Delilah’s
2771 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614
Delilah’s Menu
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Diabetics at Jason's Deli
Diabetics must not get carried away at Jason's Deli as there are several tempting items on their menu to easily spike your blood sugar. You can try the salads at Jason Deli's or start your meal with hot soup to ensure that you don't stuff too much while at Jason's Deli. You can also pick the right kind of sandwiches to complete your meal.
Foods to Avoid at Jason's Deli for Diabetics:
You must skip all kinds of sandwiches, wraps, and paninis at Jason's Deli for their high sodium content. Even among the salads, avoid the regular ones such as Chicken Club Salad, The Big Chef, Mesa Chicken Salad and go for the lighter versions. In addition, it is also recommended to avoid desserts totally while dining at Jason's Deli.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Jason's Deli:
Breakfast Sammy
Nutritional Facts: 250 calories, 12g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3g), 370mg sodium, 23g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 12g Protein
Chicken Club Salad (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 540 calories, 44g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 8g), 900mg sodium, 11g carbs, 3g sugar, 3g fiber, 24g Protein
Mesa Chicken Salad (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 460 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 850mg sodium, 26g carbs, 4g sugar, 7g fiber, 22g Protein
Spinach Veggie Wrap
Nutritional Facts: 350 calories, 14g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 830mg sodium, 51g carbs, 5g sugar, 12g fiber, 16g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Black Currant Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Organic Green Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Unsweetened Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Chicago for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at Jason's Deli
Blood pressure patients mustn't indulge in sandwiches offered on Jason Deli's menu. Most sandwiches, whether Muffalettas or Po'boys, are high in sodium and could easily spike your blood pressure. Be careful while you order at Jason's Deli and opt for healthy food options such as salads, soups, or soups to ease your cravings.
Foods to Avoid at Jason's Deli for High Blood Pressure
Sandwiches must be avoided at all costs at Jason's Deli as they are loaded with sodium. You must also skip the paninis and wraps if possible and stick to healthy salads and soups while dining at Jason's Deli. Skip adding any kinds of salad dressing, extra cheese, croutons, etc. in your order to limit your sodium intake for the day.
Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Jason's Deli
Banana Nut Muffin
Nutritional Facts: 220 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 170mg sodium, 25g carbs, 14g sugar, 1g fiber, 5g Protein
A bowl of Fresh Fruits
Nutritional Facts: 390 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 6g), 45mg sodium, 23g carbs, 62g sugar, 9g fiber, 6g Protein
Pollo Mexicano (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 800 calories, 22g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 12g), 550mg sodium, 121g carbs, 14g sugar, 11g fiber, 30g Protein
Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Cookie
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 150mg sodium, 34g carbs, 17g sugar, 0g fiber, 1g Protein
Wild Berry Hibiscus Tea with Pure Cane Sugar
Nutritional Facts: 100 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 26g carbs, 26g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Black Currant Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Organic Green Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Unsweetened Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
High Cholesterol at Jason's Deli
If you are concerned about your cholesterol, then you got to be very cautious at Jason's Deli. Most sandwiches available on Jason's Deli's menu are high in cholesterol and sodium content. You must choose wisely and opt for salads or soups to please your appetite.
Foods to Avoid at Jason's Deli for High Cholesterol
Avoiding foods at Jason's Deli can be trickier if you are a foodie. It is recommended to skip the heavy sandwiches which are both high in cholesterol and sodium at Jason's Deli. You must also avoid paninis and wraps at Jason Deli's or order the lighter version to reduce your calorie intake.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Jason's Deli
Blueberry Muffin
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 180mg sodium, 34g carbs, 19g sugar, 1g fiber, 3g Protein
Nutty Mixed Up Salad (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 430 calories, 21g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 810mg sodium, 41g carbs, 33g sugar, 3g fiber, 21g Protein
Texas Style Spud (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 830 calories, 22g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 11g), 740mg sodium, 139g carbs, 27g sugar, 14g fiber, 29g Protein
Jason's Deli Bottled Ginger Ale
Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 36g carbs, 36g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Black Currant Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Organic Green Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Unsweetened Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Q & A on Jason's Deli
When did Jason's Deli open?
First Jason's Deli was started on 30th November 1976 at Beaumont, Texas, United States.
Where's the nearby Jason's Deli?
There are around 275 delis in 28 states of the United States. You can locate a nearby Jason's Deli by using our Restaurant Listings Directory.
When does Jason's Deli open and close?
Jason's Deli opens early in the morning daily at 6 AM and closes at 6 PM on weekdays and 3 PM on weekends.
Does Jason's Deli have a drive through?
Yes, Jason's Deli has a drive-through. Besides the drive-thru, Jason's Deli also set up Jason's Express especially for on-the-go families to make things faster. Drive-thru and take-out options help individuals and families to order and pick their meal quickly while on a busy schedule.
Does Jason's Deli serve gluten-free items on the menu?
Jason's Deli isn't entirely a gluten-free environment, but it does offer a gluten-sensitive menu. You can order food from the gluten-sensitive menu to ensure your food is gluten-free.
Does Jason's Deli serve vegan items on the menu?
Yes, they do. The vegan options are limited at Jason's Deli. You can try the organic vegetable soup, spinach veggie wraps w/o cheese, hummus, salsa, guacamole, and many other options from the salad menu.
Does Jason's Deli Cater?
Yes, it does. You can use Jason's Deli's catering service to serve hot and fresh foods to your guests. Whether you want to feed 5 or 5000, Jason's Deli's experienced team can handle your catering order and ensure timely delivery.
What's on Jason's Deli breakfast menu?
Jason's Deli serves a variety of different items on their breakfast menu. You can try the breakfast sandwiches or wraps prepared with fresh-cracked eggs. You can pick up breakfast as early as 6 AM at any Jason's Deli nearby.
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About Jason's Deli
Jason's Deli is a popular bakery restaurant in the United States. Jason's Deli started its operation in Beaumont, Texas on 30th November 1976. The bakery restaurant was started by four partners: Joe Tortorice Jr., Rusty Coco, Pete Verde, and Pat Broussard. Currently, the delicatessen restaurant chain operates in more than 268 locations across 26 states in the United States. Jason's Deli is one of the most successful restaurant chains with under 300 locations.
Deli Management Inc. owns Jason's Deli along with several other deli restaurants in the United States. Jason's Deli is famous for its standard deli style menu where the customers can order from traditional sandwiches to salads, baked potatoes, and pasta. After initiating a health drive in 2000, Jason's Deli successfully eliminated added trans-fat from its food in 2005, later got rid of high fructose syrup in 2008, and finally removed MSG from its food. Today, Jason's Deli offers a wide range of food items including vegan and gluten-free dishes.
Healthy Food Options at Jason's Deli
Jason's Deli offers a standard deli style menu which consists of traditional sandwiches, soups, pasta, baked potatoes, wraps, and salads. If you choose wisely and skip the extra sides or dressings as you order at Jason's Deli, you can find a good variety of healthy food options at Jason's Deli.
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Address :
2771 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL, 60614 - Phone (773) 472-2771
- Website https://www.delilahschicago.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 2:00pm
- Mon : 4:00 pm - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Loud
Music : DJ, Juke Box
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Mon, Thu, Fri
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Carol Ann W.
Delilah's is home, and home is where the heart is.
(5)Britt C.
I love this place for the mere fact that it's pretty much black inside with hints of green. Green is my favorite color, incase you didn't know. I liked the general vibe this place had, even though we went early in the day and it was pretty dead. Stopped in to grab a drink, I tried their cocktail of the month which was the Swamp Thing Elixer which had apple vodka, green tea vodka, and soda. Pretty tasty. I loved that they had nuts in a quarter candy vending machine. It was the best mix of tacky/cute/clever to me. They also had Gunslinger Beef jerky for sale by the bar! Cool little snacks if you ask me. The Emerald Ice Jukebox looked pretty sweet. Might have to request some songs next time. For sure wanna go back at night sometime.
(4)Jon K.
Favorite (dive) bar in the city. If you enjoy good whiskey at a good price, this place is for you. The atmosphere may scare some people off, but don't fret as there are all types of people here on any night that enjoy good drinks at a good price. There's no better place to end your night, not that you can't start or make your night here also. The bartenders are superb, having a great knowledge of both the whiskey and beers on tap. While deemed a whiskey bar (deservingly so), it also has some of the coolest beers on tap you will find in the city. Also has great specials including $3 Makers Mark on Fridays which is impossible to beat. Don't worry if you don't heart punk rock or heavy metal, you should still check out one of (if not the) best bars Chicago has to offer.
(5)Hiral P.
Sundays check out DJ Richie for some good mixed DJ sounds. Drink prices are good, some narly artwork on the walls. Do all places designated as "dive bars" have that dark fake printed ceiling. Anyways check out DJ Richie on Sunday's
(5)Chris M.
Hands down best whiskey bar I've ever been too. We are from NY and I've never received the service and knowledge of spirits as I have today. For the truly adventurous stop here... You won't leave.
(5)Danny W.
About as Wicker Park of a bar as you can possibly get in Lincoln Park. It's a sweet little slice of hipster heaven amidst the at times obnoxious scene that is Lincoln Ave. There's tons of whiskey, great specials, and cool bartenders. The couches have some "character" (meaning they're shitty, but perfectly appropriate for a dive bar) lighting is extremely low, and the music is everything you won't find down the street at Gin Mill. Cash only, but if you dig a different scene than the normal Michigan State ba...I mean Lincoln Park bar you'll enjoy Delilah's.
(4)Ryan P.
I don't need a long review for this. -The biggest whiskey selection you'll ever see -Friendly bartenders -Loud rock music -Loud rock decor -The occasional game of pool upstairs -Mostly neighborhood crowd, some of them can tell amazing stories about the area. It's iconic and a must-visit.
(5)Mike D.
Delilah's is one of the coolest, most unique bars I have been to in Chicago. It has a unique atmosphere that I'd associate with a 'purposeful dive bar' feel. But a little bit nicer. The soundtrack is great. I heard a lot of James Brown. I had an alcoholic Rootbeer when I was there, something I'd never had before-delicious. They have a $2 Miller High Lifes Tuesdays. Good deal. I'm not sure about the other days. During the week when the place is not elbow-to-elbow, they allow dogs to come in. All in all, Delilah's is a cool place to start your night and I'll definitely be back. Probably with a dog.
(4)Anne M.
Whiskey, and plenty of it. It's one of the good ones, folks.
(5)Courtney W.
This place... I stayed away for years but on the first Tuesday of the month they hold Metal Night and my friends are into that. There is nothing charming about Delilah's but they are honest. It's rough around the edges, loud, but the beer list is something to admire. They really do have something for everyone. I mean, I've never seen a bar carry IC Light Mango Beer before or all of the Lindeman varieties. They occasionally have Three Floyds Zombie Dust which I am quite a fan of. This place is a dive but it's meant to be a dive and it's a fun place to hang out for pretty cheap.
(4)Danny W.
Decision tree for going to Delilahs: 1. Do you want to accidentally (drunkenly) spend too much money for the best whiskey selection you will ever see? Yes: go to Delilah's Else: Do you want to accidentally (drunkenly) spend too much money on a phenomenal selection of super strong/bourbon barrel aged beers? Yes: go to Delilah's. Else: Something is wrong. Buy some plaid/get glass/grow a beard, start graduate school, and re-answer questions 1 and 2 until you say "yes".
(5)Tiffany W.
Very unassuming from the outside, unusual on the inside. $3 Makers Mark on special, extensive bottled beer selection
(4)Rachel H.
Why have I not reviewed Delilah's? I don't know. They have an excellent selection of whiskey. All of the whiskeys. All of them. The beer selection is not bad though not extremely extensive and the pricing is more than alright. I also approve of any place where seating at 10:30 on a Saturday night is plentiful. The special cocktail we tried this past Saturday, "the Intern" was delicious which had white whiskey, ginger and orange liqueur I believe. They take cards now, and most importantly, when we were in on Saturday, they were playing the Kiss movie. Fabulously ridiculous.
(5)Marc R.
A cool bar that has been here almost twenty years. Now, back when this place opened this was the edgy part of Lincoln Park.... think back a while. These days, this is perhaps the only cool bar in a half-mile where the density of North Face wearing boys and girls is perhaps 99%. Great music playing. Super dark interior. I wish I had gone here back in the late 1990s. I think I might have, but don't remember it. Creepy art on the walls. Nice! I would say this is the BEST bar in this area of Chicago where I would not choose to hang out.
(4)Mariah V.
I love whiskey. I love Delilah's. If you love whiskey, you'll probably like this place, too. I actively avoid crowds (borderline recluse), but I'll run into Delilah's for a drink no matter how crowded. Oh and they have a ton of Koval whiskey - made less than 4 miles away. You should try it.
(5)Juan G.
One of the great dive bars in Chicago, hands down. Music was cool, decor is down, and great beer and whiskey selections. The upstairs section is cooler than the downstairs.
(5)J.v. S.
I just moved back to LA from Chicago, and I desperately miss this place. Fantastic selection of whiskeys and cheap beer. Oftentimes the televisions are playing music videos that don't sync with the songs being played, which is awesome, or just cheesy horror movies from the 70's. Great bar, great people, and a great time...maybe too many great times, but still.
(5)Dylan B.
I walked into this bar last night not knowing what to expect. In all honesty, my companion and I just wanted a place to get out of the freezing rain and use the bathroom, and maybe grab a beer. I'd heard of this place before but had never really been intrigued enough to make it a destination. After this, though, I think that will change. Walking in, I was first taken aback by the fact that the bouncer wasn't a dick, which seems incredibly uncommon nowadays. He greeted us with a smile and an upbeat demeanor, almost as if he realized he was representing his place of business, a concept over the heads of a lot of bouncers at other bars/clubs. First impressions were good. I loved the dive bar ambiance, broken-in bar stools, dim lighting, loud music, etc. I was also surprised by both the great selection of drinks as well as the low prices. Flustered as my friend and I were from the walk in the sleet, it took us a minute to figure out what we wanted to drink. The bartender was totally helpful and actually suggested a few things that I would have never even tried. The clientele was great. People were in high spirits and very approachable. I generally judge the friendliness of a bar's customer base on the kinds of conversations I have/overhear while outside smoking. Needless to say, I was impressed. Overall, I really dug this spot. I will definitely be back.
(5)Rouzhna N.
What a gem. The interior has a really intimate vibe, excellent movies being played in the background, and just a mix of music that's everything from reggae to 90s hiphop to alt. rock to chill. I love whiskey, so this was just fantastic! They got a good variety and an excellent bartender. He knew his drinks and he was such a chill person to talk to.
(5)K S.
Really enjoyed myself at this place even though it is not the kind of bar atmosphere I'm use to. Place is tiny but went on a Saturday night and didnt have any issues finding a seat. The crowd there was nice and even chatted up the bartender and local regulars. Overall it was a decent Dive Bar.
(3)Phil G.
So I have been in here a bunch of times in the past and always had a blast but I finally felt like I had to write a review after one of the most epic nights I have had ever. After rocking out all day Saturday at Riot Fest drinking crappy beer my friends and I headed to Delilah's for some good bourbon and beer pairings. The bartender with the flat top (I never catch his name, probably because I'm drinking) suggested the Ocean Bourbon and the Rocky's Revenge Brown Ale. I proceeded to order this pairing again a few minutes later. I tried a couple of other pairings and was very happy with "Flat Top's" suggestions. The vibe was awesome. The crowd was terrific. The music was blasting (in a good way). This is exactly where I want to be when I want to rock out and drink good beer and whiskey!
(5)Valeria P.
Very chill, rockabilly dive bar. Great whiskey selection and specials!
(5)K M.
Great space. Awesome ambiance. It's truly a unique space, nothing else like it in Chicago, and I'm lucky enough to live right next to it, although I'd travel for it. Lakeview's lil' gem. Although, ladies, this is not a "mingle and meet guys" type of spot. Just enjoy the booze, kay?
(5)Shelly A.
Delilah's isn't for everyone, but it's a great version of itself for those who want a place like this. Incredibly impressive whiskey selection, and there's always a high-quality one on special. My husband has been looking for a few Irish whiskeys that he discovered when in Dublin, and this is the first time he's seen them at a bar in the US. Yes, he got some looks from the guys at the bar when he asked for it, but it's just cool that they even have them. The service is fine and there's a great local, neighborhood feel to it. You kind of have to be in the "mood" for this Delilah's, but if you are, you'll have a great time.
(3)Nuno M.
Had the best time here with a group of friends that know their whiskey. Delilah's is the premiere whiskey bar in Chicago. No one was disappointed and everyone had a great time! Friendly and impressively knowledgeable bartenders added to our great night! Thank You Delilah's!
(5)William L.
I think I found my new favorite bar. Among the things that tug at the fibers of my being (in no particular order): -craft beer -cool bartenders -eclectic (awesome) jukeboxes -small music venues -awful, low-budget sci-fi and horror movies Fortunately for all of us, Delilah's has all of the above in spades. Combine all that with some very cool theme night specials (Punk Rock Mondays) and you get a very rad place.
(5)Jason P.
Super fun dive bar!! Drinks aren't expensive, staff is so friendly and everyone in there is having a good time with their group or anyone really. I go here often with my friends when we want a chill yet fun night. The music is good, nice space upstairs, and the pool table is a plus.
(5)Ben S.
Michael Jackson (booze MJ, not moonwalk MJ) called this one of the three most important bars in America. And I love me some bars in 'merica, so I made the trek to see about Delilah's. After all, that name conjures up something mighty different in my home territory of Philadelphia. I made my way in and heard the steady blare of punk and saw the hazy shade of red - until I spied the wall behind the bar. And then my view went all tunnel-vision - I probably proceeded from there kind of bow-legged, like a scene from Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, too. Oh, the whiskey...it's like Dr. Seuss stocked the place with short ones, tall ones, light ones, dark ones, old ones, new ones, strong ones, brown ones, fair ones, and rare ones. I could have frolicked through the whiskey selections like a cartoon bear in a Cottonelle commercial. The beers here are a robust and noteworthy lot, too, and some of my associates chose that path at the fork in the road, but I went with the knowledge that they stock over 400 whiskies here, and I wasn't about to swig anything but. A friend and I knew what we were sitting on and went all in - we built up with some various strong selections, and then, when ready, each sampled what the bartender told us was the piece de resistance - a vintage find called Old Mock Whiskey that was eighteen summers old when bottled...and that bottling was many moons ago (1930's? - find a pic of this artifact in the photo section). I sipped that for a long time, just in awe of its existence, history, and availability for sale. It was like security at Le Louvre suddenly offered "oui, monsieur, hop up and throw your arm around Winged Victory, and I will snap a couple photos for you, but ov coourze..." Unreal. I liked the space, I enjoyed the vibe, and I had a great time the entire evening, but more than that, it's as if the Smithsonian of whiskey is hiding in plain view in Diversey. This is an experience and a half; bucket-list worthy for brown spirit lovers.
(5)Annie N.
Love the drink selections, the music, and our waitress Bridget, who turned 18 (or something else) that night we were there. She was hilarious and super cute (speaking in a platonic way). The staff was nice and not pretentious. The crowd was chilled, and the place in general was very relaxing, not too busy but with a good amount of people and seating. That being said, we left the place drunk, since sitting and drinking for a while could result in such condition. Good thing it's not too far from the train station, and a taxi can easily be flagged down right out side. About 2 mins walks from Los 3 Panchos, so drunk mexican foods are easily available. My night was completed! Also this bar's filled with semi-scruffy guys in plaid shirts. If you're into that, stop by! Pretty sure I spotted Josh Duhamel here - or a shorter version of him!
(4)Jamie B.
This place is ok. The bathroom was disgusting. I would probably just hold it and use the 7-Eleven down the street. The tab somehow was really high, I think we were screwed by the bartender. Somehow two rounds of drinks tallied up to nearly $100 for four people.... that's in line with the high end steakhouses. Oh well, we had a show to catch, otherwise I am sure we would have further analyzed the bill and asked for an itemized receipt. Just ok, most likely won't go back.
(2)Keith A.
Delilah's, not your average dive bar. I mean seriously, you step in and you would think that all they serve is malort, karkov vodka, and miller products. Well, not exactly. Granted I knew what to expect when I came here, so I wasn't really in for the shock of seeing about 9 real quality taps with one tap of miller lite. See, now this is my kind of tap list when it's as selective as it is. They may have only a few taps, but its real quality. From a quick look at the bottles, they have a great bottle list as well. The prices were as I expected. $6 per beer. The bourbon and whiskey isn't on the cheap side, but this is what they really specialize in. I was keeping it to beer as I had a show to catch and boubon usually has a negative effect on me for stuff like that. The list was real deep and it does beg for me tackling it on a few occasions.
(4)jared s.
Update: i spoke with Brett at Delilah's and he let me know that their list is by the ounce, so it was an oversight by me rather than a short-pour. I would have easily ordered a double had i known they pour 1oz. Great atmosphere, amazing selection, insulting pour on the 21 year Black Maple Hill. If I step u for one of your higher end $35 bourbons, dont be a total hipster d- and give me a finger and a half. Wish I caught that dude's name, b/c he did this great bar a total disservice.
(3)Susie S.
This place may be full of hipsters, but damn do I love their beers.
(5)Patrick G.
Probably the best bourbon (and whiskey in general) collection i have ever seen. You will find things here that haven't been on the shelves in a decade + and never will be again. (Bring your deep wallet if you're going to be trying these out). Bar staff is very knowledgeable about everything they serve. They have a big beer list too. The various music nights they have are well curated and can be appreciated by anyone who likes to learn about different music sub-genres. The upstairs bar has a pool table and has less selection than the downstairs and is generally more "chill". The downstairs can get pretty crowded on the weekends so you have been warned. The bathrooms can be pretty gross but its not out character for the establishment. So check it out !
(4)Chas M.
In my top 3 bars in the country! Awesome rock n roll bar. Something like 500 whiskeys??!! Any place that has the Saints and the Stooges on the jukebox makes my knickers moist.. Lets face it folks Chicago is a watered down, preppy version of NYC but this bar really stands out!!
(5)Kamil S.
Whiskey, Zombie Holocaust and Music those are the three things I remember and if you throw them all together, you get a really nice experience. The Bar Manager is really friendly and was guiding me through towards what I find was one of the best Whiskeys I've ever had... what was the name? Cool place, a little loud but other than that a good time!
(4)Alexis B.
One of these things is not like the other! Can you guess what? It's me! A group of friends and I came here this past weekend to celebrate Mirrin M.'s birthday, and it was a bit different (for me) to say the least. It's a punk rock bar. I don't know much about the punk rock subculture, but I'd imagine Delilah's is as punk as you'll get in Lincoln Park. Honestly, had I not been here for a good friend's party, I would have left after my initial room scan. Nonetheless, I love me some Mirrin, so in I went. We had a planned, yet informal, gathering without any wristband deal or reserved tables. Because of this, we found ourselves taking over multiple tables on both levels and shuffling between the two groups. We began upstairs where we had one low booth at the top of the stairs. After being upstairs for a while, it became evident that the booth was a handicap for our large group as the booth people weren't accessible to any one more than one deep in our crowd. Because the area we were occupying was more of a walkway from the stairs, we were bumped often and the air was stuffy from too many bodies concentrated in an area. It's not a bad space for 4 or fewer people (the booth next to us had a card game going) but large groups are better off staying downstairs. In general, everyone may be better off staying downstairs because the stairs are ridiculously steep for a place that serves alcohol. The downstairs area is tiny with few tables and a small round couch area in the back. We had a table just across from the bar and ended up planting there for most of the night. As I said before, it was a different crowd than most of us were used to, but they didn't look at us funny (as WE were the fish out of water) so we went about our business as we started a tab and enjoyed our night. I didn't particularly care for the jukebox selection nor the gritty vibe, but the more I drank, the less I noticed. The bartenders were very friendly, and when they goofed and told my boyfriend that my tab was closed (causing me to think they'd given my card to someone else) they made up for the error for comping a round of shots. Shots make everything better. The only real issue that I had was the amount of brazenly creepy men out alone and on the prowl. While admiring a friend's engagement ring early in the night, one gentleman approached us and entered our conversation so casually that it took us at least a minute to figure out that he didn't know the other. It was only when he asked what we were doing later and winked that the stranger danger siren began to blare and I recognized him as the same creep that kept trying to touch my shoes and give me beads two St Patty's Days ago. Later in the night, a gentleman old enough to be my father come over and put his hands on the lower backs of both myself and another friend and ask us to do shots. It took 3 different requests for him to leave for him to get the hint. The creepy factor completely superseded the flattery. Here's the hard part. Sigh. It's not you Delilah's, it's me. Sure, I had a good time, but with that group of friends, I would have had a great time at an interstate rest stop - provided there was alcohol. You're the type of bar that most people will either love or hate. I don't hate you, but I don't love you either. Despite the fact that I'll likely never return, I'll still give you 3 stars because I think you could be enjoyed more by someone that is not me. Let's be honest, you're a nice bar and all, but in the end we're just not really right for each other.
(3)Alex N.
Stopped in a Friday night and here are the things that influenced my 3-star review: 1. bartenders actually MEASURING out your shots and pours of liquor into your mixed drinks. 2. one of the bartenders not being able to string together a coherent sentance (drugs in the 80's?) 3. helluva whiskey selection (two varieties of George Dickel). 4. $3 shots of Makers Mark on Fridays 5. Trixies wandering in, pounding whiskey and canned beer and getting mocked by the employees. I'll be back some time in the future.
(3)John S.
One of my favorite bars in Chicago.
(4)Heidi H.
First things first. I do NOT look like a punk rock girl.. but I have the punk rock girl spirit raging deep inside me. I'm a big fan of punk....ska.....mod...all of it. And I did experiment with black eyeliner, combat boots, and a 1/2 shaved head in the late 80's, so maybe that counts for a little? Anyway, I walked into Delilah's last night with the bro and the first thing I heard was a great obscure Who song. That's when I felt like I finally felt at home in a bar. I'm not really a bar girl at all. I mean, I will go to a bar with some friends, especially if there is good food or a concert, but this place would actually be a place I would hang in just because it's that cool. I was here on a Thursday night, so I don't know how the crowd is when it's really busy, but the vibe was mellow.. the music was great... and the funky movie from the 60's was groovy. I hope to go back soon!
(4)Steve D.
I wound up here on the Sunday night after the World Cup Soccer Final {from Chipmunks [c.v.]}. It was relatively calm. I expected more people. I wonder if others had expended all their money that afternoon. As breweries adjust their distribution, some of the beers which were here are no longer here. I wound up having the Arcadia I.P.A. which, for one, is *not* overtly hopped. On Sundays, it's on special for $3. In the stairway upstairs is a vintage 'Donkey Kong' arcade machine (50¢ | game). I played that a few times because the movie being shown on the TVs wasn't doing it for me. I still enjoy this place. I'd like to meet someone here. Because it's a venue where I can discuss a clutch of topics intelligently. I can't do that at a lot of other venues.
(5)Isaac S.
I have been going to Delilah's since I moved to Chicago in 1994. I love every inch of this place. Worn wood stairs and floors. PINBALL PINBALL PINBALL. Tons of good beer and an awesome selection of whiskey- also one of the best places for seeing some ink or various quality. Never change.
(5)matt w.
We went here to grab some bevy's and were greeted by a leather jacket / tattoo having bartender.. your never sure if there gonna be friendly or dickish.. This dude is friendly! We had some high qual beers and switched to some cheapys.. 'American' beer is only 2 bux! I like the Whiskey selection.. they have specials each day with a different type of Whiskey, most I hadn't heard of so we tried a few and had a good ole time. This spot reminds me of a modern day saloon with a punk rock edge.. good times were had by all.
(4)Nicollette W.
I've lived in this city for 2 years and have ALWAYS wanted to check this place out. I guess the only reason why I didn't is because I didn't realize it's within walking distance to the brown line. Needless to say, last night I finally got to experience the awesomeness. Any place that has the Specials and Descendants in the jukebox is awesome. Also, the left of center movies that play on the tv's are great. Rocky Horror Picture Show anyone? I feel like this is where I've always belonged...but just never quite made it there. Plus - the drink specials were surprisingly good for a Friday night.... $3 312's? Not bad at all. I really want to check out some of their DJ nights....ska, punk, soul. I hope I make it ...problem is that they are usually on the weekdays.
(5)Matty O.
Hey there Delilah Don't you worry about the distance I'm right there if you get lonely Give this song another listen... Just kidding! I've been to Delilah's a couple times, a couple times too few. This is a great bar that I don't take advantage enough of. They have good cheap beer and one of the greatest whiskey selections in the city. I recommend the 1792 ;) The bartenders are generally cool. They play good punk / indie / rockabilly music generally. I haven't meandered upstairs much since it generally seems packed up that way. Delilah's is just a great dive that promotes good whiskey. I like it. I like it alot.
(4)Bridget E.
I've always enjoyed this bar. Cheap drinks. Check out the website ahead of time to see what's going on, but if you're interested in unique bar bathrooms, this is definitely your place to go. Really great crowd and also music you probly have never heard before.
(4)michaelia f.
Came here on a whim after finding out their incredible Monday night special: $1 American beers. I had pondered what American beers they were until we got there, when we found out that there was actually a beer called American. $1 beers? $3 Jim Beam drinks? All right by me. We settled in to a table near the front of the bar and enjoyed our cheap, delicious drinks. (BTW, American tastes like Old Style, I think). Lights were low, music was loud enough to hear but not so loud I had to shout at the people two feet away from me. I liked the relaxed, low key atmosphere here and the bartender was nice, quick and had a heavy hand. I'll definitely want to come back here to try some of their fancy whiskeys, and Monday night seems like the night for me!
(4)Alex F.
This place gets stars solely based aesthetics and booze selection. They have a great selection of uncommon beers, and a pretty good selection of liquors too. They are well know for distilling their own Absinthe, but I've never tried it. Like a coffee shop, they have art on the wall for decoration and sale. The whole place dark and covered in grafitti punch chotchki adornments. It kind of feels like a goth/punk TGI Fridays. Even with all these tasty brews and eye candy, there are two things that bug me about this place: The music and the prices. The music is always blaring abrasive punk. It's always turned up to 11, so it's difficult to have conversations. If you don't like it, you get to sit there and have your ears assaulted. For a dive bar, the drinks seem pretty pricey. I understand that they have some rare brews, but honestly, the prices are a little over the top. One other nice thing, they open the front windows when it's nice out, so you can be almost outside while still enjoying your brew and the atmosphere.
(3)Brian S.
For a punk rock dive bar, you can't go wrong with Delilahs. Cheap American Beer on Mondays with Kickin Punk rock tunes. (Depending on your DJ's Playlist) It's not the most glamorous of places for everyone but its certainly a good spot for big circles of friends. Pride and Joy is a little pricey but I would take the expense of a good beer over the cheap stuff anyday. bottoms up!
(4)Nick H.
This could be a four or five star bar, but the crowd can be overwhelming in both it's size and lameness. Purported to have the largest whiskey selection in Chicago. I cannot disagree. They have an awful lot of bottles. But Five Star certainly gives them a run for their money with a better, and less massive, crowd. I will say that Delilah's has my favorite music selection of any bar in the city. I wish it would follow me around. Usually rock-a-billy upstairs and a vast assortment downstairs. I don't think I will ever again find myself in a bar watching a DVD collection of all Jane Mansfield's nude scenes while Dirt Bombs' "Scream Rape" plays. And once in a lifetime experiences are what good bars do. Unless that experience ends in jail. Even sometimes in that case, I suppose.
(3)Steve W.
If I lived in Chicago, this would be a regular stop. This place is great. Bartenders are without attitude and happy to actually serve you a drink - who knew? Music is somewhat rockabilly, but more punk, with some 80's metal thrown in now and then. Plenty of beers to choose from in addition to a dozen flavors of Absinthe. That's right - they have Absinthe. Go crazy like Van Gogh.
(5)Laura H.
Definitely not a bar to go and be seen... it is, however, a nice retreat from frat boy havens in Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park. Its a dark bar with a punk atmosphere... decent drink specials and nothing really to complain about... typical dive bar... nothing extra special ...
(2)Franklin D.
Way fun place to hang out and drink a lot. Puts out a flyer with all the up coming bands, punk rock karoke nights, and what have you. You can play pool upstairs, there's another bar up there. I like the music, the crowd is generally of a decent sort.
(5)Jean G.
Definitely the only reason I venture to Lincoln Park at night. I have traveled from East Rogers Park to here and back just for a shot of whiskey. They've got a phenomenal selection of good beer and better whiskey, and even though the music is too loud sometimes and you have to shout to talk to your friends and the bathrooms are kinda gnarly (but I mean come on, it is a punk rock bar. clean bathrooms and soft music would make it a different kind of joint.) it is still my favorite dive bar in town. I don't even care how many hipsters I have to wade through to make it to the bar when it's busy. Not that it means anything (but definitely a plus) all of the staff are really hot. Also, Jason makes the best whiskey sour that I've ever had in my life. And I've had a lot of whiskey sours. The only complaint I'd ever even thought of about this place is the lack of air conditioning in the summer. My boyfriend and I drove the Norton to Mods Vs Rockers in the summer and went inside to grab a beer. It was super f***ing packed and hot as hell in there. Aside from that, I got no complaints.
(5)Adam M.
This place was a blast. I went on a tuesday night and it was chill, cheap, and had some great tunes. Nice crowd and just a nice divey/punky bar. A great place to spend the night. I'll definitely be checking it out some weekend to check out the crowd on a different night.
(5)Mark S.
Delilah's is the perfect dive bar for the scotch enthusiast. We went soon after opening and the place was not loud at all ...yet. Several hundred single-malt choices await the weary traveler. Simply take the Brown-line train to Diversey and walk west a couple blocks through a nice neighborhood and you are good to go. Bartender was excellent, too.
(5)Babs H.
Someone saw a yuppie in this bar? Ha! I wish I could have seen that! That's part of why I love this place. You know that you're not going to deal with a thousand Bromosaurus Rexes trying to trick you into thinking they have something awesome to say or try to shove their tongue down your throat. As a matter of fact, overlook the tattoos and tough attitudes, 90% of the guys I've met at this bar have been quite chivalrous. Crowd aside, the liquor selection is vast, the bartenders have heavy hands and quick wit, the nightly specials are great, and who doesn't love pinball? It does tend to get crowded so if you are the kind of guy or gal that likes to sit upon arriving to your watering hole, this ain't your digs.
(5)Jon B.
So either you have this friend, or you potentially are this friend to someone: I'm talking about the friend that is sort of punk, is into art, great beers, marches to their own drummer, and is totally cool. For me, this guy's name is Brian. If Brian were reincarnated into a bar, it would be Delilah's. I went there for their beer-tasting event this past weekend. They must have had about ~100 beers, and we got to sample about 20-25. Great time. The interior of this place is kind of dark, with cool pop-art on the walls, along with a pretty big bar. Upstairs is a party room, with a smaller bar area. Both were used for the beer tasting event. By the way - there is a rumor that they play "Twin Peaks" episodes here during the week (?). If that is true, then I like them even more. I would go again.
(4)Bill S.
One of my favorite bars in Chicago. The whole staff is awesome. Almost every night of the week is different from the other which keeps the place from ever getting stale. Pinball. Pool. Good music. HUGE selection! what more could you ask for? I spend way too much time here.
(5)Elaine C.
Three words: Yummy Rockabilly Boys.
(5)Craig N.
Other than the great selection of beer and hard liquor, the staff themselves are a great reason to come back to this place again and again. If you like rock and roll, punk rock or just enjoy doing shots, this is your place. This bar reminds me of two summers ago!
(4)Jo W.
Step into my time machine and come with me back to January 2002. It's my first weekend living in Chicago, I don't know a soul in the city, and I want to go out. Somehow I ended up at Delilah's. I honestly don't remember how. I think I was looking in the Reader for bars that had live music or something. Anyhoo, the details aren't important - which is good, because I don't remember very many from that night. I remember I sat at a table all by my lonesome and enjoyed a long island iced tea or three. (Oh, Young Jo and your long island drinking ways.) I remember the bartender being exceptionally cool. I remember there were no live bands that night, much to my disappointment. ...and that's about all I remember. I haven't been back since, but every single time I pass by here I think "awww, that was the first bar I ever went to as a Chicago resident." And for that, it will always hold a special place in my heart.
(4)Jenny T.
There isn't much to rant or rave about regarding Delilah's. Ended up here randomly & truly enjoyed the people watching more than the bar itself. It's an odd mix of people-punks, old men, cute girls, and tattooed men. Personally I have nothing against the above groups of people, but it didn't seem to flow very well. People were sitting in their little groups & even though it was somewhat obvious that people were eyeing each other across the room, no one made a move. Everyone stayed right where they were...in their comfort zones. Doubt I'll be back-kind of expensive for such a blah kind of place.
(2)Amy R.
The only way to review Delilah's is with a series of vignettes detailing my most memorable (or not) nights there: I) Two friends and I head to Delilah's after drinking 3 or 4 bottles of wine on a Sunday at Tango Sur. For some reason, Friend 1 decides to order straight whiskey and I decide to order whatever dark beer the bartender recommended. It was delicious and it's a shame I can't remember the name. We weren't drunk and rowdy--just drunk--and had a fantastic time thanks to a chill crowd that didn't judge our poor decisions. Because we all like Delilah's, we waited until we were home to rid our bodies of the booze. You're welcome, Delilah's. II) We hosted an epic going away/new job/birthday party in their upstairs room. It was incredibly cheap: Everyone just paid I believe $20 for all-you-can-drink, and we could bring in our own food AND plug in an iPod to play our own music! The owner was an incredible host who kept asking me if there was anything he could help us with and if we were having a good time. He genuinely cared that we were enjoying our party and he was doing everything he could to make that happen. Also, we brought a blow-up novelty sex sheep. Nothing to do with Delilah's, but I highly recommend this as a good way to liven up a party. III) This was the night I discovered Delilah's beer list. It is AWESOME and extensive. The only disappointing thing, and the reason I'm only giving Delilah's 4 stars, is that the bartender couldn't offer me a suggestion for a good red beer, just gave me a deer-in-the-headlights stare and then sheepishly admitted he couldn't help me. At least he was honest and nice about it. I still had good luck with the "pick what has a cool name" strategy. If you like John Barleycorn, then this bar is NOT for you. It's just a humble 'hood bar with a caring, nonpretentious staff, good beer list, and a punk rock flair. I HIGHLY recommend scheduling your next party here!
(4)Drew J.
Put on your drinking boots and enjoy one Hell of a selection of whiskey. In addition, the bartenders can not only expand your knowledge for the delicous poison, but they also can lead you in your next selection of taste testing satisfaction if you so choose. Great staff in a great place. If whiskey is not a part of your night (even though it should be), no worries, they have other libations to cater to your needs. The decor is dark, the music is mostly old world punk, and theres weird ass motion pictures on the tubes. Overall, great setup and execution, I shall return to tour scottland even against my livers request.
(4)Walter B.
Found it on Beer Advocate as a solid beer bar. Loved the atmosphere, loved the authenticity of it's dive-i-ness. The waitress was nice and fun, and she offered to bring samples of beers we were considering. I'll be going back many more times. I only wish they had an up to date beer list, or at least a board with the drafts available as they seem to change weekly. Of course, that turnover is part of what will keep me coming back.
(5)Kris R.
The best Punk Rock jukebox of any bar I've been to, and I've been to a lot. This place is authentic and a must-go, even if you are a scum-sucking poseur - LOL (Sorry about that last part, I just can't review a punk bar without getting a little aggro...)
(4)Rachel G.
been here a few times. Everytime I go the drink prices seem to change even for the same drink. Guess it depends on what bartender you get! The place is small, but there is an upstairs you can rent out for private parties and when there is overflow. Drinks are good and bartenders are nice. Met a cocktail waitress and she was really helpful about what drinks to get (I heard they have the most variety of whiskey in all of Chicago). She reccomended a plum flavor vodka and made a drink for my friend and when i tried it, it was really good! The music is just ok and since it is so small everyone just bumps into everyone! Overall I will be back...nice bar that is not your typical lincoln park bar
(3)Amanda C.
WIDEEE whiskey selection and there is always a $3 whiskey shot special. Yay for whiskey! Manders enjoys! Aside from that, the place is pretty sweet. There is ample seating and there is also an upstairs area with a pool table and small bar. Generally a mixed crowd consisting of Lincoln Park lame-os and older punk rockers that have gotten sick of overly populated bars that have been overrun with hipsters. Their tunes are awesome... almost always punk rock blaring when I go in there! Yay for punk rock! Me gusta mucho muchoooooo! The bartenders are pretty awesome... I've never had an issue with any of them. Go, k?
(4)Bruce B.
Solid dive bar with a friendly crowd and strong drinks. It gets a bit crowded, but can still make your way through. Decent selection of beer on tap and really good bourbon specials. Check this place out.
(4)Matt W.
Delilah's is a very cool punk bar. It also happens to be a hockey bar (owner is a Buffalo Sabres fan). They have a really good selection of high quality beer and scotch. The décor and lighting is very cool. They play a lot of punk rock, and whoever's controlling the CD machine takes requests. They have an upstairs with a second bar, a pinball machine and pool table. The upstairs is sometimes rented out for private parties. I seem to have a great time there every time I go to Delilah's. It can get crowded some nights, so get there early.
(5)Kim K.
Seriously cool bar!! I would not title this bar as a dive bar. It probably is seen as different b/c it is not a sports bar. This bar had cool music not one sport item and appreciated it's whiskey and scotch. I would highly recommend this bar for a place to kick back and relish the taste of a good scotch.
(5)Lindsey N.
I used to live down the block from Delilah's and was always apprehensive about it. It didn't look like the kind of place I would like. I'm not into the punk scene and I prefer a pub or wine bar atmosphere, so I never stopped by. Talk about judging a book... I've been to Delilah's a handful of times and every time I've enjoyed myself immensely. The bartenders are great and the art on the wall is kitchy-fantastic. There's a pool table upstairs and plenty of seating. It's also a great place to avoid the frat-boy crowd...they're too busy drinking out of fishbowls a few block away at Uncle Fatty's.
(4)Kristina C.
Delilahs is one of my favorite bars in Chicago. I just love the atmosphere and music. Check out the calendar to see what's going on for the month. They play some pretty good flicks every now and then too. They have a great beer selection, but whiskey lovers will be happy here. Make sure to check their specials too. It can get pretty crowded on weekends so be prepared to stand around for a bit with your drinks. I do prefer going on a weekday when the crowd is a little thinner. I usually tend to hang out downstairs, but if you like to play pool head on up and get in a few games. Definitely the best bar in the area!
(5)Jennie M.
I love Delilah's. I've been coming here pretty consistently the last year or so with my girlfriends, and we always have a good time. It's not pretentious at all as some people assume. I've seen all manner of people in here, and everyone gets along well. They have great specials, attractive, nice bartenders, servers and doormen, and are always showing something 'interesting' on the tvs. It gets really crowded downstairs on weekends, but when upstairs opens at 11 it helps clear it out. I hear rumor that they are starting to do wrist band parties. This makes me very sad. Don't ruin this bar by turning it into some Lincoln Park kitchy locale. Please.
(4)Megan S.
My favorite bar in Chicago, hands down. Also the bar that I met my fiance at back in 2008.
(5)Rozzalyn S.
They have a really awesome whiskey selection! It's a shame what this place has turned into, a few years back it was a lot cooler. Hipsters you ruin everything good. Initially I found out about the bar through a roommate I had and went because of them and it was good. I think Exit is a lot better just so you know.
(3)Chris W.
I went on a Monday evening and it was dead inside. They were playing "Still Crazy" on their many flat screen TV's which was a fun movie and it danced gracefully with the music that was just barely blaring loud. There's an upstairs with a pool table and some booths (and another bar when it's not dead). I can only imagine it being hot and crowded on the weekends. The older bartender with the long hair was quiet and chill. Had a whiskey sour and a whiskey and sod, and after two drinks we hardly caught a buzz. It wasn't ultra overpriced but we should have stocked up on the Monday night special, $1 American beer. Not domestic, that's the brand name...American. Beer. I'll try it out again sometime. Oooo btw, May is Zombie month at Delilah's. Check it out!
(3)Jessica C.
I'm a fan. Rockabilly little spot. Slightly toned down from Estelles, Delilah's is pretty chill with super nice bartenders and staff. Easy place to go to grab a beer and chit chat anytime and catch a glimpse or two of the b movies and old school porn flicks that may or may not be playing on the tvs. I may be shot for saying this, but I enjoy it more without all the smoke these days. I'd rather freeze my tootsie off outside and have a smoke than wake up in the morning smelling like a cigarette butt. I'm not a huge smoker so it doesn't bother me.
(3)Justin V.
First bar I ever went to in Chicago. Never seen it sober. Good. Cheap. Rock and roll. (Like my ex-girlfriend, but a bar.) I'd be in here 24/7 if it was open 24/7. (Like my ex-girlfriend, but a bar.) There's occasionally a bunch of assholes in here when I want to be. (Like my ex-girlfriend, but a bar.) Still, no matter how much I might shit talk it or pee on it, Delilah's is wonderful and I should go there more often. (Like my ex-girlfriend, but a bar.) I love you, Delilah's. Why did you marry that fucking teacher's assistant? You're so stupid sometimes. You're so beautiful. God I miss you. Can't we just- Just- *sobbing*
(4)Scott H.
My wife introduced me to Delilah's a while ago and we now make it a point to visit every time we're in Chicago. Fantastic music, phenomenal selection of spirits, and cool art all can be found here! Can't recommend it enough!!
(5)Heather K.
I imagine that if I weren't so generally indecisive, this would be my favorite bar in Chicago. Monday nights are the best: $1 domestic cans and solid punk rock. Need I say more? There's two floors and free pool to wet your whistle, and they show creepy/cool old movies on the moniters. The decor is interesting, but not over-the-top. It's surprising that this place is in Lincoln Park- quite the neighborhood outlier.
(4)Ivan H.
If you like seedy dive bars, then Delilah's is a winner. They've got great drink specials and it's hard rock enough to keep the hipsters at bay. There are, of course, equally self-esteem deprived individuals acting out their punk rock and metal aggression, but they're far easier to get along with (not to mention more genuine) than over-sized head phone wearers with ironic mustaches. I've been really curious to check their SKA nights. Sounds totally boss.
(4)Scott K.
WTF this place has like 120+ bourbons and just as many single malt scotches. oh and let's not forget just about every absinthe made in the US as well. completely retarded selection of booze. AND AND AND the prices are super reasonable. the bartenders are super cool guys, no pretense here eventho to the casual observer the place is full of hipsters. frickin a i even got a delilah's tshirt to commemorate this event. if you like whiskey, i can't imagine there's another joint in chicago that can rival delilah's. get your ass over here pronto.
(5)Molly L.
Delilah's is one of my favorite bars in Chicago. It has good people, good music, and good drinks. Said drinks include 300 types of beer and 400 types of whiskey. What's not to like?
(5)amber a.
