Drum & Monkey
1435 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL, 60607
Drum & Monkey Menu
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Address :
1435 W Taylor St
Chicago, IL, 60607 - Phone (312) 563-1874
- Website https://thedrumandmonkey.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Late Night
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : DJ
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Tue, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Danny G.
Drum & Monkey you've never failed me... -Thank you
(5)Jason S.
This place is under new management now. They took the pay pool tables out, and added a sweet shuffleboard table! NICE! The Guinness pour is awesome, and priced fairly. The decor is very chill, laid back. They have some good apps as well, although the Guinness and great service will be the main factors that will bring me back. Check it out - a good IRISH place on Taylor Street, who would have thought?
(5)Bill M.
What kind of fool flies a Union Jack outside of an "Irish" bar?
(1)Allison L.
The crowd here is pretty interesting. It is definitely a college/UIC bar with the majority of the patrons under the age of 23. However, there is also a group of regulars who are older (I would some of them are in their 50s). They stick around into the late night with all the college students. It has pretty good food for a bar, though the kitchen occasionally closes early which is disappointing when I want drunk food. While I think it claims to be an Irish pub, it definitely serves American style food. They have free karaoke on Tuesdays with a pretty good mix of people who can and can not sing. They used to have wristband specials where you could pay $10 and get free wells and select tap beer on Tuesdays, but I'm not sure if they still have it going on for the summer. I love that they have shuffle board and Wii. It's free to play and makes the bar a great place to go to on the week days when you want a chill place to hang out with friends but don't want to stay in. To top it off they have a pretty good beer selection. I think around 30 beers in the bottle plus maybe 8 on tap.
(4)David A.
Great place, good prices. and good for an after sport place if you play on the southside. Parking can be quite tough. Prices are average, but they do have a daily special. I have only been there during the week, so couldnt tell you how the weekend is. Owner and bartenders have always been attentive.
(4)Katie K.
Great neighborhood place with excellent specials -- $1 tacos on Tuesdays! Excellent specials every day and an owner who still gets behind the bar to get to know patrons. Good karyokee and occasional live music. Plenty of flat screens for sports events and Wii sports for free. Everything from tasty bar snacks (twice baked tots - yum!) to cajun tilapia for about $10. A hidden gem in a college neighborhood.
(5)Milan P.
free shuffleboard and pretty good drink specials.... Helps that I can walk here. The food is just ok, but the fried pickle is a pretty good thing to try.
(2)Elizabeth H.
First time I went was on a weekday night and the place was practically empty, so I was a little suspicious. After hanging out a while I didn't even notice. My friends and I had a great time because it has a great atmosphere, good drink specials, and really friendly bartenders. Every other time I have gone there have been other people in the bar, so I think it was a just a fluke that it was empty that one time. They usually have a beer special and booze special, so it is easy on the pocketbook.
(4)Christine R.
Like a comfy sweater that isn't necessarily the most stylish in your closet, but reliable and just feels good. Very friendly service and thumbs up for the tater tots. Come to think of it, as other yelpers have mentioned, the several times I've been there, it has been almost conspicuously empty. You people bucking comfort for trendy? Oh well, leaves more tots and beer for me.
(4)Rachel H.
I wanted to go somewhere for St. Patty's Day where nobody would make fun of my shamrock sweater. This was a good call. My companion had been here a few times, and liked it, and now I'm a fan as well. Even though it was packed we were able to snag the last table and order some food. I enjoyed my fish and chips and my companion liked his burger which they actually cooked to order. Even though the place was full, our waitress was awesome and very attentive. She came back to check on us frequently and let us know when our food was almost done. The best part was when we looked at the bill and saw she'd given us our last round of Guinness for free. It was a little loud and crazy, but I'll be back on a quieter night.
(4)Candice J.
This place is awful. my girlfriend and I went here just to check out the local businesses. I am a somewhat recent graduate from the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago ( 2 years but who's counting?) and just recently got a job nearby. I struck up conversation with a girl waiting in line for their ONE PERSON bathroom, which you can imagine can wind up being a ridiculously long conversation. The second she found that out the entire tone of the conversation changed. She wound up knowing the owner "very" well and at that point on would not leave me alone. She followed me to my table w/ her owner boyfriend asking me why I worked where I did and if I thought about leaving. It was ridiculous. From there on stuff just got worse. Not only did the owner personally offend me, but their crowd made me feel like a cougar. Maybe you should be less worried about your competition and more worried about bringing in a crowd that is AT LEAST 21. sick.
(1)Chella G.
I am a self-confessed pub quiz addict. I admit it...I am a trivia-loving dork and that's OK. When I lived in LP, I frequented Galway Arms and even met my boyfriend at their trivia night. However, since moving to Pilsen, I haven't found a neighborhood bar that could fill that void. Then I was looking for West/Southwest Loop area pub quizzes and stumbled upon Drum & Monkey. I rounded up my buddies and the upstairs neighbors to venture out for pub quiz. We had a blast, and not just because we won! The beer was decently priced, and the tater tots were crispy and delicious. Our waiter was very cool and kept us refilled on drinks all night. Overall, we had a really fun time and will be there every Monday night to serve up an ass-kicking in pub quiz.
