which was great, since their apps are some of the favorite things they have on their menu! We had the tuna appetizer and truffle fries...yummm. Patio was really nice, our server was very attentive and kept refilling my water that was getting warm fast. It's a quieter patio in the river north area, which I was a fan of. If you're in the area, or even just looking for a chill patio at a place with great food, I still really recommend making your way out to this place if you haven't yet!
(5)
Kelly W.
even though i have heard mixed reviews of this place, the group i was with decided they wanted to give this place a try. when we first arrived, there was a ridiculously long line. the bouncers were being jerks, which is assumed by most bouncers, but these seemed more jerky than usual. the bar was over crowded and no different from any other place. since they're a new bar, the cops were there to check capacity. this seemed to boost the place's ego even more and it was just ugh. half of our party was inside, the other half was outside. it was nicer to be outside than it was to be inside.
(1)
Chanita S.
I'm normally not a fan of Sports bars ESPECIALLY ones in downtown. I often feel like it's douchebag central everytime I step into one. But this place, I actually enjoy. Their food is GREAT....had the calamari, chicken wings, and many other starter items and I can vouch that they really are outstanding. I like the comfy booths--good for small groups/tables with a sense of privacy. Beautiful servers--some friendlier than others. Love how you can pour your own beer with a self-service beer tap. The place is a little narrow and it does get crowded, so the beer tap station kind of eliminates having to deal with the hassle by the bar. The display for games and matches are a little bit redundant. For instance, I saw the same game on two screens that were literally right below and above of each other--totally unnecessary. I think they can do better than that. In the summer, there's an outdoor patio to enjoy the lovely River North. I don't come here often, but I am a fan.
(4)
Brandi G.
Bull and Bear is a Great and Fabulous upscale Sports Bar!!! I watch all major sporting events there!!! The staff is fabulous!!! I highly recommend the wings , choose HOT, they are UNREAL!!!! The kobe burger is to die for, its the best burger in the city!!!! The staff is so nice and very hospitable!!!!!! Overall, 5 stars in my book!!!!!!
(5)
andrea l.
5 stars. they messed up my order and the server was so sweet and attentive that it didnt even phase me. i kept picking at my friend's fries, they were so good! We had 2 of the slider orders but I wanted to try them all they all look great and there were so many options! The personal serve-yourelf-beer table taps are so cool! we stayed to drink after dinner and could've easily stayed through midnight (had plans to meet up with people at HUB)... drink prices were pretty comparable to bars in the area so I can't really complain there. they have to price like that-- its river north! not wrigleyville. it was casual and fun-- a nice change of scenery from the repetitive pretentious crowd. I heard about that $500 reservation charge but asked them and apparently that was only for very specific evenings but for now-- there is no upcoming events they have to do that for. after 2 visits already-- bull and bear has been a really nice experience and anyone who doesnt like it should relax and lower their standards! Its obvious how much effort they put into this place and how hard they're trying to keep improving. Ill be back next weekend! (can't wait to try the 'hogs in a blanket'!!! looks SO good!)
(5)
Stephanie P.
Went to Bull and Bear when my dad was in town along with my roommates. Made a reservation for one of the tables with a tap and got seated right away when we arrived. The food was great too. I'll definitely come here again
(5)
Amberlyn R.
Ok, so I gave B&B another try today and was again very disappointed in the quality of food. It seems every time I order something on the healthier side; there is no flavor or texture. I gave it a three stars because our server could tell I didn't like my meal. She took it off our check and allowed me to choose something else. Thank you:)
(3)
Christoph C.
Needs a change in music selection, on Fr and Sat night, it's usually the same. Some food items are good but others way to overpriced for bar food, the skirt steak for $19 was tiny and too salty.
(2)
M O.
I came to this restaurant/bar with my boyfriend for dinner and I don't think we will ever go back. The first problem is the atmosphere. It's very stuffy and snobbish, even the hostesses are snotty. The whole environment is awkward and uncomfortable. The music is way too loud and it's extremely dark even in the middle of the day. Secondly, the food is very mediocre and not worth the high prices. Do not try the lobster rolls! They are absolutely not worth $14. They had a strange taste and I kept crunching my teeth on hard shell in the lobster. We did appreciate that the waitress did not charge us for this item however. This place is pretty much standard, mediocre bar food and I would not recommend it to a friend.
(2)
Katie C.
I had an awful experience here last weekend on my birthday! The staff here is incredibly rude, worse than any other bar staff I have ever encountered. First off, the girl working the coat check had a really bad attitude. We asked if it was alright if we could check our coats in and out a few times before we decided to do coat check. She said " Ugh! I guess I'll do it for you" with a snotty attitude. We felt really bad for making a big issue so we tipped her 100% percent of what we paid to check the coats. Everytime we went down she would outwardly show she was annoyed with us. I'm sorry but if it wasnt okay then she should have just said "this is our policy we cant check your coats in and out more than one time" before we checked our coats! Then she was in the bathroom and started complaining about her tips to another worker right in front of us! Then I had to wait for one of the bartenders to finish flirting with another bartender before even asking me for my drink order. He totally ignored me! Then started talking to another girl who I guess worked there but was off for the night and then he finally asked me for my drink order. I was standing right in front of him the entire time. Not to mention the girls at the reception desk were rude as well when I asked if we could get on a waiting list for a table. You would have to drag me kicking and screaming back to this place. Never again!
(1)
mary e.
I recently just visited bull and bear bar for the first time yesterday during lunch. I had heard that they had just one best sports bar again for the third year in a row. So I had to check it out. Our server informed us that they had just added some new items to there menu that I had to try. So I ordered there beef short rib sliders. OMG they were to die for. the beef was so tender and it had horseradish sour cream and topped with shallots all on three toasted brioche buns. I accompanied the sliders with there truffle fries. They were amazing the fries were cooked to perfection and topped with Parmesan cheese with a garlic aoili dipping sauce. It was lunch so I wasn't able to try any of there specialty cocktails but they had so many that look delicious. Our server informed us that they have 1/2 off on there appetizers and short orders from 3-6pm on mon -fri. I will be back for sure to try some of there cocktails and check out there happy hour. (which i hear is always happening). Thanks Bull and Bear for the great service and amazing food.
(5)
Amoli P.
For an all American bar, Bull & Bear differentiates itself with a better than average menu and surprisingly decent food. I've been there on weekend nights just for drinks and the place gets packed, loud, and can be quite a bit of fun. I went by yesterday evening for the Game of Thrones trivia night (and was happy to see that there are people WAY more geeky than I thought I was since we came in 14th place). The table tap booths are pretty cool, and if you've never sat at a table tap then I recommend it. There's nothing quite like being able to pour your own beer every time you need a refill and just pay by the ounce. Matilda as a table tap might get you into some trouble, but how cool is that? We ordered a variety of appetizers: the mediterranean (basically hummus, vegetables, and pita), the vegetable quesadillas, the special GOT Dragon Fire Wings (which was really just a spicy peanut sauce), and the truffle mac n cheese. I think their prices are slightly higher than what they should be for what you get, but I'd rather pay a couple extra bucks and enjoy the items than pay less and suffer through mediocre food. The hummus was surprisingly fresh and tasty. The truffle mac n cheese was very good as well as the vegetable quesadillas. I didn't try the wings but they looked good and the sauce was great. Nothing was oily or greasy. This is not the type of place you come if you're looking for a delicious meal or a culinary experience, and they don't try to advertise themselves that way. It's a great bar to come to if you're looking for a fun and unpretentious atmosphere, come-as-you-are dress code, good beer selection on tap, and actual enjoyable bar food that doesn't make you feel like you just blocked an artery. On the other hand, the Game of Thrones trivia questions were near impossible so I'm hoping they bring back Saved By the Bell trivia night!
(3)
Holly S.
They have really great signature drinks. I had one with actual watermelon chunks in it. So refreshing!!! I came in after dinner and during a hawks game, they opened up the back bar so my friend and I could watch the game, drink and relax. Great service, a little pricey (river north) and decent atmosphere.
(3)
Kavi P.
Pricey for no reason. The seasonal guacamole that had plums in it was no good. We had sought this place out to was a soccer game at....so I only even give stars for the venue and being able to watch the game.
(2)
Mark O.
A tad douchey, over priced, with a less to be desired draft beer list. With that said, the food is good. I don't always order salad, but when I do, it's a $14 southwestern salad. I keep coming back for that. Sandwiches are tasty too.
(3)
Rehan A.
Can't go wrong with the short-rib sliders and truffle mac and cheese. Amongst the best I've had! The venue of this restaurant consists of everything that a sports fan is looking for: adequate seating, view of multiple televisions, prompt service and great food! The drink prices are about average for the area, but their happy hour specials are worth coming for! Despite some of the more negative reviews here, I absolutely love the concept, food, and service. Will definitely come back next time I'm in town!
(5)
Kathleen C.
In all the times I've been to this establishment, I have disliked it....I don't like the weird layout that makes it hard to just grab a drink in the weekend and I don't like the service when it's busy (and I don't particularly like that the bathroom is in the basement)...it's not like things were ever terrible, but they weren't wonderful...ever. However, I visited with a work colleague for a happy hour and sad outside and I am happy to say that this might be one of my more favorite spots to sit outside in the area. For starters, the hostess asked me which street I'd like to sit on...I picked Hubbard and sort of laughed since that's where everyone was sitting, but I did like that I had the option. We had a nice table away from the corner in an inviting patio. The tables were great and sturdy (not always the case in various patios around the city). Service was really helpful and pleasant and they didn't mind that we were basically just sitting and chatting and not ordering a lot. Reasonable drink prices were great as things can get pricey in the area. So, worth a visit though I'd stick to the 4-star outside dining vs the 3-star inside...
(4)
Basil D.
I have only come here twice, both for brunch. Decent food, good service. That's the one sentence review. I ordered off menu, and had them make me a breakfast sandwich that I've devised over the years. I was shocked when it came out, it was made to perfection, in fact, it was the best ANYONE has ever, ever made. Kudos to the chef. He made the eggs perfectly, (fried on the grill but with a soft yolk), perfect avocados, bread toasted to perfection, a great chipotle mayo, and they stringed the lettuce so you'd get the perfect amount in every bite. The OJ was good. The coffee...oh the coffee.... The coffee tasted like it was made from a K-Cup made of an old diaper. Is it so hard to serve good coffee? Seriously? The service was excellent.
(3)
Meghan S.
Out for a bachelorette party on Saturday and our good time ended at Bull & Bust. I would give zero stars if that was an option. Our party was having a good time and maybe some were overserved, but in no way were we out of control. We had two booths reserved for our party, but one of our guests was not allowed in. Upon arrival, the bouncer and hostesses were very rude off the bat. I understand you deal with drunk people, but that is your job so you have to deal with them. The "head of security" lied and said that one of our guests swore at them, but that was not the case at all. We were just looking to have a good time with our bride to be, but that came to a huge halt when we got to Bull & Bear. We tried to calmly explain that we would watch our one guest that wasn't in good shape to continue drinking so that the other 20 girls could make the best of our reserved booths/bottle service. Well, no, we were forced to leave. I admit we then got angry, but in no way disrespectful. The manager is the most unprofessional person I've ever dealt with. She called the cops on our party and I'm still unsure why. When the cops arrived they asked if we didn't pay our tab and when the manager replied no, the cops asked why they were there?!?!? Exactly, no one knows why. That's the last time I will go to B&B and I think the same holds true for everyone in our party. It was the worst bar experience I have ever had.
(1)
Geoff S.
We had an afternoon to fill in, before a show at The Chicago Theatre, so, as is our norm, we walked around and found some drinking spots........ Bull & Bear was discovered and we sat at the bar and were tended to in a friendly and efficient manner. Nice atmosphere, good drink/beer selection. The staff answered all of our questions and we were pleased enough to have a second drink - didn't really have to twist our arms for that....... With the number of tvs on the walls, I could see it being a bit rowdy during some big games, but at the time we were there, it was a nice place to sit, drink and watch some locals (it was a Sunday afternoon). Bull & Bear is on the list of places next time in Chicago.
(3)
Brad H.
Never thought the Burger would be so good! Been coming for years for drinks and was pleasantly surprised. The sweet potato fries were also great.
(4)
Megan H.
If you're looking for an expensive hangout filled with adult frat boys with Napoleon complexes, you should go here.
My boyfriend and I are regulars here. I love going there to watch football with him. It's a great atmosphere to be in to watch the games, but it also has amazing game day specials and that's the real reason we go! Also, I've tried probably over 10 things on the menu and it's always better than I expected it to be!! Really can't go wrong with anything you choose on the menu!
(4)
Britt C.
"I think you'll like this place, they have beer" ...that's what I said to my friend as we were walking towards Bull and Bear. Little did I know that I would actually end up liking it here too. They have a pretty decent cocktail list. I ended up trying a Blue Malibu and a Lush. Both were as mentioned, decent. I enjoyed the Blue Malibu a little more than the Lush. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, which is always a plus. Outdoor seating was pretty nice. I wouldn't mind going back again, and maybe trying some food next time.
(3)
Phil S.
The food here is REALLY good. Service is just ok and drink prices are reasonable, but not great. I do like the decor and there is good people watching, but not enough for anything over 3 stars.
(3)
Jason T.
This place is good for drinks, and by drinks I mean a beer. That's about it. Super overpriced pub food snore fest that tries to be more than what it is. Is it a Stocks bar? Is it a sports bar? Is it Hooters? No idea. Loaded with TVs (shocker). But it fits the area I guess. Go elsewhere unless elsewhere is on fire.
(2)
Ashley A.
A typical place for bros, and rude people who don't care if they bump into you. Last time, I even smelled a big whiff of marijuana on one of the people in the bar. I've been here a few times just for drinks. Surprisingly found a high top table to sit at last time. They have coat hooks under the bar top, which is always a plus for me. Supposedly there is a photo booth in the place somewhere, but I never saw it, only learned of it when I checked in on foursquare & received a Photogenic badge for checking into a third place that has a photo booth. Washrooms are downstairs, which is very inconvenient for us girls wearing high heels. Music is pretty loud to the point that you have to basically yell if you want someone to hear you. One cool thing I liked was their hanging lights. (I'm big on light fixtures.) They strung a bunch of lightbulbs together to create a modern chandelier. Also, this was one of the first, if not the first, place I had heard of to have table taps. At the time, I heard it was only one of about five bars in the country to have the table taps, but either that was a lie/rumor or the trend has gone up because I have seen several other bars in Illinois with them. Still cool, though. Would I return? Meh, maybe if my friends insisted on going here & we were bar hopping in the area, but there are other bars within walking distance that I have yet to check out & that I would rather go to. Actually, if anything, I would want to return during the day to try their food & bloody marys.
(3)
Rits M.
Went here on a date. The place was a little loud for me, I do remember having to lean in and raise my voice a little. It took them 10 mins to seat us, not bad, since we came at 5.30 on a Wednesday. The table they gave us at first was kind of wobbly, and then they gave us a non wobbly one. The waitress gives recommendations, and I liked the Dirty Money that she recommended. I dont get ice in my drinks and usually this means I get a smaller glass/ a glass half full, this glass was filled to the top, which I appreciated. My date and I had the quesadilla as a starter as well, it was crunchy and they did take about 15 mins to bring it out, which makes me think it was made when ordered. Comes with a side of guac. The place itself is like a regular bar, lots of wood, but is more spacious than most. Does have a lot of screens as well (my date did me the credit of not looking at them all the time we were talking :) ) Good for an after work drink.
(3)
Charles G.
First time writing a review.... I've had several experiences at Bull & Bear and it's for a reason. I am never dissatisfied. The food is great Apps, Entrees, and Deserts ( especially the cookie! ). The ambiance is awesome and most importantly the service is exceptional. We've had several different waitresses and they are all very nice and attentive. Every time I've been there , the manager Ben was getting around to everyone making sure they were enjoying themselves. I had my birthday party there about a week ago on a Saturday. We had a little over 20 people in our group and never had an issues getting drinks. It was like we had a designated waitress who was only focused on us. That same night someone mistook my coat for there's and took it. A week later we called up there and talked to Ben. He said someone had just returned my coat and apologized for the mishap. That goes to show that not only the management and staff are exceptional, but the patrons they attract are good people as well. Go check this place out!
(5)
Frances B.
Bull & Bear is my go-to bar downtown. I usually stay away from Hubbard St., and this is far enough away from the touristy/douchey part of hubbard st. to still be nice (and expensive) but not be terribly douchey. There's never too long a wait, and even though it's crowded it's never overcrowded. The drinks are strong and the food is delicious. I love coming here with big groups because it has the great vibe of being a chill, hang out sports bar but with loud, fun music with some dancing. It's the kind of bar I can get to early and hang out at all night. It isn't cheap though, you pay to be here. But for me the experience is worth every penny. Lots of young people hang out here- young professionals. Not too many grungy people are coming to Bull & Bear.
(5)
Mike P.
Food overpriced or just portion sizes too small. Service was very slow and the music was very loud after a certain point. Then a basketball game came on and it was blasting. Very difficult to talk. I am a local and expect to be treated better than the common tourist. We were asked to leave at 7 sharp because a large group of tourists apparently had a reservation. At an after work bar on a Friday? C'mon now.
(2)
Maggie G.
I've eaten at this place before and the bar scene is fun. The tables with the beer taps are awesome for big groups of people. The food was really good when I ate there. I ordered out tonight from GrubHub and was really disappointed. I ordered fish tacos, then got nervous they might be gross, and ordered a club sandwich as well. The fish tacos were disgusting. 3 small pieces of "blackened" fish (not blackened), no coleslaw, small amount of a dressing-type sour cream, weird dipping sauce on the side. Defiantly not what I expected from this place. From how they were described on the menu they sounded like a standard fish taco, but what I got was far from that. The club sandwich was okay, its hard to go wrong with a club sandwich though. I don't think I'll be ordering from here again, eating there is a different story.
(3)
Rachel T.
I've been to Bull & Bear quite a few times now and I've always had a good time here. It can get crowded sometimes but late on the weekdays it's not bad at all. My friends and I easily made a res for 6 at 9pm through Open Table to watch the Bulls/Lakers game. They have great specials on food during the week- on Thursday (when we went) they have 1/2 priced bottles of wine and 1/2 priced burgers (except the Kobe burger). My friends and I all ended up ordering beers and burgers, along with the truffle fries and calamari as appetizers. When I ordered the truffle fries I didn't realize that the burgers all actually came with fries (or another side of your choice) because it wasn't stated on the menu. Had I known that I wouldn't have ordered the truffle fries. Oh well- nbd. The calamari was decent. For my entree I had the Blue Chip burger and sweet potato fries and it was delicious! It came with thick, crispy cuts of bacon and just the right amount of blue cheese. So worth the $7! The staff is fast and friendly and there are a decent amount of tvs around so that everyone has a pretty good view. We sat at a large U-shaped booth. The spread out space combined with the pretty loud background music makes it difficult to have a conversation with anyone at your table unless they're next to you, but that's fine if you're really mostly there to watch a game. Also- during breaks/halftimes/etc some of the tvs play music videos. I was love love loving the old school rap/hip-hop they were playing. Took me right down memory lane haha
(4)
Leang E.
I came here because of my GiltCity voucher, and have been wanting to come visit for a while. It wasn't crowded as we were here for a Sunday brunch. We were seated in a booth, and the seats were interesting. Every time my boyfriend moved or got up and sat down it raised my seat up and down like a blow-up mattress. It felt like there was no cushion and kind of uncomfortable. There were a good amount of tvs with different sports channels on, but surprisingly no baseball. Our waitress was Keeley, and she was very nice keeping the beverages coming, and trying to help me decide on a burger. She explained that the brunch burger was only available on the weekends, so I went with that. We also ordered the medium spicy wings, which was pretty good. They were $12 so I was glad that we got 12 wings and not 8 or 10 like I thought it might, otherwise they would seem pretty pricey. They had $5 mimosas that day, which was decent and came in a pint glass which really made it worth the money and worthwhile as opposed to a skinny champagne glass. We weren't asked about what temperature the meat was to be cooked for our burgers so I think all of them must come well done. I like mine medium so it was hard for me to appreciate. Despite having this ketchup with a kick to it, it still tasted kind of bland to me or lacked flavor. I wonder if I should have just gotten a salad or something else. I think this might be a good spot for drinks moreso than food. It might be a chill spot for happy hour and a night out later in the evenings.
(3)
Kari J.
Service was good. Manager compd some of our drinks because they weren't as the menu said. Id definitely go back.
(3)
Michael S.
Went here for happy hour and was quite pleased. They have half off appetizers before 7pm which I took full advantage of by ordering the truffle mac 'n cheese, quesadillas, and nachos. All three were delicious, especially the mac 'n cheese which was huge and only $4.50 after the half off. I also indulged some drinks: I had a good whiskey cocktail, followed by a glass of Woodford Reserve bourbon ($11 but the glass was filled to the brim - easily two drinks worth). Overall, I would recommend for happy hour for the drinks and half off (and delicious) appetizers.
(4)
Mike A.
Some pretty good food items. The nachos (add turkey chili) are phenomenal. The wait staff is hard working and accommodating, but manager is pretty unaccommodating, smug, and just all around rude. You can see the disappointment on the faces of the wait staff when the manager intervenes. We've seen that play out three or four times lately, and it's become a bit too uncomfortable an environment to be enjoyable.
(2)
Juliana R.
My friends and I stopped in on a Tuesday night and participated in their trivia night and we had a good time I can imagine it being pretty douchey on the weekends so I can't say that I'll ever be back on a weekend I thought their tables with the beer taps were pretty cool if I came back I would definitely like to try that out Besides that we had a decent time and our server who I can't remember her name was pretty friendly
(4)
Nataliya A.
I was here in a Friday night last weeks, and will not be coming back. The place is tiny, no room to walk, breathe, think...wayyy too many people. We did get wrist bands for like $1 donation, the drinks were then free til 11... Due to the line and lack of response from the bar tenders, I had only 1 -vodka tonic with a splash of tonic...I'd call it more of a tonic with cranberry and a splash of vodka here. The waitress was pretty rude that came by us when we sat a table that we were not aware we weren't allowed to sit at without paying a I believe $80 reservation fee? Crazy price for a bar...this isn't a lounge or a classy bar, nor would I be getting a bottle service with that price... Anyways...the wakes could have explained this nicely t us since we were not informed when coming in, plus the majority if the booths/tables were empty. Can't rate the food side we didn't eat here... We left about 1 hour after coming her.
(2)
Ken U.
Food was as bad as the service. Ordered ordered a breakfast sandwich on wheat it came out on a pretzel bun; I asked to have them remake it. The scraped off the old bun and put it on un-toasted bread. Disappointing for a $12 sandwich with only 1 piece of bacon.
(2)
T V.
Only been here for drinks but a colleague told me they had amazing fish tacos...so of course I had to see what she was talking about. We each ordered the fish tacos. Sad to say I thought they were EH. The taco consisted of grilled fish with some sort of slaw and sauce. The mix tasted a bit sour and this is without any lime in it. The cost for three tacos was $16 and there were no sides to accompany them. Pretty overpriced for below average tacos. We also ordered dessert because the waitress ranted and raved over this amazing peach cobbler gelato. What was given to us was not gelato. It tasted like an overly sweet chunky icecream. FAIL. So food here not so good...maybe I'll come back for their overpriced drinks.
(2)
Devin H.
Overrated and overpriced. The food was pretty average and they had standard bar drinks. Their differentiating feature is the taps at the tables. A lot of hype over nothing.
(3)
Ashley S.
Amazing food, fantastic Trivia, and a really cool atmosphere. I had the Turkey Chili and a house salad, Mike had the grilled chicken breast sandwich, which shocked me, becuase I hear they make a mean burger, but it was all delish! The trivia was really cool, hard, but fun, oh so fun!! I always feel smarter when I leave Trivia, and then I think to myself, why didn't I know those answers.....Geesh I'm dumb! Anyways....I'd love to come back here, everything was great!
(5)
Karen W.
Met some friends here for brunch after previous lackluster visits for drinks and lunch. The first item I ordered had "just run out." Brunch starts at 10 and it was only 11:30. So the next item I picked came with a dead bug on top. Manager(?) offered to "whip up some eggs or something." No thanks, I'll just take my business elsewhere. Nothing taken off the tab. Needless to say, won't be back. Too many better options in the area.
(1)
Kristen L.
Holy fire-hazard, Batman! Seriously. Got to Bull & Bear around 10pm for a birthday. Around 11pm it was so jam packed I literally could not move. Sure bars and clubs could get crowded, but I was literally standing shoulder to shoulder and it took me a good 10 minutes to move from the front of the bar to the back when it's only a mere 20 feet away. Note to the wise: do not order your drinks at the back bar. We ordered drinks, drank them standing at the bar, asked for more drinks and the bartender replies with, "umm...I just served you guys drinks, so you can't have any for a while." Now, I understand she might have been trying to pace her customers so no one wreaks havoc, and we had $35, 3 hour open bar wristbands and she was probably worried about not getting a tip, but seriously? You're denying us service? We moved to the front of the bar where an awesome (and fellow Asian! Woo-hoo!) bartender took our orders. We slammed them back, asked for more drinks and what does she do? She jokes, "damn, you guys are throwing them back!" and gives us our drinks...and she didn't skimp out on the alcohol! BONUS POINTS! Needless to say, all of our tips went to her that night. Other than the awesome bartender at the front bar, this place is way too jam packed and the music is "eh." Only other time I came here was last St. Patrick's day to do one shot, and after this experience, this is definitely a drink and dip kind of place!
(1)
Kate W.
Always great after work spot. It's better in the summer when you can sit outside the inside gets a little bit noisy sometimes. Great place to watch games too! The truffle Mac & cheese is to die for - it's my favorite in the area.
(5)
Burger Guide D.
The Bull & Bear Burger is the work of a genius. Premium ingredients and a completely outside the box approach to the typical flavor profile of a burger. This burger is pure comfort food. A fantastically soft brioche bun serves as the foundation upon which juicy and tender Kobe Beef is placed after being seasoned and cooked to perfection. An assortment of savory toppings such red onion marmalade, bacon aioli, and melted Gruyere complete the masterpiece. This is one of those burgers which made me re-imagine what you could do with beef, a bun, and toppings. Although they don't steal the show from the burger a side of truffle fries is in attendance to further enhance the dining bliss that is the Bull & Bear Burger.
(5)
Leslie B.
This review is based ONLY upon dining experience. I typically don't enjoy going out here because it's one of those insanely crowded bars that's filled with douchebags. However, I came here with five friends for dinner and the food was pretty fantastic. In retrospect, I would have chosen a night that wasn't a Saturday...we honestly couldn't hear a thing anyone across the table was saying. We started with the wings and nachos which were both excellent. Definitely surpassed the expectations of our entire party. I also shared the skirt steak tacos with a friend and they were great as well. We utilized the drafts at the table which were kind of overrated. We thought it would be helpful to pour our own beers, but they came out incredibly foamy. Overall, I'll dine here again, but will avoid weekend nights.
(4)
Meredith B.
Came here on a Thursday and it was paaaaaacked. In case you couldn't tell from the name of the bar, they attract a finance crowd. Many many men in suits. Also, there's a news/sports ticker running above the bar. Sports and *vomit* fox news on the TV. Not a fan of that. Literally the kind of thing that would keep me from returning. It may have been fox business; same evil, different channel. Anyway, political rant aside, they be crowded in here. And loud. I'm a little hoarse today actually. All the tables in the bar area are high tops, but they have booths and a more restaurant-y feel in the back. I walked past one of the big booths and I'm 95% sure that I saw beer taps built into the table. Is that for real?? Do they work?? That's nuts. I love that idea. I had a few vodka tonics while hanging out in the bar, and they were fairly watered down. I know this because I had two, then later a gin and tonic, and was not even buzzed. Problemo. My friend and I were starving, so we went outside on the patio. Despite Yelp saying this place is "wheelchair accessible," only the front bar area and patio technically are. Also the entire bar is high tops, so she can't eat there. Or go to the bathroom. So I'd take issue with their "accessible" cred. Fortunately it was a warm night and not yet raining, and there were actually open tables outside, so we could eat. They have a small-ish patio area that gives a nice view of the Merchandise Mart all lit up at night. We started with calamari, which was actually pretty good. The breading was super light and delicately crispy, and came with two sauces. The creamy aioli-like one was my favorite. I'm starving and wish I had some of that now... Anyway then we split the grilled chicken sandwich with bacon, avocado, and swiss cheese. And sweet potato fries. The fries were of the "sweet" persuasion, with a light cinnamon and sugar dusting. Still tasted good in ketchup. The sandwich was pretty good, nothing special, no big flavors, but basically of good quality and exactly what you'd expect. They split the sandwich in half and put it on two plates for us, which was really nice. Bathrooms are down some cavernous stairs, and somebody is not keeping an eye on the toilet paper situation because two stalls were out. Generally though, service was friendly if not super-attentive. Meh. I'll give it three stars because the food was pretty tasty, but they need to change the channel and put more G or V in their G&Ts/V&Ts. I'd willingly come back if somebody else wanted to go, but wouldn't go out of my way!
(3)
Tom C.
This place is fantastic. Good food and atmosphere. Great part of town. They also have taps on your table which is fun for a big group. Plenty of bars to walk to after dinner. I will be back no doubt. Also, not as pricey as many restaurants in the area.
(5)
Diana T.
Came here to have some drinks with friends and was very disappointed. First of all I had a tequila sunrise n it was the most appalling drink I've ever had. Then we were sitting at a table and they put bottles for another party and didn't even bother to ask us to leave or move tables. Basically kicked out with no words. The place was dead for being open late and for St. Patricks weekend. That should've been a dead giveaway!!!
(1)
Peter K.
I've been here multiple times for lunch, cocktails, even dinner once. It seems to have started out with a bang a few years ago and slowly (or quickly) sunk into the abyss of complacent (at best) service and mid-grade pub food. Although it wasn't crowded and we arrived after the lunch rush (if there even is one here anymore), our server Brianne was in a big hurry - to snatch away our menus. Other than that hurry, she was hard to find again when she should have been around. She sported an attitude from the moment we were seated. I tried to make the best of it, as two of my best customers were my guests and they had selected the place. It took forever to get a round of beers, although all three were the same Lagunitas IPAs. Both of my guests ordered gorgonzola mashed potatoes instead of fries with their burgers, which she let us know in no uncertain terms would be an upcharge. Fine, whatever. Brianne brought our second round of beers, never clearing the empty bottles off. The busser brought out our food order, with Brianne nowhere to be seen to direct the poor guy as he put down the three orders hurriedly, none in front of the person who ordered it, and one just sort of shoved at the table, not in front of anyone. We noticed right away that one of the mashed potato orders was the plain, rather than gorgonzola, and tried to hail Brianne. She did a hand wave as if to say, "In a minute." She proceeded to wait on another table and get their order while our food got cold. Well, actually, my fries were pretty cold when they arrived at the table. Once she got over to our table, she explained that she had ordered one of each kind of potato. Why? I have no idea. We had to push her to replace the wrong order. No apology, no taking responsibility, just weird. We knew what we had ordered. The burgers were pretty good, done exactly the way we had ordered them. My fries were cold, and we were half way done with our meal before we finally got the right gorgonzola mashed potatoes. She popped back once to ask if we wanted a third round of beers, which we didn't. Yet she never cleared any of the empty bottles, of which there were now six, until after we payed our bill and left. Bizarre. Needless to say, rather than having a positive experience to increase my customers' happiness, most of our discussion at lunch was how this server could keep her job.
(1)
Francisco F.
After some confusion with the event coordinator (her fault), a busboy spilling BBQ sauce on my shirt (his fault), and ridiculously expensive drinks (our fault), I was ready to give this place 1 star. However, this bar saved itself and deserves a star for each of the following: 1) fattening binge food, truffle fries. They. were. tasty. 2) my poison has always been any available malty beer; but #4 from the drink menu: cucumber infused belvedere, watermelon, lemon, and lime did it for me. It was so #$%^& good. 3) my waitress and bartenders serving were friendly that Tuesday night. But, I wouldn't go back for another trivia night until the event coordinator becomes organized and efficient at the job.
(3)
Victoria G.
Its an ok bar for a drink and to watch a game. The menu is standard bar menu but other places have better
(2)
Anthony M.
I love bull and bear. It's a great place to kick back after a day at work. The bull and bear burger is one of my favorite in this city. I can always rely on B&B to satisfy my hunger. The place is always clean, the food always delicious and no matter what there is always a TV playing your favorite game. Service is usually top notch.
(5)
Colleen C.
Saturday night, 7pm. Me (+2): Hi, we'd like a table for 3. Hostess: Oh, it's first come, first serve in this area (points to front). Me: Ok, what about the back? (spy ALL empty tables) Hostess: Sure, you can sit at the bar back there... Me: Ok. :::::::walk 25 steps::::: *all "tap tables" have reserved signs, but are EMPTY. Fair enough. I don't have $500 for cheap keg beer, anyway. Bud Light? Thanks, I could get that at the liquor store. Stella is a step above, but...yeah. Ok. I get the novelty... *one 4-top near the bar is open, with no "reserved sign." Me: Is this ok to sit here? Bartender: Oh, uh...you have to ask the hostess. (NO ONE is at the bar) Me: really? Bartender: Yeah. :::::spin around, walk 25 steps BACK, ask hostess, she seats us with menus:::: C'mon guys, this is NOT hard. My advice, you pretty looking people.... Hostess: if you have a group come in that wants a table at 7pm, then seat them at an empty table, so they can eat. And spend money at your business. Bartender: If you have NO ONE AT THE BAR, go ahead and go that extra bitty mile and go talk to the hostess FOR your guests, so that they aren't bounced back and forth. It's not that far, I get it. It's so not far that you should move yourself and go make sure its all legit. Then you can get me that overpriced Bud Light, kthx. The food is still just fine, but really...in this neighborhood, the options are many, and I won't get it served up with a side of apathy dressed with glitter. Pretty People. Pretentious. Pass.
(2)
Margaret D.
Came here for a co-workers birthday. Liked the food, no one had anything bad: classic burger, braised short rib sliders, grilled salami sandwich, pork tacos and special of that day was a fish sandwich. Good place for after hour drinks, or lunch, happy hour. Plenty of TVs. What really stood out. at least on this visit, was the service. Our server was friendly, attentive, joked around a little, really took care that we were all happy. When everything else about a place is acceptable or good, great service helps. Scratch that, great service helps no matter what but our server is what stood out most. Would come back knowing the place has good waitstaff.
(3)
Michael A.
Just moved to Chicago, and I really like this place. It's local and a traditional sports bar with the exception of brunch and bottomless mimosas and bloodies on the weekend. Decent selection of beers on tap and the food is better than I expected. I've tried the nachos, Kobe sliders, and the truffle Mac and cheese, along with the home made pop tarts and breakfast tacos. All were very good. Caught the final four there last night and liked that the game audio is broadcast throughout the bar, switching to a good selection of music during the commercial breaks. I'll be back often.
(4)
Robert F.
Bull and Bear is one of those places that is simple...Good food...Good drinks..and they don't charge you insane amounts for either... You can tell the people that visit this bar are mature..20-30's age ppl that are not gonna be wanting to wait in a 45 minute line outside and begging to get in. The place rocks! Servers are cool and the inside is great. Best wings in the city so far!
(5)
Remington L.
I highly recommend this place for a Sunday Brunch. Professional service and a kind staff. This lounge like restaurant has a wide variety of choices on the menu. I had the mimosa with my meal and would advise you to try it as well.
(4)
Chris L.
Came here for a friends bday and to watch the bears game. So initially, I was not that excited about heading all the way downtown, what can I say, I'm a full fledged card carrying suburbanite... But, I was pretty impressed with Bull and Bear. That atmosphere was pretty sports-barish and they had plenty of tv's to watch the game. Originally, I hadn't planned on drinking too much and decided to get a bloody marry...$11! I know what your thinking...holy shit, right? Luckily the waitress pointed out that they had a game day special $30 for bottomless bloody's and a free bowl of chilli. I'll get to the chilli in a minute. The first bloody marry I got was awesome, complete with celery, and olive, and bacon...Unfortunately, the first one was the only one that came with bacon. The chilli that came with the special was "make your own" meaning you get a card, and get to check off everything you wanted in the chilli!! There were some pretty good options int here, I went with fries, bacon, shells, buffalo sauce, and an egg. I gotta, say, it was some pretty damn good chilli. The other cool thing I like about the bar were the tables, they had huge booths, and each booth had its own beer tap on it. You can dispense your own beer at the table, and you pay by the ounce. We didn't try this, but I still thought it was pretty awesome. The main downfall for this place is parking. Street parking is pretty sparse nearby, and the lots in the area are a guaranteed $30.
(4)
Michele N.
We went late night on a Friday to watch the late game of the NCAA tournament. Great drink/beer specials for the tournament. Unfortunately, they close their kitchen at ten, which seems a bit early on a weekend. But, they have great tv's for sports viewing, a fun crowd and excellent servers who keep you hydrated! I'd definitely return to check out their food options.
(3)
Hank S.
Kobe sliders and truffle fries washed down with local brew were plenty for two. Upon request bartender put my team's opening day game on a convenient TV. Service a bit slow but otherwise a great meal. Better than your average burger joint. Would definitely eat here again (except that we are not local and Chicago has so many places to eat!).
(4)
Michael T.
This bar looks fun inside. They have beer. Their name is a knockoff of the bull & bear at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. The bartenderess let me plug in my phone charger, but her manager told he she couldn't do this. They lost my business. I recommend that they fire their manager.
(2)
Justine M.
Always passed by this place on the brown line and finally went in for a happy hour with work. We reserved a booth and expected about 7 people to join. They were quick to seat us (needed at least 4 in our party to get seated) and accommodated us when more of our party arrived. They even brought over chairs and weren't upset about us staying in the aisleway. We ordered a few drinks and appetizers - standard bar food. The booth we were in had its own self serving tap - pretty cool. Cool ambiance - definteley more for sports watching. Not sure what prices were. I'd guess mediocre - not too high and not cheap.
(3)
Lisa B.
Very cool upscale bar near the Merchandise Mart. Had read about their 'fantastic' brunch menu so we were in the city for a Buddy Guy concert, had stayed the night nearby and decided to try them out. Unfortunately we arrived on a Friday morning at 11:30 and I now understand they only have brunch on the weekends - makes sense in the city. We made reservations for 11:30 not realizing the place opens at 11:30 on the weekdays. We arrived at 11:25, couldn't get in the front door, so walked to the side and literally happened upon the hostess stand where two of the front desk staff was hanging out. They looked at us kind of funny and I said, "did we come in the wrong door?" "No, we don't open until 11:30. I looked at my watch, she looked at me, I looked at her, no words were exchanged. I looked around, saw the staff was having a team meeting in one of the booths - the manager told the hostess to go ahead and seat us. Minor blip on the radar. The place was literally empty aside from us and one other couple, and the hostess brought us up to the second level to a hightop table in the bar area. There were six or eight booths set for four, none w/ reservation cards, so I asked if we could sit in one of those. Well, she asked us to wait because she needed to check. Hello, why aren't people empowered to use their brains and just do the right thing? It truly is not rocket science. She came back and conceded to seating us at a booth closer to the door, further from the bar. Another minor blip on the radar screen. The booths have taps right on the table - what?!?!? Yes, you read right, tappers right on the table, swipe your credit card, fill your own glass. OMG, whoever thought of this is brilliant. We weren't imbibing (had intended to come for breakfast after all) but again, brilliant! Server came right away and was attentive throughout the meal. Bussers constantly filled the water glasses, hot water for tea, etc. Had a chx sandwich w/ avacado and hmmmmm....can't remember what else, but the chx was cooked just right, sandwich overall was great. Ordered the sweet tater fries w/ it which i also enjoyed. One of us ordered wings, enjoyable, spicy, but not wickedly hot. Another whose watching calories, fat, etc., ordered the boneless wings - bad idea - it was a chicken breast that had been grilled, smothered w/ bbq and sliced up. Not sure what we expected, but that wasn't it. Overall, I'd say the food is decent and the wait staff was great. Hostess staff, notsomuch.
(4)
Christine S.
I walked into Bull & Bear on a Tuesday night and didn't really know what to expect. I pony up to the bar cause that's where I like to sit and we meet Beth, who really is an awesome bartender. She's on top of everything. Vodka soda for me, Vodka tonic for my partner in crime, ahhh Beth, you made them perfectly! We ordered the Quesadilla Bites with chicken and the hummus plate and both apps were absolutely delish! The quesadilla bites are covered in a tasty salsa and the hummus plate is HUGE! OMG, and what is that I see, trivia on the TV screens? Yup! Everyone knows I love me some trivia! I checked the website the next morning only to realize that they have a $150 cash prize... damn! I wish I woulda knew that Bull & Bear had trivia on Tuesday nights, cause I woulda been here at start time. They don't do the traditional trivia where the person is yelling into a microphone to get everyone attention, they have all of the questions on TV screens. I like it! Bull & Bear is a beautiful clean bar. Spotless bathrooms. Great service (but I've only had Beth). Delish food (from what I've had). I'm not sure this is my scene on the weekends, but Tuesday nights, count me in!
(4)
Terry F.
A friend and I stopped in the Bull and Bear bar while we were waiting on our to-go order at Lou Malnati's Pizza next door. It was a chilly evening in the Windy City, so we were fortunate enough to find a great seat in the bar near the front door. Long story short, we dropped $55 there but what a great time we had! The truffle fries were AWESOME! Big enough for two. Didn't try anything else on the menu, however. The server was super-nice. She told us about a fantastic tequila cocktail--once we adjusted it to have Don Julio instead of Jose Cuervo--we had three. Needless to say, after that onslaught on our livers, we were hammered and ready to pick up our pizza and head back to the hotel!
(4)
Kelsey H.
Boo
(1)
Mark L.
Food is decent. Service was horrendous, as was their attempt at a Bloody Mary. I'd politely decline my next invitation. There are much better options down Hubbard.
(2)
Christina A.
This has to be one of my favorite spots in Chicago! The food is so good! The truffle fries are amazing, I could seriously eat them all day! EVERYTHING on the menu is so delicious, you won't be disappointed! The drinks there are just as good as the food! The sangria there is amazing and their drink called the Lush is so good! They use fresh fruit, you HAVE to try it!! The staff was super nice from the moment I walked in the door. The hostess and server was really nice and attentive. The managers even came by to see how our food was. What a great place! Definitely one of my regulars!!
(5)
Jason T.
A fun happy hour spot on a nice day. The drinks are fairly decent and priced appropriately. I recommend bringing some co-workers after hours (Or for lunch) and grabbing a drink or two. Never try too hard here though because staff is still young and trying to make good money. They are friendly, but can be unaccommodating if they feel you are trying to pull a fast one. I didn't have a chance for a bite, but the food that came out looked good and smelled like it was hot and ready to be devoured. Taste: N/A Location: 4/5 Ambiance: 3/5 Experience: 2/5 Flavor: N/A Overall: 3/5
(3)
Jennifer K.
Maybe being in hospitality makes you hold service to the highest level of expectations, but I must say our waitress was a big disappointment. She really didn't want to be there and serving us. Erin R was short and was of no assistance when we were ordering. In fact that's the reason why my friend accidentally ended up ordering a beer that was actually served in a 9 pint glass. After hour work drinks on Mondays aren't suppose to consist of 9 pint beers. The other staff seemed very lovely and this is most likely an isolated incident.
(2)
Liz O.
After reading some of the reviews I was skeptical about the venue. However, immediately upon entering, I was pleasantly surprised. First hand, the hostesses (Adrian and Sam) were very welcoming and greeted us within seconds upon entering. I truly valued this welcome because the crowded nature of this bar can be quite intimidating. Although it was congested we managed to get through to the bar. I was further impressed on the promptness of giving my drink order to the bartender. I was further impressed by the service, promptness, and graciousness of the bartender. Her ability to multi-task and take drink orders with a smile was beyond my expectation. So when you visit and see that Leah is behind the counter, you can bet on getting quality service. Granted, I had a great time because of the company I was with. However, the experience was memorable because of the positive customer service we received. Lastly, the music was awesome...they were jamming to 90's and current jams...great DJ! I would go back!
(3)
Chrissy W.
What's with all the hate for this place? It seems like there is automatically a negative premise set when individuals enter certain establishments; namely those in River North, Lincoln Park, Lakeview and other near north bars. But I digress. I went here with a friend tonight after work. it was crowded but we were able to get a table. Service was prompt and the drinks were tasty and strong. Prices were a little high but that's what you get with the neighborhood. I'm a huge fan of the Bloody Mary (yeah so what if it is 6pm; they taste good any time of day) and their's was pretty tasty. It even came with a piece of shrimp and an olive! A nice touch I thought the crowd would be pretentious based on other reviews, however it seemed no different than any other happy hour crowd enjoying an alcoholic beverage after a long day at the office. I'll definitley be back.