Favorite bar in Chicago! My review is based on my patronage from 1996-2000. Good Beer. awesome nightly specials. Generous bartendars. Cute boys. Good music. I think i spent most if not all my paycheck here. Hell, I even had my going away party in the upstairs room. Lots of memories from this place and next time I visit Chicago I'll be there.
(4)Jeff M.
I grew up in San Francisco, and I find it damn near impossible to find a decent bar on St Patrick's weekend. So I expected a weekend full of frustration when I came to a city I'd never stepped foot in and tried to find a good bar that wasn't full of frat boy amateurs. Delilah's came through. In fact, it's one of the best dive bars I've ever been to. I will most definitely be coming here next time I get back to Chicago. San Franciscans- think Lucky 13, the Attic, Zeitgeist, Whiskey Thieves.
(5)Jordan P.
My favorite bar in America. Ask for a bourbon list and you get a 3-ring binder. 'Nuff said.
(5)Christel R.
I haven't been back since the time I tried to find my lost jacket there last year, but aside from that incident I do like this bar and would recommend it to friends, particularly if they enjoy whiskey.
(4)Traci K.
I was a bit skeptical when my brother-in-law and his fiancé said they wanted to check out Delilah's. "It's a punk rock whisky bar," they'd said. I was expecting some terrible faux-divey hipster bar with jerky bartenders. So imagine my surprise when we walked into Delilah's and found an actual divey, teensy-bit hipster bar with a lovely bar staff! The whisky list was impressive with 700+ selections (I asked)...the menu essentially looks like a karaoke song choice book. Loved: - the selection! while overwhelming, it was fun to go through and pick out new ones to try. - everything we tried was served neat in what looked to be a tiny juice glass. - the service! the bar staff was super friendly and sweet. they chatted us up about our selections and weren't at all judgmental or jerky. - the specials! while i didn't partake, the list of daily specials were particularly affordable. Atmosphere wise, the place wasn't too packed on a Friday night after 5PM and they were playing the original TMNT movie on the TVs. It was the perfect place to start the evening!
(4)Jesus G.
Absolutely love this place!! Its very divey/dark however their whiskey selection is not comparable to any other bar in the Chicagoland area! I like that you can actually try some of their whiskies before you actually order them. The music can get annoying after a while since its so loud and the speakers sound like they are busted but once you have a drink in hand that will be the last thing of your worries! Bartenders are friendly and can make good suggestions on a whisky to try based on the current whisky you know/like. I will keep coming back to try different whiskies and encourage you to give it a try if you are really into whisky/scotch/bourbon!
(5)Beth A.
It's been five years since I first set foot in Delilahs. We're in an open relationship where at times I have my regular seat at the bar and at times I avoid their crowds & well deserved popularity. But I always come wandering back and I'm always received with smiles and open bottles. Thoroughly enjoyed whisky week with dragons milk on tap and a tail end of tastings today. Props for consistently one upping yourself, its a quality that makes me want to be exclusive, maybe... :)
(5)Elizabeth F.
Great whiskey selection and a stocked beer fridge. Not a whole lot of seating and the standing room is also pretty sparse. We came on a Friday, but I get the vibe that even on other nights it's crowded since the space is small. Also, maybe it was just me, but other patrons were a little judge-y.
(3)Mickey H.
Solid whisky bar, not much to it, just a dive with a great selection in whiskies from around the world. I was impressed when they had a Japanese whisky I really enjoy, Yamazaki. I'll be back for a few rounds in the near future for sure.
(4)Alex J.
I'm going to start off by saying I don't drink, so this is based on the other aspects of this bar aside from it's, well, bar. That being said, the menu appeared to be the Cheesecake Factory of bar menus. Otherwise, the personality and decor of this place is awesome and I really had a good time. Space is limited, so we had to wait around awhile to snatch a table, but that just means other people agree: Delilah's is an awesome place to be. It's dark, brooding, yet entirely comfortable, with Victorian accents, leather seating arrangements that could tell stories of many butts and drunken nights, and lights in only the right places (i.e., the bathroom. Lights are important in there). If you're in the area yet trying to avoid the typical college, douchebag bar, head here for a breath of fresh, funky, classic melancholy.
(5)Brian S.
Bourbon. Over 600 of them with good prices. What else do you need? Go drink.
(5)Jeff W.
Whiskey Dive Bar If you like whiskey and dive bars, look no further. The whiskey menu is quite extensive and the bar tenders are very knowledgeable of their spirits. Early in the evening the music is at a tolerable level so you can speak with your company, but as the night goes on the music volume is raised at exponential increments very quickly. Surprisingly for it's dive feel, it is not as hipster as you would first imagine. I will definitely be visiting this location again in the near future.
(4)Mary M.
Aside from being a great place to get cheap drinks, this place was meh. Right as you walk in you kind of get the faint smell of urine. It's dark and dingy. A good divy feel. The worst thing is the restrooms- completely unsanitary. Women's bathroom door doesn't close all the way, very little soap, hard to use sink, and get this: A REVOLVING TOWEL thingy everyone dried their hands on. With the $ they aremaking from drinks, they should invest in an air dryer. Completely unsanitary. It's cool if you like the dirty divy bar feel, then this place is for you- but personally I don't get what the big hype is about. Wouldn't go out of my way to go here.
(2)David A.
I can't believe I have lived in Chicago this long and only just went here. Terrific bar. Friendliest/most polite bartenders around who are whisky/whiskey experts and help you try exactly what you want. Cool dive bar vibe. Definitely on my favorites list now.
(5)Austin C.
The single best bar I've been to in Chicago. Have Kyle make you an Old Fashion or two. Go to here. That is all.
(5)Rob H.
Best pure punk and bourbon bar ever. Cut my chops here in grad school back in the day, it's the same experience 20 years later. If you love bourbon (hey have 275 different ones, including a whole family of Willetts that I just love) this is THE place in Chicago. Worth the cab ride.
(5)Jessica A.
So nearly 400 reviews with a four star average have it right--Delilah's is pretty great. But I need to share a story from a recent visit to exemplifies WHY they are so awesome. I stopped by with my husband, the scotch afficianado, recently before a dinner reservation in the area. I partook of the $3 Four Roses (I enjoy bourbon but the subtleties of the expensive stuff are lost on me) while he indulged in some rare whiskies and chatted with the bartender. Around 5, a large group rolls in shouting, chanting, singing, and just generally being disruptive. It was annoying, and not in the spirit of what the bar should be. One of the group saddles up to the bar a while in and makes a joke about how annoying their group was. The bartender's response was literally so perfect I'm in awe: to paraphrase, he acknowledged their loudness and basically said, "just so you know, you guys are pretty atypical for the crowd here at this time--we just opened for the day so most people here are just wanting to have a quiet drink and chill, so the chanting and everything is probably a little much." It was such a classy but honest way to let them know that they were at the wrong bar for what they were looking for...really impressive finesse that a lot of bartenders lack nowadays. Nice job Delilah's!
(4)Craig G.
This is the bar I was proud to bring my out-of-town guest to until the gigantic rat ran across the floor... UPSTAIRS. I'll never hear the end of it from my work friends. So awesome. Add that to your Best Bourbon Bar accolades. It's a real hit with the ladies.
(1)AJ M.
Saw this place on Americas best bars! They said it was ranked one of the best whiskey bars in the country, and I believe it. They literally have a big binder full of whiskeys, scotches, rums you name it. The place is dark and kinda small but it has its own style. The bartenders know thier stuff! I like how they give u a glass of ice if you order on the rocks so you can decide how much ice to put. Wish it was a little classier and appealing but I think the dive rustic image is what it's going for. This is not a place I would not l spend a whole night at or go with large groups but if you and a couple of buddies are big whiskey n bourbon drinkers this is a must stop!
(4)Leah N.
A couple hundred dollar bar tab later will tell you just how much I love this place. By far the friendliest bartenders I have ever encountered followed by a totally friendly crowd. I kept wondering why people were so nice but hey, totally the kind of place. We thought we'd go in for a drink, we ended up practically crying when it was bar close. Fell into bed around 5am, what a perfect night thanks to the awesome crowd, good music, tasty drinks and kick ass bartenders! MUST GO!!
(5)Sara T.
From the get-go, it was an average bar. Nothing special. The bouncer made us uncomfortable. We stood and sat right at the bar, and didn't get served at all. To top it off, a man and a woman came up to us and claimed that they were sitting in the bar stools we were currently sitting in. She became very persistent, and bullied us, and the patrons to our left chose to side with her in getting us to move. This is indicative of the culture of the bar: an unfriendly, unwelcoming environment where anyone new doesn't belong.
(1)Kevin D.
Punk rock. Whiskey. Pool & Pinball. It all leads to a great night. One of my favorite bars in the city, let alone the best dive bars. I think this is a place that is a good test of the friends you should keep and the people you should date. If they don't like this place then in my opinion you should re-evaluate your relationships. If you don't like it, then I'm not sure how good of friends we would be. One of the best whiskey selections in the city, but even if you don't like whiskey, you can grab a beer and be happy to have found a down-to-earth place that isn't afraid to show their tattoos in Lincoln Park/Lakeview. Sometimes the music is loud and the room is hot, but the people are generally cool, the staff knowledgable and drinks reasonable.
(5)Jillian I.
LOVE this bar! Juke box is a total throw back to the 90's and the tunes I would listen to in high school! Incredible whiskey collection. Mari and Martin are the BEST for service and story telling. The only complaint I had was the stupid collage crowd. Head to the second floor to escape that, and maybe avoid weekends...I've heard that it's a bit "classier" weeknights. The line up of shows I saw on the posters looks awesome. Most definitely going to visit next time I'm in town.
(4)Brian S.
It's got 500 bourbons/whisk(e)ys and it's a dive. What's not to love? The best part was the look on the bartender's face when my wife asked if she could have a little coke in hers, as she can't drink straight liquor. It was like someone shot his dog. He offered to bring a glass of coke and some ice so she could make it herself (hello, Dan's Cafe!), which was actually the perfect move: she got what she wanted and he didn't have to desecrate a Weller's. There's only one small problem, and I don't know if it's even correctable without messing with the vibe. With that many liquors (not just bourbon, but every varietal is well represented in quantity, quality, and obscurity), I have to imagine that people frequently ask for recommendations. But that has to be hard because they seem understaffed and a place like that gets loud in a hurry. We were lucky that we got there early and could chat with the bartender. But a group of about thirty rolled in a little later and there was just no opportunity for interaction. Again, adding more staff may not be doable for a number of reasons, but I think it would help encourage people to explore more of the menu. In an alternate universe, there's definitely a yuppie version of this place that has a "passport" to mark which liquors you've had and doesn't play the original Godzilla on both of the TVs. And that place sucks.
(5)Johnny F.
Came in here on Friday (3/13/15) with a buddy from Springfield for a couple drinks towards the end of what was supposed to be an "easy night" in anticipation of an all day St. Patrick's weekend bacchanal in the South Loop on Saturday. As usually happens with this buddy of mine, the "easy night" crept on later and later and we ended up at Delilah's. We each had a couple Makers on the rocks before the upstairs opened up; after that, we ended up hanging out with some girls celebrating a birthday, and one of them quite unexpectedly kissed my buddy square on the mouth before they left. It was a totally random end to a night at Delilah's (a sentence I'm sure has been uttered many a time before).
(5)Derrick S.
Can't say enough good about this place. Tons of memories both good and bad. Sometimes I come here to drink on the cheap, and sometimes to get myself a nice whiskey or two. Great place.
(5)sarah r.
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Delilahs, I've always loved going here but when I had to throw a last minute party they really came through. It was great deal for a space we could bring our own food into, the staff was super attentive and helpful, and we had a great party. Mary really hooked me up, the bartenders were amazing and I can't wait to have another excuse to throw a party.
(5)Zach F.
Fun place. Good punk and ska music, but unlike some other "punk" bars it's not all metal or hardcore that can be offputting. Also, a good beer list, a good whiskey list, and good drink specials which don't just apply to awful products. Will definitely be back soon.
(4)Mark E.
Good music, great beer selection, outstanding atmosphere. ...and, the best thing is that the staff, especially the doorman and the girl tending bar upstairs, didn't have an annoyed-with-having-to-serve-you attitude, but were, in fact, very nice and welcoming. Though I can imagine the toll it might take having to deal with drunks night after night, it makes for a refreshing atmosphere when bartenders don't act the only thing they hate more than being there is you, the customer. This was one of several bars our group stopped into throughout the night, and by far the most pleasant. Will definitely be back.
(4)Brooke B.
Hipster style dive bar - comfortable and cozy, great whiskey selection and interesting specials written on chalk boards above the bar. (I tried the Spiteful Absinthe barrel aged klutzy buffoon with a side shot of absinthe special for $15) Service was slow, we went here on Saturday Dec 13. This was our first time, and we've heard from many locals that it's a great spot but that it's not as good as it used to be because a lot of the really good bartenders and management left.
(3)Kris G.
Tipsy review! Five stars, wahoo!!! Alright, new favorite bar? New favorite bar. I wish I fit in here better. Music = great. Bartenders and crowd = great. Movies = great. Drink selection = great. Me = awkward. This bar has confirmed I am the most awkward person I know. Here are the facts: Whenever I have agreed to meet a friend at a bar, I've always arrived on time and have always had to end up waiting at least 15 minutes for said friend to show up (the friend doesn't matter--any I agree to meet is either chronically late or terrible with directions). This time I decided to show up 15 minutes late to cut out some of the awkward sitting alone looking around at the walls time. I was still 45 minutes early as it turns out... But here is what happened. No one looked at me funny. No creepy old guys tried to hit on me. The bar tenders did not ignore me. I was still awkward. So now I know for sure it's me, because the people here are just too great for it to be them that causes any awkwardness I feel. Also, I got 5 whiskey gingers for $20. F. I. V. E. Do you know how many cocktails $20 will get you at most places? About 1.8. Given, it's not the strongest pour of whiskey, but still I got five when I would normally get almost 2, so I see that as a huge plus. I went on two occasions, when it was both empty and very crowded. There was no change in the friendly service or the crowd of generally great people. Go! And take me with you!!!
(5)Ignacio B.
Wonderful whiskey/bourbon selection!
(4)Walter P.
This a really good bar that plays lots of punk rock which I totally dig, but do they have play it so loud? Oh wait, that's the point of punk though right? That's my only complaint as I had to yell over The Clash to talk to someone right next to me. Other than than that: Reasonably priced drinks, chill crowd (leaning hipster/punk), one of the widest whiskey selections in the city (so I'm told), and good ole punk music makes for a good night.
(4)justine s.
This place really surprised me. Why? The location. I would never expect a bar like this to be in Lincoln Park. The first time I went I don't really recall any detail. The second time I was a bit more coherent and I really dug the place. There's cool stuff all over the walls, including the bathroom. If you like whiskey (which I have been known to get down on pretty regularly) this place is a gem. It's a refreshing change from the bars in the area and they usually play pretty decent music. I would stay stop in, but don't because it's getting a little too crowded. ;)
(4)Caroline R.
THIS....is my bar. I love Delilah's for so many different reasons....the respectful and hilarious bartenders and doorguys...the often violent or pornographic movies they show...the $2-$3 whiskey specials...and most importantly, the fact that it's somehow able to exist in Lincoln Park without turning into a gigantic fistful of douche. I don't think I've ever had a bad time here. Sometimes it can be a bit crowded, but once the upstairs opens (generally at about 11pm) the crowd thins out. The service is always very swift and attentive when there is a waitress. I hope this bar stays like this forever, I plan on living there someday when the recession forces me out of my apartment.
(5)Mike L.
I have only been to this place a couple of times and that was only for beer tastings that they have on Saturday afternoons so my experience is limited. The beer tastings are very nice, its like $20-25 for about 20 samples and the bottles are all over the place, upstairs and down. The staff is very friendly and talkative. Talking to the staff and looking around you can see that they have a very nice selection of whiskey's but on days without the tasting the beer selection is average at best. The decor is filled with posters and what can be playing on the TV's can make you look twice in a "are they really playing this" type of way. Not saying it is good or bad but it may be a bit much for those who are easily offended. Personally I did not mind what was playing but I can see that it would affect some the wrong way. I do know a couple of friends who have gone here at night and listened to the stories they tell and while personally I would never go here at night, even when I was younger, it is nice to have someplace different to go to.
(4)Chuck W.
I dig this place. I'm brand new in town, and know no one here, so I've been taking the advice of different message boards and such as to places that I should check out. The atmosphere here is fantastic. The gritty movies playing all the time, and the Elvis paintings. It gives a good vibe. Not to mention, their beer selection here is phenomenal! I always find myself winding up here when I have no idea where else to go.
(5)Nikki C.
in the movies Delilah was the ultimate seducer with the power to take down even the strongest of men. ...coincidence?...i think not. Next time before you come here, take a sharpie marker, write on the bottom of your feet your name and address ...both of the them just in case. This way, they know where to send you when its time for you to leave. as described in the other reviews, many beers, many whiskey, and many good times rocking out to some many good tuneage. check website for events and specials enjoy!
(4)Olivia E.
My new favorite place in town. Love everything about it. Great vide, cheap drink specials, awesome music, and a pool table. My only complaint is that it's not walking (crawling) distance from my house
(5)link b.
Ive never had a bad time here! I only go every say 4-6 months, but I'm glad to have it around as an option.
(4)Nik B.
For being in the DePaul / Lincoln Park area, this place outshines many. Now, I think to go and be here, you either have to be a beer snob, a punk rocker...or just someone who typically gets annoyed with the usual Lincoln Park crowd. Overall, it's just a fun bar. They have a huge selection of pretty much everything, beer, whiskey, spirits (including absinthe)...you name it. Either take a date here, who you are confident likes you, or go with some friends. It's a good time. I will definitely return for absinthe.
(4)mariya k.
you + me = love forever. miss you. xo, mariya
(5)Leanne B.
My absolute favorite Chicago bar!!! I wish it was possible to give six stars. Really. Amazing whiskey specials and every bar tender there knows what's up as far as how to make a great drink. Music is killer and I have hosted many going away parties/birthday parties/etc parties at Delilah's. Free pool on some nights and another bar up stairs. Juke box is killer, too...but usually the music playing via the DJ is great. Art is ever-changing which is encouraging for an artist such as myself, and the bathrooms are usually kept up well. Free cover! Divey-feeling but not gross! In fact...the opposite. Also, three words: Morrissey/Smiths Night. HUGE fan of this place; can't say enough good things. I am so sad that I now live in Brooklyn and can't frequent my rockabilly hangout. Love, love, love.
(5)Erica S.
Whiskey Bar with impressive selection and good specials. Friendly and tentative bar tenders. Went on a Saturday night and it never got unbearably crowded like many dive bars do. Dark , comfortable ambiance. Awesome Jackie Chan movie playing in the background.
(4)Michelle H.
I spent my Monday night at Punk Night Mondays at Delilah's and there is no other bar I would have rather been. $1 Americans (super shitty beer, but only a buck) and $2 Jim Beam, you can't really lose. Between the punk rock music, the Elvis paintings everywhere, and muted doll porn, this place is pretty crazy. But I like it. The creepy, strange porn on the TV's kept people entertained while downing cheap beer. I had a great time, the punk music was pretty on point, and it's nice to see a non-brobar in this area.
(4)Christine F.
What's with all the hating on Delilah's? I LIKE this bar! But only under certain conditions: If you want to have a good time, don't go on the weekend. Go on weeknights. I love when they play crappy/amazing horror movies on the TV screens around the bar. When I've gone, the bartenders have been nice enough. A little aloof, I guess. Nothing remarkable. The drinks are okay... it's a nice bar. The ambience really makes it - but the ambience is only okay when the Lincoln Park kids stay OUT of the bar.
(4)Drucilla D.
So what constitutes this being a dive bar? The fact that one doesn't have to wear a boobie top to get in and get some decent treatment? It had everything that any other bar has, but with a genuninely swell crowd of people, an obscure film selection on the televisions and some great alcohol specials if you don't really care about the taste. Seating was pretty plentiful, there were a good number of attractive boys (including the one I was with - holy crap) and they had a fantastic soundtrack and vodka/Red Bull. What else does a girl need? I only give it four stars instead of five because I seriously don't know how my tab got as big as it did. I think we only had four drinks total, one of them beer and one of them the whiskey special and the tab seemed a bit large. Oh well.
(4)Karen C.
Best music, best atmosphere, best bartenders ever (Jason & Sean)! No bullshit...just booze.
(5)Paul C.
This is a good bar to hang at if you have no plans and you like a rock atmosphere. It has a tennancy to get a bit full, but if the upstairs is open, its usually reasonable. FOOD: The tamale guy will come around. DRINK: Fine selection of taps and liquor. That's right, they have Sailor Jerry Navy rum. 92 proof bottle of excellence. The beers are good and not too pricy. ATMOSPHERE: Very rock oriented group. The DJ's usually spin some hard rocking tunes as well as requests. If they have the rock and roll juke box on, it has a great selectio0n of songs. Rock, Metal, Punk, and beyond. Stools and tables downstairs. A couple couches in the back. If you choose to walk up the stairs adorned with old arcade/pinball machine parts, a pool table and booths and another bar will meet you. I never have trouble parking around here. Maybe I get lucky? Recently, I just take the red like which is a little walk from Fullerton, but on a nice day who cares. If it is downporing, you might want to take a cab or bus.
(5)Nick S.
I like shitty beer. I like punk rock. I hate Mondays. The above are the reasons why I love going to Delilah's on Mondays. Get there early enough and you and your entourage can get a seat at the bar, the tables, or even in the little lounge room downstairs. I believe it's once a month they have Smiths night. If I lived in this neighborhood I would spend far too much time here. Going here on the weekends is not always exciting though, unless you consider standing arm to arm and waiting forever to get your drinks an exciting time. The bar upstairs has a pool table and it used to have a defunct Adams Family pinball machine which I can't remember if they got rid of it or if I just dreamed that; I will have to find out next Monday!
(5)Bill M.
Punk Rock Mondays at this place are one of the best things to ever happen in the long history of humanity. American Beer goes down smooth at any reasonable price but especially well at a dollar a can. The staff is really friendly and when drinks are this cheap, just about everybody else is too! Every night in this place there's a special that's worth checking out. Just don't go on a night when Springa from SSD happens to be DJ'ing. Trust me.
(4)Sarah S.
Yet again.. Thank you for my dive bars. Been here several times and it lives up to the college bar. They have happy hour/daily specials and I love that. Why isn't there more places like this?
(4)Carol J.
Why, why, why Delilah's? Well I used to be their Jim Beam rep...but I can tell you that on Monday nights here, I've slung more bourbon and made more friends than a girl has a right to. I sponsored the pool table so I made friends with the likes of Skinheads to Straight Edge and everyone in between. Gretchen convinced me to go to Spain on a whim, (though I couldn't be swayed on the tattoo). I had some of the most amazing conversations with the video guy Augie, Mike Miller and even the distiller from Maker's Mark (sorry Booker Noe!). I have hung with my dear friend Springa from SSD (how obscure is that reference), dudes from The Verve and Thrill Kill Cult. I even hung here when it was Crash Palace or something like that. But Delilah's has a world class bourbon collection due to Mike's educated palatte and they are no slouch in the scotch department either. And who doesn't love a little Rock n' Rye? Love the cult film nights, love the body art, love the resident dogs and regulars. Why, why, why Delilah's did I have to grow up and stop going out on Monday nights!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)Heather S.
Pinball!!! They have a pinball machine upstairs! Who doesn't love pinball??? Seriously, this place has to be my favorite "dive" in the city! They have Delirium Tremens in bottles and A LOT of them! And I know this because I have drank my fare share of them last time I was there. Great bar, with a good beer selection that has a nice laid back vibe.
(5)Melissa Q.
We came here for some after dinner drinks on VDay. Overall, it seemed like a pretty cool place. There is a huge beer and liquor selection. The bar tender seemed cool and was attentive. Not pretentious from what I could tell. There was a downstairs area that I wasn't able to check out. I will definitely stop by again if I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)Mike M.
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, and great beer to boot
(4)Colleen R.
Delilah's wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but it was a nice surprise nonetheless. I happened to show up during Beatles Happy Hour the other night, and after a couple of beers under the Christmas lights along with several Beatles songs (played AT FULL VOLUME), I was downright cheery. And maybe a little bit deaf. Not that I'm complaining.
(4)Natalie F.
Ha! I just read one of the reviews about a natzi bartender. I actually know this guy quit well. He is actually an English Jew! ha ha. And its not a swastika tattoo on his kneck for gods sake its "Feast or Famine". A pretty nice guy as well. So take that review with a grain of salt. I dont know how you confuse them! I have always liked this place, it has the best elements in the joint. Great music if your into punk, great drink selection, and now they carry The green fairy. Authentic. I like the bartenders there, pretty cool.
(4)Jonny P.
Great Bar, awesome clientele, GOOOOOOD whiskey... Unrivaled selection of beer, the music is always on point. If you are going to Chicago & are trying to find a place to pop into GO HERE!
(5)Dan P.
Love the whiskey selection, the music and the atmosphere. Definitely an oasis from the Lincoln Park college scene.
(5)Erin S.
Fun punk rock bar. Great music selection. Went there on a night when they had live music and it was fun (think dropkick murphy's). Enjoyed the drinks (although small) but the atmosphere is really the thing to go for.
(4)Allison V.
This is a fantastic bar. It is directly across the street from Rotofugi Toy Gallery on Lincoln and Diversey (+), they currently have pumpkin beers in bottles or on tap when nobody else does (+), they have the best whiskey selection....even some pre-prohibition era ones to choose from (+), and the staff is friendly and helpful.
(5)Kelly G.
"My, my, my delilah Why, why, why delilah So before they come to break down the door Forgive me delilah I just couldnt take any more" Oh, Delilah's, how you love to tempt, tease, and torture me! Years ago, Mike Miller met a young girl named Spunkypants. He thought, "Man, for a kid, this girl sure knows her whiskey, punk bands, and obscure exploitation films! I should theme a bar around her!" He finally walked away from her when he could no longer tolerate her endlessly singing Tom Jones songs to herself, and started planning his new bar. Delilah's was finally born. "I keed; I keed!" But seriously, if I suddenly turned into a bar, it would be Delilah's. It's as if the place was designed to make Spunkypants happy. It has that wonderful sleazy kinda atmosphere that I love, a KILLER jukebox, strong and cheap drinks, an amazing whiskey selection, great obscure films - many from Something Weird, and just about the friendliest staff that I've ever come across. sigh.....now for the bad......Delilah's as a bar is perfect. Unfortunately, it gets way too crowded - so crowded, that it becomes too difficult for me to tolerate. I will no longer go there on weekends unless I can get there early enough to get my fill in before I get attacked by lost horny frat boys. Even during the week it's a crapshoot, but not nearly as bad as on the weekends. All things considered, if I were told that from now on, I could only set foot in Delilah's after 10pm on a Saturday night, you can bet your ass I'd happily fight the crowds.
(5)Riley C.
To be fair, I probably shouldn't review this bar because every time I've been there I've been drunk off my gourd (yes, off) and might as well have been drinking on the moon. Delilah's has amazing staff, great beers and generally a good vibe. Occasionally it becomes overrun with douchebaggery, but the lovely bartenders make up for it.
(4)Carolynne M.
Well, I walked in there for the first time with a bunch of friends a while back and an artist had his (her?) paintings up all over every wall. They were huge, and wildly colourful, and...of women's vaginas. Every type of position and various stage of undress was right there. On display. It was way too much for me, even with the 4 vodka gimlets I gulped down. What a train wreck. How you gonna relax and chill after work with all that up in your grill like that? So basically I can't tell you a single thing about the joint. Don't know about the service, or the quality of drinks, or hell even the bathroom. Too much sensory overload that night. It's OK, you can call me a prude.
(3)Peter V.
Every time we make it here, we laugh about how we should come here more often. Does that mean I should come here more? Or let it be what it is? Hmm. For now, I am just happy that the feeling exists in Lincoln Park.
(4)Christie A.
anyplace that has a menu of their whiskeys categorically separated into genre, year and country is a place that should get used to ME sitting at the bar and trying anything and everything. I am pretty snobby about my whiskey, and am a die-hard Jameson fan - but i was recommended another Irish Whiskey by the wonderful bartender called RED BREAST... it was delightful. I look forward to many drunken nights educating myself on a comfortable stool at this bar. PLUS, they seem to have a great line- up of music throughout the week, and some very interesting art on the walls. Who knows.. maybe ill submit something and become a famous Delilah artist... I'm morbid enough.
(4)Heather Z.
I have been to Delilah's on numerous occasions. And every time was a memorable experience. Well, I think it was. It may be a little fuzzy. I am a whisky drinker, nee, gulper after all. The last time I was here they were introducing Absinthe to the menu. They had a rep from Le Tourment Vert (yes, francophiles, The Green Torment) hosting a free tasting. Well, since the only facts I knew about Absinthe were that it induces hallucinations, it was illegal stateside and it's green, I knew I had to make this rep my BBBFFL to get a shit ton of it free. Who doesn't want previously illegal hallucinations caused by Ecto Cooler? I know I do. Well, boys and girls, that MF rep got me and my girl wasted. WASTED. One of the best times I have had at any bar in Chicago. And it was free. Well, besides the $2 PBRs I was using as a chaser. Next time you go there, drink some. You know you want to. But when the little leprochaun at your feet is telling you to murder your next-door neighbor, don't blame me. Blame the Absinthe.
(4)Eric B.
I used to go all the time on Monday's but it just got too "punk" for it's own good. Jukebox is always pretty good (one night I went in and heard everything I could have ever wanted to hear...ever). Morrissey nights were fun for a while...then I got tired of standing around and getting nudged with pool cues. Overall, its not bad but there are a lot of other bars I would rather support.
(3)Lisa F.
I gotta say, walking in here on my own after a long day's work and seeing all five male patrons plus bartender turn to see what just happened, I was a little relieved. Order a beer, sit on a booth fixed up with electrical tape, and enjoy the Jesus Lizard video. No muss, no fuss. I had some delicious beer and literally fell on my face looking at the fridge full of imported Belgian beers. Later, my friends joined me and we all got a little more rowdy, and the heavy metal DJ went at it -- and it's a good bar for that, too. They don't serve food here, but you can bring stuff in, so we ordered pizzas. After the DJ was done and we were winding down, I heard the same song I'd heard 5 hours before (Yes, I was there for 6 hours total on a Monday. I am young and loving it.), and when I mentioned this to the guy spinning tunes, he asked what I wanted to hear, said it didn't matter that I have no metal knowledge at all, and right away put on some Stones and Bowie for me. Sweet. Next time I'll check the upstairs too.
(4)Kiarash Z.
When I was growing up in Arizona, there were about a half dozen amazing rock bars that ended up closing as the undergroundness of the '90s gave way to the poshness of the new century. Delilah's, all the way in Chicago, kept the spirit alive. Cheep beer, kickass music, a crowd that's there to drink - this is a real bar-lover's bar. If you stop by, make sure to grab one of their calendar fliers, which outlines everything that's happening all month. Oh, and they show EPL matches on Saturday mornings WITH DRINK SPECIALS. God love 'em.
(4)T M.
Delilah's is the reason I can now appreciate some whiskey. Before being educated here (seriously: there was a lecture, a textbook, samples, and teaching props) I thought all whiskeys tasted like vomit or old shoes. Fortunately, now I know better- only some of them do. Some of them are actually quite tasty, and have made their way into my rotation of intoxication. Whatever you prefer, they probably have it. They also have $2 Warsteiners (on Saturday) and $2 beer specials most other nights, along with an inexpensive whiskey. Their jukebox has some great stuff in it, but I usually like it more when they have a DJ. All the bartenders and bouncers are awesome, friendly, and looking out for you. Mike Miller always makes you feel like you're at his home when he's behind the bar. It can get very crowded at times, especially when people who were elsewhere in the neighborhood wander in. And then they pick crappy music on the jukebox. This seems to happen more when DePaul is in session.
(5)Julie G.
Very cool place amidst largely unbearable yuppie hangouts. I would even venture to call it hipster, although I'm not sure it would be a compliment to most. In any case, the couch in the back is a nice touch. The drinks tend to vary in potency/size/price depending on the bartender. Hanging out in front of the bathroom all night turned out to be all kinds of awesome and made sneaking into (after consuming way too many beers) such a delight. Others have mentioned cute boys. Yes, there were many. Too bad most of them were my little sister's age. Though the compliments to my very well preserved appearance was more than worth my dissapointment upon hearing how old they were. Also, they definitely let you know when your jukebox selections are not appreciated. One of my friends put Blondie on and it was barely audible, while Nirvana blared so loud, my ears almost bled a little.
(4)Bradley M.
There was a time when this was a really cool place. Not so much anymore. I recently met some friends there and the music was so loud you couldn't even talk. And it also seemed to be a lot smokier than I remember. The staff is very cool and attentive, I give them kudos for that. But most of the people who go there these days I find very annoying, so much so that I probably won't head back there for a while. Sad, really. This used to once be a very cool punk bar. Their music selection is quite good, just far too loud.
(2)dan l.
I lived next door to Delilah's for about a year and came often. And when I say I lived next door I mean the side door to my building let out about seven feet from the entrance to the bar. They play great music, show cool videos, and have pretty cheap booze. There's a pool table on the second floor as well as a second bar. If you like punk and metal this is a solid spot. I will always hold a special place for this bar in my heart.
(4)Jeff B.
I've been coming here since about 1996 and the place never lets you down. If you like whiskey, ya gotta come to one of the tastings. If you like a good beer selection, ya gotta come for the beer. If you like in your face Johnny Cash with breakfast porn on Sunday's, Delilah's is your place. It's like walking into your biker uncles basement, hearing those awesome tunes and getting liquored up for the first time and never wanting to ever leave.
(5)Nicole C.
I was here last night for a birthday party. I'm not going to lie, I was a little skeptical of this place. For one, I had a question and needed to call them. Whoever answered the phone sounded like Megatron, I couldn't understand anything he said. The I got hung up on. So I had my friend call... same thing. So, the deal was that we had the upstairs room for 2 hours ($20 per person, unless you got there an hour late, like I did- so only $10) Pretty much everything was included in this -shots, wine, beer, mixers etc. The bartender (Jason) was great. He joked with some of the girls there, because they kept ordering things like Sex on the Beach, and Slippery Nipples- but had no idea what was in them. We had a good time, and they were great to put up with a group of people where no one was older then 23.
(4)David H.
Oh punk rock mondays has a special place in my heart. Mr. DJ Machete is a good man who works the door spins good ol rockabilly, and they have the Best selection of Whiskey. I highly recommend the house rye (13 or 15 years i believe) it's pricey, but well worth it. After a couple drinks observe the tv's ! usually purdy entertaining. hipsters don't run rampant like some other bars, and it's usually a pretty friendly crowd. Dj Chuck Wren can be a lil snobby when he spins ska , but whatever. If youre lucky a little mexican lady will come in at 2am and sell you homemade tamales :)
(5)Phil A.
Went there last weekend..... Not really impressed.... I would rate them a 2.5 if I could - but I ended up rounding down... First off the ambiance.... I like hole in the wall bars- but this place isn't really a hole in the wall - just sort of a counter culture. Think punk rock/tatoos/hipsters. Next off the beer/liquor selection - hey they have a great selection. So whats the problem you might ask...... 1) It was raining in the bar..... But wait- how could it be raining in the bar? Apparently their air conditioner's drain was blocked and backing up- so it was raining all over the bar. Solution- throw a bunch of towels on the floor... Maybe this place really is a dive.... 2) We got a couple rounds of mixed drinks... Each time the prices changed... Amazingly enough we found sending the girls to the female bartender got the best price..... 3) The music... Hey I liked the music - in fact I am still hearing it ringing in my head.... I know - if its too loud, you must be too old... but really - when you can't talk in groups larger than 4 because you can't hear each other regardless of how loud you yell, its time to turn it down a little. 4) The Crowd... I felt like I was on the redline on the way to a cubs game.... I feel a little bad giving them a 2 - fully expect if I went their on a week night, and had a beer or two when it wasn't raining, and I could hear, I would probably give them a 3.5( subject to rounding...) last weekend didn't really work...
(2)Nada R.
I love Delilah's like black loves red, like whisky loves fighting, like punk loves loud. I love Mike Miller's fantastic attitude and top-notch scotch. I love Mary's miniskirts and margaritas. Public gushing aside, it is a perfect antidote to the stifling atmosphere of Lincoln Park and there are enough spirits here to accommodate anyone's tastes. In addition to all that, there's a great jukebox, regular DJs, a very mixed and generally friendly crowd, personable staff- what more could you ask for? Oh, right. Pool table's upstairs.
(5)Katie H.
I roll with a fine lookin' crew, ok? I have these two girlfriends (both named Julie) who pop boners the way I pop bubble-wrap. Well they, personally, don't pop boners, they're not those kind of ladies... I'm saying, indirectly - ya know? Aaahhh awkward... Loud throat clearing noise!! We have successfully made Delilah's our broads'-night-out spot. You can get a little tarted up and not feel sluh-tay because there will be plenty of tricked out, grizzled ho-bags there to make you feel better about yourself. Fishnets and mini-skirts: they're not for everyone. More importantly, this is not a pick-up spot (predators, stay away or I will taser you in the scrote). Another plus, is the ever pleasant staff. One evening, I informed Shawn-the-Barkeep that we needed a "pussy" shot (like a Red-headed Slut or something) and he one-upped me and presented us with "The Fun Dip Shot". Holy poop. Time to get drunk. So if you're up for a very good night out involving whiskey and bizarre movies with the sound turned off - make it Delilah's!
(4)Cristine K.
Love their selection of whiskey.
(4)Jonathan A.
Hah. I just found out I have no idea how to spell Dehlilah's. Oh well. It's a damn shame I have not been here more than I have. No excuses really. I especially wished I was here for Modcon. I suck.
(4)Pete M.
Best bartenders in the universe.
(5)Lindsay K.
Hey there, Delilah, I had a great time, and I'm not even a hipster. Great music, a lot of down to earth patrons, sloppy drunks, and (here's the kicker) clean bathrooms. I love you mid-west hipsters! Keep on keepin' on.
(4)Colin E.
I'm not quite sure why, but I'm a fan of Delilah's. I was a little surprised to see that this place is considered a dive bar...there are FAR worse places to grab a quick drink in Chicago. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and professional. They may be punk rockers and closet hipsters, but they sure can mix a good drink. I've got no beef with them. Yeah, sure, Delilah's is loud as hell, but what do you really expect from a place like this? It's definitely possible to carry on a conversation here over the blaring rock, but sometimes you can't help but tune out and people-watch. If you know what you're getting yourself into, it ain't that bad a joint.
(4)Theresa C.
I came here after Googling Chicago Drink Specials Monday and getting $1 American Beers. It seems like a decent place and on better nights it's probably awesome. Monday was really low key. They were playing general rock music and had tv's playing movies. (I was really disappointed when they put on the first 2 minutes of Boondock Saints and then changed it to some stupid something else) The bathroom was decently clean, no one bothered us while we were there, and we drank a lot of cheap beer. I would come back here if it came up but I'm probably not going to make a special trip, it's not very different from a lot of other neighborhood hole-in-the-wall bars.
(3)Mork M.
This isn't a dive bar, but for the north side I guess it fits. Killer beer/whisky selection, great beer/whisky sampling if that's your thing too. Renovated second floor with more space, great music, pool table. Basically Cheers if the cast of Cheers were lecherous boozefighters. Mixed crowd all the time. Dollar beer mondays. Don't pick fights with anyone who uses pomade regardless of how dumb their haircut is.
(4)Nathan W.
Hands down one of the best alt bars in Chicago. The location itself is interesting to me. In all the years I've been going there, I've never pegged it as a neighborhood where punks and rockers would be around. Their beer selection is ominous and the dames pouring the fire water are always an added bonus. Upstairs is always where it's at if you ask me.
(4)Soshanna M.
Favorite. Bar. In. Chicago.
(5)Steve R.
This flat-out is still my favorite bar in the city. Been going here for years. Great beer selection, great SCOTCH selection, kickass juke (one of the best in the city) and generally unpretentious scene. Yeah there's the odd cooler-than-you type but what the hell. Mike is super cool, and they show kooky B flicks and old concert videos on the TV screens. Yeah the crowd has changed, deal with it. Still pretty damn good, you know what you're getting if you come on a weekend.
(5)Maggie R.
a good go-to place when i can't decide what to do on the rare monday or tuesday night when im free. minus one star for being kinda weird/annoying crowd-wise on the weekends. oh well, can't win 'em all.
(4)Manny Q.
I was never at Delilahs till a couple of weeks ago and since then Ive been here twice more, not on busy days do. I enjoyed how chill and relaxing the place is, its good to go on certain music nights. The only thing thats leaving a bad taste in my mouth is the the abnormality of bros that are starting to come in here.
(4)Jessica F.
Delilah's was our first stop on a spur-of-the-moment pub crawl back to our hotel, about 15 blocks away. Why bother getting up at 4am to catch a plane when you can just stay up all night? Anyway, since it was a Wednesday night it was pretty low-key. We enjoyed our $2 PBR's and the assortment of 50s/60s porn that was playing on the TVs. :) The bathroom grossed me out just a little, but that was mostly because all they had to dry your hands on was one of those revolving cloth towel thingies. I haven't seen one of those in years!
(3)Gary K.
The place is "what you see is what you get" - the reason for my 5 star review is that everyone here is great! Unlike many other bars in Chicago, the service here is unbelievable and the staff do not discriminate against "suits" or anyone else for that matter. Just good people, all around.
(5)Rene N.
I used to come here with my bf and his friends. I felt cool because I knew the music playing and I could pretend to enjoy to smoke while saying "LOOK! IT'S ______ PLAYING ON THE TV'S!" Came here after the smoke ban and it smelled like diarrhea. Delilah's had shat all over herself, or I just didn't notice it because of the smoke. Either way, fun bar.
(3)Drea C.
Every time I step foot in Delilah's, something crazy is going on! This is the place you go to if you never want a dull moment. I remember one time I walked in the door and everyone (and i mean EVERYONE) was jumping around singing 'Red Red Wine'. It was like walking into another dimension. It is for this reason and many others that I take people from out of town here. That and they've got a nice selection of weiss beer on tap. I like mingling downstairs and then making my way to the second level where the pool table sits and the kids chill in the booths. I like the theme nights. Punk rock mondays are my fave. Dollar beers and 2 dollar beam shots. Getting drunk for only 9 bucks is the bomb dig!
(5)Adam M.
this is my Favorite bar in Chicago. i they always have punk rock music and old movies on the tvs in the main bar. they have alot of draft beer i usually drink Genesee cream ale. if you want to watch sports go the the second floor they also have a pool table and a second bar. the bartenders are always really nice and helpful i would check this bar out
(5)Paul M.
Simply the best punk rock night at any bar this side of London. Also, a fantastic selection of beer and very friendly service. Perfect on all counts.
(5)Virginia T.
I used to be a Monday night (punk rock night) regular. I love the place still. It's great to people watch there, Monday nights were always great (free pool, $1 beer, and $2 Jim Beam!) It was always REALLY smoky-so I'm very interested in what it will be like after the Jan. 1st smoking ban goes into effect. The staff is usually great, the place is decently clean, and they have one of the best selections of whiskey in the city!
(4)Alex F.
From what I remember of the party I attended at Delilah's, it was great. Any bar that isn't afraid to stock nonstandard spirits is my friend, and Delilah's has a great selection of offbeat beers and whiskey that would scare away your mainstream partygoer. Our party was downstairs, but I managed to gain ninja access to the restricted top floor before it opened up (read: they didn't really care if I went upstairs). The owner opened up a bottle of his very own scotch, which was, if I remember correctly, about 115 proof. It was great scotch, and put us all over the edge. I was, for the first time in my life, actually denied entrance to the next bar we went to. Until I ate a gyro, healing me of whatever speech impediments I had acquired over the previous couple of hours. I'm in an egotistical mood, so I subtract one star for difficult bathroom access and because they overserved me. Which is totally their fault.
(4)Andrew P.
I don't know why this bar is classified as a dive bar. Its got like 80 different whiskey's and a good (not ironic good) jukebox. Overall, I really love this place although it is definitely not as punk as it would have you believe (except on Mondays). They have specials on a different type of whiskey everynight (usually $2 a shot). One time I was getting sloshed here during a Jim Beam Black special night and spilled my drink on the bar. The bartender said nothing, and just made me another drink. Gotta like that! Can get kinda hairy on Monday as somethimes alot of Skinheads show up. Other times, the crowd is a mix of yuppies and older tattooed bikers/garage rockers. Neat trivia: Apparently the Makers neon in the front window was custom made for the bar since they sold so much of the stuff.
(4)Robert S.
Delilah's is one of the coolest bars in the city. Excellent beer selection, many on tap, and quite possibly the best dive bar whisky selection ever- they have their own label! Also home to American, the kool-aid of cheap beers. $1 on Mondays. The bartenders are quick to suggest new drinks based on what your are ordering. Very cool. There's always good music here, if not a DJ. Black and white horror movies seem to always be playing as well. It's a little loud, but not too loud for conversation. I've made friends with a few patrons at Delilah's. The only thing that I don't like here is that it's crowded. Very few seats on the first floor (I just found out there was an upstairs after my 12th visit.) Come early, even on weeknights.
(4)Paulie L.
Well, if you're a Bills fan in Chicago and you don't go here on Sunday afternoons, you're definitely missing out. $2 Blues, great setup, great crowd, and the Bills on 4 TVs. It's a blast.
(5)Karen A.
Black Sabbath blaring, 81bourbons, and weird B-movies on TV. What more could a girl ask for?
(5)Jessica M.
Delilah's accepts all kinds. If you're the type of person who'd even consider going there I'm sure you'd fit in just fine. I like that they make an effort to show cool old movies and have special theme nights, etc. I also just love the way the building looks.
(5)Albert H.
Simply mindboggling selection of bourbons, perhaps the best I've seen in my life at a bar (and I've been to bourbon county, KY). Prices are high, but hey they have the rare stuff, some of which you cannot buy in retail stores. Younger crowd too, so if you're advanced in years like I am then come during the day for a quieter, relaxing experience.
(4)Jaclyn M.
This is a punk influenced dive bar. So it came with the music, the attitude, and even the velvet Elvis. This was great for both my husband and I, but being a man he was more in his element at a bar that features scotch, whiskey, and beer. I was surprised to find that the bartender had no problem whipping up some "girly shit" as he called it, and said if I didn't like his concoction, he'd drink it...*/?! it! It was a damn good blueberry mojito though, followed by an awesome green tea shot. Both of which were only $3 each. Awesome atmosphere and AMAZING PRICES! We had enough booze to kill an elephant, approximately 13 or so drinks, for a whopping total of...drum roll please...$55.
(4)Megan K.