(4)Colleen A.
I went here on a Friday after work and it was an ok experience. It was really loud and full of "regulars" because everyone in the bar seemed to know each other - and were all either in their early 20's or acted like they were in their early 20's. Not a quiet Irish pub but more of a typical place you'd find near any college. Food was good, but nothing to rave about. Prices were average for downtown, a bit more expensive than I'd expect for the area. Service was fine: our waitress was very attentive but the bartender turned off the Cubs game on the tv that he knew we were watching because he was a Sox fan and apparently didn't care that there were a few tables there to watch the Cubs.
(3)alicia b.
I'm not gonna lie I want to give this place more stars since my friend knows the owner but I just cant manage to.Its ok at best.I headed over there with some friends saturday night and we were kinda disappointed.It lacked fun,enjoyment,taxis,pretty people,bathrooms,good music ect.... Its most def a college hangout and I mean you need to wear your college sweatshirt to fit in. The music was real bad it went from like eighties pop to death metal.I was super confused by the music selection there to say the least. The bathroom was my biggest problem.They only had one bathroom and there was a constant line, which does happen at bars but this bar was not overly crowded. Maybe the biatch in the bathroom on her phone for 20 mins held up the line just a tiny bit, so much so that I ended up picking the lock and busting in. So at the end of our bucket o beers we headed out to grab a taxi, but wait....... Taxi??? No taxis dont come past this bar! We ended up waiting no joke 20 mins or more for a damn taxi that we had to call ourselves. So that was my experience at the drum and monkey. The end
(2)Norma C.
Nothing Special. I went a few months ago for a beer and burger. The total bill was $50 tip included. For 2 burgers and 2 beers. I didn't understand how they could charge so much for a burger and beer in a college area. Waitstaff was okay. No drink specials when I went. It was a slow night however. I would definitely elsewhere before going there again. Illinois Bar down the street may be loud and very college like atmosphere, but it's worth the $10 buckets of beer during game nights.
(2)Jessica C.
just ok. pretty limited, somewhat overpriced menu. went with the fish and chips--said the bartender, "it's the best thing on the menu"--so perhaps that set the bar too high. was not impressed. maybe the "Guinness-battered" fish actually is fresh, not frozen, as i was told, but the fish tasted old, and the seasoned fries were meh. i'd forget about this place if they didn't stock magner's. would go back, but wouldn't eat.
(3)Mary N.
Very pleasant experience. Went to Hawkeyes and had a BAD experience so we left and came to this place. Had a great time! Food was good and the place was really comfortable. Tim, the bartender (not the owner) was great. I am not a college student and I liked it.
(5)Eliot J.
sports bar with above average bar food. $8 for a burger with a huge stack of fries. they have a $7 burger & beer special on wednesdays. they don't include the veggie burger in that deal, so i ordered it straight off the menu for $8. prices aren't that bad. waitress was sort of lousy, though, i guess i can't expect too much from a place like this. i'd go back if i were in the neighborhood.
(3)Tony G.
They do serve up a large and tasty burger, with a LARGE side of tater tots. On the night that we went we easily found a table for four. But it was tougher to find a server than we thought it should be at 7pm on a weeknight. The quality and quantity of food was excellent, but once we got a server it was tough to get his attention again. In his defense, it appeared that he was the only one 'on' that night . Though the food was really good, the prices was a bit excessive for the pub-fare that they serve. And the beer special that night wasn't really that good. I'd go back, but probably only for a beer or two on the way somewhere else. It may be different when UIC is in session - unless maybe the prices are as they are because they are not targeting the college crowd? That would explain it, for sure!
(3)Derek B.
So maybe I'm a bit biased, but the drum and monkey had everything. Like I've always said, there is nothing like a good irish pub. Wooden adornments complimenting a lone, worn brick wall, dim lights hazing the room. On tap? Smithwicks, Guiness, Blue Moon, Magic Hat, Oberon, and more. Saturday is dollar mini-burger and $12 beer bucket day, and I have to admit that I fell in love then and there. Tiny little pieces of heaven slipped between two fluffy clouds of Hawian bread and a melted hunk of cheese? How could you resist. The place had enough business to keep me from feeling like an alcoholic for drinking a bucket +2 alone in the middle of the day, and the staff was really quite friendly. No creeps, no assholes, just a small collection of chill people looking to relax. It's right in the middle of things, too, and conveniently for me, I can walk there in two minutes from my front door. God bless beer, God bless Drum and Monkey.
(5)M. J. S.
I have been here on various occasions and have never had a bad experience. The service was always friendly and the clientele is somewhat mixed, though mainly college crowd or late 20's. It's a good place to go for a laid-back good time.
(4)Lily Z.
I came here last month with a bunch of friends. It definitely comes across as a college bar. Why not since UIC is right there. I didn't really have any of their drinks, but I did play some shuffleboard! I have never played it before, so it was a lot of fun. The music wasn't anything special. We got the occasional odd stares because it was a bunch of Asians together.