(4)
Tu'ens N.
Food is pretty good but overpriced ($18 burgers). Service is not good. I was there when it was nearly empty on a Sunday night and they still weren't great - for example we had two people at a table for four and they never took away the extra cups and place settings which left the table crowded and I eventually just put the stuff on one of the empty seats. I tried their gigantic cookie. It was like those tollhouse cookies that are brownie size but are made from chocolate chip batter. Not bad. Mini meatball sandwiches were very good I must say. They are $9 and are relatively big.
(3)
Aaron R.
It's overpriced. The sandwiches are okay. The fries always seem like they've been sitting around for a while. It's not a destination for food or nightlife. It's a bar. On a quieter night, it's a good local place to meet up with someone for a drink or to people watch. But other than that I would never wait to get into this place and always avoid it on the weekends. It's just not that special.
(3)
anthony t.
Always busy but somewhat snobby staff. They know they are busy so customer service kind of goes out the window. That said the place has a great atmosphere although it gets kind of tough to move around. Good pub food if you can get a table and the staff is definitely easy on the eyes.
(3)
Jennifer S.
If you are talking about cocktails for Happy Hour or Weekend Nights... this place is rockin and the drinks are great. This review is for the food! IT IS TERRIBLE! Do not eat here unless you are ordering appetizers! I've had lunch here three times and each time it was wrong and/or bad. The Salads are all the same and have few ingredients other than lettuce. YUK. This week my grilled cheese sandwich came with turkey in it, bonus I thought. Nope, the brioche tasted stale and the cheddar was lacking. Kudos to the soup... it was supposed to be tomato but tasted like squash... still good though. And the big cookie? Delish, but really? Do we need a cookie that feeds 70 people? WAY TOO BIG... Like I said- Snack here, drink here, don't eat a meal here!
(2)
Fransico H.
Wish I could give it 0 stars... LAME!!!!!!! Its the kind of place where you get the too cool crowd. (Yeah thats sarcasm) Your typical bar that feels it has a sexy cool staff. Come on youre only sexy in the MIDWEST and JERSEY SHORE! Thats kind of like being the only smart person on the little yellow bus. The prices are high and the staff really couldve cared less that we were there. Mind you I dont look like the typical trader or money monger... However I had plenty of cash to spend! I guess if you dont fit the type you just arent welcome at B&B
(1)
Renee L.
This place was nice....I like the theme and all, appropriate for the location of course. The food was pretty darn good too. We had a hummus plate and I also tasted my friend's sweet potato fries and they were delish. My only complaint is that I did order, under the STRONG, recommendation of our insistant server, the fish tacos...I don't consider myself super sensitive to spice but honestly, my mouth was burning so bad, I couldn't get through my dinner...which is unfortunate because I wanted to like it, I just couldn't taste anything but heat....a warning from the server that was adament about it being a greatly popular dish would have been nice!
(3)
Allison R.
Nothing very special about this place: The food and drinks are ridiculously overpriced and the crowd is mostly downtown workers looking to be seen (sadly, I just went there this past week). I thought the service was acceptable... it doesn't help that one of the people I went with knew the server, so that helped. But I saw some people waiting a while to be helped. Everyone who works there practically part-times as a model, so they're nice to look at. And the location is great. It's okay... I probably wouldn't be making this a regular place to go to. PS Don't try the Nacho Index... it's horrible.
(3)
Sam P.
I went to Bull & Bear again after a few months since it is literally across the street from our office. I ended up having an awful experience. The food is okay, however, when you take into consideration the price, it's pretty horrible. This place is way overpriced for what it is. Further, the staff, are all horribly rude and inhospitable. I'm not sure if they think they are a club or a restaurant. There are plenty of great options in River North, so do yourself a favor and skip this one.
(1)
Anne D.
I came here for lunch with some work friends recently and we were all pretty underwhelmed. It was a beautiful day and we ate out on the patio, which was very nice, and the server was also very friendly, even in the face of special requests and us not being able to figure out how we wanted to split the check. We all enjoyed our food well enough, but nothing was really worth returning for (except perhaps the truffle mac and cheese, which I tried a bite of.) The turkey burger was pretty tasty, but I've had better. The truffle fries were fine (not truffly enough for my taste) but apparently cost an extra $4?? Yikes. One of our group ordered the feta salad, and when it came out it was literally the same size as the side salad...we were all perplexed because it was a $12 salad! $12 for a side salad with no meat seems a bit ludicrous. All in all, a so-so experience. The food was decent, but I've had much better at similar River North spots, so I don't think I'll be in a rush to return.
(3)
Dina E.
The food is amazing. i had the boneless BBQ wings, and they were tender and flavorful. The crowd is friendly and upbeat. The space gets a little crowded, but what bar doesn't? It's not too hard to find a place to sit if you need to. Also, I like going out during the week, and it's a good place to go to on a Wed or Thurs. This place is good for guys to go to because it is one of the few places that doesn't charge you guys cover in River North. Good music, good crowd, good food.
(4)
Mac B.
I was really hoping to like this place, but...not so much. Armed with a youswoop.com coupon, I came here on a nice summery warm Friday evening. This place was sooooo crowded. I wanted to sit outside, but since they have so few outdoor tables, I had to sit inside. This place was LOUD, music blaring so loud that I could barely hear myself think, much less hold a conversation. I guess if you are a 20something and want to party hard after work, then this place is great, but if you are not and you would like to have some food and drinks in a semi-relaxing atmosphere, head elsewhere. Speaking of the food, I got some kind of specialty burger and fries. My companion got a fancy sandwich. Everything was way overly greasy and salty...and I like greasy salty foods! But this was a week's sodium intake and it wasn't just one thing, it was everything. This place fancies itself to be upscale, but to me it felt more like pretentious. Add to that, this place is needlessly pricey. What you are paying a premium for, I don't know, but if you are paying full price (sans discount coupon) then you are paying too much here. Today I see a coupon for half off on the 3 O'Clock club for this place and I'm not even tempted to go back, even though it's close to where I work. Once is more than enough. No bull here, it's definitely a bear market.
(2)
David A.
I can say I do not understand everyone's terrible reviews. I have been here under 10 times, at all times possible, only one not so good experience, but when a bar is new, what can you expect. They sometimes overcrowd the place at night, a reason not to really go to late on a weekend. I have been here in the early afternoon and after work and those times I have had the best times. The wait staff is attentive and good looking. It is not a club, its a place with good food, good drinks and good service, and I will be back. I do dream of reserving a tapper table on of these Sunday fundays during the NFL football season.
(4)
Damon M.
I was stoked that this place was opening up and have been there quite a few times since it opened since I work only a few blocks away. Since their opening, I've been for breakfast (St. Patty's Day), Lunch, and Dinner. Breakfast: Good Eggs Benedict. Lunch: Great selection here. The burgers are awesome. The salads are great. Truffle fries are unreal. Dinner: Wings are awesome. Especially the Teryaki. The hummus is real good, as are the Mashed Potato's Drinks: The Bloody Mary is terrible. Beer list is about a 6 out of 10. Taps at the table, can't beat it. Great to kick back and not have to wait for a pint refill. Atmosphere: Great vibe. Every time I've been the place has been packed and we've had a good time. Only one issue one night when we were trying to eat dinner and a group of guys put their empties on our table. After a few choice words from my wife, they decided to place them elsewhere. The final reco: Good Bar, not a great bar. Good food, not great food. Definitely a place to check out for lunch/dinner/drinks. Hope you enjoy.
(3)
Claudia D.
They got three stars instead of two only because their fries saved them. I'm a fan of their fries....all of them. I come here once in a while but I don't think I will be coming back for lunch. I've been here twice in the last month. 2 Lunch Visits They give you the option of turning any salad into a wrap. I thought it was a great idea. I was wrong. Wrap fell apart. Very bland. During today's visit I had the chicken quesadilla. It was pretty good. No complains. Why do I want to give them two stars? They are super slow. Last time I was there I think it took them 30 mins to bring out our food. It's lunch time people! Some of us have to get back to the office. Today was by far the worse! My girlfriend and I got there and ordered our food. Our buddy joined us 15 mins later and placed his order. You figured it would only be 15-20 mins between the time they brought out my gf and my order and the time they brought out my buddy's. Wishful thinking. It took them 45 mins to bring out my friend's food from the time he ordered. My girlfriend and I were done eating and still waited another 20 mins. They were kobe sliders. How difficult are they to make? The server kept saying they were on their way but no luck. Eventually we asked to have my buddy's food to go. Even then, it took them almost another 20 mins in addition to the 45 mins to place his food in a to go container. It turned into a two hour lunch. In their defense they didn't charge my buddy for his lunch. Not going back though.
(3)
Martie M.
Nice place, awesome outside dining, and so many beautiful people. Great place for singles. Food is also amazing - great Kobe burger and the chocolate chip cookie w/ice cream dessert is heaven!
(3)
Izzy N.
Hot guys hang out here. It's kinda dark so it's okay if you look a little rough. A LITTLE I said. Have some self respect. Good sports bar. you're welcome readers.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Valet, Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Loud Music : DJ Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Jen J.
Wow, I just created a Yelp profile soley for providing a review of Bull and Bear. I had never been and spent but a few minutes there this past weekend however, I thought my experience was best shared. The employees had completely inappropriate behavior (ie: male bouncers touching me) and most importantly, made racially insensitive comments to two of my friends. Please do not support this bar-not due to the possibilty that you will have a parallel experience, but because of what this type of behavior represents. Competely unacceptable, hurtful and unprofessional treatment of women and diverse populations. Thanks for your support by not giving any to this venue.
(1)Zen M.
Named for the stockmarket (sorry Chicago fans, it's not the sports teams!), this is a comfortable, dare I say "swanky" hangout. Pretentious? No. Not when I was there. The staff was laid-back, fun and welcoming. A manager, Luke, stopped by to see how the food was and took honest criticism with ease. My friends and I appreciated that. The self-serve tap at the table was fun and ensured cold brew all night long. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the bathroom attendant. She was very nice and kept the facilities nice, but I feel awkward having someone else pump my soap and hand me paper towel. I would go back to this place any time. If you're in the area, give it a try!
(4)Joshua S.
Good sports bar. Plenty of TVs. Smallish place, so it can get crowded. On weekend nights, it is a little more trendy bar than sports bar, so if you just want sports, head somewhere else. If you want sports on as a background, but really want to be seen, maybe dance a bit, and act a fool, then it is a good spot for a Friday/Saturday night. The DJ on Fridays plays all the old school jams that bring me back to my glory days (last time he even busted out Warren G.)
(4)Jessica S.
Oh man, where to begin? Do I even bother with the second star? I'm glad I waited almost 24 hours to write this because it would have been even more harsh than it's about to get up in here... We were invited here for a KU/Texas Alumni Association Happy Hour. "Specials" included half price wings and quesadillas (still $5.50 for the quesadilla - are you kidding me?), $5 bloody marys (isn't that what they usually cost?), and $3 bud light (woop dee freakin' doo, it's bud light, it should cost $1). So here we are at this overpriced, overcrowded bar filled with a f*ck ton more people than just our alumni event. A group of 8 of us squeezed into a booth and ordered a round of drinks after our server, Sarah S., took over 10 minutes just to find out what the specials were for our event (and to find out what time our event officially "started" even though we told her it started at 6 she didn't seem to believe us). We order the drinks, and I get this craptastic blood mary. A lime and a lemon wedge for garnish? Get with it folks, where's my pickle spear? A prosciutto slice? An olive? Nothing. We order 5 quesadillas, 1 order of wings, and a chili. The food came out and my chicken quesadilla was delicious though I would have NEVER paid the full $11 for it. However, even though we ordered 5 quesadillas, 6 came out. The food runners just left the 6th quesadilla on our table even though we told them we didn't order it. So now comes the bill and guess what? Not only did little miss snooty face waitress add the automatic gratuity on there (since she probably knew we weren't going to give her jack shit), she charged us for the 6th quesadilla. AND she gave us total attitude about it. When she walked away to find her manager, she huffed and puffed and when she spun away, she rolled her eyes - TWICE. So here comes the manager, Iggy, struttin up to us in his cheap Men's Warehouse blazer and gives us attitude about this damn quesadilla. Guess what guy? It's $5.50 - just comp it. You're a GD manager - take care of it. We're dropping a ton of money here, what's your beef? He finally goes to comp it for us and then throws out some snide remark about how Jayhawk basketball "isn't even that good this year." Regardless of how false this statement is, why on earth would he give us attitude about KU when half of the bar was filled with Jayhawks? What a d-bag. So, in conclusion: -overcrowded -overpriced -snooty, inexperienced waitresses who wear so much damn eye makeup they can't hardly see what they're doing. Seriously, they need to hire some better girls here because her customer service was terrible. I had MUCH trashier, poorer, and ruder people when I worked at Dave and Buster's in KC and I was 10 times as nice to them as she was to us. -cocky faced managers who think because they graduated from some double wide that passed for a business school that they can be dicks to their customers -terrible bloody marys -no concept of what a "special" means I will most certainly not be back, thanks to Sarah S. and Iggy.
(2)Scott N.
Great food prepared by a very talented chef. The place is packed despite the economy and you can't do anything but tip your hat because the ownership group obviously knows how to pack them in. Definitely worth visiting.
(5)Kelly G.
Pretty much everything sucks here except the food, let's just put that right out there. My friend and I came here on the first truly fall-feeling day of September (chilly and windy) and were informed that we had to sit outside because they had no idea when a table would be available inside. Really? Your entire job is JUST to seat people, and you don't know when you can do that? They offered us the bar, but that was cramped and loud as fuck so we said no. So they sat us outside (even though it looked like it might rain) in the damn wind tunnel of downtown. Now, the waitress was nice, I will give her that. And she braved the chill to get our orders and make sure we were okay. We ordered 5 buffalo wings, 5 asian wings, the sausage fest (lol), and the truffle fries. Once the food arrived, we were super pumped - not only because we were hungry, but we were hoping the hot food would warm us up. But of course, not 10 minutes into eating, it started to rain. We asked to go inside and the waitress said she wasn't sure we could. Wait. What? We were just told we could sit at the bar, and now it is THAT packed? She ended up seating us at a private table on the second level that was reserved for 7:15. It was 6:30. So, pretty much, we could have been sitting at the table the ENTIRE TIME. Damn. Since the waitress apparently only did outdoor seating, she asked us to order the rest of what we wanted so she could close our check. We ordered the s'mores but they were out - wtf? how do you run out of S'MORES?? It has THREE INGREDIENTS. So we ended up with another round of drinks and the cinnamon sugar doughnut holes. I gave her my groupon and she was off. The food was great. The medium wings were spicy, the asian wings had a great sauce, the fries were fucking AWESOME, and the sausage (lol) was great. Well...the lobster sausage was kind of gross. But the other two were tasty. Almost done with our food, she returned saying the Groupon pretty much made us even. Rad, I thought, waiting for her to return with the usual tax and tip fees. We got our doughnut thingies, which were the worst food served of the meal - bland fried hollow balls of dough. Avoid them. We pushed them to one side and started working on our drinks. And waited for them to bring our check and clear the table, since they had a reservation. We waited. And waited. After 40 minutes (WAY past the supposed "reservation" of the table), we threw down some cash for tip and headed out. I guess we were forgotten at our supposed "high priority reservation" seating. Overall, the food is good but not great enough for the spotty service and crammed loud bar full of d'bags.
(2)K. A.
This place is upscale bar food, but they have a good variety of salads and sandwiches and so far I've liked everything I've had there. The inside is dark and a bit loud (it's a bar) but they also have nice outdoor seating, which I love! All in all, I actually think I want to try going back there more often.
(4)Michelle Marie R.
Hit up this place on a Wednesday afternoon for a quick drink. We wound up staying! Of course it gets pretty full after the market closes but that's part of it's charm. Great half price happy hour and wide selection of beer specials. Try the buffalo chicken strips (not fried!) or the boneless wings! They were a big hit!
(3)Brendan O.
Patio is great for people watching and food is great for lunch! Shopping round the Mart and need a place to bring clients or entertain friends for lunch then this is the spot for you! I met a friend for lunch on a lazy Monday afternoon and we sat on the patio which offers a sidewalk view of passerby's. We were seated towards the end of the patio which was great because we were far enough away from the table next to us that we were able to talk shit without them hearing us. The food was what you might expect but everything was done well. Quesadilla bites were a bit saggy, almost watery, but that's what happens when you add more cheese than chicken. The guacamole was very good. We split the Bull and Bear Burger, which was the best burger I've had in a while, and the Fish and chips which were tasty. The grapefruit tartar and the bacon aioli were delish! We ended up splitting the Molten Lava Cake with berries and needless to say we weren't disappointed.
(4)Adam P.
Had a friend from out of town staying near here and we wanted to watch the ALDS games so went to this "sports" bar. I'm not trying to be too harsh here, it wasn't awful, it's just not really a sports bar. It's a club/bar that happens to have a ton of TV's w/ sports on. Crowd was mostly 20-something professionals - with a healthy dose of jersey shore. Solid food (Bull & Bear burger w/ guryere cheese and truffle fries was great) and a decent beer list.
(2)Ellie B.
Kind of a confused place. Went on a Friday evening for dinner. It was really crowded, so we ended up sitting at the bar, which gave us a really good view of the skankily clad bartenders. We had mac and cheese and wings and a beer each. The food was really delicious, especially the mac and cheese. They played a weird selection of 90s music -- a combination of pop rock, pop punk, and other random stuff. The crowd was also a strange mix, of young people just off work and old people trying to look like young people just off work. The menu tried to be cute with dishes like "Smore Money, Smore Problems" and "Just for the Halibut," but who wants to pay $8 for a chocolate chip cookie just because it has a cute name? In general, good food, weird scene.
(3)Andrew T.
Good variety on the menu although it's not huge.. I must admit I only had the wings ("Unbearabulls" and they were spicier then I thought they would be) and a desert... I can't believe that people order the wings regularly as the waitress claimed. The waitresses are super-nice and borderline flirty. A little loud but a nice, clean bar environment with a lot of tvs all around. A little pricier but definitely worth it.
(4)Tina M.
Wow what a terrible place. I came here for Sunday brunch and it was full of loud, obnoxious frat boys watching the game (which game, I couldn't tell you). There was about a 15 minute wait for a table, which was fine. Our server was very sweet. Perky is probably the best word to describe her. My friend and I passed on the build your own mimosa bar, prefering not to spend $9 on one drink. My friend ordered waffles, which were just ok, and came with a side of congealed fruit. I ordered a vegetarian wrap...which came with chicken. The server was apologetic and made it re-made for me right away. It was pretty good but absolutely not worth $13. Yes that's $13 for a vegetarian wrap with nothing on the side. I felt dirty. There is absolutely no way I would return.
(2)Ela G.
Went to Bull and Bear for a birthday party this weekend. We got a great booth with the beers on tap right there for us! This was so novel that I enjoyed the freedom and accessability of having a beer ON DEMAND, although some of our guys needed a tutorial on how to pour the proper beer without a mountain of foam on top:) Our server was attentive and friendly, the music was great, and the food was delicious! The sliders, wings and tuna tartare were excellent. In addition, I noticed that all-in-all this was a gathering of pretty good-looking people (me and my friends included, a-hem!). If you are single, both men and women are here looking around and both are making a considerable effort to get to know one another. In general I thought this place had a great energy, everyone was friendly and having a great time. My only complaint was that at a few points in the evening it was a little TOO crowded, but when it opened up it was very pleasant. I'll be back.
(4)Bharat W.
I had heard good things about wings from Bull & Bear. I am a huge wing aficionado and get random strong cravings for wings. So on a Saturday evening when I am starving I did a pick up order from Bull and Bear. Never before have I eaten wings this piss poor in quality. I am known as the human garbage disposal for practically eating anything however these wings were not edible. I had to spit half of them out because they were so dry. The wing sauce was decent but I could not bring to feed these wings to my dog. A week later a business partner was hosting a happy hour event for our team at B&B and also ordered the wings and they were completely a disappointment. I am sorry, wings are not the toughest thing to prepare and when every bar and restaurant consider it a staple appetizer, not sure how B&B manages to fail so miserable. Fast forward 10 months, we did a delivery for their Kobe burger and the no bull burger, delivery took close to 2 hours when ETA was an hour and our orders were missing the fries. A good restaurant is one that oversees and delivers consistency in its quality, Bull & Bear is not that place. Cool place to go have drinks but food serving and food quality are not their thing. Zaaaa!!
(1)Brooke W.
Great place to grab a drink and the food is absolutely amazing! I love the location--very trendy! Me and my friend come here ALL the time and always have a great time, especially on Thursday nights! Trendy place, cool atmosphere, and sexy people--you can't go wrong!
(5)Jason M.
This place was great, the bartender was awesome, very friendly too. The drinks were reasonably priced and they had a great selection. Some of the clientele seemed to believe they were better than everyone else there, which was a drawback. But other than that, the atmosphere was good. Definitely would go back when in Chicago again.
(3)C. B.
This is a trixie & trader bar --not my normal scene, but also what I'd expect the bar to be --so I'm not knocking them on stars for not being my ideal crowd. I've been to B&B a few times before and had a decent time but it seems the issue has now become, as other recent reviews have mentioned, the service. Or complete lack thereof. I went to Bull & Bear this weekend with a group of friends. We had an 8:30pm reservation at one of the tables with the keg taps directly at the table for a friend's birthday. Cool idea! We arrived at about 8:25 and were told they were kicking the people out of our table, and we'd be seated shortly. Great! We got drinks from the bar and waited by the hostess stand. Where everything started to fall apart. The 2 hostesses completely ignored us, avoided eye contact, and actually called one of my friends a b*tch when she nicely asked for an update on timing for getting our table. This was after waiting 35 minutes with NO update from them on what was going on with our table. Other people we didn't know who were also in the front of the bar also overhead the b*tch comment and came over to tell us what she'd said. Unbelievable. Unprofessional. Talk about turning people off to a bar that we'd spent quite a bit of money on in the past. We asked to speak to a manager, who was apologetic -but we were just done by then. The short story: Bull & Bear has the most unprofessional staff I've ever seen. And let me assure you, I've been to a lot of bars! If you're just going for standing up and flirting and drinking at the bar -totally fine. If you have a reservation or need to work with or speak to the hostesses or waitresses at all -good luck. I'm very disappointed in the rudeness of the staff and will not be going back any time soon .
(2)Kelly C.
I'm only giving this place an extra star for the trouffle fries...however you really can't go wrong with those. Which is also what I though about the kobe burger that sounded delicious (I think its called the Bull and Bear burger) for $18-well I figured it was worth it-boy was I wrong. First of all if you're gonna charge almost $20 for a dinner item please cook it to its correct temperature. I asked for medium rare and it was well. Flavor was so bland and put together poorly-what a disappointment! The waitress offered to get a new one for me but by the time we got our food it was totally packed so I said forget it. Also tried the mini crab cakes-boring. Bull and Bear will probably continue to get a lot of business because its considered a hot place-why I'm not really sure. At some point you have to take a little pride in what you serve and clearly this place does not.
(2)Jen B.
Bull & Bear is a sports bar meat market favored by young and wish-they-were-still-young professionals from the nearby law firms and investment banks. It's a good place to meet other singles but not a good place for chilling with friends and coworkers. At 10pm, the music gets loud, the lights get low, and the clientele gets douchier. On the spectrum of upscale bars in this area, I'd rank this as slightly better than English, slightly worse than Theory, much worse than Fulton's, and with at least as good a food as Hub 51 -- but who wants to be here long enough to eat?
(2)c d.
Made a stop in for lunch. Like the decor and the menu has a good selection. The calamari appetizer was really good, very crispy. The dipping sauces were tasty. The fish tacos were a great choice, the mahi mahi sandwich not so much. The bread was not great, and was too large compared to the amount of filling. It also came with BBQ potato chips that had a cocktail sauce dipping sauce on the side. Icky mixture, but I am not a BBQ chip fan in general. Don't think I will be back for lunch but I would like to try it for happy hour and 1/2 price appetizers.
(2)Brett K.
lowering for rampant douchieness
(2)Karen R.
Came here today for the first time for lunch and I thought the place was super solid. The food was really yummy, our service was excellent and the outdoor patio is nice too. The tabletop taps are a cool novelty, but I for see the excitement wearing on that one in a couple of years...
(4)Christine H.
If you visit, you must try the truffle fries. YUM! Other great food on the menu and good service when they are not packed wall to wall with people. While the food is really good, it is a little pricey. The novelty of having taps right at your table wears off quickly when you realize how expensive the beer from those taps is. Great place to visit when it is not busy, but not worth visiting when busy. There is often so many people crowded in that you really can't move, get to the bar or get the waitress' attention. When not busy, I highly recommend! If busy- avoid!
(4)Mike T.
My friend and I are on the lookout for spicy dishes in Chicago and this place was #3 on wingfest. This must mean that the wings are spicy, right? Umm... not really. They are very good, but not spicy really. Oh well. Check out my full review on my blog. This establishment is confused, is it a bar or a club? It's hard to say. On one hand they have a ton of TV's playing sports, a sports ticker, and taps at the tables. On the other hand the decor is decidedly trendy and there is a chair in the bathroom for a bathroom attendant. Great, like I need to pay someone to pump my soap and hand me a towel. Overall I'm not sure about this place. It will do well because it's in a busy area but it's not really a bar to watch a game nor is it a place to seek out for night life. The service is fine and my experience was average. I doubt I will go back.
(2)Alison R.
If you like a mojito, this place is worth it just for that. I could probably drink them by the gallon. Not everyone knows how to make a good mojito. In fact, most places DON'T make a good mojito. But the Bull and Bear makes a fantastic mojito. Aside from that, the grilled chicken sandwich is awesome. I wish the place were a little bigger, and the fact that you have to reserve the tables is annoying, thats why they only get 4 stars.
(4)Eric C.
If you want to hangout and watch a football game while standing in a crowded room, this is the place for you. It is always happening and busy, making getting to the bar for a drink a small challenge. There is minimal seating, but more seats outside if you brave the elements. The staff and crowd are always cool. I was visiting for a few days and hit this bar every night I was downtown.
(3)Tavo N.
Great Bar, Great atmosphere vlassy look what else can I say. I went sat Feb 20th and it was a great experience. I had stoooed by the saturday before but the lind was tooo long lol...so I went back and found out why...it was well worth it will deff be going back there again for sure
(4)Duane M.
I've walked by Bull & Bear a number of times, even once around 1:30am when they were closing up, but I finally decided to go in for lunch one Sunday. I'm not feeling very verbal so short and sweet today. The service was good and the food was OK. For the price, i was honestly expecting better. The outdoor seating was a very nice touch and the weather couldn't have been more perfect for us, but I probably won't go back for food. Drinks are a different story, one that I will probably write soon.
(3)Sara O.
I've only been here twice, but I have yet to been let down! While the food seems to be a little overpriced, it sure does taste good with an ice cold brew. Bull and Bear is probably the only place I'd pay 18 bucks for a burger and fries, but trust me--It's SOOOO worth it!! And the half-price appetizers during happy hour makes it a little easier on the wallet.
(4)Jordan S.
Andddddd we're back. But this time for brunch. I try to shy away from brunches in general, and when i do im all about the egg white omelette, but my friends and i were having a celebratory meal so i allowed for this one indulgence. and wow was it worth it. We basically ordered family style - everything that sounded great - and just passed the plates around trying everything. Pancake flight of plain, blueberry and chocolate chip, home made pop tarts (sweet and savory), belgian waffle, eggs benedict and the peanut butter and jelly french toast. Everything was ridiculous, but i gotta say the blueberry pop tarts were legit one of the best foods I've ever tasted in my life. And the peanut butter and jelly french toast? Well, you can guess how fantastical that was. Thankfully I had my gym bag packed and headed straight over for a workout, so i only felt half bad about our brunch feast.. I heard their omelettes are really great as well, so maybe I'll head back for a less guilt-ridden brunch soon.. with a side of the banana french toast.. ;)
(5)Amy T.
Meh for service and food. My mac and cheese tasted like burnt peanut butter. Guacamole was pretty bland and service was a bit slow for my taste. I did like the atmosphere and the music at least!
(2)Michael S.
I come here on Sundays usually and it's pretty good. It usually gets really packed and have great music selection here. They don't have a lot of area for you to dance here especially when it's packed. Overall a good place to go with friends for a few drinks and relax. The only negative thing I can say about this place is that at times the bartenders are really slow.
(3)louis S.
Fun loud bar atmosphere, lots of TV screens and games going. Note bathrooms down a long flight of stairs in basement. Great food wonderful home made "pop tarts" and unique menu items galore. Over $100 for five of us with only one liquor drink. Had a small issue and the "manager," hardly show any concern. A 100% great waitress.
(4)Christina M.
Bull & Bear has a great patio and ambiance when it isn't busy. My significant other always orders the chicken wings from here and enjoys them, but feels they're average. I've ordered a plethora of vegetarian items here and agree with the average rating. The hummus appetizer is good, but I think they put champagne in the roasted tomato and it's slightly off-putting. The Greek salad (minus cheese) is also good, but the serving size is very small compared to what they are charging. And finally, the crispy brussels sprouts appetizer (minus aioli) is terrible - they were literally in a pool of oil/grease when I ordered them and quite gross.
(3)Natalia K.
i come here to drink the lush on the patio and to bake in the sun.
(4)Corey H.
Met some old friends here and when my mom heard the house music, saw the 20-deep line, and that special twinkle in my eye that means the night has taken a turn... she hailed a cab and split! And I forgot what it means when "capacity" is just a meager suggestion. What a fun, packed crowd!
(4)Neil R.
This place is decent, somewhat posh but a general pub in my view. It can be a good place to grab a drink but its not like there are no other options on Hubbard street. I've had the brunch and it was "good" but again, better options elsewhere. I will say, I was pleasantly surprised by the naan and hummus. There are some specials and it may be worth checking out.
(3)Lauren-ashley B.
Love the logo and concept of the bar, very custom to Chicago. It's a nice atmosphere, they serve food at night, dj is decent. It's not a large space and not really much dancing going on. Would come back here.
(4)Lauren F.
Average. We stopped in on a Saturday afternoon so we didn't have to deal with the sardine-like crowds that other reviewers had mentioned. The cocktails were good but the service was just, well, meh. They have TVs...and it's a sports bar (I guess?)...but I really wasn't feeling the atmosphere, nothing about it seemed very special to me. 2 stars? 3 stars? I couldn't decide. We didn't have a terrible time, but odds are you won't be finding me at Bull & Bear again.
(3)Shradha A.
After my second try, I give up. I called ahead to make a reservation for 8 on a game night and asked if volume would be on. We get there, they squeeze us in a tiny bar table, even though the place was empty at 6pm, because they were preparing for an industry night at 10pm. How about making some dollars off the patrons in the next 4 hours before a free industry night starts? And how about telling us that on the phone when we called to make a reservation for 8? Food was meh, service was meh, and experience was meh enough to teach me not to suggest Bull & Bear for another game watch! And oh, the hostess decided she wanted hip-hop music rather than the commentary on the game.
(2)Michael N.
I want to go to Trivia night tomorrow but all of my friends (2 people) are busy. I can't reserve a table for 1 on Trivia night! I'll be laughed at the whole time. Who can I yell "THEY'RE CHEATING!" and "OMG WHO WOULD KNOW THIS?!" to? On the other hand, everything I've ordered from here has been delicious. The burger, turkey club, chicken sandwich (best ever, they are very generous with the avocado slices), and grilled cheese with tomato soup are very tasty. I once took the Metra into Ogilvie and walked here in 10 degree weather. That's a decent walk in cold weather. Oh, it's not? Well guess what, I live in the suburbs and we don't walk for shit up here!
(5)Pizz o.
Three of us went because we had a 50 dollar gift certificate. Hostess told us we could have this booth but we had to be out of it by 8pm. The other tall skinny hostess didn't even acknowledge our existence and rolled her eyes at us when we asked her where the bathroom was. With that said out server was super nice and helpful. We had the trio of philly. And the trio of Kobe. And the little chicken quasidillas. And some hot wings. All were very good. We also had 2 rounds of hard liquor. Bill came to 100 but only 50 after the certificate which I found for 15 bucks on one of those deal websites. Although the food was great I probably wouldn't go again unless they had a groupon or restaurant.com deal or something.
(3)Justin S.
Stopped by here on a Sunday night and the place was bumpin! Lots & lots of beautiful people out. The place was kind of small but maybe it just seemed that way because I was shoulder-to-shoulder with everyone. They had a couple of bars and a bunch of booths or tables to chill at. The drinks aren't too expensive (I mean they did have $6 Patron shots). Also, have a bunch of big screen TVs in case there's something you were hoping to watch (aka ESPN's Top 10 hah). Bottom line is this place is definitely somewhere I'd come back to...
(4)Michael M.
I went to Bull and Bear after leaving what turned out to be a waste of my time interview a few blocks down. It was lunch time and I was alone. When I went in they were on a waiting list it seemed though I saw quite a few open tables outside (and it was a beautiful day). I went to the bar. The flatscreens all turned to different channels was nice as I got to watch two different ballgames before the Cubs game without really having to move my head to much. The decor is dark woods and very yuppie. Power lunch central since it's so close to the Merchandise Mart. I saw they had Matilda on tap and ordered one, and the bartender (unfortunately he didn't give his name) was gracious enough to buy it. That started things off right. As I was perusing the menu he said that if I needed recommendations he could help--- another plus in the service dept. I ordered the bison burger w/ brie and mango salsa. It came out quickly, and perfectly cooked (med-rare). The fries were hot and oh so delicious. A friend joined me a little while later and though it was busy we were able to have a conversation w/o shouting and we got to watch the Cubs game. I can see why some of the complaints were on price...they are a bit pricey as it is easy to get the Matilda for less than the $9 they want. While there, though, the service staff seemed to be moving and taking care of their tables and the bartender was very friendly. I will definitely go back, but probably for lunch since I'll admit the reviews have scared me off a bit for dinner/late night.
(4)Angie T.
way too crowded - WAY too loud of music - waaaaaay too many married dudes hitting on 20somethings. when this place first arrived steps from the merch mart i was stoked. yay new happy hour spot. oooooooo and the menu looked like "good" bar food! aaaand there are cute little personal taps at each of the booths? how fun! well all of this is true. the food is good, esp the burgers. but please stay away from their house cheddar slime or whatever they spread on their gorgeous kobe patties. the onion ring tower - though soaked in grease, is also delightful. and the quesadilla bites are a personal fave. perfect ratio or spice and sour cream. now i have never had a chance to sit at one of the fun booths, but i can imagine the sweet satisfaction of pouring your own draught right at your table. despite the edible perks, the overwelmingly douche-baggery outweighs it all. bull & bear, i've given you a fair chance - but three (maybe four or five) strikes and you're out. big thumbs down!
(1)Chi Y.
Great Food (the appetizer wings was amazing), great service, reasonably priced. a little loud for family with small children, but a great experience.
(4)Rich K.
Not sure what all the negative press is about, we had a great time on a Thursday. The ratio was probably 70/30 in favor of guys. If women want to meet professional men, this is the place. Marisa the bartender was fantastic, she juggled about 20 people; we waited no longer than 5 minutes for our drinks. Drink prices are normal for an upscale bar in the city. Food was great!
(4)Roberto M.
A really great place to have after work drinks and appetizers. The calamari was a generous portion, and they had goose island green line, which is a fantastic ale only available I'm the Chicago city limits. A little pricey, but for the area that it is in (River North/Merchandise Mart, its acceptable. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)Laura M.
This was a good stop to rest our feet after a day of shopping. There were some fun specialty cocktails on the menu (typical higher priced Chicago 'totties' - around $9-$12) and the food options were fairly plentiful for a bar. The Reuben sliders and gazpacho (a specialty menu item for the summer) were good. One of the managers also stopped by the table to check on us as we got the food - good sense of humor, but not annoying. Our server was also friendly.
(3)CJ R.
A great bar to watch sporting events at. Highly recommend reserving a table with built in taps.
(4)Cristine K.
Not a fan. This place is like an upscaled hooters with the way they dress and serve their food/drinks. It has a convenient location for after work happy hours. But that's about it. No thanks.
(2)Cristina T.
Coming into this eating experience I had bad feelings about Bull & Bear. Their website was blasting with music and seemed really clubby, yet I needed to use my gift certificate before it expired in 2 weeks. We made reservations on a Saturday night and were seated promptly near the back of the bar. Unfortunately there was a group of drunk people surrounding the table and they really didn't seem to care that we were eating. That group of people aside, our server was friendly and attentive. I ordered the "Health Club" sandwich and it was great. The avocado was fresh and the bacon was tasty. Even better, the sweet potato fries were sprinkled with a bit of brown sugar-to die for. My boyfriend got the skirt steak and was disappointed to see that when it was served to him it was already cut up. We both found this odd, but it was a flavorful, spicy piece of meat nonetheless. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Bull & Bear and may even be back in the near future.
(4)lana v.
I work at the next door, so we come here for lunch and happy hour all the time. The bar is always crowded, and it is hard to get a drink. However nothing compares to the horrible service we have received here when we came for lunch on several occasions. We have experienced everything from a really long wait, to orders being messed up, to being given the wrong check. The waiters never come over to refill drinks, remove plates, etc. The food is OK, typical bar food, nothing special. The only thing that I have really enjoyed and has never been messed up is the giant chocolate chip cookie dessert. It is huge!!
(1)Deirdre R.
There seems to be an emerging trend of luxury sports bars in the city. Bull and Bear fits nicely into that category with a beautiful modern interior, tons of flat screens, bar food classics done with a gourmet twist and......wait for it....wait for it...... huge comfy booths outfitted with individual beer taps. Although a little gimmicky (I'll admit) I love the idea of pouring your own beer at the table- I asked an employee and you can even reserve specific booths based on your beer preference! In addition to the booths, there are two large bars, a ton of high top tables and a very cozy VIP area that is elevated from the main floor. All of the servers were friendly, upbeat and very knowledgeable about the menu. By the end of the evening I had managed to try several of the specialty cocktails. They were all delicious, very creative and strong. The Vallarta was the fan favorite with blueberry infused Patron, it tasted like a grown up margarita! Usually sports bars with a good beer list don't have the greatest cocktail - this place really is the best of both worlds. All of the apps I tried were great. In sticking with the gourmet bar food theme, the nachos are made with a spicy turkey chili and homemade chunky guacamole- they were very tasty! They also have a selection of small sandwiches served in groups of three. We had the Philly cheese steak, and although they were a little stingy with the amount of meat, the flavors were great and the bread was perfect. The star of the evening was the house cut fries served in a brown paper bag with a side of Aioli. Wow. I snagged a menu on the way out and all of the entrees, although a little pricey, sound great too- I can't wait to try them. For us non-club types it's nice to have a bar like this where you can class it up every now and then with fancy drinks and food. It's great to catch the game and avoid the bouncer/techno scene at a sophisticated place. I'm excited for this addition to the River North area, great to have an option like Bull and Bear around the corner from my office.
(4)Meredith H.
i've only been here twice - before and after different yelp events. wacky. i like bull & bear and am looking forward to snagging a coveted table tap spot sometime soon. yeah the crowd is douch-trader-y, but what do you expect? instead embrace the selection of beers, sweet tvs, and high ceilings. and the fantastic restrooms, holla!
(4)Digital M.
Food is very good. Raquel is a great waitress. Management is attentive. Prices are fair. A lot of times it's a sausage fest of professionals hanging out in the city after work so beware.
(3)Tom P.
Went here for the NCAA games yesterday and it was a mistake. It was more dance club than sports bar. Lots of TVs but the music was so loud you could not even talk to the person next to you. Super crowded too. Really bad choice for watching sports- how can you not have the sound on for the games? Maybe I am just old!!!
(2)Nannette P.
Congrats to Luke, David, and Brandon, along with Will and Morgan, and the rest of the B&B staff for a great grand opening weekend! The much anticipated Bull and Bear has finally opened after years of conceptualization, planning, development, and staffing. And they have spared nothing to make this place great for its guests! First off, you might think it's just another "American" type pub in the River North area. How can it be any different? Well, let me be the one to tell you, it is! The atmosphere is "sports, meets financial district, meets English Pub, meets lounge". The best way to know this is to see it for yourself. Its décor is sleek and classy, yet comfortable and inviting. The ceilings are vaulted, which helps makes it feel larger than what it really is, helpful when they were packed on their opening night, not making me feel too claustrophobic! They have a DJ in their front area, where a large bar is also located for those wanting to stand in the front of the place and have easy people watching access. The DJ was spinning all types of music intermixed, and did a great job at balancing between top Pop hits and rap with old classics, making it not feel like a dance club or a lounge, but in some happy medium. The exposed brick walls have projections of sports, and the large leather booths are reserved only, so be sure to snag one up if you plan on heading there with a group of people. The table tops have draft beer spouts, so that your beer is actually available for immediate consumption at the table without having to wait for your server to get it for you. B&B also boasts a pretty nice menu and offer late night eating as well. I felt so bad for their staff, especially the waitresses on Thursday night, as they were packed to the gill at the place, and they had to fight through a huge crowd to get to their tables. But these people are pros and I know many of them from previous employment in that area, so they have hired the best at this place. I can imagine this place being packed for Superbowl. It's a great place to go to still feel like you're going out without having to "go out" to a club or lounge and still dressy enough to not feel like you're at some dive joint. Great people watching, as River North's beautiful people were in full effect on their opening night, but I also saw tons of people that were there from surrounding offices, enjoying a great place to spend Happy Hour at. I see stocks rising. Great job B&B and congrats!!
(5)Laura W.
I met a former co-worker here for lunch and I will say that everything everyone else is yelping is pretty spot on. Over Priced River North Locale....$20.00 for a small salad and an iced tea. I think that is a bit steep, but it is what it is. Young, good looking wait staff. The hostess was a little snotty or just stupid....either way they should consider having someone else that greets people. Cool place...big menu. outdoor seating.
(3)annie c.
Cologne rhymes with alone!! Total Chode-Fest. Won't be back.
(1)Wendy V.
I sent Bull and Bear an email about the aforementioned experience with the hostesses, and one of the managers got back to me within 12 hours expressing how disappointed they were in the staff's behavior. I was so impressed with this act of customer service that I will be going back to give it another shot, and it proves that Bull & Bear is serious about customer experience.
(4)Rob D.
Not a terrible bar, but the descriptions on here about this being a Club scene sports bar are pretty on. Though that's not my typical sort of place people were still pretty friendly. Albeit too friendly for the women at the bar fishing for free drinks (one asked if I was a contestant on top chef, clearly looking for a drink). My biggest complaint was I ordered some shots for some friends and I asked for well whiskey and vodka (considering it was the point in the night when the shelf taste isn't going to matter much) and I got a Gray Goose and Jameson. Not awesome when I specially asked for well, my tab was not pleased. Wasn't a bad time, but I pry wouldn't go out of my way to go here again.
(2)Marlena G.
Went here last night because one of the girls that I was hanging out with knew the head of security. This place was insanely crowded. From the moment that you walk in the door you are surrounded by men. Staring men. Don't get me wrong that is not always a bad thing but these guys were sort of the yuppie/jerk type. The majority of the girls were dressed in their skanky going out attire. I felt very informal in my jeans and converse shoes. The building was nice and I liked the music. There was a dj. The music was a little too loud. For me to say that it must really be loud. I had a fun night there overall. It was fun people watching and we got a couple free shots. We also found the secret passage to the bathroom but after a few times using we were discoverd by a mean bouncer and escorted upstairs.
(2)Zach M.
Weak as far as atmosphere. Upscale sports bar with top 40 blaring, and "dudes". Must be about 80% guys each time, I've gone in. And the traffic flow sucks. The food is surprisingly good, though. Not much to choose from, and yeah, it's dressed up bar fare, but at least they put some effort into it. Go for the grilled cheese and tomato soup. In conclusion, a great first stop for a weekday night of drinks.
(3)Manja C.
Ill venture to say this place will be crammed for the next year or so. Not because it has unique qualities, drink specials, or friendly staff-but because it's a TINY space. The bar in the back is TINY. The boys are just-out-of-college-wannabe-big-swinging-d*cks and the girls are only there because its a new River North bar (watch how B&B will be overrun with dudes in 2 months, at most.) The Good: taps at the tables (not sure how the billing for that works though), food looked alright, many TV's The Bad: everything else.
(2)Kim L.
Really LEREVE patio n menu...but a little stumped by the mandatory PJ uniform? Why make staff endure that?
(4)Tom S.
Ate lunch here... had the calamari (smelled fishy, should have been first clue) and a chopped salad. Salad lacked flavor. Service was ok at best.