As if the haunted house-like facade wasn't enticing enough, the voices calling to us from the upper window drew us across the street and into the magical land of Delilah's. Noticeably first-timers, we were given a brief tour of the bar by a regular, who pointed out what he felt to be the bar's greatest attributes - that it is a true punk bar boasting an unimaginable array of whiskeys. We found the random canned German beer to be an added bonus. Given its uniqueness along the Lincoln Ave strip, it draws a large crowd of comfortably eclectic patrons. The cute flirtatious bartender was an added bonus. Apparently this is also a Buffalo Bills bar (who knew the Bills had enough fans in Chicago to fill a bar?), which I'm told once inspired rioting in the streets after a particularly heated game.
(5)Melissa B.
My guy is from Buffalo, NY, so he was very happy to find out there was a bar that specifically showed Bills games. I thought, sure, why not. I'm never one to turn down drinking while watching sports. I don't think we've ever felt more welcomed. It was already pretty packed in there, but random strangers were making room for us to sit near their table. There was such a great feeling of belonging here, even when I told them that, sorry! I'm a Bears fan. Oh.... the booze. Insanely great selection! And prices weren't that bad. Some girl made jello shots at home and passed them around to everyone for free. Not exactly my type of drink, but so so nice of her!
(5)David S.
My absolute favorite bar of all time! Delilah's knows their booze. Great beer and whiskey selection. Killer jukebox and awesome DJ nights. Warm Peanuts, fun upstairs, friendly staff, hideous bathrooms. Beautiful. Movie Sundays is my favorite time to spend a sunday afternoon with swell company.
(5)Jacob M.
Amazing selection of Whiskey. Great Dj's (mostly punk, rockabilly and other awesome music you probably haven't heard of) and bartenders. If beer is your thing they've got plenty of that too. Check it out.
(5)Steve D.
My home away from home on Sunday's during football season. This is where I come to watch the bills, and it couldn't be a better place. The selection of booze is pretty spectacular, though i admit on Sunday's the $2 Labbatt Blue Light cans are what I go for. Owner is a cool guy from WNY, he makes you feel not so out of place watching a football game in a bar that is geared towards a much different crowd. As far as watching the bills goes, it's about as close to being at the stadium as one can get. Overall as a bar Delilah's is great. GO BILLS!!!!
(5)Joe M.
I like this place because if someone with a popped collar walked in, I'm pretty sure they would never return. $3 Maker's is a great idea but terrible for the liver! I like that they have a pool table upstairs, but there just isn't enough room to play any sort of reasonable game, they should replace it with something else or put more seating upstairs since it can get pretty crowded some nights, making the pool table even more unusable.
(4)Julie M.
So...you know how there are those places that are "super cool" and "totally punk! Rawr!" and have a little history under their belt? And eventually they're taken over by kids who have just turned 21, carting around messenger bags overflowing with liquid eyeliner and black nailpolish from Hot Topic? And suddenly the bartenders are replaced with identical blondes wearing graphic tees with the bar's logo (available for purchase by the restrooms...pay the attendant if you use the hairspray!) who have totally cool attitude problems because they don't give a fuck and their bosses said so? I will LOSE IT if that ever happens to Delilah's. Drinks are reasonable, selection of liquor is unreal, and importantly the staff is extremely laid back and cool with everyone, whether you're a yupster or someone who looks like they fit in. The bathroom doors dont shut, which makes things interesting. But it adds to the charm, I guess ;)
(4)Eric B.
Best Bourbon selection in the city, if not the country (Kentucky would take exception to the latter, I'm sure). Great music. 'Nuff said.
(5)Kristen W.
Coming from your average Libertarian/ Republican commentator, four stars for Delilah's is huge. Love this joint, especially for their tendency to push shots of Maker's Mark. It's a dark and dank place, and it makes you want to get a tattoo. But at the same time it's chic and accepts us boring conservative types. Or at least we've managed to find a way to fit in. Super cool joint, but accepting of all. I'll be the one in the Izod and tennis skirt.
(4)Omnia I.
This bar has a large beer and whisky selection. They have decent nightly specials, even on weekends, and they even have a monthly metal night (although it isn't what it used to be). Bartenders are friendly enough and service is good even when it's crowded. The music is usually at least decent and you can play pool for free, if you're into that kinda thing. Based on all this, I feel like I should love this place more than I do. It's always a decent time, but it always ends up being the bar I start off at before heading somewhere else. Also, the staircase in there scares the hell out of me and its a miracle I haven't killed myself tripping down them.
(4)Ms T.
Used to be more of a punker bar but I wouldn't say so anymore. I've spent many a good night here when I was younger. Even had the chance to meet Wesley Willis and get head butted (several times) before he died. Lots and lots of whiskey. I do miss the old vibe it used to have however. =(
(4)Elisa E.
According to the tenets of Buddhism, all things and experiences are impermanent, and attachment to these leads to suffering. Thus, I must try to let go of my attachment to the old Lakeview of German delis and gorgeous thrifting and little factory buildings and crappy/cheap/beautiful asphalt-sided two flat apartments. I must accept the Lakeview of waxing salons and baby boutiques and fiercely ugly condo developments. Thank the Buddha that this oasis of punk rock and small-batch bourbon continues to thrive. I suggest a pilgrimage, soon.
(5)Kenya C.
Shooting pool, having a beer, listening to good music. Good times. Usually has nice eye candy too. This is a good spot to go when you are too lazy to dress up to drink.
(4)Bob J.
I have always wondered why it is that so, so many people rave about this bar. I remember being twenty years old and so many people telling me, "Oh, when you turn twenty-one, you totally have to check out Delilah's!" Sure, it's a neighborhood institution. Sure, it's generally a cool crowd. Everyone seems to come here for the beer..."Oh, what a great selection, reasonable prices," etc. I hate to break it to you folks, but the selection, while showcasing a few good ones, is a bit scattershot. It's not comprehensive or representative or impressive. And the prices aren't the best either. Now, one guy told me that he goes for the scotch. While not a whiskey person, that I can understand. I enjoyed reading their list of scotches. I was scandalized by the beer though. That's why I have rated it with a rare under-4-star rating. Edit: I have been back once now since I wrote this review. I am tentatively bringing it up to a 4-star rating. My bartender was awesome, and the beer selection has improved massively.
(4)Adam L.
I came here to meet up with some old friends and found myself immersed in the quintessential dive bar. The experience was great, and the beer was excellent.
(4)Dave D.
As someone who practically lived at Delilahs for a few years I have to say I love the place. I realllly miss the way this place used to be but it's still fun now. Just different. I don't do so well with the yuppy crowds and I think absynthe is rediculous but it still feels like home and still know most everybody that works there. They always have lots of good beers and million different whiskys. I think they even had a wine club for a while. So, if you're looking for an old school edgy punk bar this probably isn't what your looking for but if you need a good place to meet your friends, listen to some loud music and drop some Jameson shots this is the place.
(4)Katya C.
I can't explain exaclty why I love this bar so much. It's just a solid good time. Interesting decor without being tacky or over-the-top, interesting people. Crowded as anything, but with interesting people--somehow you don't mind all that much. I bit of a younger crowd, but hey, I'm not 30 yet so I don't have to feel old yet, right?
(5)Stella K.
The bartenders are always friendly and laidback. They make strong drinks, and the whiskey selection and specials are great! It's dark, it plays retro, obscure art films, and sometimes there's some really good blues playing. It's a good dive.
(4)Chris T.
Well Ive been here a few times and the place is cool. Nice music selection. Staff is friendly and the waitress are nice to look at. I could only give this place 4 stars due to the fact that there are too many hipsters here.
(4)Eric M.
Great bar. Good music, interesting crowd, always well attended, and best of all, the most thorough drink list in the city. Beer, whiskey, scotch, tequila, vodka, you name it, they have it. Don't let the dark exterior, B-movies, and gritty pop art scare you, this place is more genuine that just about anything else on Lincoln Ave and the people there are unpretentious, rather than the preening crowd farther south on Lincoln. The only things keeping the place from the 5th star is the music that can be too loud for even minor conversation and the fact that it is so smokey you can feel your lungs crisping as you enjoy one of their 200+ beers.
(4)Lindley E.
Fun fun fun and lots of cute boys. Great scotch selection...best bargain around for new years eve...$20 buys you all the cheap beer you can drink. Definitely worth checking out during special events, like the twice yearly extremely special brew tastings...again, $20 gets you all the tickets you need to dazzle your tastebuds with ales, malts, lambics and beers that you didn't know existed. Friendly place...make sure to check out who is spinning ahead of time to have some idea as to what you are getting yourself into. And you don't need to be covered in tattoos to have a great time. Trust me. My rocker/hipster/whatev days are long gone (circa, um, 1989?), and I love the place.
(5)Benjamin B.
Well kids, what I must say is this: Friday nights... drumroll please... $2.00 Maker's Mark! HOLY SCHNIKIES!!! WTF?!? Enough said, methinks. I love this haunt... good music... generally a mix of New Wave, Metal, Punk, etc.. Melikes. Sufficiently divey with a hint of unique. Only problem is that it is in The Heart of Darkness known as Lincoln Park... other than that... it rocks.
(5)Jess S.
Delilah's is the saving grace of that neighborhood. The only time I'm over there is when I'm at Delilah's. Yeah its dark and "alternative" or whatever but more importantly serves a variety of beers and whiskeys, pours stiff drinks, has excellent specials and hosts cool events. And the second floor bar area is a sweet bonus.
(4)Erika O.
The one gripe I have with this place is that they said New Years would be like every other Monday. No cover and good music. My friend and I get there and they try and charge us $40 a piece because it's open bar all of a sudden. Technically I guess $40 is sort of a deal but it was shitty not to let people know ahead of time. With that said the people at the door were super nice even after our cheap asses politely declined to pay. Also the place is pretty dark, which is good.
(3)Colt E.
Pretty sweet unassuming bar. Good music (though I don't' know what they're playing. I guess my knowledge of punk rock is pretty bad) and good ambiance. This is a bar to come and chill with friends over some pool or a few drinks, but don't come here if you want to 'party'. Good beer specials most of the time from the looks of it and the bartender I had was nice and friendly. I'll stumble in here another night I'm sure.
(4)An P.
A paradise for the punk rock / indie rock / hipsters of Chicago. Blaring loud music and packed shoulder to shoulder with nowhere to sit, if this is your scene jump on in. Spiked collars and wifebeaters seem to be the standard fashion and whiskey is their specialty. Not my kind of bar, but definitely a haven for the punk rockers.
(2)Fausta C.
i've never been to a bar...outside of maybe... kentucky that had such great whiskey and bourbon selections! i can see myself here all year round. i figure it would be a great place to go dancing. unfortunately i was alone when i first stopped in last week. and such great music...i live about a quarter mile away and pass it on the way back home...a new regular customer, delilahs? you can bet on it. and the establishment gets an automatic pass because of their name...my tongue thanks me for saying it everytime. example: me - "so you guys wanna go to Delilah's for drinks?" it just sounds like a lovely time! and whiskey!
(5)Jim S.
This is a fun dive bar. It's a bit of a hipster bar, but it's really fun. They have a wonderful liquor selection, the beer is cheap, and the music is great. Delilah's is dark inside, but it's big. There are 2 stories and this place can seat a lot of people. There's generally some sort of a theme most nights (like Beatles night), and they also have drink specials often. I think there's a pool table upstairs. The bartenders are very friendly, and serve a good drink. I highly recommend Delilah's if you're on the North Side of Chicago.
(4)Urwhatuea T.
What?! A dive bar that has an appreciation for good beer? Where I come from, if you want to go to a bar that doesn't play that endless insipid canned techno loop, you have to drink what we call "Lone Star" out of a plastic cup. Here I can listen to some obscure 60s garage tunes while watching "Ghetto Freaks" on 3 tvs and sipping Duvel out of an official Duvel snifter. Cleeasssy!
(5)krys s.
whiskey is the name of the game here and the selection is seemingly endless. a perfect opportunity to try something new! underneath all of that scruff and chic eyewear, chicagoans here are some of the smartest, most interesting people i've ever met. and these locals care far less about what you look like than whether you prefer twin shadow or tv on the radio.
(5)Marissa G.
Decent bar usually overcrowded. Slightly concerned that one of the last times I was there, I sat in the corner on the first floor and the ceiling was leaking just a tad. Hate to sound old at 22 but too LOUD. It's pretty amusing when you are sitting at a small round table and you have to practically scream your conversation to your friends not even a foot away from you.
(2)Mark S.
Great punk/alt music on every night. Great punk/alt crowd on weeknights. Frat guys/gals get mixed in on weekends lately. Giant selection of whiskey, great selection of Belgian Beer! Upstairs has nicer bathrooms- decent enough place to go to get it on in a pinch. Top place to sit at the bar, listen to music and drink alone when feeling social on a weeknight. The annual vintage motorcycle show here (every year around father's day) is a don't miss- hundreds of European/Japanese tricked out bikes/bikers and a great time!
(5)Patrick H.
Somehow I forget about how great this whiskey bar is and then I come back and it's like I've found heaven... for my liver. Strong drinks, many options, and interesting people. I also enjoy the movies that they show from time to time. You should stop by already and enjoy the music, movies, and whiskey!
(4)Tony B.
UGLY. UGLY. UGLY Crowd. I'm torn because it doesn't attract the typical suburban crowd that most LP bars do, but it's full of UG in there. The staff is ok, nothing great. They don't have Guinness on tap, which should be against the law in a bar that claims to be 'serious' about it's selection. The music is hit or miss. Yes, they mix it up...but there's nothing edgy about U2, The Fixx, and The Ramones played back to back. It's like punk-lite. Also - when it gets crowded, it gets incredibly hot, stuffy, and smokey inside.
(1)nancy n.
This place reminds me of Exit. The new Exit, on North.
(3)Tames M.
This is one of my favorite bars. Insane beer collection and friendly staff. Usually have good specials going on. Music varies depending on the night but usually is in the rock/punk style.
(5)Timothy M.
A personal favorite. This place is filled to the brim with rock'n'rollers, punk rockers, and everyone else. Their whiskey selection is the best I've ever seen. One of my first nights living Chicago I stopped in (it was just down the street). From that first time I walked in here on a recommendation from my friend, I knew I'd found a good place. Three years later and this is still quite possibly my favorite bar in Chicago. Great people, great prices, great selection, great music, Galaga, girls, etc. Mike Miller, the owner, is a super awesome guy, say hi to him if you see him. They have had an event of some kind, even if it's just a DJ spinning, every night of the year since they opened. No wonder Billy Corgan introduced Courtney Love to Kurt Cobain upstairs by the pool table, or so the legend goes. Not enough good things to say about this place. Do yourself a favor and go, even if you don't have a pompadour, you'll still enjoy yourself.
(5)Deanna C.
Hosted my fiance's 40th birthday party here in the upstairs room. The party was such a breeze to put together and Mike was so easy to work with, flexible, and very responsive! They have a number of drink packages to choose from, you get your own bartender, can play your own music or have the bartender DJ for you. Perfect space for around 30 people and you have your own pool table and restrooms. I can't wait for another occasion to have a party there.
(5)Chris N.
I'm getting old. That's the first sentence that popped into my head when I thought about Delilah's. As I am still able to actually count the few strands of grey hair on my noggin, I think I am still able to go into Delilah's without embarrassing myself too much. But soon I'll be face-to-face with the unavoidable dilemma of trying to figure out where the old punkers can go to hang out after seeing Wire at the Metro. I won't bore anyone who reads this site with the basics of Delilah's: dark, cozy, campy B-movies on the various televisions starring the likes of Arch Hall Jr. or perhaps directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis, cramped bathrooms, second floor pool table, Galaga machine, various artwork on the walls, large assortment of whiskey, et al. Ok, it looks like I just did... People go to Delilah's for one thing, in my humble opinion, and that's the music. Where else are you going to find some guy in a mohawk singing along to "All Kindsa Girls" by the Real Kids, or see some guy playing air drums to the break in "Running with the Devil" by Van Halen? Delilah's is the place where I went after meeting Joe Strummer after one of his shows at the Metro, the place where I last attempted a shot of whiskey (I puked it up immediately in the nearest garbage can), and the place where, over the years, I have run into some of the characters of my youth, from old college buddies to even a girl who remembered me from the 7th grade. If this place is so amazing, then why only 4 stars? Well because it has been infiltrated by a large number of very young Pete Wentz-inspired "adults," wearing very tight jeans and very small hoodies, with a very displeased look on their unlined faces, as they sip their very inexpensive/very ironic cans of Pabst and roll their eyes. However, I can never fault youth, nor can fault a bar for attracting such a group...especially a bar that has Devo on the jukebox.
(4)Jamie R.
i have a crush on delilah's...yeah, it's probably not as cool as it used to be, but whatever...nothing ever is. i can drink great whiskey, listen to rockabilly, and meet a man with a daniel day-lewis mustache any night of the week. HOT! i went to celebrate the life of evil knievel because i knew they were the only ones who would do it right. they didn't disappoint. and if you run, they are currently showing a collection of oversized, kitschy, unabashedly glittery elvis paintings in honor of his birthday. hunka hunka burnin' love!
(4)ali d.
I wish you were closer to me, Dear Delilah, with your beer and whiskey fests, music docus, occasional porn, rockabilly spinners and plethora of pool playin' greasers. Last time I was here, I may have pissed off a few people, but I think that's the intended spirit.
(5)Sarah A.
I have been to this bar a couple times and it's a nice little neighborhood bar. It's small, but has great specials and is a nice place to go with just a couple friends. They have pool upstairs and the staff is always friendly. The only really strange thing is that they play these weird videos on their tv's that is usually some sort of soft-core 60s porn with women dancing around with their tops off. So that's a little strange, but also pretty hilarious to watch.
(3)Rick V.
Chicago now is home to way too many fake Irish and other types of bars springing up everywhere, completely devoid of personality or history. Cool vibe here at Delilah's, which may be one of the last real bars in the city. In fact, this is where Kurt & Courtney met, upstairs by the pool tables, sometime in the late 1980s (she was dating Billy Corgan at the time, but went home with Kurt).
(5)Shane H.
"You have never been here?!" People kept telling me that last Saturday! I know I have said it before but THIS is one of my favorite bars. Whiskey flows and plenty of beer to go around. Rockabilly, Psychobilly, Hellbilly, Punk, Ska, Old Country, etc. Whatever your type, you will have fun. I was enjoying it so much that unfortunately I was a bit overwhelmed to review it properly. HOWEVER, as a committed YELPER this reviewer swears to return again and again to adequately report my findings to you, the reader! No matter how many times it takes for me to go back. You can count on me! *salute*
(5)Esme W.
Great beer selection, awesome local art and a big, comfy couch in the back. They are also fantastic with private party arrangements.
(4)Caitlin O.
Dollar American beer and Jim Beam Monday nights (that's the brand of beer, people, not meaning "domestic"), awesome music and a good, friendly atmosphere. 'course I've only ever been here Monday nights, but who's counting? I like my punk rock nights. It can get SUPER crowded, but if you're early or you hang out enough you can still get a table. Fun place to hang out with friends and random other good people. The best night they had in recent history was Elvis's birthday when they kept playing Elvis music and movies. I was in my little Elvis heaven. Huge selection of alcohol, good bartenders, a sign that displays the number of bottles of Maker's Mark they've sold to date and good prices, nice local artwork on display, pool table and second bar upstairs. I enjoy my time spent here.
(4)Cori C.
one of my favorite joints to hit up! hot chicks and rockin' ass tunes,.. its how I roll! oh and a crazy ass assortment of Belgian beer! I jokingly asked for a Belzebuth,and to my surprise they had it (Belzebuth: 13-15% ABV ale that drinking a few will knock your dick in the dirt and tastes bad ass!)
(5)Clayton P.
I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly...
(4)gregory j.
Happy Birthday Mike Miller! Best whiskey bar in the world, one of the best publicans too. We are so very lucky to have Delilah's in Chicago.
(5)Michael H.
I am not a regular patron of Delilah's but I fond myself here once a year on Smiths night. My friend and I have made a tradition out of it and we never fail to have a great time. Very friendly bartenders and good Belgian beers on tap make it a place I should go more often. I'm not really into Whiskey but i understand that this is the place for the Whiskey fanatic.
(4)Aiva I.
This place is grungy enough to be dive but just weird enough to be interesting. The music's definitely loud, but who can complain when you've got Gogol Bordello overlapping with a cute Disney cartoon movie? It's just that kind of strange. Cheap, down to earth, yuppie- and pretentious attitude free. Not bad for the North side.
(4)Linda G.
This is a bar for DRINKING. The inventory is VAST. Bring your wallet full of cash if you have good taste and want the Good Stuff. I like a nice Booker's with a waterback. This is a great funky bar. I hope they never change.
(4)Sean L.
Delilah's was recommended to me by several people who call the windy city home...so I knew it'd be a good reflection of my sensibilities or lack thereof. The doorman couldn't get over the fact that someone from CT went out of their way to saddle up to the bar, but at the end of the night he gave me the names and addresses of not one, but two after hours spots! it was a Friday, and waves of people would come in and head off to greener pastures so it was a nice mix, and it definitely was full to the brim around midnight. but that made it even more engaging. The bartenders were friendly and comped me a shot of whiskey, so they naturally will be in my will. Playing Ms. Pac-Man drunk was never so much fun! Delilah's, you are a glorious blur of spilled beer and dark wood across my Chicago experience. (I seem to recall some sort of art piece at the top of the stairwell (staircases+drunks=fun every time!) that contained alot of broken phone pieces and wires, and by 2AM that thing looked like genius, which is a testament to how strong the drinks are!)
(3)Derek S.
i was totally tempted to give this place four stars. and i'll tell ya why: scotch and whisky. i love them both. i am very, very into scotch and by extension have quite an affection for whisky...i drink both straight and i try (am trying) to be a bit of a student of each libation. which makes my first statement a bit odd...this bar has what i'd think is the city's widest selection of both! but i was bummed at the measured, small servings. totally bummed. but i understand, and i offer that gripe simply as a suggestion to the bar: give us more! anyway, i was gonna give it four stars until i remembered that halfway through my first experience there, the owner caught wind of my interest in scotch and spent literally a half hour giving me a hands-on, region by region, bottle by bottle, lesson in scotch and scotland. usually you have to pay for that kind of thing. but you could tell it was exactly what made him happy. THAT'S the kind of place i like supporting.
(5)Kara D.
Fantastic selection and prices, big fan of the specials. The atmosphere is chill and no frills. Which is definitely a great thing. Please fix the women's bathroom door though! It locks but a huge gap is left over.
(5)Alexis J.
I love whenever my friends have private events upstairs, but that's really the only time I go to this joint. My question is, isn't it supposed to be a punk bar? Last night at about eleven, I saw weirdos in suits and ties. Were they hanging out for ironic purposes, or is this just the local "dive" hang out for these folks? No idea, but they play Great music!
(3)Caitlin P.
Best dive for miles! $1 beer Mondays. Smiths night. Bills games. There's a reason for why every one should go to Delilah's at least once. Bartenders are top notch. The space is cozy yet inviting. You'll find your second home here.
(5)Maria A.
Shady. We were coming from work and were rather dressed up compared to the clientele. It is a dive bar but part of a dive bar's appeal is that it appeals to all kinds of people. Unfortunately, it gave off the aura of trying too hard to be a scene. The staff was overly friendly but consistently under poured our drinks - tiny pours. It was almost like saying f-you corporate bastards, I am going to under pour and charge you $50 for this round. Job well done - we are not coming back.
(2)Adrianna P.
$20 for drinks + 50 cents for peanuts = one hell Of a start to the night...an awesome night Great environment Great bartenders Cheap drinks Yes yes yes
(4)Emily ..
Easily one o my favorite bars in all of Chicago, IL. I had my 21st here, and have been coming back ever since. The over all feel is very rockabilly, and punk. The atmosphere is fantastic, and the bartenders are great (lots of knowledge of whiskey, and beers). They always have rad horror films on the tvs, and good deals. Definitely try their Wyder's dry raspberry hard cider, or their "Delilah's whiskey"!
(5)Kathy K.
Great place to spent Saturday night with friends! Great whiskey and beer manus. I m not a big whiskey fan so I went by waitress recommendation. Good but super loud music. There's is nice second floor area where you can find booths to sit when the group is larger. Upper and lower bar is great when you don't feel like walking up and down the stairs just to grab beer. Highly recommend.
(5)Cathy And Lester F.
5 for selection, 3 for atmosphere, averaging out to a 4. You can get larger pours for less $$ at other places in town, however their selection is unbeatable. The staff was knowledgable and friendly. We arrived during an alien terror movie... Not what we want while having a fancy drink, but it was clearly advertised on the website so we can't complain too much. It would just be nice to find the selection with an atmosphere that matches.
(4)Gene H.
A couple months ago I was having a cocktail with a lady in the back living room-esque area when a rat scurried across the floor and u-turned into the bar area, before disappearing into the booze. Normally this would be a turn off, but they dont have food, so whatever. Made me like the place even more Also: Excellent whiskey bar. pool upstairs. not your typical Lincoln park bar. Way more punk rock than hipster
(5)Joe L.
Delilah's is a wonderful blend of punk, pop culture, and ironic history. An example of this peculiar and endearing theme is the TVs. They play old movies silently while rock and punk music plays over them. The last time I visited, the infamous cult classic Reefer Madness was playing. Before that, Star Wars (A New Hope, of course). The drink specials here are varied and generous. The pool table upstairs is in great shape and high demand. The bartenders and owner are friendly. Everything here is laid back, relaxed, and different. Try Delilah's, especially if you like whiskey. At the very least, you'll get to be somewhere totally unlike any other bar.
(4)Steven B.
Awesome dive and a great first date! Great selection and very knowledgeable about whiskeys. Also, hollllly crap they do love the Buffalo Bills. I do believe every, and I mean EVERY Buffalo Bills fan that exists goes here. All the Bills.
(5)Heather P.
This is totally my kind of place. It's a little mysterious, a lot rock n roll, a little college(ish due to the neighborhood), and a lot of quality spirits from beer to whiskey. This is where I would want to drink, hang out, and make friends. It is just so unpretentious even though it could be. Spot on and so discrete all at the same time. Love it here!
(5)Eddie G.
Awesome selection of browns. Great knowledge of the history & current trends in bourbons, whiskeys & scotches. Mike & gang are the best hosts & are great at guiding you through the massive inventory they have on hand. Awesome place. A must visit.
(5)Miss G.
Cheap Drinks Fun Crowd Punk Rock Return? Yes
(4)Brendan M.
Best bar in Lincoln Park. We rented the upstairs for a party and the staff was amazing as always. We were able to bring our own food, play the music we wanted, and put on our own movies. Thanks Mike and Mary. All of our friends love Delilah's. We'll see you soon.
(5)Sarah W.
I am so glad that i finally left Lincoln Station after 4 years and found my way to Delilahs....THE OFFICIAL BILLS BAR OF CHICAGO!!!!! Great people, great owner, great atmosphere, great blue light cans. This could be love. TALKIN' PROUD!
(5)MsAnthro P.
I hadn't been to Delilah's in years, but a last-minute call from a friend on Christmas Eve changed that. Of course, Christmas Eve is possibly one of the best nights to go to any bar because it's usually mellow. Delilah's is no exception: It wasn't dead, but it wasn't packed or rowdy. Punk music played, drinks were cheap (as in $9 for a round of three beers and three whiskeys) and the Baby Jesus smiled on us all. (Well, maybe not on the guy who got a little handsy with my friend as we left.)
(4)Alisha J.
I love Delilah's more than I should. I'm the weirdo that reads while she drinks and doesn't know what to do with my eyes while at a non 6am bar. Thankfully Delilah's plays exploitation films featuring naked geishas. The cheap whiskey doesn't hurt things either.
(3)Justin M.
I love this bar. Great atmosphere, great music all the time. Love to head upstairs and chill near the pool table. Grabbing a booth is an added bonus! Mondays are cheap beer nights, and pool is free! The DJ downstairs is always good, playing punk rock and rock-a-billy tunage. They have a great selection of canned beer if you are into that. The whiskey selection is as abundant as they come. Make sure you stop in and have a few!
(4)Matt K.
I went here once, and I really don't remember it. All I know is that I had fun and it was loud. It's really hazy. Um, let's see. My best friend was there, along with his ex and one of my ex's. It was weird, because it was like ex central. Technically, I consider my best friend my ex, too, so it was like a huge love parallelogram. I drank whiskey and some beer, and then said ex and I made up hilarious directions on how to get home to the great anger of whoever was driving and her ex, which is my best friend, also known as my fake ex. Wait, maybe we made up directions on how to get there. I can't remember. Did you get all that? I'll draw a diagram at some point.
(3)Mychael G.
Seriously, how many beers can one place have? Cool vibe, we felt completely comfortable in our jeans and t-shirts...which is more than I can say for other bars in this hood. My girlfriend had some vodka made from potatoes, prices for domestic beers were very reasonable! Will go back!
(5)Michelle S.
I like Delilah's... great music, great atmosphere and love the selection of beer they carry. The only downside is the overcrowdedness that goes on there... it's been a pain in the ass and has made me turn around and end up going somewhere else just to avoid the packed-sardine feeling... maybe I'll stick to going when light's still out.
(4)Karen M.
My second favorite bar in town. I used to be a two-nights-a-week Delilah's regular, but the damage to the ol' liver was getting to be too much. Still, I'm a big fan of Delilah's punk rock Mondays, juke box Fridays, and the lovely Smiths' Night. An eclectic crowd, despite the divey/punk vibe, and a great selection of booze. Daily drink specials and attentive bartenders. It can get a bit crowded on Mondays and weekends, but that's just evidence of the bar's appeal. A tad smoky for my liking, but it is a bar. This is a great place to people-watch, get tanked, watch "classy" smut, and witness an entertaining bar fight or two.
(4)David M.
have only been there for their heavy / strong beer tasting...twice...but that is enough....these guys have a great feel for new / original beers.....will keep coming back IF I can figure out when the next tasting is.....
(4)Nick K.
Delilah's was an OK bar, but I think it could be better when its less crowded. I went on the day of their beer tasting special event so there were lots of people there. It took forever to get in line and get a beer and then since it was a tasting, you would only get a shot or two of beer. I would be willing to give this place another try on a regular night though.
(3)Kirstie S.
For a place that doesn't have live music that you just want to chill out at, Delilah's is a fantastic place to go. It is a laid back low key atmosphere on some nights and more crowded with some dj nights and themed nights. A very fun place to go with a group as well. The bartenders are super nice, the drinks are reasonable, and the music is always fantastic!
(5)Paul C.
I don't even know what this place looks like sober, and the last time I was there I could swear the devil himself was drinking a brandy. If you like unpretentious places, with great selection and reasonable prices, then this place might be your bag. Then again, it might be 100% different if your not blind drunk.
(3)Brittany A.
Pretty great place. Usually have good specials during the week, pool tables upstairs, loud music...
(4)Brett C.
Delilah's is a great Punk dive bar, just don't go when they are doing a Morrissey night. No more, please. What's wrong with that guy?
(4)laura heather h.
This bar is great, the crowd has changed ALOT in the last few years and not for the better. Poo, I love those punky rockabilly non-polo or ironic t-shirt wearing boys.
(4)T Mir S.
xcept for the occational prono on the tvs, cool place to hang out and listen to some local DJs spin
(3)joanne y.
i've been here a handful of times whether it was for rockabilly, morrissey, or dollar beer nights. i've never been disappointed. the place is small but has a reasonable amount of seating which is great. the most recent nighting to delilah's was for a good cause. girls rock chicago was having a benefit here to raise money for their charity. i was helping with the bake sale they were having. yay for novelty baked goods like bacon and eggs (not really bacon and not really eggs)! anyway, i didn't have much money and asked the bartender what the cheapest beer was and he grabbed me a can of $2 schlitz (did i spell that right?). nothing says classy like a woman wearing a western shirt chugging on cheap beer. in conclusion, delilahs' rocks! not only do they play great music, serve yummy cheap beers,and have a pool table, they also do charity work. despite their tough exterior, delilah's has a big mushy heart.
(5)Bernie D.
A cool little indie bar with a solid beer selection and decent prices. I didn't eat any food, but the decor was interesting with some original art. Lighting is a little dark, but not too dark.
(4)Leigh K.
Delilah's, I mostly love you, but by 11PM any Monday night I go here, I've lost my voice from all the secondhand smoke and the yelling of conversations across the table. Last time I was here, I think the peach Lambic was $9 for the small bottle, but last night my friend bought the first round of drinks and I think they charged him $11 for my Lambic, say what!? So tasty though, I'm not sure if I can complain. I love the bartenders and, were I actually a drunkard, I'd appreciate the heavy pour, but phew...last night my Jack and Ginger was nearly all Jack. Yikes!
(4)Steph F.
how did i ever live so close to this bar and never visit? the signage alone should have been enough to lure me inside. so, i was in town over the holidays, reminiscing and gallivanting. a friend suggested delilah's for post-tapas chillaxing, commending the bar's vibe (not to mention proximity to everyone's residence). blackness surrounded me after my first few steps into the place, until the illuminated back lighting of the bar (GInormous selection of bevies to choose from) helped my eyes adjust. how could one go wrong with a $2 christmas ale ($2 specials are a year-round, nightly event), christmas horror flicks playing on the tube, eyeball-covered barstools, sweet artwork, and the most eclectic mix of tunage blasting from the juke? if you venture upstairs, you find a pool table and another bar. make your way to the back of the joint for velvet couches on an elevated platform and a brozish bust of elvis tucked away in an alcove.
(4)Justin W.
Any bar with cafe racing pictures that look like the jumped out of Ah Ha's TAKE ON ME video gets 4 stars right off the bat. Other than that fine feature, the staff is nice, the bar is cozy, and yeah CHEAP drinks. The beer and liquor selection is huge and wont cost you much to sample. This is also at a decent location if your on your way somewhere else or want one last drink before cashing in where you can enjoy some good music IMHO.
(4)Frankie B.
Absolutley one of the best dives in the city. This is not a place for foo foo yuppies or frat boys. The music is top notch from Post Punk, and Ska, to Rockabilly and every non-mianstream genre in between. The bar tenders are tops. Jason and Mary will serve you good and always have a smile for you. The place is a little dark and that's a good thing as it should be. They also have a Morrissey/Smiths night. Mondays are kool (punk). I would say that if you're a rebel this is the place for you. They have 2 floors with a pool table on the second.
(5)Brian L.
Best bar in Lincoln Park, which should mean more! Delilah's would hold it's own in any neighborhood in any city. The bartenders know their whiskey and will happily share their knowledge (or shots,) furthermore, every weeknight offers a different beer/whiskey special and that spells a recipe for Drunkardville. Delilah's is a bar for all seasons and more importantly amidst a growing tide of rather, ahem, generic bars throughout the Northside is more relevant and pleasantly independent than most.
(4)Betsy W.
best whiskey bar in chicago....the staff are great people who have become my friends over the years....if your a douche, don't bother.....if your in for a interesting time, whiskey education or love punk rock.....go there and tip well....these folks rock!
(5)Tina T.
Very cool bar with a great selection of scotch whiskeys. It's a little bit seedy, little bit dark, punkish rock and roll kind of atmosphere and I loved it. After reading some of the prior reviews, I find some of the old history quite cool; to think that Kurt Cobain was there and met Courtney in the same bar - and by the way, good choice for Courtney going home with Kurt over Billy, seriously!) I'm a little bit older now but still very much a rocker deep down inside, (probably will still be listening to Nirvana when I'm 85) so I have to say that I loved this place, and felt comfortable enough there. Actually, after a couple of gin and tonics, it's the kind of place that might sway you to get a nose ring. Probably not the place for a conservative type, but if you love dark, and slightly on the edge, and a little bit wild, Delilah's is a place to try.
(5)jim b.
Giving it four stars, 3 for now, 5 for what it used to be. After a good ska or oi show the upstairs was the place to go for the Chicago skin crowd. Now it's a bit more mainstream w/ some lame norms, but still a good beer and great whiskey selection.
(4)Midori G.
Have to love the cheesy sci-fi 60's flix playing on the TV, the jukebox with The Pretenders and The Knives, the drink specials plus: "Ballroom Dancing with Shawn" (I couldn't find Shawn, but apparently he has really large mutton chops) and lastly the bouncer in hi souped up 50's do thanking us for coming after we left. Not loving so much, the private party until midnight, so we could not get upstairs or the upholstered "eye" bar stools. Really loving, being able to order my gin and tonic with Hendrick's and getting it in the "right" glass.
(4)Frank S.
This is one of my favorite bars in Chicago. Mondays are ALWAYS the best night but get there early if you want a seat. Amazing selection of drinks. Pretty much anything you ask for they'll have. Great staff, great atmosphere and a Chicago staple for sure!
(5)Maria D.
I love this bar SOFA KING much!!! One of my Top 5 in the city for sure and one of the only things that'll get me to Lincoln Park minus kicks and screams. Full disclosure: I am a regular, know the staff and owner and always get great service so I won't comment any further on that. However, I can say with objectivity that the beer and bourbon selection is some of the best you'll find anywhere. Lots of Belgians, amazing tap selection, cheap beer and shot specials every night, they have whiskey dating back to freaking PROHIBITION, for heaven's sake. Great atmosphere most nights; vital and interesting. The weekends can be a bit problematic if you're trying to escape the usual LiPa frat-rat atmosphere but generally speaking it's not too intolerable. Other perks include the pool table upstairs, amazing DJs most nights and a kick-ass R'n'R jukebox for the times when the bartenders aren't playing their own stuff. Seriously: if you like rock 'n' roll and are even remotely counter-cultural you will dig this bar.
(5)Sarah D.
You've gotta love a place that prides itself on the amount of Maker's Mark they've sold... and they're not counting shots, people, they're counting BOTTLES. Friday night is the night to go because they have shots of the stuff for $2. And if you're ever looking for a place to plan a party, they rent out the top room and have very reasonable deals that allow you to have a shindig that won't break the bank but leave your friends wondering how they got home and why there are 12 pictures of owner Mike Miller on their camera phone.
(4)Laura I.
Where else on an dead Tuesday night in September could I get hit on by some one-hit-wonder musician who just happened to finish recording here in Chicago after 10 years of silence and decided to go to the same bar to sample some pumpkin wine? Yeah, no where else but my dear Delilah's! My girl, you have given me a hilarious story that never ceases to make people laugh, as well as proving that you don't let down even on slower nights. Congrats, Delilah's, congrats; keep pouring that whiskey!
(5)Nate B.
God damn, that's a good bar. Great venue. Upstairs has attentive bartenders, a pool table and a little breathing room. Not to mention great decorative electrical wiring in the death stairs. Sober stair walking is ideal, take your time if you've imbibed too many high quality beers. Downstairs is great, there is a lot of love for Elvis, and for Tom Hanks (at least when I was there). Get here early, there's not a lot of turnover for seating (-1 star). Great Dive.
(4)Patrick C.
I really liked this place. My brother and I were visiting Chicago and thanks to the great reviews this place received, we gave it a shot. I'm very glad that we did. There was a constant stream of british invasion rock music and a video of The Who in constant rotation. It was a great atmosphere. There is a wide selection of liqour and belgian beers. The regular beer selection was good too. The Half Acre Pale Ale on Tap was phenomenal. I look forward to going to this place again. 10/29/2010 Now that I live in Chicago and have been here more than once, I am happy to say that I LOVE this place. $1 cans of American on Mondays and $2 shots of Beam?! Amazing. The music was also awesome. I don't think I can get tired of hearing The Clash and drinking bourbon.
(5)Joshua N.
This bar is a little strange. Definitely pretty divey, but it has some cheap beer so that works for me. There was some strange 80's music videos playing on the tv so that was cool. Also there is an upstairs. I really like bars with upstairs. Can anyone explain to me what's with all the wiring at the top of the stairs? Is that normal or just for show? Is that even safe? This is such an interesting and intriguing bar I couldn't help but be fascinated. Still, it was divey and I'm never super impressed with bars like that. But I like cheap beer. So take it or leave it I guess.
(3)Manuela Z.
I've been looking for my Lucky13 replacement and I think I've found it. Delilah's has all the things I look for in a bar...dark, chill clientele, dark, strong drinks and a great jukebox. I'm going to make this place my home away from home.
(5)L D.
Delilah's is one of the most stocked whisk(e)y bars in Chicago. Don't be intimidated by the black background. Whether its Erik, among others, the bar has something to please any palate. This is not the Clark St. Ale House; this is whiskey heaven! Delilah's serves beer, has well informed bartenders, but caters to the whiskey crowd. If you want to make absolutely sure that you are taken care of, then make sure you are around when Erik or Mike are in. There may be others, but this is ground zero for whisky in Chicago, even if there are others with arguably more inviting surroundings. Again, if you don't want to pay for the freight, then enjoy the selection.
(5)Jonathan H.
Oh Delilah's... I've been going into your dark belly for over 10 years. You've grown with me. When I needed Makers and Coke specials...you were there. When I needed a seat, and the only room was perching on top of kegs...you were there. When I needed a badass jukebox that could play my beloved hair band music as well as music others actually wanted to hear...you were there. When I needed an upper room for a private party...you were there. May you be there for everyone else as you have been for me.
(5)Steve M.
I am definitely a fan of Delilah's. My sister and I walked in to find the entire downstairs of the bar watching "Coming to America" and quoting the funny lines. It was a nice way to start the evening. And I left severely buzzed. A nice way to end the evening. Somewhere in between the beginning and the end, we played a bunch of pool, took advantage of their $2 PBR and $2 Old Crow shots, listened to both excellent rockabilly and metal, and talked to strangers. (I somehow found myself in a chugging contest with a random guy that was initiated solely by eye contact and a gesture of the hand.) Oh yea -- the bartender was super friendly too. Ask him for a good tattoo shop recommendation and he'll write a few down for you. Awesome time. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Matt S.
There's a lot to drink here. Behind the main bar is an impressive display of alcohol. Bottles are lined one after another all along the wall. Prices are reasonable, bartenders are attentive, and mixed drinks are actually good. Despite the loud punk music playing, it's a really good place to drink. Not exactly the best place to talk or have meaningful conversations. You'll have a really good time if you're in a group and want to have some fun in a small alternative bar. It's kind of dark inside but isn't distracting in any way. Bathrooms are singles, small but clean enough for use. There is an upstairs area with a mini bar, pool table, darts, an arcade and more seating. TVs are usually playing something out of the ordinary too. Getting here by public transportation is easy.
(3)Jeff P.
Capital "D" Dive bar. I sat a the bar and Brett the bartender was excellent. He helped me pick out some awesome whiskeys to try. They came in little glasses like you use to serve tomato juice. That's the first time I ever saw whiskey served this way.
(3)Elizabeth H.
Maybe it was too much hype. So many people have told me to check this place out so when I found myself in the neighborhood I had to stop in and try it. Sadly, I was really disappointed. The bartenders knew NOTHING about the beers. I asked for a list and the bartender just pointed to the tappers (which I couldn't see from my seat). I started to ask about what some of the taps I could see where and she didn't know! She didn't know what kind of beers they were or who brewed them. She asked the other bartender and she didn't know either. I ordered an ipa and she told me it was really high alcohol and then I looked it up on my phone (the only reliable source I could find) and it said the beer was 5%. Sadly, I had to call back a few days later because they also charged my card twice. Ugh. Very annoying. I am giving it the 3 stars because the beer list is good and you will really enjoy it if you can recognize the tappers from memory. Also I liked the looks of the place. It is really comfortable and well worn. The bouncer was nice too.
(3)Dan C.
I love this place more than my mom... and I love my mom. I've been going here for years, sometimes as a start to the night, sometimes at the tail end of it, and sometimes just here. I never have a bad time, and the people are all really warm. Could be that i'm all ink'd up and know what i'm talking about with punk music and whiskey, could be that everyone is just good people. Either way, I hope you never change Delilah's, you're the only woman who will never leave me...
(5)Meghan C.
One of my favorite hangouts in the city! Great spins of Rockabilly, Psychobilly and Punk. Delilah's also has the largest selections of whiskey in the city!
(4)veronica q.
Now, I'm not a fancy pants bar kind of girl. I love a good dark dingy dive bar with a good juke box. What I don't like (no matter the setting) are rodents - in particular, rodents the size of cats. Jesus.H.Chirst. I'm giving them an extra star because, if it weren't for the gigantic rat, I really would have loved this place for the extensive whisky list and very nice beer menu as well as the aforementioned juke box. I also found it hilarious (and sort of charming) that the staff kept coming over to light the candle at our table that kept going out - yet they didn't seem concerned about their "pet."
(2)Erika G.
Delilah's is a survivor. It's been here forever and some of the people look like they've been here forever too. And wearing the same clothes. It's always cool, and always will be, world without end, amen. Perfect bar to end a late night at - and did I mention the friends I was with knew Windy City Roller Derby girls and we got to hang out with them? Yah! Roller Derby rockstar chicks - what kick ass girl fun! Seeing the flyer for David Bowie's 62nd birthday party celebration gave me pause. Arrrgghhhh . . .
(3)Keith R.
So I heard a story involving The Hives and falling down the steep steps from the upstairs area. The story also involves 3 of 4 members falling their asses all the way down the steps, with the 4th and of course largest member holding the rails for dear life in order not to tumble like Nadia Comaneci.
(5)Eryn G.
Awesome whiskey, Awesome drinks, Awesome staff! Great find and great history. Seriously is a must go!
(5)Virl S.
Favorite dive in the city. Had birthday party upstairs here in 2007. Awesome beer selection. Always rock and roll on the TVs. Always hosting beer or whiskey tasting events. I like the ever changing artwork on the walls. DJ Platz and DJ Fury kick some serious butt here every first tuesday for Metal Night. \m/
(5)Lauren F.
Why hello there new favorite bar! I'm not sure how I've lived in Lakeview for 4 years and didn't stop into Delilah's until this weekend. We went on the Chicago Beer Experience tour and Delilah's was our final, and definitely my favorite, stop. Whiskey lovers look no further-Delilah's has the largest selection of whiskey in the city and trust me, I've done a lot of searching due to the fact that my bf's fav is extremely rare. Not only did Delilah's have the standard 15 year, they had the even more rare 17 year that was a lovely little surprise. Beer geeks like me can find comfort in Delilah's as well, they have craft beers aplenty on tap. Southern Tier Pumking and Dogfish Head Punkin were my drinks of choice for the day-love my pumpkin beer on a fall cool fall evening! They don't serve food but you're free to bring your own. After a beer tour that was essentially a super awesome bar crawl, we needed some sustenance so we ordered a couple pizzas from Gino's East and brought it back to the bar. Everyone there was super friendly, even though we were in a bit of an unruly state come the end of the tour. Love Delilah's, can't wait to return! **On a side note...there was Asian porn on the TVs while we were there, super weird but hilarious and fitting at the same time!
(5)Amy H.
I have come to terms with the fact that I am not cool. It's all good. I know where the "not cool" people hang out and where the cool people do. The cool people hang out at Delilah's. It's a decent bar. Between the drawings on the walls and the clientele, there is a lot to look at. The people were nice and they have Strongbow on tap and I loves that. Delilah's made me realize that I missed out on Morrissey in the late 80's. Damn, he's pretty.