(3)Mike Z.
Absolutely god awful bar. Bartenders purposely ignore you which doesn't make sense since place is normally empty and they could probably use the business. Other staff are jerks too. Too many other bars in the area to want to stop here!
(1)Angela K.
We came in late after a concert. It was perfect. Do you remember that TV show about a bar where everyone knows your name? By George, this is it! While we were talking and people-watching, there were clearly regulars who knew the bartender, who knew what they liked because he pulled down a bottle, lined up the shot glasses and filled up the pint glasses. It was dark and kind of a hodgepodge in decor but that really is what it should be. I saw a sign saying there was free shuffle board but I didn't venture downstairs to check it out. I ordered the Disco Tots. These are tator tots smothered in nacho cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, tomatoes. Basically, think typical nacho roping in tots. Brilliant as it was yummy. It billed as an appetizer but I'm a selfish and greedy woman and refused to shared with my mate after he got his one free sample. Mr. ordered a BBQ-type cheeseburger. It came in at above your standard 1/4 pounder. It looked like a fresh, hand-formed patty covered with cheese, bacon and BBQ sauce and was served with a side fries. He had no complaints and left little or no evidence of his meal. The beer, spirits and cocktail menus were great. Hamm's beer in a can for two bucks. Macallen's 12 year scotch. I had a cocktail of some sort cocktail whose name completely escapes me but I remember it was awesome. We were there on a Wednesday night after 10 PM and the crowd was not a crowd. But the music was great (not too loud that we couldn't talk to each other.) The high top tables along the wall and seats at the bar had hooks for purses (bonus!). It was really a great end to a great evening that left us wishing we could make it our own neighborhood hang-out.
(4)Señorita Rodrigue Z.
Great irish bar where I can come chill and de-stress after work. Bar food is actually pretty good for it being at a bar. I love how the bartenders make you feel as if your VIP even if you dont come here often. Friday nights is awesome. You see people of every walk of life and I LOVE THAT. None of that pretentious shit going on here. Everyone is treated the same and with respect. I have been here twice and both times, I came in scrub pants, since I was just coming out of work. There were people with ties, tshirts, heck I saw a man with a green/purple mohawk that let me touch his mohawk (thanks scott!!) This is a great neighborhood bar. Parking is hard to find especially when you come in after 10pm.
(4)Tina N.
Quaint little Irish pub with plenty of seats. Good beer selection & friendly bartender. We didn't try the food this time but if we return I'll update the review.
(4)Erin S.
Went there just for drinks. Good selection and cool environment. The music was awesome all night. Drink prices weren't the best but a good time.
(4)E M.
Decent bar food. A neighborhood place that sometimes is drowning in over served college kids. But exactly what somebody would expect from a bar next to a university.
(3)Maria C.
I love it. Free Jameson shots from regular patrons. Good looking bartenders with nice boobies. A black guy playing amazing Irish Music, what the hell else do you need? Good times and good vibes.
(5)Steve W.
This is my favorite bar. I've rarely seen a more consistently welcoming staff. Always a fun time.
(5)Johnny W.
Great place. Went there after another friend (back in Wisconsin) saw were were in Chicago and he recommended it. Bartenders were fast and very friendly. Warmed right up to us and made us welcome. Tim and I think the gal was Alissa but unsure. We did not eat but saw others eating and food looked and smelled good. A quaint place with a nice feel and older look. Great selection of beers and liquors with a good drink menu. Nice selection of Irish whiskeys. Be sure to try the Irish Mule. Nice twist on the Moscow mule. Prices were cheapest we found in Chicago. Also has a nice little spot out back for us smokers so we don't have to stand out front right where non smokers walking in and out and on the sidewalk. Nice clean joint. Only reason we left is cause it was St Patricks weekend and we needed to get to our hotel and check in. Will be back for sure next trip
(5)Breezy B.
Place is still rockin, but the fries are different than they used to be and I'm sad.
(5)Peggah G.
This bar was pretty empty on a warm early Saturday evening when I met up with some friends. The bartender was very attentive with drink orders, refills and food. The food was alright. Standard bar fare. I got fried mac and cheese which was good, though I'm not sure if it was completely fried. Sometimes I'd bite into it and it would feel cool. I still ate it, because I was hungry. The tater tots that the table ordered were delicious. The cider selection isn't as great (Vandermill Peach Ginger and Magner's), but everything else seemed reasonable.
(4)Jake M.
Drum is my favorite bar in the area. 5 dollar rum and coke is my drink, and they make drinks well and strong. There is one bar, shuffleboard, and plenty of tables. If you're a smoker, there is a back patio where you can bring your drinks instead of leaving them with someone. The bartenders are all very nice, will make a basic drink really quick, and don't mind making something more complicated if you ask.
(5)Jill D.
Great spot for late night drinks and DJ music. We ha our wedding after party there since it's right next to the Grand Piazza.
(5)Paul G.