(1)Jen W.
Nice looking space with lots of TVs to watch games. We went for lunch today and it was ok. Service could have been much better - our server was not overly friendly and we were never asked if we wanted drink refills and used plates were not removed from the table. The menu is laid out very nicely and everything sounds fantastic. However the end result didn't really work - all of us though our food was ok, somewhat bland, and we all wouldn't order our individual selections again. Best part - the bread basket and garlic butter was fantastic and we liked the music. In general, I would go back for drinks after work...not the food.
(2)johnny b.
The fries are great and the kobe beef burger is pretty solid. Worth a trip to try it out. Good spot to watch a game
(4)Cara S.
Fun place to go for a drink after work. Tight quarters, not a ton of seating but environment is quite cozy with exposed brick walls, large flat screen tv's, modern light fixtures and a pretty upbeat crowd. Did I mention there are table taps in selected booth tables? Oh and you must try their truffle fries.
(4)Dom R.
Was in Chicago visiting and came here late night on a Saturday. I'm a fan of the name and the logo of the bar. Bull & Bear. Cool. I was trying to think of a similar type bar name for the sports teams in Philadelphia. Doesn't work out as well or sound near as cool. We had a booth with the innovative table tap system. Pretty freaking convenient, and dangerous at the same time. Had several 312's from the table tap. I was already pretty inebriated before coming here but it was a nice night cap filled with beer and dancing. I'd normally avoid a place like this in my hometown of Philadelphia, but since I was in Chicago, I had a good time. I'd definitely go back.
(3)Irena A.
I don't know why most people did not like this place a lot. I can understand the part that the place is filled with 20 year olds looking for a rich trader but besides that the food was good... Our waitress was timely. They had the 1/2 appetizers special so my friends and I shared the grilled calamari, quesadilla, chicken wings and it was all verry good... I will def go back there.. And it's easily accessible by the brown line.
(4)Sweet D C.
I was really excited for this place to open and some of my old college friends were even involved in hyping the place up. However, I am pretty disappointed overall (I've given it several chances). I thought that the bartenders had a lot of unnecessary attitude, especially when they seemed inexperienced and didn't know how to make some pretty well known drinks.
(2)James M.
This place has a great atmosphere for a upscale bar, but I would rather watch a game somewhere else. They do have the table taps which is a cool feature. I had the Kobe Burger and Truffle fries and it was really good. The down side is that it is $18, but I would order it again when I go. The only reason it didn't get a five was the some of the waitress's were a little slow.
(4)Nikki S.
Just a so so spot in my opinion--and would not say one of the best sports bars in Chicago. It was definitely very crowded for the recent football game I watched. They try and crowd more people than would normally fit in the booth that is for sure. But definitely get the cookie dessert...so damn good.
(3)Andrea H.
This review is base solely on food since I ordered takeout for dinner. I was very pleasantly surprised with my food. We had the Quesadilla Bites as an appetizer, we had it with the vegetables and it was fantastic. My boyfriend had the Griddled Salami sandwich and I had the Fish Tacos and we were both equally impressed! I'm glad I tried it since I hate to cook and live 2 blocks away, I will be ordering takeout again!
(4)Darryl M.
Service is not at its best here Food is ok I was visiting and this was a second choice and should have been last on the choice
(2)Lily Z.
My Happy hour group came here after a meh experience at Hubbard Inn. I wish we came here earlier to take advantage of 1/2 off burgers on Wednesdays! The only hiccup was that a party of 40 put in an order of food before us, so we ended up waiting about 30-45 minutes for our food. Our waitress asked if the manager had come over and spoken to us and we said no. When he did arrive, he explained the situation and said our burgers were on the house. We greatly appreciated the gesture. Aside from that hiccup, the food was good. The fries were crunchy. Although I asked my burger to be medium rare and it came out well done, I was happy with the overall meal. Plus $5 beers!
(4)Shambavi K.
The draw was the daily specials. When we went, it was half off burgers. they also had half off apps and drink specials. The baked or boneless wings was really just cut up grilled chicken breast which was meh. The dipping sauces that came with these and the burgers were great though. Service was attentive and friendly. Good location. Nothing to rave about otherwise
(2)Ed A.
Well, the place looks fantastic and the people quite friendly. It's a great stop in the neighborhood. Need to fix elevator for those in wheelchairs. Kind of a bummer to be seated and stopped because of malfunctioning equipment. Still, I would come back, if you know.
(3)Mande B.
I enjoyed the brussel sprouts and truffle fries for dinner and I was pleased with both. We had a decent sized group but the service was pretty slow. The LUSH cocktail is a MUST.
(3)Jacqueline B.
It seems as though it's the trendy thing to do to hate on B&B, but I honestly can say I had a great experience. Now granted, I've never been here for the night life scene, but a Wednesday lunch at 12:30 pm was terrific! Our waitress was super friendly and on top of her game. We were seated right away at a high top table at the front of the restaurant. We were served waters stat and they never went below half full before getting topped off again. Our waitress rambled off the specials, gave us suggestions, and checked in on us often. A+ for service (or should I say 5 stars?). I was a little taken back by some of the prices (especially for lunch), but then again it is River North, so I should have expected it. I ordered the No Bull Burger -- house ground turkey, smoked gouda, fried green tomatoes, and sweet mustard aioli on a challah bun. It came with what they called "regular fries" that I could have subbed out for sweet potato fries or another side from the menu. But I went with the reggo fries and let me tell ya - there was nothing regular about them. In a good way! They had who knows what kind of seasoning on them but they were de-lish. Almost too delish. I for sure ate way too many. But that's neither here, nor there. The burger itself was really good! It was the first time I've had fried green tomatoes on a burger which was a tasty fun touch. The smoked gouda and sweet mustard paired perfectly as well. However, it's not the ultimate best dining experience I've ever had (kind of missing a wow factor), and I really don't like dropping $16 on lunch, so I couldn't give Bull & Bear a solid 5 stars at this point. They do have an intriguing brunch menu I'd like to check out though, and their trivia nights sound pretty decent too.
(4)Sally Y.
I've been to Bull & Bear for drinks and apps in addition to their St. Patrick's Day party. Let me start off by saying how the nachos were AMAZING. I would 100% recommend getting those, and they're perfect for sharing as it's a pretty large plate. The wings may have been a little over fried - but that's a personal preference, sliders were great, and the sweet potato fries had a light sugary coating. The food for the St. Patty's day was a little underwhelming. Rather than having an open buffet, they had servers roam throughout with little mini bites. I understand how this would prevent people from wasting too much food, but it was tricky to manage having a few beers and also hunting down food as people were getting rowdier and rowdier throughout the morning. I would have much preferred to have arrived, eat, then drink instead of trying to manage the eating and drinking together in a crowded room without seating. Overall, Bull & Bear is a great place. Tons of TVs are also available if you want to go there to catch a game while having a beer. Definitely recommended.
(4)CL C.
The cheddar sausage biscuit was amazing. We also got the wings, which were also good and came with a nice assortment of vegetables.
(4)Daniel S.
I got the salami sandwich, which was great, good portion, with cheese and mustard, as good as I've ever had, tho I asked for tomato and they gave me one, and the beer selection is solid tho mine was kinda warm, they have beer taps at the table which is really cool, and it was half priced apps so we got the calamari which was also good
(4)David M.
Bull & Bear Kobe Beef Burger w/ Truffle Fries B&B Kobe Burger Sweet Red Onion Marmalade, Melted Gruyère, Smoked Bacon Aioli, Brioche Bun, Truffle Fries - $18.00 If you think this is just your typical burger, you're dead wrong! First off, it's Kobe Beef... Did you hear me? It's Kobe! The meat is generally considered to be a delicacy, renowned for its flavor, tenderness, and fatty, well-marbled texture. Essentially, this means it's a fantastic burger through every bite. Now, most of you probably have never heard of Gruyère, nor will ever try it. However, it's a must. Gruyère is sweet but slightly salty, and is often described as creamy and nutty when young. Melted atop this Kobe Burger, it's nothing short of outstanding. Now, add in the Smoked Bacon Aioli and your mouth enters into eternal food bliss! In regard to the atmosphere, this is a nice, business-casual bar. It seems to get quite busy from 2pm-3pm on, so be sure to reserve your seat ahead of time if at all possible. Whether your there for a drink, or to enjoy their menu fare, you're sure to be pleased!
(4)Jessie H.
Four us came here for brunch. I got the crab benedict $14 (it was a decent amount and pretty filling). It came with alot of sauteed garlic spinach on the muffin. There was also some fruit on the side. It's basically your standard poached egg with crab topped with hollandaise sauce. The reason I gave it 4 stars was for the PB&J Stuffed french toast ($11) - I am not a fan of french toast or jam but this was really good!! The flavors just blended really well. My friends got the mimosa ($5) but it's a big mini bucket which probably equals like 3 regular mimosa glasses. It's a sports bar so I think a lot of people come here to watch games and drink. The service was friendly. We came here saturday morning, no reservations but there was no wait.
(4)Lisi Z.
Ordered over $50 in takeout from bull and bear. The food came late, and cold as Siberia. The microwave was in full force re-heating our chilling meal. Mac and cheese was the worst I've ever came across- a good comparison would be overcooked noodles drenched in flavorless goop. We are now sitting here with stomach aches and an empty wallet- never again
(1)Noel S.
I love this place for what it is. A nicer bar with an awesome casual brunch. Between here and Sienna tavern I spend 95% of my hangover saturdays. I highly recommend that you jump on board. They change the menu about every 4 months. Large portions. Good food. Including breakfast, burgers, love the chicken sandwhich. They offer healthier options too. For example the chicken sandwhich comes grilled or fried. The turkey chili is customizable with 10 different topping from bacon to avocado. I always get the chocolate chip cookie skillet which they make to order. It's like warm chocolate chip cookie dough....seriously! I never make resos. I just show up around 1- 4 pm. No wait.
(5)Katie F.
The food is pretty good, basic, but they do a pretty good job. The service was a little slow, but the waitress apologized for it which I appreciated.
(5)Jonathan S.
Looks like an old school, high end bar that was converted into a sports bar. Burgers are pretty good. The most interesting thing about this place is that all the booths in the back have beer taps built into the table. How cool is that! No waiting for a refill while watching the game! No, not here, just help yourself to your own keg! But they need larger screen TVs. Love the wood bar and high ceilings. That night our bartenderess must have been hung over or something. Not a smile the whole night. Tough to leave a good tip when your server as exciting as watching grass grow. The best thing about that night was watching a couple who seemed to be on a first date and it was SO clear that he was interested in the Bulls game and she was like, ugh, WTF (let me check my cell phone for the 100th time).
(3)Edward M.
Kinda dead on a Sat night, nice looking bar, and management were super nice and obviously working hard to promote the bar. Drinks were a little lacking but expensive. Not sure I'd go back anytime soon. Maybe give it a little while to mature. As a tangent, watching the drunk cougars hitting on the bartenders was quite a fun sight.
(3)Jeanine Z.
I came here on a Friday night and sat a high top table. We were seated right away and ordered a drink. We ordered margaritas and a cosmopolitan. The drinks tasted weak, which we weren't happy about. But, 4 stars for food. I wasn't expecting the food to be good because bar food is usually mediocre. We ordered chicken wings, which were awesome. The sauce was really good. I ordered a beet salad with skirt steak. I asked for the steak to be cooked medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. My friends had truffle Mac and cheese, chicken club sandwich, and the miso crusted salmon. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Overall, I would return.
(4)Cynthia G.
Walked in after a local recommended us the location. Bar is pretty nice and has a good vibe! Was Sunday night and they played old school hip hop. I asked for a pomegranate mojito but they didn't have the mixers so I settled for a strawberry mojito. A little sweet but did the job.
(4)Kristine B.
Nice atmosphere terrible service. Watch for Taylor. Your cups will be empty more often then not. Best wishes
(2)Shannon D.
This is for their carryout service only: Word of warning: Don't order their awesome wings for carryout. You'll received cooked wings and some sauce, and apparently be expected to prepare them yourself from there. Could not believe what I saw when I opened the bag when I got home. I spent $30 for a quick and easy dinner for me and my husband and now I've got to go to the store to buy more Frank's wing sauce since they didn't provide enough for me to even toss these myself. Also going to pick up some jalapenos since the whole two slivers per dinky cup of sauce doesn't really give the 'maximum' hot flavor we're used to. Also, no scallions? What exactly did I pay for here if I've got to basically do the work myself?
(1)Cody H.
Listen... this place is full of douchey collar poppers and frizzy trixies. That being said, I like this bar. It has very good food and a wide range of delicious libations. I came in with a five top reservation to watch a sporting event, which should be this place's wheelhouse. For our entire stay, we got our food and booze within what could only be considered a reasonable amount of time. Yes she forgot an occasional order, yes they were out of a few menu items... it's fine. I'm a forgiving person. What I don't forgive is juicing the tab. I used to serve for a long time and will always appreciate the job, but don't arbitrarily round up how many drinks I had. One of two things happened; either the server was inept to the point where she ordered more items than her table did, or she was being intentionally dishonest for the purpose of a couple extra bucks. I tend to avoid both when I go out. And if you are the same, you should avoid Bull and Bear until they get their stuff together.
(2)Ankit M.
Standard bar food and drinks. Easy to get in & out for lunch. The interior always feels a bit cramped since it's a long rectangle. Good fish tacos & burgers. They could upgrade their salad offering.
(3)Christy E.
$5 Mimosas were great, usually too "orange juicy". Had the pancakes and the fiancée had the chilaquiles. Pancakes were very thin, and the chocolate chip ones were rich, so I did more plain and mixed them together. The chilaquiles were really good, lots of chorizo and chorizo flavor on the chips. Bacon was thick cut and delish. Bar service was great too! We'll be back.
(4)Carly H.
I can't speak for the food since I only had drinks but they have this ridiculously large pitcher of Sangria for $25 during happy hour ($30 regularly) that we split between 4 people. Everyone was able to get about 3 glasses out of it. Great deal, service was awesome too. Would definitely return, the food did look pretty good as well.
(4)Laura M.
Had dinner here with my husband a few days ago, and overall, I enjoyed the restaurant. We sat outside, which afforded us a neat view of the Merchandise Mart. I ordered the blackened fish tacos on corn tortillas, and my husband ordered a classic single cheeseburger with sweet potato fries. The fish tacos were truly delicious, made with a fantastic citrus cole slaw. The tortillas, however, fell completely apart after one bite. My husband's cheeseburger was definitely good, but what made his meal great was the side of sweet potato fries, which were honestly some of the best I've ever had. I also had the Lush mixed drink, which had watermelon and cucumber elements to it and tasted very fresh. The service was very good, and our server was quite friendly. The meal was a little on the pricey side though. Overall, I'd recommend it to a friend visiting the area to try.
(4)Kristy B.
I don't hang out in River North often at all. But this place definitely has me changing my mind about hanging out there. When I think of River North, I usually think $$$-$$$$ most of the time. But this place was surprisingly reasonable with their prices...which got me wanting to come back! I met up with some friends here on a Friday night. We were there for a group event in which there were $5 drink vouchers given out. Already starting out on the right foot! The place was packed beyond belief. The bar had a decent selection. I was surprised that they didn't carry Sierra Nevada, as that brand is pretty popular in most Chicago bars. But it didn't bother me too much. I got an Angry Orchard cider for $6. Not bad! As the bar itself got more and more crowded, my friends and I ventured upstairs towards the back area. There we found giant oversized booths with drinks on tap at nearly every table. Our group had something like bottle service with Absolut and the servers were pretty on top of things. There were about 3 or 4 guys running security too, which keeps the trouble away. As for the food, I didn't eat anything except the nachos - which were fully loaded and came in a very large portion. The bathrooms were decent too. Nothing to write home about, but they were clean. I guess what I really disliked was the fact that there was not much room to dance. But then again, this isn't a dance club. However, the music was SO loud, I thought I was in a nightclub for sure. Even if it were one though, I doubt I'd be dancing to Snoop Dogg or OPP, which they were playing a lot of. The DJ's music selections ranged from 1989-2002. Not even kidding. The service was pretty decent enough, considering the fact that the place was jam packed. Prices are pretty average too, which is good. Nothing crazy there. I would definitely come back. I hear their brunch is amazing too! Bonus (one more redeeming factor!) : There is a coat check downstairs outside of the bathrooms! Win!
(4)Kristen D.
This review is for the calamari alone. It is unbelievable, and one of the best calamari dishes I've ever tried. It wasn't rubbery at all, the batter was perfectly crunchy (not at all soggy) and not too heavy, and the aioli and marinara was a perfect compliment to the dish. I will be back and absolutely will order this again! To top it off, the appetizers were half off and I had no idea. I'd have ordered a second plate of it!
(5)Greg S.
My office is right around the corner, so I often come here for business lunches. It's a good bet since the staff are welcoming and attentive. The noise levels are subdued and the menu caters to various tastes. The interior has a very cool design, with lofted ceilings, lots of wood, and very comfortable booths in the back. My coworkers often rave about the fish tacos, sweet potato fries and No Bull Burger (a.k.a. the turkey burger). I will not be coming back here anytime soon though as a coworker and I got food poisoning from the No Bull Burger. Luckily my manager and an interview candidate did not eat the burger, so they were fine. I notified the restaurant manager and he sent us gift cards to the restaurant as a gesture of apology.
(3)Nicole D.
We were waiting for our table at the deep dish tourist trap next door and decided to wait in here rather than out in the cold. It's your typical sports bar, though it looks slightly more upscale than a totally divey sports bar. Seemed like a good place to watch the games.
(3)Elizabeth G.
A Thursday night in a NON-crowded restaurant should NOT sound like a Saturday night at Hangge Uppe. Thanks for a night out with friends where I couldn't actually TALK to my friends. :/ I ordered to the burger sliders medium which came out raw. The positive : the manager made up for it by comping the meal. Thank you! All in all, hoping it was just an odd night for you all and others have a better dining experience. Don't think I'll be back anytime soon unless it's 3am and I can't hear anymore. K, bye.
(2)R P.
We came across this place today while exploring Chicago. Loved this place. They have great food. Must try! Service is great. Ambience is perfect for breakfast/brunch!
(5)Liz K.
Ohhh Bull & Bear...what little memories I have of you... Fact-During Sunday's Football games there are major specials... Opinion: Their morning mimosas are dangerous....cheap but very dangerous! Fact: They have a newspaper-like menu Opinion: Great bloody Mary and Mac & Cheese Came here for a Sunday Funday and I got more than I bargained for. Overall service was excellent, food was good (except my omelette), drinks were strong, and their specials were great. On a side note...I left my phone there and they immediately called my house phone to tell me that they had my phone! I was so grateful for their honesty!
(4)Karolina K.
I just Love Bull & Bear- the food is amazing the atmosphere is perfect. You can custom order almost anything! Who can complain this bar rocks!!!
(5)Justin W.
Four of us took on the brunch menu with zeal this past Saturday, and the outcome was inspirational as much as it was enjoyable. Everything we ate had a home cooked feel to it, and the chefs among us all were saying "I can't wait to make this for my friends." To start we had breakfast nachos and a savory pop tart; in both cases the standard taste of sausage egg and cheese benefitting from delivery mechanisms that let them pop. The Tart is a must - share it with the table. Following that we shared four plates: Short Rib eggs Benedict were a stellar showcase of shredded beef done right. I'd prefer a smokier BBQ flavor to go along with the rich hollandaise, but hey, there's Tabasco for a kick. Chorizo quesadilla Benedict was the weakest offering of the morning. Just two flavors that didn't really mesh - the hollandaise was much too potent for the cheese and mildly spiced sausage. Sausage and egg with home made cheese biscuits were a crowd pleaser. A breakfast sandwich for the storybooks, a case study in good bread making a meal. There's no good sandwich without good bread, and these biscuits were wonderful. Lastly and most importantly was the PB&J stuffed French toast. This sweet and rich dish went the fastest of all, and left everyone smiling. Washed down with a white stout, there wasn't a better bite the while time.
(4)Juan A.
Great truffle fries and sliders...
(4)Chris G.
Turkey burger! Smoked Gouda. Yum. Tall glass of Malbec on their sunny patio. View of Merchandise Mart and CTA trains slowly slinking around corners. Attentive servers. Great for lunch! Carry on.
(4)Traci D.
The hubs and I had a drink and an appetizer in the bar area here during our Chicago trip. It was pretty crowded on a Sunday night and we were lucky to find two seats open at the bar. Our beers were moderately priced. Service was friendly and prompt. We ordered Boneless Buffalo wings for our appetizer. Now, I will admit, I didn't read the description completely for the boneless wings but it was sliced chicken breasts in buffalo sauce. It wasn't bad but I was just expecting deep fried bonless chicken in buffalo sauce. What we got was probably a better alternative for us especially since we were getting deep dish pizza after our stop at Bull & Bear. Like other reviews have mentioned, its a great spot to hit up while waiting for your table for Lou Malnatis.
(4)Alex T.
Expected better on a Saturday night. Food has taken over an hour to get to our table. Waitress was really nice and good atmosphere, but there just needs to be better service here on a busy night. Food is good and they did give us free drinks for taking too long to serve our food.
(2)Michael E.
Burgers are awesome a little pricey. Short rib Benedict is amazing. Truffle Mac and cheese is the cheesiest. Outdoor seating is pleasant because traffic is not too bad.
(4)Andrew H.
Food was decent. Drinks week. Douche watering hole. From LA and I've never experienced such doucheness. The door guy was easily 10 years younger than me and gave me shit about my ID. This place would make a good filming spot for the jersey shore.
(2)Mary J.
I gave this place three stars because it is ok, not great but not bad. Came here around 1pm Sunday and there was no wait. All the other brunch spots nearby had waits. They have brunch on the weekends and I tried the sausage biscuit and the junk yard salad. Honestly for the prices of the food here I was underwhelmed. The sausage was an interesting flavor and texture, the party was falling apart. The biscuit was good, nothing to rave about. The junk yard salad was a huge portion but I would have liked a bit more dressing. It was VERY light.
(3)Jon W.
Terrible atmosphere. A ridiculously glorified sports bar with a classist, sexist dress code. i'd prefer never to go back to. I was turned away for inappropriate attire (a fully satisfactory tank top) while at least five females in the immediate area had on spaghetti straps and other apparel that covered much less. Another gentlemen was turned away for inappropriate footwear and the reason stated is they were trying maintain a certain class, a "nicer" environment. Yet the scrolling bar displaying all the stats, lusacris on the screens, the dj in the corner all clearly were raising the bar in classy. Recommendation: avoid this place.
(1)David S.
Good layout and design of the bar and restaurant. It's nice to be in places where you know where things are instinctively. They have Kobe burgers and sliders which are really good and really rich. Definitely a hunger defamatory. If you like Jameson, order up a 'whisked away.' It's Jameson, orange liquor, and agave nectar, and it might be my nemesis. It tastes so good I could drink two or three without being careful. They loose a star for a waitress bring me that third drink after me telling her I didn't want one.
(3)Robert G.
Went here for Thursday lunch with the guys. It's a nice place to eat, with a great theme (speaking as one coming from a futures background!) But it's awfully pricey, and the melt was just OK. I got a turkey melt with spinach, mushrooms and, just to try it, goat cheese. I actually ended up forgetting what I ordered, because a plate landed in front of me and I started eating the melt... and then a small plate of chicken was brought out right as I finished one half of my melt. Now, remember, I ordered turkey. But at that point, I wasn't really about to complain, since they agreed to comp my meal. The chicken was well seasoned but a bit dry. I don't think the goat cheese would have helped with that. In the end in spite of the good ingredients the melt was pretty small and ordinary, and not really something I would've chosen to spend $9-11 on again (without any sides!). So for now, I'm going to have to put a SELL rating on Bull & Bear.
(3)Karolyn S.
Met a friend downtown for brunch on a Saturday. Very friendly waitstaff, very attentive. The problem I have with Bull & Bear is that the Junk Salad I ordered was missing half the junk. No avocado, no hard-boiled egg. Once we got some, it was better; however, to chop the eggs so small you can't even taste them is problematic. I took half of mine home and realized then that they also forgot the croutons. How do you forget 3 of the main ingredients in a salad? I'd give this place 2.5 stars based on the waitress and the naan that they get from the Indian Restaurant down the street. Sad that something they get elsewhere is the best thing I had. The chefs need a refresher as to what goes in the salad.
(2)Madison L.
Love the lush here! So light and refreshing - def my favorite drink here. Ran into Amar'e Stoudemire here a couple years ago.
(3)sidney l.
wtf. 90 %whites in this joint and they are playing ghetto shit. Music. Please stop.
(1)Natalie V.
My husband & I are in Chicago on vacation & we decided to stop in here for dinner. We loved it! Loved everything about it, the food was unique and tasty and the restaurant was spaced out well. No complaints, only recommendation!
(5)Mark A.
Just ok... wish the table beer taps worked better during our visit. The entire 3 hours we had the table, spent nearly 3 hours pouring foam into the tray which they "deduct" from the bill at the end of the night. Seems wasteful and poor way of figuring out how much beer was poured. Then the taps were turned off midway through the Hawks game on us, not sure why but again just cut into our time (if they were changing kegs, maybe just a heads up from the server to keep us informed would have been cool..) Service although friendly, was terribly slow, and the place wasn't even busy. Saving grace, the nacho's and other apps were very good. For my money/time, head over to Highline down the street.. similar concept, newer space, WAY bigger TV's.
(2)Tom M.
I liked it, even though I probably ordered the wrong thing. I had a Southwest salad, which was hampered by its chipotle dressing (it would have been better with a vinaigrette, IMHO). But it looks like a good gastropub, and next time I'll be sure to check out the more substantial dishes such as the burgers, etc. At the same time, ya gotta love a place with taps at the table. Considering the taps are different at each, I suppose it's a crap shoot whether you'll get to snuggle up to your favorite brands. So might be worth getting there early to lay claim to your BFF brews.
(3)Brittanie K.
Great place. Great atmosphere. Turkey club is very good. They have a delicious chipotle mayo. Service was good. Good place to grab a beer and watch a game.
(5)Clarissa B.
I love this place for happy hour! Their patio is also awesome. Close to the brown line
(4)Leah C.
For what this place is trying to be, it's doing a great job. I would describe this place as a slightly upscale sports bar. The restaurant itself is large, open, and airy with lots of dark wood - reminds me of the industrial chic look of Au Cheval. Overall, it's a darker atmosphere but there is still plenty of natural light - I'm assuming it's decorated with the male clientele in mind. This place has at least a dozen TVs throughout the bar and general dining area. As far as I could tell, they were all HD flat screens. I've only been here on the weekends for brunch but I've ordered both breakfast and lunch items. Everything has been at least good with many of the items being REALLY good. I would highly recommend the kobe burger, parmesan truffle fries, and truffle mac & cheese - but not all in one meal! The truffle mac & cheese is so rich and cheesy that you definitely need to share it with at least one other person. Another option to consider: the seasonal "pop tarts" - They are always serving one sweet and one savory option (each order comes with 2, mix and match if you please). They change often and every time we've had them, they've been outstanding. They are not hard like traditional grocery store pop tarts - instead they have a flaky croissant/phyllo dough exterior. The only thing that irks me about this place is that the bathroom is downstairs (oh well) and one time the service was extremely slow when it was not busy at all. Overall, I would give it 4.5 stars but my boyfriend loves it so much that I pushed it up to a 5.
(5)Susan S.
I was really impressed with the B & B. I had chicken tortilla soup and a melt sandwich. B had a polish sausage. The food was really good and the service was great. Colleen was our waitress and she was attentive and friendly. I highly recommend this place for lunch or dinner. They also have a great bar and a nice selection of wine.
(4)Holly C.
Went for Sex and the City trivia last night. Hugeeee salads, amazing cocktails! Try the Dubai themed one on trivia nights! It's the best! Food and drinks were great!!
(5)Felicia M.
Great Bar in River North. Food is always pretty good (it's bar food so don't expect it to win awards) but still a cut above the rest. Good service too and the trivia on Tuesday's is fun.
(4)Chirag P.
Since I came in after 11:30 pm, for a wedding post party on a Sunday. We called them around 11 and told them we're coming with a large party 30+ folks, they said no problem and actually had put a couple of tables aside for us which was great. The crowd was what I'd call the "meatheads" but luckily they were all in the back room, but seriously it was like I was out on a Sunday night in Vegas. I'll admit, it was fun, since it was packed on a Sunday night, but that also made it a pain to get any drinks at the bar. Didn't have food and didn't pay any attention to the decor, since it was packed, but had fun, so it gets 3 stars til I can go more in depth at the place.
(3)Laila C.
Unfortunately we come here all the time for lunch. it's close, it's fairly cheap and it's got a huge menu so you'd think everything can find something they like here. But truthfully, the only good think about B&B at this point is the close proximity of its sunny patio to our office. I've tried a ton of stuff on the menu and at this point, I'd probably rather order an app as an entree than eat any more of their actual entrees. The brussels are good but literally swimming in grease. I think the only thing that's still edible on this menu are the nachos and the hummus. The pepper steak with the szechwan glaze is sweet, sweet sweet! When I ordered it, I specifically asked the server whether it's sweet and she tried to school me on what szechwan is. "No, szechwan is a Chinese sauce and means it's spicy, it is not sweet." Thanks for the education on my own culture, ditzy white girl. But seriously, it's sweet. It does have some heat. But it's sweet. Their burger is HUGE but just not satisfying. Also by the time it came, I had to run back to the office for a meeting, so I asked them to put it in a to-go container for me...that took 20 minutes. The melts are gross. Even the salads are somehow just wrong. Last time I ordered the Southwest Salad with avocado and dressing on the side, it came with dressing in the salad and no avocado. Maybe it means the food is bad, it definitely means the servers are idiots here. They can't even bring out beers in under 10 minutes. Next time someone suggests coming here, I'll just duct tape their mouth shut and pretend I didn't hear.
(2)Margaret H.
We came here on a Sunday morning for brunch and the Bears game. We had a reservation for 15, which they reserved only 2 non-connecting booths for us. If you don't like reservations that large, then don't make them; but do not make it and not provide adequate seating accommodations. Our server took our drink order, then came back 5 minutes later to tell us that she was done with our shift. Then someone had to physically get up from our table to order drinks at the bar, which they refused since we were at a table, so then we had to go find our waitress after 15 minutes of waiting. The food was okay, but nothing special, just a standard burger and fries. The atmosphere is fun as a bar on a Friday/Saturday night, but lacks all customer service as any sort of restaurant.
(2)Justin E.
Great truffle Mac and cheese. The short rib eggs Benedict was amazing too. I had buffalo wings, which were nothing special but not bad just average. If your beer drinker you might like the tables here. They have built in beer taps at the table, which you select which tap beer you want. The ambiance is nice rustic wood, dark environment. Clean and friendly wait staff, we were seated immediately for lunch on a Sunday. All in all it's a good restaurant, but nothing to write home about.
(3)Rosemary Z.
The Junk Bond is a Junky Salad. I've been here multiple times... For lunch, for dinner, for apps and drinks, to watch the game, and for private events. 1 Star - Food 1 Star - Service 3 Stars - Environment, Location 1.5 Stars - Food: The Junk Bond salad was 60% iceberg lettuce, 20% cabbage, and 20% romaine. Who puts cabbage in the mixed greens? The egg whites were so finely chopped that my friend, a blue cheese hater, could not pick out the blue cheese from her salad. The salad was garnished with a max of six cherry tomatoes (sliced in half) and the avocados were missing from both of our salads. The big bonus? My salad included one lonely black bean, which made up for the lack of protein I received from the small portion of chicken that was included in the salad. The food gets the extra half star for satisfying late night cravings, and that's it. 1 Star - Service: While Grub Hub is a nice service, delivery does not work for lunch hour at Bull & Bear. I waited nearly two hours for my food form the start of my order placement. TWO HOURS! As for dining in, I've always had to wait for my check. 3 Stars - Environment, Location This place works because alcohol is served and you can watch the game here. It also is in a good location. However, it's kind of a one and done place. You won't want to keep coming back. It's just not good enough.
(2)Sheila K.
Came here on a late Sunday night after dinner and the place was packed! We snagged and table and had some drinks. The music was bumming and the people were enjoying themselves. Service is basic. If you are looking for a place to get drink late at night, this is the place to go. Most places are closed especially on Sunday in this area.
(3)Tim O.
The Blue Chip Burger was great. The bacon was chewy, but, who cares, it's bacon. The meat was cooked correctly and the bun handled the runoff quite well without becoming soggy. The serving of fries was liberal, and in that I mean that there was a gigantic pile of fries on my plate. The calamari appetizer got the job done. No complaints.
(4)Andre W.
3 times here and 3 different experiences 1st experience: Lots of empty tables but me and my crew of 4 were not allowed to sit @ any of them. The tables had reserved signs on almost every table. We were confined to a corner of the mid section bar. We were hungry and did not have enough space to eat in the small area we had. Sad to say, the four hours we were there none of those empty tables were ever occupied. We more than likely would have spent good money on food if had we had enough space to eat. 2nd experience: Not so bad as me and my buddy were able to get a couple of beers on a warm, rainy saturday afternoon. Decent selection of bottled beer. The guy behind the bar serving us was pretty cool. 3rd experience: Came on a Friday evening and the music was so loud that you had to scream @ the person next to you. Not an exaggeration. Service was a little up in the air as the girls behind the bar was so engulfed with their convo that they sometimes didn't realize we were trying to order another drink. I really want to like this place, but it really needs to stop playing into that whole douchebag/River North bar stereotype. It has a good chance to stand apart from the others.
(3)Kelly R.
This place is great! It was my first time and I was very impressed. Great waitstaff- the service was spectacular. The chili and the fries, along with the salads were the right choice. The portions are good to share and my friends and i nibbled off each other's order. Nice selection or alcoholic beverages and such a cute atmosphere. Not too bar-like but not too high end. Great find!
(5)EstherLynn P.
Awesome Place! Love the taps in the booths! Food is great. The atmosphere is always good. Great place to watch a game.
(5)Jennifer C.
My hubby and I went in for lunch and had a great time. We sat outside and the server we had was quite good. To eat I had the Kobe burger and truffle fries. They were both extremely good and I would get it again. The truffle fries come with a delicious sauce that really enhanced everything. My husband had the regular cheeseburger that came with regular French fries. His was fine, but it wasn't as good as mine. I will definitely get the Kobe burger again when I'm in the mood for something yummy, however, this is not a light meal and I felt a few pounds heavier after eating it.
(4)Emil M.
Just ordered the southwestern salad to go, it was so disappointing to get all the way home and realize they did not add the chicken. I'd sort of understand if it was an extra ingredient but this salad is supposed to come with blackened chicken. When I called they said they could only refund me if I went all the way back, that they could not do it over the phone. Never getting dinner from there again.
(1)Romana Y.
Tons of tv's here to catch all the games, which follows a very rowdy crowd. It's a busy, loud spot, with a cool crowd. The menu is in a newspaper format. The drinks are good. They have taps at tables, and the taps are different at each. Beer selection is good, mixed drinks are strong. The chips/guac are good, as are the classic burger and grilled salami sandwich. Because this place is always congested, you have to get here early to snag a seat/table. As busy as this place always is (which is the least desirable aspect here), the service never fails (service being the best). Good experience at a decent spot.
(3)Cindy G.
We checked out Bull & the Bear on Sunday night and I was BLOWN away by this place! So every Sunday they run $5 20 oz special for any beer on tap. So yes, you can get a stella, bud light whatever you want. We also got 8 free wings just for coming in to celebrate the Bears game. Not sure if this happens every Sunday or if this was a special occasion, but either way the wings were great. We got both the medium and asian, both were packed with flavor, and crispy on the outside. The atmosphere is stunning with dark wood and beautiful lighting throughout. They also have cozy booths you can rent with taps at the table. Great for groups and game days! Overall a super solid place. Great specials and perfect high end sports bar feel.
(5)Travis M.
Stopped in for dinner when I was in town solo and overall was not impressed. I decided to try this place based on a foursquare recommendation since I liked Gilt Bar around the corner, but it was not on the same level. Though the food prices were a little cheaper, it was obvious why. I ordered the "Kobe" burger (don't get me started on that sham) but it tasted more like a typical ground chuck burger. Don't get me wrong, ground chuck has its place... but not for $18. However it was cooked a perfect medium rare. The truffle fries were good, though a little on the soggy side. I was disappointed in my cocktail - I ordered a whiskey cocktail but it was actually very sweet. I figured since it was made with agave nectar and not typical simple syrup it would still have the whiskey bite, however it was unfortunately washed out with a wave of sweetness. If in the area I wouldn't completely avoid Bull & Bear, but I wouldn't seek it out.
(2)Krista C.
Visited from Orange County, CA and had a great time. We need a place like this - great drink specials, good music, pour your own beers at some tables, lots of TVs and did I mention music?
(5)Genie B.
I've been to Bull & Bear quite a few times because a few of my friends are servers there but only for drinks, never for the food. But, I recently went for brunch with some people and it was pretty good. I ordered the cheddar sausage biscuit with the home fries, so good. We also ordered a pitcher of the red sangria! If you're going here for a night out, come early! It gets so crowded at night and the place is pretty small...
(4)Mace W.
Good bar food but overpriced. Service has been slow multiple times but all around nice place to have brunch or watch a game. Also, table taps are slow to setup and the beer has been flat on two occasions. I would stick to bottles or the beer from their regular taps.
(3)Laura L.
Nice spot for lunch. Food is decent. Bartender, Rebecca, did an awesome job keeping things moving during the lunch rush. I will definitely go back again.
(5)Nancy S.
Great patio. Great interior decor. Great place to wait for a Lou malnatis reso :) The nachos are amazing!!! Highly recommend them. Nice flavours and great crunch.
(5)Belle L.
Brunch at Bull & Bear is carb-centric. Menu sounds better than actual food flavor. And, it takes 25 mins to get unsatisfying, unbalanced flavor. Truffle Fries -- priced as an entree meant to be shared. Overcooked normal sized fries with sparse Parmesan cheese and just right truffle oil drizzle. Bananas Foster -- stay away! 1.5 oversized diagonally cut challah bread (that makes 3 pieces) and unevenly cooked. Sparse banana was uncooked, soggy and nasty. Maple syrup missing. A poor execution of a New Orleans classic. A smell of beer in a lousy dive bar greets you when you enter the well air-conditioned establishment. I shall NEVER return!
(1)B C.
Chose to celebrate NYE here. Overall, our group had a nice time, however, the atmosphere itself at Bull & Bear was not the best. The bathrooms were filthy, coat check lost a friend's coat and pretty much told her she was SOL in the freezing temps outside. While this whole coat check fiasco was going on, the remainder of our group was trying to stand inside the doorway. The workers were so incredibly rude and kicking us out, even though there were so many sloppy drunks still inside that needed way more attention and to be kicked out. The bad experience continued when we went back from brunch the next day, because when we purchased the tickets for the event, it was stated on there that there would be discounts for all party goers the next morning's brunch. Big group of us showed up (about 12 people I believe) and the workers had no idea what this discount was we were speaking of because the tickets they sold for NYE were sold through a third party company. Awful communication on their part. Food was only decent and with all the great brunch places in Chicago, we would have never chosen Bull & Bear if we weren't under the impression we would be getting a discount. Will not be returning to this place.
(1)Courtney H.
Went last night for Harry Potter Trivia Night. I felt like it could have been organized better, it was very loud and although people were warned not to use cell phones to cheat, there was no one enforcing that. The service was slow, but the waitress was nice. I had the truffle fries, roasted brussel sprouts and the Kobe sliders. Everything was ok, but not as good as I would have expected. The appetizers were 1/2 off until 7pm so at least I didn't pay full price. My boyfriend had the ribs from the special trivia menu and it was clear he didn't like them. He said they were fine, but the server could tell and told a manager who took it off and bill and apologized. I thought that was really nice. I wanted to try the bloody Mary, but at $11 a drink I was not going to spend that. The Butterbeer float was Butterscotch gelato and Guiness and my friend didn't like it. Overall, I would possibly go back if someone else wanted to, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
(2)Meghan S.
Started out the night going to Lou Malnati's. When we realized they had an hour wait we decided to come here instead. I'm glad we did. The quesadilla bites were the best I have ever had. I also really enjoyed the turkey club. Stumbling upon this place was a very happy accident.
(4)Kristen G.
We did the Ditka Dash 5k last weekend, and the race advertised this place as one of the restaurants/bars to go to post-race. My fiance, friend, and I headed over there around 1230ish. Walking in, the place was pretty crowded but walked up to the hostess stand to see how long the wait would be for a table. The hostess kinda snottily (if thats a word ;) ) informed me that the restaurant was full with reservations until 2pm but the bar was first come first serve. I said ok well can we put our name in for a table? She again said no because they were full with reservations. WHAT KINDA PLACE DOES NOT ALLOW WALK INS??? Total BS...We ended up grabbing some bar stools and luckily opened up. Bartender was good/service pretty quick. Food was ok, nothing that would keep me coming back. Overall, probably will not be back here.
(2)Mandy M.
This review is specifically for trivia nights. I've been here twice now, both nights for trivia. I was here yesterday (8/20/13) for a Harry Potter trivia night. My friends and I were some of the first to RSVP to the Facebook event, and we immediately went to their website reservation system specifically for trivia. Showed up...they don't have our reservation. We were told the best way was to email them, since their online system is unreliable. It didn't say anything online about a confirmation email, so we had no idea that our table wasn't saved, so we were just out of luck since they were totally booked up.The event coordinator apologized and gave us a gift card and told us we could still stand and play. Then she left for the night. So we kind of stood around awkwardly for 40 minutes, moving out of the way, hoping a table would no-show, which to our luck, they did. So it ended up working out, and hostesses were even able to accommodate us to stay for the 8:30 game as well. So well done on them for handling the situation. They had themed cocktails and bites, which we took advantage of. Made for a more magical experience :) The trivia company, Geeks Who Drink, had a great Trivia Master and definitely chose some stumpers. My only suggestion would be to tally up the scores and announce the teams scores at some point during the competition, rather than just announcing winners at the end. I give Bull & Bear three stars because the hostessing staff and servers made up for the event coordinator's error.
(3)Rebecca N.
This is a good and easy place to pick up american food in river north. It is kind of expensive, but they have some interesting things on the menu. The turkey burger was really good and my friends enjoyed their bison burger and chicken sandwich. The fries were nothing to write home about and they came with the burgers which was not said on the menu. The truffle mac and cheese was outstanding but VERY RICH. I
(3)Audre L.
Fine for a drink during an off our, or if you are going with coworkers or something, but I wouldn't ever come here to "go out". Tons of people from the burbs, etc... but again if this is where your friends are going, it won't be terrible. Just keep your expectations low.
(3)Kyle H.
I got 99 problems, but Bull & Bear ain't one! They've got an outdoor patio. They've got beer taps at each big round booth. They've got food. They're ATM charge is outrageous. They're decor is not. I wish it were. Three star dreamin', two star givin'. Don't ask, if you go, you'll know what I'm talkin' about.
(2)Jaime G.
If you're around the Merch Mart in Chicago, and want a drink with lunch, try Bull & Bear. Service is ok and menu selection is good - esp the Bison Burger. Very good. Add the Truffle fries and a craft beer and we're in business. Another item of notes is the Kobe sliders.
(3)Nessa M.
This place is a douchebag haven. Firstly the music is terrible and there's no where to dance (despite the terrible music). Secondly, all drinks whether it be a mixed drink or shot was $8 (or was my bitch of a bartender just being well, a bitch)? Thirdly, the ugly dudes at this joint were so drunk by 10pm on a Sunday that they grabbed at my friends and I as we walked by. Fourthly, unless you reserve a table, it's very hard to find a place to sit (since you certainly don't want to stand up and dance). EVEN the lady in the bathroom was rude. She just sat there and told me to use the towels when I wanted to use the hand dryer. I was so confused by how this place even exists with these conditions. My advice: DON'T GO.
(1)Angie M.
I hesitate to give 2 stars to Bull & Bear because it really isn't that bad. What gets me though is that everything on menu seems really overpriced. In preparation, I perused the online menu to get an idea of what I might like to order. To me, it seemed like everything was just... expensive. $19 for a salmon sandwich. $16 for tacos. $12 for a plain old burger. $12 for three short rib sliders with NO sides. I was like, "Good God. For these prices the food must be amazing!" While certainly not amazing, the food is passable. My burger was fine. The fries were fine. But they certainly weren't spectacular. Service is also just fine during the day. No complaints. Based on other reviews this place turns into a complete shit show of epic proportions in the evening hours. Note to self: Avoid.
(3)Stephanie L.