(4)P B.
I read many of the reviews and was excited to take a friend there over the weekend. What a HUGE let down. First of all I'm a huge fan of dive bars. I have been in hundreds of them all over the world. Maybe we hit this place on a bad night. Pulled up and got a prime parking spot on a Friday night. Looking promising. Guy checking id at front door was nice and had a sense of humor. In my younger days I used to work that job and know all too well how bad it can get. Guy had a great attitude. I grabbed a couple of chairs while my buddy went to grab us drinks. 15 mins later he returns empty handed. He said three bartenders working and not a one could seem to give him the time if day. One was getting cozy with a customer at the end of the bar while the other two just seemed to not care about serving customers. I'm a bigger guy and even I couldn't get their attention. Cut our losses and left. Not sure if they are worth all the hype.
(2)Jay C.
One of my favorite bars in Chicago. Must visit Sunday experience for any Chicago area Buffalo Bills fans.
(5)Cecil S.
Gotta love how they have a good special under $5 every single day of the week, including Fridays and Saturdays! it is pretty divey and more of a 'rock scene' than any other place I've been to. They have old tunes playing (which is a nice break from the usual top 40) and their bartenders are SO FAST. No joke, I get aggravated when I have to wait for a drink order, but there are 3 bartenders in the front bar and they really do take care of you politely and efficiently. The crowd is friendly and laidback for the most part; but as Elly said, I don't really see myself making a new friend here, but rather just bring your own group and get a table or sit by the bar. *Not ideal for a group of more than 3-4 people.
(5)Elly D.
I want to give it 5 stars, but I just can't. I'd really rather just give the older, shorter guy working the bar 5 stars. And I'd rather give the skinny rockabilly guy with the Woody-Allen glasses 1 star. I like the interior, the upstairs is even better if you manage to grab a pool table, and the rotating artwork keeps it interesting. The drink specials are usually pretty good, and the whiskey selection is, of course, godlike. ...but ONLY if you get a bartender willing to help you out. In which case, try to grab the 5-star whiskey man's attention! He does not disappoint. I probably don't have enough tattoos to make friends at Delilah's, but I enjoy going there with the friends I already have and taking over a table or two.
(4)L P.
One of my favorite dives in the country. Loved the Adamms Family pinball machine upstairs along with corny horror movies on the tube. One of the best times in while in Chicago. Located in most awesome area. be back in a heartbeat@
(5)Lena G.
A little Wicker Park in Lincoln Park.Great bartenders.Pool tables and tv's.Cocktails come in small glasses.I suggest sticking to the beer and shots for your money's worth.Nice change of pace in LP from all the stroller friendly spots or sleek plasma screen hangouts(makes me feel like I'm in Best Buy.)
(5)Kelly K.
Great whiskey selection, good beer selection, reasonable prices. Great atmosphere. It's hard to believe this bar is located in the neighborhood it is. When it's not too crowded, you can grab a booth on the upstairs level and play a little pool.
(4)Jelena Z.
I don't know much about whiskey but I do know a thing about good beer. And yes, they do have exactly that at Delilah's. If I write anything out of character in this review, go ahead and blame me. Actually... let's blame the guys from the New Holland Brewing Company. Because they're pushing their new glorious artisan spirits on me and of course their legendary brews. As if! Like they need to twist my beer-lovin' arms. Into tastings? Well you're in the right place. Yes, I'm on my laptop right now in a dark corner. And they're pulling me back in... I think I need to go. Right. Now. Don't leave without checking out the cool art. The music's good too. I'm bopping my head around a bit, not gonna lie. Okaygoodnight. Back to my brew!
(4)Paul B.
There is little that I can say about this place that hasn't been said about the best bars in Chicago. It is run with a precise eye on a positive customer experience. The ambiance is awesome - trashy-chic but really relaxing. The selection of potent potables is perfect. The staff is stellar. From Ron the doorman - to Ashley the bartender to Pedro and Mike... You see; you go there one time and you know the staff and they really go out of their way to make you feel welcome. I can say nothing bad about this place. Great selection - great service! (Delicious Rye!) Now you know what Tom Jones was singing about when he sang, "My... My... My... Delilah! (Showing my age?)
(5)Kim G.
I love this place. They have an awesome beer and whiskey selection in a real chill little bar.
(4)Bobby C.
Leave your collared shirts at home and roll up your sleaves to show off that ink. This place reminds me of a spot you might fidn in LA's Silverlake district. It's a divey bar that serves high end whiskey and just about any booze you'd want. The cliental is straight out of a Tattoo casting call, but very chill. I think we were there on country night because that's all they played. They even had country westerns playing on the TV's. However it was the gritty country--Cash. Fun dive spot where you are able to get a seat and have a convo.
(4)Athanasios T.
I visited this bar on a Sunday night with a few friends. I tend to like dive-y bars where you can have good drinks and the music isn't so loud you can't have a conversation. Unfortunately, in places like I've described I've noticed that they're usually filled with pretentious employees and customers. Not here. The bartenders are friendly and helpful. I asked for a recommendation for a rye whiskey and the barman brought over 4 different bottles, let me smell them and proceeded to tell me a bit about each one. I was surprised. Even the doorman was very friendly. Delilahs is cozy, fun, and reasonably priced. Their huge drink selection is one step above almost every other bar I've visited. Don't let the dark interior intimidate you. This is a great bar.
(5)C K.
The heart of Chicago Hipster culture lives in the sh*tty bathroom stall at Delilah's. True story. I'm taking a leak in the way too small bathroom, when Johnny Haircut strolls in. He notices there's not enough room for him, but guess what??? He stays in the bathroom! Must have liked the intimacy. I guess my shirt must have reminded him of his own self-importance because he suddenly kills my stream by saying "Aw cool. You like Husker Du?". I will say the girls are mostly weird-cute...which is nice. But between the Hookers playing Hockey on the closed circuit TV, and the terrible,scratchy dad-punk banging on endlessly from the speakers, I'll stick with getting drunk at the Gap.
(2)Der K.
They have a very good juke box. They have a killer whiskey selection. Their beer selection is great. The bartenders are creepy. And the crowd is ripe with tourists.
(2)Mandi P.
Last night was my first night at Delilah's and I LOVED it!!! We met a group of friends who frequent this place and I will definitely be joining them more often!!! The staff is friendly, laid back, and hot!!! They have a gazillion bottles of booze to choose from and the prices are decent!!! Delilah's draws a great range of friendly people of all ages all looking to have fun and laugh. My favorite thing was the ladies bathroom...I know...odd, but it really stuck out in my head. I expected the bathroom to be slightly icky, but it was clean and the best part...the mirror is a broken mosaic and it takes a lot of concentration to see a small portion of your face if you have been drinking. This has to keep the overly vain gals from spending so much time in there...LOVE IT!!! Get 'em in, get 'em out!!! Can't wait to spend another evening there!!!
(4)Jonathan C.
This place was a solid 4 in my mind.... then Tamale Guy came. Boom 5 points. So as most people know, this place is the sh!t when it comes to a good whiskey bar that isn't all uppity. They have some special casks direct from Highland Park (Scotch not the suburb). So you can get some scotch here you can't get anywhere else in the world. The daily specials are perfect for getting the night going. How many places have $3 Makers Mark on a Friday night. Get a beer and a shot for $6 in Chicago!!! The music is pretty loud, the place is dirty, the bathrooms stink.... but this place is awesome. The pool is free, the daily specials rock, there is no Chads or Trixies that come here, and they have art on the wall for sale if you feel like being fancy.
(5)Jennifer F.
It's a small space with loud, hard music. Definitely not my scene, but it was a friend's birthday, so I went along. The redeeming quality was that drinks are super cheap (and strong), and I have to credit Delilah's with introducing me to what is probably the most wonderful vodka I have ever tasted. If I could, I've give this place 3.5 stars.
(3)Donald B.
There is so much going on here there is not enough time to explain it all. Firstt off though there is more whiskey on the back bar than I have ever seen! More updates to come.
(5)Conor O.
Bottom Line Up Front: Best bar in the goddamn city. I failed to mention the beer selection during my last review, I am a horrible Yelper... you can call me a Yelp-turd for forgetting. Apologies all around. The rotating taps have Half-Acre Daisy Cutter (perhaps chicago's best beer), Goose Island Sophie, New Belgium La Folie (delicious sour ale), Hobgoblin, Arrogant Bastard, La Fin Du Monde, Guinness, et. al. Ride the bar out if you want to know what good beer tastes like. For those pinching their pennies, you are not forgotten! Mondays are Punk Rock Mondays where they play punk videos on the tube and have $1 beers. The beers are cans selected by the bar every week. It's no Daisy Cutter, but in the words of Sam Jackson "IT'S BEER! IT'LL GET YOU DRUNK!!!" As I mentioned previously, the whiskey selection is very impressive; the jukebox is an eclectic mix of rocabilly, punk, ska, and heavy metal; and the celebration for Elvis' birthday is NOT to be missed! The clientele is punk, but not fake punk that gives a shit if you don't have tattoos, wear black or know who the Descendents are. You could be Macho Man Randy Savage dressed in the most garish outfit ever, and they would welcome you if you were there to have fun. (They'd probably let you know that you really stole the intercontinental championship from the Honkey Tonk Man, but it should be expected where they have a GIANT oil painting of the King in the corner of the Bar.) All in all, this is a Chicago jewel. Get your ass down here and drink a boilermaker and listen to some Merle Haggard.
(5)Borracho G.
- Cheap daily beer and whiskey special - Tons of whiskey and beer to choose from - 2 levels of dark dive decor - Abstract wall art - Interesting selection of music every night -The occasional 70's porn being shown on the TV's - Great people watching - Fri
(4)Kiki M.
Esquire's Best Bar List: Best Dive Bar Winner. It delivered. While the journey to get there was long and seemingly neverending walking into Delilah's made it all worth it. Small, dark, smells a little strange, disgusting bathrooms, knowing if these walls could talk the stories it would have. My mom and I trekked to Delilah's on a Sunday afternoon. It was very mellow. Aside from the two of us and the bartender there were maybe five other people and a baby. Yes, a baby. "Ray" was playing on the screen and punk blared from speakers. There was a great selections of beers on tap and I must say the walls had the neatest carved pattern. While I was sipping my beer I noticed a group walk in and sit next to us. A man stood while the rest sat and seemed to be giving an oration. He got each person a sample of beer and I what I could overhear him describing the Valentine's Day massacre. I put two and two together and assumed it was a tour group. If a tour is willing to stop in a bar like Delilah's, that is a tour I need to take! It was a journey to get to Delilah's but it was worth finding out of it truly was worthy of being named, not a great, a BEST dive bar, and yes, it is worthy.
(4)Michael P.
After that first time going, D's has become my go-to, Thursday night spot. I used to be all fancy beer, but heck, $3 beer/$3 shot special? I'm in. Music kicks ass, too, and (...I have have sensitive ears ...) the quality of the sound system is great. Go there.
(5)Jenna S.
On Mondays, Delilah's has $1 American Beers. After the Yelp event last week, we decided we needed to get out of expensive near north and find a bar with some sweet Monday night specials. Where did I turn? Yelp, of course! Armed with my Blackberry, I searched for some Monday night drink specials and this was the top of the list. What's an American Beer you ask? We debated this in the car on the way to the bar and it turns out we were completely off. We thought it meant domestic or maybe just synonymous with Miller. Nope. There is an actual brand of beer called American. And you know what? When it's served perfectly chilled, it tastes pretty darn good. And it is $1. Yay! The music was pretty good. Not exactly what I would have chosen, but it wasn't so loud that I couldn't hear my friends. The decor of the place is pretty eclectic, decorated with posters of singers, albums, random pieces of pop culture (Laura Palmer!) - I definitely like it. On a Monday night the place wasn't full so we had no problem grabbing a table for our party of four. Maybe I'll find myself back here when I have nothing to do on a Monday - it's right off the Diversey bus.
(5)Carri C.
Went to an "all you can drink" New Year's Eve event here many years ago. Still angry about it! They had very little staff and the place was packed tighter than the Red Line after a Cubs game. I literally had ONE drink after fighting my way to the bar. They also played horrible light rock and other crap music. I think it was a joke by the staff on the patrons as this is a punk bar. The joke was not funny. When it became clear that I could neither get a drink or even use the bathroom, and I was being tortured by the crap music, I said forget it and left. Since I had very little $$ back then, and I had spent a large door fee for the "all you can drink", I just had to go home and stew about this place. Ten years later, I still flip it the bird every time I drive by.
(1)Katrina S.
Okay, I'm biased but no matter - this is a great, unpretentious, cool bar. I have been going to Delilah's for years. It's got a loyal following and a kick ass vibe. I would venture to say this is the most well stocked bar in all the land. The bartenders here are the real deal, skilled, no pomp & circumstance, just good tending. If your lucky enough to catch the owner (Mike) there & you wanna learn a lil somethin about the brown liquor (or any alcoholic substance) you've struck gold. Mari is fantastic, she has been behind the bar at Delilah's long enough to be a recognizable fixture - she really knows her booze and is happy to share her knowledge with you - as long as it's not 6 deep at the bar. You can find her there Wednesday, Thursday and upstairs on Friday nights! (shameless plug). There is a different theme most every night as far as music goes and is almost always good for it's genre. Due to the different music nights/events the crowd really varies. There is an upstairs bar which has a pool table. They also rent it out for private parties and it's very reasonable. Street parking is pretty easy. Drink specials abound. Good times!
(5)Candice G.
Despite having a mediocre time, I really like Delilah's. I can see it's non-weekend potential and I greatly appreciate that. I went on Saturday and they had one of my favorite beers, Chang (Thai beer with elephants on the bottle) for $3- SCORE! It was quite crowded but at 11:00 they opened the upstairs area to the general public so I got to spread out a bit... and watch She-Ra on the TV! I liked the music but was kind of disappointed that there was no dancing... not even swaying... in fact people looked like they weren't even enjoying the music but I guess weekend crowds are a funny people. I would def. go back to try during the week OR if a friend has one of those open bar private parties.
(4)Steven R.
A diamond in the yuppie paved rough. Delilah's is completely my type of bar. The place is a poo hole painted black that looks like it should be a goth club. It carries that punk rock vibe with it and I love that the seats and furniture have imperfects that are deliberately left there or terribly fixed (thumbs up to the duct tape over the hole in the booth seat!). The walls are lined with awesome indie art that rotates out about once a month, not to mention the establishment's unabashed pride in getting customers to drink Maker's Mark like it's water. Obviously a big clincher beyond a great atmosphere and keen decoration is the great selection of craft and micro brews. You'll find Three Floyd's, Goose Island and Metropolitan brews on draft as well as your favorite cheap domestics. When you decide you've had enough Krankshaft Kolsch there lies a beautiful fridge full of belgian bottles for you to gaze and hopefully select. An added plus is that this place holds seasonal beer tastings. I'm not a huge fan of the format or the fact that they seem to run out of everything if you're not there in the first few hours but I must give credit to anyplace that attempts to hold such an event for us beer obsessed folk. The winter warmer beer fest had vintages dating back to 05 which I find pretty impressive. It was almost like someone cleared out their own personal beer cellar for this event. Need more space? Check out the upstairs.
(5)Mike D.
biggest whiskey selection in the country? What is not to like. This place is awesome. The staff really knows their whiskey, and even gave me a free whiskey for us to try. The only weird thing was what was playing on tv. Not even kidding all of the tv's were showing a movie about an asian serial rapist, and the scenes were very graphic. Found that odd but also slightly amusing at the same time (in the sense like what the eff is going on). The music was great and the atmosphere was just very laid back. Great place
(5)Tim S.
Delilah's, if only you were a little closer to my place. You seem to pop into the rotation once every year or two and I don't know why not more. Great selection of Beer from your basic's to the tasty (subjective) imports that you have found for our consumption and a huge selection of Whiskeys. Morrissey was playing (DJ for only Morrissey... hmm I liked it) at a decent level you could still carry on a conversation, or ignore one you did not want to be a part of. Despite it getting a little crowded the feel is relaxed, no attitude. A solid goto place... Perhaps I need to go to a little more.
(4)Sharon S.
I called a couple weeks ago to schedule a birthday party at Delilah's and it took them forever to call me back. Actually, they never did. I was persistent and called them. I was looking for a dive bar in the area and heard such great things about Delilah's that I was adamant about having my party here. When I finally talked to the owner, Mike, we decided on 4/30 with the $20 package advertised on their website. ( delilahschicago.com/party ) There was a party on their second floor from 9-11pm so we planned to start the party downstairs at 10:30pm and moved the party upstairs at 11pm. When we arrived on Saturday night we were told at the door that there was a private party upstairs but would open at 11pm. Weird, cause that's when our party was suppose to start upstairs. We spoke to Mike and advised that they don't have party packages and the $20 deal we spoke about didn't exist. Instead he said it would cost $20/person to have the private party upstairs, not including drinks. Too bad the website says it's $50 to reserve the upstairs room without drinks. The overall experience of planning the event was very disappointing. We ended up staying and having a good time anyway but I'm just quite disappointed in my whole experience. Maybe I didn't sound or look like I belonged in the bar but who are they to judge? And for a fact, I prefer dive bars. Definitely didn't deserve the disrespect. It'll be awhile before I'll be back there.
(3)James C.
The regulars are pretty hip, maybe a little too hip for me. Wish I was hip. They seem nice though. Anyway, this place has some amazing house bourbon whiskey. I recommend the 13 year aged, a shot is $10 of pure awesomeness. The music here is as awesome as the whiskey and beer selection. My buddy and I enjoyed it as we drank and played a couple games of pool upstairs. Highly recommended if you are a whiskey fan. GREAT MUSIC + GREAT WHISKEY + POOL = HEAVEN. I will be returning!
(5)Claudia S.
Love love love this bar. Celebrated my 21st birthday here.....then went sporadically that year and stopped going after I turned 22. A friend finally convinced me to go again, and I think I might celebrate number 24 here just because they have Pearl Plum vodka, and that stuff is delicious. I used to go because friends would drag me there and I'd drag them to Exit. Then I discovered their great beer selection, while pricey, the bottle are just so damn cute in a smaller version than I'm used to! Besides, the bartenders actually know what they're talking about and *gasp* can DESCRIBE BEER! I used to love the upstairs, but I have definitely become a fan of the downstairs, especially once I discovered the little sofa/chair thing going on towards the back. As far as bathrooms go...Delilah's works for me! The upstairs is darker than the downstairs, and it can be harder to get to because it's right across from the bar where people tend to stand and you can't tell if they want a drink or want to pee..but at least the bathroom is decent! However....with the whole Chicago smoking ban (which I love) and everyone congregating right out front...opening the windows kind of defeats the purpose. I love having the windows open, but when the bar is so crowded my only choice for a seat is the one up front, having someone go outside and stand right in front of me with smoke going right in my face isn't cool. I still love this bar though, even though the music isn't really what I listen to.
(5)Onur U.
I view Delilah's as two different bars. On weeknights and off-peak hours, it's a chill place with a jaw-droppingly good selection of whiskies. For a whisky lover, perusing the phone-book like menu of rare bourbons and scotches is a real treat. There are malts on there I simply haven't seen anywhere else, including the liquor store. The owner is well connected, passionate about whisky, and focused on offering the best whisky in the world for remarkably reasonable prices. I love chatting with the owner when he's tending bar, it's the best place to learn about the world of whisky. Then there's Friday and Saturday night. The bar turns into a super loud and crowded punk bar. I get the appeal since they have great specials and a handful of good beers on tap. I don't hate visiting at peak times, but it's definitely not the same. The bartenders are super busy and it can be difficult to order a special whisky that takes them a while to find on the shelf. This is a special place, just know that depending on when you go, you'll get a very different experience.
(4)Farrah A.
Hey there Delilah What's it like in the Windy City? I'm a thousand miles away from Texas But girl, tonight you look so pretty Yes you do Lincoln Park can't shine as bright as you I swear it's true Hey there Delilah Don't you worry about the distance I'm right there in Chicago if you get lonely Give this song another listen Close your eyes Listen to my voice, it's my disguise I'm by your side Oh it's what you do to me Oh it's what you do to me Oh it's what you do to me Oh it's what you do to me What you do to me... Oh, what Delilah did to me Thursday night--after the kickass Yelp Holiday Open Bash. Refusing to call it a night, I cabbed it from my hotel to "one of the top five bars ever," as put in a text message sent over from by my Chicago friend, Phil H. He's currently living in Austin, but was sure to send me a list of places to check out. Austin CM Kevin N met me along and was an instant fan of the bar, too. Dark, dimly lit, a jukebox (but where's the old skool one?), dj, a few tvs, a badass bartender chick tatted up, friendly door fella (wearing skintight jeans and suspenders)... what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, Chimay (red white and blue), PBR, nightly drink specials. I'll be back fo sho. Just hope the loud fratty Carnegie Mellon boys won't be there again. BTW, I actually hate that "Delilah" song, but I sure do love Delilah's!
(5)Ashley M.
A true rock n roll bar. I love everything about Delilah's. The music is awesome, staff is amazing and it just feels like home. You can find me here on Mondays because I'm a bargain hunter and can't pass up $1 beer and $2 whiskey. I'm a beer and whiskey enthusiast (when my budget allows for it) and Delilah's has such an amazing selection, all at fair prices! I've attended some of their whiskey seminars and plan to go to more in the future. If you don't like punk rock, playing pool or pinball, this isn't your place.
(5)Jenn K.
Really awesome bar. Excellent beer list! They even had Southern Tier 2XMAS ON MOTHER F'ING TAP around Christmas time (swoon). There's an upstairs and a downstairs. Really crowded on weekends, but has a really cool atmosphere to make up for it. Great music. Bartenders are nice. Pool upstairs. One of my favorite Lincoln Park hangouts.
(4)Tiffany K.
I have been wanting to come to Delilah's for a while, and I finally had the chance to after work on a Friday. Although I didn't drink much, my friend bought me a whiskey shot to start the night off. Overall, drinks here are average priced but I'd say the selection is good. The crowd was great, and I really liked the atmosphere here. It was a young crowd, but definitely not annoying or just college students. They even had some crazy movies and videos playing on their television screens all night, and that was a nice touch to the entire ambiance of the bar. The music they played at the store was loud, which was a tad difficult to deal with, but not entirely awful because I think that's just how this place works. Although a lot of people were standing around, it wasn't hard to find a place to sit. Just FYI - there's an upstairs area with a bar and some pool tables. My friend discovered this and we were all pretty impressed that there was more space upstairs. It seemed to be more happenin' downstairs where we were, though.
(4)Cat C.
Oh, Delilah's... You are the reason I found I have a problem with absinthe. Thanks to your extensive menu, I've tried it in many forms, from many parts of the world, and my face has fell flat on many floors. I love this place.
(4)Danielle G.
Scotch, beer, and awesome-sauce.
(5)Michael S.
It's possible that this is my favorite bar in Chicago. Depends on which day you ask me. My love for bourbon, Dogfish Head, punk rock (or ska if it's a Tuesday), dark corners, billiards, and good conversation with strangers keep me coming back. For a punk rock dive, the service is great. The bartenders have tons of knowledge, and I'm always asking for recommendations. This bar is likely my second stop when I hit up West Lincoln Park. Local Option precedes, while Shoe's Pub closes it out. Delilah's is the perfect second course. Our crew usually grows by a few people by the time we are heading to the next spot.
(5)Kelley C.
The bartender was awesome! This place is dark and suspicious of who may be walking in and no one here is going to talk to you just to be polite. If you like bars... REAL BARS... you will like this place.
(5)Daniel L.
Whiskey everywhere I turn. Great atmosphere (If you enjoy the divey feel). Great selection of beer and whiskey. And decent prices. 5 stars!
(5)Juliana R.
Punk rock Mondays!
(5)Kevin L.
Oh. My. God. This place is absolutely amazing, and it is no wonder many in this great city call this place the best bar in Chicagoland. Ridiculously amazing beer list, even better whiskey selection, a different drink special everyday that you actually use (American Beer in cans for $1 - hell yes), friendly, engaging people and servers, an awesome atmosphere, this place has it all, whether it's packed (weekends are very busy) or you are there with the regulars on a Wednesday evening. Don't let the exterior or punk rock feel to the place scare you away. One caution though - once you start going to Delilah's, all other bars in Chicagoland will seem to be missing that extra little 'something' that makes a good bar a GREAT bar.
(5)Grace L.
This bar is surrounded by the likes of Starbucks, sushi bars and fancy apartment complexes. Oh yeah, and DePaul University. I had heard through the grapevine of a punk rock-spinning bar in Lincoln Park. I automatically assumed it was a college or sports bar that didn't do their proper research when hiring a DJ... But it acutally looks very much like a dive bar! I think it might even be a dive bar. And they have many things to drink, including $1 cans of obscure crap beer. Pleasantly surprised is what I am!
(5)Aditi G.
This place is a funky little dive bar with a lot of character. Tons of hangings all over the wall and any type of alcohol you want, you can find it here! Really awesome hangout!
(4)Dex Y.
I'm by no means a fan of divey bars, but this one is an exception. Its somewhat eccentric vibe just sticks in my mind. The graffiti-like paintings, the music, and the obscure R/X-rated movies formed an enticing combo, let alone their selection of drinks. The bartenders were unassuming and treated people nicely. Thumbs up!
(4)Jonah N.
I've been here twice and both times were awesome. They have a very broad selection of beers and whiskey, more than most "fancy" bars. They also have lots of cheap domestics and specials if you are on a budget. The patrons and staff have always been cool and they play great music.
(5)Joe R.
My home away from home. If you dont like it fine. More space for me. Too many yuppies on the weekends though. maybe I should go to john barley corn and make fun of the flat screens. O'connel rules.
(5)Sean M.
This place kicked my ass right thru my slacks.... It's dark, it has sweet shit all over the walls and behind the bar. Even the building it is in is a sheer ass kick... I love me some dives. I also love hip dives like this gem... I always swing in here for a Beam and Coke and a few draft ales... Worth checking out. Plus it's in a neat end of town...
(5)Greg M.
Courtney love and Kurt cobaine met here! No joke! Amazing dive bar. Pool table to boot!
(5)Julie V.
Locals were friendly. Drinks are cheap. Most amazing whisky selection.
(5)Matthew T.
5 star all day long. While prices are pretty similar to other bars in the area, this is easily the best place for a few beers with the guys and a game of pool in the area. Great for punk rock and rock and roll fans. The best night i had here was a Monday when beers are a dollar, and then the last Wednesday of every month for $2 beers and shots. The best thing about this place is the fact that they keep the douche-baggery to a bare minimum; you wont find you're typical gunned out Ed Hardy patron beating his chest for attention in this bar, strictly real people just looking to listen to some music and have a drink with friends. Also, they make a mean Tom Collins
(5)Lisa H.
Wow. Amazing. How did I not know about Delilah's before?! All you need to know about Delilahs: Fantastic selection of Whiskeys, over 7 types of Trappist Ale (if you don't know what this is, you are already behind on your beer class), laid back chill atmosphere, unpretentious crowd from all walks of life, AND a 2F pool table!! I finally met cool friends who are not yuppies (this is hard given I lived in Lakeview for the past year) and Delilah came highly recommended! We went on a Thurs night, I was wearing shorts, a striped cotton tank top, flip-flops, and I was still TOO DRESSY for Delilah's! This is awesome! Don't be fooled by the dive bar appearance, Delilah's boasts amazing selection of whiskey and I am madly in love with their Trappist ale selection!! One sip of the Whiskey Sour, and I was a believer ;) Going up the windy staircase with torn-out computer hardware, I wasn't sure what to expect about the 2F. Upon entrance, you'd notice the graffiti-esque painted walls & ceilings, with a pool table on your right where everyone can hang out. The bar had mystical blue lighting, this was simply too good to be true. For a while I felt like I was back in Rockin J in Pto Viejo in Costa Rica (backpackers, you've gotta check this hostel out if you ever plan a trip down!) The bartenders are very knowledgeable in their drinks, and you can pretty much describe your fav. drink characteristics and get something 100x more awesome. Oh crystal ball, I see Delilah's in my near future.
(5)Clif P.
A hipster dive bar.... yet with a slight 'goth' feel. I enjoy coming here with a group of people. They have some unique beers that you don't see everywhere. I wouldn't come all the way to Lincoln Park to come here, but if my friends head to Delilah's, I am more than happy to join.
(3)Liz K.
Delilah's is awesome! I spent midnight to last call here for my 21st birthday and had a great, great time. Even though some glasses were broken from overzealous toasting and many things were spilled, the staff was great and the doorman is a badass. Even on a Sunday, Delilah's gets 5 stars.
(5)Frank B.
Love this bar. Largest selection of bourbon and scotch anywhere I've been. The only Buffalo Bills bar I know of in Chicago. Owner is from Buffalo and he has Genny Cream Ale on tap. Its the little things that remind us of who we are that make us great.
(5)Raul B.
This is another one of those bars that are in my top five to hang out in in the city. I never had a bad drink here and over the years found myself stumbling out of its doors many times. Their drink selection is really one of the best and I loved going to their beer tastings when I could. They also used to host The Chicago Weekender parties and the Mods vs Rockers event. They always have the most eclectic DJ's and music and I always tried to make it to their once a month SKA music night with DJ Wren. Unfortunately in recent years it has been infiltrated with a lot of prep types but it still holds on to its core clientele. I will always frequent Delilahs as this is one of the few unique bars left in the city.
(5)Alyson O.
the only REAL punk bar in Chicago.... dont waste your $$$ on the rest, spend it @ the best.... DELILAH'S! :)
(5)Annie G.
Great whiskey, good bar. I'll be back fo sho.
(4)Michael E.
This is truly a gem of Chicago and thank god it is too far away from the loop to get corrupted *evil grin*. This is the kind of place you can go and each night you'll get a different set of folks in there.....latex one night....leather another....hipsters another....and that was just the first night I ever went there *wink*. Seriously, what I consider it's "claim to fame" is the selection of whiskey! More than you can ever imagine and during certain nights of the week beer and shots of whiskey specials that fits anyone's budget!!!! Getting smashed on less than $15 is what I call VALUE! Jukebox provides a great selection of music and bartenders are on the ball. What class and style with a VERY sharp edge then go here..............GO NOW!
(5)Melissa D.
My friend and I were on our way to a show at the Elbo room. We stopped in this bar. It's pretty sweet! The bartenders were awesome. The music was great. Huge, huge selection of whiskey as well. They had a PBR special the day we were there. Love it! I've become a huge fan of PBR since moving to Chicago. The vibe in this place was legit. And I really like the name.
(4)Vic M.
If I had known Mariya K. loved Delilah's so much, I would have started coming here ages ago... Crazy whiskey bar, with just about everything under the sun when it comes to American whiskey, bourbon, scotch, Irish whiskey, etc. Vibe is definitely punk rock, but I mean, I was there the other night in a suit and tie and there wasn't a single cock-eyed glance. Also, if you like cult classic movies like Godzilla v. Mothra, Evil Dead, and Clockwork Orange - they screen them on the TVs most nights. Delilah's does lots of tastings and events so check them out online and pick a night to drop in. You'll be glad you did.
(5)Matt T.
Delilah's is one of the greatest dive bars on the planet. No need to mention the scotch and whiskey since everyone has over and over. But that part is killer. I'm not even a punk rocker and this is one of my two favorite bars in the city (Green Mill is the other). I almost want to 1 star it to keep it to myself. Delilah's almost never gets over crowded. The atmosphere is always chill. People are always friendly. The ladies keep it fun and sexy with their individual styles of punk/gothy/alt threads. The music is always loud and proud and upbeat. I've never had a bad time here. The atmosphere is relaxing and chill and conversations are always fun. The music can be loud a lot of the time, but for whatever reason it doesn't seem to be a big deal here. The only time I've ever seen issues is when some trixie douchebag gets lost and wanders in then can't figure out no one wants him there. There is an upstairs, but I don't know what is up there. I wandered up there drunk once and came back down and don't remember. I'm not sure why people would go upstairs when all the cool is on the first floor. But if you are a lost trixie, then yeah, upstairs is f*cking awesome. There are tons of cubbies chicks up there who make out with each other I hear.
(5)Ed R.
great bar to have a drink, awesome whisky selection!!
(5)Jess L.
This place is awesome! Successfully converted me into a whiskey lover, which I thought was impossible. The bartenders were prompt and friendly, and the crowd seemed pretty chill. Music kept me happy. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Brandon S.
I ventured to Deliliah's with a bit of trepidation. I figured there was no way this place could live up to its hype. Man was I wrong. A girl who was having a birthday accidentally stepped on my toe and instead of the usual "watch it faggot" she bought me a Strongbow! Everybody was incredbily cool from the bartender, to the father of said birthday girl, who was using a pool cue to do the Chuck Berry strut while the Ramones blasted away on the speakers. Guys with mohawks chatted away with hipsters in tight shirts and messenger bags. It was refreshing to drink at a place where no one had any pre-conceived notions about how they were supposed to act. Everyone just wanted to get schwasted on reasonably priced drinks and listed to some punk rock classics....hey it works for me.
(5)Samuel C.
Went for part of my bachelor party and had one of the best experiences I've ever had in a bar. Mike educated us on what whiskey is really about and we shared some excellent samples. Looking forward to spending some quality time at Delilah's next time I am in Chicago
(5)Joe W.
I can't get enough of this place! Every time I go the wait staff is awesome and knowledgeable of their product. If you like whiskey or a craft brew this is the place for you! If they don't have what you want then they can recommend something darn close! Prices are good and the entertainment is hilarious! The guest DJs are great. Try the beef jerky!
(5)KELLIE K.
Why haven't I written a review of the Mecca of whiskey joints? No idea. Whiskey, women, and song come to mind when I think of this place. Whiskey: If you want one of the best selections of whisk(e)y in the entire city, look no further. I have yet to try the Delilah's label. That's on the agenda for another visit. Women: I met some kick-ass Windy City Roller Derby girls here. Me-ow. Song: the music pumping made me want to throw on my old pair of combat boots, smoke a lot, and shove some people around. Yeah, just like that. My only complaint is the hipster posers that seem to fill up the place, but I can't blame Delilah's because it's just that cool. But please, hipsters...don't try so hard, it makes me want to introduce you to my boot.
(4)Andrew H.
I think you'd have to actively try to not enjoy yourself at this bar. Nothing really new to add. Tons of great bar, huge whiskey selection, stellar drink specials. Lots of cool artwork and other random stuff to stare at. Vintage horror movies and pornos on TV to distract you and spark up a conversation. Eclectic mix of people. Pool and a second bar/lounge area upstairs. Good stuff.
(5)Kathleen M.
I'm going to give Delilah's the benefit of the doubt on this one, as I could really see a wonderful, magical place within its walls. An incredible beer selection, including all varietals of Chimay, local brews, cheap options, and Bell's Two-Hearted on draught. An equally diverse selection of harder liquor choices, all out in impressive display behind the bar. Walls jam-packed with art, posters, and various collections. A bathroom covered in murals and a mosaic, funky mirror (not so good for actually seeing yourself, but a great installation nonetheless). Friendly, helpful staff; interesting and diverse clientele. But oh dear God, do NOT come here on Tuesday nights. It's metal night, and the sound (no, I won't call it music) is truly jarring. I'd like to think of myself as relatively hip and young, but I couldn't stand it. My ears were ringing, I was getting angry, and it was impossible to hear anything from my cohorts. The screaming, the lack of melody... ugh. So, yes, come to Delilah's! Enjoy a true bar in all of its glory. Just don't come on Tuesdays. And if you have to, bring earplugs.
(4)Tiffany N.
This bar looks like one I'd love to hang out in. But, I couldn't get into their extremely loud heavy metal music when we stopped by on Tuesday. They have all the makings of a dive bar I'd love to hang out in - dark lights, kind of dirty looking floors and walls, bathrooms that are purely functional and allow no prettying up, plus tons of beer selections. Delilah's I'm not done with you yet, but can we please change up the music next time I visit? Pretty Puh-lease?
(3)Eduardo M.
I've always passed this place on the way home, never gone in for years, but recently went there to celebrate a friend's b-day. First off, let me be clear - I love these kinds of bars. I feel more at home in a dive bar. This place made me feel at home pretty much from the get-go. Whiskeys? Yeah, they got whiskeys. I asked for a Laphroaig, expecting them to not have it (no, not trying to stump the barman, just hoping to have some nice peaty scotch whiskey). To my surprise, the guy just looked at me and asked "10, 15, or 25 year old?" Major props to this place, I'll be back, and I may end up adding another star to this review.
(4)Mark M.
This place was awesome. It's got a nice dark ambience with a somewhat grim style of decor that I think is a good thing. Upstairs is another bar, a smaller one, lots more space and a pool table. I went on Friday when there was $3 Asahi beers and $3 Maker's Mark. Good draft beer selection downstairs. It was kind of grungy, kind of punk, Great bar!
(4)Rachel G.
Many of my friends are whiskey fiends, but I just go for the beer selection and the environment. The music is always awesome. There's usually something interesting on the TVs. I like it equally when it's crowded and when it's not. Everyone there is usually pretty friendly. In the summertime I love to sit upstairs along the windows and watch the street. Coat Hooks: Yes
(4)Meghan M.
This is my favorite punk bar in the city! They always have great punk and rockabilly music playing and a huge selection of imported beers and whiskey. The staff is awesome as well :)
(5)Marco D.
A bit of a Chicago punk legend by now. Delilah's features a very loud jukebox, and streams great b-movies and skin flicks. They have the biggest selection of whiskey/bourbon on the planet, and the bartenders are usually nice. Have not been there since the smoking ordinance, I almost can't imagine it without being full of smoke. Fun bar!
(3)Brian E.
I'm going to write a bunch of short sentences about this place: Great selection of beer and whiskey. Nightly specials that don't suck. Bartenders aren't assholes. Loud music. Maybe too loud. Bathrooms reek of urine. Usually a good decision.
(4)Lucas K.
Anybody who gives this place less than five stars needs to be reexamined. You want some kind of obscure booze? They've got it; more liquors of every kind than anywhere in Chicago, beer included. The place is always filled on the weekend, but people aren't jerks; everyone's there to have a good time. The bartenders are friendly, even when busy, and if you catch them with some spare time, they'll talk to you about all the liquors on offer. Awesome drink specials. Superb theme nights. Great music on permanent rotation. Movies playing nearly constantly-I've seen the Star Wars Holiday Special, the Suicide Girls DVD, and assorted grindhouse flicks on different nights. Don't come here for cocktails; come here looking to try as many new and different things as possible.
(5)Sheresse S.
This was my fav bar when I turned 21 and lived down the street after moving around I stopped coming due to the annoying crowds came back recently for the first time in three years and remember why I liked it. Cheap beers great bourbon and now one of my friends works here so I definitely will be coming back more often.
(4)Lee L.
home away from home.......... myfriendlikesyou.com .......good music good fun.......always a good time........
(5)Edmund W.
love this place. dollar american beer monday night is clearly a draw. they have something like a 8 page whiskey menu and at least that many beers. So big selection, fine, but lots of places have big selections. I love Delilah's because it draws such a chill crowd. Every night of the week there is an incredibly diverse and awesome bunch of people plus music that I actually know the words to and enjoy. This place even got me out of the house when I was on crutches and it was 95 degrees out.
(5)Theresa K.
Do you like cute boys with tattoos, cheap drinks, a variety of whiskey, and punk music? Well, this is the place for you! Weekend nights are crowded and loud whereas weekdays nights are a bit more relaxed. The T.V. is usually playing something bizzare like "Orgy of the Dead" which is entertaining. And they always have specials like "Sunday night Twin Peaks night" or "Oktoberfest Beer Tasting." I love this bar!
(5)mike n.
i've never been to chicago, generally only go to bars to see bands play, and haven't had a whiskey in a long time...but if mike miller's running a bar, save me a seat...is that the 'forgotten rebels' on the jukebox?
(5)Bethany K.
This place is a pretty good rocker bar, maybe, is that what you call places like this? Anyway, there's good music and a hip punk crownd hanging around most of the time. Delilah;s is a good place to go when they have specials, but it can get a little cramped at times.
(3)Adam K.
Delilah's in a cool bar with cool beers. Just don't confuse that with being a cool bar with great beers. I should acknowledge that this is first and foremost a whiskey drinkers bar. Not being a tried and true whiskey connoisseur, I'll leave that to the experts. However, I was excited to check the place out as I had heard good things about the beer selection. That left me disappointed, but not as much as the service. Being the Holiday's I fully expected a few "Christmas/Holiday Brews" to be on tap, but not a 1/5 of what they had on tap. Maybe the regulars love their Holiday Brews? Anyway, that's a nit. We did discover the New Half Acre Daisy Cutter which was excellent. The bartender wasn't much help at all during the night. Disinterested would be an understatement. He rarely offered advice regarding what to drink and never ventured out to actually help somebody at a table. It's a dive bar, I get it. But I've been to others where the bar keep's actually try. Go if you love Whiskey (or I've been old), but don't go for the beer.
(3)Cheryl L.
Other folks in reviewing this place are calling it a "rocker bar", and I'd have to agree with that tag. The interior of Delilah's is all painted black, and mostly lit with novelty lights and strings of Christmas lights. (It looks much cooler than it sounds, trust me on this). Local artwork hangs on the right wall, and the bar, with its extremely impressive selection, takes up the entire left wall. I didn't make it upstairs, although I've heard they have pool tables up there. Seating is limited, but comfortable, and on the weekends, this place is packed with a 20s-30ish crowd that wears a lot of denim, black, piercings, and tattoos. Mixed drinks are strong and a bit on the pricey side; however, beers are reasonable. The music selection is diverse, so you never know what you'll hear next. I loved the music! They have a few TV screens - I'm not sure what the usual fare is, but when we went there, there was a Bruce Lee film running. It's a fun spot; very popular/crowded on the weekend. Be sure to check out the paint job in the bathrooms!
(4)k s.
Rock bar, blah, blah. Tons of drink options, yes, yes. Tons of imported beers and whiskey. Not to mention nightly beer and whiskey specials. That's the rock n' roll part.
(4)Myron M.
Every day of the week it's something different here. Guest DJ's spin a wide variety of music and on Sunday its movie night. The bar serves over 100 different beers and wiskeys. They display works by local artists on the walls and you can play some pool in the lounge upstairs.
(3)Bonnie G.
I came here my first rainy night visting Chicago after reading it had a punk rock night on Monday and was in Lincoln Park near where I was staying at the Arlington Hostel. It seemed a safe bet, and after passing over the other bars (since..um..it looked like dudes FROM the band Lincoln Park were screaming in them), I found a nice warm bar with plenty of people in tats..and not. The beer selection was top notch and I love the bartender that recommended all the local brews on tap and let me taste it before ordering a whole drink. There were drink promotions going on and I ended up meeting great people there that night and got a bit...wasted. I wouldn't go as far as to say this is a dive bar, but it is def. NOT yuppie or fratguy, but I thought it had a touch of rocker sophistication. And the music, of course, was great. If I could have had time to come back here again, I def. would have. 5 stars equal KICK ASS.
(5)jason t.
rocker bar? um, ok...i did see kirk hammett of metallica there once when i was djing. huge beer & whiskey/whisky selections, and always good specials.
(4)One T.
Good music. Great fun. Whiskey specials. Enough said. (Did I mention whiskey specials?!?!)
(5)Jen K.
Not impressed. I somehow ended up here on a Saturday afternoon during a beer tasting event. It was packed and you had to wait in line forever to get a beer. You also couldn't get a regular beer that was on tap. You could only buy tickets which were redeemed for tasting sizes of mostly heavy, dark beers.
(2)Mat T.
Whiskey.
(5)Dave M.
I was visiting Chicago for the first time a couple days ago and I checked out Delilah's and definitely felt at home. It was comparable to the dive bars that I go to in SF. Beer special on Saturday night was $2 Warsteiner, a German. Cheap drinks and punk crowds made it a good place to stop at and relax.
(4)Dae-su Oh _.
Came here one night during their $1.00 American beer night. Had a wonderful hangover the next morning, but nether less it was very fun. diverse mix of people, fast bartenders, cheap beer and good music.
(4)James M.
An interesting place with a great beer (Goose Island, Three Floyd's & Two Brothers on tap) and whiskey selection (more than 150). The music always rocks and I have never had anything, but friendly service here which is something that isn't always the case at your more rock n' roll places.
(5)Melanie B.
Delilah's is a lot... better... than I remember it being the last time I was there (which, admittedly, was 2005). It seemed a lot more "scene" back then, and even though this time around I saw a lot of done up boot boys and punker chicks, it didn't feel as cliquey, even on a Friday night (at 1am). I find it incredible that "ska night" still exists here, but it does - nothin' wrong with that at all, and I feel like it's actually not a mockery of ska, like most nights of the same name are. I noticed D's is still doing mod stuff and were holding some sort of whiskey-tasting/psychobilly fest that we Just Missed (boo). Also, I do enjoy the black walls and floors - no pretention there, really, just reminiscent of a good ole rock n roll dive. I didn't get any special on my PBR (I don't think anyway) or anything like that, but everything was very appropriately priced. Good crowd, good evening. I'll definitely go back to Delilah's now, whereas my last experience didn't leave the same impression (clearly - it took 4 years for me to return).
(3)Doug S.
I don't get out to Deliliah's that much, but I always have a good time when I go. Amazing whiskey selection (possibly best in the city). Their upstairs area is a great place to book a private party. Punk on the juke box and swank on the tv.
(4)Sarah B.
I used to live next door and Delilah's was an ideal place to meet friends for a good drink, live music and fresh artwork. The crowds can pack this place quickly on weekends; weekdays are better and there is usually a beer special. The people working here are really nice, too. The volume is usually turned up too high to have great conversation, though.
(4)Jill G.
This is about the only bar I can be dragged to anymore, now that I'm all old and responsible and need more than two hours of sleep! The 5000 nights party was great and wow was that a wake up call on how much time has passed since it opened. I can remember when Mondays were $1 Schlitz cans, yes you too can get stinking drunk on $15 and still tip the bartender. Now they have American beers for a $1 which might help with the hangover factor. My only complaint is about Mondays, over the years the different djs have had some different ideas about punk rock, some have meshed with my taste others not so much. And you definitely need to get there early on the weekends if you want to get a seat anywhere, it's not a large bar and even standing space can get tight most weekends.
(4)Rachel W.
Delilah's is the first bar I ever went to in Chicago, actually while visiting from Texas. Who knows, maybe it helped make my decision about moving up here. The drink specials are great (I'm a whiskey drinker and the $2 Makers, Jack, and Old Grandad are awesome!), the staff is fun, and the jukebox is one of the best I've ever seen. I like the upstairs bar on Saturday nights (say hi to Sasha!) the best. I haven't been there in a while because it was getting kinda yuppie, and I have been spending more time at Cobra, but I love this place with all of my heart. Watch out for the stairs-they'll get you! Also watch out for the plethora of mandals and khaki cargo shorts in the summer-YIKES!!!!