Clearly a college bar. Cheap drinks and interesting people.
(4)Josh A.
I have never been in love with this place. It is a crappy Irish pub. It is very cramped and difficult to get a drink. Their drinks are overpriced compared to everywhere else on Taylor Street. I wish my friends did not keep dragging me here! I do enjoy the shuffle board in the back though and their music is entertaining. Tuesday is karaoke night and can be fun but is really hit or miss. Too few TVs to watch sports as well.
(3)Miko V.
I give it one star since I don't think I can give zero. Stood by the bar for 15 minutes ad the blonde bartender made eye contact several times before walking away and serving others. No amount of hand waving or screaming "excuse me!" seemed to do the trick. Pre-gamimg from now on, since I don't want to give this place any of my money
(1)Damian P.
Western burger, onion ring 8 oz burger, and thick! Now this is what i'm talking about as far as burgers go. When someone ask's you to go get a real burger, maybe you need to mozzie on down to this location. Their fries were actually really good shoe string style and they have vinegar on the tables so that you can pick it up a notch. The place looks like an old brothel with its brick walls and vintage look so this for me is always a good sign. Truly a gem nestled inside of Taylor Street and a hidden gem amongst burger joints. We came for lunch so of course we couldn't taste their large selection of beers, but next time I will if I am not working.
(4)Marc J.
Warm beer. SERIOUSLY? Not cool at all. Let's top it off with some greasy wings. It actually sucks because I had high hopes for this place. Nope, can't go back.
(1)Lupe D.
Finding myself going here more and more often. This is a hidden gem - their burgers are truly legit, not to mention they have one of my favorite salads. Hope the word doesn't get out - this is getting to be one of my fave lunch spots, not just for the great food, but their friendly staff.
(4)Julio V.
Update: went back because a friend is moving, and the group wanted to go. First beer: Lagunitas IPA (a personal favorite) tasted terrible, and the reason? Not cold! The tap was pouring too warm of beers. Maybe some people can find that acceptable when they are drinking cheap beer, but the flavor profile of craft beer changes when they are served anywhere above 55. Not wanting to risk another warm pour, I ditched the idea of a draft, and went for a can they had displayed on the shelf, Revolution's Anti-Hero. Bartender didn't think they had it, and then checked the fridge. She said she thought it was $6 (really, for a 12 oz can? whatever) so i paid and took my beer back to my seat. This beer was ALSO warm. Why have fridges under the bar if they don't keep your drinks cold? later i went to pay for my gf's vodka and soda and their credit card machine was not working. wtf? this night was not a busy night there, yet service still disappointing. Since no one cared to assure me that my last visit (and review) was a fluke, i'll take that to mean this is business as usual. Disappointing. Drum: LOST MY BUSINESS!
(1)Saba B.
The Drum and Monkey is a lucky charm tucked in among upscale Italian restaurants on Taylor. The stains from exuberant geysers after the Blackhawks took the Stanley cup are still proudly decorating the 20-foot ceiling. The ambience is solid blue collar casual, with rustic public house style wooden tables, conversation nooks, an expansive, comfortable bar and fireplaces. Celeste, the perfectly gregarious and warm barmaid, turned us on to the buffalo chicken wontons, a brilliant in-house culinary treat served piping hot with rich ranch dressing. The D and M is obviously a Jameson's bar (i.e. local, loud, friendly) and is one of the best Irish pubs in Chi-town.
(5)Aaron Jae M.
Went back here one night because it was in the area and I looked at their website and it said they had 2 dollar beers. Asked the bartender and he said that the website hadn't been updated in 5 years and that none of those specials exist in a tone that made it seem like it was my fault or I'm an idiot for believing their website was accurate. The bartender was not helpful at all after that point and had a 'buy full priced drinks or get out' kind of attitude.
(3)Gina S.
I honestly don't remember what exactly we ordered unless I look at my foodie photos. Non-memorable dinner experience I guess. I had a salad with avocado, bacon, onion, egg, goat cheese and balsamic dressing. It was alright. The bacon and lettuce were fresh and so crisp. This is the salad you'd order if you had a craving for something crunchy. The hubby ordered a burger, something with jalapeno's on it. It was a massive burger served on Texas toast. He said he was a little worried it would be too hot, but it was just the right amount of heat. We were just having dinner, using a Groupon NOW. There wasn't exactly a waitress, so the bartender doubled as our server. They came only to take our order and bring our drinks, the kitchen brought out our food. We had to flag down our check when we were done. We were never checked on for refills or asked if we needed anything else. Glad we didn't pay full price for that kind of dining experience. I would never come here for dinner again, drinks maybe (and that's a big MAYBE).
(1)Lori A.
Watching The Blackhawks in The Windy City, quite the experience! You know "when in Rome..." Go Hawks! AWESOME bar too! Could not of picked a better choice than The Drum & Monkey. I have been back since and just a great place to go. Great neighborhood. The staff is awesome!! very accommodating! The atmosphere is great, the specials are fantastic, the drinks are generous, the food...delicious!!! We had a beef sandwich with mozzarella and tater tots.