I have only been to this place for lunch & daytime drinks. I have to say, I'm a fan. I like the atmosphere...20's-30's ish. A little more upscale bar feeling. The food is pretty good. We had the nachos, burger, chicken sandwich & breakfast burritos. All of it I would order again. The burger was much better than I expected & came with truffle fries! Bonus! Bloody Mary's are excellent & mimosas are heavy on the champagne!!! Just the way I like them. Service is also pretty good. Each time I've been here, our servers have been very attentive with food, drinks & water. Not to mention, there are several tvs...everywhere so you don't have to worry about being able to see.
(4)Meghan S.
I have been here a dozen times for different events or to meet up with people in the area. I am now refusing to return. I had some of the worst drinks of my life the last time I went in. This place isn't crazy expensive but it isn't dollar beer night either and the drinks were incredibly weak. I go out all over the downtown area and I have never experienced that. And every time I have been there the staff has been unbelievably rude! Why? I haven't had a single pleasant experience out of all the times I have been to this place.
(1)Ashley B.
Great great menu! I had the crab cake benedict and it was awesome! I also really love that there are taps at the table. The overall atmosphere is pretty nice too, there are tvs but it's definitely not a sports bar. I feel like it would be good for numerous occasions.
(4)Ginger G.
This place was okay! Guacamole was really good!! Service was a little slow.
(3)Jon D.
***BRUNCH REVIEW ONLY*** You're going to have to excuse me, as I'm a little taken aback by the brunch served here. I agreed to go, but went with the mindset stereotyping B&B as just another douchy River North location that would probably offer bottomless mimosas, hot waitresses, and "meh" food. The first two were true; there are bottomless mimosa's and bloodies for $20, and the servers are, in fact, quite attractive. But the third item. Holy crap, batman, I was absolutely blown away by the grub. Homemade pop-tarts were the first to come out, one sweet, one savory, changed every weekend. We happened to have peanut butter and blueberry in the sweet, and smoked turkey, cheeses and....something in the other. The turkey was amazing, very homemade feeling, as if the chefs mother made it for you. The blueberry/PB combo was also tasty, although not as great, as I felt the pb overpowered and came on a bit strong. MUCH LIKE THE MALE CLIENTAL THE NIGHT BEFORE, AMIRIGHT?!?! Sorry, sorry. Moving on. Second were breakfast tacos on your choice of corn or flour, leading to another of those Billy Madison-esque "shampoo is better, no conditioner is" debates between girlfriend and I ( youtube.com/watch?v=N_Gj… ). Either way, tasty. Although could use a crunch element, and I know that makes me sound like a fool. Oh, also Benedict, also featuring smoked turkey, asparagus, and tasty. All tasty. Super tasty. Last, but best, was the belgian waffle. This isn't some namby-pamby Motel-6 make your own waffle by using the soda-type waffle batter dispenser. This is some dense, caramelized sugar bits and white chocolate and. Look, I don't order waffles, as I generally DON'T do sweet, but this is in a class of it's own. I could make some outrageous statement about sleeping with the chef to have one every morning, but I hate those people, and I couldn't think of a funny one. Coffee - surprisingly good. Service - came with a smile, but spend a bit more time reading the menu, and knowing whats on it. Facilities - Very clean. Booths - those backs were at a perfect 90 degree angle, that doesn't work for relaxing after gorging. TV's - a Plenty. Cocktail menu - uninspired.
(4)Mary W.
I don't think I will ever go back after my HORRENDOUS lunch experience. I've always thought the service was less than desirable, but having to wait an HOUR for my lunch to come is ridiculousness. After being seated, the waitress took my food and drink order, and then didn't come back until I have been waiting for about 45 mins for my food. She apologized and said it should be out shortly. After waiting over an hour, the manager brought our food and offered to take care of the bill, which I gladly acccepted. The table seated near us had the same issue, but we watched other tables around us arrive after we did and get their food before us. Given that this is a typical Loop lunch spot, there is no reason for such slow service where lunch rushes are common. I appreciate the manager picking up the tab, but there is NO WAY I am coming back to this place.
(1)Chris J.
They get 3 stars for being one of the few places that are happening on Sunday, which is industry night. They get 1 extra star because a couple of years ago I saw somebody get choked out here. Turning red and everything. Granted, the guy was okay, but it was still funny to watch. You will always catch a couple of greased and gelled up neanderthals walking around, but for a Sunday you can't beat it.
(4)Meghan H.
Ahh, utter disappointment. I had "The Melt Down" (their verbiage for create-you-own-sandwich) of chicken + bacon + swiss on multigrain. Sounded delicious in theory....execution?---not so great. What was supposed to be the entire substance/backbone of the sandwich ended up being 2 MEASLY pieces of super dry chicken :( The swiss and bacon were just fine, and the bread was decent. But...ah (sigh) the chicken was just inexcusably wrong. The rest of my group had burgers and they didn't have much to complain about with those, but then again all these guys have for comparison are the hockey-puck-imitations-of-burgers that they get at McD's and Burger King... I suppose I should mention that the service was pretty good: attentive and friendly. Ambience was nice: this isn't some gross dive bar. On the contrary, it's pretty done up and modern. Although I did find it to be SUPER DARK in here.. Though I'm not legal, the bar seemed to be quite agreeable--so if that's all you're looking for, you probably shouldn't rule this place out. As far as food is concerned, keep walking.
(2)Garrett F.
I don't normally write bad reviews but this place pissed me off. I wanted to have a nice brunch with my girlfriend before she had a busy day at work. We didn't have time to wait for yolk so we kept walking and decided on Bull & Bear. We got a table right away and ordered coffee and and our meals. We had a few cups of coffee and our server kept telling us the food was coming but it never did. An hour later some guy kept bringing out different dishes asking if it was ours. The manager said the kitchen was backed up which clearly wasn't the case as we watched people come in sit down and receive their food before us. He said he'll pay for our coffee. Sadly we had to leave without ever receiving our food. My girlfriend had to go to work with no food in her. THIS PLACE SUCKS!!!
(1)Derrick T.
My co worker and I were looking for a good burger, and so after checking out various suggestions on different websites, decided to make the half mile short walk to Bull and Bear. Got in around noon on a Tuesday and got served with a 25 minute wait for a table? More popular for lunch than I thought... we saddled up to the bar to discuss some business and enjoy some food. Pretty faced bartender took our order, and was nice enough not to disturb us much during our business meeting. Appreciated it! Bull & Bear burger - truffled fries with ketchup and bacon aioli sauce were a nice side. Fries were crisped up well. I ordered up the burger as rare to medium rare, and found that it was medium to medium well upon eating... very disappointed that the kitchen couldn't get the order to the right consistency, and also a waste of kobe beef when cooked to that level of doneness. Sweet onion marmalade was quite a nice balance, sweetness to cut the salt. Verdict: If you're going to ask how I want my burger, please grill the burger right. Not gonna lie, it was a good burger, good bun, and well thought out combination of flavors, but it's a disappointment to not enjoy high quality beef like kobe at rare instead of the medium well they served it. I'd likely come back with a group to hang out, as it seems like a potentially fun place with decent food.
(3)Jason B.
I don't really go here for drinks, more to grab food. I think their food is fantastic and the service is pretty good as well. We went here for brunch and the Bears game and we were happy with our meal. Last time I went here I had the grilled salami sandwich. It was spicy and quite tasty. I'd definitely recommend this place for bar food.
(4)Amelia B.
Bull & Bear was THE trendy hotspot several years ago. Yet the staff somehow THINKS that it is still the place to be. Sorry sirs, I can do without that attitude, thank you very much. As a result of multiple bad experiences, I haven't been for over a year until I decided to give it another chance this past weekend. Yup, still as bad as I remembered, possibly worse. When we arrived around 9pm on a Friday night, the place mostly empty. Perfect, that's exactly what I wanted to have a drink and conversation before we headed to later, more drunken and packed venues. Despite the place being three-quarters empty, no one acknowledged our party after we sat down. Yup, had to end up going to the bar for a drink after 15mins. Lame. Further lame, the waitress who then came up and told us that the table was reserved in 10mins, and we needed to relocate. Well, first of all--there were no signs (other tables had them). Second of all, there are DOZENS of other empty tables. You really need THIS one? If you have a huge group and want to do the taps, then by all means, its a fine spot. If you want to head somewhere and just have a few drinks, go to one of the dozens of other places in the area. 3-stars for being an outdoor lunch spot. The dbaggery is under control, the people watching is great, and the food is decent, though wholly unmemorable. 1-star for anytime after 9pm on a Thurs-Sat night.
(2)Dana O.
Went here on one of the first Saturdays that was devoid of college football -thank God! We sat at a table in the back of the first level. There weren't many people there when we first arrived, but once the place started to fill up it seemed unnecessarily cramped. A group of about 12 frat guys was occupying the booth adjacent to our table. There wasn't enough room for all of them to sit down so we had a bunch of annoying drunk guys crowding around the back of our table - kind of annoying. Either way, our waitress was only semi-attentive. However, my food was nothing short of amazing! I had the buttermilk pancakes and they were delicious. Not too much dough and just perfectly sweet. My friend ordered the nachos and they were poorly made. Bad nachos = cheese and toppings only covering the top 10 chips ( and this plate was HUGE); all chips on the underneath side totally bare. Kind of disappointing because the ingredients they used were fresh and tasted good, but it was too much of a hassle to have to take toppings off of the top chips and spread them to the bare chips on the bottom. Good hangover food. Not good if you don't like an unnecessarily crowded space. I will say that it is cool that they have a free "cereal bar" during brunch. I am a big cereal fan. Walk up, get your bowl, fill it up with cereal, pour in the milk and enjoy. That's something I've never seen before, I was pleasantly surprised.
(3)Nick A.
Def make reservations!! Place was packed! Upscale sports bar is how I would classify this place. Everything about Bull and Bear is pretty typical for a bar of its kind honestly. Great Americana cuisine that offers quick bites/apps and entrees, great half off 22oz drafts/apps happy hour specials, and attractive/quick bar/wait staff! What makes this place mostly unique are the seating booths with built it beer taps!!! Don't get the boneless wings...they're not breaded and its essentially chicken breast cut into 6 pieces with sauce poured over it. Kobe beef sliders with amazing though!
(4)Eli K.
A group of about eight of us stopped into Bull & Bear on a recent weeknight. It was close to last call, but a waitress still took our order and led us to a booth. Our drinks arrived, and about a minute later, a manager told us we had to leave because they were closing. Then a different manager came up and again insisted we had to go, even though we just received our drinks and hadn't even paid. When our group made this point, this second manager - who was clearly drunk - began using profanity and hurling insults at us. When we got up and left, without paying, the two managers and waitress followed us outside and insisted we give them the money. We refused, arguing that we hadn't been able to even finish our drinks and that they told us to go. They yelled some more, but clearly the drunk manager had no clue what he was doing, because he continued to insult us as we tried to talk this over. Horrible customer service here. Not coming back, there's plenty of other spots in the neighborhood to get a drink without being yelled at.
(1)Alan K.
I am fascinated by their tap technology tables. Essentially, some of the tables (5 of them according to their website) have their own beer taps at the table. You can have your own beer on tap which makes things so much easier than having the waiters/waitresses come back to get more drinks. The decor and ambiance inside the restaurant was upscale. For a sports bar, it is a really nice one. I think the next time I come here, I would like to try the tap technology tables and bring a nice group of friends to have beers with along with a couple of appetizers of course to soak up that alcohol.
(4)Dan M.
We we're here for half an hour before finally being addressed by someone who could serve us a drink. Another half hour later we gave up, put our money on the table and left.
(1)Dan R.
My friends ordered a burger here and it has taken more than an hour and a half for it to arrive. Avoid this bar if you want food in a decent amount of time
(1)Irbad C.
Although I had a bad experience the day prior, my following experience was outstanding. Our stunning waitress, Amy, was exceptionally pleasant and accommodating throughout the entire evening. She recommended the pan roasted rustic chicken which was perfect for any heavy meat eater! It would have been nice to be greeted by the manager at some point, especially with such a large party. I feel it is proper restaurant etiquette nowadays. Overall, great experience and food.
(5)Erika G.
Nice place. Swank. Predictably expensive, caters to the downtown, see and be seen crowd. We popped in here, thirsty after three hours of Tango and had a very well-made and painfully dry martini. We tried to use some drink tickets we'd gotten at the Yelp Xmas party, but it seems the guy who gave them to us (who had been fired) neglected to put the date on them, which rendered them unuseable. PROPS to the charming, friendly bartender who did the right thing, and honored them anyway after a bit of persuasion. There's a man who knows how to do business, and makes it more likely we'll pay a return visit. Those Kobe beef mini-burgers on the menu looked gooooooood, as did the fries with garlic aioli.
(3)Cory A.
Just, wasn't that good. I'm a vegetarian so there is definitely not a lot available for people who don't eat meat. I went here on a trip for school. I ordered the truffle mac, which I must admit for an appetizer was pretty huge. I must not like truffle oil though because it was way to rich for me to consider it comfort food. When I eat mac and cheese, it makes me astoundingly happy. This was the opposite. I also ordered the Greek salad. The ratio of cucumbers, grape tomatoes, and olives to lettuce was pretty much astounding. There was way to much going on. The restaurant is nice on the inside, but I wouldn't eat here again, despite our really awesome waitress. Someone in our party also found a bug in her food. They gave her a 50 dollar gift card.
(2)Salil G.
Came in LATE on a Thursday and it was starting to die down. We got a table in the front and it was fun. Drinks were fine, not weak, not super stiff, but good. Place is fun, so be ready to have a good time. Only issue is that their closing time is variable. They weren't as busy as "they wanted to be," so they made the decision to close a bit early. That kind of sucked as there were still enough people in the place to have some fun. Anyways, nothing good happens after 2am, so not a bad thing that they closed at 1:15-1:30...
(4)Cat D.
Went to brunch this past Saturday -- menu is interesting (e.g., breakfast sandwiches on pretzel bread; breakfast tacos; bananas foster french toast), food is pretty good, service is great. There's seating outside; we got a big comfy booth inside.
(4)Taufiq H.
Really nice place better than expected. Had house poptarts omlette eggs with poggled
(4)Jennifer G.
My experience here was just o.k. The service wasn't amazing. My friend ordered a melt and the presentation was less than impressive. I ordered the turkey club that was pretty good. With so ma y other restaurant options in the area, I'd go back only for the truffle mac and cheese. It was absolutely amazing. So, if there is a game on and you want some apps and a few beers, head here. If looking for a better dining experience, as a whole, this is not the place to go.
(3)Courtney M.
Awful, just plain awful. To be fair, this is a review of their delivery/take-out, I have not actually eaten in the restaurant. I working late and my co-worker and I were looking for something to eat - decided to splurge and order delivery from Bull & Bear. He ordered a burger and I ordered the seared tuna salad. Delivery took over an hour (and we probably 10 minutes away). My salad arrived without any utensils (how do they expect you to eat a salad without a fork, Im not sure). The pieces of tuna were paper thin, not at all seasoned, about an inch in size and only a total of 5 slices on the salad!! Seriously??!?! It was like $16 or $18 and just awful... No taste at all. My co-worker ended up with a cold burger and cold soggy fries... My bf and I have ordered from here before, and neither of us was impressed with the food, so I probably should have learned my lesson the first time around. But I was giving them the benefit of the doubt and decided to try it again. Ended up throwing away the salad and $50 for dinner for two (including tax, delivery fee and tip).... Ugh, not sure what the hype is about...
(1)Erica D.
One of the few places I've Found that are ALWAYS consistent. I've never had a bad experience at Bull & Bear. Between the awesome, upscale Sports bar feel, the amazing bar food, nice servers and AMAZING bloody marys, I'm always happy when leaving this establishment Sunday Morning brunch at 11am..only a couple tables filled... But lets just start with the amazing deal of Bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Marys for $20! You can mix and match too!! The Hostesses are always nice, greeting with a smile and no attitude (rare to find) The managers are always making sure Food, service and experience are exceeding expectations. My date and I ordered the Eggs benedict, a Great Hollandaise sauce is hard to find. Well, bull and bear nailed it.. Adding their own spin on it, paired with fresh fruit it was the perfect breakfast. I of course, love hollandaise sauce so much I could've used another side it was so good! Mind you, This chef is the same for Public House as well =) Delightful, 3 hour brunch with non-stop mimosas and bloody Marys I was VERY HAPPY when leaving!
(4)Francisco M.
Well, wellllllll, where to start???!!!! Went on a casual Friday , and it was packed....I mean around 9pm,like really???couldnt order my drinks, people don't move mannnn....I'm like excuse me....I found myself blocking someone since I was standing the whole time....unless you go for a bday, don't go
(1)Leslie S.
I used to work down the street from Bull & Bear and found myself here for lunch on warm, sunny days because it was one of the few restaurants within walking distance with an outdoor seating area. The portions at Bull & Bear are huge, the taste so-so. I usually order the Nacho Index, an appetizer big enough to feed three people. The Blackened Fish Tacos are an okay choice as well. Really, the restaurant offers plenty of menu options so finding something to eat shouldn't be an issue. The restaurant/bar itself is a bit dark inside, which is why I prefer the sidewalk. It can also get pretty loud in there, even at lunchtime. The waitstaff isn't overly attentive, but they certainly are pleasant enough.
(2)Chris D.
lousy service, weak overpriced drinks. was standing at the bar when 2 people in front of us got up from their chairs to leave... we were about to sit in those chairs when a bouncer came rushing over, TOOK THE CHAIRS AWAY and said "No sitting allowed!" literally have never seen that before. especially since there were other people sitting in chairs at the same bar. he then stacked the chairs in a corner, sat down in a chair himself and played with his phone, never acknowledging us again or explaining why we couldn't sit. was that his way of getting us to leave? well, it worked. and we'll never be back. nice job, bouncer!
(1)William K.
The funniest thing is the concept of making a 'reservation' for this place, which is something straight out of a college-town bar pretending to be a restaurant. I saw this spot in Chicago Magazine, and the food looked good. The main problem: me and my girl waited 20 minutes, and no table service arrived. Perhaps the worst table service I've ever received dining out. All the while, the tables around us were getting their orders taken and the drinks were flowing their way. I found it kind of odd that all we got was the busboy who at least gave us water. You know a spot is bad when the bus-staff encourages leaving, which is what we did.
(1)Missy C.
Went to Bull & Bear for the very first time yesterday to play trivia with some friends. Trivia was a lot of fun - I liked that the questions were projected on the TV screens. We got third place...yay us! Also, they post a trivia question on their website every week, and if you get the answer right you get a $20 gift certificate which is pretty awesome. As far as food goes, I thought it was pretty good. I ordered grilled cheese and tomato soup and it was delicious. I suppose grilled cheese is pretty hard to screw up though. I also got a side of sweet potato fries which were probably the best sweet potato fries I've ever had. Our server, (Steph?), was super super friendly and very attentive. She stopped by our table multiple times to check on us. I'll have to check this place out on a Friday or Saturday night and see what's up.
(4)Jami S.
Have been going to Bull & Bear for years as a happy hour destination and it always delivered. The crowd can be kind of snobby but the atmosphere is fun and the drinks are great for happy hour. Never really thought to go for dinner or weekend brunch. Until now... Love the outdoor patio and even more the fact they allow small dogs! Bull & Bear has def gone up several points in my book since not many bars allow dogs on their outdoor patios. Since we learned this we have been back 3 times at least for Saturday brunch. Also the food is (surprisingly) fantastic! I would never have thought since it is technically bar food, but it is worth going back for. Favorites: Sliders Truffle Fries Junk Bond Salad Southwestern Salad
(4)Howard C.
Bull and Bear is just a really cool spot for unique salads, burgers and sandwiches. Tons of tv's and taps built into the booths. There could be a little more seating as I've seen people wait fair amounts of time during busy hours. The waitresses are always decent enough at their jobs and generally make up for any lack of brains with being cute. My main go-to in my handful of trips has been the chicken sandwich on a nice bun, honey mustard, bacon, swiss (I believe), avocado, etc. Very delicious. One time I went it was dry, but in all my other experiences it was excellent. The burgers look pretty amazing as well. I haven't had one yet, but if you have Merkts then you are my friend. They do have fresh cut fries, truffle fries, sweet potato fries to go with your sandwich. They are a little thin for my liking, but overall pretty tasty. I do try to avoid a plate-full of french fries if I can. This past weekend when I went my buddy got an egg white omelet with no cheese and no meat, just salsa and jalapenos and he thought it was awesome. Not my personal cup of tea, but he's watching his figure and was seemingly happy. I'm not a drinker, but they seem to have a nice selection of beers and top shelf liquor. If you're downtown, looking to watch some games or just looking for some good food in a nice, happy, sometimes loud atmosphere.
(4)Sarah V.
I have been to Rude & Prude... excuse me, Bull & Bear, half a dozen times. Each time before I go, I think of the inventive table tappers, the over-sized booths for friends and I to shmooch together in, the delectable menu and the vast number of t.v.s. And then I get there... The hostesses are not hired to host or seat you. No no. They are hired to stare customers down, smack their gum in between "OMG"s and fake business. Once bypassing these girls, it takes a long ten minutes to step over and squish between the hoards of people packed in here like cattle. I always have horrid images of a fire breaking out while trapped at the back bar where breathing room is still found in small quantities. Finally, FINALLY make it back to the back bar and order my simple vodka and soda water with lime. Funny, I never remember forgetting to mention the vodka, and yet each time I get my drink it's sans the ingredient I paid $8 for. Hm. Quite a sneaky system they have going here. This place is always so jam-packed that watching the t.v.s instead of where you're stepping is just hazardous to your health. And forget eating, because getting a table is likened to going down the street and buying a Smart Car right off the lot. Impossible. I keep looking for the appeal here and yet I have never found it. I give up.
(2)Riccardo S.
I've been here for lunch, and enjoyed myself, but have also been here after-work, and found it so packed and loud that I just turned around and left. The staff are friendly, quick to ask you if you'd like your beer to be a tall (yes, please!), and don't hover or push anything on you, but don't leave you forlorn. The truffle mac & cheese appetizer is a great side to order with your meal if you have a party of 2 or 3 at your table. By itself, I'd think it would be a good small unto itself. You really have to try the crispy honey-miso salmon. The fish itself was perfect, and the rice had this hint of miso that was *just* right. Oh...one other thing...the restaurant should really consider scheduling incredibly-loud pipe welding and maintenance in the rafters of the dining room for outside of business hours. Kinda detracted from the experience, all in all.
(3)N T.
This is not at all the kind of place I go - with that being said, the drinks were fairly priced, and the staff were so friendly and chill - the door guys (the first door guys I've met where I wanted to stay and talk with them), the servers, the bussers - definitely a surprise compared to the other franchise bars around the neighborhood. Next time I find myself at a party in this part of town, I will convince my friends to go here (no cover either!) if only for the great folks working there.
(4)Nick H.
Ugh. Not for me.. Felt like I was on the set of Jersey Shore. Full of pretentious wh$res seeking sugar daddys. Worst thing was the sl*t of a bartender: I ordered 4 O-bombs at $8 each, I handed in $50 and the bartender said 'Is that all you got?' felt like smacking her with the stupid hat on her head, WTF!!!!! Will never be back, thank God.
(1)Lexie N.
Awesome and inventive food, and friendly staff. It was a great environment for a lazy Sunday brunch and it wasn't nearly as busy as I expected. We loved everything from the house-made pop tarts to the mimosas. We will most definitely be back!
(5)Ryne D.
There are several sides to B&B. Surprisingly I haven't really hit it up for it's most popular reason, which is happy hour right after work. Dinner - The one time I came here I went for their signature burger. Is there any way to mess up American Kobe (I assume wagyu) and truffle fries? Nope, not really. Nightlife - Expect to stand in line to get in. Inside is almost always packed, but at least there are two bars to order from. Protip: they have a giant air conditioner in the back. They have table taps, but you need to reserve those in advance. Mardi Gras night - Ok, since this place isn't really a Mardi Gras crazy party type place. However, the night I was here with some out of town friends, and we were almost treated like we weren't wanted. Maybe our waitress had a chip on her shoulder because she wasn't out partying? Regardless, I've never had a waitress give us time to think about what to order, and that time span was only a couple minutes long. Nor have I ever seen someone so anxious to cash us out and get us the hell out of there. I'm sure I'll be back. Just not during any holidays.
(3)Stephanie H.
I went here last Friday for the first time with a group of girlfriends. We were here for an event with a wristband deal. The music was good, drinks were affordable, and atmosphere enjoyable. My only complaint was that it was a bit overcrowded. They have booths you can reserve with taps that seem like they would be a lot of fun if you're going with groups. The bartender was also nice and friendly. I would definitely go back.
(4)Galina M.
Not great service and food is very sub par but a step above for bar food! Id prob not go there again ...again this is for brunch/lunch. Its a fun place at night :)
(2)Mahsa T.
Unfortunately this place doesn't deserve a smidge more than 3 stars. I joined my friend here on a Friday night for happy hour and quickly realized it was not my scene--frat boys and trashy girls in skintight dresses and platform heels. Then there were the more casual after work groups. Bull & Bear is just an upscale sports bar, nothing special and certainly nothing worth going out of your way for. I liked English much better. Only compliment I can give this place: good music. We finished our drinks and we were out of there.
(3)Lauren Y.
Poor-to-mediocre menu and OBNOXIOUSLY loud! The place was only half full and no one at our table could hear / talk to anyone else. I don't know if they turn up the tv's extra loud so that people have to practically yell to simply talk to each other or what, but the layout is awful! As for the food, the nachos appear big, but that's only b/c they pile on the chips...very little toppings. They should at least triple the amount of toppings for the price they charge. The portions are skimpy too...especially for the price. Now that I've experienced this, I can also cross its sister restaurants (Siena Tavern & Public House) of my list of places to try!
(1)Brandon T.
Really don't mind this place. Kind of cool, I always hear people see famous people here at times, but I haven't. Like the outdoor seating, and the wings are great. Decent beer selection, they have Leffe which has become one of my favorites lately. Crappy wines that are overpriced, but that has a trend in this area of bars I have noticed. Gets fairly busy at night. Not worth making a trip out of your way to come here.
(3)Aubrey R.
Not sure why this place gets so many bad reviews. I've been there twice and sure the service isn't great, but it's a bar. It's so hard to find good service these days anyway unless you are at a nice, fancy restaurant. I think we get treated poorly as we look young, so servers usually don't think we are going to tip them well. Anyways... I enjoy Bull & Bear, the food is good. Love the truffle fries (which come with this really good sauce), the mac n cheese, the grilled cheese is also good. Ya, I love cheese. I've had their kobe sliders, which were a little dried and overcooked. The wings are pretty good. Unless you have a reservation, it's hard to get a table. I've tried coming several times for happy hour, but failed. It is always so busy. Place is pretty loud as well, so it's hard to have a conversation. Been here twice, once on a winter Tuesday evening at 8:30 and so it was dead. Then a couple weeks ago I had a group of 11, but we made a reservation. Wow, we racked up a 700 bill. We ordered a ton of food, beers and a few rounds of shots. Well, it was my guys birthday...
(3)Laurel R.
Wow, what a pleasant surprise. Saturday pm, brunch menu is served until late in the day. Hubby tried an upbeat eggs benedict and I had the spicy gazpacho. Service on the outdoor sidewalk was quite good. We noticed a steady stream of patrons opting for indoors and it appeared a strong following of locals as well as some tourists. Gazpacho was outstanding as I like flavor and hubby enjoyed his food and service. I would definitely plan to return...not delighted with necessary facilities accessed by stairs, but that seems to happen a bit more frequently in Chicago than some cities.
(4)Shruti M.
Crab cake Benedict was delicious!
(4)Kendall R.
The food here is great. The chicken sandwich is top notch, the honey mustard aioli really sweetens it up. However, Franny is quite possibly the WORST server, I have ever experienced. If you're not an attractive single male, be prepared to get ignored. She didn't bring out or drinks, didn't bring out our appetizer. Went an hour without touching our table. From now on, I will order my food to go, this way I don't have to deal with the poor service.
(1)Allen M.
This is a cool bar and they also have good food. I was told it was a sports bar. I would not go there to watch a football game though. There are not any big screens to watch the games on. It is more like a pub and restaurant. It is a fun place to hang out. Try the Mac & cheese. It is excellent.
(4)Dan S.
What can I say. I have really tried to give this place a shot. I have been about a half dozen times and they cant seem to get anything right except hiring pretentious staff that have no idea what hospitality is. If the suck-service wasn't enough they can't prepare food the way you order it. Four times I ordered a medium rare 'bull & bear burger' THE SIGNATURE ITEM - and 4 times it came out OVER COOKED why ask me how i want it cooked if you're going to ignore what i say anyway. good luck going out of business, oh wait you won't cause you cater to mindless drones dumping alcohol down their gullet.
(1)Johnny T.
I know it's hip to hate on this place, but I really can't. My experience was decent. My service was pleasant. My drinks were acceptable. I don't know that I'd ever come here for a meal, but I don't know that I would go to a shoe store for ice cream, you know? It's a bar. By the Merchandise Mart. (largely) Populated by folks who work in the Merchandise Mart and do Merchandise-y things (hence, the name). B&B is doing a majority of the guess work for you, folks. Meet 'em halfway. Come here on a hot summer night, sit outside and get faded. This is the best use of your time and money and B&B's assets. Everyone's happy. Because I am the prettiest of the pretty ponies, I started my trip to inebriation with a raspberry mojito and pretended I was in Miami. I wasn't in Miami. I was lured into getting it by the prospect of Bacardi Dragonberry. Rum + weird fruit! I'm on it. But once the muddled raspberries, lime and simple syrup were added, the drink was a bit too cloying -- even for me. The mint and soda, while necessary for the designation, 'mojito,' seemed like after thoughts. While the taste was a bit *much*, the drink had the desired effect and sent me to la la land. So, I ordered a Lush: cucumber Grey Goose, more lime juice, more simple syrup (back away from the syrup, folks) and FRESH WATERMELON. It's a wrap, folks. This drink was a bit more summery and refreshing... and MUCH stronger. I place the blame solely on this drink that I soon wound up at LaSalle Power Company. B&B will get you to your chosen state of blackout. 's good. Their website, though. Obnoxious. Don't have your speakers on. You've been warned.
(3)Joel M.
Stopped here for beer and a burger before a night out. The draft beer selection wasn't bad - had Sofie, Green Line, and 312 on tap. The burgers were solid - bonus points for the bacon they topped them with which was thick, juicy, and generously applied. The truffle fries were pretty good (watch out for the high surcharge for adding these to your burger), but Rockit's are better. Atmosphere is pretty in line with what you would expect from a near north sports bar - lots of happy hour drinkers catching the Bulls game and a pretty modern look and feel. Overall, this place delivered what I expected but not a lot more.
(3)Faye G.
TOO MANY AMAZING RESTAURANTS IN CHICAGO TO DEAL WITH THE RUDENESS OF THIS PLACE. Went the other night, (it was game night) and the not so brilliant hostess said the tables at the bar were available for first come first serve. As we sat down and ordered the beers, she said the table was reserved and then the manager came over (Corey I believe) asked us to get up from the table. I have never in my life been asked to get up from a table that was clearly not marked reserved. Could not pay me to go back here and do not recommend you wasting your money and time on this place.
(1)Erick P.
I went here on a Sat night for my friend's bday. When we got there ( around 11 p,m), it was already JAM PACKED, nowhere to go and ppl spilling drinks on you trying to get by. I don't know if it was NBA or WNBA night but almost EVERYONE was taller than me. I am sorry but I am 5'10, I am nowhere near "short" I would say I am "average" height. However, 90% of the guys and girls were like 6"2 and taller, I was so confused. I turned around and this girl's boobs were at my EYE LEVEL. lol Thanks for the free show but I dont feel like jumping up to kiss you woman. The Music was decent and it was really crowded with a bunch of tall people. I prob won't go back here unless it was a birthday or special occasion.
(3)Adriane P.
I tried it on a girls night out. The Lush and Lotus cocktails, though pricey were delish and we shared an order of the truffle fries. In less than an hour, I was approached by three doctors. Do I look ill? Is this a doctor hang out spot? Was there a medical convention in town? Their wing men talked to my galleons while they awkwardly stood around my high top chair regalling me with their stories. It is crowded and plays top 40 hits. Hey, I like Britney Spears, (so I said it!), and didn't mind, just wanted to catch up with my sweet girlfriends. After we finished the rounds the random Messrs bought, we wisely left for greener pastures and a guy ran out with a piece of paper he shoved in my hand while we climbed into the cab, with ten numbers scribbled on it. What the heck does that mean?
(3)Glen H.
I really liked the setup here. If you're able to get a booth it's great for groups. Staff was really friendly. The Unbearable Wings were really good. Will highly suggest them.
(4)RJ C.
This a great place to catch a game and have some drinks! I love Sunday fun-day's here. If you're in a big group, I recommend "The Heisman." For $100 it includes: 25 wings, 12 Mini Belgian Dogs, 8 Kobe Sliders, and 2 buckets of Bud Light bottles (12). Worth it.
(4)Terrill W.
Went to Bull & Bear for a Sunday brunch and some bears football. The food was great--I'd recommend the sausage cheddar biscuit--but the true highlight was the bartenders. We didn't have a reservation so we got the only other spots available at the back bar, and those guys were great. Generously poured mimosas, shots after every bears touchdown, and free candy! Except the manager came by and took our candy because apparently he's not as fun as the bartenders. Anyway, this place was great and we are definitely coming back!
(5)Brett F.
Eh. Wavering... 2 star? 3 star? Whatever. Let us pretend for a moment that you like 'meat market' type of establishments. You know, gussied girls, preppy boys, all preening and posturing for one another while simultaneously glancing over one another's shoulders seeking someone hotter and more 'interesting' to talk to. If you're lucky enough to get into an intelligible conversation with one of these aforementioned folks you'll likely be amply (and loudly) informed on the uberpricey dinner they just had at SUSHISAMBA Rio or Carnivale and how this, of course, is just their first stop on the partay train. So Major! Anyhow, in the case that you relate to any of the above, then Bull & Bear is still likely a 3 star spot for you. For the rest of us that don't enjoy being crammed into a sardine can filled with an overly indulged, overly superior and overly vain crowd that find a tap of cheap, domestic beer sprouting from their booth a valued novelty, 2 stizzars it be.
(3)Kaitlin L.
Truffle fries and truffle mac- what dreams are made of, end of story. Fun place to drink too, but does turn into a bit of a nightmare if you're a quick drinker. The crowds around the bar get a little bit ridiculous, and the narrow layout doesn't help either.
(4)Christina S.
After my recent Sunday Brunch experience, I'm not in a huge hurry to return - but I know I will, if only because of the location - and the banana pancakes...The banana pancakes alone almost bumped them up to 3 stars for me. Almost, but not quite.... Highlights: Great location, perfect outdoor seating, fantastic banana pancakes (even before the real maple syrup or housemade coconut cream sauce - both being almost (not quite) unnecessary on such crispy, banana-y flavor. Misses: Slooooowwwwwww service from the kitchen (over 30 minutes to get the first dish, followed by the second - which was incorrect and took another 10 minutes to be replaced); Our omlet came completely different from our order at first; and the replacement order was still missing one of the requested fillings (which we left unmentioned, because a) we were really not hungry anymore by that time and b) the manager had already said they were comping it; pretty $6 mimosas seem somewhat small (even for the price) and are weighed down with too-heavy fruit pulp that sinks to the bottom of the glass, creating a sort of fruit sludge. Note: We were sitting outside during the first Bear's game of the season. Indoors sounded great for Bear's fans - but would not have been a good place for anyone trying to have a conversation - we were getting constant updates on the game, overheard from indoors. Before going, you may want to check the game schedule...
(2)Cara B.
I recently hosted a bridal shower here over the weekend. We did All you can drink mimosas and bloody marys package which was so great because if you had 2 or more, you got your money's worth. Also, they let us stay for about 3 hours, which is extremely generous to continuously serve drinks in that time span. Generally, you don't get to take advantage of a deal like this for a private party. I worked with Laura Faith (in events planning) and she took care of everything and was so helpful. She made menu suggestions for apps to be passed as well as items to choose from for an entree. For a sit-down bruncheon, the pricing was extremely affordable. Our waitress was attentive and great and we all had a wonderful time. Thanks for a great party bull & bear!
(5)Kristen D.
Fun bar and great food selection. It gets pretty crowded so don't expect to be able to carry a quiet conversation here. The truffle mac and cheese is devine !
(4)Alden V.
Dropped in here a couple times now. Most recently with a friend to settle a Final Four bet which I lost, embarrassingly, as he knows nothing of college ball. I have to say it's worth coming here for the truffle fries alone. Wings are good too, but definitely get the hottest ones as the "max" wings were more on the "min" side to me. The burger was supposed to be medium and it came well done, I was on a tight schedule, otherwise I would've sent it back for a re-do. But the bacon they use is as thick as your wrist, and was delicious, so I'd order it again. Beer selection is really sub par comparatively, and it's a little overpriced for what it is, I guess, but I come back. With a couple beers it ended up being a $60 bet all-in. Completely unrelated... the review below about the girl playing Sex and the City trivia is hilarious. But here's a better idea than writing a yelp review about it... maybe just don't play Sex and the City trivia?
(4)Nadia S.
Yaaaay Bull & Bear has totally redeemed themselves! Decided to give brunch another try with my husband this time and so glad I did. We got amazing service and amazing food...Our waitress was really sweet and took good care of us. My short rib benedict was amaze... and the hubby's PBJ french toast was sooo good. I think when I came the first time last summer, it was probably just a super busy day.... I felt so bad for being so rough with my previous review so i deleted it lol.. Anyway, highly recommend this place for brunch!! Amazing prices too- be sure to get ur poggled coupon before going!
(5)Dan D.
:: High 2.5 stars:: I had low expectations about B&B when I came here for a birthday party. Those expectations were mostly met with a big crowd and no room to move. Luckily, our party had reserved a private booth, up the stairs above, the washrooms. Our waitress was real nice and attentive. She was also quick with the drinks. The drink prices were pretty decent for the area. $7 tall draft beer. There were some pretty good eye candy, and I thought the music was pretty good. But, If it wasn't for the private booth, there is no way I would ever go back. Good luck walking up to the bar to order yourself a drink. If you are planning to go here, reserve a booth.
(3)therese m.
I went to this horrendous bar this past Friday for a birthday party. The bar is packed with suburban douche baggery , wasted falling over 20 somethings.. A cocktail waitress with long blonde hair shoved me to her side, DELIBERATELY and without apology!!! I was there for a total of 8 minutes. When I walked out there were approximately 5 20 something girls that were so wasted they fell like a set of dominoes one top of the next and finally landing on a newspaper stand and tipped over a garbage can. This place is a dump!
(1)Roli C.
Bull and Bear is a favorite for me and my friends. The food is phenomenal, especially the wings-- as usual! Yesterday I went for dinner with a friend a received outstanding service. Our server, Amy, was simply amazing! My biggest regret is not taking the time to let the management know of her OUTSTANDING service. Amy, thanks- you were incredible!
(4)Jennifer Y.
Awesome brunch options at reasonable prices. American fare done well with most brunch options under $15. The bloody marys are really delicious here as well as plenty of beers on tap. Perhaps the most alluring option are the special beer tap tables. If I were a football ..insert your fav sport here... fan, I'd imagine this would be an awesome place to reserve a table and catch the game for a few hours.
(4)Janette W.
This seemed like a fun, chill Thursday night spot. We sat outside and enjoyed the weather and cheap champagne. I'm a big fan of the nighttime happy hour specials. I also ordered a gin drink with fresh strawberry and basil that was very tasty and perfect for the start of summer, but a little light on the gin. My friends ordered lots of food that looked yummy and they seemed happy with. Later on we went inside the bar and I thought it was a fun atmosphere, but the bouncers seemed a tad on the intense side.
(3)Jeffrey N.
The food, which we got to go, was decent. I enjoyed it. I'm not going to lie. But I won't tolerate rudeness from anyone serving me. You're in the SERVICE industry! If you don't like dealing with people (my girlfriend and I) then get the FUCK out of the service industry! The bartender was one of the biggest dickheads I've ever encountered in my entire life for just absolutely no reason. We couldn't of been more low-maintenance if we tried and for whatever reason he saw fit to be an asshole. Somebody burn this place down.
(1)Michael M.
Ok, so does this make any sense? 4 of us arrive for the Tuesday night 8:00 trivia at about 7:40. We're told by the hostess the front back bar is reserved for trivia and to head back there. We do. The back room/section is nearly empty at that point. We ask what table we can sit at. She says: "None. They're all reserved. You can stand at the bar." as she started putting "reserved" cards on each table. Suffice it to say, we walked out and had drinks up the street at O'Leary's. Our foursome is in search of a good place to get in and play trivia in the River North area..and this place had the opportunity to lock us in as regular trivia night customers. Instead, we will never go back. While I trust they filled their reserved tables, it amazes me how business establishments kill off future income potential in the arrogance of short term success. Do NOT go to this place for their Tuesday night trivia if you're not on their "reserved" list unless you want to play standing up.
(2)Luke S.
I would love to give this place a better review, but when you have a $500 tab and they tell you that you've been in your booth for more than the allotted time that's a big no no. I understand that the booth's with the tappers are a hot commodity, but we got there early had a decent sized party (8) and were constantly ordering drinks and food. They moved us to a table in the front, but I think it was somewhat insulting. The food was good, but pricey. I love the concept, but there are too many other places in the city that will show more appreciation for their customers.
(2)Wesley R.
A bull market for relatively tasty food, a bear market when trying to get a quick lunch. We'll look at B&B from a lunch perspective this time (River North 'Runch!), and I'll promise to update when I go here from a Happy Hour / drinking perspective. Situated in a relatively accessible pocket, the upscale look and feel of B&B certainly draws an amount of people that want to see people or be seen by them. Me? I wandered over since they were doing a Rank Your Frank (Hot Dogs, that is!) Week. As soon as I saw that I would be able to get 5 hot dogs for $9, my lunch plans were finalized. I got there intentionally after 1 pm, and things were fairly busy. Expect a little wait depending on the size of your party, your time of arrival, and insistence to lunch al fresco. Otherwise, the staff seemed relatively friendly. How was the hot dog flight, you wonder? Not so bad. Of the 5, two of them probably shouldn't return as an actual menu item. I could see the other 3 getting decent votes.
(3)nicole h.
Ok. So there were things I loved...and things I didn't. Loved: -Table tappers. -The music! It was like the DJ had tuned into my mental soundtrack! Think awesome 90s music seamlessly mixed with of-the-moment hits. No--seriously--AWESOME old school stuff. Which leaves me to what I didn't particularly care for... What I didn't love: -The crowd. Pretentious much? I'm starting to think I'm turned off by River North in general. Think cougars preying on barely legal boys buying bottle service. Blah. And did these barely legal boys share my 90s music enthusiasm? Probably not. I think they were still rocking diapers when "Ditty" came out. FML.
(3)Jonny C.
After a long day drinking my way around the Chi, my friend and I settled into the sidewalk section of Bull and Bear for an early dinner on a gorgeous albeit cool Sunday. This is a tweener type establishment : part hipster chic, part yuppy, part neighborhood. Drinks were quick and plentiful, the Kobe sliders were delish and the service was friendly. - star for charging extra for fries after the waitress sort of implied they were included with the meal. Im pissed i didnt know of their prowess with the mighty Buffalo wing, because i would have gorged. If staying in near river north, I wouldnt hesitate to head hereagain for either a meal or a drink as it seems to have a reputation for decent food, drinks and talent of both genders
(3)Annette V.
Ick, ick, and more ick. I am a girl who knows my crowded bars and my friends and I were in Bull & Bear for less than five minutes before bailing sans drink. Not only was this place packed way over any reasonable capacity measures, but they waited until way too late in the game to start removing bar stools (hint: when it's 10pm and packed, the boat has sailed). As I was trying to avoid getting run over by the bouncers removing bar stools while waiting to order a drink, a less than sweet and charming waitress yelled at me to get out of her way. This is when the slightly belligerent New Yorker in me came out and I asked her if she would like me to learn to fly, since I was blocked on all sides. At that point, we decided that no good could come from staying and bolted. Fail, Bull & Bear.
(1)SS S.
The bar itself is okay, just another place to drink. Don't bother ordering from Grub Hub.. when you take the alcohol out of the equation, the food is dreadful! Over priced and disgusting and they obviously could care less how it arrives to your house. If your drunk and out- good bar food.. if not, don't bother.. YUK!
(1)John O.
!!! DO NOT PLAN A PARTY HERE - WASTE OF $1000 !!!! Spent $1000 on party contract to allow all guests head of line between 9-12. They refused to let guests in that had already pre-paid $35 for all you can eat/drink. Manager refused to care. Guests left outside in cold while the 'cool people' got in. !!! DO NOT PLAN A PARTY HERE - WASTE OF $1000 !!!