(5)Erin H.
The bartenders and beer and whiskey selection rock, but I can't get over the pretension. Went there for a friend's birthday with a very mixed group (including some fratty guys), and the regulars evil-eyed us the entire night. Maybe I'll try it again on a random Wednesday, when the patrons will likely be less territorial. But I won't return on any upcoming Saturday nights.
(2)Jet H.
There's a full wall of whiskies/bourbons. The art is cool and the lighting is dimmed. Me likey.
(3)Bonnie B.
This is one of my favorite bars in Chicago. I love the crowd-- so unpretentious. Good service. I was wondering what could fill that hole in my heart that only a very special dive bar can fill -- left by my recent abandonment of the Plaza in Madison. This is it.
(5)Don L.
Went out last night for my birthday with a couple dudes. First place on my list was Delilah's. Why? Because it an actual bar and not Barleycorn/Applebees. The walls are painted black. The music is spot on. Great selection of booze. 'Nuff said. Bonus parting shot: Bills fans gather to watch games and drink Labatt's during the football season. They even play the Shout! song everytime they score. I love this place.
(5)A.S. V.
Delilah's is a well-respected rocker bar. You'd better be prepared to be friendly, because your'e going to be crammed in tight with these people -- both levels are very narrow. It's almost funny trying to watch people play pool in such a crowd. The best feature by far are their live DJ nights that feature everything from rockabilly, ska, punk, country and heavy metal. They somehow fit 135 varieties of beer and 135 kinds of whiskey in this tiny place. Sometimes you'd swear everyone has the Betty Page/rockabilly tattoo look, but it's okay. There's no dress code, really.
(4)Julia W.
Wait, am I a hipster? 'Cause I've never felt unwelcome in Delilah's, which is saying something considering its dark interior and overall oddness... Delilah's is awesome, though. Uh, hello... Morrissey & The Smiths night? Yes! Weird 70s porn? Yes! Beer tastings, Lambic fests, amazing whiskey selection? Yes, Yes, YES! Add to that some whacked-out art adorning the place, great drink specials and some interesting patrons and you've got a very cool place.
(4)Alexzandra A.
One of the few bars I can actually tolerate. I have had a lot of fun here and the drinks are good. Good DJ too.
(5)Kavi M.
Delilah is voluptuous...as voluptuous as her scotch and beer selection. She hums pretty damn good tunes too. Alas, I must attend a Smiths night.
(5)Tony G.
This is a cross between Punk Rock bar, Dive Bar, and Beer Bar. I'm not a fan of Punk Rock, and I don't have a preference either way on Dive Bars, but I do like Delilah's for the GREAT selection of beers and whiskeys. They have some pretty hard-to-find beers, and the bartenders are knowledgeable. The prices are generally reasonable, but you'd be surprised how quickly your tab can get out of hand if you're sampling the fine whiskey selections for too long.
(4)Melissa M.
Boring, cramped (even for a bar), and oh, yeah, boring! Was better first time I went there, when the other floor (up or down, can't remember) was open. but was still boring then, and just got worse. Right by the train is a plus tho. (Diversey brown line) I did say boring, right?
(2)Andrew H.
My favorite bar in Chicago. Always an interesting crowd, all types of people. Great beer and liquor selection, good music. And if you want a bizarre and wild experience, join all the crazy Buffalo Bills fans there on a Sunday afternoon during football season. Who knew there were so many Bills fans in Chicago?
(5)scott s.
good Punk Bar
(3)Nuno M.
Had the best time here with a group of friends that know their whiskey. Delilah's is the premiere whiskey bar in Chicago. No one was disappointed and everyone had a great time! Friendly and impressively knowledgeable bartenders added to our great night! Thank You Delilah's!
(5)William L.
I think I found my new favorite bar. Among the things that tug at the fibers of my being (in no particular order): -craft beer -cool bartenders -eclectic (awesome) jukeboxes -small music venues -awful, low-budget sci-fi and horror movies Fortunately for all of us, Delilah's has all of the above in spades. Combine all that with some very cool theme night specials (Punk Rock Mondays) and you get a very rad place.
(5)Jason P.
Super fun dive bar!! Drinks aren't expensive, staff is so friendly and everyone in there is having a good time with their group or anyone really. I go here often with my friends when we want a chill yet fun night. The music is good, nice space upstairs, and the pool table is a plus.
(5)Ben S.
Michael Jackson (booze MJ, not moonwalk MJ) called this one of the three most important bars in America. And I love me some bars in 'merica, so I made the trek to see about Delilah's. After all, that name conjures up something mighty different in my home territory of Philadelphia. I made my way in and heard the steady blare of punk and saw the hazy shade of red - until I spied the wall behind the bar. And then my view went all tunnel-vision - I probably proceeded from there kind of bow-legged, like a scene from Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, too. Oh, the whiskey...it's like Dr. Seuss stocked the place with short ones, tall ones, light ones, dark ones, old ones, new ones, strong ones, brown ones, fair ones, and rare ones. I could have frolicked through the whiskey selections like a cartoon bear in a Cottonelle commercial. The beers here are a robust and noteworthy lot, too, and some of my associates chose that path at the fork in the road, but I went with the knowledge that they stock over 400 whiskies here, and I wasn't about to swig anything but. A friend and I knew what we were sitting on and went all in - we built up with some various strong selections, and then, when ready, each sampled what the bartender told us was the piece de resistance - a vintage find called Old Mock Whiskey that was eighteen summers old when bottled...and that bottling was many moons ago (1930's? - find a pic of this artifact in the photo section). I sipped that for a long time, just in awe of its existence, history, and availability for sale. It was like security at Le Louvre suddenly offered "oui, monsieur, hop up and throw your arm around Winged Victory, and I will snap a couple photos for you, but ov coourze..." Unreal. I liked the space, I enjoyed the vibe, and I had a great time the entire evening, but more than that, it's as if the Smithsonian of whiskey is hiding in plain view in Diversey. This is an experience and a half; bucket-list worthy for brown spirit lovers.
(5)Annie N.
Love the drink selections, the music, and our waitress Bridget, who turned 18 (or something else) that night we were there. She was hilarious and super cute (speaking in a platonic way). The staff was nice and not pretentious. The crowd was chilled, and the place in general was very relaxing, not too busy but with a good amount of people and seating. That being said, we left the place drunk, since sitting and drinking for a while could result in such condition. Good thing it's not too far from the train station, and a taxi can easily be flagged down right out side. About 2 mins walks from Los 3 Panchos, so drunk mexican foods are easily available. My night was completed! Also this bar's filled with semi-scruffy guys in plaid shirts. If you're into that, stop by! Pretty sure I spotted Josh Duhamel here - or a shorter version of him!
(4)Jamie B.
This place is ok. The bathroom was disgusting. I would probably just hold it and use the 7-Eleven down the street. The tab somehow was really high, I think we were screwed by the bartender. Somehow two rounds of drinks tallied up to nearly $100 for four people.... that's in line with the high end steakhouses. Oh well, we had a show to catch, otherwise I am sure we would have further analyzed the bill and asked for an itemized receipt. Just ok, most likely won't go back.
(2)Keith A.
Delilah's, not your average dive bar. I mean seriously, you step in and you would think that all they serve is malort, karkov vodka, and miller products. Well, not exactly. Granted I knew what to expect when I came here, so I wasn't really in for the shock of seeing about 9 real quality taps with one tap of miller lite. See, now this is my kind of tap list when it's as selective as it is. They may have only a few taps, but its real quality. From a quick look at the bottles, they have a great bottle list as well. The prices were as I expected. $6 per beer. The bourbon and whiskey isn't on the cheap side, but this is what they really specialize in. I was keeping it to beer as I had a show to catch and boubon usually has a negative effect on me for stuff like that. The list was real deep and it does beg for me tackling it on a few occasions.
(4)jared s.
Update: i spoke with Brett at Delilah's and he let me know that their list is by the ounce, so it was an oversight by me rather than a short-pour. I would have easily ordered a double had i known they pour 1oz. Great atmosphere, amazing selection, insulting pour on the 21 year Black Maple Hill. If I step u for one of your higher end $35 bourbons, dont be a total hipster d- and give me a finger and a half. Wish I caught that dude's name, b/c he did this great bar a total disservice.
(3)Susie S.
This place may be full of hipsters, but damn do I love their beers.
(5)Patrick G.
Probably the best bourbon (and whiskey in general) collection i have ever seen. You will find things here that haven't been on the shelves in a decade + and never will be again. (Bring your deep wallet if you're going to be trying these out). Bar staff is very knowledgeable about everything they serve. They have a big beer list too. The various music nights they have are well curated and can be appreciated by anyone who likes to learn about different music sub-genres. The upstairs bar has a pool table and has less selection than the downstairs and is generally more "chill". The downstairs can get pretty crowded on the weekends so you have been warned. The bathrooms can be pretty gross but its not out character for the establishment. So check it out !
(4)Chas M.
In my top 3 bars in the country! Awesome rock n roll bar. Something like 500 whiskeys??!! Any place that has the Saints and the Stooges on the jukebox makes my knickers moist.. Lets face it folks Chicago is a watered down, preppy version of NYC but this bar really stands out!!
(5)Kamil S.
Whiskey, Zombie Holocaust and Music those are the three things I remember and if you throw them all together, you get a really nice experience. The Bar Manager is really friendly and was guiding me through towards what I find was one of the best Whiskeys I've ever had... what was the name? Cool place, a little loud but other than that a good time!
(4)Erika G.
Delilah's is a survivor. It's been here forever and some of the people look like they've been here forever too. And wearing the same clothes. It's always cool, and always will be, world without end, amen. Perfect bar to end a late night at - and did I mention the friends I was with knew Windy City Roller Derby girls and we got to hang out with them? Yah! Roller Derby rockstar chicks - what kick ass girl fun! Seeing the flyer for David Bowie's 62nd birthday party celebration gave me pause. Arrrgghhhh . . .
(3)Keith R.
So I heard a story involving The Hives and falling down the steep steps from the upstairs area. The story also involves 3 of 4 members falling their asses all the way down the steps, with the 4th and of course largest member holding the rails for dear life in order not to tumble like Nadia Comaneci.
(5)Eryn G.
Awesome whiskey, Awesome drinks, Awesome staff! Great find and great history. Seriously is a must go!
(5)Virl S.
Favorite dive in the city. Had birthday party upstairs here in 2007. Awesome beer selection. Always rock and roll on the TVs. Always hosting beer or whiskey tasting events. I like the ever changing artwork on the walls. DJ Platz and DJ Fury kick some serious butt here every first tuesday for Metal Night. \m/
(5)Lauren F.
Why hello there new favorite bar! I'm not sure how I've lived in Lakeview for 4 years and didn't stop into Delilah's until this weekend. We went on the Chicago Beer Experience tour and Delilah's was our final, and definitely my favorite, stop. Whiskey lovers look no further-Delilah's has the largest selection of whiskey in the city and trust me, I've done a lot of searching due to the fact that my bf's fav is extremely rare. Not only did Delilah's have the standard 15 year, they had the even more rare 17 year that was a lovely little surprise. Beer geeks like me can find comfort in Delilah's as well, they have craft beers aplenty on tap. Southern Tier Pumking and Dogfish Head Punkin were my drinks of choice for the day-love my pumpkin beer on a fall cool fall evening! They don't serve food but you're free to bring your own. After a beer tour that was essentially a super awesome bar crawl, we needed some sustenance so we ordered a couple pizzas from Gino's East and brought it back to the bar. Everyone there was super friendly, even though we were in a bit of an unruly state come the end of the tour. Love Delilah's, can't wait to return! **On a side note...there was Asian porn on the TVs while we were there, super weird but hilarious and fitting at the same time!
(5)Amy H.
I have come to terms with the fact that I am not cool. It's all good. I know where the "not cool" people hang out and where the cool people do. The cool people hang out at Delilah's. It's a decent bar. Between the drawings on the walls and the clientele, there is a lot to look at. The people were nice and they have Strongbow on tap and I loves that. Delilah's made me realize that I missed out on Morrissey in the late 80's. Damn, he's pretty.
(4)P B.
I read many of the reviews and was excited to take a friend there over the weekend. What a HUGE let down. First of all I'm a huge fan of dive bars. I have been in hundreds of them all over the world. Maybe we hit this place on a bad night. Pulled up and got a prime parking spot on a Friday night. Looking promising. Guy checking id at front door was nice and had a sense of humor. In my younger days I used to work that job and know all too well how bad it can get. Guy had a great attitude. I grabbed a couple of chairs while my buddy went to grab us drinks. 15 mins later he returns empty handed. He said three bartenders working and not a one could seem to give him the time if day. One was getting cozy with a customer at the end of the bar while the other two just seemed to not care about serving customers. I'm a bigger guy and even I couldn't get their attention. Cut our losses and left. Not sure if they are worth all the hype.
(2)Jay C.
One of my favorite bars in Chicago. Must visit Sunday experience for any Chicago area Buffalo Bills fans.
(5)Cecil S.
Gotta love how they have a good special under $5 every single day of the week, including Fridays and Saturdays! it is pretty divey and more of a 'rock scene' than any other place I've been to. They have old tunes playing (which is a nice break from the usual top 40) and their bartenders are SO FAST. No joke, I get aggravated when I have to wait for a drink order, but there are 3 bartenders in the front bar and they really do take care of you politely and efficiently. The crowd is friendly and laidback for the most part; but as Elly said, I don't really see myself making a new friend here, but rather just bring your own group and get a table or sit by the bar. *Not ideal for a group of more than 3-4 people.
(5)Elly D.
I want to give it 5 stars, but I just can't. I'd really rather just give the older, shorter guy working the bar 5 stars. And I'd rather give the skinny rockabilly guy with the Woody-Allen glasses 1 star. I like the interior, the upstairs is even better if you manage to grab a pool table, and the rotating artwork keeps it interesting. The drink specials are usually pretty good, and the whiskey selection is, of course, godlike. ...but ONLY if you get a bartender willing to help you out. In which case, try to grab the 5-star whiskey man's attention! He does not disappoint. I probably don't have enough tattoos to make friends at Delilah's, but I enjoy going there with the friends I already have and taking over a table or two.
(4)L P.
One of my favorite dives in the country. Loved the Adamms Family pinball machine upstairs along with corny horror movies on the tube. One of the best times in while in Chicago. Located in most awesome area. be back in a heartbeat@
(5)Lena G.
A little Wicker Park in Lincoln Park.Great bartenders.Pool tables and tv's.Cocktails come in small glasses.I suggest sticking to the beer and shots for your money's worth.Nice change of pace in LP from all the stroller friendly spots or sleek plasma screen hangouts(makes me feel like I'm in Best Buy.)
(5)Kelly K.
Great whiskey selection, good beer selection, reasonable prices. Great atmosphere. It's hard to believe this bar is located in the neighborhood it is. When it's not too crowded, you can grab a booth on the upstairs level and play a little pool.
(4)Jelena Z.
I don't know much about whiskey but I do know a thing about good beer. And yes, they do have exactly that at Delilah's. If I write anything out of character in this review, go ahead and blame me. Actually... let's blame the guys from the New Holland Brewing Company. Because they're pushing their new glorious artisan spirits on me and of course their legendary brews. As if! Like they need to twist my beer-lovin' arms. Into tastings? Well you're in the right place. Yes, I'm on my laptop right now in a dark corner. And they're pulling me back in... I think I need to go. Right. Now. Don't leave without checking out the cool art. The music's good too. I'm bopping my head around a bit, not gonna lie. Okaygoodnight. Back to my brew!
(4)Paul B.
There is little that I can say about this place that hasn't been said about the best bars in Chicago. It is run with a precise eye on a positive customer experience. The ambiance is awesome - trashy-chic but really relaxing. The selection of potent potables is perfect. The staff is stellar. From Ron the doorman - to Ashley the bartender to Pedro and Mike... You see; you go there one time and you know the staff and they really go out of their way to make you feel welcome. I can say nothing bad about this place. Great selection - great service! (Delicious Rye!) Now you know what Tom Jones was singing about when he sang, "My... My... My... Delilah! (Showing my age?)
(5)Kim G.
I love this place. They have an awesome beer and whiskey selection in a real chill little bar.
(4)Bobby C.
Leave your collared shirts at home and roll up your sleaves to show off that ink. This place reminds me of a spot you might fidn in LA's Silverlake district. It's a divey bar that serves high end whiskey and just about any booze you'd want. The cliental is straight out of a Tattoo casting call, but very chill. I think we were there on country night because that's all they played. They even had country westerns playing on the TV's. However it was the gritty country--Cash. Fun dive spot where you are able to get a seat and have a convo.
(4)Athanasios T.
I visited this bar on a Sunday night with a few friends. I tend to like dive-y bars where you can have good drinks and the music isn't so loud you can't have a conversation. Unfortunately, in places like I've described I've noticed that they're usually filled with pretentious employees and customers. Not here. The bartenders are friendly and helpful. I asked for a recommendation for a rye whiskey and the barman brought over 4 different bottles, let me smell them and proceeded to tell me a bit about each one. I was surprised. Even the doorman was very friendly. Delilahs is cozy, fun, and reasonably priced. Their huge drink selection is one step above almost every other bar I've visited. Don't let the dark interior intimidate you. This is a great bar.
(5)C K.
The heart of Chicago Hipster culture lives in the sh*tty bathroom stall at Delilah's. True story. I'm taking a leak in the way too small bathroom, when Johnny Haircut strolls in. He notices there's not enough room for him, but guess what??? He stays in the bathroom! Must have liked the intimacy. I guess my shirt must have reminded him of his own self-importance because he suddenly kills my stream by saying "Aw cool. You like Husker Du?". I will say the girls are mostly weird-cute...which is nice. But between the Hookers playing Hockey on the closed circuit TV, and the terrible,scratchy dad-punk banging on endlessly from the speakers, I'll stick with getting drunk at the Gap.
(2)Der K.
They have a very good juke box. They have a killer whiskey selection. Their beer selection is great. The bartenders are creepy. And the crowd is ripe with tourists.
(2)Mandi P.
Last night was my first night at Delilah's and I LOVED it!!! We met a group of friends who frequent this place and I will definitely be joining them more often!!! The staff is friendly, laid back, and hot!!! They have a gazillion bottles of booze to choose from and the prices are decent!!! Delilah's draws a great range of friendly people of all ages all looking to have fun and laugh. My favorite thing was the ladies bathroom...I know...odd, but it really stuck out in my head. I expected the bathroom to be slightly icky, but it was clean and the best part...the mirror is a broken mosaic and it takes a lot of concentration to see a small portion of your face if you have been drinking. This has to keep the overly vain gals from spending so much time in there...LOVE IT!!! Get 'em in, get 'em out!!! Can't wait to spend another evening there!!!
(4)Jonathan C.
This place was a solid 4 in my mind.... then Tamale Guy came. Boom 5 points. So as most people know, this place is the sh!t when it comes to a good whiskey bar that isn't all uppity. They have some special casks direct from Highland Park (Scotch not the suburb). So you can get some scotch here you can't get anywhere else in the world. The daily specials are perfect for getting the night going. How many places have $3 Makers Mark on a Friday night. Get a beer and a shot for $6 in Chicago!!! The music is pretty loud, the place is dirty, the bathrooms stink.... but this place is awesome. The pool is free, the daily specials rock, there is no Chads or Trixies that come here, and they have art on the wall for sale if you feel like being fancy.
(5)Conor O.
Bottom Line Up Front: Best bar in the goddamn city. I failed to mention the beer selection during my last review, I am a horrible Yelper... you can call me a Yelp-turd for forgetting. Apologies all around. The rotating taps have Half-Acre Daisy Cutter (perhaps chicago's best beer), Goose Island Sophie, New Belgium La Folie (delicious sour ale), Hobgoblin, Arrogant Bastard, La Fin Du Monde, Guinness, et. al. Ride the bar out if you want to know what good beer tastes like. For those pinching their pennies, you are not forgotten! Mondays are Punk Rock Mondays where they play punk videos on the tube and have $1 beers. The beers are cans selected by the bar every week. It's no Daisy Cutter, but in the words of Sam Jackson "IT'S BEER! IT'LL GET YOU DRUNK!!!" As I mentioned previously, the whiskey selection is very impressive; the jukebox is an eclectic mix of rocabilly, punk, ska, and heavy metal; and the celebration for Elvis' birthday is NOT to be missed! The clientele is punk, but not fake punk that gives a shit if you don't have tattoos, wear black or know who the Descendents are. You could be Macho Man Randy Savage dressed in the most garish outfit ever, and they would welcome you if you were there to have fun. (They'd probably let you know that you really stole the intercontinental championship from the Honkey Tonk Man, but it should be expected where they have a GIANT oil painting of the King in the corner of the Bar.) All in all, this is a Chicago jewel. Get your ass down here and drink a boilermaker and listen to some Merle Haggard.
(5)Borracho G.
- Cheap daily beer and whiskey special - Tons of whiskey and beer to choose from - 2 levels of dark dive decor - Abstract wall art - Interesting selection of music every night -The occasional 70's porn being shown on the TV's - Great people watching - Fri
(4)J.v. S.
I just moved back to LA from Chicago, and I desperately miss this place. Fantastic selection of whiskeys and cheap beer. Oftentimes the televisions are playing music videos that don't sync with the songs being played, which is awesome, or just cheesy horror movies from the 70's. Great bar, great people, and a great time...maybe too many great times, but still.
(5)Ed R.
great bar to have a drink, awesome whisky selection!!
(5)Jess L.
This place is awesome! Successfully converted me into a whiskey lover, which I thought was impossible. The bartenders were prompt and friendly, and the crowd seemed pretty chill. Music kept me happy. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Kiki M.
Esquire's Best Bar List: Best Dive Bar Winner. It delivered. While the journey to get there was long and seemingly neverending walking into Delilah's made it all worth it. Small, dark, smells a little strange, disgusting bathrooms, knowing if these walls could talk the stories it would have. My mom and I trekked to Delilah's on a Sunday afternoon. It was very mellow. Aside from the two of us and the bartender there were maybe five other people and a baby. Yes, a baby. "Ray" was playing on the screen and punk blared from speakers. There was a great selections of beers on tap and I must say the walls had the neatest carved pattern. While I was sipping my beer I noticed a group walk in and sit next to us. A man stood while the rest sat and seemed to be giving an oration. He got each person a sample of beer and I what I could overhear him describing the Valentine's Day massacre. I put two and two together and assumed it was a tour group. If a tour is willing to stop in a bar like Delilah's, that is a tour I need to take! It was a journey to get to Delilah's but it was worth finding out of it truly was worthy of being named, not a great, a BEST dive bar, and yes, it is worthy.
(4)Michael P.
After that first time going, D's has become my go-to, Thursday night spot. I used to be all fancy beer, but heck, $3 beer/$3 shot special? I'm in. Music kicks ass, too, and (...I have have sensitive ears ...) the quality of the sound system is great. Go there.
(5)Jennifer F.
It's a small space with loud, hard music. Definitely not my scene, but it was a friend's birthday, so I went along. The redeeming quality was that drinks are super cheap (and strong), and I have to credit Delilah's with introducing me to what is probably the most wonderful vodka I have ever tasted. If I could, I've give this place 3.5 stars.
(3)Donald B.
There is so much going on here there is not enough time to explain it all. Firstt off though there is more whiskey on the back bar than I have ever seen! More updates to come.
(5)Jenna S.
On Mondays, Delilah's has $1 American Beers. After the Yelp event last week, we decided we needed to get out of expensive near north and find a bar with some sweet Monday night specials. Where did I turn? Yelp, of course! Armed with my Blackberry, I searched for some Monday night drink specials and this was the top of the list. What's an American Beer you ask? We debated this in the car on the way to the bar and it turns out we were completely off. We thought it meant domestic or maybe just synonymous with Miller. Nope. There is an actual brand of beer called American. And you know what? When it's served perfectly chilled, it tastes pretty darn good. And it is $1. Yay! The music was pretty good. Not exactly what I would have chosen, but it wasn't so loud that I couldn't hear my friends. The decor of the place is pretty eclectic, decorated with posters of singers, albums, random pieces of pop culture (Laura Palmer!) - I definitely like it. On a Monday night the place wasn't full so we had no problem grabbing a table for our party of four. Maybe I'll find myself back here when I have nothing to do on a Monday - it's right off the Diversey bus.
(5)Carri C.
Went to an "all you can drink" New Year's Eve event here many years ago. Still angry about it! They had very little staff and the place was packed tighter than the Red Line after a Cubs game. I literally had ONE drink after fighting my way to the bar. They also played horrible light rock and other crap music. I think it was a joke by the staff on the patrons as this is a punk bar. The joke was not funny. When it became clear that I could neither get a drink or even use the bathroom, and I was being tortured by the crap music, I said forget it and left. Since I had very little $$ back then, and I had spent a large door fee for the "all you can drink", I just had to go home and stew about this place. Ten years later, I still flip it the bird every time I drive by.
(1)Katrina S.
Okay, I'm biased but no matter - this is a great, unpretentious, cool bar. I have been going to Delilah's for years. It's got a loyal following and a kick ass vibe. I would venture to say this is the most well stocked bar in all the land. The bartenders here are the real deal, skilled, no pomp & circumstance, just good tending. If your lucky enough to catch the owner (Mike) there & you wanna learn a lil somethin about the brown liquor (or any alcoholic substance) you've struck gold. Mari is fantastic, she has been behind the bar at Delilah's long enough to be a recognizable fixture - she really knows her booze and is happy to share her knowledge with you - as long as it's not 6 deep at the bar. You can find her there Wednesday, Thursday and upstairs on Friday nights! (shameless plug). There is a different theme most every night as far as music goes and is almost always good for it's genre. Due to the different music nights/events the crowd really varies. There is an upstairs bar which has a pool table. They also rent it out for private parties and it's very reasonable. Street parking is pretty easy. Drink specials abound. Good times!
(5)Candice G.
Despite having a mediocre time, I really like Delilah's. I can see it's non-weekend potential and I greatly appreciate that. I went on Saturday and they had one of my favorite beers, Chang (Thai beer with elephants on the bottle) for $3- SCORE! It was quite crowded but at 11:00 they opened the upstairs area to the general public so I got to spread out a bit... and watch She-Ra on the TV! I liked the music but was kind of disappointed that there was no dancing... not even swaying... in fact people looked like they weren't even enjoying the music but I guess weekend crowds are a funny people. I would def. go back to try during the week OR if a friend has one of those open bar private parties.
(4)Ashley M.
A true rock n roll bar. I love everything about Delilah's. The music is awesome, staff is amazing and it just feels like home. You can find me here on Mondays because I'm a bargain hunter and can't pass up $1 beer and $2 whiskey. I'm a beer and whiskey enthusiast (when my budget allows for it) and Delilah's has such an amazing selection, all at fair prices! I've attended some of their whiskey seminars and plan to go to more in the future. If you don't like punk rock, playing pool or pinball, this isn't your place.
(5)Jenn K.
Really awesome bar. Excellent beer list! They even had Southern Tier 2XMAS ON MOTHER F'ING TAP around Christmas time (swoon). There's an upstairs and a downstairs. Really crowded on weekends, but has a really cool atmosphere to make up for it. Great music. Bartenders are nice. Pool upstairs. One of my favorite Lincoln Park hangouts.
(4)Steven R.
A diamond in the yuppie paved rough. Delilah's is completely my type of bar. The place is a poo hole painted black that looks like it should be a goth club. It carries that punk rock vibe with it and I love that the seats and furniture have imperfects that are deliberately left there or terribly fixed (thumbs up to the duct tape over the hole in the booth seat!). The walls are lined with awesome indie art that rotates out about once a month, not to mention the establishment's unabashed pride in getting customers to drink Maker's Mark like it's water. Obviously a big clincher beyond a great atmosphere and keen decoration is the great selection of craft and micro brews. You'll find Three Floyd's, Goose Island and Metropolitan brews on draft as well as your favorite cheap domestics. When you decide you've had enough Krankshaft Kolsch there lies a beautiful fridge full of belgian bottles for you to gaze and hopefully select. An added plus is that this place holds seasonal beer tastings. I'm not a huge fan of the format or the fact that they seem to run out of everything if you're not there in the first few hours but I must give credit to anyplace that attempts to hold such an event for us beer obsessed folk. The winter warmer beer fest had vintages dating back to 05 which I find pretty impressive. It was almost like someone cleared out their own personal beer cellar for this event. Need more space? Check out the upstairs.
(5)Mike D.
biggest whiskey selection in the country? What is not to like. This place is awesome. The staff really knows their whiskey, and even gave me a free whiskey for us to try. The only weird thing was what was playing on tv. Not even kidding all of the tv's were showing a movie about an asian serial rapist, and the scenes were very graphic. Found that odd but also slightly amusing at the same time (in the sense like what the eff is going on). The music was great and the atmosphere was just very laid back. Great place
(5)Tim S.
Delilah's, if only you were a little closer to my place. You seem to pop into the rotation once every year or two and I don't know why not more. Great selection of Beer from your basic's to the tasty (subjective) imports that you have found for our consumption and a huge selection of Whiskeys. Morrissey was playing (DJ for only Morrissey... hmm I liked it) at a decent level you could still carry on a conversation, or ignore one you did not want to be a part of. Despite it getting a little crowded the feel is relaxed, no attitude. A solid goto place... Perhaps I need to go to a little more.
(4)Nate B.
God damn, that's a good bar. Great venue. Upstairs has attentive bartenders, a pool table and a little breathing room. Not to mention great decorative electrical wiring in the death stairs. Sober stair walking is ideal, take your time if you've imbibed too many high quality beers. Downstairs is great, there is a lot of love for Elvis, and for Tom Hanks (at least when I was there). Get here early, there's not a lot of turnover for seating (-1 star). Great Dive.
(4)Sharon S.
I called a couple weeks ago to schedule a birthday party at Delilah's and it took them forever to call me back. Actually, they never did. I was persistent and called them. I was looking for a dive bar in the area and heard such great things about Delilah's that I was adamant about having my party here. When I finally talked to the owner, Mike, we decided on 4/30 with the $20 package advertised on their website. ( delilahschicago.com/party ) There was a party on their second floor from 9-11pm so we planned to start the party downstairs at 10:30pm and moved the party upstairs at 11pm. When we arrived on Saturday night we were told at the door that there was a private party upstairs but would open at 11pm. Weird, cause that's when our party was suppose to start upstairs. We spoke to Mike and advised that they don't have party packages and the $20 deal we spoke about didn't exist. Instead he said it would cost $20/person to have the private party upstairs, not including drinks. Too bad the website says it's $50 to reserve the upstairs room without drinks. The overall experience of planning the event was very disappointing. We ended up staying and having a good time anyway but I'm just quite disappointed in my whole experience. Maybe I didn't sound or look like I belonged in the bar but who are they to judge? And for a fact, I prefer dive bars. Definitely didn't deserve the disrespect. It'll be awhile before I'll be back there.
(3)Rachel H.
Why have I not reviewed Delilah's? I don't know. They have an excellent selection of whiskey. All of the whiskeys. All of them. The beer selection is not bad though not extremely extensive and the pricing is more than alright. I also approve of any place where seating at 10:30 on a Saturday night is plentiful. The special cocktail we tried this past Saturday, "the Intern" was delicious which had white whiskey, ginger and orange liqueur I believe. They take cards now, and most importantly, when we were in on Saturday, they were playing the Kiss movie. Fabulously ridiculous.
(5)Marc R.
A cool bar that has been here almost twenty years. Now, back when this place opened this was the edgy part of Lincoln Park.... think back a while. These days, this is perhaps the only cool bar in a half-mile where the density of North Face wearing boys and girls is perhaps 99%. Great music playing. Super dark interior. I wish I had gone here back in the late 1990s. I think I might have, but don't remember it. Creepy art on the walls. Nice! I would say this is the BEST bar in this area of Chicago where I would not choose to hang out.
(4)Mariah V.
I love whiskey. I love Delilah's. If you love whiskey, you'll probably like this place, too. I actively avoid crowds (borderline recluse), but I'll run into Delilah's for a drink no matter how crowded. Oh and they have a ton of Koval whiskey - made less than 4 miles away. You should try it.
(5)Juan G.
One of the great dive bars in Chicago, hands down. Music was cool, decor is down, and great beer and whiskey selections. The upstairs section is cooler than the downstairs.
(5)Dylan B.
I walked into this bar last night not knowing what to expect. In all honesty, my companion and I just wanted a place to get out of the freezing rain and use the bathroom, and maybe grab a beer. I'd heard of this place before but had never really been intrigued enough to make it a destination. After this, though, I think that will change. Walking in, I was first taken aback by the fact that the bouncer wasn't a dick, which seems incredibly uncommon nowadays. He greeted us with a smile and an upbeat demeanor, almost as if he realized he was representing his place of business, a concept over the heads of a lot of bouncers at other bars/clubs. First impressions were good. I loved the dive bar ambiance, broken-in bar stools, dim lighting, loud music, etc. I was also surprised by both the great selection of drinks as well as the low prices. Flustered as my friend and I were from the walk in the sleet, it took us a minute to figure out what we wanted to drink. The bartender was totally helpful and actually suggested a few things that I would have never even tried. The clientele was great. People were in high spirits and very approachable. I generally judge the friendliness of a bar's customer base on the kinds of conversations I have/overhear while outside smoking. Needless to say, I was impressed. Overall, I really dug this spot. I will definitely be back.
(5)Rouzhna N.
What a gem. The interior has a really intimate vibe, excellent movies being played in the background, and just a mix of music that's everything from reggae to 90s hiphop to alt. rock to chill. I love whiskey, so this was just fantastic! They got a good variety and an excellent bartender. He knew his drinks and he was such a chill person to talk to.
(5)K S.
Really enjoyed myself at this place even though it is not the kind of bar atmosphere I'm use to. Place is tiny but went on a Saturday night and didnt have any issues finding a seat. The crowd there was nice and even chatted up the bartender and local regulars. Overall it was a decent Dive Bar.
(3)Phil G.
So I have been in here a bunch of times in the past and always had a blast but I finally felt like I had to write a review after one of the most epic nights I have had ever. After rocking out all day Saturday at Riot Fest drinking crappy beer my friends and I headed to Delilah's for some good bourbon and beer pairings. The bartender with the flat top (I never catch his name, probably because I'm drinking) suggested the Ocean Bourbon and the Rocky's Revenge Brown Ale. I proceeded to order this pairing again a few minutes later. I tried a couple of other pairings and was very happy with "Flat Top's" suggestions. The vibe was awesome. The crowd was terrific. The music was blasting (in a good way). This is exactly where I want to be when I want to rock out and drink good beer and whiskey!
(5)Steve W.
If I lived in Chicago, this would be a regular stop. This place is great. Bartenders are without attitude and happy to actually serve you a drink - who knew? Music is somewhat rockabilly, but more punk, with some 80's metal thrown in now and then. Plenty of beers to choose from in addition to a dozen flavors of Absinthe. That's right - they have Absinthe. Go crazy like Van Gogh.
(5)Laura H.
Definitely not a bar to go and be seen... it is, however, a nice retreat from frat boy havens in Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park. Its a dark bar with a punk atmosphere... decent drink specials and nothing really to complain about... typical dive bar... nothing extra special ...
(2)Franklin D.
Way fun place to hang out and drink a lot. Puts out a flyer with all the up coming bands, punk rock karoke nights, and what have you. You can play pool upstairs, there's another bar up there. I like the music, the crowd is generally of a decent sort.
(5)Jean G.
Definitely the only reason I venture to Lincoln Park at night. I have traveled from East Rogers Park to here and back just for a shot of whiskey. They've got a phenomenal selection of good beer and better whiskey, and even though the music is too loud sometimes and you have to shout to talk to your friends and the bathrooms are kinda gnarly (but I mean come on, it is a punk rock bar. clean bathrooms and soft music would make it a different kind of joint.) it is still my favorite dive bar in town. I don't even care how many hipsters I have to wade through to make it to the bar when it's busy. Not that it means anything (but definitely a plus) all of the staff are really hot. Also, Jason makes the best whiskey sour that I've ever had in my life. And I've had a lot of whiskey sours. The only complaint I'd ever even thought of about this place is the lack of air conditioning in the summer. My boyfriend and I drove the Norton to Mods Vs Rockers in the summer and went inside to grab a beer. It was super f***ing packed and hot as hell in there. Aside from that, I got no complaints.
(5)Adam M.
This place was a blast. I went on a tuesday night and it was chill, cheap, and had some great tunes. Nice crowd and just a nice divey/punky bar. A great place to spend the night. I'll definitely be checking it out some weekend to check out the crowd on a different night.
(5)Mark S.
Delilah's is the perfect dive bar for the scotch enthusiast. We went soon after opening and the place was not loud at all ...yet. Several hundred single-malt choices await the weary traveler. Simply take the Brown-line train to Diversey and walk west a couple blocks through a nice neighborhood and you are good to go. Bartender was excellent, too.
(5)Kris R.
The best Punk Rock jukebox of any bar I've been to, and I've been to a lot. This place is authentic and a must-go, even if you are a scum-sucking poseur - LOL (Sorry about that last part, I just can't review a punk bar without getting a little aggro...)
(4)Rachel G.
been here a few times. Everytime I go the drink prices seem to change even for the same drink. Guess it depends on what bartender you get! The place is small, but there is an upstairs you can rent out for private parties and when there is overflow. Drinks are good and bartenders are nice. Met a cocktail waitress and she was really helpful about what drinks to get (I heard they have the most variety of whiskey in all of Chicago). She reccomended a plum flavor vodka and made a drink for my friend and when i tried it, it was really good! The music is just ok and since it is so small everyone just bumps into everyone! Overall I will be back...nice bar that is not your typical lincoln park bar
(3)Amanda C.
WIDEEE whiskey selection and there is always a $3 whiskey shot special. Yay for whiskey! Manders enjoys! Aside from that, the place is pretty sweet. There is ample seating and there is also an upstairs area with a pool table and small bar. Generally a mixed crowd consisting of Lincoln Park lame-os and older punk rockers that have gotten sick of overly populated bars that have been overrun with hipsters. Their tunes are awesome... almost always punk rock blaring when I go in there! Yay for punk rock! Me gusta mucho muchoooooo! The bartenders are pretty awesome... I've never had an issue with any of them. Go, k?
(4)Bruce B.
Solid dive bar with a friendly crowd and strong drinks. It gets a bit crowded, but can still make your way through. Decent selection of beer on tap and really good bourbon specials. Check this place out.
(4)Matt W.
Delilah's is a very cool punk bar. It also happens to be a hockey bar (owner is a Buffalo Sabres fan). They have a really good selection of high quality beer and scotch. The décor and lighting is very cool. They play a lot of punk rock, and whoever's controlling the CD machine takes requests. They have an upstairs with a second bar, a pinball machine and pool table. The upstairs is sometimes rented out for private parties. I seem to have a great time there every time I go to Delilah's. It can get crowded some nights, so get there early.
(5)Kim K.
Seriously cool bar!! I would not title this bar as a dive bar. It probably is seen as different b/c it is not a sports bar. This bar had cool music not one sport item and appreciated it's whiskey and scotch. I would highly recommend this bar for a place to kick back and relish the taste of a good scotch.
(5)Lindsey N.
I used to live down the block from Delilah's and was always apprehensive about it. It didn't look like the kind of place I would like. I'm not into the punk scene and I prefer a pub or wine bar atmosphere, so I never stopped by. Talk about judging a book... I've been to Delilah's a handful of times and every time I've enjoyed myself immensely. The bartenders are great and the art on the wall is kitchy-fantastic. There's a pool table upstairs and plenty of seating. It's also a great place to avoid the frat-boy crowd...they're too busy drinking out of fishbowls a few block away at Uncle Fatty's.
(4)Kristina C.
Delilahs is one of my favorite bars in Chicago. I just love the atmosphere and music. Check out the calendar to see what's going on for the month. They play some pretty good flicks every now and then too. They have a great beer selection, but whiskey lovers will be happy here. Make sure to check their specials too. It can get pretty crowded on weekends so be prepared to stand around for a bit with your drinks. I do prefer going on a weekday when the crowd is a little thinner. I usually tend to hang out downstairs, but if you like to play pool head on up and get in a few games. Definitely the best bar in the area!
(5)Jennie M.
I love Delilah's. I've been coming here pretty consistently the last year or so with my girlfriends, and we always have a good time. It's not pretentious at all as some people assume. I've seen all manner of people in here, and everyone gets along well. They have great specials, attractive, nice bartenders, servers and doormen, and are always showing something 'interesting' on the tvs. It gets really crowded downstairs on weekends, but when upstairs opens at 11 it helps clear it out. I hear rumor that they are starting to do wrist band parties. This makes me very sad. Don't ruin this bar by turning it into some Lincoln Park kitchy locale. Please.
(4)Chris W.
I went on a Monday evening and it was dead inside. They were playing "Still Crazy" on their many flat screen TV's which was a fun movie and it danced gracefully with the music that was just barely blaring loud. There's an upstairs with a pool table and some booths (and another bar when it's not dead). I can only imagine it being hot and crowded on the weekends. The older bartender with the long hair was quiet and chill. Had a whiskey sour and a whiskey and sod, and after two drinks we hardly caught a buzz. It wasn't ultra overpriced but we should have stocked up on the Monday night special, $1 American beer. Not domestic, that's the brand name...American. Beer. I'll try it out again sometime. Oooo btw, May is Zombie month at Delilah's. Check it out!
(3)Jessica C.
I'm a fan. Rockabilly little spot. Slightly toned down from Estelles, Delilah's is pretty chill with super nice bartenders and staff. Easy place to go to grab a beer and chit chat anytime and catch a glimpse or two of the b movies and old school porn flicks that may or may not be playing on the tvs. I may be shot for saying this, but I enjoy it more without all the smoke these days. I'd rather freeze my tootsie off outside and have a smoke than wake up in the morning smelling like a cigarette butt. I'm not a huge smoker so it doesn't bother me.
(3)Justin V.
First bar I ever went to in Chicago. Never seen it sober. Good. Cheap. Rock and roll. (Like my ex-girlfriend, but a bar.) I'd be in here 24/7 if it was open 24/7. (Like my ex-girlfriend, but a bar.) There's occasionally a bunch of assholes in here when I want to be. (Like my ex-girlfriend, but a bar.) Still, no matter how much I might shit talk it or pee on it, Delilah's is wonderful and I should go there more often. (Like my ex-girlfriend, but a bar.) I love you, Delilah's. Why did you marry that fucking teacher's assistant? You're so stupid sometimes. You're so beautiful. God I miss you. Can't we just- Just- *sobbing*
(4)Scott H.
My wife introduced me to Delilah's a while ago and we now make it a point to visit every time we're in Chicago. Fantastic music, phenomenal selection of spirits, and cool art all can be found here! Can't recommend it enough!!
(5)Heather K.
I imagine that if I weren't so generally indecisive, this would be my favorite bar in Chicago. Monday nights are the best: $1 domestic cans and solid punk rock. Need I say more? There's two floors and free pool to wet your whistle, and they show creepy/cool old movies on the moniters. The decor is interesting, but not over-the-top. It's surprising that this place is in Lincoln Park- quite the neighborhood outlier.
(4)Ivan H.
If you like seedy dive bars, then Delilah's is a winner. They've got great drink specials and it's hard rock enough to keep the hipsters at bay. There are, of course, equally self-esteem deprived individuals acting out their punk rock and metal aggression, but they're far easier to get along with (not to mention more genuine) than over-sized head phone wearers with ironic mustaches. I've been really curious to check their SKA nights. Sounds totally boss.
(4)Scott K.
WTF this place has like 120+ bourbons and just as many single malt scotches. oh and let's not forget just about every absinthe made in the US as well. completely retarded selection of booze. AND AND AND the prices are super reasonable. the bartenders are super cool guys, no pretense here eventho to the casual observer the place is full of hipsters. frickin a i even got a delilah's tshirt to commemorate this event. if you like whiskey, i can't imagine there's another joint in chicago that can rival delilah's. get your ass over here pronto.
(5)Molly L.
Delilah's is one of my favorite bars in Chicago. It has good people, good music, and good drinks. Said drinks include 300 types of beer and 400 types of whiskey. What's not to like?
(5)amber a.
Favorite bar in Chicago! My review is based on my patronage from 1996-2000. Good Beer. awesome nightly specials. Generous bartendars. Cute boys. Good music. I think i spent most if not all my paycheck here. Hell, I even had my going away party in the upstairs room. Lots of memories from this place and next time I visit Chicago I'll be there.
(4)Jeff M.
I grew up in San Francisco, and I find it damn near impossible to find a decent bar on St Patrick's weekend. So I expected a weekend full of frustration when I came to a city I'd never stepped foot in and tried to find a good bar that wasn't full of frat boy amateurs. Delilah's came through. In fact, it's one of the best dive bars I've ever been to. I will most definitely be coming here next time I get back to Chicago. San Franciscans- think Lucky 13, the Attic, Zeitgeist, Whiskey Thieves.
(5)Walter P.
This a really good bar that plays lots of punk rock which I totally dig, but do they have play it so loud? Oh wait, that's the point of punk though right? That's my only complaint as I had to yell over The Clash to talk to someone right next to me. Other than than that: Reasonably priced drinks, chill crowd (leaning hipster/punk), one of the widest whiskey selections in the city (so I'm told), and good ole punk music makes for a good night.
(4)justine s.
This place really surprised me. Why? The location. I would never expect a bar like this to be in Lincoln Park. The first time I went I don't really recall any detail. The second time I was a bit more coherent and I really dug the place. There's cool stuff all over the walls, including the bathroom. If you like whiskey (which I have been known to get down on pretty regularly) this place is a gem. It's a refreshing change from the bars in the area and they usually play pretty decent music. I would stay stop in, but don't because it's getting a little too crowded. ;)
(4)Caroline R.
THIS....is my bar. I love Delilah's for so many different reasons....the respectful and hilarious bartenders and doorguys...the often violent or pornographic movies they show...the $2-$3 whiskey specials...and most importantly, the fact that it's somehow able to exist in Lincoln Park without turning into a gigantic fistful of douche. I don't think I've ever had a bad time here. Sometimes it can be a bit crowded, but once the upstairs opens (generally at about 11pm) the crowd thins out. The service is always very swift and attentive when there is a waitress. I hope this bar stays like this forever, I plan on living there someday when the recession forces me out of my apartment.
(5)Mike L.
I have only been to this place a couple of times and that was only for beer tastings that they have on Saturday afternoons so my experience is limited. The beer tastings are very nice, its like $20-25 for about 20 samples and the bottles are all over the place, upstairs and down. The staff is very friendly and talkative. Talking to the staff and looking around you can see that they have a very nice selection of whiskey's but on days without the tasting the beer selection is average at best. The decor is filled with posters and what can be playing on the TV's can make you look twice in a "are they really playing this" type of way. Not saying it is good or bad but it may be a bit much for those who are easily offended. Personally I did not mind what was playing but I can see that it would affect some the wrong way. I do know a couple of friends who have gone here at night and listened to the stories they tell and while personally I would never go here at night, even when I was younger, it is nice to have someplace different to go to.