(5)Jim B.
The place is a typical college bar. The smell and decor are standard staples of a college bar. Went there on a Friday for their "all you can eat" fish and chips. The website states the entree was $10 however when I arrived the price was wrong and it was more expensive. The server said the online updates are slow. Well how about you honor the price the customer brought to your attention instead of not caring and giving an excuse. Of course I still got the fish which was ok. The stink was that only the first order do you get a side. Each consecutive order only came with the fish. LAME!! You need to update the website; that's just bad marketing! It's an average place at best. Oh and that waitress, yea she's a real keeper (sarcasm). No personality and terrible skills as a waitress, I've meet my grandmothers friends who are more personable and have a go get em attitude than our waitress. Finally, to top it off the bill was wrong. Getting charged for every reorder or "all you can eat" fish and chips. I wish I had 4 hands to give this place 4 thumbs down!
(1)Vim M.
Best bar on Taylor street on a Friday or Saturday night, period! Been here several times and keep finding myself coming back. The new DJ is awesome on both nights. My friends and I loved the selection of music! You get to hear all the new Top 40, old school, dance & hip hop. Free shuffle board at the back of the bar. Drink prices were fantastic and they were healthy drinks. If you like the 25-35 age group. This is the place to be. Tons of TVs for the Hawks & Bulls games. Definite hidden gem on Taylor street!
(5)Antonia S.
My coworkers regularly come here on Tuesday nights after our weekly meeting. It's a divey bar, with good beer, a shuffleboard table (always fun with a group), a small outdoor seating area in the back, and really friendly staff. The food is...OK. It's bar food, so nothing spectacular, but pretty cheap so you get what you pay for. This is just a really great place to hang out with friends or coworkers in a relaxed environment while drinking beer.
(4)Julie G.
Place is mehhh
(3)Sean B.
Went in this afternoon to grab lunch and the place was empty. Our server/bartender was very cheerful and happy to see some people in the bar for lunch. The food was much better then i expected and the portions were rather large. Drinks were reasonable priced and comparable to any of the other bars in the region. the serves was fast and our server checked to make sure everything was going alright multiple times. Overall a very positive experience and i would definitely stop in for lunch again.
(4)Crystal C.
Awesome food. Seriously. And the mac n cheese balls are amazeballs!!!! Will b back again.
(5)Chen Z.
The overall experience was pretty great. We wanted to find a place to eat and enjoy the game in a not too loud environment and was able to do just that here. The staff was so friendly and their specials are pretty good too! It was pretty cool that they would switch the games during commercial time.
(4)Clint B.
Great place. Went there on a whim while strolling Taylor St. ALMOST went to Hawkeyes, but D&M's menu looked more appealing. It was very quiet there at 4pm so my wife and I were able to enjoy a beer and some great service. Bartender/Waiter was awesome! $3 Food Specials 4-6pm and drink specials every day. We had Fried Ravioli, Fried pickles, Irish Nachos, Veggie burger. Everything was very good, came out quick & hot! Nice little outdoor patio as well. VERY CITY-Like! 5 Stars is very tough in my book! You can bet a 4 Star from me is a place worth going to! I'm not in that area often, but would most definitely go there again.
(4)Stephanie C.
I'm afraid to rank this place 5 stars because I don't want it to get so crowded that we can't get a table! Great drink specials and fantastic food. We come here on Saturdays to watch football games and stay all day and leave with a reasonable tab. We've celebrated St. Paddy's here and have had a birthday party at Drum & Monkey. Absolutely the best bar around. Their appetizers are great. Who doesn't love tator tots- but to add bacon, ranch, and cheese to them? Yum! They have fantastic twists other favorites. Check out their new "egg rolls"-- great twist!
(5)Carol K.
Let's call the Drum and Monkey what it is- a college bar. With that out of the way, even this "long past college" girl had fun here the other night- well after the bouncer let us in, that is. We wandered down Taylor street and this place was hopping so we thought we would stop in for a beer before heading home. The bouncer carded me and then the conversation went something like this: HE" "You're too old to drink in here" ME: ""Did you just tell me I was too old?" My voice raising just a pitch as I am sure I reminded him of his mother. HE: "Just kidding!" ME" "Yeah right. And for that, you can buy us our first drink" And so he did. The bar takes up the entire length of the bar. The music playing on this night was from "my generation" and was, in fact, pretty good. The kid next to me called it "retro". Who knew I would live long enough to be "retro"? Call it what you will - everyone was having fun, the service at the bar was good (especially given how packed it was) and the kids were willing to share whatever it was they were drinking (Shark tank anyone?? A pitcher of blue something served with your own straw?) Oh, those college days! (or daze as the case may be!) They have a decent beer list, have pub games on week nights and you can usually find street parking in the area. The Drum and Monkey will never be a destination bar for me- but on those nights when I find myself on Taylor Street and want to feel a little "retro", this is the place!
(4)Dan L.