(1)Mary Ann C.
Fabulous lunch yesterday with my husband. I loved dining outside! Also loved the truffle mac and cheese, open faced tuna sandwich, and truffle fires. Husband enjoyed his burger. Really great lunch (yes, I was surprised, as this was a groupon lunch). Will be back for a meal and drinks!
(4)Katie F.
Went here for a lunch date with my boyfriend, and we both decided to try it out again. First, the greats.... Great Kobe sliders! I actually rarely order burgers that aren't build your own, so for me this was a bit out of my comfort zone, but I'm glad I ordered them because they were delicious! My date ordered the grilled chicken sandwich, and although he felt they skimped him on the sauce, our waitress quickly brought him some extra. Our server was excellent. She was attentive without being pushy; she was friendly; and she was patient (my boyfriend arrived about 15-20 minutes after I got there). She also had great knowledge of the menu and answered our questions smoothly & clearly. The not so greats.... First, the bathroom wasn't as clean as I'd prefer/expect (especially for 11:30am on a weekday). I didn't mind that it was downstairs, but I definitely felt like the maintenance is an afterthought. Second, there were many (5? 6?) female employees standing near the hostess stand doing basically nothing. To their credit, once the lunch crowd came in, they started actually doing some work, but from 11:30-12 ish they just stood around chatting, whispering, and half-heartedly attempting to pull their shirts down to a modest length. (Our waitress was not in this group - although it took her a while to first get to our hightop, I never saw her standing still - she was always doing something). Likewise, there were several male employees who were either running around attending to customers, OR, if they were standing still, they were standing solo holding water waiting to refill glasses. Overall, i'll definitely be going back. Great food and good service (minus the gossiping employees) are enough for a second try.
(3)Grace N.
I live in River North and have seen half nekked bodies packed in this place weekend after weekend, and finally caved in out of curiosity on a Friday night. Good points: they have blue-cheese stuffed olives and play decent dance music. Bad points: everything else. Middle-aged men ogling women and making lame excuses to touch/bump them. Servers that got excited when I pulled out a black credit card, which faded when they realized it was simply a black colored credit card. Pretentiousness only ecllpsed by the price of their drinks. Am I too young, or too to old go to this bar? I can't tell, but I'd say this meat market will be going bear soon, similar to most trendy RN bars and clubs. Let the good times roll away!
(2)Aaron N.
Bull and Bear is definitely a hot spot in the loop that you need to check out. I've come here for both the food and the night life/drinks and I wasn't really disappointed by either. In regards to their food, I would definitely say get a bunch of their appetizers because they are slamming. The calamari is unexpectedly phenomenal, so make sure you get that for sure and use the orange dipping sauce. Also make sure you order the hot wings. These things are freaking good and freaking hot. I mean there are literally jalapenos on the wings. I heard the burgers are slamming as well, so make sure to jump on that. The nightlife is very trendy and kinda shaky for my liking. The servers are amazing, but I truly think all of the clowns in Chicago that live in the loop come here for drinks before they go to Underground. If you're going with a group of people, make reservations for a table with a table top thingy (it dispenses alcohol at your table). I would stay away from this spot for late night drinking, but if you are coming to check out a game, B&B is a decent spot.
(3)Carol K.
Bull and Bear has a long way to go if it is going to stay in business and compete with other similar places in the city. It's a a sports bar, plain and simple so forget any of the hype you hear. Plasma TV's everywhere. They even show games on the wall where there is no TV. In my opinion, they should stay with what they know. Offer up bar food and beer and call it a day, as to think this place is anything else is a mistake (which was my downfall as I believed the hype that it was a restaurant) We went for dinner. I was told that the back area was less of a sports bar so I asked to sit there. But be forewarned- it doesn't matter where you sit- there will be TV's glaring in your face. And there is no difference between the front and back room of this place. We ordered a couple of drinks. Before the server could even put mine down- I looked at it and knew it wasn't made properly. So back it went. As for our food- their tuna appetizer has very little tuna and was "well done" versus seared. The mini Philly sandwiches were okay. When our entrees came- both the pork chop and steak were also overcooked , the sweet potatoes undercooked, the truffle mac and cheese was pretty good once you dug under the burnt topping and everything was under seasoned. What the heck? While the server tried- she was new and under trained as she should have noticed some of these things before the food and drink ever hit our table. The manager did buy us a drink to try and compensate as the server told us that they have been having issues with their kitchen (thus the second star) This place is expensive which is why, I guess, I expected more. Dinner for two with a couple of drinks each was $150 before tip. For that kind of money- I can pretty much eat at any place I love and have a great experience. If you go-I'd stick to beer and bar food. Because anything else they are obviously incapable of getting right.
(2)Sara C.
This place was overpriced for how Mediocre the food is. We went there for brunch and for the place not being busy my food was dry and room temperature, the entree is not included in the overall brunch price like other places. I probably won't go back nor would I suggest it for brunch
(2)Emma M.
Overrated. Well, based on Yelp reviews, it's not even overrated. We came here on a Saturday afternoon prior to a wedding and sat at the bar. The drinks were way over-priced and the bartender definitely had an attitude problem. I think we eye'd him for about 15 minutes before he came over to get our drink order. We ordered the nachos for an appetizer and for the price of them we got like 9 chips. Not worth $12!!! Not going back.
(1)N C.
BOTTOM LINE: Perfect place to meet up for brunch and watch an early game. Must try: Bull and Bear burger For context: I have only been here for brunch or had food delivered. For a bar, the food here actually very good here. However, prices are fairly high here - you are probably paying for more than what you get. But, they do have a deal on Boggle all the time, so make sure you buy the deal on poggled.com before coming.
(3)Raphael D.
Low service... Horrible fries!
(1)Susan F.
If you're lucky enough to get a seat outdoors on a week day, jump on it and don't give it up! While the sounds of EL don't bode well for any juicy gossip you have to share, the half priced apps from 4-6pm on weekdays make the trip worthwhile. Their short rib sliders are fresh, the boneless buffalo strips (come in other flavors) are pretty solid, but the wontons (Go Fish) left a me unimpressed at their small stature.They serve tall boys, too, and have a decent beer list. The clientel here ranges from fake boobed blondes with their half balding ibanker types to regular old folks like me and my bf (as good looking as we are, har har). This really is a place to just grab a beer or two and some apps. I wouldn't consider coming here any other time, especially when my day-to-day outfits don't consist of 5 inch heels with a half see-thru cootchie dress. Ok, it's not THAT bad, but still. I thought our service was fine. Our server was polite and nice, not snooty at all. We had a gift certificate from a Gilt purchase, so our meal ended up costing us close to nothing. When it comes down to it, if you work in or close to the Merch Mart and you want some cheap eats (aka not Gilt or Kinzie Chophouse), swing by B&B.
(3)Giuseppe D.
Though I'm pretty sure this couldn't be emphasized enough after reading some of the other reviews, I'm going to give it a try anyway. The place gets slammed. One reviewer described it as being crammed into a sardine tray, and rightfully so. I've come on a few separate Sundays and the environment seems to be the same everytime: packed, plenty of the same people, and some good food/sports thrown in there. Aside from how busy it typically is (for Sunday's anyway), it's not a bad place. Parking is pretty non-existant, so you might have to valet or take a cab, but it's the city, don't act like you didn't expect that already. The space itself is nice, tall ceilings, big windows, nice bar setup. Again, another user has already noted the service, or lackthereof, from the hostesses. I've been here multiple times and never get properly greeted. Now I just get excited if I'm greeted at all. Anyway, onto the good stuff. Bull & Bear features some really cool booths (available for reservation only I believe, so call ahead of time) with table tappers built-in. For those who haven't experienced a bar with this feature, you're in for a treat. It's different, it's convenient, I personally like it, I know others will argue against it (boo hoo). The food is pretty good from what I've had. Obviously you're not going to order a linguini or steak dinner; but as with most bars, the appetizers are where it's at, and they definitely suffice here at B&B. The DJ is usually playing some good music, a little mainstream, a little old school here and there, it works for me anyway. But the big thing about Bull & Bear is when there are Chicago sports playing. During football season you can find this place in a rage on Sunday's. During basketball season, if you can't make it to the Madhouse on Madison, UC, or anywhere near there, this is where you'd wanna' be. Surrounded by other avid Chicago fans in a great location. Overall, I like it, for smaller groups anyway. If you're looking for somewhere to go with upwards of 10+ people, you probably don't want to pack into here. But otherwise, a nice place to checkout.
(4)Vivian Y.
This places certainly oozes more BULL than bear. Watch out for all the FAKE 5 star reviews from people who either own the joint or work for it. (Hint: only 1 review exists for them and they have no picture posted). Read my reviews and know that I am real. I didn't plan to have a big night, I just wanted to check this place out since the hubby recently became a stock market hobbyist. He agreed we could go out on a school night - but we'd be good and just drive there. I called about 1/2 hour before departing and was informed that they DO have valet parking for $12 - fine - it would cost more to cab it. We rolled up and were told to drive our own car to the parking lot kiddy corner from the bar. Some valet service! Luckily, hubby got the LAST spot in the lot. We approach and were greeted by a stocky man dressed warmly representing The Carpenters Union - he handed me a flyer regarding the BULL about the Bull & Bear - and how it should be boycotted due to wage and benefit issues for the workers. I've scanned it and attached to this review. Now on to the vibe & interior: It's a fricken' BAR people. Why do you have guido's in suit manning your front door? At first glance, I thought the place was pretty cool with nice flooring and big mirrors, pretty, glossy 42" plasmas all plastered against the walls and the gimicky stock ticker grazing the top of the main bar, but I soon realized that this place wasn't for me. It was the "grand opening" event which in my experience should be all about the bar showcasing all their best stuff. Some free food, some free drinks - NADA. The only thing this place had going for them were the scantily-clad and good looking waitresses (who by the way, were very SLOW) with their service. There were a ton of empty booths which were all marked "reserved". I asked our waitress what we could do to get a seat- we wanted dinner. She said it would cost "$500". I think B&B must be having some sort of identity crisis, not really knowing if they are a club or a bar? There's no dance floor - so it's not a club. But there are booths like a bar, so it must be a bar? So, why the $500 table? Figures, the owners are the same guys that run the douchebag clubs on Randolph. Eek! Methinksnot! This place is just stupid. We ultimately left after downing our $4.50 budweiser f(we wanted out asap) and headed next door to Lou Malnati's for a deep dish instead. Yes, Lou's and B&B are at completely different levels but at least at Lou's - I know I'm spending my money on quality and not crap. I can find alot more things to do with $500.00 than to buy seating at a booth.
(1)Nicole L.
I love this place!!! Their truffle fries are to die for!!! The American Kobe burger is just YUM!!! I need to go back and try different things on their menu but I keep going back to my regular order...DEEEELISH!!! =)
(5)Andrew B.
Bull and Bear offers fine nightlife, but the food is average at best. Admittedly, I only had the tomato soup, grilled cheese, and a slider, but nothing tickled my taste buds. The tomato soup was the best offering if you like it a bit chunkier. Many of the tables here have the personal beer taps, which is always fun. I recommend staying away from the food, which is priced a little higher than it should be.
(2)Gregor G.
It's loud, music isn't good. Drinks are ok and food too. There are definitely better places in Chicago
(2)An P.
Snap your fingers it's 5:00 o'clock on a Friday and it's time to rush to happy hour. No one knows your name and there is nowhere to sit because the reserved tables have been empty for hours. Luckily there are a few coat hooks to relieve yourself with the overwhelming burden of coats. Had I a table I would have liked to have tried some beer on tap but being the case that every booth was reserved and empty such a move was scarcely warranted. Finding no room to sit and barely any room to stand, it made sense to watch some of the nice TVs while elbows jabbed my ribs and other people kept brushing past. No waitresses to be found, the only place to get a drink was the bar which required much squeezing. The redemption was that they sold jumbo beers and had Stella on draft for $8 in a tall glass. For the rest of it all, I am not coming here unless forced against my will. Good company was with me, but that did not mitigate the overcrowding of the bar and the fact that reserved tables sat empty for hours. NEXT!
(2)Takis K.
Cool spot to go with friends and have fun ;0). Not too much space when the place gets full! Be aware of the malakes and poutanes!
(3)Molly L.
I visited Bull & Bear on Fat Tuesday with the sole intention to indulge - hey what else is Fat Tuesday for right? We started with the Mac & Cheese as an app which was to die for (!!!)...looking back, if I had known the impending dooming of the rest of my meal, I would have order seconds of that beloved Mac...sigh. For some reason the "No Bull Burger" really caught my eye. "No Bull Burger ground organic turkey, melted gouda fried green tomato, sweet mustard aioli onion challah bun." Sounds mouth watering right? Let me just say that I have had turkey burgers before and was pretty impressed with them so I was expecting the same with this order. ...One bite in the turkey burger was DRY - like a scorching desert mouth dry, the fried green tomato was as hard as cardboard and what one would assume as the redeeming ingredients - ingredients that should pick up the slack if other team player ingredients are not being...well "team players", the melted gouda and sweet mustard aioli were seemingly non-existent. Considering I left Bull & Bear with a belly full of mostly Mac & Cheese app, and 1 - 3 bites of my entrée I don't think it adequately sufficed my fat Tuesday needs. I'll give Bull & Bear the benefit of the doubt. I'd entertain the idea of going there again - maybe I chose the wrong thing on the menu. But I can't help but to swallow a cringe whenever someone mentions B&B as a dining choice.
(2)P S.
In the great search for The Best Bar to Watch the Game, one is bound to come across some duds. Or more to the point, dudes. Or bros. Or brohams. Meatheads. D-bags (and the ladies who love them). Enter: Bull & Bear. Whenever I'm looking for a game bar, I describe all the things I want and all the things I don't want. Thankfully, Bull & Bear will save me all those adjectives for the latter, I can just refer to it directly. The nachos were indeed good (which is how we wound up there to begin with, one member of our party needed them), the truffle mac n cheese was pretty delicious, but when I think of a good sports bar, this ain't it. Expensive beers, the overt attempt to also be some sort of nightclub, bathroom attendants (who are on their cell phones no doubt talking about what a lame sauce job they've found themselves working) and pretty much all the things that make watching a game about as far from watching the actual game could get. Makes Bar Louie look awesome.
(2)Sarah S.
I have to say this place is pretty disappointing!! Yes: DISSAPOINTING! First of all, the place is like a hallway with booths. How are you even suppose to walk around in there if you are constantly bumping into people or booths? And I went during lunch hour, I am sure the place is just horrendous at night for people who just want to drink and hang out! Secondly, who are they trying to be? A sports bar? A club? A restaurant? It's no different than any other place in Chicago!! Honestly, it was just a pricey Bdubs TRYING to be cool and trendy in formal wear. I do not want to wear my party heels to a sports bar nor eat chicken wings in my cocktail dress. All you yelpers out there know that Bdubs doesn't have the greatest food, but they don't try to be something they're not. It's a great place to gather, eat food, drink and catch the game. What else is there? If you want to go clubbing with the IN crowd go to the Underground. If you want a fancy ass, foo-foo cocktail that's $12 dollars go to Martini Park. Lastly THE FOOD!!! NOT. GOOD. We ordered two appetizers. First the Onion Ring Tower. It was 5 TINY o-rings on a stick in the corner of this huge wooden plate. It was the BIGGEST joke I have ever seen. I could have eaten all 5 tiny rings myself and I was with 2 other people. And it was on a stick. Not a tower!! We also ordered the chicken wings. They were okay and I wouldn't even be complaining but this place is way pricey. And you could tell the wing sauce was butter and hot sauce. That's it-I figured the secret out! You could taste the butter. It was not good. Then I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich. It came with FATTY bacon. And let me tell you, I'm like Doug on the King of Queens-I use bacon as a condiment. This bacon was so gross I picked it off. And the chicken was seasoned with something that tasted not good. I opted for the "healthy side" of grilled veggies. Same nasty seasoning on them and BURNED to a crisp. Seriously, why did they serve me burned veggies and call it food?? So friends, save yourself the $$ and time and go somewhere that's NOT trying to turn watching sports and eating chicken wings in jeans into the social event of the century.
(1)Bethany W.
Overall I had a good time there. However, I went on a Saturday night and made the mistake of opening a tab at the bar. I rarely ever open up a tab at a bar and I ended up leaving without closing out. I was shocked the next day when I went to pick up my card and they charged me $24.00. That night I had 2 bud lights that were $4 each. So my bill went from $8.00 to $24.00. When I tried to explain to them I was told there was nothing they could do. I didn't have the patience to argue with them on this but a 16.00 increase for no reason is ridiculous!
(3)Candice R.
I went here for lunch. We had two salads, the junk bond and a Cesar salad, and had two blood marys. I asked for mine extra spicy, and it was a good bloody mary! The salads were pretty great, but not amazing. Mine could have used a more flavorful dressing, but everything else about it was very good. My boyfriends Cesar had anchovies in the dressing, but he liked it. The only thing that wasn't cool was that our server told us how delicious the giant chocolate chip cookie was, but when we ordered it, she came back and told us that it wasn't available. Not a big deal. We left with more in our wallet because of it, and happy. A note: don't go here looking for a great wine list. They had Rex Goliath's merlot on the list. Boo. Don't bother as you can buy that from CVS for $5 a bottle!
(3)Niki C.
I've been here a few times, but this is specifically for one recent visit. A group of about 10-12 of us came in at 4:15pm, looking to celebrate a co-worker's upcoming nuptials. We were told to go straight towards the back, which we did. About 10 minutes later, a waitress saunters over. Strike One. After fiddling with the taps of the tap booths or whatever you wanna call them for about 5-10 minutes, we are finally told that the Stella isn't working. 10 minutes LATER, we're told that, oh, yeah, well, we can fill up with Stella if we go to the bar. Strike Two. After all of that & all of the money spent, two of us remained. We were still seated at the booth, drinking our Bud Lites from the tap, & were going to continue on to dinner & more drinks ... JUST as someone who was not our waitress came over, looked us up & down, & asked, "Did you guys just sit down here?" When we assured her that we had been here for a while with a large party, we were JUST about to ask her for menus when she smacks her mouth, rolls her eyes, & puts a sign down on the table that says something to the effect of "Ask Server if you want to reserve this table & we'll kick these two broads out." Strike Three ... Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd we're out. You know that line in Pretty Woman when she goes back to the rude salespeople? Honey, we spent a lot of money after we left B&B. You're paid on tips, right? Big mistake. Big. Huge.
(1)CeeCee Y.
So I've been to Bull & Bear multiple times because I like the atmosphere, the music, and the people are always pretty. Plus a lot of NBA guys like to go there and I like to fan it up and take pictures with them haha. In terms of table service though, WHOA it's a joke. I had my birthday party here last year and the chick that was serving us was the most inattentive server I've ever had at a bar. If it's a birthday party and we've had the table reserved for us and we've bought three bottles already, the service better be good. But it just wasn't. It was the opposite. She kept stopping to talk to her friends at another table and literally would hang around that table talking and laughing. We had to literally GET UP from our table and fetch her! WTF! Bull & Bear if you're going to hire a pretty face make sure it has a brain behind it! I've also ordered delivery from them through GrubHub. They got our order wrong. The food itself is good though. I'd recommend their Bull & Bear burger with the truffle fries. Also, talk about watering down drinks. DUDE. My vodka soda shouldn't taste like pure carbonated water. Oh Bull & Bear, quit effing up so bad and maybe I'll come back...what am I saying, of course I'm coming back. But only for the NBA guys.
(3)Trisha F.
The place is cute, dark and typical of a night time bar/restaurant. The service was fabulous, but the host could work on smiling. The salmon dish was outstanding, but the "ring chip" thing (still have no clue what that was) could do without. The brussel sprout appetizer is unique and very tasty!!! The female bartender was great and made perfect Vodka grapefruits. I'll be back ;) See yah there ;)
(4)Sanju B.
Great Sports Bar and... "The Bull & Bear Burger", enough said.
(4)Mollie H.
You know that song, "I love this bar" ? Well I hate this bar.
(1)Charles W.
We were in River North and stopped by the Bull & Bear for the Bear's game. It was busy, but not out of control. Lots of TVs and good drink specials. The nachos were great too.
(4)Patrick H.
We ordered food for our office. $200.00 total tab. The food arrived on time via grub.hub, but was room temperature. The restaurant incorrectly made several dishes, and nothing was labeled so it caused confusion deciding which meal went to each person. We all agreed that it was overpriced.
(1)Eileen M.
I went here for Tuesday trivia and had a blast! $25 pitchers of sangria on Tuesdays!! While I only had their white sangria- my friends ordered an app and it looked delicious and fresh. Everything on the menu looked good and decently priced. Our waitress was very kind, on her game and composed- which I can't imagine being an easy task on a trivia night. The place was very chaotic. My only complaint was the noise level. It was impossible to hear the announcer for trivia.
(4)Jaclyn O.
We made a reservation for Bull and Bear for a Saturday evening at 9PM, and when we arrived we were promptly seated in a cushy booth. We tried the southwestern salad ($14) and the spinach salad ($12) which were both good. The ingredients were fresh and our server was helpful and attentive. The lighting ambience was cool, and there are some tables that have beer taps at them.
(4)Rebecca M.
I went here on a Friday night for a $30 open bar from 9-1 and immediately regretted my decision after buying a wristband. It was the same temperature inside as it was outside (about 100 degrees) and you could barely move in the crowd of rude suburbanites visiting from Naperville. Service was absolutely dreadful. There were only two bartenders at the main bar and were as slow as molasses. It doesn't help that they would completely ignore anyone patiently waiting and serve any ole person to wander on up. Talking to anyone was not happening, either, as the music was unnecessarily loud and the dj clearly thought he was a god. For this place being so close to all of the bars on Hubbard, I don't understand why anyone would ever come here unless they wanted to punish themselves.
(1)Mari Y.
I'm mainly writing this review so I can remember I went here. Obviously not a memorable place for me. Now, I was only at the front of the restaurant in the bar area. It was a typical bar with TVs and little round tables. I had a Stella. My friend kept talking about the gorgonzola mashed potatoes and as a game time decision, he ordered, was served and ate them in 8 minutes. Bull and Bear is a little out of the way since it's pretty far west on Hubbard but it's just fine, whatever. I can move on with my life.
(3)Robert M.
I really have mixed feelings about this place. I'd come back for a bite to eat but I doubt I'll ever come back at night . After 5 or so visits, these are my thoughts: Their patio is dog friendly and they were super nice to my dog. They brought him a water bowl and fed him a treat or two after asking if it was alright. Really liked this, and one of the main reasons I was able to give B & B 2 stars. I must say it got a little creepy that one of the bus boys, after seeing my dog, was inspired to tell us how he's taking loans out and working overtime to pay for his dog's surgery. While he was sincere I would do the same if presented with the same situation, I went there for a meal not to hear some random dude's life story. Like a lot of people said, their food is surprisingly good. The appetizer portions were pretty large and all of our meals were delicious. Their beer menu satisfied me, and the sangria was pretty good. That is all I can say that is good about this establishment. If you're looking for a dog friendly place to grab an above-average meal on a nice day, you will enjoy bull and bear. Prices werent too crazy either. Definitely average for the neighborhood. Do not under any circumstance come to Bull and Bear on a weekend night looking to have fun. Every experience Ive had here at night has left me unsatisfied. This place is just not fun. A ton of dudes, minimal girls. While I was never going there on the hunt, I think the girl-guy ratio is very telling of a bar. This is probably the youngest crowd you will see in River North. You could tell there were a few groups of underaged kids there every time I went. Someone who isnt me and all of his friends used to go here as 18/19 year olds with horrible fake ids. The guys checking ids are a joke. I really didnt come to river north to hang out with people as old as my younger brother. I will say that for some reason the patrons to this establishment have always been incredibly nice and that is something I cant say about all river north bars. Its a long and thin layout so youre bound to bump into a couple people. Last night about 6 times the people I bumped into (my fault) turned to me and said sorry! Dont buy into the wristband deal, youll be lucky to get your moneys worth. The wait at the bar can be dreadful as it becomes a mosh of drunks pushing and jockeying their way through to get in front of the people that have been patiently waiting. Bull and Bear really needs to get with the times though with their payment systems. There are two bars. After waiting in line at one of the bars and ordering a round of shots, I was informed that I couldnt pay for them with my tab that was opened at the other bar. Do you not have a computer system that interacts with both bars? I reiterate, dont buy into the wristband deal. The drinks are alright but Ive never seen a drink with that much ice in it before. Clearly, that is their policy for those that buy the wristband. They have to make money somehow and this is the way they choose. I was able to get 2 drinks last night in the hour I was there and then I was kicked out by a busboy that clearly was on a power trip. I will be the first one to admit what I did wasnt "right" per-se, but the actions did not warrant kicking me out. As I mentioned the drinks are incredibly full of ice and its to the point where I couldnt even drink my beverage. With no empty glasses near me, I gingerly took a handful of ice out of my cup and set it on a table in the corner. Again to make clear, what I did was wrong. Next thing I know, a busboy aggressively grabbed me and informed me I was kicked out. Not enjoying the night anyways, I shrugged, said alright and began to walk towards the exit. Then the busboy proceeded to put his hand up against my back and push me out. Let me remind you I was already on my way out. I went to another bar alone since all of my friends purchased wristbands there and didnt want to leave. I had way more fun alone than at bull and bear. Come for the food and patio. Stay far away at night time.
(2)Robert B.
Kind of pricey, great food selections though. Definitely a bit confined so no questions about the noise level-- it gets loud, but if you head over for an after work drink it shouldn't be too packed. I love industry night at B&B; definitely a good place to start if you decide to hit up the bars along Hubbard. Should probably anticipate rocking "downtown" attire. Again, the drink prices aren't all that friendly, but that's the cost of going out in River North. The food is great; not too bad of a wait either.
(3)Caroline M.
I hate writing 2 star reviews. I feel so cynical doing so but hopefully this info will help someone. I came to this revered yuppie hangout for a Sunday brunch. Sadly, I was immediately put off by the server's coordinated outfits (Sloppy and baggy looking plaid pajama pants, tight t-shirts, and orange skin.) Very sorowhore-chic, which some people might dig, but certainly not me. The food was mediocre. I ordered a turkey burger which was dry, crumbly and very bland. I have become a believer in the bird after having a very succulent and tasty turkey burger at Rockit Bar and Grill but unfortunately I was very let down with the turkey burger at Bull & Bear. I ended the meal with an order of the homemade donuts, which were the best part of the meal, but probably won't be enough to warrant a return from me. If you want a similar atmosphere with excellent bar food, I say head to Rockit.
(2)Pamela C.
I love the layout and when the place first opened I thought I would be a new regular...an upscale sports bar with truffle fries and taps on the tables!? I'm with Colleen on this one. Way too pretentious. And for what? Sliders and beer? The place almost seems hurting for business by the number of specials and ads they put out. Maybe business would be better if you treated your customers better. The hostesses have serious attitudes. I recommended that a group of coworkers and I meet up with out of town business guests for dinner/drinks, and I'm sorry we did. We stood for almost 2 hours waiting for a table only to find out we weren't on the waiting list as they thought we only we wanted to sit outdoors. What? Aggravating watching dude bros around you be immediately seated while you stand their with business professionals waiting for a table for 2 hours. Something's up. I will say if you are forced to put up with the atmosphere for a while the Mac n cheese is to die for.
(2)Thomas C.
Been a few times, most recently with my wife to use a Groupon. Sat outside which was nice, food was fine (Truffle fries are great, mac and cheese drew raves from the wife) service was fine. The place draws a crowd, bit on the young side, but at least well behaved (at least before midnight), but it's not really a sports bar to us, more of a place with TV's that wants to be something else.
(3)Kathleen C.
I either love this place or hate it depending on whether I am in or out of their doors. It is overpriced, has snobby patrons and is tough to get a seat. Even when I have gone there for happy hour and SEE tables open, the hostess will say they are booked. I get they might be filled soon but think you could let people sit there for a bit. Although I have learned my lesson and now book reservations. And it is tough to pay so much for bar food, even if it does taste good. I went there for lunch once and ended up paying $20 for a wrap with no sides and diet coke. Yet, the food is good--or great, my husband loves sports so it is easy to get him to go to dinner here because there are TVs in every direction, and I always have a great time. Unfortunately the great times are at the expense of my wallet as I always spend way too much. I love their salads and wraps. They are filled with tasty creations that are so fresh. Everything else that I have tried on their menu has been fantastic as well.
(3)Rebecca S.
A friend of mine just started working in the city again and was craving a burger. I've read the reviews on here about Bull & Bear and thought it might be a good place for us to catch up and enjoy lunch. I heard about the restaurant opening from Urban Daddy. I forwarded the website menu link to her earlier in the week. She said her mouth was watering just looking at the menu. We decided to go today and we wanted to beat a lunch rush, so we decided to meet at 11:15. Unfortunately, it was raining and the doors were locked because we forgot to check what time they opened for lunch. Not a problem it was only drizzling, so we headed to a dry spot and started catching up while we were waiting. I haven't seen her in over 2 years. Once they were open for lunch, we walked in and were greeted in a friendly manner right away and asked where we'd like to sit. I've just read reviews from people on here, so I said the back. Also, I didn't want to sit by the door, since it was a little chilly out. The back seating in the restaurant is not bad, since it was lunch, but can see how this can be a super crowded place to eat when they are busy. The hostess took us to our table and gave us the menu and our silverware. Right away, our server Amy came to introduce herself, offer us beverages and ask what kind of water we wanted (?). My friend and I were still catching up and every time Amy came back to take our order, we weren't ready. Can you believe it?! I can't remember how much time passed, but we were finally ready to order and along comes Amy, at just the right time ;) Since my gift certificate from Chicagoland Savers was worth $50, Amy was nice enough to let me know that we could order something else so we don't waste any money. We placed our order and then continued catching up even more. I ordered the Junk Bond salad (no tomato) and my friend ordered the Bull & Bear Burger. Since we had a few extra $ to spend, I ordered the sweet potato fries. Yum! They were good without any sauce. My salad was good and the portion size was just right. My friend said the burger was good and she really enjoyed the truffle fries. Service was good and the staff this afternoon were nice and even had smiles. I'm not sure if it's the crew or the patrons, but we didn't have a bad experience like others on Yelp. They even said thank you as we left and hour and a half later!!! I might want to buy another one of those certificates. (UPDATE: I just checked the Chicagoland Savers site and the coupons are SOLD OUT!!) I'll keep my eye out and if they offer it again, I'll definitely grab one. I rated 3, but would probably give 3.5 stars just for Amy!
(3)Connie W.
I came to Bull & Bear to grab a casual dinner with a friend. Between the two of us, we shared the truffle fries, crispy brussel sprouts, and a skirt steak melt. I was pretty impressed with the brussel sprouts as they were roasted perfectly and seasoned just right. They were served with some type of white sauce that added just the right amount of zestiness to the dish. The truffle fries came in a huge portion and was more than enough for probably 3 people to share. They were also delicious but pretty consistent with truffle fries I've had at other places. Their melts are sort of build your own so we added mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and onions to our skirt steak melt. The skirt steak was a bit tough and chewier than I would prefer, but overall the sandwich was alright. I liked the outdoor seating since the weather was so nice out, but the close proximity to the train line meant that every 10 minutes, our conversation was drowned out. For bar food, I'd say Bull & Bear meets typical expectations.
(3)Stacie K.
This is just a couple blocks away from me...and I love it here! I have come here for dinner, brunch, and just to get really f-ed up. Sunday nights (Industry night) are freaking NUTS. I am not in the industry and I just went out that night for some reason...and maybe it's always that nuts and I just can't hang. But it was seriously one of the craziest nights I've seen at Bull and Bear. Of course that was like..8 months ago...so who knows if it still is that crazy. I had my birthday here last year (in August) and I had a great time. My server was great, the atmosphere was great..it was honestly one of the best birthdays I've ever had! Brunch...they have all these different benedicts...so I had one with short ribs I think? Maybe? I don't remember...all I remember is that it was delicious. The bloody marys are pretty standard. I wouldn't complain if they stepped up their game in the bloodys with maybe a pickle, shrimp, or an extra olive? Please? Dinner...I've had the mussles which are delicious and a chicken sandwich with the sweet potato fries. The sweet potato fries have sugar sprinkled on top accompanied with a delicious, zesty dipping sauce. I love it! I've also had the calamri which is pretty legit...except the last time I had it, it was REALLY salty...so I had to send it back (i NEVER do that). I've also had the bison burger which was grilled to perfection! The buns aren't chewy or overbearing either!
(4)Marc M.
This place is terrible. We were warned about it but like idiots we didn't listen. First, the service is slow. Real slow. Second, they were showing drag racing and a replay of the Holiday Bowl college football game from like 6 months ago. During World Cup. Third, we ordered food and got no napkins, no silverware, and no plates. Ever. We asked for them several times. We had to use cocktail napkins that we stole from the bar. I ordered bourbon and ginger and only got ginger. If you need to know more, the place was absolutely packed with what I can only assume was dudes at a Jersey Shore reunion. Never go here on purpose.
(1)Mike W.
Good place for a happy hour drink. Server was very friendly and attentive.
(4)Morris D.
Well folks, I'm back at it again. I've been to Bull and Bear a few times and have enjoyed it. Fri and Sat nights were ok and for lunch the food is really good. But I came here last Saturday with my girlfriend and the rest of the group and everyone had a awful time. First of all, they need to cut down how many people they let in. It was way to packed, you seriously could not move in here without bumping into people and both of you spilling your drinks on each other or the floor. I mean seriously folks! Second, we scored a sitting area in the back bar and a few of us were up dancing while one of our friends was still sitting at the table just hanging out. When all of a sudden, some douche-lion jumped all over the table scaring our friend first of all, and probably knocked down all of our drinks (didn't see for sure since things were about to go down). As we stick up for our friend, the douche-fork, keeps telling us that he is the owner of the bar saying "this is my bar" a few times while the rest of his little entourage is also repeating the same thing. I don't care if your the owner or not, that is not cool to be jumping around on random tables your customers are at. Why would you want to piss your customers off? It's not like we live in Maine and Bull and Bear is the only place to get twisted. I can very easily go down to Social 25, Rockit, Theory, or the other places in River North. I mean seriously folks.
(1)Porsch K.
I came here for a Sunday Brunch because of poggled and was really excited about trying B & B. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon so my party of 5 wanted to be seated and eat outside...forget about it. They only have/had seating for 4 ppl per table and didn't have enough room to seat us :-(. So of course we sat inside. Now, it was a Sunday (early) afternoon and was not crowded at all. Our server though cute was SLOW and too non chalant for me. This isn't a cheap place (drinks) and I expected her to be a bit more helpful. Her cleaning (empty) tables was more important than tending to (money) us. Whatevs, we all ordered drinks and OMGsh, they were SO GOOD!! Though our server was borderline sub par, she did do a great job giving us recommendations for drinks. Hell, our drinks were more expensive than our food. My friends order the B&B burger (I think) and all 4 of them said that it was delicious.My burger was good and the fries were amazing but dammit, I LOATHE room temperature or outright chilled fries. On top of that, I specifically and reiterated at least 2-3 times my instructions for my meal...when it came out ALL WRONG. I fully think our waitress was simply not paying attention at all to some of our requests and just didn't give a damn. All in all, I will return for drinks but will NOT return for food. I'm a stickler for good service and though we had a damn good coupon, we are very liberal tippers....but,not today...home-skillet got the exact same tip as we received service & though it saddened me because I expected greatness, I was not about to fork over a shit load of cash for shitty server...na ah not I. Hopefully next time, things will be better.
(3)Marie T.
Came here for their Pajama Jam during Brunch... Granted my girls and I were still pretty exhausted from the night before. We got the spicy chicken strips and nachos... Chicken wings weren't memorable. But the NACHOS?! I'm drooling right this second thinking about those nachos. We tore that shit apart... yummy nommy nom in my tummy tum tum... We sat on the patio, and it was a beautiful day. I def want to visit here again. Maybe at night... and not in my pajamas. lol
(4)Dora V.
To make a medium-length story short: 1. Bull and Bear is HIGHLY convenient to the Merchandise Mart. 2. Bull and Bear boasts the legacy of having won Wingfest three years in a row. We had the un-bearable wings: they were fantastic. 3. The crowd may or may not be for you, depending on your personal taste and style. I don't wish to insult anyone with a spot-on caricature of the "type" flooding the place, because it's not their fault. In fact, they have found home. Brandi, our bartender, was attentive, friendly, and helpful. I'd go back if I were in the 'hood and hungry, but I'd be in and out of there pretty quick. Congrats to you on your wings-win, Bull and Bear! Three consecutive years topping Wingfest is a feat upon feasts!
(3)John W.
The first day of my new job, and I was more excited about my new happy hour options than finally getting a paycheck. I met my wife and best friend on the patio, who had already burned through the first round of appetizers and and a drinks (The wings were "delishouuus"). Our waitress was the cliche hot girl that's forcing herself to be waaaay to perky -- which always makes me anxious -- but the table of salarymen behind me were eating it up. God bless her for laughing at their golf jokes. With half-price apps and small plates, we put a serious dent in the menu. The Sloppy Joe Sliders were my favorite, their texture and spice stood out in a table full of (delicious) grease and carbs. I had a few of the specialty cocktails, which were pretty average. By the time the bill came, I was pretty ready to go. THe specials were over and the entire Near North was turning into Cocoon at Spring Break. But it was a great place for a quick hit.
(4)Alexander M.
So came here with the Wife to check out a Bulls playoff game and met up with her best friend. parking isn't the greatest but it is the city right but other then that they have city paid parking lots. once inside the atmosphere seemed great, lots of TVs surrounding the bar and tables. had a great scoreboard going across the bar as well that helped with the cubs game until they put it on a couple plasmas. did not get a chance to check out the entire bar since it was so full and the table her best friend had gotten was close to the entrance. once sat down did not take long to get asked if i knew what i wanted to eat and drink. waitress was real quick with me and my girls drink. ordered spinach dip app and some wings and let me tell ya that food was pretty flame. everything tasted great and was at the table at an acceptable time even though no rush to eat. the beer was nice and cold in a tall glass and always filled up once gone. all around a great place to meet some friends up or go with your special someone to enjoy a good lunch/ dinner and have a drink. good place to watch the games going on and have a good talk with your people and possibly meet some new friends. the only bad part that i reviewed with 4 stars rather then 5 is because of the issue with finding parking and that is was so damn fool the day i went at least.
(4)Elvin Y.
My girl friends and I often ask each other the question, "Where are all the hot guys in Chicago?" Well ladies, a good portion of them hang out at the Bull & Bear. But please note that this upscale bar brings out the douche bag out of them. However, if you are looking for entertaining conversations, good music and guys eager to buy you a drink after a three minute conversation than you have come to the right place! I have to warn you... the mix drinks tend to be a bit weak... and a little expensive. After I downed my first vodka soda in under five minutes (and no, I'm not a lush), I asked the bartender if he could make my second one extra strong. Greg, the bartender totally delivered a solid drink...and on the house! My friends and I were at the Bull & Bear for a b-day party. They gave us a nice sized booth with great service. My friends devoured the chicken wings and the sliders...so if you are eating, give both those a try...you won't be disappointed! The ambiance of the bar is nice- dark wood, nice tables, lots of flat screens w/different sport games. They also boast a good looking crowd who likes to dress up...think lots of dresses/skirts, leggings, high heels for the ladies. Think sports coats and button down shirts for the gentleman. All in all great night and a solid place for a group of friends to hang out at on a Saturday evening!
(3)Sara Y.
I would like to thank this establishment for saving my birthday. I had a wonderful time, your staff was great, your dj on the night of 10/5 was AWESOME, and the drinks were well priced, easy to get and well made. I will be definitely returning - thank you once again!!!
(5)Frances A.
BLT was amazing. Devoured the whole thing even the sweet potato fries. I have a blast during trivia. The Mac n cheese is also one of the best in the city.
(4)Anne C.
I can take or leave this place. We live nearby so we have gone a handful of times-- for drinks, brunch, lunch, and dinner-- and sometimes the food, drinks, and service are great and sometimes they just aren't. Typically, their brunch is pretty good and it's a great time to go since the place is usually a little less crowded than it is at night. Love the crabcakes benedict and the PBJ french toast! They seem to have a lot of turnover, so the staff is always different or new. Some of the girls are great and really attentive, others seem to have been hired for their looks and not for their work ethics or personalities. It's never awful so we always go back, but with a little more attention to their service we'd probably go even more frequently.
(3)Katelyn C.
boo horrible service and sketchy crowd, yipppeeee fun times with friends and free drinks. three stars are applicable and on the fence for this place!
(3)Sara F.
I went here around 7pm on a Friday with a few girlfriends. I have to be honest, the first thing I noticed was that it smelled really funky, reminiscent of a frat house. We made our way to the bar, grabbed a few beers, then managed to push our way to the back. I don't mind a really crowded bar and standing every once in a while, but not when I literally can't find a spot to rest my drink and put my coat down. (I think there was a coat check at the front, but it was too crowded over there for me to want to even attempt to figure out where to go.) The bar was full of a 20s-30s after-work crowd, which I like for happy hour; however, when I can't find a place to stand where I'm not in the way of waiters and waitresses, I'm not a huge fan.
(2)Yaw N.
Unlike most of my posts, I will keep this short. This is a great place to hangout, especially if you can reserve a table for a big group on game day. It's your standard Chicago bar with pretty decent food and a good selection of beer. I had their Kobe sliders which were good but their truffle fries has an overwhelming garlic flavor (although that didn't stop me from eating them all.. My girlfriend on the other hand felt pretty sick afterwards). I have nothing bad or overwhelmingly great to say about this place. In my mind, it's just another one of the solid sports bars in the city.
(3)Stephanie T.
The only thing this place has going for it is the atmosphere, which is was quickly ruined by the rude waitress/staff. Drinks clearly had no alchohol in them, and when we asked if we could have vodka in our vodka cranberry the waitress gave us dirty looks and then wouldn't come back and wait on the girls in our group. She would only smile at the men and totally ignored the girls. I thought this was in poor taste and very unclassy considering I use to be a bartender and waitress and tip really high. Won't be going back, ever. Oh yeah and the ATM didn't work.
(1)Katie M.
I walk past this place all the time and I never stopped in. We finally went for a friend's birthday on Saturday night. The whole place was packed, but my friends already had a spacious booth towards the back and had ordered appetizers and drinks. I think if we wouldn't have had a seat, I would have had less fun because of the crowd, so I'm guessing arriving before the masses is a good idea here. The only food I tried was the fried mushrooms and the parmesan fries, both of which were surprisingly good for bar munchies. The DJ played some of the songs multiple times, which was a little bit annoying, but he played a really good mix of new hip-hop and pop music with some classics so I always felt like singing along. I was pleasantly surprised with how energetic the whole place was. I went in expecting a laid-back sports bar, but ended up having one of the most fun nights I've had in a long time.
(4)Rachel R.
First off I'd like to address an issue a yelper had about a discriminating doorman. I go here just about every other Sunday and the doorman on those nights is a very professional and nice black guy. I don't think that Bull & Bear was at the root of that review about discrimination, I think it was solely the doorman just not being a good person. Either way, I hope they fixed all that because that should never happen. Moving along... I really enjoy Bull & Bear! I call it the sports bar for clubheads. Sunday is industry night and the jams are bumping. Like, jams you would probably wouldn't hear in a *normal* bar. But I really dig the atmosphere of the place. I think it looks really nice inside. This is a place I've sent 35+ year olds and 22 year olds. It's enjoyable for everyone. It's fun and not obnoxious. You get the perk of dancey tunes in a bar without people dancing like idiots on the dancefloor (since there is none) and there's no frat guys holding plastic cups doing jagerbombs whilst grinding on some broad. TRY THE TRUFFLE FRIES! They're SO yummy! The kitchen is open late... I think I ordered food at like 12:30 or so. Mini kobe beef burgers are pretty tasty too. I'd love to come here during the day to grab some lunch. Overall, I think early evening drinks would be a nice place to wind down right after work. I think you could potentially have a real fun night if you came here with friends to party. Or to even watch a sports game, they have 'em all playing on their flatscreens.
(4)Ashley P.
100% agreed on Jessica S's comments below. We were there as a group for happy hour after work. We were dressed and acting appropriately, but somehow treated like second rate patrons because we were getting a special group deal of $5 bloody mary's and $3 bud lights. Everyone at our table was ordering drinks and everyone ordered food. We didn't just camp out in a booth for an hour drinking water. Iggy was not helpful (in fact, as a "manager" he made it WORSE, not better) and Sarah S. our server was rude and overly rushed from the beginning. This place is a great concept with awesome decor, but my group sadly had an awful experience. I will probably not be back.