(4)Chuck W.
I dig this place. I'm brand new in town, and know no one here, so I've been taking the advice of different message boards and such as to places that I should check out. The atmosphere here is fantastic. The gritty movies playing all the time, and the Elvis paintings. It gives a good vibe. Not to mention, their beer selection here is phenomenal! I always find myself winding up here when I have no idea where else to go.
(5)Nikki C.
in the movies Delilah was the ultimate seducer with the power to take down even the strongest of men. ...coincidence?...i think not. Next time before you come here, take a sharpie marker, write on the bottom of your feet your name and address ...both of the them just in case. This way, they know where to send you when its time for you to leave. as described in the other reviews, many beers, many whiskey, and many good times rocking out to some many good tuneage. check website for events and specials enjoy!
(4)Olivia E.
My new favorite place in town. Love everything about it. Great vide, cheap drink specials, awesome music, and a pool table. My only complaint is that it's not walking (crawling) distance from my house
(5)link b.
Ive never had a bad time here! I only go every say 4-6 months, but I'm glad to have it around as an option.
(4)Nik B.
For being in the DePaul / Lincoln Park area, this place outshines many. Now, I think to go and be here, you either have to be a beer snob, a punk rocker...or just someone who typically gets annoyed with the usual Lincoln Park crowd. Overall, it's just a fun bar. They have a huge selection of pretty much everything, beer, whiskey, spirits (including absinthe)...you name it. Either take a date here, who you are confident likes you, or go with some friends. It's a good time. I will definitely return for absinthe.
(4)mariya k.
you + me = love forever. miss you. xo, mariya
(5)Leanne B.
My absolute favorite Chicago bar!!! I wish it was possible to give six stars. Really. Amazing whiskey specials and every bar tender there knows what's up as far as how to make a great drink. Music is killer and I have hosted many going away parties/birthday parties/etc parties at Delilah's. Free pool on some nights and another bar up stairs. Juke box is killer, too...but usually the music playing via the DJ is great. Art is ever-changing which is encouraging for an artist such as myself, and the bathrooms are usually kept up well. Free cover! Divey-feeling but not gross! In fact...the opposite. Also, three words: Morrissey/Smiths Night. HUGE fan of this place; can't say enough good things. I am so sad that I now live in Brooklyn and can't frequent my rockabilly hangout. Love, love, love.
(5)Erica S.
Whiskey Bar with impressive selection and good specials. Friendly and tentative bar tenders. Went on a Saturday night and it never got unbearably crowded like many dive bars do. Dark , comfortable ambiance. Awesome Jackie Chan movie playing in the background.
(4)Michelle H.
I spent my Monday night at Punk Night Mondays at Delilah's and there is no other bar I would have rather been. $1 Americans (super shitty beer, but only a buck) and $2 Jim Beam, you can't really lose. Between the punk rock music, the Elvis paintings everywhere, and muted doll porn, this place is pretty crazy. But I like it. The creepy, strange porn on the TV's kept people entertained while downing cheap beer. I had a great time, the punk music was pretty on point, and it's nice to see a non-brobar in this area.
(4)Christine F.
What's with all the hating on Delilah's? I LIKE this bar! But only under certain conditions: If you want to have a good time, don't go on the weekend. Go on weeknights. I love when they play crappy/amazing horror movies on the TV screens around the bar. When I've gone, the bartenders have been nice enough. A little aloof, I guess. Nothing remarkable. The drinks are okay... it's a nice bar. The ambience really makes it - but the ambience is only okay when the Lincoln Park kids stay OUT of the bar.
(4)Drucilla D.
So what constitutes this being a dive bar? The fact that one doesn't have to wear a boobie top to get in and get some decent treatment? It had everything that any other bar has, but with a genuninely swell crowd of people, an obscure film selection on the televisions and some great alcohol specials if you don't really care about the taste. Seating was pretty plentiful, there were a good number of attractive boys (including the one I was with - holy crap) and they had a fantastic soundtrack and vodka/Red Bull. What else does a girl need? I only give it four stars instead of five because I seriously don't know how my tab got as big as it did. I think we only had four drinks total, one of them beer and one of them the whiskey special and the tab seemed a bit large. Oh well.
(4)Karen C.
Best music, best atmosphere, best bartenders ever (Jason & Sean)! No bullshit...just booze.
(5)Paul C.
This is a good bar to hang at if you have no plans and you like a rock atmosphere. It has a tennancy to get a bit full, but if the upstairs is open, its usually reasonable. FOOD: The tamale guy will come around. DRINK: Fine selection of taps and liquor. That's right, they have Sailor Jerry Navy rum. 92 proof bottle of excellence. The beers are good and not too pricy. ATMOSPHERE: Very rock oriented group. The DJ's usually spin some hard rocking tunes as well as requests. If they have the rock and roll juke box on, it has a great selectio0n of songs. Rock, Metal, Punk, and beyond. Stools and tables downstairs. A couple couches in the back. If you choose to walk up the stairs adorned with old arcade/pinball machine parts, a pool table and booths and another bar will meet you. I never have trouble parking around here. Maybe I get lucky? Recently, I just take the red like which is a little walk from Fullerton, but on a nice day who cares. If it is downporing, you might want to take a cab or bus.
(5)Nick S.
I like shitty beer. I like punk rock. I hate Mondays. The above are the reasons why I love going to Delilah's on Mondays. Get there early enough and you and your entourage can get a seat at the bar, the tables, or even in the little lounge room downstairs. I believe it's once a month they have Smiths night. If I lived in this neighborhood I would spend far too much time here. Going here on the weekends is not always exciting though, unless you consider standing arm to arm and waiting forever to get your drinks an exciting time. The bar upstairs has a pool table and it used to have a defunct Adams Family pinball machine which I can't remember if they got rid of it or if I just dreamed that; I will have to find out next Monday!
(5)Bill M.
Punk Rock Mondays at this place are one of the best things to ever happen in the long history of humanity. American Beer goes down smooth at any reasonable price but especially well at a dollar a can. The staff is really friendly and when drinks are this cheap, just about everybody else is too! Every night in this place there's a special that's worth checking out. Just don't go on a night when Springa from SSD happens to be DJ'ing. Trust me.
(4)Sarah S.
Yet again.. Thank you for my dive bars. Been here several times and it lives up to the college bar. They have happy hour/daily specials and I love that. Why isn't there more places like this?
(4)Carol J.
Why, why, why Delilah's? Well I used to be their Jim Beam rep...but I can tell you that on Monday nights here, I've slung more bourbon and made more friends than a girl has a right to. I sponsored the pool table so I made friends with the likes of Skinheads to Straight Edge and everyone in between. Gretchen convinced me to go to Spain on a whim, (though I couldn't be swayed on the tattoo). I had some of the most amazing conversations with the video guy Augie, Mike Miller and even the distiller from Maker's Mark (sorry Booker Noe!). I have hung with my dear friend Springa from SSD (how obscure is that reference), dudes from The Verve and Thrill Kill Cult. I even hung here when it was Crash Palace or something like that. But Delilah's has a world class bourbon collection due to Mike's educated palatte and they are no slouch in the scotch department either. And who doesn't love a little Rock n' Rye? Love the cult film nights, love the body art, love the resident dogs and regulars. Why, why, why Delilah's did I have to grow up and stop going out on Monday nights!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)Heather S.
Pinball!!! They have a pinball machine upstairs! Who doesn't love pinball??? Seriously, this place has to be my favorite "dive" in the city! They have Delirium Tremens in bottles and A LOT of them! And I know this because I have drank my fare share of them last time I was there. Great bar, with a good beer selection that has a nice laid back vibe.
(5)Melissa Q.
We came here for some after dinner drinks on VDay. Overall, it seemed like a pretty cool place. There is a huge beer and liquor selection. The bar tender seemed cool and was attentive. Not pretentious from what I could tell. There was a downstairs area that I wasn't able to check out. I will definitely stop by again if I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)Mike M.
Whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, whiskey, and great beer to boot
(4)Colleen R.
Delilah's wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but it was a nice surprise nonetheless. I happened to show up during Beatles Happy Hour the other night, and after a couple of beers under the Christmas lights along with several Beatles songs (played AT FULL VOLUME), I was downright cheery. And maybe a little bit deaf. Not that I'm complaining.
(4)Natalie F.
Ha! I just read one of the reviews about a natzi bartender. I actually know this guy quit well. He is actually an English Jew! ha ha. And its not a swastika tattoo on his kneck for gods sake its "Feast or Famine". A pretty nice guy as well. So take that review with a grain of salt. I dont know how you confuse them! I have always liked this place, it has the best elements in the joint. Great music if your into punk, great drink selection, and now they carry The green fairy. Authentic. I like the bartenders there, pretty cool.
(4)Jonny P.
Great Bar, awesome clientele, GOOOOOOD whiskey... Unrivaled selection of beer, the music is always on point. If you are going to Chicago & are trying to find a place to pop into GO HERE!
(5)Dan P.
Love the whiskey selection, the music and the atmosphere. Definitely an oasis from the Lincoln Park college scene.
(5)Erin S.
Fun punk rock bar. Great music selection. Went there on a night when they had live music and it was fun (think dropkick murphy's). Enjoyed the drinks (although small) but the atmosphere is really the thing to go for.
(4)Allison V.
This is a fantastic bar. It is directly across the street from Rotofugi Toy Gallery on Lincoln and Diversey (+), they currently have pumpkin beers in bottles or on tap when nobody else does (+), they have the best whiskey selection....even some pre-prohibition era ones to choose from (+), and the staff is friendly and helpful.
(5)Kelly G.
"My, my, my delilah Why, why, why delilah So before they come to break down the door Forgive me delilah I just couldnt take any more" Oh, Delilah's, how you love to tempt, tease, and torture me! Years ago, Mike Miller met a young girl named Spunkypants. He thought, "Man, for a kid, this girl sure knows her whiskey, punk bands, and obscure exploitation films! I should theme a bar around her!" He finally walked away from her when he could no longer tolerate her endlessly singing Tom Jones songs to herself, and started planning his new bar. Delilah's was finally born. "I keed; I keed!" But seriously, if I suddenly turned into a bar, it would be Delilah's. It's as if the place was designed to make Spunkypants happy. It has that wonderful sleazy kinda atmosphere that I love, a KILLER jukebox, strong and cheap drinks, an amazing whiskey selection, great obscure films - many from Something Weird, and just about the friendliest staff that I've ever come across. sigh.....now for the bad......Delilah's as a bar is perfect. Unfortunately, it gets way too crowded - so crowded, that it becomes too difficult for me to tolerate. I will no longer go there on weekends unless I can get there early enough to get my fill in before I get attacked by lost horny frat boys. Even during the week it's a crapshoot, but not nearly as bad as on the weekends. All things considered, if I were told that from now on, I could only set foot in Delilah's after 10pm on a Saturday night, you can bet your ass I'd happily fight the crowds.
(5)Babs H.
Someone saw a yuppie in this bar? Ha! I wish I could have seen that! That's part of why I love this place. You know that you're not going to deal with a thousand Bromosaurus Rexes trying to trick you into thinking they have something awesome to say or try to shove their tongue down your throat. As a matter of fact, overlook the tattoos and tough attitudes, 90% of the guys I've met at this bar have been quite chivalrous. Crowd aside, the liquor selection is vast, the bartenders have heavy hands and quick wit, the nightly specials are great, and who doesn't love pinball? It does tend to get crowded so if you are the kind of guy or gal that likes to sit upon arriving to your watering hole, this ain't your digs.
(5)dan l.
I lived next door to Delilah's for about a year and came often. And when I say I lived next door I mean the side door to my building let out about seven feet from the entrance to the bar. They play great music, show cool videos, and have pretty cheap booze. There's a pool table on the second floor as well as a second bar. If you like punk and metal this is a solid spot. I will always hold a special place for this bar in my heart.
(4)Megan S.
My favorite bar in Chicago, hands down. Also the bar that I met my fiance at back in 2008.
(5)Jon B.
So either you have this friend, or you potentially are this friend to someone: I'm talking about the friend that is sort of punk, is into art, great beers, marches to their own drummer, and is totally cool. For me, this guy's name is Brian. If Brian were reincarnated into a bar, it would be Delilah's. I went there for their beer-tasting event this past weekend. They must have had about ~100 beers, and we got to sample about 20-25. Great time. The interior of this place is kind of dark, with cool pop-art on the walls, along with a pretty big bar. Upstairs is a party room, with a smaller bar area. Both were used for the beer tasting event. By the way - there is a rumor that they play "Twin Peaks" episodes here during the week (?). If that is true, then I like them even more. I would go again.
(4)Bill S.
One of my favorite bars in Chicago. The whole staff is awesome. Almost every night of the week is different from the other which keeps the place from ever getting stale. Pinball. Pool. Good music. HUGE selection! what more could you ask for? I spend way too much time here.
(5)Elaine C.
Three words: Yummy Rockabilly Boys.
(5)Craig N.
Other than the great selection of beer and hard liquor, the staff themselves are a great reason to come back to this place again and again. If you like rock and roll, punk rock or just enjoy doing shots, this is your place. This bar reminds me of two summers ago!
(4)Jo W.
Step into my time machine and come with me back to January 2002. It's my first weekend living in Chicago, I don't know a soul in the city, and I want to go out. Somehow I ended up at Delilah's. I honestly don't remember how. I think I was looking in the Reader for bars that had live music or something. Anyhoo, the details aren't important - which is good, because I don't remember very many from that night. I remember I sat at a table all by my lonesome and enjoyed a long island iced tea or three. (Oh, Young Jo and your long island drinking ways.) I remember the bartender being exceptionally cool. I remember there were no live bands that night, much to my disappointment. ...and that's about all I remember. I haven't been back since, but every single time I pass by here I think "awww, that was the first bar I ever went to as a Chicago resident." And for that, it will always hold a special place in my heart.
(4)Jenny T.
There isn't much to rant or rave about regarding Delilah's. Ended up here randomly & truly enjoyed the people watching more than the bar itself. It's an odd mix of people-punks, old men, cute girls, and tattooed men. Personally I have nothing against the above groups of people, but it didn't seem to flow very well. People were sitting in their little groups & even though it was somewhat obvious that people were eyeing each other across the room, no one made a move. Everyone stayed right where they were...in their comfort zones. Doubt I'll be back-kind of expensive for such a blah kind of place.
(2)Amy R.
The only way to review Delilah's is with a series of vignettes detailing my most memorable (or not) nights there: I) Two friends and I head to Delilah's after drinking 3 or 4 bottles of wine on a Sunday at Tango Sur. For some reason, Friend 1 decides to order straight whiskey and I decide to order whatever dark beer the bartender recommended. It was delicious and it's a shame I can't remember the name. We weren't drunk and rowdy--just drunk--and had a fantastic time thanks to a chill crowd that didn't judge our poor decisions. Because we all like Delilah's, we waited until we were home to rid our bodies of the booze. You're welcome, Delilah's. II) We hosted an epic going away/new job/birthday party in their upstairs room. It was incredibly cheap: Everyone just paid I believe $20 for all-you-can-drink, and we could bring in our own food AND plug in an iPod to play our own music! The owner was an incredible host who kept asking me if there was anything he could help us with and if we were having a good time. He genuinely cared that we were enjoying our party and he was doing everything he could to make that happen. Also, we brought a blow-up novelty sex sheep. Nothing to do with Delilah's, but I highly recommend this as a good way to liven up a party. III) This was the night I discovered Delilah's beer list. It is AWESOME and extensive. The only disappointing thing, and the reason I'm only giving Delilah's 4 stars, is that the bartender couldn't offer me a suggestion for a good red beer, just gave me a deer-in-the-headlights stare and then sheepishly admitted he couldn't help me. At least he was honest and nice about it. I still had good luck with the "pick what has a cool name" strategy. If you like John Barleycorn, then this bar is NOT for you. It's just a humble 'hood bar with a caring, nonpretentious staff, good beer list, and a punk rock flair. I HIGHLY recommend scheduling your next party here!
(4)Drew J.
Put on your drinking boots and enjoy one Hell of a selection of whiskey. In addition, the bartenders can not only expand your knowledge for the delicous poison, but they also can lead you in your next selection of taste testing satisfaction if you so choose. Great staff in a great place. If whiskey is not a part of your night (even though it should be), no worries, they have other libations to cater to your needs. The decor is dark, the music is mostly old world punk, and theres weird ass motion pictures on the tubes. Overall, great setup and execution, I shall return to tour scottland even against my livers request.
(4)Walter B.
Found it on Beer Advocate as a solid beer bar. Loved the atmosphere, loved the authenticity of it's dive-i-ness. The waitress was nice and fun, and she offered to bring samples of beers we were considering. I'll be going back many more times. I only wish they had an up to date beer list, or at least a board with the drafts available as they seem to change weekly. Of course, that turnover is part of what will keep me coming back.
(5)Bradley M.
There was a time when this was a really cool place. Not so much anymore. I recently met some friends there and the music was so loud you couldn't even talk. And it also seemed to be a lot smokier than I remember. The staff is very cool and attentive, I give them kudos for that. But most of the people who go there these days I find very annoying, so much so that I probably won't head back there for a while. Sad, really. This used to once be a very cool punk bar. Their music selection is quite good, just far too loud.
(2)Rozzalyn S.
They have a really awesome whiskey selection! It's a shame what this place has turned into, a few years back it was a lot cooler. Hipsters you ruin everything good. Initially I found out about the bar through a roommate I had and went because of them and it was good. I think Exit is a lot better just so you know.
(3)Carol Ann W.
Delilah's is home, and home is where the heart is.
(5)Jeff B.
I've been coming here since about 1996 and the place never lets you down. If you like whiskey, ya gotta come to one of the tastings. If you like a good beer selection, ya gotta come for the beer. If you like in your face Johnny Cash with breakfast porn on Sunday's, Delilah's is your place. It's like walking into your biker uncles basement, hearing those awesome tunes and getting liquored up for the first time and never wanting to ever leave.
(5)Nicole C.
I was here last night for a birthday party. I'm not going to lie, I was a little skeptical of this place. For one, I had a question and needed to call them. Whoever answered the phone sounded like Megatron, I couldn't understand anything he said. The I got hung up on. So I had my friend call... same thing. So, the deal was that we had the upstairs room for 2 hours ($20 per person, unless you got there an hour late, like I did- so only $10) Pretty much everything was included in this -shots, wine, beer, mixers etc. The bartender (Jason) was great. He joked with some of the girls there, because they kept ordering things like Sex on the Beach, and Slippery Nipples- but had no idea what was in them. We had a good time, and they were great to put up with a group of people where no one was older then 23.
(4)David H.
Oh punk rock mondays has a special place in my heart. Mr. DJ Machete is a good man who works the door spins good ol rockabilly, and they have the Best selection of Whiskey. I highly recommend the house rye (13 or 15 years i believe) it's pricey, but well worth it. After a couple drinks observe the tv's ! usually purdy entertaining. hipsters don't run rampant like some other bars, and it's usually a pretty friendly crowd. Dj Chuck Wren can be a lil snobby when he spins ska , but whatever. If youre lucky a little mexican lady will come in at 2am and sell you homemade tamales :)
(5)Lindsay K.
Hey there, Delilah, I had a great time, and I'm not even a hipster. Great music, a lot of down to earth patrons, sloppy drunks, and (here's the kicker) clean bathrooms. I love you mid-west hipsters! Keep on keepin' on.
(4)Colin E.
I'm not quite sure why, but I'm a fan of Delilah's. I was a little surprised to see that this place is considered a dive bar...there are FAR worse places to grab a quick drink in Chicago. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and professional. They may be punk rockers and closet hipsters, but they sure can mix a good drink. I've got no beef with them. Yeah, sure, Delilah's is loud as hell, but what do you really expect from a place like this? It's definitely possible to carry on a conversation here over the blaring rock, but sometimes you can't help but tune out and people-watch. If you know what you're getting yourself into, it ain't that bad a joint.
(4)Phil A.
Went there last weekend..... Not really impressed.... I would rate them a 2.5 if I could - but I ended up rounding down... First off the ambiance.... I like hole in the wall bars- but this place isn't really a hole in the wall - just sort of a counter culture. Think punk rock/tatoos/hipsters. Next off the beer/liquor selection - hey they have a great selection. So whats the problem you might ask...... 1) It was raining in the bar..... But wait- how could it be raining in the bar? Apparently their air conditioner's drain was blocked and backing up- so it was raining all over the bar. Solution- throw a bunch of towels on the floor... Maybe this place really is a dive.... 2) We got a couple rounds of mixed drinks... Each time the prices changed... Amazingly enough we found sending the girls to the female bartender got the best price..... 3) The music... Hey I liked the music - in fact I am still hearing it ringing in my head.... I know - if its too loud, you must be too old... but really - when you can't talk in groups larger than 4 because you can't hear each other regardless of how loud you yell, its time to turn it down a little. 4) The Crowd... I felt like I was on the redline on the way to a cubs game.... I feel a little bad giving them a 2 - fully expect if I went their on a week night, and had a beer or two when it wasn't raining, and I could hear, I would probably give them a 3.5( subject to rounding...) last weekend didn't really work...
(2)Nada R.
I love Delilah's like black loves red, like whisky loves fighting, like punk loves loud. I love Mike Miller's fantastic attitude and top-notch scotch. I love Mary's miniskirts and margaritas. Public gushing aside, it is a perfect antidote to the stifling atmosphere of Lincoln Park and there are enough spirits here to accommodate anyone's tastes. In addition to all that, there's a great jukebox, regular DJs, a very mixed and generally friendly crowd, personable staff- what more could you ask for? Oh, right. Pool table's upstairs.
(5)Katie H.
I roll with a fine lookin' crew, ok? I have these two girlfriends (both named Julie) who pop boners the way I pop bubble-wrap. Well they, personally, don't pop boners, they're not those kind of ladies... I'm saying, indirectly - ya know? Aaahhh awkward... Loud throat clearing noise!! We have successfully made Delilah's our broads'-night-out spot. You can get a little tarted up and not feel sluh-tay because there will be plenty of tricked out, grizzled ho-bags there to make you feel better about yourself. Fishnets and mini-skirts: they're not for everyone. More importantly, this is not a pick-up spot (predators, stay away or I will taser you in the scrote). Another plus, is the ever pleasant staff. One evening, I informed Shawn-the-Barkeep that we needed a "pussy" shot (like a Red-headed Slut or something) and he one-upped me and presented us with "The Fun Dip Shot". Holy poop. Time to get drunk. So if you're up for a very good night out involving whiskey and bizarre movies with the sound turned off - make it Delilah's!
(4)Cristine K.
Love their selection of whiskey.
(4)Jonathan A.
Hah. I just found out I have no idea how to spell Dehlilah's. Oh well. It's a damn shame I have not been here more than I have. No excuses really. I especially wished I was here for Modcon. I suck.
(4)Pete M.
Best bartenders in the universe.
(5)Theresa C.
I came here after Googling Chicago Drink Specials Monday and getting $1 American Beers. It seems like a decent place and on better nights it's probably awesome. Monday was really low key. They were playing general rock music and had tv's playing movies. (I was really disappointed when they put on the first 2 minutes of Boondock Saints and then changed it to some stupid something else) The bathroom was decently clean, no one bothered us while we were there, and we drank a lot of cheap beer. I would come back here if it came up but I'm probably not going to make a special trip, it's not very different from a lot of other neighborhood hole-in-the-wall bars.
(3)Mork M.
This isn't a dive bar, but for the north side I guess it fits. Killer beer/whisky selection, great beer/whisky sampling if that's your thing too. Renovated second floor with more space, great music, pool table. Basically Cheers if the cast of Cheers were lecherous boozefighters. Mixed crowd all the time. Dollar beer mondays. Don't pick fights with anyone who uses pomade regardless of how dumb their haircut is.
(4)Nathan W.
Hands down one of the best alt bars in Chicago. The location itself is interesting to me. In all the years I've been going there, I've never pegged it as a neighborhood where punks and rockers would be around. Their beer selection is ominous and the dames pouring the fire water are always an added bonus. Upstairs is always where it's at if you ask me.
(4)Soshanna M.
Favorite. Bar. In. Chicago.
(5)Steve R.
This flat-out is still my favorite bar in the city. Been going here for years. Great beer selection, great SCOTCH selection, kickass juke (one of the best in the city) and generally unpretentious scene. Yeah there's the odd cooler-than-you type but what the hell. Mike is super cool, and they show kooky B flicks and old concert videos on the TV screens. Yeah the crowd has changed, deal with it. Still pretty damn good, you know what you're getting if you come on a weekend.
(5)Maggie R.
a good go-to place when i can't decide what to do on the rare monday or tuesday night when im free. minus one star for being kinda weird/annoying crowd-wise on the weekends. oh well, can't win 'em all.
(4)Manny Q.
I was never at Delilahs till a couple of weeks ago and since then Ive been here twice more, not on busy days do. I enjoyed how chill and relaxing the place is, its good to go on certain music nights. The only thing thats leaving a bad taste in my mouth is the the abnormality of bros that are starting to come in here.
(4)Jessica F.
Delilah's was our first stop on a spur-of-the-moment pub crawl back to our hotel, about 15 blocks away. Why bother getting up at 4am to catch a plane when you can just stay up all night? Anyway, since it was a Wednesday night it was pretty low-key. We enjoyed our $2 PBR's and the assortment of 50s/60s porn that was playing on the TVs. :) The bathroom grossed me out just a little, but that was mostly because all they had to dry your hands on was one of those revolving cloth towel thingies. I haven't seen one of those in years!
(3)Gary K.
The place is "what you see is what you get" - the reason for my 5 star review is that everyone here is great! Unlike many other bars in Chicago, the service here is unbelievable and the staff do not discriminate against "suits" or anyone else for that matter. Just good people, all around.
(5)Rene N.
I used to come here with my bf and his friends. I felt cool because I knew the music playing and I could pretend to enjoy to smoke while saying "LOOK! IT'S ______ PLAYING ON THE TV'S!" Came here after the smoke ban and it smelled like diarrhea. Delilah's had shat all over herself, or I just didn't notice it because of the smoke. Either way, fun bar.
(3)Drea C.
Every time I step foot in Delilah's, something crazy is going on! This is the place you go to if you never want a dull moment. I remember one time I walked in the door and everyone (and i mean EVERYONE) was jumping around singing 'Red Red Wine'. It was like walking into another dimension. It is for this reason and many others that I take people from out of town here. That and they've got a nice selection of weiss beer on tap. I like mingling downstairs and then making my way to the second level where the pool table sits and the kids chill in the booths. I like the theme nights. Punk rock mondays are my fave. Dollar beers and 2 dollar beam shots. Getting drunk for only 9 bucks is the bomb dig!
(5)Adam M.
this is my Favorite bar in Chicago. i they always have punk rock music and old movies on the tvs in the main bar. they have alot of draft beer i usually drink Genesee cream ale. if you want to watch sports go the the second floor they also have a pool table and a second bar. the bartenders are always really nice and helpful i would check this bar out
(5)Paul M.
Simply the best punk rock night at any bar this side of London. Also, a fantastic selection of beer and very friendly service. Perfect on all counts.
(5)Virginia T.
I used to be a Monday night (punk rock night) regular. I love the place still. It's great to people watch there, Monday nights were always great (free pool, $1 beer, and $2 Jim Beam!) It was always REALLY smoky-so I'm very interested in what it will be like after the Jan. 1st smoking ban goes into effect. The staff is usually great, the place is decently clean, and they have one of the best selections of whiskey in the city!
(4)Alex F.
From what I remember of the party I attended at Delilah's, it was great. Any bar that isn't afraid to stock nonstandard spirits is my friend, and Delilah's has a great selection of offbeat beers and whiskey that would scare away your mainstream partygoer. Our party was downstairs, but I managed to gain ninja access to the restricted top floor before it opened up (read: they didn't really care if I went upstairs). The owner opened up a bottle of his very own scotch, which was, if I remember correctly, about 115 proof. It was great scotch, and put us all over the edge. I was, for the first time in my life, actually denied entrance to the next bar we went to. Until I ate a gyro, healing me of whatever speech impediments I had acquired over the previous couple of hours. I'm in an egotistical mood, so I subtract one star for difficult bathroom access and because they overserved me. Which is totally their fault.
(4)Andrew P.
I don't know why this bar is classified as a dive bar. Its got like 80 different whiskey's and a good (not ironic good) jukebox. Overall, I really love this place although it is definitely not as punk as it would have you believe (except on Mondays). They have specials on a different type of whiskey everynight (usually $2 a shot). One time I was getting sloshed here during a Jim Beam Black special night and spilled my drink on the bar. The bartender said nothing, and just made me another drink. Gotta like that! Can get kinda hairy on Monday as somethimes alot of Skinheads show up. Other times, the crowd is a mix of yuppies and older tattooed bikers/garage rockers. Neat trivia: Apparently the Makers neon in the front window was custom made for the bar since they sold so much of the stuff.
(4)Robert S.
Delilah's is one of the coolest bars in the city. Excellent beer selection, many on tap, and quite possibly the best dive bar whisky selection ever- they have their own label! Also home to American, the kool-aid of cheap beers. $1 on Mondays. The bartenders are quick to suggest new drinks based on what your are ordering. Very cool. There's always good music here, if not a DJ. Black and white horror movies seem to always be playing as well. It's a little loud, but not too loud for conversation. I've made friends with a few patrons at Delilah's. The only thing that I don't like here is that it's crowded. Very few seats on the first floor (I just found out there was an upstairs after my 12th visit.) Come early, even on weeknights.
(4)Paulie L.
Well, if you're a Bills fan in Chicago and you don't go here on Sunday afternoons, you're definitely missing out. $2 Blues, great setup, great crowd, and the Bills on 4 TVs. It's a blast.
(5)Karen A.
Black Sabbath blaring, 81bourbons, and weird B-movies on TV. What more could a girl ask for?
(5)Jessica M.
Delilah's accepts all kinds. If you're the type of person who'd even consider going there I'm sure you'd fit in just fine. I like that they make an effort to show cool old movies and have special theme nights, etc. I also just love the way the building looks.
(5)Albert H.
Simply mindboggling selection of bourbons, perhaps the best I've seen in my life at a bar (and I've been to bourbon county, KY). Prices are high, but hey they have the rare stuff, some of which you cannot buy in retail stores. Younger crowd too, so if you're advanced in years like I am then come during the day for a quieter, relaxing experience.
(4)Jaclyn M.
This is a punk influenced dive bar. So it came with the music, the attitude, and even the velvet Elvis. This was great for both my husband and I, but being a man he was more in his element at a bar that features scotch, whiskey, and beer. I was surprised to find that the bartender had no problem whipping up some "girly shit" as he called it, and said if I didn't like his concoction, he'd drink it...*/?! it! It was a damn good blueberry mojito though, followed by an awesome green tea shot. Both of which were only $3 each. Awesome atmosphere and AMAZING PRICES! We had enough booze to kill an elephant, approximately 13 or so drinks, for a whopping total of...drum roll please...$55.
(4)Megan K.
As if the haunted house-like facade wasn't enticing enough, the voices calling to us from the upper window drew us across the street and into the magical land of Delilah's. Noticeably first-timers, we were given a brief tour of the bar by a regular, who pointed out what he felt to be the bar's greatest attributes - that it is a true punk bar boasting an unimaginable array of whiskeys. We found the random canned German beer to be an added bonus. Given its uniqueness along the Lincoln Ave strip, it draws a large crowd of comfortably eclectic patrons. The cute flirtatious bartender was an added bonus. Apparently this is also a Buffalo Bills bar (who knew the Bills had enough fans in Chicago to fill a bar?), which I'm told once inspired rioting in the streets after a particularly heated game.
(5)Melissa B.
My guy is from Buffalo, NY, so he was very happy to find out there was a bar that specifically showed Bills games. I thought, sure, why not. I'm never one to turn down drinking while watching sports. I don't think we've ever felt more welcomed. It was already pretty packed in there, but random strangers were making room for us to sit near their table. There was such a great feeling of belonging here, even when I told them that, sorry! I'm a Bears fan. Oh.... the booze. Insanely great selection! And prices weren't that bad. Some girl made jello shots at home and passed them around to everyone for free. Not exactly my type of drink, but so so nice of her!
(5)David S.
My absolute favorite bar of all time! Delilah's knows their booze. Great beer and whiskey selection. Killer jukebox and awesome DJ nights. Warm Peanuts, fun upstairs, friendly staff, hideous bathrooms. Beautiful. Movie Sundays is my favorite time to spend a sunday afternoon with swell company.
(5)Jacob M.
Amazing selection of Whiskey. Great Dj's (mostly punk, rockabilly and other awesome music you probably haven't heard of) and bartenders. If beer is your thing they've got plenty of that too. Check it out.
(5)Steve D.
My home away from home on Sunday's during football season. This is where I come to watch the bills, and it couldn't be a better place. The selection of booze is pretty spectacular, though i admit on Sunday's the $2 Labbatt Blue Light cans are what I go for. Owner is a cool guy from WNY, he makes you feel not so out of place watching a football game in a bar that is geared towards a much different crowd. As far as watching the bills goes, it's about as close to being at the stadium as one can get. Overall as a bar Delilah's is great. GO BILLS!!!!
(5)Eric M.
Great bar. Good music, interesting crowd, always well attended, and best of all, the most thorough drink list in the city. Beer, whiskey, scotch, tequila, vodka, you name it, they have it. Don't let the dark exterior, B-movies, and gritty pop art scare you, this place is more genuine that just about anything else on Lincoln Ave and the people there are unpretentious, rather than the preening crowd farther south on Lincoln. The only things keeping the place from the 5th star is the music that can be too loud for even minor conversation and the fact that it is so smokey you can feel your lungs crisping as you enjoy one of their 200+ beers.
(4)Julie M.
So...you know how there are those places that are "super cool" and "totally punk! Rawr!" and have a little history under their belt? And eventually they're taken over by kids who have just turned 21, carting around messenger bags overflowing with liquid eyeliner and black nailpolish from Hot Topic? And suddenly the bartenders are replaced with identical blondes wearing graphic tees with the bar's logo (available for purchase by the restrooms...pay the attendant if you use the hairspray!) who have totally cool attitude problems because they don't give a fuck and their bosses said so? I will LOSE IT if that ever happens to Delilah's. Drinks are reasonable, selection of liquor is unreal, and importantly the staff is extremely laid back and cool with everyone, whether you're a yupster or someone who looks like they fit in. The bathroom doors dont shut, which makes things interesting. But it adds to the charm, I guess ;)
(4)Eric B.
Best Bourbon selection in the city, if not the country (Kentucky would take exception to the latter, I'm sure). Great music. 'Nuff said.
(5)Kristen W.
Coming from your average Libertarian/ Republican commentator, four stars for Delilah's is huge. Love this joint, especially for their tendency to push shots of Maker's Mark. It's a dark and dank place, and it makes you want to get a tattoo. But at the same time it's chic and accepts us boring conservative types. Or at least we've managed to find a way to fit in. Super cool joint, but accepting of all. I'll be the one in the Izod and tennis skirt.
(4)Omnia I.
This bar has a large beer and whisky selection. They have decent nightly specials, even on weekends, and they even have a monthly metal night (although it isn't what it used to be). Bartenders are friendly enough and service is good even when it's crowded. The music is usually at least decent and you can play pool for free, if you're into that kinda thing. Based on all this, I feel like I should love this place more than I do. It's always a decent time, but it always ends up being the bar I start off at before heading somewhere else. Also, the staircase in there scares the hell out of me and its a miracle I haven't killed myself tripping down them.
(4)Ms T.
Used to be more of a punker bar but I wouldn't say so anymore. I've spent many a good night here when I was younger. Even had the chance to meet Wesley Willis and get head butted (several times) before he died. Lots and lots of whiskey. I do miss the old vibe it used to have however. =(
(4)Elisa E.
According to the tenets of Buddhism, all things and experiences are impermanent, and attachment to these leads to suffering. Thus, I must try to let go of my attachment to the old Lakeview of German delis and gorgeous thrifting and little factory buildings and crappy/cheap/beautiful asphalt-sided two flat apartments. I must accept the Lakeview of waxing salons and baby boutiques and fiercely ugly condo developments. Thank the Buddha that this oasis of punk rock and small-batch bourbon continues to thrive. I suggest a pilgrimage, soon.
(5)Kenya C.
Shooting pool, having a beer, listening to good music. Good times. Usually has nice eye candy too. This is a good spot to go when you are too lazy to dress up to drink.
(4)Bob J.
I have always wondered why it is that so, so many people rave about this bar. I remember being twenty years old and so many people telling me, "Oh, when you turn twenty-one, you totally have to check out Delilah's!" Sure, it's a neighborhood institution. Sure, it's generally a cool crowd. Everyone seems to come here for the beer..."Oh, what a great selection, reasonable prices," etc. I hate to break it to you folks, but the selection, while showcasing a few good ones, is a bit scattershot. It's not comprehensive or representative or impressive. And the prices aren't the best either. Now, one guy told me that he goes for the scotch. While not a whiskey person, that I can understand. I enjoyed reading their list of scotches. I was scandalized by the beer though. That's why I have rated it with a rare under-4-star rating. Edit: I have been back once now since I wrote this review. I am tentatively bringing it up to a 4-star rating. My bartender was awesome, and the beer selection has improved massively.
(4)Adam L.
I came here to meet up with some old friends and found myself immersed in the quintessential dive bar. The experience was great, and the beer was excellent.
(4)Riley C.
To be fair, I probably shouldn't review this bar because every time I've been there I've been drunk off my gourd (yes, off) and might as well have been drinking on the moon. Delilah's has amazing staff, great beers and generally a good vibe. Occasionally it becomes overrun with douchebaggery, but the lovely bartenders make up for it.
(4)Carolynne M.
Well, I walked in there for the first time with a bunch of friends a while back and an artist had his (her?) paintings up all over every wall. They were huge, and wildly colourful, and...of women's vaginas. Every type of position and various stage of undress was right there. On display. It was way too much for me, even with the 4 vodka gimlets I gulped down. What a train wreck. How you gonna relax and chill after work with all that up in your grill like that? So basically I can't tell you a single thing about the joint. Don't know about the service, or the quality of drinks, or hell even the bathroom. Too much sensory overload that night. It's OK, you can call me a prude.
(3)Peter V.
Every time we make it here, we laugh about how we should come here more often. Does that mean I should come here more? Or let it be what it is? Hmm. For now, I am just happy that the feeling exists in Lincoln Park.
(4)Christie A.
anyplace that has a menu of their whiskeys categorically separated into genre, year and country is a place that should get used to ME sitting at the bar and trying anything and everything. I am pretty snobby about my whiskey, and am a die-hard Jameson fan - but i was recommended another Irish Whiskey by the wonderful bartender called RED BREAST... it was delightful. I look forward to many drunken nights educating myself on a comfortable stool at this bar. PLUS, they seem to have a great line- up of music throughout the week, and some very interesting art on the walls. Who knows.. maybe ill submit something and become a famous Delilah artist... I'm morbid enough.
(4)Heather Z.
I have been to Delilah's on numerous occasions. And every time was a memorable experience. Well, I think it was. It may be a little fuzzy. I am a whisky drinker, nee, gulper after all. The last time I was here they were introducing Absinthe to the menu. They had a rep from Le Tourment Vert (yes, francophiles, The Green Torment) hosting a free tasting. Well, since the only facts I knew about Absinthe were that it induces hallucinations, it was illegal stateside and it's green, I knew I had to make this rep my BBBFFL to get a shit ton of it free. Who doesn't want previously illegal hallucinations caused by Ecto Cooler? I know I do. Well, boys and girls, that MF rep got me and my girl wasted. WASTED. One of the best times I have had at any bar in Chicago. And it was free. Well, besides the $2 PBRs I was using as a chaser. Next time you go there, drink some. You know you want to. But when the little leprochaun at your feet is telling you to murder your next-door neighbor, don't blame me. Blame the Absinthe.
(4)Eric B.
I used to go all the time on Monday's but it just got too "punk" for it's own good. Jukebox is always pretty good (one night I went in and heard everything I could have ever wanted to hear...ever). Morrissey nights were fun for a while...then I got tired of standing around and getting nudged with pool cues. Overall, its not bad but there are a lot of other bars I would rather support.
(3)Lisa F.
I gotta say, walking in here on my own after a long day's work and seeing all five male patrons plus bartender turn to see what just happened, I was a little relieved. Order a beer, sit on a booth fixed up with electrical tape, and enjoy the Jesus Lizard video. No muss, no fuss. I had some delicious beer and literally fell on my face looking at the fridge full of imported Belgian beers. Later, my friends joined me and we all got a little more rowdy, and the heavy metal DJ went at it -- and it's a good bar for that, too. They don't serve food here, but you can bring stuff in, so we ordered pizzas. After the DJ was done and we were winding down, I heard the same song I'd heard 5 hours before (Yes, I was there for 6 hours total on a Monday. I am young and loving it.), and when I mentioned this to the guy spinning tunes, he asked what I wanted to hear, said it didn't matter that I have no metal knowledge at all, and right away put on some Stones and Bowie for me. Sweet. Next time I'll check the upstairs too.
(4)Kiarash Z.
When I was growing up in Arizona, there were about a half dozen amazing rock bars that ended up closing as the undergroundness of the '90s gave way to the poshness of the new century. Delilah's, all the way in Chicago, kept the spirit alive. Cheep beer, kickass music, a crowd that's there to drink - this is a real bar-lover's bar. If you stop by, make sure to grab one of their calendar fliers, which outlines everything that's happening all month. Oh, and they show EPL matches on Saturday mornings WITH DRINK SPECIALS. God love 'em.
(4)T M.
Delilah's is the reason I can now appreciate some whiskey. Before being educated here (seriously: there was a lecture, a textbook, samples, and teaching props) I thought all whiskeys tasted like vomit or old shoes. Fortunately, now I know better- only some of them do. Some of them are actually quite tasty, and have made their way into my rotation of intoxication. Whatever you prefer, they probably have it. They also have $2 Warsteiners (on Saturday) and $2 beer specials most other nights, along with an inexpensive whiskey. Their jukebox has some great stuff in it, but I usually like it more when they have a DJ. All the bartenders and bouncers are awesome, friendly, and looking out for you. Mike Miller always makes you feel like you're at his home when he's behind the bar. It can get very crowded at times, especially when people who were elsewhere in the neighborhood wander in. And then they pick crappy music on the jukebox. This seems to happen more when DePaul is in session.
(5)Julie G.
Very cool place amidst largely unbearable yuppie hangouts. I would even venture to call it hipster, although I'm not sure it would be a compliment to most. In any case, the couch in the back is a nice touch. The drinks tend to vary in potency/size/price depending on the bartender. Hanging out in front of the bathroom all night turned out to be all kinds of awesome and made sneaking into (after consuming way too many beers) such a delight. Others have mentioned cute boys. Yes, there were many. Too bad most of them were my little sister's age. Though the compliments to my very well preserved appearance was more than worth my dissapointment upon hearing how old they were. Also, they definitely let you know when your jukebox selections are not appreciated. One of my friends put Blondie on and it was barely audible, while Nirvana blared so loud, my ears almost bled a little.
(4)Dave D.
As someone who practically lived at Delilahs for a few years I have to say I love the place. I realllly miss the way this place used to be but it's still fun now. Just different. I don't do so well with the yuppy crowds and I think absynthe is rediculous but it still feels like home and still know most everybody that works there. They always have lots of good beers and million different whiskys. I think they even had a wine club for a while. So, if you're looking for an old school edgy punk bar this probably isn't what your looking for but if you need a good place to meet your friends, listen to some loud music and drop some Jameson shots this is the place.
(4)Katya C.
I can't explain exaclty why I love this bar so much. It's just a solid good time. Interesting decor without being tacky or over-the-top, interesting people. Crowded as anything, but with interesting people--somehow you don't mind all that much. I bit of a younger crowd, but hey, I'm not 30 yet so I don't have to feel old yet, right?
(5)Stella K.
The bartenders are always friendly and laidback. They make strong drinks, and the whiskey selection and specials are great! It's dark, it plays retro, obscure art films, and sometimes there's some really good blues playing. It's a good dive.
(4)Chris T.
Well Ive been here a few times and the place is cool. Nice music selection. Staff is friendly and the waitress are nice to look at. I could only give this place 4 stars due to the fact that there are too many hipsters here.
(4)Joe M.
I like this place because if someone with a popped collar walked in, I'm pretty sure they would never return. $3 Maker's is a great idea but terrible for the liver! I like that they have a pool table upstairs, but there just isn't enough room to play any sort of reasonable game, they should replace it with something else or put more seating upstairs since it can get pretty crowded some nights, making the pool table even more unusable.
(4)Lindley E.
Fun fun fun and lots of cute boys. Great scotch selection...best bargain around for new years eve...$20 buys you all the cheap beer you can drink. Definitely worth checking out during special events, like the twice yearly extremely special brew tastings...again, $20 gets you all the tickets you need to dazzle your tastebuds with ales, malts, lambics and beers that you didn't know existed. Friendly place...make sure to check out who is spinning ahead of time to have some idea as to what you are getting yourself into. And you don't need to be covered in tattoos to have a great time. Trust me. My rocker/hipster/whatev days are long gone (circa, um, 1989?), and I love the place.
(5)Benjamin B.
Well kids, what I must say is this: Friday nights... drumroll please... $2.00 Maker's Mark! HOLY SCHNIKIES!!! WTF?!? Enough said, methinks. I love this haunt... good music... generally a mix of New Wave, Metal, Punk, etc.. Melikes. Sufficiently divey with a hint of unique. Only problem is that it is in The Heart of Darkness known as Lincoln Park... other than that... it rocks.
(5)Jess S.
Delilah's is the saving grace of that neighborhood. The only time I'm over there is when I'm at Delilah's. Yeah its dark and "alternative" or whatever but more importantly serves a variety of beers and whiskeys, pours stiff drinks, has excellent specials and hosts cool events. And the second floor bar area is a sweet bonus.
(4)Erika O.
The one gripe I have with this place is that they said New Years would be like every other Monday. No cover and good music. My friend and I get there and they try and charge us $40 a piece because it's open bar all of a sudden. Technically I guess $40 is sort of a deal but it was shitty not to let people know ahead of time. With that said the people at the door were super nice even after our cheap asses politely declined to pay. Also the place is pretty dark, which is good.
(3)Colt E.
Pretty sweet unassuming bar. Good music (though I don't' know what they're playing. I guess my knowledge of punk rock is pretty bad) and good ambiance. This is a bar to come and chill with friends over some pool or a few drinks, but don't come here if you want to 'party'. Good beer specials most of the time from the looks of it and the bartender I had was nice and friendly. I'll stumble in here another night I'm sure.