Decent bar with food that can be hit or miss when it comes to environment. We had the lovely experience of enjoying obnoxiously loud brobags and a lady harnessing a newborn. Either way, they have $2 Hamm's cans daily and their food is really good. Their burgers are served on texas toast and you have the choice of tots or fries. I ordered the Western with tots, but would get fries next time. They are those tasty seasoned fries like Checker's used to have.
(4)Roia K.
The best bar on Taylor street. Awesome food & wide selection of beer/liquors. DJ is on Friday & Saturday plays a wide variety of great hits. Everything from the Latest top 40 to the Old school throw back. Fantastic atmosphere for 25-35 year old crowd.
(5)Amit T.
Good food, chill atmosphere, great beer deals and awesome staff. Love the "Irish" food and the bartender had us cracking up. Sit outside if you can, either way it's a great cheap bar to just chill at and have lunch.
(4)Claudia D.
overpriced The husband and I tried once. The ambience was OK. The menu was limited. The beer list was impressive, but seemed overpriced. The food was overpriced. The service was slow. Just an OK place. Nothing special about it as far as we're concerned. Not worth another try either.
(2)Heather H.
The best college-dive bar I've been to yet! Its always full and lively, perfect location with lots of students collaborating inside. The night we ventured out there was some awesome karaoking going on, some genuinely funny and good standouts among the bunch! I will highly recommend taking advantage of any of their specials; like soft taco Tuesdays. Toasted to perfection! Another props of good mention go to the barstaff that really keep this place flowing. Love: laid back energy, put back a few drinks, cheap food, great mix of post college crowd.
(4)Jennifer W.
I have now been to Drum & Monkey a couple times, mostly because it's near school, but I have yet to have an amazing experience. The first time I went, I could hardly handle the music (blaring + bad taste), but when I last visited, it was actually ok. It got a little louder as the evening progressed, although there was pretty much no one in the bar, but I'll let that pass. What most annoyed me about D&M was the waitress. She was really nice at first, but then she started ignoring our table. She seemed only interested in serving half of the table at a time, which, despite her brilliant application of eyeshadow, made me think she wasn't too quick. Overall, I'm not going to avoid Drum & Monkey, but it certainly isn't going to be my first choice going forward.
(3)Robin L.
Came here for lunch on a random weekday. There were maybe 3 other people in the bar. The bar appears tiny but maybe there was more to it. Menu was good, beer selection was decent. No complaints. I'd go here again.
(4)Andy M.
if your 18-24 then this is a place you might like. Otherwise it is a student dive bar in a world class city. Nice old backgammon type table in back. it deserves to be in a better place. This place was smelly and dirty and there was a dog in the bar when I went. the young crowd was really over served and loud. Surprising to see a college town bar in a city. Bad place for most.
(2)Eric B.
I might find myself at the D&M on a Thursday night which is the busiest night for them, having myself a PBR. The crowd is usually college kids and locals. I love the Bartenders because they are honest and generous with the alcohol serving. They have a nice Lil back alley type area to drink and smoke if you choose. this place is alright with me
(3)D'Arcy K.
Slightly better-than-average college bar menu (albeit not particularly Irish); college bar prices. The bartender did an excellent job of timing the Guinness pours so that no one went thirsty while waiting for settling. Friendly and perfectly pleasant for lunch, but likely not the scene for anyone 25+ after dark.
(3)Lois A.
Great place to stop in and catch a game on a hot weekend. During the heatwave when the central air crapped out in my place this was heaven. Excellent pours. Good selection of beers. The bartenders are extremely friendly. I have no complaints but I've never tried the food. With Davanti right down the street it's hard to eat anywhere else! This is a fun place to get a drink before dinner.
(3)Gretchen O.
Fun neighborhood bar. Great appetizers and bartenders can make any drink.
(5)Dustin W.
Ive been Drum and Monkey'd three times total, once on a Monday at 5PM for dollar mini sandwiches, once on a Thursday at 1PM for lunch, and the third time on a Wednesday evening around 5:30PM for the burger and sierra nevada for 7 bucks special. The beer selection is decent and one of the better on the block. Monday: tried one of each, all were mediocre and not worth mentioning. The bartender/waiter forgot the buffalo chicken mini twice and it was very cold at arrival (yes, the little sandwiches actually came out individually for some reason). This bartender (the guy will appear again) appeared to be drinking with his patrons, which didnt really bother me aside from his terribly slow and forgetful service. Thursday: The same bartender is working (wonderful), but he seems much more alert or at least energetic than previously at entrance. I ordered some of the wings thinking it would be fast and couldnt be bad. I was right about that, the wings were quite tasty and very meaty with a few sauce selections. i liked the sesame terryaki best. I would definietly go back for a decent wing special if they have one??? Of note: it took our pal the bartender about 25 minutes and three asks to finally bring the check (during luch hour). There were 3 other people in the bar (sitting at stools ) and would you believe it, drinking with our buddy. Isnt he swell. When we paid it was pretty clear Cheech had been taking a "smokey" break. Wednesday: The burger was good, a standard beef patty with fixings. Of course I enjoyed the Sierra Nevada, thats a given. What was also a given, long wait in an empty bar for mediocre food and slightly overpriced drafts served from a special bartender. Food Not for me, but the free shuffleboard is awesome and I could see it being a decent place for sporting events.