(1)Matthew W.
Good food. Decent specials. Cool atmosphere. TVs everywhere. Great for sports fans. They even have a sports ticket above the bar so you're always up to date on scores. The food is a bit pricey for a bar but it's also slightly better than most bar grub. They have table taps, which is a cool idea but definitely overpriced. The stools are sort of uncomfortable, but I'm also a bigger dude. Overall, I like this place for every once in a while. Not an everyday sort of place. The Bull and Bear Burger with Truffle Fries is worth at least checking it out.
(3)David S.
This place has gone down hill in a major way. The owners need to get their act together. Overpriced slop in the kitchen. Drinks are nasty and light. Come on people. We are in a recession and this is the time to go above and beyond for you customers. Risky business trying to skimp.
(1)Matthew P.
Great place to grab a couple of drinks after work; If its on the company dime :). They have this whole selection of fruity ass drinks, I had one with some blackberries, pretty tasty. Oh, the quesadillas are really good. Can't see myself back here on a Saturday, but a really good joint to enjoy on a Tuesday evening.
(3)melissa a.
Your own personal tap at the table....genius! Closing out bars downtown takes a lot of energy!!! GEEEZ man i dont know where the time went while i was here! Last nite was my first trip out to this bar, its smaller than i thought it was going to be...anyways they have a nice set up, i like the look and feel of the bar itself, downfall to layout bathrooms are in basement. drunk people and stairs usually dont mix well. If you make reservations you can get a table with your own tap. It really is a cool idea EXCEPT the beer cost more! We had stella and miller @ our table...but miller bottles were $3 and the tap cost about $6.50 after we figured that out we strictly ordered from the bar. My table ordered some appetizers, which was inhaled. Nachos were actually tasty and my friends said the Mac and Cheese is delicious. After midnight (damn i stayed out to late last nite) the waiters walk around with platters full of finger food and every body gets to help themselves (i hope every one washed their hands. gross). Bartender that i kept going to was nice, remembered my beer and got my drink immediately. Damn forgot his name but he was super nice he worked the bar in back. I strictly drank beer out of feer cocktails would cost a lot, they had a handful of beers on tap and a bunch of bottles, bar looked stocked too. Typical price...$5 draft, $7 for tall glass and bottles ranged from $5-10. So like any typcial downtown bar....you see a lot of people who look like they follow the GTL way of living(sorry for jersey shore reference). Lots of fake girls...and by fake i mean teased bleach blonde, silicone boobs & collagen lips in a pleather mini skirt. A big percentage of the guys definately look like they are auditioning for the "jersey shore" fresh hair cut, fresh fake tan, roid muscles and over priced tshirts that should be a size bigger. I can deal with the crowd if im with friends but i cant deal with their attitudes walking around thinking they are entitled. This place is definately the place you want to go to if you are trying to find Mr or Mrs Right for the Night. Guys who get bottle service sit on top of their booths vs in them, acting like they are hot sh*t...watching the crowd from up top trying to make everybody else envy them and their expensive bottle of kettle one. You do get a slight mix of crowd, lots of after work people, some hipsters etc etc The place is what you make of it. Luckily I was with good company and it definately made the place bareable. I will say, i like the BAR & the staff (minus the guy who tried to tell the birthday boy he couldnt come back in after his cig) itself not the people it attracts. I wouldnt go out of my way to hang out here, but if another friend had a birthday party here i might go. Wish i could say more nice things about you Bull and Bear, i really wanted to, sorry.
(2)Angel S.
This place is around the corner from my office, and I have been here enough times to say that I just don't like it. The salads are an odd combination with so many poorly matched ingredients that it's close to impossible to try and create something appetizing by making modifications. Same goes with the fish tacos, why multiple sauces on a dish that traditionally is intended to be "fresh"? The mussels have too much garlic and were not fresh either of the 2 times I had them. After trying most things on the menu, I will say the steak tacos and calamari were good and I would eat them again. But why go to a place filled with pretentious people to order a dish that anyone can make? I'm going to be nice and give this place 2 stars, although it's an over priced Hooters, the beer taps on the tables ensure that I always have a full beer.
(2)Carol J.
I was really kind of pleasantly surprised by the B&B. I've been a few times and its been consistently decent service, always slightly crowded and passable food. Most recently attended an after party following a charity event and aside from the fact the staff wasn't really ready for the onslaught, they pulled it together pretty quick. Our super sweet server, Jen?, even figured a way to wrangle us drinks of choice while getting us Sugar Free Red Bull which wasn't part of the deal. Tons of plasma and a huge wall projector made it possible to see the world series from any given angle. Comfy booths, with and without taps. Nachos were really good, truffle fries okay. Crowd was a nice mix of post work Mart employees, hotel guests and randoms. Very good looking crowd. Adorable staff. Really clean bathrooms! Did I mention they serve SUGAR FREE RED BULL?
(3)Gwen P.
I went to Bull and Bear last night with two friends for drinks and dinner. This is the second time I've been there...the first time I went was with my boyfriend, just to grab a quick drink. We were seated outside, which was just fine because we had a lot to talk about and inside was little bit loud from the Happy Hour crowd. We were seated quickly (even at 6:45) and the hostess was friendly, as was our server. We had to wait for our third friend "C" to arrive for about 15 minutes, but while we were waiting the busboy brought water, the server greeted us and brought menus, and we got our drinks (wine for me, a raspberry mojito for my friend "M"). My wine was moderately priced at $8, and "M" liked her drink, which was HUGE for a mojito ($11), served in a pint glass! When our third arrived, the server reappeared almost instantly and got her drink order, and a second round me ("M" was still working on her giant mojito). For dinner "C" and I both ordered the grilled chicken sandwich, and she got the sweet potato fries while I stuck to the regular kind. "M" got the quesadilla bites and a side of truffle fries. The grilled chicken sounds great on the menu, with avacado, bacon and smoky aioli on an onion roll, but I found it kind of bland and on the dry side. "C"s sweet potato fries came dusted with sugar, which she said she liked. "M" chose the best out of the three of us...her quesadillas were cheesy with a really tasty salsa verde on top, and homemade guacamole on the side. Her truffle fries were *awesome*, and probably the best thing on the table. All in all, we had a nice, al fresco, casual dinner with decent upscale bar food, good service, and slightly pricey drinks. I'll probably go back for drinks with friends, but with so many choices in River North, I'd try another place for a casual dinner.
(3)Kelsey G.
I have been here twice for lunch, therefore I am only reviewing the food (not the drinks or evening scene). As a lunch/brunch spot, I am definitely a fan. The truffle-fries are a must and are the best I have had in Chicago (loaded with garlic and parmesan, comes with lemon aoli dipping sauce). On Mother's Day they had a complimentary Bloody Mary for all moms, which I thought was a nice touch. I have tried bites of the Health Club, Turkey Burger Sliders, and Fish Tacos and think all are far-above-average bar food. Check it out on a Saturday or Sunday for lunch and enjoy!
(4)Hanna S.
I've been to Bull & Bear a few times and have always enjoyed the scene, but a few weeks ago I went for a Kansas/Texas Alumni Happy Hour and could not believe the service we received. We had a large group of us in a booth and we all ordered food and drinks throughout the night. Our waitress was pleasant for most of the night, but when we questioned her about the additional items on our bill we did not order, she immediately became defensive and stormed off rolling her eyes. It's amazing how an establishment can go from 4 stars to 2 in a matter of steps. After requesting to speak with the manager, he put up a fight about the extra orders and eventually, said he would take them off. He then walked away saying "Kansas basketball sucks". As we sat there with Kansas stickers on our shirts at the KANSAS/Texas Alumni event, we couldn't believe this. And it wasn't just a "oh, you guys blow" comment. He legitimately stood there telling us why Purdue was better. I have no desire to return to this place after the unprofessionalism the staff presented. And I also hope Kansas Alumni events no longer take place at this establishment.
(2)Amanda Z.
WARNING: This might be the snottiest review I've ever written. Deal with it, this place bugged me. I bet Bobby Bottleservice would love this place. I hate to review places based on the clientele, but this place is just begging for it. The servers and hostesses are very young and cute and the clientele is, well, River North. Suits and perfectly blown out man-cuts and tight t-shirts are all the rage here. Menu is pricey. Come on, if you're gonna up-charge me for a side that costs the same as the other side, give me a heads up. I just feel like I am being nickel-and-dimed. I don't mind dropping a pretty penny on a nice meal, but this was lunch. At a bar. I know you are trying to make it fancy with your bottled water on the table, making your bus boys refill our glasses over and over. I get that you are trying to make us feel taken care of. But give the servers a tip: Refills are good on Diet Cokes too, especially when you're charging $3 a pop for them. All in all, you'll get a better-priced lunch, and better served too, elsewhere. And in case you are wondering, here's Bobby Bottleservice, look him up here: funnyordie.com
(2)Alix R.
I hated this place pretty much as soon as I walked in. Went for a friend's birthday. They had a booth, which was good because I eventually hunkered down in there until people were ready to leave so I could avoid being pushed and elbowed in the head. You *cannot* move in here on a Saturday night. I feel like they make enough on weak drinks to possibly cut down the number of people they let through the door. And the clientele was fairly obnoxious overall. There were girls in a booth two over who were standing on their booth having conversations, because no one would be able to see them/be in awe of them if they fraternized with the rest of us groundlings. In my two passes through the bar there were quite a few mid life crises in full effect. You would think that by your late 30s/early 40s you would learn how to check a girl out without being so obvious and skeezy. I don't think anyone said excuse me once or even tapped me on the shoulder/back before smashing me up against someone or something. The drinks were weak and mostly ice and it took so long to get to the bar and get someone to pay attention to me that I ordered two rounds so I wouldn't have to go back. The bus staff was really on top of spills and clearing empties, so hopefully the bar staff tips them out well, but I sorta doubt it. The music was fine, not great, but what's the point of a D.J. playing dance music when there's barely room to breathe, let alone dance? I'd like to say that I'd be willing to give this place another try, because it still seems like a cool place in theory, but it's unlikely.
(1)Maria C.
Went last Friday night and it was super crowded for the Yankees game but thinned out as soon as the game ended. The crowd was very mixed as far as ages but the they all seemed a little yuppy to me. The people were kind of snotty and pushy and not very friendly at all. I would not go back.
(2)Stephanie D.
Did they send all their good chefs and competent wait staff to Public House?? The service was SLOW, the drinks were poorly made and the food was just meh. Not what I've come to expect from B&B, but I haven't been there since PH opened. I hope this is not the direction they intend to go. We were a party of four on a Tuesday night. there were only two tap tables taken and two other parties seated in the back. Not a busy night. we had to ask for our server to take our order. Our drink order came quickly, but they weren't well made. The 'New Fashions' they were too sweet and had way too much OJ. After 25 minutes, the server came to our table to tell me they didn't have a mixed vegetable, but they could do roasted asparagus instead for my side. I said that was fine, but was annoyed it took 25 minutes for that question to come up. The food came after 50 minutes. It was too long to wait for food to come out on a slower Tuesday night. The mahi mahi I ordered tasted bland and the asparagus had a weird sauce on it and it was burnt. Like eating carcinogens burnt. I felt like they had a chef-in-training make my food. i wasn't happy, and it's too bad because before this trip I thought B&B had decent food. I will not be rushing back anytime soon.
(1)Diana S.
Bull & Bear is sort of a weekly staple for me because all my friends like to go there. They like to go there because the "girls are hot there". There's no question the girls are attractive there but there's a reason for this: the guys are attractive there. If you are an attractive girl looking for a hot finance guy, that's where you go. That being said, the crowd is attractive - as far as the personalities of the people, it's a toss. I've met a lot of attractive men there but I only want to hear 30% of them speak. On a warm day, this place has a ridiculous line. On a cold rainy day, this place has no line but it's decently filled. Considering how people like to hibernate in bad weather in this city - I'm going to say that that alone is impressive. If you are looking to be around a lot of people, this place is a safe bet. Although, put your d-bag radar on silent because it's gonna go nuts in there. Tap tables: You absolutely have to call ahead to reserve one. If you are looking to get one on Thurs-Sat, I'd call early in the week. I really would suggest a table because it get super packed in there and it's nice to have a homebase if you're going out with a large group. You get 2 taps - one Budlight and the other varies (ie: Blue Moon). They charge you by the ounce. You pour your own after the first one (which your waitress will pour for you). Don't do tap tables when you have a cheap alcoholic friend in your party. Food: The burger is good here. One of my friends rates it #1 on his Chicago Burger list. The fries are SOOOOO yum. The truffle fries? Hi. Marry me. The sweet potato fries? Delish. Needless to say, we haven't done much more eating than that here - there's only so much room in our stomachs for drinking and eating. ;) Music: Hip-Hop/Pop40's/90's/BonJovi Service: Usual bar service of downtown Chicago. It's hit or miss. However, the bartenders being mostly women - are better at being attentive with their male patrons. Understandable. I used to bartend too so I won't penalize for that. Overall, I have a love-hate with this place. I love this place most of the time as it will always offer a lively crowd, drinks, and the crowd is attractive. BUT, the crowd is slightly uniform. If it's a Thurs or any other weekday, it's a sea of light blue button-downs (what is it with finance boys and this particular color button-down?) and blackberry's.
(4)Amit T.
Great service. Our waitress was hilarious and was so much fun! I ended up with a ridiculously girly drink, followed by a nice beer to attempt to reclaim my manliness. Cocktails were stronger than I thought and outdoor seating always makes me a happy clam, but aside from that, nothing to rave about. Staff makes it that I would come back though!
(3)Jennifer B.
This place is aptly named "Bull & Bear," because it is certainly reminiscent of Wall Street bars in NYC....many guys in suits, power players likely talking about their latest deals. We sat at the bar and while the bartenders aren't exactly the overly friendly type, the other patrons are! I feel like Bull & Bear is a place you can go where everyone looks cool, but doesn't act cool. It's simply a place to chat, drink, and eat. I liked it.
(4)Gary M.
I just had my birthday party here last night, it was fantastic! The food is awesome, I recommend the quesadilla bits and the buffalo wings. The host, manager and waitress were nice. The music was great, overall this place awesome and will be returning.
(5)Jason Z.
This place excelled at being slightly below average. We walked in for lunch on Friday, and was asked if we had a reservation. We didn't, because, it's a bar, it's lunch time, and it's a bar. We were placed at a table that fits 4 uncomfortably. The busboy came by with a bottle of water, filed are glasses, and left the bottle, but then still came around every 30 seconds to refile our waters. Just leave the bottle and leave, this is a sports bar, not Tru. The waitress came by eventually, took our drink order (2 diet cokes, 2 waters), came back quickly with the drinks, then disappeared for 10 minutes. When she finally came back, I ordered a burger, for $11. My friend ordered a turkey club with avocado spread (not sure why they called it a spread, it's just slices.) Third ordered the fish tacos, and forth ordered a turkey burger. ......5 minutes pass.....10.....20......30......40......45..Oh, the food comes, and finally our waitress. We were able to finally refile our $3 cokes. My burger, which I ordered Medium, came back well done. None of the food was good, just OK. $60 for a OK lunch, sorry, that's just not good enough. There are other places in the area that charge $11 for a good hamburger, I don't need to pay that for a substandard one. We went on a spur of the moment decision, won't make that mistake again.
(2)Rajiv H.
I don't feel like writing much about Bull and Bear because there wasn't much too it. I also won't resort to using stock market analogies in my review. I get enough of that crap at work. The crowd is pretty, but full of d-bags. The taps at the table are a cool idea, but they shouldn't cost anymore than the same drinks at the bar. The interior is nice, but nothing incredible. I had to get the Bull and Bear Burger while I was there, and damn was it good. I'd put it on my top 5 burgers I've had in Chicago, though it's definitely not the best. It's also the most expensive one I had at $18, though, at least it comes with truffles fries. The truffle fries are the best I've had in the city aside from DMK. The burger is extremely juicy, flavorful, and filling. I wasn't even able to finish my plate of fries, and that hasn't happened in a while. I wouldn't go back to Bull and Bear because of the crowd and because it's too pricey for what it offers, but I also don't regret stopping by.
(2)Amy H.
Great spot for happy hour, prices are reasonable,staff is friendly. Flat screens everywhere,awesome place to watch any sporting event. The taps at the table are also a huge advantage. Love this place!
(5)Sarah K.
Beware of Bull & Bear. If you are planning a private event stay away. Our party was going well and everyone was having a good time when the bill came our waitress had billed us for something we never ordered so I asked for the GM and he refused to take it off our bill because we "weren't nice enough to him." He also added a generous 20% tip and told us if we didn't pay it he would call the police. We just wanted to get out of their so we paid the bill in cash, counted it in front of him, he came back with a smirk on his face and said we were $100 short! And guess what? We couldn't prove anything because we paid in cash and he had already taken it to the back. So we ended up shelling out even more. By that point we wanted to just get out and paid them whatever they asked for; but I tell you the things people will do for money these days! It's not good business and it's terrible customer service. The venue has great potential but if you are going to go there make sure you pay with a credit card!
(1)Rachelle B.
This place is a fratty sausage fest meat market, but I have gone a few times for happy hour with friends and coworkers and still had a good time. Most recently on a Friday night, a bunch of people from my team went out for happy hour at Bull & Bear, a bar around the corner from our office. We called ahead to reserve a tap table for us. I've been to Bull & Bear before, but only to the bar area. This table area was new. Here's how it works: Each table has two beer taps, one Bud Light and one something else. Ours was Bud Light and Stella. Some of the other tables had different kinds of Goose Island beers. The waitress gets you glasses and starts the meter and then you are free to help yourself to all the beer you want. There's a computer with a screen that displays how many ounces of each beer that you have poured. It's a pretty cool concept. Dangerous. We had so many people we were kind of all mingling in front of the table and the table was serving as our own private bar. I can imagine people sitting at the table and just drinking glass after glass without even the delay of wait staff going to get your drinks. Also, we wondered how many people had gotten totally bombed and put their mouths under the taps! I'm sure there's the obvious reason for this, but just seeing how many ounces you've poured without a dollar amount attached is pretty useless. 72 ounces? No idea how much that bill is.
(3)J W.
my experience of this place got better as the night went on hence the 3 stars (negative 1 for the first 30 min then 4 or 5 for the rest of the night). When we first got there while waiting for our table, the bouncer and waitress were very rude! it was a bit busy near the entrance so they were very pushy and insisted on me and my group of friends to stand near the door where there was a blizzard and gusting wind out (it was like back in feb)! Don't care how good of a place you are, I don't think you should ever treat your guests like that. Then we finally got sat down at our table, our waitress was very nice and pleasant. it was busy but she tried to check on us as much as she could. the food was decent. we had ordered pretty much all the appetizers. they play pretty good music, hip pop and house, makes you wanna dance but there is really not so much room so that's a bummer.
(3)Caitlin U.
I went for a birthday party on a Saturday night. Standard packed sports bar on a Saturday night, however you don't get to choose a table (despite reservations) and therefore can't pick what beer is on tap at the table. Also makes paying the bill difficult, because no one is sure how much they drank (though that's the fault of my friends, not the bar). However, I will say that I didn't see the waitress at all after she dropped off glasses, then acted like it would be the biggest inconvenience EVER to let someone pay for the first round (which would involve closing out then reopening the tab). It wasn't even busy in there yet! Then we get the bill and of course tip WELL, because we aren't jerks... but really she didn't do anything but give us glasses then bring the check 4 hours later. So, all in all, nice place, probably a great spot to watch a game, the table taps are ingenious, but I wouldn't recommend anyone having a large group or a party there.
(3)Jackie G.
I tried to go to this bar for their anniversary party. I had RSVP'ed and received a confirmation, so I was excited for a fun Thursday night where one hipster site told me I could find my next Republican boyfriend. Fine with me. When I walked to the place with a friend who RSVP'ed through another site, we saw the long line at the door. (One plus for the place, it's close to El stops.) Anyway, we also saw the people were being turned down at the door. Confident that I would get in, I waited in the line. Long story short, we weren't let in because, according to the bouncer, the site confirmed too many people. As we walked away some girl opened a side door, screaming "happy anniversary!" and throwing her hands into the air, let two of her friend in. Seemed like a good place, but turning away so many people caused an unfortunate change of events for many Chicagoans this Thursday night.
(1)Miriam B.
I had read the menu online before going to this restaurant. We were looking forward to trying the mini burgers and smores dessert. Unfortunatly my family and I got immediatly sick after eating the mini burgers. Most of the rest of the food we tried was bland and overpriced.
(1)Samantha B.
Let me start out by saying, I like this place, I really like this place. From the reviews I expected that I wouldn't enjoy this place a bit however it is right down the street from my apartment and it is always packed so I needed to see what the fuss was all about. The atmosphere is what you would expect from a River North "upscale" bar, flat screens, pricey food and pricey. I also expected business types that work downtown and are dressed to impress. This is the kind of atmosphere that I usually despise yet somehow I enjoyed myself. I was starving when we got there so I ordered the blacked fish tacos which were a bit over priced at $16. I usually don't expect much from bar food however at $16 I was expecting some pretty good fish tacos. Good news guys...THEY WERE GREAT! I ate them like it was my last meal, very tasty. I will order them again. Moving on to the drinks, I started off with my usual blue moon and decided for my next drink I would be a bit more adventurous. I decided on the Strawberry Basil Martini, another hit. The drink was $12 but that seems about right. I was so excited to see them use fresh strawberries and basil, the fresh ingredients made all the difference in the world. Bull & Bear is not cheap...If you have a game you want to watch I would not recommend this place, it is very noisy and no one really goes there to watch the game. However if you are looking for good food, great drinks and people watching it is the place to go. I will be back Bull & Bear so be on the lookout for me, I look forward to checking out your table taps. Sounds like a partay!
(4)Brooke S.
Went here with a girlfriend Saturday night after a terrible experience at English. We had such a blast at Bull and Bear - got drinks from the back bar and a wonderful bartender named Greg had so much fun with us - even a couple of free shots. Kudos to you Greg for knowing how to have fun and keep people coming back for more. Lotsa guys here but a single gal can't complain if that is the case! We sang, we danced, we had a great time. I will go back! :)
(4)Brian F.
Fun spot for dinner or out with a group. Pros: Table taps (can be a con as well) Nice sidewalk outdoor spaces Delicious BRUNCH (bloody mary bar) poggled.com deals Great location TVs all over for the sports lovers Good Eats: Burgers and fries (love the Blue Chip burger) Calamari Club sandwiches Cons: Service VERY iffy... Super crowded nightlife especially weekends No rockin' drink specials "Wings" aka grilled chicken breast with little-to-no sauce (I'm all for healthy eating options, but when I want wings I want WINGS!) Overall, a good establishment with surprisingly tasty food options; but at the end of the day, a bar's a bar...and most of the time the service unfortunately emphasizes this point. Highly recommend checking out this hot River North spot. Just make sure you're going in having decided dinner vs drinks -- experience differs accordingly.
(4)Dan N.
For River North, Bull and Bear is one of the better sports bars with TVs covering the walls and a rolling sports ticker above the main bar. The positive of Bull and Bear is that they have great "food" happy hour specials, 50% off appetizers. The negative is that their drink prices are on the high side, even a Coke is $3.00. Swing by and eat the food. Then go to one of the other local watering holes to get a better deal on your drinks.
(3)Lola C.
Just had lunch at Bull & Bear and LOVED it!!!! Crabby cake slider was so incredibly tasty! Was my first time there and I was so impressed. Could barely decipher who my server was because everyone was helping each other out, and was SO friendly! The manager Morgen even stopped to make sure we enjoyed everything, so nice! Will definitely be back, and also want to check out there other bar Public House!
(5)Melissa R.
I had passed Bull & Bear many times going home on the brown line and always thought, "I have to look that place up and give it a try." Yet, I repeatedly forgot about it. Luckily, I was meeting someone for dinner in the area, we happened to stumble upon it, and now my curiosity can be put to rest. I wasn't really disappointed by anything, but I also wasn't wowed. My feeling after the dinning experience was: they are trying too hard. Everything on the menu was pretty regular upscale bar food, but they were trying to make it seem fancier than necessary. When we walked in I got the impression that every person that worked there was a 19 year old girl that wore too much makeup. However, our waitress was nothing but helpful and suave. We sat outside and as soon as the first drop of rain hit the ground, they came out and set up an umbrella to keep us and our food dry. I had their "No Bull Burger" (turkey burger) and had it with just lettuce and tomato. When my friend wanted the exact same thing, only with beef instead of turkey, it was like he just ordered in French. The waitress seemed very confused and almost taken aback that he didn't want all the crazy fixins, but graciously made it happen. Their french fries were crispy and had the skins still on them which I happen to appreciate because it makes me feel like I'm eating a potato instead of fried goodness. I wouldn't necessarily run back to Bull & Bear, but I would go there again if someone suggested it. I would especially try it again for a drink (or two) after work...their bar area and outdoor seating is legit.
(3)Mari S.
THANK YOU for having a pet friendly patio! It 100% made my brunch. "The Lush" and Southwest Salad hit the spot. We'll be back soon and often.
(4)Courtney W.
This place was tasty for brunch... as they advertise bottomless mimosas from 11-4 on the weekends. However, they don't inform you that you have a 2 hour table time limit until you sit down and they will only bring you one drink approx. every 20-35 minutes. It would have been cheaper to go elsewhere and pay for my mimosas individually than to have thought I was ordering bottomless and really was placed on a limit. As far as the food and service, the food was good- but the service was terrible. We practically had to beg our waitress to come back to our table if we needed anything at all and my empty plate sat on the table for an hour and a half after I was finished with it. If you are coming here for one drink... it could be a good place, but if you are going to have a Sunday Funday... there are better places in the city to go to. That being said...I may stop in here for one drink (because they don't need to refill it). But I will definitely not be going back for a brunch on the weekends again.
(1)Elaine C.
I came here for a birthday. The epitome of Hot Chicks with Douche Bags. Two stars for the beer tap being in the booth. It's like a grown up keg party. After I said that, one chick in our party did a keg/tap stand.
(2)Nancy H.
Upscale bar, I'd call it. 2 beer taps at every booth too (do they actually work?). But, not at all diverse in here. I felt extremely out of place. Nonetheless, the music was ok (B96 type stuff) and was extremely crowded by 10 PM on a Thursday night. Looks like a place where people eat/drink for happy hour and stay.
(2)Linda G.
Its OK ... food was good and it's a great bar atmosphere. Service could be tweeked a bit. One thing to remember when going here for lunch, is that YOU have a job and get to go in and have a lunch hour while some of the people waiting on you have to pay off their MBA loans and are a bit pissed about it. So cut them some slack... They weren't trained to be in the service industry. We'll all get through this.
(3)Amanda P.
Went here for the first time and I can honestly say I really liked it! We had a table tap, we all loved that. I had the truffle mac and cheese, and wow so good! Nice atmosphere and clean. I for sure look forward to going back.
(4)Kristy B.
Went here for some holiday cheer with co-workers this evening. I was disappointed that we weren't offered one of the beer-tap booth since that's their schtick and I'm really into places "schtick". We asked but they said it wasn't open until later. Huh? We were seated right by the window and I got a nice view of the interior. I felt very comfortable and cozy in this bar. LOVE the brick walls, scrolling electronic board with both stock numbers and sports updates. The music was upbeat but not too loud. The food was average. We all split the fries (great), buffalo chicken (totally gross, like processed chicken with some bland buffalo sauce on it), and the quesadillas (nothing to write home about). I love the beer they had on tap and my co-workers found the cocktails and wine pretty good. I didn't pick up the tab so I'm not sure how much damage we did. I would definitely go back if I was in the neighborhood.
(3)Jackie H.
Went here last week for a work lunch. It was okay, but nothing particularly blew me away. The service was good--almost too good. All four of us were drinking Diet Coke and they kept bringing more, even when we weren't nearly finished with the ones we had. The table we were at was small, so it got super-crowded and I ended up drinking way too much Coke! At least the servers were attentive. The food is pretty much upper-scale (but not too fancy) bar food. They have some slider trios...One of us ordered the lobster roll trio and said it was bland. The meatball sliders seemed to be a hit, though. We had two appetizers, truffle fries and nachos. The nachos were nothing special--pretty much the same as what you would get at any sports bar. The truffle fries were pretty tasty. My sandwich came with sweet potato fries, too, which were the best part of my meal. The sandwich (Health Club) was okay. This place didn't "wow" me, but if someone suggested to go back, I wouldn't object...There's still plenty on the menu I'd like to give a try!
(3)Max M.
Lots of white people. Acting drunk and silly. NBA ballers ( Jimmy Jackson last night. Ben Gordon Thursday). Nice bar. Cute waitresses. Way too many 30 something frat boy types. Have to come here on mellow night.
(3)Amy L.
I went here and bough a single round of drinks for $25. When I got home the next day they had done 3 transactions on my credit card. One for $25 and the other for $110!!! Bring cash if you go here.
(1)Kristen H.
I went here for lunch today, it seems like they are still working out some kinks. We made a reservation, odd for lunch I agree but last time, they asked us and then responded with, "oh, you don't have a reservation? two hour wait", so I made a mental note. I made a reservation (mental note - Check-), we arrive and the place was empty, and they had outdoor seating (add .5 stars which is a lot when you are only giving 3) .The food was good, outdoor seating was great, the service was lacking to say the least. When you make reservations they tell you that your reservation holds the table for three hours. My response was oooo well its lunch I just need an hour and I promptly (prank) called my friend and told her we had the table for three entire hours. It took forever for them to bring our food, we were there for an hour and our food had not arrived. Our server was nice and took a few items off the bill because she knew it took forever. So I would go there for a leisure lunch, or when you don't have a time frame. Use those three hours people!
(3)Michael H.
It's really nice inside, taps on table/bottle service/Hot Waitress etc... I thought the staff was totally pretentious, asked about getting a table? Oh, those are all reserved! Thanks!5 PM? Really? What for an 8 PM rezo... Joke, Bunch of really hot chicks that don't really want to facilitate anything at Bull/Bear they just want to talk about what they did the night before and text their friends! Bartenders? Same, no personality whatsoever , a girl came on towards the end that was really cool however.. So that made up for alot! All in all liked the place did not like the worthless staff!! Fire Em!
(3)J P.
RACIST. THESE PEOPLE ARE SO RACIST. First, I don't quite understand this place...they have tables you can reserve, but its supposed to be a sports bar but it is trying to be a club..its a sports club. Also have you ever seen a douchebag in the flesh? If not take a trip to bull and bear and look at the bouncers. I went for a friends birthday party (hes white - i'm not), and they refused to let me and my friends in with immediate access and they made us wait in line, they said that we couldn't go in because the reservation was 830 and it was only good for two hours. Listen buddy, I know the look in your eye, I know your lying to me. So whatever we go to the end of the line and proceed to call our friend, who makes things happen after much persistence and then they only allow three of us inside, not even all of us so I guess they are limiting the number of brown people they are letting in. Whatever. I'm upset but not really PO'd. Once we got in, I didn't understand why I even wanted to be there. I felt like cattle, that was stuck in one spot, not able to move in any direction. Getting jabbed every 5 seconds. Now I understand why they weren't letting minorities in...NOT. Now this is what PISSED. ME. OFF. A trio of (white) girls also met my friend and us inside, they let us know they were able to immediately walk in - it was the same bouncer and everything!!! Are you freaking kidding me Bull & Bear? What a bunch of BULL shit. So 1) THEY ARE RACIST. 2) This is a FREAKING sports bar, not a club. Why the need to be so pretentious? 3) Don't be jealous of my year round tan & 4) I don't understand why they still let people in after capacity, they shouldn't have just been turning people they didn't like due to skin color away, they should have stopped when they reach capacity. The cops should know both about this discrimination, and the fact that they were drastically over capacity. I could only imagine if something happened and the stampede that would ensue if there was an emergency and everyone had to exit - I would probably die in that mess!! Thank god for shots and the exit. I wish this place could be given 0 stars. But sadly, I'll have to give it one, at least of one of the patrons commented on my fucking fantastic shoes.
(1)Keith O.
Don't mess around - get the $18 Bull & Bear Kobe Burger with Truffle Fries. It's one of the best in the city. I know, I know - its expensive...well if you pay $11 for an average burger, this one is well worth the extra cash. Trust me.
(4)Candyce P.
Bull and Bear always has a mixed crowd including after-work corporate groups, dressy girls and very casual groups of friends. Drinks are great, never watery, and the music later at night is on point! The DJ plays all the faves from MJ, Poison, and B.I.G., to new tracks from Guetta, Drake and Usher. It's a great mix of everything and everyone's welcome.
(4)matty z.
While I would not return for evening activities (just not my scene), I was actually impressed with the lunch I had. My compatriots and I had a Friday lunch with excellent service, and the food was quite good. I went for the turkey-sandwich-healthy thing, and while I wish the bread would have been toasted, the sandwich was delicious-- along with the sweet potato fries. I was also impressed with the price-- $9 at this River North hot spot apparently does go far.
(3)Janet X.
Tried this place for the first time on a Friday for dinner and was completely taken aback by how much it resembled a Lincoln Park bar at 11 pm. My friend and I got a table but we were jostled by about ten thousand people from all sides. Even worse was the fact that people kept on putting their drinks on our already minuscule table without asking. Music was really loud, but my friend really loved the fact that he could watch four different sports games without moving his head one inch. We tried the quesadilla bites for an appetizer, which were surprisingly good. Our entrees were kind of eh, nothing special. Despite the number of people in the place, our food came promptly and my waitress was very attentive. Might come back for drinks and apps, but I think next time I'll get a sit-down meal at one of the ten thousand restaurants in that area.
(3)Hanna A.
Sausage fest.. good for me but not really. I am over that scene and trying to act interested in men that, frankly, I wouldn't normally talk to. But because I am nice and all..eh you know. My lame ass is too tired to stay out late as well so I was an even bigger loser. Either way it was pretty crowded had very strong drinks (maybe to cater to all those men there.) Good music and pretty good decor ...I wouldn't necessarily be dying to go back but would consider giving it another try. Making a trip to the bathroom I wanted to die, it had the worst smell of vomit ever(so hopefully they have this resolved.)
(3)Luan N.
Shaz wanted to get some NASCAR action, so Raveen arranged for this trendy sports bar. I have to say it was one of the nicest sports bars I've been to and I like the idea of the personalized taps. However, I'm gonna have to deduct a star for such a lame beer selection. And half way through our stay, it smelled like a septic tank spill.
(3)Misse D.
I am embarrassed to even write a review that I went to this place. It is lame. With the exception of the light fixtures, which are actually very cool, the decor reminds me of something out of the burbs. There is nothing attractive about the venue. Peter G says that there aren't many places to sit down with good drinks and food in River North. I completely disagree. There are at least a dozen places better than this. I think this fact was very obvious since I had just come from RockIt. Bleh. Skip it.
(1)Lucy L.
Nothing too special about this place.. typical upscale america dive-bar..no dance floor. bar in the front.. bar in the back.. the place gets crowded on weekends.. Music top 40s.. private seatings on the second floor. standard drink price. one of the popular spot in chicago.
(3)Sean R.
We stopped by to rest our feet from being tourists in Chicago. Sat outside in the sun, just got some drinks and appetizers to tide us over until dinner. Casadillas and an order of sweet potato fries were good, nothing special. Service was adequate, maybe a bit slow. For out of town tourusts like us, it was cool to see the train rumble by, but I can see how it would annoy others.
(3)Bianca J.
Interesting that a couple of the 5 star reviews were from faceless folks with one review each. Vanessa's reads like copy from a PR agency. We managed to get seated at one of those ridiculous $500 tables without paying $500, but we were mostly there because had free drink tix from the Yelp Christmas party. To their credit, the drinks were alright but for $10-$13, I'd rather go to the Drawing Room or the Violet Hour for something nicer. I was also a little disappointed by the selection at the beer tap tables- every single one had bud light, and the other was Bass at our table (I would have been into the 312 taps, but we didn't have one). The food was mixed- the aioli fries were decent, though $8 is a bit steep for fries, the middle eastern plate was excellent with the exception of the inedible hummus, but they've been open a week so I'll cut them some slack on that. Mostly it was the crowd I couldn't deal with. Fake boobs, fake bake, waitresses who all looked IDENTICAL so we couldn't tell them apart. Not my scene, but wasn't expecting it to be.
(1)Dana D.
Had a great experience- very frirendly waitress, helpful with the menu- attentive to our table- the food was a bit pricey even for river north- but delicious none the less. i had the skirt steak tacos and they were awesome. pretty good sized portion too. again, $16 for 3 tacos is a little high even for River North, but other that that great experience
(4)MELEK L.
The pretension in this sports bar is unbelievable. The manager, Shannon, walked around with her nose stuck high in the air all night. Bull & Bear, bring your head out of the clouds if you want to impress Chicago.
(2)Michael H.
This fairly new addition to River North might as well be called Casey Moran's South. Same general feel and demographic packs the place. Did not try the food and am planning on coming here for a Friday happy hour. Word to the wise, when you sit at a table your drinks include a tax whereas when you order directly from the bar it is cheaper as they ignore the tax. I have NEVER seen that before and cannot explain it for the life of me. This tax can add up with a round of shots so buyer beware! Very narrow bar where people jam up the middle where washrooms are located. Don't be afraid to throw an elbow to get by. Otherwise, attractive and young crowd in a vibrant atmosphere.
(3)leyla a.
Ugh! I cannot believe I was not the first to review! I just left the bar...Peter G. how did you beat me to the punch? I was there tonight for the "soft" opening of the bar/grill. We were able to sample many things off the menu and my friend and I had the following: - Mashed potatoes with multiple types of cheese - Philly steak minis - Bison Burger - Fries - Apple pie - Vanilla desert wih liquor (can't remember the name) My favorite was the mashed potatoes with cheese, thick and cheesy, absolutely delicious. The mini philly cheese steak are great because I don't think anyone else does a mini philly cheese steak and they are tasty. The bison burger comes on challa bread with a fantastic relish on top and (I believe) brie cheese. Eater beware, if you have not eaten bison before, please note that it is a very lean meat so you must order it Medium rare to Medium (at most). Bison is not juicy (fatty) like a beef burger. My favorite part of the meal was dessert, I loved "Grandma's Apple Pie" the crust was perfect. My friend prefered the dessert beverage. Sepciality cocktails were great, we tried the Gin cocktail with strawberry & basil. But...what EVERYONE is going to be talking about will be the beer tappers on tables. Yes, beer tap on your table. You can pour your own beer, the allotment is measured electronically and you pay for the ounces you've consumed at the end of the evening. What a concept!
(4)Peter G.
Bull and Bear is a great bar. Seems like gimmicks on the way in, and there are a few, but if you want a good place to sit with good drinks and food in River North there are really very slim few choices. Good appetizers and sandwiches, anecdotally declicious selection of sweet sappy drinks from vodka to tequila to gin, and tabletop taps. This is the biggst trick, but c'mon- who doesn't wish they could pour their own? Polished service, friendly staff (eye candy). The interior smells of nouveau whatever, but it's comfy and they've got tons of square feet of HD tv's which look awesome. Great happy hour deals. It might be my new place to get kicked out of often. PS. the bar has really bright lights underneath it- sort of highlight the lap area, dress (in)appropriately.
(4)Sean F.
My girlfriend and I went here the other day on a YouSwoop coupon, so we were pretty excited to try out the place and feel like the only purpose was online reviews and to masquerade as food critics, and ignore that real money typically has to be paid for these sorts of services. We sat outside at a table in the sun, and their staff was really quick to get an umbrella on request, which was good as we would have melted away in a matter of minutes otherwise, and that would have made it difficult to submit a full Yelp review. Inside, this place was super loud and really packed. If you are into that, maybe sit inside. If you are not, I imagine don't go here in the winter when there is no choice. There was a World Cup game going on, which is the one where people from different countries run around for an hour and a half or so playing tag in rainbow colored shorts. Understandably, people inside were intense about it. Best part of the meal: We saw a guy walk out of the bar, throw his hat on the sidewalk in anger, stand there for 2 minutes, say nothing, pick his hat back up, and walk back in. +10 YelpPoints for this entertaining display. Food was really good, the burgers were awesome. Drinks a little expensive. Convenient to the merchandise mart and downtown area. That place has so many windows! Next time I will ask their staff if they know how many, and if they can answer first try, I will add another star. Also, their menu design was awesome, which is my biggest concern at these types of places. Well done, B-and-B. Let this be a lesson to you other restauranteers! Don't cheap out on fonts and use shit, no one is going to buy a Steak that is listed in "Marker Felt."
(3)James K.
Two things inspired me to write my first yelp review: 1) This is the worst bar in Chicago. 2) The obvious fake PR from Bull and Bear workers on here. Went to the "Grand Opening" looking to try out the buffalo burger and to have a pint or two. We stroll in I see several open tables, all with RESERVED signs on them, I was confused, are we in Ghost Bar? Am I getting bottle service? WTF? So I ask a waitress if we could get a table as we came to get some food. Yes! There are some available, for $500. What a joke. We waited around for 10 minutes and finally got a beer, at that point I drank it as fast as possible because I didn't want to have somebody I knew see me in this crap hole of a "bar". Better than Rockit, lol, give me a break!! Rockit is a thousand times better than this place. Nice try at boosting the rating with BS, real yelper's like my wife see right through the crap. Bottom line, we live in Chicago, why waste time with places like this when there are hundreds of other great places to go to.
(1)Gamaliel E.
I came here with a buddy during the opening and thought the place was nice. Tons of flat screen tvs, a couple of bars, and a pretty attractive wait staff. The entire staff was very nice and accommodating, including the door guys. I normally expect douche bag customer service when at a luxury sports bar, but this wasn't the case. We had complimentary mini burgers and seasoned fries w a mayo sauce. Both of which went well with the beers we were drinking. The place isn't huge, so it can get a bit crowded. Overall, the B&B was a good experience.
(3)Thetalkingdeck ..
Had a good buddy in from out of town looking to enjoy the chicago scene. We tried a couple of different bars and then ended up here after numerous recommendations from patrons at surrounding bars. Suffice to say, there's a lot of eye candy here, i mean serious eye candy....If you are of the suit wearing-7 series driving-poor people scare me-i make more than you-but i'm an ugly guy variety, then there a lot of women for you....lol..I kid!. Lots of pretentiousness (meaning outside the regular norm of a chicago bar scene)...Had a good time though, I think the bar patrons here think they actually live in NY and not Chicago. The drink prices were fair and you'll be quick to strike up a conversation with a good people even with mere good looks and nice attire :)
(3)marc z.
Just gross! Food should not be served, the city should come inspect this place once in a while. Service is nonexistent and when they do show up it's as if the service could not give a s..t about you. Please go somewhere else.
(1)Gabby R.
Horrible. Went here for brunch and our waitress got the order completely wrong, then charged my credit card 3x for what the bill was. Got it fixed luckily, but I've never had such a bad experience before.
(1)Lisa A.
I think this place is STILL trying to figure itself out...are you going to be a bar or a club. The potential to be one or the other is there but NOT both. Its a great spot and I think that if they were more laid back and went the sports bar route they'd be more successful and people would enjoy going more often. The fact that they have bouncers in black suits tells me they'd like to be a club but perhaps the space and location didn't allow that to happen. I won't try to guess but I won't be hitting this bar anytime soon. I will say this...we have MORE then enough uptight clubs in downtown Chicago..be original and just make yourself a fun sports bar and dump the mean bouncers in the black suits.
(2)Nisha E.
Came here to meet up with some friends....it's a nice place and it's close to work. We just ordered drinks, so I cannot comment on the food. The service was great. The atmosphere....eh. The crowd...mixed...You have the after work happy-hour folks, and then there's the "Woo! woo! There's a new bar in town!" crowd. The moment I saw a girl giving smooches to the mirror in the bathroom after reapplying her lipstick, it was time to leave.
(2)Quantas G.
CAVEAT: I went on my company's dime. I did not pay for a thing so I don't know how expensive this place is or is not. I will say the place can come off as a little pretentious but hey, it's the vision of someone out there. It has the elements of a sports bar (TVs, music, beer, eye candy) but the decor and security personnel of a nightclub. But just because it doesn't fit with the typical definition of a sports bar doesnt mean it isn't. I loved the place from the moment we walked in. The decor was gorgeous, the service was fast, the food was spot on. The wings, nachos, truffle fries, and calamari were tasty and filling. One problem I did have was too much service. No less than 3 managers/supervisors, 2 busboys, and 2 servers were attending to our table. At face value that may sound like a good thing but it was too much, leaning towards overbearing. Hot towels and lemons to clean our hands? A suited bathroom attendant? Excessive water fill-ups? Replacing a "dirty" appetizer plate with a clean one? I can only imagine the final bill was up there but I had a good time otherwise. I love nicely designed bathrooms, decadent interiors, good service and good food. A must-see at least once...you may want to keep coming back. I may stop by again on an off-night to avoid the crowds.