(4)An P.
A paradise for the punk rock / indie rock / hipsters of Chicago. Blaring loud music and packed shoulder to shoulder with nowhere to sit, if this is your scene jump on in. Spiked collars and wifebeaters seem to be the standard fashion and whiskey is their specialty. Not my kind of bar, but definitely a haven for the punk rockers.
(2)Fausta C.
i've never been to a bar...outside of maybe... kentucky that had such great whiskey and bourbon selections! i can see myself here all year round. i figure it would be a great place to go dancing. unfortunately i was alone when i first stopped in last week. and such great music...i live about a quarter mile away and pass it on the way back home...a new regular customer, delilahs? you can bet on it. and the establishment gets an automatic pass because of their name...my tongue thanks me for saying it everytime. example: me - "so you guys wanna go to Delilah's for drinks?" it just sounds like a lovely time! and whiskey!
(5)Jim S.
This is a fun dive bar. It's a bit of a hipster bar, but it's really fun. They have a wonderful liquor selection, the beer is cheap, and the music is great. Delilah's is dark inside, but it's big. There are 2 stories and this place can seat a lot of people. There's generally some sort of a theme most nights (like Beatles night), and they also have drink specials often. I think there's a pool table upstairs. The bartenders are very friendly, and serve a good drink. I highly recommend Delilah's if you're on the North Side of Chicago.
(4)Urwhatuea T.
What?! A dive bar that has an appreciation for good beer? Where I come from, if you want to go to a bar that doesn't play that endless insipid canned techno loop, you have to drink what we call "Lone Star" out of a plastic cup. Here I can listen to some obscure 60s garage tunes while watching "Ghetto Freaks" on 3 tvs and sipping Duvel out of an official Duvel snifter. Cleeasssy!
(5)krys s.
whiskey is the name of the game here and the selection is seemingly endless. a perfect opportunity to try something new! underneath all of that scruff and chic eyewear, chicagoans here are some of the smartest, most interesting people i've ever met. and these locals care far less about what you look like than whether you prefer twin shadow or tv on the radio.
(5)Marissa G.
Decent bar usually overcrowded. Slightly concerned that one of the last times I was there, I sat in the corner on the first floor and the ceiling was leaking just a tad. Hate to sound old at 22 but too LOUD. It's pretty amusing when you are sitting at a small round table and you have to practically scream your conversation to your friends not even a foot away from you.
(2)Mark S.
Great punk/alt music on every night. Great punk/alt crowd on weeknights. Frat guys/gals get mixed in on weekends lately. Giant selection of whiskey, great selection of Belgian Beer! Upstairs has nicer bathrooms- decent enough place to go to get it on in a pinch. Top place to sit at the bar, listen to music and drink alone when feeling social on a weeknight. The annual vintage motorcycle show here (every year around father's day) is a don't miss- hundreds of European/Japanese tricked out bikes/bikers and a great time!
(5)Patrick H.
Somehow I forget about how great this whiskey bar is and then I come back and it's like I've found heaven... for my liver. Strong drinks, many options, and interesting people. I also enjoy the movies that they show from time to time. You should stop by already and enjoy the music, movies, and whiskey!
(4)Tony B.
UGLY. UGLY. UGLY Crowd. I'm torn because it doesn't attract the typical suburban crowd that most LP bars do, but it's full of UG in there. The staff is ok, nothing great. They don't have Guinness on tap, which should be against the law in a bar that claims to be 'serious' about it's selection. The music is hit or miss. Yes, they mix it up...but there's nothing edgy about U2, The Fixx, and The Ramones played back to back. It's like punk-lite. Also - when it gets crowded, it gets incredibly hot, stuffy, and smokey inside.
(1)nancy n.
This place reminds me of Exit. The new Exit, on North.
(3)Tames M.
This is one of my favorite bars. Insane beer collection and friendly staff. Usually have good specials going on. Music varies depending on the night but usually is in the rock/punk style.
(5)Timothy M.
A personal favorite. This place is filled to the brim with rock'n'rollers, punk rockers, and everyone else. Their whiskey selection is the best I've ever seen. One of my first nights living Chicago I stopped in (it was just down the street). From that first time I walked in here on a recommendation from my friend, I knew I'd found a good place. Three years later and this is still quite possibly my favorite bar in Chicago. Great people, great prices, great selection, great music, Galaga, girls, etc. Mike Miller, the owner, is a super awesome guy, say hi to him if you see him. They have had an event of some kind, even if it's just a DJ spinning, every night of the year since they opened. No wonder Billy Corgan introduced Courtney Love to Kurt Cobain upstairs by the pool table, or so the legend goes. Not enough good things to say about this place. Do yourself a favor and go, even if you don't have a pompadour, you'll still enjoy yourself.
(5)Deanna C.
Hosted my fiance's 40th birthday party here in the upstairs room. The party was such a breeze to put together and Mike was so easy to work with, flexible, and very responsive! They have a number of drink packages to choose from, you get your own bartender, can play your own music or have the bartender DJ for you. Perfect space for around 30 people and you have your own pool table and restrooms. I can't wait for another occasion to have a party there.
(5)Rick V.
Chicago now is home to way too many fake Irish and other types of bars springing up everywhere, completely devoid of personality or history. Cool vibe here at Delilah's, which may be one of the last real bars in the city. In fact, this is where Kurt & Courtney met, upstairs by the pool tables, sometime in the late 1980s (she was dating Billy Corgan at the time, but went home with Kurt).
(5)Shane H.
"You have never been here?!" People kept telling me that last Saturday! I know I have said it before but THIS is one of my favorite bars. Whiskey flows and plenty of beer to go around. Rockabilly, Psychobilly, Hellbilly, Punk, Ska, Old Country, etc. Whatever your type, you will have fun. I was enjoying it so much that unfortunately I was a bit overwhelmed to review it properly. HOWEVER, as a committed YELPER this reviewer swears to return again and again to adequately report my findings to you, the reader! No matter how many times it takes for me to go back. You can count on me! *salute*
(5)Chris N.
I'm getting old. That's the first sentence that popped into my head when I thought about Delilah's. As I am still able to actually count the few strands of grey hair on my noggin, I think I am still able to go into Delilah's without embarrassing myself too much. But soon I'll be face-to-face with the unavoidable dilemma of trying to figure out where the old punkers can go to hang out after seeing Wire at the Metro. I won't bore anyone who reads this site with the basics of Delilah's: dark, cozy, campy B-movies on the various televisions starring the likes of Arch Hall Jr. or perhaps directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis, cramped bathrooms, second floor pool table, Galaga machine, various artwork on the walls, large assortment of whiskey, et al. Ok, it looks like I just did... People go to Delilah's for one thing, in my humble opinion, and that's the music. Where else are you going to find some guy in a mohawk singing along to "All Kindsa Girls" by the Real Kids, or see some guy playing air drums to the break in "Running with the Devil" by Van Halen? Delilah's is the place where I went after meeting Joe Strummer after one of his shows at the Metro, the place where I last attempted a shot of whiskey (I puked it up immediately in the nearest garbage can), and the place where, over the years, I have run into some of the characters of my youth, from old college buddies to even a girl who remembered me from the 7th grade. If this place is so amazing, then why only 4 stars? Well because it has been infiltrated by a large number of very young Pete Wentz-inspired "adults," wearing very tight jeans and very small hoodies, with a very displeased look on their unlined faces, as they sip their very inexpensive/very ironic cans of Pabst and roll their eyes. However, I can never fault youth, nor can fault a bar for attracting such a group...especially a bar that has Devo on the jukebox.
(4)Jamie R.
i have a crush on delilah's...yeah, it's probably not as cool as it used to be, but whatever...nothing ever is. i can drink great whiskey, listen to rockabilly, and meet a man with a daniel day-lewis mustache any night of the week. HOT! i went to celebrate the life of evil knievel because i knew they were the only ones who would do it right. they didn't disappoint. and if you run, they are currently showing a collection of oversized, kitschy, unabashedly glittery elvis paintings in honor of his birthday. hunka hunka burnin' love!
(4)ali d.
I wish you were closer to me, Dear Delilah, with your beer and whiskey fests, music docus, occasional porn, rockabilly spinners and plethora of pool playin' greasers. Last time I was here, I may have pissed off a few people, but I think that's the intended spirit.
(5)Sarah A.
I have been to this bar a couple times and it's a nice little neighborhood bar. It's small, but has great specials and is a nice place to go with just a couple friends. They have pool upstairs and the staff is always friendly. The only really strange thing is that they play these weird videos on their tv's that is usually some sort of soft-core 60s porn with women dancing around with their tops off. So that's a little strange, but also pretty hilarious to watch.
(3)Esme W.
Great beer selection, awesome local art and a big, comfy couch in the back. They are also fantastic with private party arrangements.
(4)Emily ..
Easily one o my favorite bars in all of Chicago, IL. I had my 21st here, and have been coming back ever since. The over all feel is very rockabilly, and punk. The atmosphere is fantastic, and the bartenders are great (lots of knowledge of whiskey, and beers). They always have rad horror films on the tvs, and good deals. Definitely try their Wyder's dry raspberry hard cider, or their "Delilah's whiskey"!
(5)Kathy K.
Great place to spent Saturday night with friends! Great whiskey and beer manus. I m not a big whiskey fan so I went by waitress recommendation. Good but super loud music. There's is nice second floor area where you can find booths to sit when the group is larger. Upper and lower bar is great when you don't feel like walking up and down the stairs just to grab beer. Highly recommend.
(5)Traci K.
I was a bit skeptical when my brother-in-law and his fiancé said they wanted to check out Delilah's. "It's a punk rock whisky bar," they'd said. I was expecting some terrible faux-divey hipster bar with jerky bartenders. So imagine my surprise when we walked into Delilah's and found an actual divey, teensy-bit hipster bar with a lovely bar staff! The whisky list was impressive with 700+ selections (I asked)...the menu essentially looks like a karaoke song choice book. Loved: - the selection! while overwhelming, it was fun to go through and pick out new ones to try. - everything we tried was served neat in what looked to be a tiny juice glass. - the service! the bar staff was super friendly and sweet. they chatted us up about our selections and weren't at all judgmental or jerky. - the specials! while i didn't partake, the list of daily specials were particularly affordable. Atmosphere wise, the place wasn't too packed on a Friday night after 5PM and they were playing the original TMNT movie on the TVs. It was the perfect place to start the evening!
(4)Jesus G.
Absolutely love this place!! Its very divey/dark however their whiskey selection is not comparable to any other bar in the Chicagoland area! I like that you can actually try some of their whiskies before you actually order them. The music can get annoying after a while since its so loud and the speakers sound like they are busted but once you have a drink in hand that will be the last thing of your worries! Bartenders are friendly and can make good suggestions on a whisky to try based on the current whisky you know/like. I will keep coming back to try different whiskies and encourage you to give it a try if you are really into whisky/scotch/bourbon!
(5)Beth A.
It's been five years since I first set foot in Delilahs. We're in an open relationship where at times I have my regular seat at the bar and at times I avoid their crowds & well deserved popularity. But I always come wandering back and I'm always received with smiles and open bottles. Thoroughly enjoyed whisky week with dragons milk on tap and a tail end of tastings today. Props for consistently one upping yourself, its a quality that makes me want to be exclusive, maybe... :)
(5)Elizabeth F.
Great whiskey selection and a stocked beer fridge. Not a whole lot of seating and the standing room is also pretty sparse. We came on a Friday, but I get the vibe that even on other nights it's crowded since the space is small. Also, maybe it was just me, but other patrons were a little judge-y.
(3)Mickey H.
Solid whisky bar, not much to it, just a dive with a great selection in whiskies from around the world. I was impressed when they had a Japanese whisky I really enjoy, Yamazaki. I'll be back for a few rounds in the near future for sure.
(4)Joe L.
Delilah's is a wonderful blend of punk, pop culture, and ironic history. An example of this peculiar and endearing theme is the TVs. They play old movies silently while rock and punk music plays over them. The last time I visited, the infamous cult classic Reefer Madness was playing. Before that, Star Wars (A New Hope, of course). The drink specials here are varied and generous. The pool table upstairs is in great shape and high demand. The bartenders and owner are friendly. Everything here is laid back, relaxed, and different. Try Delilah's, especially if you like whiskey. At the very least, you'll get to be somewhere totally unlike any other bar.
(4)Steven B.
Awesome dive and a great first date! Great selection and very knowledgeable about whiskeys. Also, hollllly crap they do love the Buffalo Bills. I do believe every, and I mean EVERY Buffalo Bills fan that exists goes here. All the Bills.
(5)Heather P.
This is totally my kind of place. It's a little mysterious, a lot rock n roll, a little college(ish due to the neighborhood), and a lot of quality spirits from beer to whiskey. This is where I would want to drink, hang out, and make friends. It is just so unpretentious even though it could be. Spot on and so discrete all at the same time. Love it here!
(5)Alex J.
I'm going to start off by saying I don't drink, so this is based on the other aspects of this bar aside from it's, well, bar. That being said, the menu appeared to be the Cheesecake Factory of bar menus. Otherwise, the personality and decor of this place is awesome and I really had a good time. Space is limited, so we had to wait around awhile to snatch a table, but that just means other people agree: Delilah's is an awesome place to be. It's dark, brooding, yet entirely comfortable, with Victorian accents, leather seating arrangements that could tell stories of many butts and drunken nights, and lights in only the right places (i.e., the bathroom. Lights are important in there). If you're in the area yet trying to avoid the typical college, douchebag bar, head here for a breath of fresh, funky, classic melancholy.
(5)Brian S.
Bourbon. Over 600 of them with good prices. What else do you need? Go drink.
(5)Jeff W.
Whiskey Dive Bar If you like whiskey and dive bars, look no further. The whiskey menu is quite extensive and the bar tenders are very knowledgeable of their spirits. Early in the evening the music is at a tolerable level so you can speak with your company, but as the night goes on the music volume is raised at exponential increments very quickly. Surprisingly for it's dive feel, it is not as hipster as you would first imagine. I will definitely be visiting this location again in the near future.
(4)Mary M.
Aside from being a great place to get cheap drinks, this place was meh. Right as you walk in you kind of get the faint smell of urine. It's dark and dingy. A good divy feel. The worst thing is the restrooms- completely unsanitary. Women's bathroom door doesn't close all the way, very little soap, hard to use sink, and get this: A REVOLVING TOWEL thingy everyone dried their hands on. With the $ they aremaking from drinks, they should invest in an air dryer. Completely unsanitary. It's cool if you like the dirty divy bar feel, then this place is for you- but personally I don't get what the big hype is about. Wouldn't go out of my way to go here.
(2)David A.
I can't believe I have lived in Chicago this long and only just went here. Terrific bar. Friendliest/most polite bartenders around who are whisky/whiskey experts and help you try exactly what you want. Cool dive bar vibe. Definitely on my favorites list now.
(5)Austin C.
The single best bar I've been to in Chicago. Have Kyle make you an Old Fashion or two. Go to here. That is all.
(5)Rob H.
Best pure punk and bourbon bar ever. Cut my chops here in grad school back in the day, it's the same experience 20 years later. If you love bourbon (hey have 275 different ones, including a whole family of Willetts that I just love) this is THE place in Chicago. Worth the cab ride.
(5)Jessica A.
So nearly 400 reviews with a four star average have it right--Delilah's is pretty great. But I need to share a story from a recent visit to exemplifies WHY they are so awesome. I stopped by with my husband, the scotch afficianado, recently before a dinner reservation in the area. I partook of the $3 Four Roses (I enjoy bourbon but the subtleties of the expensive stuff are lost on me) while he indulged in some rare whiskies and chatted with the bartender. Around 5, a large group rolls in shouting, chanting, singing, and just generally being disruptive. It was annoying, and not in the spirit of what the bar should be. One of the group saddles up to the bar a while in and makes a joke about how annoying their group was. The bartender's response was literally so perfect I'm in awe: to paraphrase, he acknowledged their loudness and basically said, "just so you know, you guys are pretty atypical for the crowd here at this time--we just opened for the day so most people here are just wanting to have a quiet drink and chill, so the chanting and everything is probably a little much." It was such a classy but honest way to let them know that they were at the wrong bar for what they were looking for...really impressive finesse that a lot of bartenders lack nowadays. Nice job Delilah's!
(4)Craig G.
This is the bar I was proud to bring my out-of-town guest to until the gigantic rat ran across the floor... UPSTAIRS. I'll never hear the end of it from my work friends. So awesome. Add that to your Best Bourbon Bar accolades. It's a real hit with the ladies.
(1)AJ M.
Saw this place on Americas best bars! They said it was ranked one of the best whiskey bars in the country, and I believe it. They literally have a big binder full of whiskeys, scotches, rums you name it. The place is dark and kinda small but it has its own style. The bartenders know thier stuff! I like how they give u a glass of ice if you order on the rocks so you can decide how much ice to put. Wish it was a little classier and appealing but I think the dive rustic image is what it's going for. This is not a place I would not l spend a whole night at or go with large groups but if you and a couple of buddies are big whiskey n bourbon drinkers this is a must stop!
(4)Leah N.
A couple hundred dollar bar tab later will tell you just how much I love this place. By far the friendliest bartenders I have ever encountered followed by a totally friendly crowd. I kept wondering why people were so nice but hey, totally the kind of place. We thought we'd go in for a drink, we ended up practically crying when it was bar close. Fell into bed around 5am, what a perfect night thanks to the awesome crowd, good music, tasty drinks and kick ass bartenders! MUST GO!!
(5)Sara T.
From the get-go, it was an average bar. Nothing special. The bouncer made us uncomfortable. We stood and sat right at the bar, and didn't get served at all. To top it off, a man and a woman came up to us and claimed that they were sitting in the bar stools we were currently sitting in. She became very persistent, and bullied us, and the patrons to our left chose to side with her in getting us to move. This is indicative of the culture of the bar: an unfriendly, unwelcoming environment where anyone new doesn't belong.
(1)Kevin D.
Punk rock. Whiskey. Pool & Pinball. It all leads to a great night. One of my favorite bars in the city, let alone the best dive bars. I think this is a place that is a good test of the friends you should keep and the people you should date. If they don't like this place then in my opinion you should re-evaluate your relationships. If you don't like it, then I'm not sure how good of friends we would be. One of the best whiskey selections in the city, but even if you don't like whiskey, you can grab a beer and be happy to have found a down-to-earth place that isn't afraid to show their tattoos in Lincoln Park/Lakeview. Sometimes the music is loud and the room is hot, but the people are generally cool, the staff knowledgable and drinks reasonable.
(5)Jillian I.
LOVE this bar! Juke box is a total throw back to the 90's and the tunes I would listen to in high school! Incredible whiskey collection. Mari and Martin are the BEST for service and story telling. The only complaint I had was the stupid collage crowd. Head to the second floor to escape that, and maybe avoid weekends...I've heard that it's a bit "classier" weeknights. The line up of shows I saw on the posters looks awesome. Most definitely going to visit next time I'm in town.
(4)Brian S.
It's got 500 bourbons/whisk(e)ys and it's a dive. What's not to love? The best part was the look on the bartender's face when my wife asked if she could have a little coke in hers, as she can't drink straight liquor. It was like someone shot his dog. He offered to bring a glass of coke and some ice so she could make it herself (hello, Dan's Cafe!), which was actually the perfect move: she got what she wanted and he didn't have to desecrate a Weller's. There's only one small problem, and I don't know if it's even correctable without messing with the vibe. With that many liquors (not just bourbon, but every varietal is well represented in quantity, quality, and obscurity), I have to imagine that people frequently ask for recommendations. But that has to be hard because they seem understaffed and a place like that gets loud in a hurry. We were lucky that we got there early and could chat with the bartender. But a group of about thirty rolled in a little later and there was just no opportunity for interaction. Again, adding more staff may not be doable for a number of reasons, but I think it would help encourage people to explore more of the menu. In an alternate universe, there's definitely a yuppie version of this place that has a "passport" to mark which liquors you've had and doesn't play the original Godzilla on both of the TVs. And that place sucks.
(5)Johnny F.
Came in here on Friday (3/13/15) with a buddy from Springfield for a couple drinks towards the end of what was supposed to be an "easy night" in anticipation of an all day St. Patrick's weekend bacchanal in the South Loop on Saturday. As usually happens with this buddy of mine, the "easy night" crept on later and later and we ended up at Delilah's. We each had a couple Makers on the rocks before the upstairs opened up; after that, we ended up hanging out with some girls celebrating a birthday, and one of them quite unexpectedly kissed my buddy square on the mouth before they left. It was a totally random end to a night at Delilah's (a sentence I'm sure has been uttered many a time before).
(5)Derrick S.
Can't say enough good about this place. Tons of memories both good and bad. Sometimes I come here to drink on the cheap, and sometimes to get myself a nice whiskey or two. Great place.
(5)Kara D.
Fantastic selection and prices, big fan of the specials. The atmosphere is chill and no frills. Which is definitely a great thing. Please fix the women's bathroom door though! It locks but a huge gap is left over.
(5)Alexis J.
I love whenever my friends have private events upstairs, but that's really the only time I go to this joint. My question is, isn't it supposed to be a punk bar? Last night at about eleven, I saw weirdos in suits and ties. Were they hanging out for ironic purposes, or is this just the local "dive" hang out for these folks? No idea, but they play Great music!
(3)Caitlin P.
Best dive for miles! $1 beer Mondays. Smiths night. Bills games. There's a reason for why every one should go to Delilah's at least once. Bartenders are top notch. The space is cozy yet inviting. You'll find your second home here.
(5)Eddie G.
Awesome selection of browns. Great knowledge of the history & current trends in bourbons, whiskeys & scotches. Mike & gang are the best hosts & are great at guiding you through the massive inventory they have on hand. Awesome place. A must visit.
(5)Miss G.
Cheap Drinks Fun Crowd Punk Rock Return? Yes
(4)Brendan M.
Best bar in Lincoln Park. We rented the upstairs for a party and the staff was amazing as always. We were able to bring our own food, play the music we wanted, and put on our own movies. Thanks Mike and Mary. All of our friends love Delilah's. We'll see you soon.
(5)sarah r.
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Delilahs, I've always loved going here but when I had to throw a last minute party they really came through. It was great deal for a space we could bring our own food into, the staff was super attentive and helpful, and we had a great party. Mary really hooked me up, the bartenders were amazing and I can't wait to have another excuse to throw a party.
(5)Zach F.
Fun place. Good punk and ska music, but unlike some other "punk" bars it's not all metal or hardcore that can be offputting. Also, a good beer list, a good whiskey list, and good drink specials which don't just apply to awful products. Will definitely be back soon.
(4)Mark E.
Good music, great beer selection, outstanding atmosphere. ...and, the best thing is that the staff, especially the doorman and the girl tending bar upstairs, didn't have an annoyed-with-having-to-serve-you attitude, but were, in fact, very nice and welcoming. Though I can imagine the toll it might take having to deal with drunks night after night, it makes for a refreshing atmosphere when bartenders don't act the only thing they hate more than being there is you, the customer. This was one of several bars our group stopped into throughout the night, and by far the most pleasant. Will definitely be back.
(4)Brooke B.
Hipster style dive bar - comfortable and cozy, great whiskey selection and interesting specials written on chalk boards above the bar. (I tried the Spiteful Absinthe barrel aged klutzy buffoon with a side shot of absinthe special for $15) Service was slow, we went here on Saturday Dec 13. This was our first time, and we've heard from many locals that it's a great spot but that it's not as good as it used to be because a lot of the really good bartenders and management left.
(3)Kris G.
Tipsy review! Five stars, wahoo!!! Alright, new favorite bar? New favorite bar. I wish I fit in here better. Music = great. Bartenders and crowd = great. Movies = great. Drink selection = great. Me = awkward. This bar has confirmed I am the most awkward person I know. Here are the facts: Whenever I have agreed to meet a friend at a bar, I've always arrived on time and have always had to end up waiting at least 15 minutes for said friend to show up (the friend doesn't matter--any I agree to meet is either chronically late or terrible with directions). This time I decided to show up 15 minutes late to cut out some of the awkward sitting alone looking around at the walls time. I was still 45 minutes early as it turns out... But here is what happened. No one looked at me funny. No creepy old guys tried to hit on me. The bar tenders did not ignore me. I was still awkward. So now I know for sure it's me, because the people here are just too great for it to be them that causes any awkwardness I feel. Also, I got 5 whiskey gingers for $20. F. I. V. E. Do you know how many cocktails $20 will get you at most places? About 1.8. Given, it's not the strongest pour of whiskey, but still I got five when I would normally get almost 2, so I see that as a huge plus. I went on two occasions, when it was both empty and very crowded. There was no change in the friendly service or the crowd of generally great people. Go! And take me with you!!!
(5)Valeria P.
Very chill, rockabilly dive bar. Great whiskey selection and specials!
(5)Patrick C.
I really liked this place. My brother and I were visiting Chicago and thanks to the great reviews this place received, we gave it a shot. I'm very glad that we did. There was a constant stream of british invasion rock music and a video of The Who in constant rotation. It was a great atmosphere. There is a wide selection of liqour and belgian beers. The regular beer selection was good too. The Half Acre Pale Ale on Tap was phenomenal. I look forward to going to this place again. 10/29/2010 Now that I live in Chicago and have been here more than once, I am happy to say that I LOVE this place. $1 cans of American on Mondays and $2 shots of Beam?! Amazing. The music was also awesome. I don't think I can get tired of hearing The Clash and drinking bourbon.
(5)Joshua N.
This bar is a little strange. Definitely pretty divey, but it has some cheap beer so that works for me. There was some strange 80's music videos playing on the tv so that was cool. Also there is an upstairs. I really like bars with upstairs. Can anyone explain to me what's with all the wiring at the top of the stairs? Is that normal or just for show? Is that even safe? This is such an interesting and intriguing bar I couldn't help but be fascinated. Still, it was divey and I'm never super impressed with bars like that. But I like cheap beer. So take it or leave it I guess.
(3)Manuela Z.
I've been looking for my Lucky13 replacement and I think I've found it. Delilah's has all the things I look for in a bar...dark, chill clientele, dark, strong drinks and a great jukebox. I'm going to make this place my home away from home.
(5)L D.
Delilah's is one of the most stocked whisk(e)y bars in Chicago. Don't be intimidated by the black background. Whether its Erik, among others, the bar has something to please any palate. This is not the Clark St. Ale House; this is whiskey heaven! Delilah's serves beer, has well informed bartenders, but caters to the whiskey crowd. If you want to make absolutely sure that you are taken care of, then make sure you are around when Erik or Mike are in. There may be others, but this is ground zero for whisky in Chicago, even if there are others with arguably more inviting surroundings. Again, if you don't want to pay for the freight, then enjoy the selection.
(5)Jonathan H.
Oh Delilah's... I've been going into your dark belly for over 10 years. You've grown with me. When I needed Makers and Coke specials...you were there. When I needed a seat, and the only room was perching on top of kegs...you were there. When I needed a badass jukebox that could play my beloved hair band music as well as music others actually wanted to hear...you were there. When I needed an upper room for a private party...you were there. May you be there for everyone else as you have been for me.
(5)Steve M.
I am definitely a fan of Delilah's. My sister and I walked in to find the entire downstairs of the bar watching "Coming to America" and quoting the funny lines. It was a nice way to start the evening. And I left severely buzzed. A nice way to end the evening. Somewhere in between the beginning and the end, we played a bunch of pool, took advantage of their $2 PBR and $2 Old Crow shots, listened to both excellent rockabilly and metal, and talked to strangers. (I somehow found myself in a chugging contest with a random guy that was initiated solely by eye contact and a gesture of the hand.) Oh yea -- the bartender was super friendly too. Ask him for a good tattoo shop recommendation and he'll write a few down for you. Awesome time. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Matt S.
There's a lot to drink here. Behind the main bar is an impressive display of alcohol. Bottles are lined one after another all along the wall. Prices are reasonable, bartenders are attentive, and mixed drinks are actually good. Despite the loud punk music playing, it's a really good place to drink. Not exactly the best place to talk or have meaningful conversations. You'll have a really good time if you're in a group and want to have some fun in a small alternative bar. It's kind of dark inside but isn't distracting in any way. Bathrooms are singles, small but clean enough for use. There is an upstairs area with a mini bar, pool table, darts, an arcade and more seating. TVs are usually playing something out of the ordinary too. Getting here by public transportation is easy.
(3)Jeff P.
Capital "D" Dive bar. I sat a the bar and Brett the bartender was excellent. He helped me pick out some awesome whiskeys to try. They came in little glasses like you use to serve tomato juice. That's the first time I ever saw whiskey served this way.
(3)Elizabeth H.
Maybe it was too much hype. So many people have told me to check this place out so when I found myself in the neighborhood I had to stop in and try it. Sadly, I was really disappointed. The bartenders knew NOTHING about the beers. I asked for a list and the bartender just pointed to the tappers (which I couldn't see from my seat). I started to ask about what some of the taps I could see where and she didn't know! She didn't know what kind of beers they were or who brewed them. She asked the other bartender and she didn't know either. I ordered an ipa and she told me it was really high alcohol and then I looked it up on my phone (the only reliable source I could find) and it said the beer was 5%. Sadly, I had to call back a few days later because they also charged my card twice. Ugh. Very annoying. I am giving it the 3 stars because the beer list is good and you will really enjoy it if you can recognize the tappers from memory. Also I liked the looks of the place. It is really comfortable and well worn. The bouncer was nice too.
(3)Dan C.
I love this place more than my mom... and I love my mom. I've been going here for years, sometimes as a start to the night, sometimes at the tail end of it, and sometimes just here. I never have a bad time, and the people are all really warm. Could be that i'm all ink'd up and know what i'm talking about with punk music and whiskey, could be that everyone is just good people. Either way, I hope you never change Delilah's, you're the only woman who will never leave me...
(5)Meghan C.
One of my favorite hangouts in the city! Great spins of Rockabilly, Psychobilly and Punk. Delilah's also has the largest selections of whiskey in the city!
(4)veronica q.
Now, I'm not a fancy pants bar kind of girl. I love a good dark dingy dive bar with a good juke box. What I don't like (no matter the setting) are rodents - in particular, rodents the size of cats. Jesus.H.Chirst. I'm giving them an extra star because, if it weren't for the gigantic rat, I really would have loved this place for the extensive whisky list and very nice beer menu as well as the aforementioned juke box. I also found it hilarious (and sort of charming) that the staff kept coming over to light the candle at our table that kept going out - yet they didn't seem concerned about their "pet."
(2)Tiffany K.
I have been wanting to come to Delilah's for a while, and I finally had the chance to after work on a Friday. Although I didn't drink much, my friend bought me a whiskey shot to start the night off. Overall, drinks here are average priced but I'd say the selection is good. The crowd was great, and I really liked the atmosphere here. It was a young crowd, but definitely not annoying or just college students. They even had some crazy movies and videos playing on their television screens all night, and that was a nice touch to the entire ambiance of the bar. The music they played at the store was loud, which was a tad difficult to deal with, but not entirely awful because I think that's just how this place works. Although a lot of people were standing around, it wasn't hard to find a place to sit. Just FYI - there's an upstairs area with a bar and some pool tables. My friend discovered this and we were all pretty impressed that there was more space upstairs. It seemed to be more happenin' downstairs where we were, though.
(4)Cat C.
Oh, Delilah's... You are the reason I found I have a problem with absinthe. Thanks to your extensive menu, I've tried it in many forms, from many parts of the world, and my face has fell flat on many floors. I love this place.
(4)Danielle G.
Scotch, beer, and awesome-sauce.
(5)Michael S.
It's possible that this is my favorite bar in Chicago. Depends on which day you ask me. My love for bourbon, Dogfish Head, punk rock (or ska if it's a Tuesday), dark corners, billiards, and good conversation with strangers keep me coming back. For a punk rock dive, the service is great. The bartenders have tons of knowledge, and I'm always asking for recommendations. This bar is likely my second stop when I hit up West Lincoln Park. Local Option precedes, while Shoe's Pub closes it out. Delilah's is the perfect second course. Our crew usually grows by a few people by the time we are heading to the next spot.
(5)Kelley C.
The bartender was awesome! This place is dark and suspicious of who may be walking in and no one here is going to talk to you just to be polite. If you like bars... REAL BARS... you will like this place.
(5)Daniel L.
Whiskey everywhere I turn. Great atmosphere (If you enjoy the divey feel). Great selection of beer and whiskey. And decent prices. 5 stars!
(5)Juliana R.
Punk rock Mondays!
(5)Kevin L.
Oh. My. God. This place is absolutely amazing, and it is no wonder many in this great city call this place the best bar in Chicagoland. Ridiculously amazing beer list, even better whiskey selection, a different drink special everyday that you actually use (American Beer in cans for $1 - hell yes), friendly, engaging people and servers, an awesome atmosphere, this place has it all, whether it's packed (weekends are very busy) or you are there with the regulars on a Wednesday evening. Don't let the exterior or punk rock feel to the place scare you away. One caution though - once you start going to Delilah's, all other bars in Chicagoland will seem to be missing that extra little 'something' that makes a good bar a GREAT bar.
(5)Grace L.
This bar is surrounded by the likes of Starbucks, sushi bars and fancy apartment complexes. Oh yeah, and DePaul University. I had heard through the grapevine of a punk rock-spinning bar in Lincoln Park. I automatically assumed it was a college or sports bar that didn't do their proper research when hiring a DJ... But it acutally looks very much like a dive bar! I think it might even be a dive bar. And they have many things to drink, including $1 cans of obscure crap beer. Pleasantly surprised is what I am!
(5)Aditi G.
This place is a funky little dive bar with a lot of character. Tons of hangings all over the wall and any type of alcohol you want, you can find it here! Really awesome hangout!
(4)Dex Y.
I'm by no means a fan of divey bars, but this one is an exception. Its somewhat eccentric vibe just sticks in my mind. The graffiti-like paintings, the music, and the obscure R/X-rated movies formed an enticing combo, let alone their selection of drinks. The bartenders were unassuming and treated people nicely. Thumbs up!
(4)Jonah N.
I've been here twice and both times were awesome. They have a very broad selection of beers and whiskey, more than most "fancy" bars. They also have lots of cheap domestics and specials if you are on a budget. The patrons and staff have always been cool and they play great music.
(5)Joe R.
My home away from home. If you dont like it fine. More space for me. Too many yuppies on the weekends though. maybe I should go to john barley corn and make fun of the flat screens. O'connel rules.
(5)Sean M.
This place kicked my ass right thru my slacks.... It's dark, it has sweet shit all over the walls and behind the bar. Even the building it is in is a sheer ass kick... I love me some dives. I also love hip dives like this gem... I always swing in here for a Beam and Coke and a few draft ales... Worth checking out. Plus it's in a neat end of town...
(5)Greg M.
Courtney love and Kurt cobaine met here! No joke! Amazing dive bar. Pool table to boot!
(5)Julie V.
Locals were friendly. Drinks are cheap. Most amazing whisky selection.
(5)Matthew T.
5 star all day long. While prices are pretty similar to other bars in the area, this is easily the best place for a few beers with the guys and a game of pool in the area. Great for punk rock and rock and roll fans. The best night i had here was a Monday when beers are a dollar, and then the last Wednesday of every month for $2 beers and shots. The best thing about this place is the fact that they keep the douche-baggery to a bare minimum; you wont find you're typical gunned out Ed Hardy patron beating his chest for attention in this bar, strictly real people just looking to listen to some music and have a drink with friends. Also, they make a mean Tom Collins
(5)Lisa H.
Wow. Amazing. How did I not know about Delilah's before?! All you need to know about Delilahs: Fantastic selection of Whiskeys, over 7 types of Trappist Ale (if you don't know what this is, you are already behind on your beer class), laid back chill atmosphere, unpretentious crowd from all walks of life, AND a 2F pool table!! I finally met cool friends who are not yuppies (this is hard given I lived in Lakeview for the past year) and Delilah came highly recommended! We went on a Thurs night, I was wearing shorts, a striped cotton tank top, flip-flops, and I was still TOO DRESSY for Delilah's! This is awesome! Don't be fooled by the dive bar appearance, Delilah's boasts amazing selection of whiskey and I am madly in love with their Trappist ale selection!! One sip of the Whiskey Sour, and I was a believer ;) Going up the windy staircase with torn-out computer hardware, I wasn't sure what to expect about the 2F. Upon entrance, you'd notice the graffiti-esque painted walls & ceilings, with a pool table on your right where everyone can hang out. The bar had mystical blue lighting, this was simply too good to be true. For a while I felt like I was back in Rockin J in Pto Viejo in Costa Rica (backpackers, you've gotta check this hostel out if you ever plan a trip down!) The bartenders are very knowledgeable in their drinks, and you can pretty much describe your fav. drink characteristics and get something 100x more awesome. Oh crystal ball, I see Delilah's in my near future.
(5)Clif P.
A hipster dive bar.... yet with a slight 'goth' feel. I enjoy coming here with a group of people. They have some unique beers that you don't see everywhere. I wouldn't come all the way to Lincoln Park to come here, but if my friends head to Delilah's, I am more than happy to join.
(3)Liz K.
Delilah's is awesome! I spent midnight to last call here for my 21st birthday and had a great, great time. Even though some glasses were broken from overzealous toasting and many things were spilled, the staff was great and the doorman is a badass. Even on a Sunday, Delilah's gets 5 stars.
(5)Frank B.
Love this bar. Largest selection of bourbon and scotch anywhere I've been. The only Buffalo Bills bar I know of in Chicago. Owner is from Buffalo and he has Genny Cream Ale on tap. Its the little things that remind us of who we are that make us great.
(5)Raul B.
This is another one of those bars that are in my top five to hang out in in the city. I never had a bad drink here and over the years found myself stumbling out of its doors many times. Their drink selection is really one of the best and I loved going to their beer tastings when I could. They also used to host The Chicago Weekender parties and the Mods vs Rockers event. They always have the most eclectic DJ's and music and I always tried to make it to their once a month SKA music night with DJ Wren. Unfortunately in recent years it has been infiltrated with a lot of prep types but it still holds on to its core clientele. I will always frequent Delilahs as this is one of the few unique bars left in the city.
(5)Alyson O.
the only REAL punk bar in Chicago.... dont waste your $$$ on the rest, spend it @ the best.... DELILAH'S! :)
(5)Annie G.
Great whiskey, good bar. I'll be back fo sho.
(4)Michael E.
This is truly a gem of Chicago and thank god it is too far away from the loop to get corrupted *evil grin*. This is the kind of place you can go and each night you'll get a different set of folks in there.....latex one night....leather another....hipsters another....and that was just the first night I ever went there *wink*. Seriously, what I consider it's "claim to fame" is the selection of whiskey! More than you can ever imagine and during certain nights of the week beer and shots of whiskey specials that fits anyone's budget!!!! Getting smashed on less than $15 is what I call VALUE! Jukebox provides a great selection of music and bartenders are on the ball. What class and style with a VERY sharp edge then go here..............GO NOW!
(5)James C.
The regulars are pretty hip, maybe a little too hip for me. Wish I was hip. They seem nice though. Anyway, this place has some amazing house bourbon whiskey. I recommend the 13 year aged, a shot is $10 of pure awesomeness. The music here is as awesome as the whiskey and beer selection. My buddy and I enjoyed it as we drank and played a couple games of pool upstairs. Highly recommended if you are a whiskey fan. GREAT MUSIC + GREAT WHISKEY + POOL = HEAVEN. I will be returning!
(5)Brian S.
For a punk rock dive bar, you can't go wrong with Delilahs. Cheap American Beer on Mondays with Kickin Punk rock tunes. (Depending on your DJ's Playlist) It's not the most glamorous of places for everyone but its certainly a good spot for big circles of friends. Pride and Joy is a little pricey but I would take the expense of a good beer over the cheap stuff anyday. bottoms up!
(4)Nick H.
This could be a four or five star bar, but the crowd can be overwhelming in both it's size and lameness. Purported to have the largest whiskey selection in Chicago. I cannot disagree. They have an awful lot of bottles. But Five Star certainly gives them a run for their money with a better, and less massive, crowd. I will say that Delilah's has my favorite music selection of any bar in the city. I wish it would follow me around. Usually rock-a-billy upstairs and a vast assortment downstairs. I don't think I will ever again find myself in a bar watching a DVD collection of all Jane Mansfield's nude scenes while Dirt Bombs' "Scream Rape" plays. And once in a lifetime experiences are what good bars do. Unless that experience ends in jail. Even sometimes in that case, I suppose.
(3)Claudia S.
Love love love this bar. Celebrated my 21st birthday here.....then went sporadically that year and stopped going after I turned 22. A friend finally convinced me to go again, and I think I might celebrate number 24 here just because they have Pearl Plum vodka, and that stuff is delicious. I used to go because friends would drag me there and I'd drag them to Exit. Then I discovered their great beer selection, while pricey, the bottle are just so damn cute in a smaller version than I'm used to! Besides, the bartenders actually know what they're talking about and *gasp* can DESCRIBE BEER! I used to love the upstairs, but I have definitely become a fan of the downstairs, especially once I discovered the little sofa/chair thing going on towards the back. As far as bathrooms go...Delilah's works for me! The upstairs is darker than the downstairs, and it can be harder to get to because it's right across from the bar where people tend to stand and you can't tell if they want a drink or want to pee..but at least the bathroom is decent! However....with the whole Chicago smoking ban (which I love) and everyone congregating right out front...opening the windows kind of defeats the purpose. I love having the windows open, but when the bar is so crowded my only choice for a seat is the one up front, having someone go outside and stand right in front of me with smoke going right in my face isn't cool. I still love this bar though, even though the music isn't really what I listen to.
(5)Onur U.
I view Delilah's as two different bars. On weeknights and off-peak hours, it's a chill place with a jaw-droppingly good selection of whiskies. For a whisky lover, perusing the phone-book like menu of rare bourbons and scotches is a real treat. There are malts on there I simply haven't seen anywhere else, including the liquor store. The owner is well connected, passionate about whisky, and focused on offering the best whisky in the world for remarkably reasonable prices. I love chatting with the owner when he's tending bar, it's the best place to learn about the world of whisky. Then there's Friday and Saturday night. The bar turns into a super loud and crowded punk bar. I get the appeal since they have great specials and a handful of good beers on tap. I don't hate visiting at peak times, but it's definitely not the same. The bartenders are super busy and it can be difficult to order a special whisky that takes them a while to find on the shelf. This is a special place, just know that depending on when you go, you'll get a very different experience.
(4)Isaac S.
I have been going to Delilah's since I moved to Chicago in 1994. I love every inch of this place. Worn wood stairs and floors. PINBALL PINBALL PINBALL. Tons of good beer and an awesome selection of whiskey- also one of the best places for seeing some ink or various quality. Never change.
(5)matt w.
We went here to grab some bevy's and were greeted by a leather jacket / tattoo having bartender.. your never sure if there gonna be friendly or dickish.. This dude is friendly! We had some high qual beers and switched to some cheapys.. 'American' beer is only 2 bux! I like the Whiskey selection.. they have specials each day with a different type of Whiskey, most I hadn't heard of so we tried a few and had a good ole time. This spot reminds me of a modern day saloon with a punk rock edge.. good times were had by all.
(4)Farrah A.
Hey there Delilah What's it like in the Windy City? I'm a thousand miles away from Texas But girl, tonight you look so pretty Yes you do Lincoln Park can't shine as bright as you I swear it's true Hey there Delilah Don't you worry about the distance I'm right there in Chicago if you get lonely Give this song another listen Close your eyes Listen to my voice, it's my disguise I'm by your side Oh it's what you do to me Oh it's what you do to me Oh it's what you do to me Oh it's what you do to me What you do to me... Oh, what Delilah did to me Thursday night--after the kickass Yelp Holiday Open Bash. Refusing to call it a night, I cabbed it from my hotel to "one of the top five bars ever," as put in a text message sent over from by my Chicago friend, Phil H. He's currently living in Austin, but was sure to send me a list of places to check out. Austin CM Kevin N met me along and was an instant fan of the bar, too. Dark, dimly lit, a jukebox (but where's the old skool one?), dj, a few tvs, a badass bartender chick tatted up, friendly door fella (wearing skintight jeans and suspenders)... what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, Chimay (red white and blue), PBR, nightly drink specials. I'll be back fo sho. Just hope the loud fratty Carnegie Mellon boys won't be there again. BTW, I actually hate that "Delilah" song, but I sure do love Delilah's!
(5)Melissa D.
My friend and I were on our way to a show at the Elbo room. We stopped in this bar. It's pretty sweet! The bartenders were awesome. The music was great. Huge, huge selection of whiskey as well. They had a PBR special the day we were there. Love it! I've become a huge fan of PBR since moving to Chicago. The vibe in this place was legit. And I really like the name.
(4)Vic M.
If I had known Mariya K. loved Delilah's so much, I would have started coming here ages ago... Crazy whiskey bar, with just about everything under the sun when it comes to American whiskey, bourbon, scotch, Irish whiskey, etc. Vibe is definitely punk rock, but I mean, I was there the other night in a suit and tie and there wasn't a single cock-eyed glance. Also, if you like cult classic movies like Godzilla v. Mothra, Evil Dead, and Clockwork Orange - they screen them on the TVs most nights. Delilah's does lots of tastings and events so check them out online and pick a night to drop in. You'll be glad you did.
(5)Matt T.
Delilah's is one of the greatest dive bars on the planet. No need to mention the scotch and whiskey since everyone has over and over. But that part is killer. I'm not even a punk rocker and this is one of my two favorite bars in the city (Green Mill is the other). I almost want to 1 star it to keep it to myself. Delilah's almost never gets over crowded. The atmosphere is always chill. People are always friendly. The ladies keep it fun and sexy with their individual styles of punk/gothy/alt threads. The music is always loud and proud and upbeat. I've never had a bad time here. The atmosphere is relaxing and chill and conversations are always fun. The music can be loud a lot of the time, but for whatever reason it doesn't seem to be a big deal here. The only time I've ever seen issues is when some trixie douchebag gets lost and wanders in then can't figure out no one wants him there. There is an upstairs, but I don't know what is up there. I wandered up there drunk once and came back down and don't remember. I'm not sure why people would go upstairs when all the cool is on the first floor. But if you are a lost trixie, then yeah, upstairs is f*cking awesome. There are tons of cubbies chicks up there who make out with each other I hear.
(5)Brandon S.
I ventured to Deliliah's with a bit of trepidation. I figured there was no way this place could live up to its hype. Man was I wrong. A girl who was having a birthday accidentally stepped on my toe and instead of the usual "watch it faggot" she bought me a Strongbow! Everybody was incredbily cool from the bartender, to the father of said birthday girl, who was using a pool cue to do the Chuck Berry strut while the Ramones blasted away on the speakers. Guys with mohawks chatted away with hipsters in tight shirts and messenger bags. It was refreshing to drink at a place where no one had any pre-conceived notions about how they were supposed to act. Everyone just wanted to get schwasted on reasonably priced drinks and listed to some punk rock classics....hey it works for me.