(2)Andy C.
I was reluctant to give this place a full five stars, though I wanted to. The fact of the matter is that Drum and Monkey is located in close proximity to UIC, and you'll always get that group of shall we say, "obnoxiously exuberant" people that come in. The place itself is great: fantastic servers and bartenders, great specials, and tater tots with ranch dressing? Heavenly. Shuffleboard was a fantastic addition and I've spent many an evening playing that while sipping on Jameson. The drink selection is impressive, as is the ability to order by the bottle. Recommended if you like a lively atmosphere with shuffleboard and great service with reasonable prices. Skip it if you can't stand the typical "college" crowd.
(4)Bo K.
Good Irish bar near the UIC campus. The prices are decent, but compared to other bars on Taylor street, the prices are pretty good. They have an above average booze selection. The food is pretty good and the decor is okay. What makes the Drum a good bar is the ppl. Everyone from the kitchen staff, door staff, bartenders and owners are pretty friendly. I regularly sit at the bar and see how the staff interacts with their guests. They are consistent. The Drum is easily one of the better bars on Taylor street. Hawkeyes can kiss my hairy a$$.
(4)Julie A.
GREAT deals!!! As my friend said, college bar = college prices. Way better then any other bar on this block. Divey, laid back, $3 Oberons on Tuesday, $1.50 tacos on Tuesday, you seriously can't beat. it. I left full and buzzed and my tab was $14. Gotta love it.
(5)Julia S.
You know the bar is good when you wake up with a goose nest hairdo, a missing liver and a bottle of bacon vodka. It all started when we made friends with the owners at Baconfest 2012. That's the drunkest my group of Russian/American friends and I have been in the last 10 years. Laid back bar, plenty of cozy seating and good music. Note to self: makes it difficult to walk out of the bar when you open the umbrella inside.
(4)Brent W.
It's a pretty straightforward Irish Pub w. not a lot frills. The bar area seemed to sport a bit of character (read: distressed and worn, but in a good way). They do serve Matilda on tap which was nice. They have really good deals on both food and drink so be sure to check them out (a ton of $3 daily deals and also $3 apps from around 2p-6P . We had the chicken fingers and chimichanga (beef), both were tasty. We were there early so it wasn't packed but defo a college kid sort of establishment from what i could tell.
(3)Laura H.
Went on friday night with friends who go fairly regularly and had a lot of fun. It feels more like a local pub than a dive bar, even though it is a really young crowd. Lots of people, almost exclusively in their twenties, I think, but not a trashy atmosphere. And they have enough seating that we got a table on a friday night. The front part of the bar seemed a little higher energy (in a fun way), and the back was a great place to just chat and relax. The waitress was sweet and gave us our first drinks for free when she mixed up what the guys ordered with a different table and brought the wrong thing. No one complains about that : ) I am not a college dive bar kind of girl, and was totally comfortable here. Not sure about the prices, but I saw a good variety of beers being served to tables around us, and I like the laid-back atmosphere.
(4)Ay D.
Quite possibly the best karaoke spot. Ever. Great draft selection. Full bar with formidable whiskey and scotch selection. $3 specials - drafts, shots, food. Decent flour chips and fish tacos with a spicy pico de gallo. Two giant books of songs. At some point, I realized that there was no need to read through the books - they had everything. Was expecting a dive bar and was pleasantly surprised to enter a freshly renovated space with cute, friendly bartenders along with a fun, friendly crowd. I honed my vocal/theatrical stylings in private rooms at Korean karaoke establishments, but think I've found my new stage.
(5)Claire Y.
Last summer, I spent countless afternoons here watching the Eurocup soccer tournament (thanks to the lack of cable TV at my apt). Since then, Drum and Monkey has been my neighborhood bar of choice for a chill night out with some neighborhood friends and colleagues after work (being that it's right down on Taylor from UIC medical campus). The bartenders and patrons are fun and laid-back chaps who don't mind making my drinks a bit less strong so I can watch and follow the games despite the lack of aldehyde dehydrogenase... Good food at decent prices, good drinks, and fun folks. I believe I'm going there tonight to watch what might be the last of the Lakers v. Magic NBA playoffs.
(5)Lindsay H.
I freaking love this bar! Super laid back and always a good time. Bartenders are super friendly and will toss you a free shot every so often (I guess it helps that I'm a girl). Came here for the Hawks final cup game- it was an absolute blast! Last week, ended up here on a Tuesday night for girl's night out and there was karaoke, which was super entertaining and fun. I love the D & M even though I live nowhere near it! ... did I mention that they have free shuffle board?!
(5)Kim G.
Good beer, decent food, good music and shuffle board.
(4)Genni N.