(4)Sonja S.
Several weeks ago, weak from an inappropriate amount of drinking (for a woman of my distinguished years) My dear friend Auntie Fab called and suggested we meet for brunch at Meile. ( i have no idea what they serve there but judging from the lines on the weekend it might be crack). Of course there was a 60 minute wait so we debated and decided to give Bull&Bear a shot. She warned me up front that it is a "guy place" bleary eyed and makeup free I was not deterred and into the dark leathery woody halls of B& B we went. at 11:am it was empty... EMPTY so we crawled up into a roomy cigarette burned booth and set about ordering. I chose a Benedict with Green fried tomatoes, Serrano ham and a chipolte hollandaise, coffee, water and a mimosa ( you know what they say about falling off the horse) *stop* let me add I am fussy about eggs, they have to have hard cooked white and runny yolks, an almost impossible feat I admit. When the dish arrived it was cold and the eggs were wet and mucous like. So I sent it back and what arrived ten minutes later was a magical dish, savory , spicy , salty , fatty , fresh and so good I joined the clean plate club for the first time in months, I even enjoyed the crispy hash brown / home fries. I have been thinking about that dish ever since. So this morning ( its Easter) on my daily amble with Cash Money Svenson ( best dog in Chicago) I noticed B &B was open. A quick check showed that Auntie Fab was also available so back we went. Ugh While waiting for AF - I ordered the Pop Tarts ( knowing they would take 15 minutes to arrive. By the time AF arrived we were both starving. Then here came the terrible service. REALLY terrible, TERRIBLE service from a very young, very attractive girl. Let me tell you the staff was having a ball - chatting laughing, flirting, me and Auntie Fab, jonesing for coffee and a Bloody Mary , not so much. We finally had a chance to order and requested the same Benedict that I had enjoyed the prior visit. The pop tarts came in a toaster, cute - but almost ridiculous to get out of the toaster. No complaints though, both the savory and the sweet were delicious. But when the Benedict came the crushing blow of disappointment was delivered. Eggs properly cooked, but cold, the ham was chewy , the chipolte sauce hovering on he verge of separating, NO HASH BROWNS or Home fries whatever they are and our ooh so precious waitress - perkily unavailable. I am starting to understand why real critics visit a restaurant more than once. Had I reviewed after the last visit B&B would have gotten a solid 3 1/2. Only the Pop Tarts kept them in the 2 zone today. Maybe next time we will just stand in line at Miele?
(2)Tiffany S.
Honestly, I read some of the horrible reviews, and I must say I am a bit shocked. Being the most critical of Yelpers, I went to this place with a watchful eye. We had a reservation, they honored it, and didn't do anything shady in the meanwhile. The food I had was excellent (the turkey burger is HIGHLY recommended) and the one of the owners (Luke, who is cute, so maybe I'm impartial) actually bothered to come over and say hello to us. Considering the place just opened, I'm super happy that they cam over to say an introduction (however a tad lame), but actually wrote down the suggestion I had about their champagne offering. When you hang out downtown, one would expect fake boobs, yuppies, and suburban d-bag types. While you get a lot of that, there are also some pretty cool Chicagoans just looking for a great place to hang out. So high five to Bull and Bear. My food was great , the service was excellent, and the crowd was exactly what I was expecting. The only reason that they aren't getting 5 stars is the pricing. I had 3 glasses of wine, a Bud (don't ask, it was for a friend) and a turkey burger that amounted to $104 including tax and tip. While I checked the bill thoroughly (though we had them split it like 50 ways and who knows what happens when you do that). I was a bit shocked at the sticker price. I've had much cheaper nights out for $104, of equal quality. BUT, the crowd was fun, the food and wine were great, and I'll definitely be here again.
(4)ForTheLoveofFood M.
Bull and Bear is my go-to place for drinks and upscale bar-food. Ever since the day it opened I have been hooked on the music, the atmosphere and the people that not only work but go to the bar as well. B&B although usually packed to the brim, is a really chill place for after dinner drinks and some (semi) gourmet bar food. You'll want to try the truffle fries and their wings for sure, but most of all save room for dessert (if you're with a group of people) for the ridiculous big cookie- seriously, it's amazing, especially if chef is there cooking that night. B&B is the best place for groups- seriously. If you call and make reservations for a tap-table, you WON'T regret it... Bring your wallets though, because this will not be a cheap night- but at the same time you'll be having too much fun to worry about the money you'll be dropping. The one thing they are lacking however is a veggie burger. I myself am not a vegetarian but my best friend is- and lets be honest, in this-day-in-age, there should be a basic veggie burger on any menu. All and all, Bull and Bear is a great place to go to- especially after work. You won't regret it. It's my go-to place and always will be.
(5)Jenny B.
This place is a piece of shit,bad attitude,bad food...as i know include me there are a lot of people just never go back again
(1)Danielle T.
After hearing all the hype about this place, some friends and I decided to go for dinner/happy hour. We made it 3 minutes after the happy hour so I was a bit disappointed that the waitress wouldn't honor the prices - but I get it. The service was great, our waitress was attentive and quick - without being overbearing. The food was good - lobster short order - amazing. What wasn't amazing was after I ate a good portion of the boneless chicken wings - was that I found a black hair cutting into the last piece. Disgusting, showed it to the waitress and she comped that off the bill - much appreciated - the hair, not so much. I did like this place, however, I don't think I'd go back much. Its extremely tiny and congested inside and there are only about 10 tables. For some reason through the advertising of my friends on facebook - I was expecting something a bit more lavish. But it was all around a good place to have a couple drinks and grab some food!
(3)Benjamin G.
Went for lunch. It's definitely a bit pricier than I usually do for lunch, but the atmosphere was cool. Tap at the table, very attractive wait staff. If you want hot post-sorority chicks waiting on you..... As other reviewers said, it feels pretty fratty in here. I had the fish tacos...meh. There's plenty of cheaper, better fish tacos in the city. They were coated in bad salsa and too much sour cream, I think to cover up weak fish. The food took a pretty long to come out and the waitress was pretty disinterested. The killer though...is their credit card policy. I was with a party of 5 and we all only had credit cards (because it's 2010, not 1964) yet they only allow the use of 4 cards per party. The waitress took nearly 20 minutes to figure out how to split the bill. I was a sever 5 years ago and I can say with the "modern" equiptment back then, splitting a check was as hard as pushing a button. This girl acted like we were asking her to do calculus. One of us ended up going to the ATM...nothing like adding a $2 ATM fee to your meal in order to pay for it.
(2)Andrew M.
All style, no substance. The place looks great, is well designed and modern. The staff are clearly very new, and seem awkward in their roles. One thing that sets this place apart is the "self-serve" beer at the table. This is technically very neat - with an embedded computer screen in the table keeping track of what you drink. In practical, the bar staff does a pretty good job of keeping up, so the this isn't really necessary when you're stopping in for lunch or dinner. To me, this is a gimmick - a neat gimmick, but one nonetheless. The food was good, but clearly overpriced. I had a turkey club sandwich that was decent, but too expensive. It came with sweet potato fries that were soggy. The portions were huge, too much to consume in one sitting.
(2)Elle M.
I have a mixed review. LOVE the atmosphere at night. BUT when we went for brunch last Sunday we a had a horrible experience. We have a reservation for 15 people and instead of putting us in the massive 2 booth- booth or the large bench table on the top floor, or put together some high tops they put us in 2 separate booths. Our server was really slow and kept forgetting drinks. We ended up bringing 25 people; eating and drinking from 11am-4pm. (Not by my choice) The food was GREAT! large portions and delicious! However, the Bloody Mary was REALLY bad. I know at least 3 of us ordered it and not one of us ordered a second. Sorry. But I would pass on the next brunch invite.
(2)Steve T.
Too fruity, the drinks, that is... so much so, that I could barely tell if there was any Vodka. Now, work may have turned me into an alcoholic, but I like to believe it has only enabled my ability to sense a drop of liquor within 50ft... and there didn't seem to be any to be found... I was with coworkers and we all had similar reactions... I'm sure there was *some* vodka in it, but definitely not the way I pour. Thankfully this was on the corp card, so I didn't care all that much, but if I had been paying on my own I'd have had more of an opinion. The quesadillas were delicious and the gals really loved the weiners in a blanket, probably because it was the most weiner they were going to see that night. Regardless, fun times, good interior...I just wish they had poured more of their top shelf booze into my drank.
(3)E F.
I came here recently on a Wednesday night at about 9pm and was surprised at how crowded it was. I felt like i had just landed on Douchebag Island. I arrived before the person I was meeting and was suddenly a little scared to go and wait there by myself in the midst of all the drunken first year investment banking analysts. Luckilly for me, the hosts up front were nice. One of them led me all the way to the bathroom when i asked her where it was. Our waitress was helpful (blond - i didn't catch her name though). we missed the happy hour and just got beers, which were not too expensive. Didn't order food but the menu looked pretty good. I am thinking about going back for their Sunday Brunch (using the $10 coupon that came with our receipt) Overall I was pleased with the place. The only thing I didn't like was the rest of the clientele. Listen, douchebags, just because you're in a bar with your buddies, doesn't mean you have license to push people or smother people who are just minding their own business. And wearing a nice suit when you're an ugly a**hole doesn't make you hot. Just sayin.... Liked the place, just wish it attracted better people.
(3)Mandy P.
I'm not sure I've ever been so thrilled with a cocktail menu. I should have known how great they would be when the girls next to us at the bar said they were there "practicing" which drinks to have for a bachelorette party next month. Bitchin'. My practice included the strawberry basil martini, a sip of the sangria, a sip of the raspberry mojito, and a dive into the perfectly muddled mango margaritas. The food was good, but who really cared? I would have eaten paper towels just to be sure I had enough in my stomach to ensure thorough absorption of at least some of the alcohol I was ingesting. I want all of the cocktails and I want them now! (Ok, well after work would probably be better).
(4)Angel B.
I wish I could give this place zero stars but it's not an option. I will no longer be a customer at Bull & Bear. One of the bartenders called my sober and kind-hearted friend a "f*cking delight" and later called her a "c*nt." No customer deserves this type of indecent and unprofessional treatment, especially my friend.
(1)K W.
I've only been to Bull and Bear for work lunches, so this review is for food only. I've tried their Kobe burger, one of their regular burgers, and several of their appetizers. It is all about the Kobe burger. Super juicy and tasty, and accompanied by amazing truffle fries. I'd consider it on par with the Rockit Burger. One odd thing, last time I went I asked for my leftover to be boxed to go, and they gave me the burger but left out my fries. Very sad.
(3)Stuart K.
I had dinner at Bull & Bear Saturday night with 5 friends. Our 7:30pm reservation was honored immediately with a booth that had a Bud Light and 312 beer tap built right in. The staff here is incredible. Throughout the night we were visited by one of the owners, a manager and the head chef. They clearly want to make sure that things are going smoothly and that their customers are happy. Our waitress was great and very attentive. The food here is as good as it gets for a sports bar. For appetizers we had the wings, nachos and pigs in a blanket. All three were excellent. The nachos had the perfect amount of cheese and toppings. The pigs in the blanket were like nothing we'd ever seen. Our table split the chopped salad and the junk salad. Both were great, with very good dressings and generous servings. For our main course we had all 7 sliders. Each slider had a unique presentation, with different buns and sauces for each. The consensus hits were the Philly, Kobe, and the Meatball. My personal favorite was the Lobster Roll. The chef sent out a complimentary round of vodka milkshakes that were just incredible. For drinks we started with the built-in beer taps which are really a lot of fun. I was pretty suspect about them at first, but the waitress was very upfront about the cost and how it worked. At our table a Bud Light was $3.75 and a 312 was $5. We moved onto cocktails towards the end which were very generously poured. The menu says they have half-price appetizers and sliders every weekday for happy hour. I'll definitely be back for that with some work friends.
(5)Nicole K.
I decided to have my birthday party at Bull & Bear due to a recommendation from a friend and I wish I had ignored their advice. I worked with the event coordinator to set it up and specifically told her, I wanted to reserve two tables without a package and people would be coming in randomly throughout the night. There would be a total of 40 or so people. She was fine with this and informed be that there could only be one tab per table, which I was ok with. Come the night of my birthday party, I walk in and I was told my entire party had to be there to be seated. I explained my situation and the hostess told me if I could get 5 people, we could be seated. So my boyfriend and I opened up a tab at the bar. Finally 3 other friends came and we could be seated but THEN were told, they couldn't hold the second table until 5 more people came which was a pain because I had clearly stated a head of time what I wanted. Then, as the waitress came over, I explained that we were all ok with paying on 1 tab per table but she stated that people were paying in cash which was fine. Come to find out, she was upcharging all of my guests $1 per drink!!! So I sent people to the bar, or people started to not tip. Lastly, not only did the place get too crowded, but as I went to close my tab at the bar at the end of the night, I waited patiently by the bar until the bar tender came up to me, told her I needed to close my tab. She looked at me and then started to help someone else. I thoguht she was going to help the next person and then get my credit card but instead I had to wait while she continued to help 15 + other people. I then had to get the hostess to help me close my tab, and the bartender passed her up too!! I will never go back to Bull and Bear, never recommend anyone to go there, and hopefully people will see this review and know if you want terrible service, overpriced drinks and an overcrowded bar, this is the place for you.
(1)Mihir P.
I have to knock off one star from my previous review below. I was there yesterday and want to start a tab and then pay with a credit card but they have a $25 MINIMUM for CC's. F'd up! __________________________________________________ Bull & Bear is more of a sports "club" verses a bar. Primarily a vanilla crowd until my mocha crew rolled in. There is good energy in here with the bright lights but the music is too loud and it is difficult to have a conversation without someone spitting in your face. It also gets packed in here so for those of you with space issues, be warned. I do like the taps at the table feature but you may not get what you want. Even at the bar they had a limited selection of beer. They didn't have: Dos Equis, Sam Light, Heineken Light, or even Miller Lite. Pretty sad.
(1)Donn M.
Great service with average pricing. I really loved the Bull and Bear Burger. In my opinion it is in the top 10 burgers I have had in my life time. I am only 23 though and have a more more burgers to try. When I went they played songs from the 80's through the modern top 40.
(4)Jacqueline S.
I had a kobe beef burger here, it was delicious. Also the cashew crusted chicken salad (or whatever it was called) is wonderful. Great and a little upscale bar food. Would recommend. Never been to the actual place, but ordered food from here.
(4)Chris S.
The Pros: Upscale bar with dark wood, plenty of plasmas. The staff I finally encountered was friendly, but I really only got a couple of drinks from the bar. The beer selection is really good. They have taps built into some of the tables, and purchasing kegs is a rarely seen option. Digital readout on the table shows you how many ounces of beer you have left. If nothing else, kind of cool. The Cons: The prices - $9 for Goose Island Mathilda which can be had for $6 at Hopleaf. Also, seating became a problem quickly. I arrived at 5:20pm on a Tuesday, and both front and back bar were full, as were the half dozen upright tables that sat 2-4. Herein lies the problem: all those tables situated for kegs are reserved for parties of 4 or more. I understand the reason for this, but the result is that the bar got PACKED with pairs of people. People blocking the bar, people (myself) blocking the door, people pretty much standing on top of each other...all while seating for about 30 remained available, but kept off limits. And while there were a half dozen cocktail servers, they were focused on the tables, so even though they were all over the place, I had to jam into the bar each time I needed a drink. This might just be a great place to bring a group of friends to watch a game. The taps on the table are cool. But for a date or with a small group, it just doesn't work.
(2)marisa s.
it's the in between going out hard/getting your groove on bar that river north's been aching for. ok, there's Hub...but it's nice to have another choice and especially one that is casual & chill (but still super busy all the time). the pluses - the table taps and the kobe beef sliders the minuses - narrow and not so big love the food. (what i tried so far - kobe sliders and truffle fries) love the location. love the concept. ...and 3 loves equals 4 stars
(4)Sara P.
Argh...another instance of wishing there were half stars available. I'm giving Bull & Bear 3.5 stars in my mind. Especially since I haven't been here in the evening- where you can tell if a place turns into douche-mode or not. But having been here for lunch on a Friday afternoon, I was pleasantly surprised. We requested a seat at a table with a topper, and were excited that we were seated at the table with Stella. Oh the possibilities of a table with all you can drink Stella at our fingertips. Imagine my dismay when we realized the tap was out! But not to fear, the waitress fixed it right away. The real reason I enjoyed this place, other than the suave decor and multitued of TVs with every sport available...was the food. We had the boneless chicken wings, which were quite good, and split the cheeseburger. This was a seriously awesome burger. The fries were really good too. I'm definitely in for trying this place again. And I'm very curious to see what this place is like when it gets more crowded.
(3)Heather L.
$12 for a Johnny Walker Black, $10 for a cocktail. It's 2:00 in the afternoon on a Saturday and this is little more than a sports bar with boring sports bar appetizer menu. No thanks, we'll be moving on.
(2)Gabby A.
The past two times I've been to bull and bear have convinced me that most of the staff is incompetent. Each time I ordered the same thing and both times I got exactly the opposite. I ordered a salad in a wrap with no avocado and no cilantro. Both times it came with avocado and cilantro. Plus, it didn't even have dressing on it. Not only did it cost me $15 for, essentially, lettuce on a stale tortilla, but they couldn't even get it right. These past two bad experiences aren't the only ones I've had at bull and bear, but they will definitely be the last because I will not go there again. Would not recommend this place. Bad service, dumb staff.
(1)Nicole M.
Walking through the city on our visit we stumbled onto this place. We enjoyed our meal outside because it was Saturday and the bar was packed with all the college fans we couldn't get in anywhere! That must mean it some fun!! The food was really good brunch all day, the service meh. The 4 stars for the tables with your own bar and wine tap!! Will definitely be back next time!!!
(4)candace l.
A couple friends dragged me here for happy hour, and the place was packed. Not particularly my scene; thus, I really wanted to hate the place, but I didn't. Here's why: They make a strong (albeit spendy, but that's to be expected) Greyhound. The place was packed with a chatty, fun crowd. I wasn't looking for a hit-on-marathon, which I didn't find (although others have). Their bathrooms are spotless and plentiful, which is a praise worthy foresight. Although, I don't like making the trek down two flights of stairs, especially in heels. Speaking of, this is why I will not be back to B&B: I tripped down a few of these stairs, right into the arms of an [unsuspecting] gentleman walking up them. There you have it, folks. I have clutzy moments that prevent me from frequenting bars on a regular basis.
(3)Ricky R.
Where to begin ... Came here with a buddy 2 weeks ago while we met in the city for lunch . Ordered wings, a health club? "turkey sandwich" , and he ordered a burger . The sandwich was supposed to be $11 as stated but came out on bill as $15 , also had bloody marys $11 a piece?! , and the burger was $18 . Food was just ok , but WAY over priced , and the prices on the bill were more than stated on the menu . $15 for a turkey sandwich that was supposed to be $11, $11 for a bloody. $18 for a burger ?! This is high end entree pricing not sandwich / finger food . Food was not horrible but just ok, based on pricing and the fact the bill does not match menu I would have given a one star but the waitress was attentive and nice . I will not be back , and watch your bill at the end because we had 2 errors on ours .
(2)Valerie R.
I've only been here once and it was for lunch, but I enjoyed the food. I had the beet salad and my boss got the junk salad, and also enjoyed his lunch. Good iced tea, they were a little crazy on the refills though. I like not having an empty glass, but I had two full glasses waiting for me as I finished my first. Not sure what the strategy was there... I'd definitely try Bull and Bear again but I won't rush back, they're a little too hard on the wallet.
(3)Zach T.
Yelp nails this with 3 stars. I'd love to get here when I can drink, but I went for lunch. We sat in the bar and had burgers. I had the Bull Bear Burger (I had a youswoop). It was very good and cooked right on the money. Fries were good. Service was fine. Good ambiance. I won't rush back, but I will likely go back when I can have a drink.
(3)Mai T.
-1 one for the racist clientèle who call people out for their race and color of their skin and for the shit bouncers to harass people who are leaving the bar. If you are anything other then white they are going to be totally inappropriate to you. so GOOD
(1)Eugene N.
Main reason we stumbled upon Bull & Bear was because Lou's was packed and with over an hour wait! Saw the beer taps at each table so we gave it a shot. I ordered the Kobe Beef burger and I was pleasantly surprised! It was really good! While it's cool to have the beer tap our table, it would be nice if it had worked. Ours was broken so we didn't get a chance to experience that. I see a lot of 3 star ratings, but my experience was good. Food tasted great.
(4)Riz A.
bull and bear contacted me after this review, and offered to buy me and my friends dinner/drinks in return for taking down my negative review - and they claimed they had 'reprimanded' the bouncer that was racist towards myself and my friend. i told them to eat it. i'm not selling out for free beer and wings. whackness is whackness, and this bar personifies it.
(1)Kimberly G.
I've been to Bull & Bear twice since its opening, on opening night (a Thursday) and on a Friday night. I like the place, the food is good, a notch up from bar food with some cool options (truffle fries, seared tuna.) Both times I've been there it's been almost unbearably crowded. And with the clientele it's going for I'm not surprised they're charging $10 for a vodka soda. Beware of the happy hour guys who have clearly been drinking since 4:30pm, they make up an obnoxious portion of the largely male clientele here.
(4)Yuriko N.
Bull & Bear is a new sports/stock market themed upscale bar in River North, owned & operated by the Stone Lotus team. The crowd is a direct representation of all of the above. The space offers up a warm, fun atmosphere, with a little more flavor, for people to just hang out, maybe watch the game, maybe flirt with friends & coworkers, definitely eat n drink, and have a good time. Having to wait for a table (even if there are open tables with reserved signs, which are prob expected to be seated within an hour - decades to you, but not enough time for you to be done before they get there), or thirst for a drink a few extra minutes because it's really busy, can't possibly be the worst thing you could say about a new spot. The $500 booths were for opening weekend (and I think Super bowl Sunday too). Not at all the case regularly. Yes, I AM a bartender here, and yes, I'm only giving us 4 stars, because like all new endeavors (and as the negative responses clearly state), we're still working out the kinks. We've been open for 2 weeks. Perfection doesn't come without great strides.... and let me tell you, maintaining a concept is no easy task. We're doing our best to stay on track. I'm not gonna go into all the logistics & many hurdles involved in opening a new space (I've been behind the curtain on that one a few times). Though I can assure you that no matter how long you train your staff, how much money you spend, or how much you plan, you can never be fully prepared to expedite an incredibly popular response - it's what everyone hopes for, and what we've been very fortunate to have.... I'll skip all the details on what the space is like, or the menu (for now), so as not to piss off the PR police, but what I can certainly tell you is; we're doing our very best to get your drinks to you as soon as possible, offer up better bar food options, and welcome you with open arms.... So far, I've noticed that it's definitely one of the more interesting places to hang out in that little neck of the Chicago woods. See for yourself.
(4)Kenta Y.
I really like this bar, probably my most favorite in Chicago. I'm not a Chicago Bears fan, but when I went there on a Sunday night during the Bears game it was a really cool atmosphere. Lots of tvs but it can get crowded though. They have the beer taps on some tables and I would like to try that one day. Their food is pretty good also, the Sliders are the best. Packed during happy hour too.
(4)Anthony C.
I've never been to this place, nor do I think I will. I decided to write a one-star review because they send me spam. Constantly. I've never signed up on any Chicago-area bar or club email lists, and I don't frequent sports bars at all (I hate televisions in bars, am not a sports fan, and can't eat any of the sports bar food). How I got on their spam list (or Transit's, for that matter) I will never know, but I'm not forgiving of spam in any case.
(1)John O.
Never a bad one...Ive been in there probably 10 times, some visits as couples and some with just guys. Each time the experience is different but always good. The owners have it figured out, hot waitresses, serve yourself beer, great food and flat screens everywhere. I deal with Morgen (she is awesome) to reserve my booth. Reserving a spot a few days in advance is key as they do sell out, especially for big games. It can get crowded but it's a good crowd.
(5)Molly S.
More often than not I feel that Bull & Bear is fine for what it is, a trendy bar/restaurant that is slightly overpriced. However, I was there the other night with a friend and chose to order beers, several sides and the turkey burger to split. We were really pleased with the sides and beers (obviously) but the turkey burger was horrendous. Our server, Jennifer, happened to notice us not eating it and asked what we thought since the recipe had recently changed. We admitted we weren't in love but enjoyed the rest of the meal and left it at that. When it came time to pay the bill we noticed she had removed the turkey burger without telling us and without us asking. We were so pleasantly surprised! Bull & Bear, give Jennifer a raise!
(4)Eli R.
This bar is a nice way to end a day with a bunch of friends. I came here to sit down on one of those booths that have the taps at the table. The only draw back is that you don't get to pick your own beer at those table taps. But, we still had a good time. Dinner was awesome! They have a good selection of entrées. I wasn't big on their appetizers. Overall the bar is fun, fun, fun. Lots a good looking guys and gals. The service was wonderful. It is a little on the upscale side of a bar, but it was good times. : )
(4)Kathleen O.
Went here today for lunch and it was great! Great outdoor seating and the food was really good! We enjoyed the quesidillas and the cesar wrap and fries. Some people in our party had salads, pulled pork sandwiches and turkey burgers abd everyone agreed the food was yummy!
(4)Samir B.
Bull and Bear was a good time (I went last night), but there are a couple drawbacks that I really can't get past. First, the good stuff: music's fantastic - all the top stuff and a good variety of 90's mixed in. The sports on TV was solid, they had college football and the Blackhawks on, can't ask for more than that on a Saturday in November. The atmosphere and layout is really nice too, it doesn't feel uncomfortable at all, and it's very well located, easy to reach by cab or CTA and parking isn't impossible. The table taps are ingenious too. Now the negatives: the table taps - where do I start...first of all, when I heard about this, the marketing made it sound like they were at the table making beer very easy, so I thought they'd be exclusively on a 2nd floor or in booths away from the bar. No, they are at the tables as stated, but those tables are literally 3 feet from the actual bar. Now yes, they are convenient, but at what cost, it is unreal. I was with 10 people for 4 hours and the total cost was $700. The time spent debating who owed what for that kind of unreal cost is not worth ruining a great night at the end of the visit. It worked out to something like $70 per person for BEER and that's only mathematically, because nobody just drinks non-stop. Give me the $5 Bud Lights at the bar and I'll be happy. So in review... Definetely go, it's a fun place, just don't do the table taps.
(3)Gfiddy F.
Drunken businessmen always make for great conversation.
(5)Francesca R.
Foods awesome, staff is even better. All the haters I'm sure are regulars who wait two hours to get in. I wouldn't pick anywhere else to go on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Can't get enough of this place
(5)Brittany E.
This place is FANTASTIC! I came here with two other friends and my boyfriend and we all loved it! Great food, followed by excellent service! My friends were visiting from out of town and wanted to experience the whole city so we had ate at many different, highly regarded places all around the city. This place was so good however, that they insisted we go back the next night! Why even try something different when they've got such a great thing going! They offer a great variety of organic food. Its a perfect mix of sports bar, while still having some class, without being overly pretentious! All of their food and drinks were excellent! One night we just got appetizers to share and the next night we got entrees...all fabulous! And make sure if you go in, you request Colleen! She was one of the best waitresses I have ever had- and I used to be a waitress myself- so I am tough person to impress! All in all, GREAT service, EXCELLENT food! I highly recommend!
(5)Allison B.
Hmmm...I'm on the fence with this one. Went on a weekend for lunch. It was busy but a low key crowd. We thought we were in trouble when we saw the PYT waitresses but the service was actually very prompt, pleasant, and professional. The menu looked yummy and when our meals arrived (quickly), there was good presentation. But the food was...a bit bland. As my hubbie commented "The Philly sliders tasted a lot better after six beers last time." If you're a sports nut, there are TVs everywhere, even a large screen wall projection. The booths looked fun to sit with a group of friends. It looked like it would be a good neighborhood hangout joint if they could just punch up the flavor with the food.
(3)Christian P.
went into bull and bear last week to have a little post work drink and snack. the bar area is very well done and cool looking, though i have to agree with the other reviews, its [pretty narrow and the tables but practically up to the bar area making it hard to get to the bar, and even if you get a table, a little crammed as people navigate through you to get their drinks. The drinks were a little on the pricey side given the bar atmopshere. If i'm paying $14 for a glass of wine or $10 for a drink,be nice to have somewhere to sit and not get bumped into. We did order some sliders and the sweet potato fries, both of which were really really tasty... kudos to them for the food. the menu also offered lots of other tasty sounding treats and most the people there were also eating. sadly though i can only give two stars because of the space, and also as other mentioned the crowd. Worth checking out, but they gotta figure something out to get you to come back after the initial lookey-loo
(2)Michelle T.
The food is good, atmosphere is definitely "sporty" and the service nice, except for the manager! We were there when they needed to accomodate a wheelchair customer and couldn't get the lift operational. They accomodated the group in the lower level, but when my group asked the manager about the situation (how he was going to "make-good" with the group), his attitude towards us was horrible!! For his attitude alone I may not go back and you better figure out the lift situation - i don't believe that's legal!
(2)Lisa K.
My friend and I went to Bull & Bear for a pre-Thanksgiving party. It had special prices, $3 cheap domestic beer and $5 well drinks and wine. The well vodka was Absolute, so not terrible for a cheap drink. The staff was very friendly and helpful. When I arrived I asked the bar tender what the specials were just to confirm. When I asked about the mixed drinks, he double checked for me since he wasn't certain himself. You don't always see that extra step. He got my drink and remembered the next time that I like a cherry instead of a lime in my vodka, very nice service! The bouncer had come to take my chair, assuming I didn't have anyone with me. When i explained my friend was just in the bathroom, he was a bit embarrassed but left the chair and explained when the bar was crowded, they would have to take the chair. He also explained the drink special and said an all night wrist band was also available. When my friend came, we were not kicked out of our seats at all like I have been in other bars. It was nice to be able to sit down for a little bit to unwind first from a hectic work week and not have our chair taken away mid drink. The drinks were stiff considering the discount, so no watering down here. The venue was a little sold out and the back of the bar was so crowded you could barely get to the bar but fun overall. The taps at the table are fun for a group but are mostly domestic ones I don't drink. I would like to try Bull & Bear again on a normal night and try some of the food I saw being served. HUGE portions, definitely enough to share.
(3)Lizzie R.
Awesome food! The menu is terriffic! Wings and the french onion soup is awesome. Great atmosphere too. I wish they had a 2nd floor or something becasue there arent enough tables to eat at and they are always crowded. Hopefully a bull and bear 2 is coming.........
(5)Jeff B.
Never been there at night, but for lunch it was spectacular! Great food, love the built-in tappers in some of the booths. Wireless internet, and even XBOX 360 at one of the booths. Great atmosphere. And our waitress, in particular (Jenna) was insanely knowledgeable about the menu and never let our glasses go empty, even though the tappers were right in front of us. Go there.
(5)Kelly P.
This restaurant has great food, a decent wine selection, and a great outdoor patio! The extra plus is that the patio is dog friendly! All the staff was so nice, too!
(5)Joe B.
I bar/restaurant must be doing something right if it can appeal to different groups in different ways on different days. B&B has that going for it. The question/problem is figuring out which time slot is right for you and your group. Some nights B&B is a sports bar, some nights it's a bro fest, some nights it's packed to capacity, and some nights it's closed for private events. And there's brunch on Sundays. The food, for dinner and brunch, is good. The drinks are pricey, of course. If you can roll with the atmospheric changes, that's fine, I just prefer a more consistent experience since I know in advance what vibes I like and which ones I don't.
(3)Katie S.
Sure I had a great time, but I can't attribute that to this establishment. Five stars for the bathroom attendant who sprays and wipes each stall after every use. I did not dine here, so I can only rate the "night scene." Interesting concept with the taps at the tables. Prices are expected for a River North bar, about $6 for a decent pint. When we first arrived it was crazy packed and I wanted to turn around and leave, but we were assured that the crowd would dwindle after the fight ended, sure enough it did. Decent service...cough. The table next to us was celebrating and ordered a bottle of champagne, the bartender dropped the bottle on the way to the table so it was well shaken. She's getting ready to make the pop and she is actually aiming the nose of the bottle directly at our table. A few of us squinted and tilted back and she looks at us and says, "it's not gonna hit you." ... POP! My friend was drenched, she got sprayed good and her hair turned into a disgusting sticky mess. It wasn't just a small spray, she was hosed. She's not one to complain, and she didn't. The bartender never offered an apology. Most bars would at least have the decency to apologize and offer a drink for the unfortunate circumstances, but nope, nothing, nada. The guys at the table with the champagne apologized a bought her a drink and offered us some champagne, very nice of them, but it was the bartender who should have been apologizing. I'm not rushing to go back. Other reviewers noted that this is a hot spot for d bags and that was also confirmed.
(2)Karen S.
Went for happy hour on a Wed night. It was busy, but not packed. Service was fantastic. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. The manager fed the meter for us. Food was good - loved the hummus plate. Burgers and fries at Rockit are better. Ambiance was nice and lighting was perfect. We stayed at the bar so we didn't sit at the giant booths with tap on the table. Next time. The afterwork crowd was mostly 30 somethings there to unwind. Everyone was friendly - talking to other tables and having a good time. I'll be back soon.
(4)Chi G.
I cannot stress enough to not plan a party here. In 25 years of planning corporate events I have never encountered such incompetence. Basically this place will charge you an arm and a leg, promise the moon and stars and deliver very little. Spend your money elsewhere. I would give this place zero stars based on staff attitude alone, but yelp makes you use at least one.
(1)Blake D.
Wow. Made a reservation weeks ago for a large group. Called the day before to confirm the reservation. All good. Show up and have to deal with an unbelievably abrasive manager, Ben. Finally we got seated in a mediocre corner table with no tab on the table, like we requested weeks before. Needless to say, the table of 4 girls sitting at a booth for 14 weren't drinking a single beer. The food is good but not worth the bother. Hopefully if you go here you don't have to deal with Ben. Frankly, he ruined the dinner for a large group.
(1)Ms. A.
I never wanted to give such a negative review but the patrons of Bull and Bear made me. Upon entering, the hostess seemed too care free and that seating us was not a priority...so I sat myself at a table up front. There were two of us at a table for four and I have never been so crowded or uncomfortable..ANYWHERE! Pro: Our waitress ( I believe Diane) was a sweetheart. ** If it wasn't for the excellent busboys being so prompt, picking up the glasses as soon as the RUDE patrons placed them on our table we would have walked out.** ***The crowd is the worst. I went with a girlfriend for drinks and appetizers which were good but nothing special. Before I even sat myself at the table I found, some lame put his sport coat on the back of my chair and kept putting his empty beer glasses on the table like he owned it. Two LADIES minding our business while being elbowed constantly trying to eat the apps that came an hour later. The thing that bothered me the most is the crowd that sticks their noses in the air and have no home training. They may be educated, but they act like they were raised by wolves. Every two seconds guys were putting their empty glasses/beer bottles on our table. All around rude! Supposedly trendy = the most annoying crowd I have ever experienced.
(1)Amanda Z.
this is a solid happy hour spot...only prob is it's too darn crowded! i like the big booths in the back where you can pour your own beer on tap - great idea - but its virtually impossible to get one of those tables unless you reserve it way in advance, and how many people really PLAN happy hours in advance?? i will say, this place has some really good bar food...i was very pleasantly surprised! the sliders and the truffle fries were ridiculously yummy! i would never go here on the weekends, but it's a solid weekday joint to meet up w/friends after work for a beer and a burger if you're around River North.
(2)Christa C.
I reviewed this place in the spring, and finally went back to check out their patio, so I just wanted to give some insight! My friend and I went during happy hour on a thursday, and it was half off all their appetizers. Which was great, since their apps are some of the favorite things they have on their menu! We had the tuna appetizer and truffle fries...yummm. Patio was really nice, our server was very attentive and kept refilling my water that was getting warm fast. It's a quieter patio in the river north area, which I was a fan of. If you're in the area, or even just looking for a chill patio at a place with great food, I still really recommend making your way out to this place if you haven't yet!
(5)Kelly W.
even though i have heard mixed reviews of this place, the group i was with decided they wanted to give this place a try. when we first arrived, there was a ridiculously long line. the bouncers were being jerks, which is assumed by most bouncers, but these seemed more jerky than usual. the bar was over crowded and no different from any other place. since they're a new bar, the cops were there to check capacity. this seemed to boost the place's ego even more and it was just ugh. half of our party was inside, the other half was outside. it was nicer to be outside than it was to be inside.
(1)Chanita S.
I'm normally not a fan of Sports bars ESPECIALLY ones in downtown. I often feel like it's douchebag central everytime I step into one. But this place, I actually enjoy. Their food is GREAT....had the calamari, chicken wings, and many other starter items and I can vouch that they really are outstanding. I like the comfy booths--good for small groups/tables with a sense of privacy. Beautiful servers--some friendlier than others. Love how you can pour your own beer with a self-service beer tap. The place is a little narrow and it does get crowded, so the beer tap station kind of eliminates having to deal with the hassle by the bar. The display for games and matches are a little bit redundant. For instance, I saw the same game on two screens that were literally right below and above of each other--totally unnecessary. I think they can do better than that. In the summer, there's an outdoor patio to enjoy the lovely River North. I don't come here often, but I am a fan.
(4)Brandi G.
Bull and Bear is a Great and Fabulous upscale Sports Bar!!! I watch all major sporting events there!!! The staff is fabulous!!! I highly recommend the wings , choose HOT, they are UNREAL!!!! The kobe burger is to die for, its the best burger in the city!!!! The staff is so nice and very hospitable!!!!!! Overall, 5 stars in my book!!!!!!
(5)andrea l.
5 stars. they messed up my order and the server was so sweet and attentive that it didnt even phase me. i kept picking at my friend's fries, they were so good! We had 2 of the slider orders but I wanted to try them all they all look great and there were so many options! The personal serve-yourelf-beer table taps are so cool! we stayed to drink after dinner and could've easily stayed through midnight (had plans to meet up with people at HUB)... drink prices were pretty comparable to bars in the area so I can't really complain there. they have to price like that-- its river north! not wrigleyville. it was casual and fun-- a nice change of scenery from the repetitive pretentious crowd. I heard about that $500 reservation charge but asked them and apparently that was only for very specific evenings but for now-- there is no upcoming events they have to do that for. after 2 visits already-- bull and bear has been a really nice experience and anyone who doesnt like it should relax and lower their standards! Its obvious how much effort they put into this place and how hard they're trying to keep improving. Ill be back next weekend! (can't wait to try the 'hogs in a blanket'!!! looks SO good!)
(5)Stephanie P.
Went to Bull and Bear when my dad was in town along with my roommates. Made a reservation for one of the tables with a tap and got seated right away when we arrived. The food was great too. I'll definitely come here again
(5)Amberlyn R.
Ok, so I gave B&B another try today and was again very disappointed in the quality of food. It seems every time I order something on the healthier side; there is no flavor or texture. I gave it a three stars because our server could tell I didn't like my meal. She took it off our check and allowed me to choose something else. Thank you:)
(3)Christoph C.
Needs a change in music selection, on Fr and Sat night, it's usually the same. Some food items are good but others way to overpriced for bar food, the skirt steak for $19 was tiny and too salty.
(2)M O.
I came to this restaurant/bar with my boyfriend for dinner and I don't think we will ever go back. The first problem is the atmosphere. It's very stuffy and snobbish, even the hostesses are snotty. The whole environment is awkward and uncomfortable. The music is way too loud and it's extremely dark even in the middle of the day. Secondly, the food is very mediocre and not worth the high prices. Do not try the lobster rolls! They are absolutely not worth $14. They had a strange taste and I kept crunching my teeth on hard shell in the lobster. We did appreciate that the waitress did not charge us for this item however. This place is pretty much standard, mediocre bar food and I would not recommend it to a friend.
(2)Katie C.
I had an awful experience here last weekend on my birthday! The staff here is incredibly rude, worse than any other bar staff I have ever encountered. First off, the girl working the coat check had a really bad attitude. We asked if it was alright if we could check our coats in and out a few times before we decided to do coat check. She said " Ugh! I guess I'll do it for you" with a snotty attitude. We felt really bad for making a big issue so we tipped her 100% percent of what we paid to check the coats. Everytime we went down she would outwardly show she was annoyed with us. I'm sorry but if it wasnt okay then she should have just said "this is our policy we cant check your coats in and out more than one time" before we checked our coats! Then she was in the bathroom and started complaining about her tips to another worker right in front of us! Then I had to wait for one of the bartenders to finish flirting with another bartender before even asking me for my drink order. He totally ignored me! Then started talking to another girl who I guess worked there but was off for the night and then he finally asked me for my drink order. I was standing right in front of him the entire time. Not to mention the girls at the reception desk were rude as well when I asked if we could get on a waiting list for a table. You would have to drag me kicking and screaming back to this place. Never again!
(1)mary e.
I recently just visited bull and bear bar for the first time yesterday during lunch. I had heard that they had just one best sports bar again for the third year in a row. So I had to check it out. Our server informed us that they had just added some new items to there menu that I had to try. So I ordered there beef short rib sliders. OMG they were to die for. the beef was so tender and it had horseradish sour cream and topped with shallots all on three toasted brioche buns. I accompanied the sliders with there truffle fries. They were amazing the fries were cooked to perfection and topped with Parmesan cheese with a garlic aoili dipping sauce. It was lunch so I wasn't able to try any of there specialty cocktails but they had so many that look delicious. Our server informed us that they have 1/2 off on there appetizers and short orders from 3-6pm on mon -fri. I will be back for sure to try some of there cocktails and check out there happy hour. (which i hear is always happening). Thanks Bull and Bear for the great service and amazing food.
(5)Amoli P.
For an all American bar, Bull & Bear differentiates itself with a better than average menu and surprisingly decent food. I've been there on weekend nights just for drinks and the place gets packed, loud, and can be quite a bit of fun. I went by yesterday evening for the Game of Thrones trivia night (and was happy to see that there are people WAY more geeky than I thought I was since we came in 14th place). The table tap booths are pretty cool, and if you've never sat at a table tap then I recommend it. There's nothing quite like being able to pour your own beer every time you need a refill and just pay by the ounce. Matilda as a table tap might get you into some trouble, but how cool is that? We ordered a variety of appetizers: the mediterranean (basically hummus, vegetables, and pita), the vegetable quesadillas, the special GOT Dragon Fire Wings (which was really just a spicy peanut sauce), and the truffle mac n cheese. I think their prices are slightly higher than what they should be for what you get, but I'd rather pay a couple extra bucks and enjoy the items than pay less and suffer through mediocre food. The hummus was surprisingly fresh and tasty. The truffle mac n cheese was very good as well as the vegetable quesadillas. I didn't try the wings but they looked good and the sauce was great. Nothing was oily or greasy. This is not the type of place you come if you're looking for a delicious meal or a culinary experience, and they don't try to advertise themselves that way. It's a great bar to come to if you're looking for a fun and unpretentious atmosphere, come-as-you-are dress code, good beer selection on tap, and actual enjoyable bar food that doesn't make you feel like you just blocked an artery. On the other hand, the Game of Thrones trivia questions were near impossible so I'm hoping they bring back Saved By the Bell trivia night!
(3)Holly S.
They have really great signature drinks. I had one with actual watermelon chunks in it. So refreshing!!! I came in after dinner and during a hawks game, they opened up the back bar so my friend and I could watch the game, drink and relax. Great service, a little pricey (river north) and decent atmosphere.
(3)Kavi P.
Pricey for no reason. The seasonal guacamole that had plums in it was no good. We had sought this place out to was a soccer game at....so I only even give stars for the venue and being able to watch the game.
(2)Mark O.
A tad douchey, over priced, with a less to be desired draft beer list. With that said, the food is good. I don't always order salad, but when I do, it's a $14 southwestern salad. I keep coming back for that. Sandwiches are tasty too.
(3)Rehan A.
Can't go wrong with the short-rib sliders and truffle mac and cheese. Amongst the best I've had! The venue of this restaurant consists of everything that a sports fan is looking for: adequate seating, view of multiple televisions, prompt service and great food! The drink prices are about average for the area, but their happy hour specials are worth coming for! Despite some of the more negative reviews here, I absolutely love the concept, food, and service. Will definitely come back next time I'm in town!
(5)Kathleen C.