(5)Samuel C.
Went for part of my bachelor party and had one of the best experiences I've ever had in a bar. Mike educated us on what whiskey is really about and we shared some excellent samples. Looking forward to spending some quality time at Delilah's next time I am in Chicago
(5)Joe W.
I can't get enough of this place! Every time I go the wait staff is awesome and knowledgeable of their product. If you like whiskey or a craft brew this is the place for you! If they don't have what you want then they can recommend something darn close! Prices are good and the entertainment is hilarious! The guest DJs are great. Try the beef jerky!
(5)KELLIE K.
Why haven't I written a review of the Mecca of whiskey joints? No idea. Whiskey, women, and song come to mind when I think of this place. Whiskey: If you want one of the best selections of whisk(e)y in the entire city, look no further. I have yet to try the Delilah's label. That's on the agenda for another visit. Women: I met some kick-ass Windy City Roller Derby girls here. Me-ow. Song: the music pumping made me want to throw on my old pair of combat boots, smoke a lot, and shove some people around. Yeah, just like that. My only complaint is the hipster posers that seem to fill up the place, but I can't blame Delilah's because it's just that cool. But please, hipsters...don't try so hard, it makes me want to introduce you to my boot.
(4)Andrew H.
I think you'd have to actively try to not enjoy yourself at this bar. Nothing really new to add. Tons of great bar, huge whiskey selection, stellar drink specials. Lots of cool artwork and other random stuff to stare at. Vintage horror movies and pornos on TV to distract you and spark up a conversation. Eclectic mix of people. Pool and a second bar/lounge area upstairs. Good stuff.
(5)Marco D.
A bit of a Chicago punk legend by now. Delilah's features a very loud jukebox, and streams great b-movies and skin flicks. They have the biggest selection of whiskey/bourbon on the planet, and the bartenders are usually nice. Have not been there since the smoking ordinance, I almost can't imagine it without being full of smoke. Fun bar!
(3)Brian E.
I'm going to write a bunch of short sentences about this place: Great selection of beer and whiskey. Nightly specials that don't suck. Bartenders aren't assholes. Loud music. Maybe too loud. Bathrooms reek of urine. Usually a good decision.
(4)Kathleen M.
I'm going to give Delilah's the benefit of the doubt on this one, as I could really see a wonderful, magical place within its walls. An incredible beer selection, including all varietals of Chimay, local brews, cheap options, and Bell's Two-Hearted on draught. An equally diverse selection of harder liquor choices, all out in impressive display behind the bar. Walls jam-packed with art, posters, and various collections. A bathroom covered in murals and a mosaic, funky mirror (not so good for actually seeing yourself, but a great installation nonetheless). Friendly, helpful staff; interesting and diverse clientele. But oh dear God, do NOT come here on Tuesday nights. It's metal night, and the sound (no, I won't call it music) is truly jarring. I'd like to think of myself as relatively hip and young, but I couldn't stand it. My ears were ringing, I was getting angry, and it was impossible to hear anything from my cohorts. The screaming, the lack of melody... ugh. So, yes, come to Delilah's! Enjoy a true bar in all of its glory. Just don't come on Tuesdays. And if you have to, bring earplugs.
(4)Tiffany N.
This bar looks like one I'd love to hang out in. But, I couldn't get into their extremely loud heavy metal music when we stopped by on Tuesday. They have all the makings of a dive bar I'd love to hang out in - dark lights, kind of dirty looking floors and walls, bathrooms that are purely functional and allow no prettying up, plus tons of beer selections. Delilah's I'm not done with you yet, but can we please change up the music next time I visit? Pretty Puh-lease?
(3)Eduardo M.
I've always passed this place on the way home, never gone in for years, but recently went there to celebrate a friend's b-day. First off, let me be clear - I love these kinds of bars. I feel more at home in a dive bar. This place made me feel at home pretty much from the get-go. Whiskeys? Yeah, they got whiskeys. I asked for a Laphroaig, expecting them to not have it (no, not trying to stump the barman, just hoping to have some nice peaty scotch whiskey). To my surprise, the guy just looked at me and asked "10, 15, or 25 year old?" Major props to this place, I'll be back, and I may end up adding another star to this review.
(4)Mark M.
This place was awesome. It's got a nice dark ambience with a somewhat grim style of decor that I think is a good thing. Upstairs is another bar, a smaller one, lots more space and a pool table. I went on Friday when there was $3 Asahi beers and $3 Maker's Mark. Good draft beer selection downstairs. It was kind of grungy, kind of punk, Great bar!
(4)Rachel G.
Many of my friends are whiskey fiends, but I just go for the beer selection and the environment. The music is always awesome. There's usually something interesting on the TVs. I like it equally when it's crowded and when it's not. Everyone there is usually pretty friendly. In the summertime I love to sit upstairs along the windows and watch the street. Coat Hooks: Yes
(4)Meghan M.
This is my favorite punk bar in the city! They always have great punk and rockabilly music playing and a huge selection of imported beers and whiskey. The staff is awesome as well :)
(5)Lucas K.
Anybody who gives this place less than five stars needs to be reexamined. You want some kind of obscure booze? They've got it; more liquors of every kind than anywhere in Chicago, beer included. The place is always filled on the weekend, but people aren't jerks; everyone's there to have a good time. The bartenders are friendly, even when busy, and if you catch them with some spare time, they'll talk to you about all the liquors on offer. Awesome drink specials. Superb theme nights. Great music on permanent rotation. Movies playing nearly constantly-I've seen the Star Wars Holiday Special, the Suicide Girls DVD, and assorted grindhouse flicks on different nights. Don't come here for cocktails; come here looking to try as many new and different things as possible.
(5)Sheresse S.
This was my fav bar when I turned 21 and lived down the street after moving around I stopped coming due to the annoying crowds came back recently for the first time in three years and remember why I liked it. Cheap beers great bourbon and now one of my friends works here so I definitely will be coming back more often.
(4)Alex N.
Stopped in a Friday night and here are the things that influenced my 3-star review: 1. bartenders actually MEASURING out your shots and pours of liquor into your mixed drinks. 2. one of the bartenders not being able to string together a coherent sentance (drugs in the 80's?) 3. helluva whiskey selection (two varieties of George Dickel). 4. $3 shots of Makers Mark on Fridays 5. Trixies wandering in, pounding whiskey and canned beer and getting mocked by the employees. I'll be back some time in the future.
(3)John S.
One of my favorite bars in Chicago.
(4)Heidi H.
First things first. I do NOT look like a punk rock girl.. but I have the punk rock girl spirit raging deep inside me. I'm a big fan of punk....ska.....mod...all of it. And I did experiment with black eyeliner, combat boots, and a 1/2 shaved head in the late 80's, so maybe that counts for a little? Anyway, I walked into Delilah's last night with the bro and the first thing I heard was a great obscure Who song. That's when I felt like I finally felt at home in a bar. I'm not really a bar girl at all. I mean, I will go to a bar with some friends, especially if there is good food or a concert, but this place would actually be a place I would hang in just because it's that cool. I was here on a Thursday night, so I don't know how the crowd is when it's really busy, but the vibe was mellow.. the music was great... and the funky movie from the 60's was groovy. I hope to go back soon!
(4)Steve D.
I wound up here on the Sunday night after the World Cup Soccer Final {from Chipmunks [c.v.]}. It was relatively calm. I expected more people. I wonder if others had expended all their money that afternoon. As breweries adjust their distribution, some of the beers which were here are no longer here. I wound up having the Arcadia I.P.A. which, for one, is *not* overtly hopped. On Sundays, it's on special for $3. In the stairway upstairs is a vintage 'Donkey Kong' arcade machine (50¢ | game). I played that a few times because the movie being shown on the TVs wasn't doing it for me. I still enjoy this place. I'd like to meet someone here. Because it's a venue where I can discuss a clutch of topics intelligently. I can't do that at a lot of other venues.
(5)Alexis B.
One of these things is not like the other! Can you guess what? It's me! A group of friends and I came here this past weekend to celebrate Mirrin M.'s birthday, and it was a bit different (for me) to say the least. It's a punk rock bar. I don't know much about the punk rock subculture, but I'd imagine Delilah's is as punk as you'll get in Lincoln Park. Honestly, had I not been here for a good friend's party, I would have left after my initial room scan. Nonetheless, I love me some Mirrin, so in I went. We had a planned, yet informal, gathering without any wristband deal or reserved tables. Because of this, we found ourselves taking over multiple tables on both levels and shuffling between the two groups. We began upstairs where we had one low booth at the top of the stairs. After being upstairs for a while, it became evident that the booth was a handicap for our large group as the booth people weren't accessible to any one more than one deep in our crowd. Because the area we were occupying was more of a walkway from the stairs, we were bumped often and the air was stuffy from too many bodies concentrated in an area. It's not a bad space for 4 or fewer people (the booth next to us had a card game going) but large groups are better off staying downstairs. In general, everyone may be better off staying downstairs because the stairs are ridiculously steep for a place that serves alcohol. The downstairs area is tiny with few tables and a small round couch area in the back. We had a table just across from the bar and ended up planting there for most of the night. As I said before, it was a different crowd than most of us were used to, but they didn't look at us funny (as WE were the fish out of water) so we went about our business as we started a tab and enjoyed our night. I didn't particularly care for the jukebox selection nor the gritty vibe, but the more I drank, the less I noticed. The bartenders were very friendly, and when they goofed and told my boyfriend that my tab was closed (causing me to think they'd given my card to someone else) they made up for the error for comping a round of shots. Shots make everything better. The only real issue that I had was the amount of brazenly creepy men out alone and on the prowl. While admiring a friend's engagement ring early in the night, one gentleman approached us and entered our conversation so casually that it took us at least a minute to figure out that he didn't know the other. It was only when he asked what we were doing later and winked that the stranger danger siren began to blare and I recognized him as the same creep that kept trying to touch my shoes and give me beads two St Patty's Days ago. Later in the night, a gentleman old enough to be my father come over and put his hands on the lower backs of both myself and another friend and ask us to do shots. It took 3 different requests for him to leave for him to get the hint. The creepy factor completely superseded the flattery. Here's the hard part. Sigh. It's not you Delilah's, it's me. Sure, I had a good time, but with that group of friends, I would have had a great time at an interstate rest stop - provided there was alcohol. You're the type of bar that most people will either love or hate. I don't hate you, but I don't love you either. Despite the fact that I'll likely never return, I'll still give you 3 stars because I think you could be enjoyed more by someone that is not me. Let's be honest, you're a nice bar and all, but in the end we're just not really right for each other.
(3)Nicollette W.
I've lived in this city for 2 years and have ALWAYS wanted to check this place out. I guess the only reason why I didn't is because I didn't realize it's within walking distance to the brown line. Needless to say, last night I finally got to experience the awesomeness. Any place that has the Specials and Descendants in the jukebox is awesome. Also, the left of center movies that play on the tv's are great. Rocky Horror Picture Show anyone? I feel like this is where I've always belonged...but just never quite made it there. Plus - the drink specials were surprisingly good for a Friday night.... $3 312's? Not bad at all. I really want to check out some of their DJ nights....ska, punk, soul. I hope I make it ...problem is that they are usually on the weekdays.
(5)Matty O.
Hey there Delilah Don't you worry about the distance I'm right there if you get lonely Give this song another listen... Just kidding! I've been to Delilah's a couple times, a couple times too few. This is a great bar that I don't take advantage enough of. They have good cheap beer and one of the greatest whiskey selections in the city. I recommend the 1792 ;) The bartenders are generally cool. They play good punk / indie / rockabilly music generally. I haven't meandered upstairs much since it generally seems packed up that way. Delilah's is just a great dive that promotes good whiskey. I like it. I like it alot.
(4)Bridget E.
I've always enjoyed this bar. Cheap drinks. Check out the website ahead of time to see what's going on, but if you're interested in unique bar bathrooms, this is definitely your place to go. Really great crowd and also music you probly have never heard before.
(4)michaelia f.
Came here on a whim after finding out their incredible Monday night special: $1 American beers. I had pondered what American beers they were until we got there, when we found out that there was actually a beer called American. $1 beers? $3 Jim Beam drinks? All right by me. We settled in to a table near the front of the bar and enjoyed our cheap, delicious drinks. (BTW, American tastes like Old Style, I think). Lights were low, music was loud enough to hear but not so loud I had to shout at the people two feet away from me. I liked the relaxed, low key atmosphere here and the bartender was nice, quick and had a heavy hand. I'll definitely want to come back here to try some of their fancy whiskeys, and Monday night seems like the night for me!
(4)Alex F.
This place gets stars solely based aesthetics and booze selection. They have a great selection of uncommon beers, and a pretty good selection of liquors too. They are well know for distilling their own Absinthe, but I've never tried it. Like a coffee shop, they have art on the wall for decoration and sale. The whole place dark and covered in grafitti punch chotchki adornments. It kind of feels like a goth/punk TGI Fridays. Even with all these tasty brews and eye candy, there are two things that bug me about this place: The music and the prices. The music is always blaring abrasive punk. It's always turned up to 11, so it's difficult to have conversations. If you don't like it, you get to sit there and have your ears assaulted. For a dive bar, the drinks seem pretty pricey. I understand that they have some rare brews, but honestly, the prices are a little over the top. One other nice thing, they open the front windows when it's nice out, so you can be almost outside while still enjoying your brew and the atmosphere.
(3)Caitlin O.
Dollar American beer and Jim Beam Monday nights (that's the brand of beer, people, not meaning "domestic"), awesome music and a good, friendly atmosphere. 'course I've only ever been here Monday nights, but who's counting? I like my punk rock nights. It can get SUPER crowded, but if you're early or you hang out enough you can still get a table. Fun place to hang out with friends and random other good people. The best night they had in recent history was Elvis's birthday when they kept playing Elvis music and movies. I was in my little Elvis heaven. Huge selection of alcohol, good bartenders, a sign that displays the number of bottles of Maker's Mark they've sold to date and good prices, nice local artwork on display, pool table and second bar upstairs. I enjoy my time spent here.
(4)Cori C.
one of my favorite joints to hit up! hot chicks and rockin' ass tunes,.. its how I roll! oh and a crazy ass assortment of Belgian beer! I jokingly asked for a Belzebuth,and to my surprise they had it (Belzebuth: 13-15% ABV ale that drinking a few will knock your dick in the dirt and tastes bad ass!)
(5)Clayton P.
I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly...
(4)gregory j.
Happy Birthday Mike Miller! Best whiskey bar in the world, one of the best publicans too. We are so very lucky to have Delilah's in Chicago.
(5)Michael H.
I am not a regular patron of Delilah's but I fond myself here once a year on Smiths night. My friend and I have made a tradition out of it and we never fail to have a great time. Very friendly bartenders and good Belgian beers on tap make it a place I should go more often. I'm not really into Whiskey but i understand that this is the place for the Whiskey fanatic.
(4)Aiva I.
This place is grungy enough to be dive but just weird enough to be interesting. The music's definitely loud, but who can complain when you've got Gogol Bordello overlapping with a cute Disney cartoon movie? It's just that kind of strange. Cheap, down to earth, yuppie- and pretentious attitude free. Not bad for the North side.
(4)Linda G.
This is a bar for DRINKING. The inventory is VAST. Bring your wallet full of cash if you have good taste and want the Good Stuff. I like a nice Booker's with a waterback. This is a great funky bar. I hope they never change.
(4)Sean L.
Delilah's was recommended to me by several people who call the windy city home...so I knew it'd be a good reflection of my sensibilities or lack thereof. The doorman couldn't get over the fact that someone from CT went out of their way to saddle up to the bar, but at the end of the night he gave me the names and addresses of not one, but two after hours spots! it was a Friday, and waves of people would come in and head off to greener pastures so it was a nice mix, and it definitely was full to the brim around midnight. but that made it even more engaging. The bartenders were friendly and comped me a shot of whiskey, so they naturally will be in my will. Playing Ms. Pac-Man drunk was never so much fun! Delilah's, you are a glorious blur of spilled beer and dark wood across my Chicago experience. (I seem to recall some sort of art piece at the top of the stairwell (staircases+drunks=fun every time!) that contained alot of broken phone pieces and wires, and by 2AM that thing looked like genius, which is a testament to how strong the drinks are!)
(3)Derek S.
i was totally tempted to give this place four stars. and i'll tell ya why: scotch and whisky. i love them both. i am very, very into scotch and by extension have quite an affection for whisky...i drink both straight and i try (am trying) to be a bit of a student of each libation. which makes my first statement a bit odd...this bar has what i'd think is the city's widest selection of both! but i was bummed at the measured, small servings. totally bummed. but i understand, and i offer that gripe simply as a suggestion to the bar: give us more! anyway, i was gonna give it four stars until i remembered that halfway through my first experience there, the owner caught wind of my interest in scotch and spent literally a half hour giving me a hands-on, region by region, bottle by bottle, lesson in scotch and scotland. usually you have to pay for that kind of thing. but you could tell it was exactly what made him happy. THAT'S the kind of place i like supporting.
(5)Sarah W.
I am so glad that i finally left Lincoln Station after 4 years and found my way to Delilahs....THE OFFICIAL BILLS BAR OF CHICAGO!!!!! Great people, great owner, great atmosphere, great blue light cans. This could be love. TALKIN' PROUD!
(5)MsAnthro P.
I hadn't been to Delilah's in years, but a last-minute call from a friend on Christmas Eve changed that. Of course, Christmas Eve is possibly one of the best nights to go to any bar because it's usually mellow. Delilah's is no exception: It wasn't dead, but it wasn't packed or rowdy. Punk music played, drinks were cheap (as in $9 for a round of three beers and three whiskeys) and the Baby Jesus smiled on us all. (Well, maybe not on the guy who got a little handsy with my friend as we left.)
(4)Alisha J.
I love Delilah's more than I should. I'm the weirdo that reads while she drinks and doesn't know what to do with my eyes while at a non 6am bar. Thankfully Delilah's plays exploitation films featuring naked geishas. The cheap whiskey doesn't hurt things either.
(3)Justin M.
I love this bar. Great atmosphere, great music all the time. Love to head upstairs and chill near the pool table. Grabbing a booth is an added bonus! Mondays are cheap beer nights, and pool is free! The DJ downstairs is always good, playing punk rock and rock-a-billy tunage. They have a great selection of canned beer if you are into that. The whiskey selection is as abundant as they come. Make sure you stop in and have a few!
(4)Matt K.
I went here once, and I really don't remember it. All I know is that I had fun and it was loud. It's really hazy. Um, let's see. My best friend was there, along with his ex and one of my ex's. It was weird, because it was like ex central. Technically, I consider my best friend my ex, too, so it was like a huge love parallelogram. I drank whiskey and some beer, and then said ex and I made up hilarious directions on how to get home to the great anger of whoever was driving and her ex, which is my best friend, also known as my fake ex. Wait, maybe we made up directions on how to get there. I can't remember. Did you get all that? I'll draw a diagram at some point.
(3)Mychael G.
Seriously, how many beers can one place have? Cool vibe, we felt completely comfortable in our jeans and t-shirts...which is more than I can say for other bars in this hood. My girlfriend had some vodka made from potatoes, prices for domestic beers were very reasonable! Will go back!
(5)Michelle S.
I like Delilah's... great music, great atmosphere and love the selection of beer they carry. The only downside is the overcrowdedness that goes on there... it's been a pain in the ass and has made me turn around and end up going somewhere else just to avoid the packed-sardine feeling... maybe I'll stick to going when light's still out.
(4)Karen M.
My second favorite bar in town. I used to be a two-nights-a-week Delilah's regular, but the damage to the ol' liver was getting to be too much. Still, I'm a big fan of Delilah's punk rock Mondays, juke box Fridays, and the lovely Smiths' Night. An eclectic crowd, despite the divey/punk vibe, and a great selection of booze. Daily drink specials and attentive bartenders. It can get a bit crowded on Mondays and weekends, but that's just evidence of the bar's appeal. A tad smoky for my liking, but it is a bar. This is a great place to people-watch, get tanked, watch "classy" smut, and witness an entertaining bar fight or two.
(4)David M.
have only been there for their heavy / strong beer tasting...twice...but that is enough....these guys have a great feel for new / original beers.....will keep coming back IF I can figure out when the next tasting is.....
(4)Nick K.
Delilah's was an OK bar, but I think it could be better when its less crowded. I went on the day of their beer tasting special event so there were lots of people there. It took forever to get in line and get a beer and then since it was a tasting, you would only get a shot or two of beer. I would be willing to give this place another try on a regular night though.
(3)Kirstie S.
For a place that doesn't have live music that you just want to chill out at, Delilah's is a fantastic place to go. It is a laid back low key atmosphere on some nights and more crowded with some dj nights and themed nights. A very fun place to go with a group as well. The bartenders are super nice, the drinks are reasonable, and the music is always fantastic!
(5)Paul C.
I don't even know what this place looks like sober, and the last time I was there I could swear the devil himself was drinking a brandy. If you like unpretentious places, with great selection and reasonable prices, then this place might be your bag. Then again, it might be 100% different if your not blind drunk.
(3)Brittany A.
Pretty great place. Usually have good specials during the week, pool tables upstairs, loud music...
(4)Brett C.
Delilah's is a great Punk dive bar, just don't go when they are doing a Morrissey night. No more, please. What's wrong with that guy?
(4)laura heather h.
This bar is great, the crowd has changed ALOT in the last few years and not for the better. Poo, I love those punky rockabilly non-polo or ironic t-shirt wearing boys.
(4)T Mir S.
xcept for the occational prono on the tvs, cool place to hang out and listen to some local DJs spin
(3)joanne y.
i've been here a handful of times whether it was for rockabilly, morrissey, or dollar beer nights. i've never been disappointed. the place is small but has a reasonable amount of seating which is great. the most recent nighting to delilah's was for a good cause. girls rock chicago was having a benefit here to raise money for their charity. i was helping with the bake sale they were having. yay for novelty baked goods like bacon and eggs (not really bacon and not really eggs)! anyway, i didn't have much money and asked the bartender what the cheapest beer was and he grabbed me a can of $2 schlitz (did i spell that right?). nothing says classy like a woman wearing a western shirt chugging on cheap beer. in conclusion, delilahs' rocks! not only do they play great music, serve yummy cheap beers,and have a pool table, they also do charity work. despite their tough exterior, delilah's has a big mushy heart.
(5)Bernie D.
A cool little indie bar with a solid beer selection and decent prices. I didn't eat any food, but the decor was interesting with some original art. Lighting is a little dark, but not too dark.
(4)Leigh K.
Delilah's, I mostly love you, but by 11PM any Monday night I go here, I've lost my voice from all the secondhand smoke and the yelling of conversations across the table. Last time I was here, I think the peach Lambic was $9 for the small bottle, but last night my friend bought the first round of drinks and I think they charged him $11 for my Lambic, say what!? So tasty though, I'm not sure if I can complain. I love the bartenders and, were I actually a drunkard, I'd appreciate the heavy pour, but phew...last night my Jack and Ginger was nearly all Jack. Yikes!
(4)Steph F.
how did i ever live so close to this bar and never visit? the signage alone should have been enough to lure me inside. so, i was in town over the holidays, reminiscing and gallivanting. a friend suggested delilah's for post-tapas chillaxing, commending the bar's vibe (not to mention proximity to everyone's residence). blackness surrounded me after my first few steps into the place, until the illuminated back lighting of the bar (GInormous selection of bevies to choose from) helped my eyes adjust. how could one go wrong with a $2 christmas ale ($2 specials are a year-round, nightly event), christmas horror flicks playing on the tube, eyeball-covered barstools, sweet artwork, and the most eclectic mix of tunage blasting from the juke? if you venture upstairs, you find a pool table and another bar. make your way to the back of the joint for velvet couches on an elevated platform and a brozish bust of elvis tucked away in an alcove.
(4)Justin W.
Any bar with cafe racing pictures that look like the jumped out of Ah Ha's TAKE ON ME video gets 4 stars right off the bat. Other than that fine feature, the staff is nice, the bar is cozy, and yeah CHEAP drinks. The beer and liquor selection is huge and wont cost you much to sample. This is also at a decent location if your on your way somewhere else or want one last drink before cashing in where you can enjoy some good music IMHO.
(4)Frankie B.
Absolutley one of the best dives in the city. This is not a place for foo foo yuppies or frat boys. The music is top notch from Post Punk, and Ska, to Rockabilly and every non-mianstream genre in between. The bar tenders are tops. Jason and Mary will serve you good and always have a smile for you. The place is a little dark and that's a good thing as it should be. They also have a Morrissey/Smiths night. Mondays are kool (punk). I would say that if you're a rebel this is the place for you. They have 2 floors with a pool table on the second.
(5)Brian L.
Best bar in Lincoln Park, which should mean more! Delilah's would hold it's own in any neighborhood in any city. The bartenders know their whiskey and will happily share their knowledge (or shots,) furthermore, every weeknight offers a different beer/whiskey special and that spells a recipe for Drunkardville. Delilah's is a bar for all seasons and more importantly amidst a growing tide of rather, ahem, generic bars throughout the Northside is more relevant and pleasantly independent than most.
(4)Betsy W.
best whiskey bar in chicago....the staff are great people who have become my friends over the years....if your a douche, don't bother.....if your in for a interesting time, whiskey education or love punk rock.....go there and tip well....these folks rock!
(5)Sarah D.
You've gotta love a place that prides itself on the amount of Maker's Mark they've sold... and they're not counting shots, people, they're counting BOTTLES. Friday night is the night to go because they have shots of the stuff for $2. And if you're ever looking for a place to plan a party, they rent out the top room and have very reasonable deals that allow you to have a shindig that won't break the bank but leave your friends wondering how they got home and why there are 12 pictures of owner Mike Miller on their camera phone.
(4)Tina T.
Very cool bar with a great selection of scotch whiskeys. It's a little bit seedy, little bit dark, punkish rock and roll kind of atmosphere and I loved it. After reading some of the prior reviews, I find some of the old history quite cool; to think that Kurt Cobain was there and met Courtney in the same bar - and by the way, good choice for Courtney going home with Kurt over Billy, seriously!) I'm a little bit older now but still very much a rocker deep down inside, (probably will still be listening to Nirvana when I'm 85) so I have to say that I loved this place, and felt comfortable enough there. Actually, after a couple of gin and tonics, it's the kind of place that might sway you to get a nose ring. Probably not the place for a conservative type, but if you love dark, and slightly on the edge, and a little bit wild, Delilah's is a place to try.
(5)jim b.
Giving it four stars, 3 for now, 5 for what it used to be. After a good ska or oi show the upstairs was the place to go for the Chicago skin crowd. Now it's a bit more mainstream w/ some lame norms, but still a good beer and great whiskey selection.
(4)Midori G.
Have to love the cheesy sci-fi 60's flix playing on the TV, the jukebox with The Pretenders and The Knives, the drink specials plus: "Ballroom Dancing with Shawn" (I couldn't find Shawn, but apparently he has really large mutton chops) and lastly the bouncer in hi souped up 50's do thanking us for coming after we left. Not loving so much, the private party until midnight, so we could not get upstairs or the upholstered "eye" bar stools. Really loving, being able to order my gin and tonic with Hendrick's and getting it in the "right" glass.
(4)Frank S.
This is one of my favorite bars in Chicago. Mondays are ALWAYS the best night but get there early if you want a seat. Amazing selection of drinks. Pretty much anything you ask for they'll have. Great staff, great atmosphere and a Chicago staple for sure!
(5)Maria D.
I love this bar SOFA KING much!!! One of my Top 5 in the city for sure and one of the only things that'll get me to Lincoln Park minus kicks and screams. Full disclosure: I am a regular, know the staff and owner and always get great service so I won't comment any further on that. However, I can say with objectivity that the beer and bourbon selection is some of the best you'll find anywhere. Lots of Belgians, amazing tap selection, cheap beer and shot specials every night, they have whiskey dating back to freaking PROHIBITION, for heaven's sake. Great atmosphere most nights; vital and interesting. The weekends can be a bit problematic if you're trying to escape the usual LiPa frat-rat atmosphere but generally speaking it's not too intolerable. Other perks include the pool table upstairs, amazing DJs most nights and a kick-ass R'n'R jukebox for the times when the bartenders aren't playing their own stuff. Seriously: if you like rock 'n' roll and are even remotely counter-cultural you will dig this bar.
(5)Laura I.
Where else on an dead Tuesday night in September could I get hit on by some one-hit-wonder musician who just happened to finish recording here in Chicago after 10 years of silence and decided to go to the same bar to sample some pumpkin wine? Yeah, no where else but my dear Delilah's! My girl, you have given me a hilarious story that never ceases to make people laugh, as well as proving that you don't let down even on slower nights. Congrats, Delilah's, congrats; keep pouring that whiskey!
(5)Jen K.
Not impressed. I somehow ended up here on a Saturday afternoon during a beer tasting event. It was packed and you had to wait in line forever to get a beer. You also couldn't get a regular beer that was on tap. You could only buy tickets which were redeemed for tasting sizes of mostly heavy, dark beers.
(2)Mat T.
Whiskey.
(5)Dave M.
I was visiting Chicago for the first time a couple days ago and I checked out Delilah's and definitely felt at home. It was comparable to the dive bars that I go to in SF. Beer special on Saturday night was $2 Warsteiner, a German. Cheap drinks and punk crowds made it a good place to stop at and relax.
(4)Dae-su Oh _.
Came here one night during their $1.00 American beer night. Had a wonderful hangover the next morning, but nether less it was very fun. diverse mix of people, fast bartenders, cheap beer and good music.
(4)James M.
An interesting place with a great beer (Goose Island, Three Floyd's & Two Brothers on tap) and whiskey selection (more than 150). The music always rocks and I have never had anything, but friendly service here which is something that isn't always the case at your more rock n' roll places.
(5)Melanie B.
Delilah's is a lot... better... than I remember it being the last time I was there (which, admittedly, was 2005). It seemed a lot more "scene" back then, and even though this time around I saw a lot of done up boot boys and punker chicks, it didn't feel as cliquey, even on a Friday night (at 1am). I find it incredible that "ska night" still exists here, but it does - nothin' wrong with that at all, and I feel like it's actually not a mockery of ska, like most nights of the same name are. I noticed D's is still doing mod stuff and were holding some sort of whiskey-tasting/psychobilly fest that we Just Missed (boo). Also, I do enjoy the black walls and floors - no pretention there, really, just reminiscent of a good ole rock n roll dive. I didn't get any special on my PBR (I don't think anyway) or anything like that, but everything was very appropriately priced. Good crowd, good evening. I'll definitely go back to Delilah's now, whereas my last experience didn't leave the same impression (clearly - it took 4 years for me to return).
(3)Doug S.
I don't get out to Deliliah's that much, but I always have a good time when I go. Amazing whiskey selection (possibly best in the city). Their upstairs area is a great place to book a private party. Punk on the juke box and swank on the tv.
(4)Kavi M.
Delilah is voluptuous...as voluptuous as her scotch and beer selection. She hums pretty damn good tunes too. Alas, I must attend a Smiths night.
(5)Tony G.
This is a cross between Punk Rock bar, Dive Bar, and Beer Bar. I'm not a fan of Punk Rock, and I don't have a preference either way on Dive Bars, but I do like Delilah's for the GREAT selection of beers and whiskeys. They have some pretty hard-to-find beers, and the bartenders are knowledgeable. The prices are generally reasonable, but you'd be surprised how quickly your tab can get out of hand if you're sampling the fine whiskey selections for too long.
(4)Melissa M.
Boring, cramped (even for a bar), and oh, yeah, boring! Was better first time I went there, when the other floor (up or down, can't remember) was open. but was still boring then, and just got worse. Right by the train is a plus tho. (Diversey brown line) I did say boring, right?
(2)Andrew H.
My favorite bar in Chicago. Always an interesting crowd, all types of people. Great beer and liquor selection, good music. And if you want a bizarre and wild experience, join all the crazy Buffalo Bills fans there on a Sunday afternoon during football season. Who knew there were so many Bills fans in Chicago?
(5)scott s.
good Punk Bar
(3)Lee L.
home away from home.......... myfriendlikesyou.com .......good music good fun.......always a good time........
(5)Edmund W.
love this place. dollar american beer monday night is clearly a draw. they have something like a 8 page whiskey menu and at least that many beers. So big selection, fine, but lots of places have big selections. I love Delilah's because it draws such a chill crowd. Every night of the week there is an incredibly diverse and awesome bunch of people plus music that I actually know the words to and enjoy. This place even got me out of the house when I was on crutches and it was 95 degrees out.
(5)Theresa K.
Do you like cute boys with tattoos, cheap drinks, a variety of whiskey, and punk music? Well, this is the place for you! Weekend nights are crowded and loud whereas weekdays nights are a bit more relaxed. The T.V. is usually playing something bizzare like "Orgy of the Dead" which is entertaining. And they always have specials like "Sunday night Twin Peaks night" or "Oktoberfest Beer Tasting." I love this bar!
(5)mike n.
i've never been to chicago, generally only go to bars to see bands play, and haven't had a whiskey in a long time...but if mike miller's running a bar, save me a seat...is that the 'forgotten rebels' on the jukebox?
(5)Bethany K.
This place is a pretty good rocker bar, maybe, is that what you call places like this? Anyway, there's good music and a hip punk crownd hanging around most of the time. Delilah;s is a good place to go when they have specials, but it can get a little cramped at times.
(3)Adam K.
Delilah's in a cool bar with cool beers. Just don't confuse that with being a cool bar with great beers. I should acknowledge that this is first and foremost a whiskey drinkers bar. Not being a tried and true whiskey connoisseur, I'll leave that to the experts. However, I was excited to check the place out as I had heard good things about the beer selection. That left me disappointed, but not as much as the service. Being the Holiday's I fully expected a few "Christmas/Holiday Brews" to be on tap, but not a 1/5 of what they had on tap. Maybe the regulars love their Holiday Brews? Anyway, that's a nit. We did discover the New Half Acre Daisy Cutter which was excellent. The bartender wasn't much help at all during the night. Disinterested would be an understatement. He rarely offered advice regarding what to drink and never ventured out to actually help somebody at a table. It's a dive bar, I get it. But I've been to others where the bar keep's actually try. Go if you love Whiskey (or I've been old), but don't go for the beer.
(3)Cheryl L.
Other folks in reviewing this place are calling it a "rocker bar", and I'd have to agree with that tag. The interior of Delilah's is all painted black, and mostly lit with novelty lights and strings of Christmas lights. (It looks much cooler than it sounds, trust me on this). Local artwork hangs on the right wall, and the bar, with its extremely impressive selection, takes up the entire left wall. I didn't make it upstairs, although I've heard they have pool tables up there. Seating is limited, but comfortable, and on the weekends, this place is packed with a 20s-30ish crowd that wears a lot of denim, black, piercings, and tattoos. Mixed drinks are strong and a bit on the pricey side; however, beers are reasonable. The music selection is diverse, so you never know what you'll hear next. I loved the music! They have a few TV screens - I'm not sure what the usual fare is, but when we went there, there was a Bruce Lee film running. It's a fun spot; very popular/crowded on the weekend. Be sure to check out the paint job in the bathrooms!
(4)k s.
Rock bar, blah, blah. Tons of drink options, yes, yes. Tons of imported beers and whiskey. Not to mention nightly beer and whiskey specials. That's the rock n' roll part.
(4)Myron M.
Every day of the week it's something different here. Guest DJ's spin a wide variety of music and on Sunday its movie night. The bar serves over 100 different beers and wiskeys. They display works by local artists on the walls and you can play some pool in the lounge upstairs.
(3)Bonnie G.
I came here my first rainy night visting Chicago after reading it had a punk rock night on Monday and was in Lincoln Park near where I was staying at the Arlington Hostel. It seemed a safe bet, and after passing over the other bars (since..um..it looked like dudes FROM the band Lincoln Park were screaming in them), I found a nice warm bar with plenty of people in tats..and not. The beer selection was top notch and I love the bartender that recommended all the local brews on tap and let me taste it before ordering a whole drink. There were drink promotions going on and I ended up meeting great people there that night and got a bit...wasted. I wouldn't go as far as to say this is a dive bar, but it is def. NOT yuppie or fratguy, but I thought it had a touch of rocker sophistication. And the music, of course, was great. If I could have had time to come back here again, I def. would have. 5 stars equal KICK ASS.
(5)jason t.
rocker bar? um, ok...i did see kirk hammett of metallica there once when i was djing. huge beer & whiskey/whisky selections, and always good specials.
(4)One T.
Good music. Great fun. Whiskey specials. Enough said. (Did I mention whiskey specials?!?!)
(5)Rachel W.
Delilah's is the first bar I ever went to in Chicago, actually while visiting from Texas. Who knows, maybe it helped make my decision about moving up here. The drink specials are great (I'm a whiskey drinker and the $2 Makers, Jack, and Old Grandad are awesome!), the staff is fun, and the jukebox is one of the best I've ever seen. I like the upstairs bar on Saturday nights (say hi to Sasha!) the best. I haven't been there in a while because it was getting kinda yuppie, and I have been spending more time at Cobra, but I love this place with all of my heart. Watch out for the stairs-they'll get you! Also watch out for the plethora of mandals and khaki cargo shorts in the summer-YIKES!!!!
(5)Erin H.
The bartenders and beer and whiskey selection rock, but I can't get over the pretension. Went there for a friend's birthday with a very mixed group (including some fratty guys), and the regulars evil-eyed us the entire night. Maybe I'll try it again on a random Wednesday, when the patrons will likely be less territorial. But I won't return on any upcoming Saturday nights.
(2)Bonnie B.
This is one of my favorite bars in Chicago. I love the crowd-- so unpretentious. Good service. I was wondering what could fill that hole in my heart that only a very special dive bar can fill -- left by my recent abandonment of the Plaza in Madison. This is it.
(5)Don L.
Went out last night for my birthday with a couple dudes. First place on my list was Delilah's. Why? Because it an actual bar and not Barleycorn/Applebees. The walls are painted black. The music is spot on. Great selection of booze. 'Nuff said. Bonus parting shot: Bills fans gather to watch games and drink Labatt's during the football season. They even play the Shout! song everytime they score. I love this place.
(5)Jet H.
There's a full wall of whiskies/bourbons. The art is cool and the lighting is dimmed. Me likey.
(3)Sarah B.
I used to live next door and Delilah's was an ideal place to meet friends for a good drink, live music and fresh artwork. The crowds can pack this place quickly on weekends; weekdays are better and there is usually a beer special. The people working here are really nice, too. The volume is usually turned up too high to have great conversation, though.
(4)Jill G.
This is about the only bar I can be dragged to anymore, now that I'm all old and responsible and need more than two hours of sleep! The 5000 nights party was great and wow was that a wake up call on how much time has passed since it opened. I can remember when Mondays were $1 Schlitz cans, yes you too can get stinking drunk on $15 and still tip the bartender. Now they have American beers for a $1 which might help with the hangover factor. My only complaint is about Mondays, over the years the different djs have had some different ideas about punk rock, some have meshed with my taste others not so much. And you definitely need to get there early on the weekends if you want to get a seat anywhere, it's not a large bar and even standing space can get tight most weekends.
(4)A.S. V.
Delilah's is a well-respected rocker bar. You'd better be prepared to be friendly, because your'e going to be crammed in tight with these people -- both levels are very narrow. It's almost funny trying to watch people play pool in such a crowd. The best feature by far are their live DJ nights that feature everything from rockabilly, ska, punk, country and heavy metal. They somehow fit 135 varieties of beer and 135 kinds of whiskey in this tiny place. Sometimes you'd swear everyone has the Betty Page/rockabilly tattoo look, but it's okay. There's no dress code, really.
(4)Julia W.
Wait, am I a hipster? 'Cause I've never felt unwelcome in Delilah's, which is saying something considering its dark interior and overall oddness... Delilah's is awesome, though. Uh, hello... Morrissey & The Smiths night? Yes! Weird 70s porn? Yes! Beer tastings, Lambic fests, amazing whiskey selection? Yes, Yes, YES! Add to that some whacked-out art adorning the place, great drink specials and some interesting patrons and you've got a very cool place.
(4)Alexzandra A.
One of the few bars I can actually tolerate. I have had a lot of fun here and the drinks are good. Good DJ too.
(5)Ignacio B.
Wonderful whiskey/bourbon selection!
(4)Britt C.
I love this place for the mere fact that it's pretty much black inside with hints of green. Green is my favorite color, incase you didn't know. I liked the general vibe this place had, even though we went early in the day and it was pretty dead. Stopped in to grab a drink, I tried their cocktail of the month which was the Swamp Thing Elixer which had apple vodka, green tea vodka, and soda. Pretty tasty. I loved that they had nuts in a quarter candy vending machine. It was the best mix of tacky/cute/clever to me. They also had Gunslinger Beef jerky for sale by the bar! Cool little snacks if you ask me. The Emerald Ice Jukebox looked pretty sweet. Might have to request some songs next time. For sure wanna go back at night sometime.
(4)Jon K.
Favorite (dive) bar in the city. If you enjoy good whiskey at a good price, this place is for you. The atmosphere may scare some people off, but don't fret as there are all types of people here on any night that enjoy good drinks at a good price. There's no better place to end your night, not that you can't start or make your night here also. The bartenders are superb, having a great knowledge of both the whiskey and beers on tap. While deemed a whiskey bar (deservingly so), it also has some of the coolest beers on tap you will find in the city. Also has great specials including $3 Makers Mark on Fridays which is impossible to beat. Don't worry if you don't heart punk rock or heavy metal, you should still check out one of (if not the) best bars Chicago has to offer.
(5)Hiral P.
Sundays check out DJ Richie for some good mixed DJ sounds. Drink prices are good, some narly artwork on the walls. Do all places designated as "dive bars" have that dark fake printed ceiling. Anyways check out DJ Richie on Sunday's
(5)Chris M.
Hands down best whiskey bar I've ever been too. We are from NY and I've never received the service and knowledge of spirits as I have today. For the truly adventurous stop here... You won't leave.
(5)Danny W.
About as Wicker Park of a bar as you can possibly get in Lincoln Park. It's a sweet little slice of hipster heaven amidst the at times obnoxious scene that is Lincoln Ave. There's tons of whiskey, great specials, and cool bartenders. The couches have some "character" (meaning they're shitty, but perfectly appropriate for a dive bar) lighting is extremely low, and the music is everything you won't find down the street at Gin Mill. Cash only, but if you dig a different scene than the normal Michigan State ba...I mean Lincoln Park bar you'll enjoy Delilah's.
(4)Ryan P.
I don't need a long review for this. -The biggest whiskey selection you'll ever see -Friendly bartenders -Loud rock music -Loud rock decor -The occasional game of pool upstairs -Mostly neighborhood crowd, some of them can tell amazing stories about the area. It's iconic and a must-visit.
(5)Mike D.
Delilah's is one of the coolest, most unique bars I have been to in Chicago. It has a unique atmosphere that I'd associate with a 'purposeful dive bar' feel. But a little bit nicer. The soundtrack is great. I heard a lot of James Brown. I had an alcoholic Rootbeer when I was there, something I'd never had before-delicious. They have a $2 Miller High Lifes Tuesdays. Good deal. I'm not sure about the other days. During the week when the place is not elbow-to-elbow, they allow dogs to come in. All in all, Delilah's is a cool place to start your night and I'll definitely be back. Probably with a dog.
(4)Anne M.
Whiskey, and plenty of it. It's one of the good ones, folks.
(5)Courtney W.
This place... I stayed away for years but on the first Tuesday of the month they hold Metal Night and my friends are into that. There is nothing charming about Delilah's but they are honest. It's rough around the edges, loud, but the beer list is something to admire. They really do have something for everyone. I mean, I've never seen a bar carry IC Light Mango Beer before or all of the Lindeman varieties. They occasionally have Three Floyds Zombie Dust which I am quite a fan of. This place is a dive but it's meant to be a dive and it's a fun place to hang out for pretty cheap.
(4)Danny W.
Decision tree for going to Delilahs: 1. Do you want to accidentally (drunkenly) spend too much money for the best whiskey selection you will ever see? Yes: go to Delilah's Else: Do you want to accidentally (drunkenly) spend too much money on a phenomenal selection of super strong/bourbon barrel aged beers? Yes: go to Delilah's. Else: Something is wrong. Buy some plaid/get glass/grow a beard, start graduate school, and re-answer questions 1 and 2 until you say "yes".
(5)Tiffany W.
Very unassuming from the outside, unusual on the inside. $3 Makers Mark on special, extensive bottled beer selection
(4)Gene H.
A couple months ago I was having a cocktail with a lady in the back living room-esque area when a rat scurried across the floor and u-turned into the bar area, before disappearing into the booze. Normally this would be a turn off, but they dont have food, so whatever. Made me like the place even more Also: Excellent whiskey bar. pool upstairs. not your typical Lincoln park bar. Way more punk rock than hipster
(5)Cathy And Lester F.
5 for selection, 3 for atmosphere, averaging out to a 4. You can get larger pours for less $$ at other places in town, however their selection is unbeatable. The staff was knowledgable and friendly. We arrived during an alien terror movie... Not what we want while having a fancy drink, but it was clearly advertised on the website so we can't complain too much. It would just be nice to find the selection with an atmosphere that matches.
(4)Maria A.
Shady. We were coming from work and were rather dressed up compared to the clientele. It is a dive bar but part of a dive bar's appeal is that it appeals to all kinds of people. Unfortunately, it gave off the aura of trying too hard to be a scene. The staff was overly friendly but consistently under poured our drinks - tiny pours. It was almost like saying f-you corporate bastards, I am going to under pour and charge you $50 for this round. Job well done - we are not coming back.
(2)Adrianna P.
$20 for drinks + 50 cents for peanuts = one hell Of a start to the night...an awesome night Great environment Great bartenders Cheap drinks Yes yes yes
(4)Jordan P.
My favorite bar in America. Ask for a bourbon list and you get a 3-ring binder. 'Nuff said.
(5)Christel R.
I haven't been back since the time I tried to find my lost jacket there last year, but aside from that incident I do like this bar and would recommend it to friends, particularly if they enjoy whiskey.
(4)K M.
Great space. Awesome ambiance. It's truly a unique space, nothing else like it in Chicago, and I'm lucky enough to live right next to it, although I'd travel for it. Lakeview's lil' gem. Although, ladies, this is not a "mingle and meet guys" type of spot. Just enjoy the booze, kay?
(5)Shelly A.
Delilah's isn't for everyone, but it's a great version of itself for those who want a place like this. Incredibly impressive whiskey selection, and there's always a high-quality one on special. My husband has been looking for a few Irish whiskeys that he discovered when in Dublin, and this is the first time he's seen them at a bar in the US. Yes, he got some looks from the guys at the bar when he asked for it, but it's just cool that they even have them. The service is fine and there's a great local, neighborhood feel to it. You kind of have to be in the "mood" for this Delilah's, but if you are, you'll have a great time.
(3)