I love this place. I think its the free shuffle board that won me over, really. They also have some good food specials everyday. i don't know all of them, but I know on Tuesdays it is dollar tacos, and they're pretty damn good. We had a fundraiser here for my master's program a few months ago and they were very accommodating. The drinks are slightly expensive, but just go with a special and you'll be just fine. It is pretty slow during the week nights, but still fun if you go with friends.
(4)Beth M.
This place will forever be "Four Corners" to me. I will miss Dominic and the chips & curry, but it's still pretty good. The bartender who last served me took about 5 minutes to pour my Guinness. Now that's the right way to do it! That alone is reason to come here. Hungry vegans can enjoy the roasted veggie sandwich sans the goat cheese. They also have thick-cut fries for those who just want a snack.
(4)Jennie S.
Laid back sports bar. Good enough for the college crowd. This place needs to have more than one bathroom for guys and gals. Came here on Saturday and service was initially slow but was better towards the end. Nice daily specials though. I don't hate this place but I don't really like it either.
(3)Paul F.
New management---- As someone who grew up in the irish south side and attended UIC, I've grown to loathe and avoid both "Irish Bars" (quotes intentional and appropriate to anyone who's been to more than a few that have nothing particularly irish except ownership) and "university village". Drum & Monkey became an exception tonight. They have a wide variety of brown liquors and a relaxed atmosphere with that Irish wooden decor that would earn 3stars on any irish bar survey. The real gem is the food though. Yes, the gem at an irish bar is the food. Their fish and chips is delicious with a light beer batter. The reuben is cooked in red wine (wha?) and is, honestly, the best I've ever had... sorry mom. I'll be back for more strong drinks, corned beef and cabbage, twice baked tater tots and scottish egg (wrapped in sausage and deep fried!). + the service was excellent. The owner served us and the chef asked about the reuben. I'm serious. This place totally surprised me. Its out of character for me to give this five stars, but I left rather satisfied.
(5)Mark L.
Your pick of the litter Chicago pub. Nice atmopshere but nothing special. Went here for lunch and the food was pretty bad. I had the buffalo calamari and the breading couldnt stay on the rings, it couldnt make it from the fork to my mouth without falling all over. The chicken sandwhich was pretty flavorless. Nice place to grab a drink, but don't eat here.
(3)Rhonna V.
I have come here twice, the service is not the greatest. It seems like they are severely understaffed, especially during a Hawks Game. The food is okay, frankly I'm not sure what all the hype is about over the tator-tots. The sour cream and cheese tasted bland and the tots were so greasy. I would come again, but for the atmosphere more than the food.
(3)Mike M.
3 things: great pours. awesome tunes (heard band of horses, beck, muse, biggie while there). great deals. what more do you want in a bar?
(5)Casandra G.
Even though this is totally not a trendy martini bar (more of a college oriented, low key pub), it must be said that at this very establishment, I received the very best cosmo I've ever had the privelege of imbibing. The $2 pbrs and monkey shots aren't bad either.
(4)Lou R.
Holy GooGobs! As my bestfriend, cousin, his best friend, and myself found ourselves walking down Taylor St. at 1am, we ran into Maura(?) and like the sirens' song, she hooked us into the Drum & Monkey. If I recall correctly, she yelled, "O-BOMBS!" and despite only one of us ever having one before, her energy was enough to guide us inside. Upon entry, the feel of the bar was perfect for a nice group to have a bucket or two and toss the worries to the wind. The barkeep was quite aware and was right on call every time we returned for another round. We were later joined by another party, which included Maura, and later Steve, and I will say, Drum & Monkey was the place to be this morning! I'd come back a bit earlier to give the menu a shot next time, but Saturday night was awesome!
(4)James E.
Came here on a Saturday night (coincidentally the same night Cully did, read more for a different viewpoint), just looking for a bite to eat. Totally forgot about the Hawks/Bulls games, so was a bit surprised to see the place packed. We weren't able to get a table, so we pulled up next to the bar. I wound up getting the fish & chips and my partner got the Mediterranean. The F&C were above average and the Mediterranean was pretty darned good. We started out our course with two Stellas, but then switched to the $2 PBR special - a good move if I do say so myself. Definitely going to go back and now count this place as a good standby. As for Cully's comment, we came in at half-time for the Bulls game, at which point every one of the TVs was turned to the Hawks game. As soon as the Bulls came back on, they switched and broadcasted the Bulls game throughout the joint. So I think you just had unfortunate timing versus an ulterior motives. When we left after the 3rd quarter - the place was packed with Bulls fans.
(4)Marc K.
Let me start by saying I've never heard more accurate karaoke performances of Johnny Cash or Credence Clearwater Revival than I did on Tuesday karaoke night at Drum & Monkey. Holy moly! You'd swear they were just playing the radio. Prices here are a nothing special - $5 for a pint of 312 or Bell's. Frankly I'm a little shocked that they charge $3 for a 12-ounce can of PBR. You can get a 'side' of tater tots for $2 (although it was listed as $1 on the menu). They were pretty darn good, actually, and it was more than I could finish by myself. And they give you non-Heinz ketchup! I liked that.
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