In all the times I've been to this establishment, I have disliked it....I don't like the weird layout that makes it hard to just grab a drink in the weekend and I don't like the service when it's busy (and I don't particularly like that the bathroom is in the basement)...it's not like things were ever terrible, but they weren't wonderful...ever. However, I visited with a work colleague for a happy hour and sad outside and I am happy to say that this might be one of my more favorite spots to sit outside in the area. For starters, the hostess asked me which street I'd like to sit on...I picked Hubbard and sort of laughed since that's where everyone was sitting, but I did like that I had the option. We had a nice table away from the corner in an inviting patio. The tables were great and sturdy (not always the case in various patios around the city). Service was really helpful and pleasant and they didn't mind that we were basically just sitting and chatting and not ordering a lot. Reasonable drink prices were great as things can get pricey in the area. So, worth a visit though I'd stick to the 4-star outside dining vs the 3-star inside...
(4)Basil D.
I have only come here twice, both for brunch. Decent food, good service. That's the one sentence review. I ordered off menu, and had them make me a breakfast sandwich that I've devised over the years. I was shocked when it came out, it was made to perfection, in fact, it was the best ANYONE has ever, ever made. Kudos to the chef. He made the eggs perfectly, (fried on the grill but with a soft yolk), perfect avocados, bread toasted to perfection, a great chipotle mayo, and they stringed the lettuce so you'd get the perfect amount in every bite. The OJ was good. The coffee...oh the coffee.... The coffee tasted like it was made from a K-Cup made of an old diaper. Is it so hard to serve good coffee? Seriously? The service was excellent.
(3)Meghan S.
Out for a bachelorette party on Saturday and our good time ended at Bull & Bust. I would give zero stars if that was an option. Our party was having a good time and maybe some were overserved, but in no way were we out of control. We had two booths reserved for our party, but one of our guests was not allowed in. Upon arrival, the bouncer and hostesses were very rude off the bat. I understand you deal with drunk people, but that is your job so you have to deal with them. The "head of security" lied and said that one of our guests swore at them, but that was not the case at all. We were just looking to have a good time with our bride to be, but that came to a huge halt when we got to Bull & Bear. We tried to calmly explain that we would watch our one guest that wasn't in good shape to continue drinking so that the other 20 girls could make the best of our reserved booths/bottle service. Well, no, we were forced to leave. I admit we then got angry, but in no way disrespectful. The manager is the most unprofessional person I've ever dealt with. She called the cops on our party and I'm still unsure why. When the cops arrived they asked if we didn't pay our tab and when the manager replied no, the cops asked why they were there?!?!? Exactly, no one knows why. That's the last time I will go to B&B and I think the same holds true for everyone in our party. It was the worst bar experience I have ever had.
(1)Geoff S.
We had an afternoon to fill in, before a show at The Chicago Theatre, so, as is our norm, we walked around and found some drinking spots........ Bull & Bear was discovered and we sat at the bar and were tended to in a friendly and efficient manner. Nice atmosphere, good drink/beer selection. The staff answered all of our questions and we were pleased enough to have a second drink - didn't really have to twist our arms for that....... With the number of tvs on the walls, I could see it being a bit rowdy during some big games, but at the time we were there, it was a nice place to sit, drink and watch some locals (it was a Sunday afternoon). Bull & Bear is on the list of places next time in Chicago.
(3)Brad H.
Never thought the Burger would be so good! Been coming for years for drinks and was pleasantly surprised. The sweet potato fries were also great.
(4)Megan H.
If you're looking for an expensive hangout filled with adult frat boys with Napoleon complexes, you should go here.
(2)Sunny G.
Truffle fries - 5 Waitress - 4 Horrible, rude hostess jessica kwon - 1
(2)Jordyn A.
My boyfriend and I are regulars here. I love going there to watch football with him. It's a great atmosphere to be in to watch the games, but it also has amazing game day specials and that's the real reason we go! Also, I've tried probably over 10 things on the menu and it's always better than I expected it to be!! Really can't go wrong with anything you choose on the menu!
(4)Britt C.
"I think you'll like this place, they have beer" ...that's what I said to my friend as we were walking towards Bull and Bear. Little did I know that I would actually end up liking it here too. They have a pretty decent cocktail list. I ended up trying a Blue Malibu and a Lush. Both were as mentioned, decent. I enjoyed the Blue Malibu a little more than the Lush. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, which is always a plus. Outdoor seating was pretty nice. I wouldn't mind going back again, and maybe trying some food next time.
(3)Phil S.
The food here is REALLY good. Service is just ok and drink prices are reasonable, but not great. I do like the decor and there is good people watching, but not enough for anything over 3 stars.
(3)Jason T.
This place is good for drinks, and by drinks I mean a beer. That's about it. Super overpriced pub food snore fest that tries to be more than what it is. Is it a Stocks bar? Is it a sports bar? Is it Hooters? No idea. Loaded with TVs (shocker). But it fits the area I guess. Go elsewhere unless elsewhere is on fire.
(2)Ashley A.
A typical place for bros, and rude people who don't care if they bump into you. Last time, I even smelled a big whiff of marijuana on one of the people in the bar. I've been here a few times just for drinks. Surprisingly found a high top table to sit at last time. They have coat hooks under the bar top, which is always a plus for me. Supposedly there is a photo booth in the place somewhere, but I never saw it, only learned of it when I checked in on foursquare & received a Photogenic badge for checking into a third place that has a photo booth. Washrooms are downstairs, which is very inconvenient for us girls wearing high heels. Music is pretty loud to the point that you have to basically yell if you want someone to hear you. One cool thing I liked was their hanging lights. (I'm big on light fixtures.) They strung a bunch of lightbulbs together to create a modern chandelier. Also, this was one of the first, if not the first, place I had heard of to have table taps. At the time, I heard it was only one of about five bars in the country to have the table taps, but either that was a lie/rumor or the trend has gone up because I have seen several other bars in Illinois with them. Still cool, though. Would I return? Meh, maybe if my friends insisted on going here & we were bar hopping in the area, but there are other bars within walking distance that I have yet to check out & that I would rather go to. Actually, if anything, I would want to return during the day to try their food & bloody marys.
(3)Rits M.
Went here on a date. The place was a little loud for me, I do remember having to lean in and raise my voice a little. It took them 10 mins to seat us, not bad, since we came at 5.30 on a Wednesday. The table they gave us at first was kind of wobbly, and then they gave us a non wobbly one. The waitress gives recommendations, and I liked the Dirty Money that she recommended. I dont get ice in my drinks and usually this means I get a smaller glass/ a glass half full, this glass was filled to the top, which I appreciated. My date and I had the quesadilla as a starter as well, it was crunchy and they did take about 15 mins to bring it out, which makes me think it was made when ordered. Comes with a side of guac. The place itself is like a regular bar, lots of wood, but is more spacious than most. Does have a lot of screens as well (my date did me the credit of not looking at them all the time we were talking :) ) Good for an after work drink.
(3)Charles G.
First time writing a review.... I've had several experiences at Bull & Bear and it's for a reason. I am never dissatisfied. The food is great Apps, Entrees, and Deserts ( especially the cookie! ). The ambiance is awesome and most importantly the service is exceptional. We've had several different waitresses and they are all very nice and attentive. Every time I've been there , the manager Ben was getting around to everyone making sure they were enjoying themselves. I had my birthday party there about a week ago on a Saturday. We had a little over 20 people in our group and never had an issues getting drinks. It was like we had a designated waitress who was only focused on us. That same night someone mistook my coat for there's and took it. A week later we called up there and talked to Ben. He said someone had just returned my coat and apologized for the mishap. That goes to show that not only the management and staff are exceptional, but the patrons they attract are good people as well. Go check this place out!
(5)Frances B.
Bull & Bear is my go-to bar downtown. I usually stay away from Hubbard St., and this is far enough away from the touristy/douchey part of hubbard st. to still be nice (and expensive) but not be terribly douchey. There's never too long a wait, and even though it's crowded it's never overcrowded. The drinks are strong and the food is delicious. I love coming here with big groups because it has the great vibe of being a chill, hang out sports bar but with loud, fun music with some dancing. It's the kind of bar I can get to early and hang out at all night. It isn't cheap though, you pay to be here. But for me the experience is worth every penny. Lots of young people hang out here- young professionals. Not too many grungy people are coming to Bull & Bear.
(5)Mike P.
Food overpriced or just portion sizes too small. Service was very slow and the music was very loud after a certain point. Then a basketball game came on and it was blasting. Very difficult to talk. I am a local and expect to be treated better than the common tourist. We were asked to leave at 7 sharp because a large group of tourists apparently had a reservation. At an after work bar on a Friday? C'mon now.
(2)Maggie G.
I've eaten at this place before and the bar scene is fun. The tables with the beer taps are awesome for big groups of people. The food was really good when I ate there. I ordered out tonight from GrubHub and was really disappointed. I ordered fish tacos, then got nervous they might be gross, and ordered a club sandwich as well. The fish tacos were disgusting. 3 small pieces of "blackened" fish (not blackened), no coleslaw, small amount of a dressing-type sour cream, weird dipping sauce on the side. Defiantly not what I expected from this place. From how they were described on the menu they sounded like a standard fish taco, but what I got was far from that. The club sandwich was okay, its hard to go wrong with a club sandwich though. I don't think I'll be ordering from here again, eating there is a different story.
(3)Rachel T.
I've been to Bull & Bear quite a few times now and I've always had a good time here. It can get crowded sometimes but late on the weekdays it's not bad at all. My friends and I easily made a res for 6 at 9pm through Open Table to watch the Bulls/Lakers game. They have great specials on food during the week- on Thursday (when we went) they have 1/2 priced bottles of wine and 1/2 priced burgers (except the Kobe burger). My friends and I all ended up ordering beers and burgers, along with the truffle fries and calamari as appetizers. When I ordered the truffle fries I didn't realize that the burgers all actually came with fries (or another side of your choice) because it wasn't stated on the menu. Had I known that I wouldn't have ordered the truffle fries. Oh well- nbd. The calamari was decent. For my entree I had the Blue Chip burger and sweet potato fries and it was delicious! It came with thick, crispy cuts of bacon and just the right amount of blue cheese. So worth the $7! The staff is fast and friendly and there are a decent amount of tvs around so that everyone has a pretty good view. We sat at a large U-shaped booth. The spread out space combined with the pretty loud background music makes it difficult to have a conversation with anyone at your table unless they're next to you, but that's fine if you're really mostly there to watch a game. Also- during breaks/halftimes/etc some of the tvs play music videos. I was love love loving the old school rap/hip-hop they were playing. Took me right down memory lane haha
(4)Leang E.
I came here because of my GiltCity voucher, and have been wanting to come visit for a while. It wasn't crowded as we were here for a Sunday brunch. We were seated in a booth, and the seats were interesting. Every time my boyfriend moved or got up and sat down it raised my seat up and down like a blow-up mattress. It felt like there was no cushion and kind of uncomfortable. There were a good amount of tvs with different sports channels on, but surprisingly no baseball. Our waitress was Keeley, and she was very nice keeping the beverages coming, and trying to help me decide on a burger. She explained that the brunch burger was only available on the weekends, so I went with that. We also ordered the medium spicy wings, which was pretty good. They were $12 so I was glad that we got 12 wings and not 8 or 10 like I thought it might, otherwise they would seem pretty pricey. They had $5 mimosas that day, which was decent and came in a pint glass which really made it worth the money and worthwhile as opposed to a skinny champagne glass. We weren't asked about what temperature the meat was to be cooked for our burgers so I think all of them must come well done. I like mine medium so it was hard for me to appreciate. Despite having this ketchup with a kick to it, it still tasted kind of bland to me or lacked flavor. I wonder if I should have just gotten a salad or something else. I think this might be a good spot for drinks moreso than food. It might be a chill spot for happy hour and a night out later in the evenings.
(3)Kari J.
Service was good. Manager compd some of our drinks because they weren't as the menu said. Id definitely go back.
(3)Michael S.
Went here for happy hour and was quite pleased. They have half off appetizers before 7pm which I took full advantage of by ordering the truffle mac 'n cheese, quesadillas, and nachos. All three were delicious, especially the mac 'n cheese which was huge and only $4.50 after the half off. I also indulged some drinks: I had a good whiskey cocktail, followed by a glass of Woodford Reserve bourbon ($11 but the glass was filled to the brim - easily two drinks worth). Overall, I would recommend for happy hour for the drinks and half off (and delicious) appetizers.
(4)Mike A.
Some pretty good food items. The nachos (add turkey chili) are phenomenal. The wait staff is hard working and accommodating, but manager is pretty unaccommodating, smug, and just all around rude. You can see the disappointment on the faces of the wait staff when the manager intervenes. We've seen that play out three or four times lately, and it's become a bit too uncomfortable an environment to be enjoyable.
(2)Juliana R.
My friends and I stopped in on a Tuesday night and participated in their trivia night and we had a good time I can imagine it being pretty douchey on the weekends so I can't say that I'll ever be back on a weekend I thought their tables with the beer taps were pretty cool if I came back I would definitely like to try that out Besides that we had a decent time and our server who I can't remember her name was pretty friendly
(4)Nataliya A.
I was here in a Friday night last weeks, and will not be coming back. The place is tiny, no room to walk, breathe, think...wayyy too many people. We did get wrist bands for like $1 donation, the drinks were then free til 11... Due to the line and lack of response from the bar tenders, I had only 1 -vodka tonic with a splash of tonic...I'd call it more of a tonic with cranberry and a splash of vodka here. The waitress was pretty rude that came by us when we sat a table that we were not aware we weren't allowed to sit at without paying a I believe $80 reservation fee? Crazy price for a bar...this isn't a lounge or a classy bar, nor would I be getting a bottle service with that price... Anyways...the wakes could have explained this nicely t us since we were not informed when coming in, plus the majority if the booths/tables were empty. Can't rate the food side we didn't eat here... We left about 1 hour after coming her.
(2)Ken U.
Food was as bad as the service. Ordered ordered a breakfast sandwich on wheat it came out on a pretzel bun; I asked to have them remake it. The scraped off the old bun and put it on un-toasted bread. Disappointing for a $12 sandwich with only 1 piece of bacon.
(2)T V.
Only been here for drinks but a colleague told me they had amazing fish tacos...so of course I had to see what she was talking about. We each ordered the fish tacos. Sad to say I thought they were EH. The taco consisted of grilled fish with some sort of slaw and sauce. The mix tasted a bit sour and this is without any lime in it. The cost for three tacos was $16 and there were no sides to accompany them. Pretty overpriced for below average tacos. We also ordered dessert because the waitress ranted and raved over this amazing peach cobbler gelato. What was given to us was not gelato. It tasted like an overly sweet chunky icecream. FAIL. So food here not so good...maybe I'll come back for their overpriced drinks.
(2)Devin H.
Overrated and overpriced. The food was pretty average and they had standard bar drinks. Their differentiating feature is the taps at the tables. A lot of hype over nothing.
(3)Ashley S.
Amazing food, fantastic Trivia, and a really cool atmosphere. I had the Turkey Chili and a house salad, Mike had the grilled chicken breast sandwich, which shocked me, becuase I hear they make a mean burger, but it was all delish! The trivia was really cool, hard, but fun, oh so fun!! I always feel smarter when I leave Trivia, and then I think to myself, why didn't I know those answers.....Geesh I'm dumb! Anyways....I'd love to come back here, everything was great!
(5)Karen W.
Met some friends here for brunch after previous lackluster visits for drinks and lunch. The first item I ordered had "just run out." Brunch starts at 10 and it was only 11:30. So the next item I picked came with a dead bug on top. Manager(?) offered to "whip up some eggs or something." No thanks, I'll just take my business elsewhere. Nothing taken off the tab. Needless to say, won't be back. Too many better options in the area.
(1)Kristen L.
Holy fire-hazard, Batman! Seriously. Got to Bull & Bear around 10pm for a birthday. Around 11pm it was so jam packed I literally could not move. Sure bars and clubs could get crowded, but I was literally standing shoulder to shoulder and it took me a good 10 minutes to move from the front of the bar to the back when it's only a mere 20 feet away. Note to the wise: do not order your drinks at the back bar. We ordered drinks, drank them standing at the bar, asked for more drinks and the bartender replies with, "umm...I just served you guys drinks, so you can't have any for a while." Now, I understand she might have been trying to pace her customers so no one wreaks havoc, and we had $35, 3 hour open bar wristbands and she was probably worried about not getting a tip, but seriously? You're denying us service? We moved to the front of the bar where an awesome (and fellow Asian! Woo-hoo!) bartender took our orders. We slammed them back, asked for more drinks and what does she do? She jokes, "damn, you guys are throwing them back!" and gives us our drinks...and she didn't skimp out on the alcohol! BONUS POINTS! Needless to say, all of our tips went to her that night. Other than the awesome bartender at the front bar, this place is way too jam packed and the music is "eh." Only other time I came here was last St. Patrick's day to do one shot, and after this experience, this is definitely a drink and dip kind of place!
(1)Kate W.
Always great after work spot. It's better in the summer when you can sit outside the inside gets a little bit noisy sometimes. Great place to watch games too! The truffle Mac & cheese is to die for - it's my favorite in the area.
(5)Burger Guide D.
The Bull & Bear Burger is the work of a genius. Premium ingredients and a completely outside the box approach to the typical flavor profile of a burger. This burger is pure comfort food. A fantastically soft brioche bun serves as the foundation upon which juicy and tender Kobe Beef is placed after being seasoned and cooked to perfection. An assortment of savory toppings such red onion marmalade, bacon aioli, and melted Gruyere complete the masterpiece. This is one of those burgers which made me re-imagine what you could do with beef, a bun, and toppings. Although they don't steal the show from the burger a side of truffle fries is in attendance to further enhance the dining bliss that is the Bull & Bear Burger.
(5)Leslie B.
This review is based ONLY upon dining experience. I typically don't enjoy going out here because it's one of those insanely crowded bars that's filled with douchebags. However, I came here with five friends for dinner and the food was pretty fantastic. In retrospect, I would have chosen a night that wasn't a Saturday...we honestly couldn't hear a thing anyone across the table was saying. We started with the wings and nachos which were both excellent. Definitely surpassed the expectations of our entire party. I also shared the skirt steak tacos with a friend and they were great as well. We utilized the drafts at the table which were kind of overrated. We thought it would be helpful to pour our own beers, but they came out incredibly foamy. Overall, I'll dine here again, but will avoid weekend nights.
(4)Meredith B.
Came here on a Thursday and it was paaaaaacked. In case you couldn't tell from the name of the bar, they attract a finance crowd. Many many men in suits. Also, there's a news/sports ticker running above the bar. Sports and *vomit* fox news on the TV. Not a fan of that. Literally the kind of thing that would keep me from returning. It may have been fox business; same evil, different channel. Anyway, political rant aside, they be crowded in here. And loud. I'm a little hoarse today actually. All the tables in the bar area are high tops, but they have booths and a more restaurant-y feel in the back. I walked past one of the big booths and I'm 95% sure that I saw beer taps built into the table. Is that for real?? Do they work?? That's nuts. I love that idea. I had a few vodka tonics while hanging out in the bar, and they were fairly watered down. I know this because I had two, then later a gin and tonic, and was not even buzzed. Problemo. My friend and I were starving, so we went outside on the patio. Despite Yelp saying this place is "wheelchair accessible," only the front bar area and patio technically are. Also the entire bar is high tops, so she can't eat there. Or go to the bathroom. So I'd take issue with their "accessible" cred. Fortunately it was a warm night and not yet raining, and there were actually open tables outside, so we could eat. They have a small-ish patio area that gives a nice view of the Merchandise Mart all lit up at night. We started with calamari, which was actually pretty good. The breading was super light and delicately crispy, and came with two sauces. The creamy aioli-like one was my favorite. I'm starving and wish I had some of that now... Anyway then we split the grilled chicken sandwich with bacon, avocado, and swiss cheese. And sweet potato fries. The fries were of the "sweet" persuasion, with a light cinnamon and sugar dusting. Still tasted good in ketchup. The sandwich was pretty good, nothing special, no big flavors, but basically of good quality and exactly what you'd expect. They split the sandwich in half and put it on two plates for us, which was really nice. Bathrooms are down some cavernous stairs, and somebody is not keeping an eye on the toilet paper situation because two stalls were out. Generally though, service was friendly if not super-attentive. Meh. I'll give it three stars because the food was pretty tasty, but they need to change the channel and put more G or V in their G&Ts/V&Ts. I'd willingly come back if somebody else wanted to go, but wouldn't go out of my way!
(3)Tom C.
This place is fantastic. Good food and atmosphere. Great part of town. They also have taps on your table which is fun for a big group. Plenty of bars to walk to after dinner. I will be back no doubt. Also, not as pricey as many restaurants in the area.
(5)Diana T.
Came here to have some drinks with friends and was very disappointed. First of all I had a tequila sunrise n it was the most appalling drink I've ever had. Then we were sitting at a table and they put bottles for another party and didn't even bother to ask us to leave or move tables. Basically kicked out with no words. The place was dead for being open late and for St. Patricks weekend. That should've been a dead giveaway!!!
(1)Peter K.
I've been here multiple times for lunch, cocktails, even dinner once. It seems to have started out with a bang a few years ago and slowly (or quickly) sunk into the abyss of complacent (at best) service and mid-grade pub food. Although it wasn't crowded and we arrived after the lunch rush (if there even is one here anymore), our server Brianne was in a big hurry - to snatch away our menus. Other than that hurry, she was hard to find again when she should have been around. She sported an attitude from the moment we were seated. I tried to make the best of it, as two of my best customers were my guests and they had selected the place. It took forever to get a round of beers, although all three were the same Lagunitas IPAs. Both of my guests ordered gorgonzola mashed potatoes instead of fries with their burgers, which she let us know in no uncertain terms would be an upcharge. Fine, whatever. Brianne brought our second round of beers, never clearing the empty bottles off. The busser brought out our food order, with Brianne nowhere to be seen to direct the poor guy as he put down the three orders hurriedly, none in front of the person who ordered it, and one just sort of shoved at the table, not in front of anyone. We noticed right away that one of the mashed potato orders was the plain, rather than gorgonzola, and tried to hail Brianne. She did a hand wave as if to say, "In a minute." She proceeded to wait on another table and get their order while our food got cold. Well, actually, my fries were pretty cold when they arrived at the table. Once she got over to our table, she explained that she had ordered one of each kind of potato. Why? I have no idea. We had to push her to replace the wrong order. No apology, no taking responsibility, just weird. We knew what we had ordered. The burgers were pretty good, done exactly the way we had ordered them. My fries were cold, and we were half way done with our meal before we finally got the right gorgonzola mashed potatoes. She popped back once to ask if we wanted a third round of beers, which we didn't. Yet she never cleared any of the empty bottles, of which there were now six, until after we payed our bill and left. Bizarre. Needless to say, rather than having a positive experience to increase my customers' happiness, most of our discussion at lunch was how this server could keep her job.
(1)Francisco F.
After some confusion with the event coordinator (her fault), a busboy spilling BBQ sauce on my shirt (his fault), and ridiculously expensive drinks (our fault), I was ready to give this place 1 star. However, this bar saved itself and deserves a star for each of the following: 1) fattening binge food, truffle fries. They. were. tasty. 2) my poison has always been any available malty beer; but #4 from the drink menu: cucumber infused belvedere, watermelon, lemon, and lime did it for me. It was so #$%^& good. 3) my waitress and bartenders serving were friendly that Tuesday night. But, I wouldn't go back for another trivia night until the event coordinator becomes organized and efficient at the job.
(3)Victoria G.
Its an ok bar for a drink and to watch a game. The menu is standard bar menu but other places have better
(2)Anthony M.
I love bull and bear. It's a great place to kick back after a day at work. The bull and bear burger is one of my favorite in this city. I can always rely on B&B to satisfy my hunger. The place is always clean, the food always delicious and no matter what there is always a TV playing your favorite game. Service is usually top notch.
(5)Colleen C.
Saturday night, 7pm. Me (+2): Hi, we'd like a table for 3. Hostess: Oh, it's first come, first serve in this area (points to front). Me: Ok, what about the back? (spy ALL empty tables) Hostess: Sure, you can sit at the bar back there... Me: Ok. :::::::walk 25 steps::::: *all "tap tables" have reserved signs, but are EMPTY. Fair enough. I don't have $500 for cheap keg beer, anyway. Bud Light? Thanks, I could get that at the liquor store. Stella is a step above, but...yeah. Ok. I get the novelty... *one 4-top near the bar is open, with no "reserved sign." Me: Is this ok to sit here? Bartender: Oh, uh...you have to ask the hostess. (NO ONE is at the bar) Me: really? Bartender: Yeah. :::::spin around, walk 25 steps BACK, ask hostess, she seats us with menus:::: C'mon guys, this is NOT hard. My advice, you pretty looking people.... Hostess: if you have a group come in that wants a table at 7pm, then seat them at an empty table, so they can eat. And spend money at your business. Bartender: If you have NO ONE AT THE BAR, go ahead and go that extra bitty mile and go talk to the hostess FOR your guests, so that they aren't bounced back and forth. It's not that far, I get it. It's so not far that you should move yourself and go make sure its all legit. Then you can get me that overpriced Bud Light, kthx. The food is still just fine, but really...in this neighborhood, the options are many, and I won't get it served up with a side of apathy dressed with glitter. Pretty People. Pretentious. Pass.
(2)Margaret D.
Came here for a co-workers birthday. Liked the food, no one had anything bad: classic burger, braised short rib sliders, grilled salami sandwich, pork tacos and special of that day was a fish sandwich. Good place for after hour drinks, or lunch, happy hour. Plenty of TVs. What really stood out. at least on this visit, was the service. Our server was friendly, attentive, joked around a little, really took care that we were all happy. When everything else about a place is acceptable or good, great service helps. Scratch that, great service helps no matter what but our server is what stood out most. Would come back knowing the place has good waitstaff.
(3)Michael A.
Just moved to Chicago, and I really like this place. It's local and a traditional sports bar with the exception of brunch and bottomless mimosas and bloodies on the weekend. Decent selection of beers on tap and the food is better than I expected. I've tried the nachos, Kobe sliders, and the truffle Mac and cheese, along with the home made pop tarts and breakfast tacos. All were very good. Caught the final four there last night and liked that the game audio is broadcast throughout the bar, switching to a good selection of music during the commercial breaks. I'll be back often.
(4)Robert F.
Bull and Bear is one of those places that is simple...Good food...Good drinks..and they don't charge you insane amounts for either... You can tell the people that visit this bar are mature..20-30's age ppl that are not gonna be wanting to wait in a 45 minute line outside and begging to get in. The place rocks! Servers are cool and the inside is great. Best wings in the city so far!
(5)Remington L.
I highly recommend this place for a Sunday Brunch. Professional service and a kind staff. This lounge like restaurant has a wide variety of choices on the menu. I had the mimosa with my meal and would advise you to try it as well.
(4)Chris L.
Came here for a friends bday and to watch the bears game. So initially, I was not that excited about heading all the way downtown, what can I say, I'm a full fledged card carrying suburbanite... But, I was pretty impressed with Bull and Bear. That atmosphere was pretty sports-barish and they had plenty of tv's to watch the game. Originally, I hadn't planned on drinking too much and decided to get a bloody marry...$11! I know what your thinking...holy shit, right? Luckily the waitress pointed out that they had a game day special $30 for bottomless bloody's and a free bowl of chilli. I'll get to the chilli in a minute. The first bloody marry I got was awesome, complete with celery, and olive, and bacon...Unfortunately, the first one was the only one that came with bacon. The chilli that came with the special was "make your own" meaning you get a card, and get to check off everything you wanted in the chilli!! There were some pretty good options int here, I went with fries, bacon, shells, buffalo sauce, and an egg. I gotta, say, it was some pretty damn good chilli. The other cool thing I like about the bar were the tables, they had huge booths, and each booth had its own beer tap on it. You can dispense your own beer at the table, and you pay by the ounce. We didn't try this, but I still thought it was pretty awesome. The main downfall for this place is parking. Street parking is pretty sparse nearby, and the lots in the area are a guaranteed $30.
(4)Michele N.
We went late night on a Friday to watch the late game of the NCAA tournament. Great drink/beer specials for the tournament. Unfortunately, they close their kitchen at ten, which seems a bit early on a weekend. But, they have great tv's for sports viewing, a fun crowd and excellent servers who keep you hydrated! I'd definitely return to check out their food options.
(3)Hank S.
Kobe sliders and truffle fries washed down with local brew were plenty for two. Upon request bartender put my team's opening day game on a convenient TV. Service a bit slow but otherwise a great meal. Better than your average burger joint. Would definitely eat here again (except that we are not local and Chicago has so many places to eat!).
(4)Michael T.
This bar looks fun inside. They have beer. Their name is a knockoff of the bull & bear at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. The bartenderess let me plug in my phone charger, but her manager told he she couldn't do this. They lost my business. I recommend that they fire their manager.
(2)Justine M.
Always passed by this place on the brown line and finally went in for a happy hour with work. We reserved a booth and expected about 7 people to join. They were quick to seat us (needed at least 4 in our party to get seated) and accommodated us when more of our party arrived. They even brought over chairs and weren't upset about us staying in the aisleway. We ordered a few drinks and appetizers - standard bar food. The booth we were in had its own self serving tap - pretty cool. Cool ambiance - definteley more for sports watching. Not sure what prices were. I'd guess mediocre - not too high and not cheap.
(3)Lisa B.
Very cool upscale bar near the Merchandise Mart. Had read about their 'fantastic' brunch menu so we were in the city for a Buddy Guy concert, had stayed the night nearby and decided to try them out. Unfortunately we arrived on a Friday morning at 11:30 and I now understand they only have brunch on the weekends - makes sense in the city. We made reservations for 11:30 not realizing the place opens at 11:30 on the weekdays. We arrived at 11:25, couldn't get in the front door, so walked to the side and literally happened upon the hostess stand where two of the front desk staff was hanging out. They looked at us kind of funny and I said, "did we come in the wrong door?" "No, we don't open until 11:30. I looked at my watch, she looked at me, I looked at her, no words were exchanged. I looked around, saw the staff was having a team meeting in one of the booths - the manager told the hostess to go ahead and seat us. Minor blip on the radar. The place was literally empty aside from us and one other couple, and the hostess brought us up to the second level to a hightop table in the bar area. There were six or eight booths set for four, none w/ reservation cards, so I asked if we could sit in one of those. Well, she asked us to wait because she needed to check. Hello, why aren't people empowered to use their brains and just do the right thing? It truly is not rocket science. She came back and conceded to seating us at a booth closer to the door, further from the bar. Another minor blip on the radar screen. The booths have taps right on the table - what?!?!? Yes, you read right, tappers right on the table, swipe your credit card, fill your own glass. OMG, whoever thought of this is brilliant. We weren't imbibing (had intended to come for breakfast after all) but again, brilliant! Server came right away and was attentive throughout the meal. Bussers constantly filled the water glasses, hot water for tea, etc. Had a chx sandwich w/ avacado and hmmmmm....can't remember what else, but the chx was cooked just right, sandwich overall was great. Ordered the sweet tater fries w/ it which i also enjoyed. One of us ordered wings, enjoyable, spicy, but not wickedly hot. Another whose watching calories, fat, etc., ordered the boneless wings - bad idea - it was a chicken breast that had been grilled, smothered w/ bbq and sliced up. Not sure what we expected, but that wasn't it. Overall, I'd say the food is decent and the wait staff was great. Hostess staff, notsomuch.
(4)Christine S.
I walked into Bull & Bear on a Tuesday night and didn't really know what to expect. I pony up to the bar cause that's where I like to sit and we meet Beth, who really is an awesome bartender. She's on top of everything. Vodka soda for me, Vodka tonic for my partner in crime, ahhh Beth, you made them perfectly! We ordered the Quesadilla Bites with chicken and the hummus plate and both apps were absolutely delish! The quesadilla bites are covered in a tasty salsa and the hummus plate is HUGE! OMG, and what is that I see, trivia on the TV screens? Yup! Everyone knows I love me some trivia! I checked the website the next morning only to realize that they have a $150 cash prize... damn! I wish I woulda knew that Bull & Bear had trivia on Tuesday nights, cause I woulda been here at start time. They don't do the traditional trivia where the person is yelling into a microphone to get everyone attention, they have all of the questions on TV screens. I like it! Bull & Bear is a beautiful clean bar. Spotless bathrooms. Great service (but I've only had Beth). Delish food (from what I've had). I'm not sure this is my scene on the weekends, but Tuesday nights, count me in!
(4)Terry F.
A friend and I stopped in the Bull and Bear bar while we were waiting on our to-go order at Lou Malnati's Pizza next door. It was a chilly evening in the Windy City, so we were fortunate enough to find a great seat in the bar near the front door. Long story short, we dropped $55 there but what a great time we had! The truffle fries were AWESOME! Big enough for two. Didn't try anything else on the menu, however. The server was super-nice. She told us about a fantastic tequila cocktail--once we adjusted it to have Don Julio instead of Jose Cuervo--we had three. Needless to say, after that onslaught on our livers, we were hammered and ready to pick up our pizza and head back to the hotel!
(4)Kelsey H.
Boo
(1)Mark L.
Food is decent. Service was horrendous, as was their attempt at a Bloody Mary. I'd politely decline my next invitation. There are much better options down Hubbard.
(2)Christina A.
This has to be one of my favorite spots in Chicago! The food is so good! The truffle fries are amazing, I could seriously eat them all day! EVERYTHING on the menu is so delicious, you won't be disappointed! The drinks there are just as good as the food! The sangria there is amazing and their drink called the Lush is so good! They use fresh fruit, you HAVE to try it!! The staff was super nice from the moment I walked in the door. The hostess and server was really nice and attentive. The managers even came by to see how our food was. What a great place! Definitely one of my regulars!!
(5)Jason T.
A fun happy hour spot on a nice day. The drinks are fairly decent and priced appropriately. I recommend bringing some co-workers after hours (Or for lunch) and grabbing a drink or two. Never try too hard here though because staff is still young and trying to make good money. They are friendly, but can be unaccommodating if they feel you are trying to pull a fast one. I didn't have a chance for a bite, but the food that came out looked good and smelled like it was hot and ready to be devoured. Taste: N/A Location: 4/5 Ambiance: 3/5 Experience: 2/5 Flavor: N/A Overall: 3/5
(3)Jennifer K.
Maybe being in hospitality makes you hold service to the highest level of expectations, but I must say our waitress was a big disappointment. She really didn't want to be there and serving us. Erin R was short and was of no assistance when we were ordering. In fact that's the reason why my friend accidentally ended up ordering a beer that was actually served in a 9 pint glass. After hour work drinks on Mondays aren't suppose to consist of 9 pint beers. The other staff seemed very lovely and this is most likely an isolated incident.
(2)Liz O.
After reading some of the reviews I was skeptical about the venue. However, immediately upon entering, I was pleasantly surprised. First hand, the hostesses (Adrian and Sam) were very welcoming and greeted us within seconds upon entering. I truly valued this welcome because the crowded nature of this bar can be quite intimidating. Although it was congested we managed to get through to the bar. I was further impressed on the promptness of giving my drink order to the bartender. I was further impressed by the service, promptness, and graciousness of the bartender. Her ability to multi-task and take drink orders with a smile was beyond my expectation. So when you visit and see that Leah is behind the counter, you can bet on getting quality service. Granted, I had a great time because of the company I was with. However, the experience was memorable because of the positive customer service we received. Lastly, the music was awesome...they were jamming to 90's and current jams...great DJ! I would go back!
(3)Chrissy W.
What's with all the hate for this place? It seems like there is automatically a negative premise set when individuals enter certain establishments; namely those in River North, Lincoln Park, Lakeview and other near north bars. But I digress. I went here with a friend tonight after work. it was crowded but we were able to get a table. Service was prompt and the drinks were tasty and strong. Prices were a little high but that's what you get with the neighborhood. I'm a huge fan of the Bloody Mary (yeah so what if it is 6pm; they taste good any time of day) and their's was pretty tasty. It even came with a piece of shrimp and an olive! A nice touch I thought the crowd would be pretentious based on other reviews, however it seemed no different than any other happy hour crowd enjoying an alcoholic beverage after a long day at the office. I'll definitley be back.
(4)Tu'ens N.
Food is pretty good but overpriced ($18 burgers). Service is not good. I was there when it was nearly empty on a Sunday night and they still weren't great - for example we had two people at a table for four and they never took away the extra cups and place settings which left the table crowded and I eventually just put the stuff on one of the empty seats. I tried their gigantic cookie. It was like those tollhouse cookies that are brownie size but are made from chocolate chip batter. Not bad. Mini meatball sandwiches were very good I must say. They are $9 and are relatively big.
(3)Aaron R.
It's overpriced. The sandwiches are okay. The fries always seem like they've been sitting around for a while. It's not a destination for food or nightlife. It's a bar. On a quieter night, it's a good local place to meet up with someone for a drink or to people watch. But other than that I would never wait to get into this place and always avoid it on the weekends. It's just not that special.
(3)anthony t.
Always busy but somewhat snobby staff. They know they are busy so customer service kind of goes out the window. That said the place has a great atmosphere although it gets kind of tough to move around. Good pub food if you can get a table and the staff is definitely easy on the eyes.
(3)Jennifer S.
If you are talking about cocktails for Happy Hour or Weekend Nights... this place is rockin and the drinks are great. This review is for the food! IT IS TERRIBLE! Do not eat here unless you are ordering appetizers! I've had lunch here three times and each time it was wrong and/or bad. The Salads are all the same and have few ingredients other than lettuce. YUK. This week my grilled cheese sandwich came with turkey in it, bonus I thought. Nope, the brioche tasted stale and the cheddar was lacking. Kudos to the soup... it was supposed to be tomato but tasted like squash... still good though. And the big cookie? Delish, but really? Do we need a cookie that feeds 70 people? WAY TOO BIG... Like I said- Snack here, drink here, don't eat a meal here!
(2)Fransico H.
Wish I could give it 0 stars... LAME!!!!!!! Its the kind of place where you get the too cool crowd. (Yeah thats sarcasm) Your typical bar that feels it has a sexy cool staff. Come on youre only sexy in the MIDWEST and JERSEY SHORE! Thats kind of like being the only smart person on the little yellow bus. The prices are high and the staff really couldve cared less that we were there. Mind you I dont look like the typical trader or money monger... However I had plenty of cash to spend! I guess if you dont fit the type you just arent welcome at B&B
(1)Renee L.
This place was nice....I like the theme and all, appropriate for the location of course. The food was pretty darn good too. We had a hummus plate and I also tasted my friend's sweet potato fries and they were delish. My only complaint is that I did order, under the STRONG, recommendation of our insistant server, the fish tacos...I don't consider myself super sensitive to spice but honestly, my mouth was burning so bad, I couldn't get through my dinner...which is unfortunate because I wanted to like it, I just couldn't taste anything but heat....a warning from the server that was adament about it being a greatly popular dish would have been nice!
(3)Allison R.
Nothing very special about this place: The food and drinks are ridiculously overpriced and the crowd is mostly downtown workers looking to be seen (sadly, I just went there this past week). I thought the service was acceptable... it doesn't help that one of the people I went with knew the server, so that helped. But I saw some people waiting a while to be helped. Everyone who works there practically part-times as a model, so they're nice to look at. And the location is great. It's okay... I probably wouldn't be making this a regular place to go to. PS Don't try the Nacho Index... it's horrible.
(3)Sam P.
I went to Bull & Bear again after a few months since it is literally across the street from our office. I ended up having an awful experience. The food is okay, however, when you take into consideration the price, it's pretty horrible. This place is way overpriced for what it is. Further, the staff, are all horribly rude and inhospitable. I'm not sure if they think they are a club or a restaurant. There are plenty of great options in River North, so do yourself a favor and skip this one.
(1)Anne D.
I came here for lunch with some work friends recently and we were all pretty underwhelmed. It was a beautiful day and we ate out on the patio, which was very nice, and the server was also very friendly, even in the face of special requests and us not being able to figure out how we wanted to split the check. We all enjoyed our food well enough, but nothing was really worth returning for (except perhaps the truffle mac and cheese, which I tried a bite of.) The turkey burger was pretty tasty, but I've had better. The truffle fries were fine (not truffly enough for my taste) but apparently cost an extra $4?? Yikes. One of our group ordered the feta salad, and when it came out it was literally the same size as the side salad...we were all perplexed because it was a $12 salad! $12 for a side salad with no meat seems a bit ludicrous. All in all, a so-so experience. The food was decent, but I've had much better at similar River North spots, so I don't think I'll be in a rush to return.
(3)Dina E.
The food is amazing. i had the boneless BBQ wings, and they were tender and flavorful. The crowd is friendly and upbeat. The space gets a little crowded, but what bar doesn't? It's not too hard to find a place to sit if you need to. Also, I like going out during the week, and it's a good place to go to on a Wed or Thurs. This place is good for guys to go to because it is one of the few places that doesn't charge you guys cover in River North. Good music, good crowd, good food.
(4)Mac B.
I was really hoping to like this place, but...not so much. Armed with a youswoop.com coupon, I came here on a nice summery warm Friday evening. This place was sooooo crowded. I wanted to sit outside, but since they have so few outdoor tables, I had to sit inside. This place was LOUD, music blaring so loud that I could barely hear myself think, much less hold a conversation. I guess if you are a 20something and want to party hard after work, then this place is great, but if you are not and you would like to have some food and drinks in a semi-relaxing atmosphere, head elsewhere. Speaking of the food, I got some kind of specialty burger and fries. My companion got a fancy sandwich. Everything was way overly greasy and salty...and I like greasy salty foods! But this was a week's sodium intake and it wasn't just one thing, it was everything. This place fancies itself to be upscale, but to me it felt more like pretentious. Add to that, this place is needlessly pricey. What you are paying a premium for, I don't know, but if you are paying full price (sans discount coupon) then you are paying too much here. Today I see a coupon for half off on the 3 O'Clock club for this place and I'm not even tempted to go back, even though it's close to where I work. Once is more than enough. No bull here, it's definitely a bear market.
(2)David A.
I can say I do not understand everyone's terrible reviews. I have been here under 10 times, at all times possible, only one not so good experience, but when a bar is new, what can you expect. They sometimes overcrowd the place at night, a reason not to really go to late on a weekend. I have been here in the early afternoon and after work and those times I have had the best times. The wait staff is attentive and good looking. It is not a club, its a place with good food, good drinks and good service, and I will be back. I do dream of reserving a tapper table on of these Sunday fundays during the NFL football season.
(4)Damon M.
I was stoked that this place was opening up and have been there quite a few times since it opened since I work only a few blocks away. Since their opening, I've been for breakfast (St. Patty's Day), Lunch, and Dinner. Breakfast: Good Eggs Benedict. Lunch: Great selection here. The burgers are awesome. The salads are great. Truffle fries are unreal. Dinner: Wings are awesome. Especially the Teryaki. The hummus is real good, as are the Mashed Potato's Drinks: The Bloody Mary is terrible. Beer list is about a 6 out of 10. Taps at the table, can't beat it. Great to kick back and not have to wait for a pint refill. Atmosphere: Great vibe. Every time I've been the place has been packed and we've had a good time. Only one issue one night when we were trying to eat dinner and a group of guys put their empties on our table. After a few choice words from my wife, they decided to place them elsewhere. The final reco: Good Bar, not a great bar. Good food, not great food. Definitely a place to check out for lunch/dinner/drinks. Hope you enjoy.
(3)Claudia D.
They got three stars instead of two only because their fries saved them. I'm a fan of their fries....all of them. I come here once in a while but I don't think I will be coming back for lunch. I've been here twice in the last month. 2 Lunch Visits They give you the option of turning any salad into a wrap. I thought it was a great idea. I was wrong. Wrap fell apart. Very bland. During today's visit I had the chicken quesadilla. It was pretty good. No complains. Why do I want to give them two stars? They are super slow. Last time I was there I think it took them 30 mins to bring out our food. It's lunch time people! Some of us have to get back to the office. Today was by far the worse! My girlfriend and I got there and ordered our food. Our buddy joined us 15 mins later and placed his order. You figured it would only be 15-20 mins between the time they brought out my gf and my order and the time they brought out my buddy's. Wishful thinking. It took them 45 mins to bring out my friend's food from the time he ordered. My girlfriend and I were done eating and still waited another 20 mins. They were kobe sliders. How difficult are they to make? The server kept saying they were on their way but no luck. Eventually we asked to have my buddy's food to go. Even then, it took them almost another 20 mins in addition to the 45 mins to place his food in a to go container. It turned into a two hour lunch. In their defense they didn't charge my buddy for his lunch. Not going back though.
(3)Martie M.
Nice place, awesome outside dining, and so many beautiful people. Great place for singles. Food is also amazing - great Kobe burger and the chocolate chip cookie w/ice cream dessert is heaven!
(3)Izzy N.
Hot guys hang out here. It's kinda dark so it's okay if you look a little rough. A LITTLE I said. Have some self respect. Good sports bar. you're welcome readers.
(4)